Too much power ???????
Discussion
GravelBen said:
R8VXF said:
GravelBen said:
Please don't drive anywhere near me.
If I do it will be in a hire car, and you know what they say....
Back on topic, I can enjoy both. I tend to lean towards more power however I am happy to admit that I do find it a bit frustrating when there aren't any road conditions where the can can deploy all of its torque at WOT at remotely legal speeds.
Most of the time the Cerb can't but on a warm dry day with careful throttle application it can. That's fine by me. It keeps things exciting moat of the time and I know it can be done, so I've always got the right conditions to look forward to.
The Jag on the other hand can frustrate at times because I've honestly got no idea what all of its power feels like. I'd rather have it that not because there's nothing worsr than lacking to power for a smart overtake on a typical Scottish single carriageway with wife, 2 kids and shopping to accelerate - something that has most 2-point-whatever cars hamstrung. Still, I'd like to be able to get the pedal all the way down in 2nd without just a load of wheelspin even on warm dry days.
Most of the time the Cerb can't but on a warm dry day with careful throttle application it can. That's fine by me. It keeps things exciting moat of the time and I know it can be done, so I've always got the right conditions to look forward to.
The Jag on the other hand can frustrate at times because I've honestly got no idea what all of its power feels like. I'd rather have it that not because there's nothing worsr than lacking to power for a smart overtake on a typical Scottish single carriageway with wife, 2 kids and shopping to accelerate - something that has most 2-point-whatever cars hamstrung. Still, I'd like to be able to get the pedal all the way down in 2nd without just a load of wheelspin even on warm dry days.
It's only in stop start traffic where I've found having something quick (Ie capable of sub 5 second 0-60) to be a real issue, cars like that tend to have a bit of a hair trigger so you're either crawling along at idle or doing 30mph because you breathed on the throttle. I find it can be a bit stressful as you have to leave bigger gaps and watch extra carefully for surprise stop from the car in front.
Hardly rocket science to work it out....
The best roads to drive on are country roads - at best they have a 60 limit but most are now 50.
If you don't want a ban that means 70-80max or if you're feeling lucky 79-89mph so a car that has the power to quickly get to those speeds is all that is required by 99.99% of drivers.
I have owned cars with circa 350bhp / ton and it's frustrating as hell
The best roads to drive on are country roads - at best they have a 60 limit but most are now 50.
If you don't want a ban that means 70-80max or if you're feeling lucky 79-89mph so a car that has the power to quickly get to those speeds is all that is required by 99.99% of drivers.
I have owned cars with circa 350bhp / ton and it's frustrating as hell
For me it's about power matched to chassis.
High power in crap chassis is not good - frustrating as hell to drive (can be wildly exciting at times though).
Low power in great chassis is not good - frustrating as hell to drive.
High power in great chassis is OK - but can be frustrating as hell to drive as it is like a caged beast that can't be fully exploited on the road.
My personal view is that ~400bhp in an average mass vehicle with great chassis is around the sweet spot. May need ~ ~500bhp in a lardy vehicle or ~300bhp in a lighter (but not feather weight) vehicle.
Have driven Caterhams but just can't imagine what driving a 600bhp version is like! Might need a supply of Valium!
High power in crap chassis is not good - frustrating as hell to drive (can be wildly exciting at times though).
Low power in great chassis is not good - frustrating as hell to drive.
High power in great chassis is OK - but can be frustrating as hell to drive as it is like a caged beast that can't be fully exploited on the road.
My personal view is that ~400bhp in an average mass vehicle with great chassis is around the sweet spot. May need ~ ~500bhp in a lardy vehicle or ~300bhp in a lighter (but not feather weight) vehicle.
Have driven Caterhams but just can't imagine what driving a 600bhp version is like! Might need a supply of Valium!
Poopipe said:
It's only in stop start traffic where I've found having something quick (Ie capable of sub 5 second 0-60) to be a real issue, cars like that tend to have a bit of a hair trigger so you're either crawling along at idle or doing 30mph because you breathed on the throttle. I find it can be a bit stressful as you have to leave bigger gaps and watch extra carefully for surprise stop from the car in front.
Out of interest, what sort of cars are you talking about here? None of the quickish cars I've driven have done this.R8VXF said:
GravelBen said:
R8VXF said:
Doesn't matter what gear gives you a particular speed, more power is always better. You do not need to use it all to have fun, but you can use to annihilate opposition.
If you're talking about racing then its more interesting with evenly matched cars.If you're talking about road driving then there is no 'opposition' as its not a race.
Having more power than you can sensibly use is nice at times, but I've had more fun hustling involving lower powered cars along at semi-legal speeds than cruising at the same speed using a small percentage of what a faster car is capable of.
On my drive I have a 1.2 petrol, a 2.0 diesel and a 6.2 s/c petrol. The most fun is had in the biggest engine, as I can have the same amount of fun as the less powerful alternatives and push it even further.
ts posting absolute ste on PH? SidewaysSi said:
R8VXF said:
GravelBen said:
R8VXF said:
Doesn't matter what gear gives you a particular speed, more power is always better. You do not need to use it all to have fun, but you can use to annihilate opposition.
If you're talking about racing then its more interesting with evenly matched cars.If you're talking about road driving then there is no 'opposition' as its not a race.
Having more power than you can sensibly use is nice at times, but I've had more fun hustling involving lower powered cars along at semi-legal speeds than cruising at the same speed using a small percentage of what a faster car is capable of.
On my drive I have a 1.2 petrol, a 2.0 diesel and a 6.2 s/c petrol. The most fun is had in the biggest engine, as I can have the same amount of fun as the less powerful alternatives and push it even further.
ts posting absolute ste on PH? We've even got a couple of blowhards arguing over who could 'leave' who.
ETA: and on the public road too
R8VXF said:
What on the road these days can realistically keep up with me?
Edited by HustleRussell on Saturday 6th February 10:59
My car has too much power and torque, used to have a long way home commute on some fantastic A and B roads I loved driving it in my e92 M3 I could stretch its legs it was fab, but my M5 just has too much too soon and cannot be driven with the verve you'd want to, so I've not bothered making that journey since.
I think a manual Cayman or the like is the sweet spot.
I think a manual Cayman or the like is the sweet spot.
It depends how you get enjoyment from driving. If you are a straightline A-road / M-way slip road blast person, yes I suppose more power is better or more enjoyable.
However, many don't find this too entertaining; myself included. If my Elise had a significant increase in power it would require bigger brakes, suspension upgrade etc to allow me to use the power on the type of roads I enjoy. As it is the chassis, brakes, tyres and short box all work together with one not dominating the other.
Each to their own, I can see both sides to the power thing.
However, many don't find this too entertaining; myself included. If my Elise had a significant increase in power it would require bigger brakes, suspension upgrade etc to allow me to use the power on the type of roads I enjoy. As it is the chassis, brakes, tyres and short box all work together with one not dominating the other.
Each to their own, I can see both sides to the power thing.
Buff Mchugelarge said:
My newly acquired 9-5 Aero will spin all its 230bhp away in the first 3 gears in the wet if you drive it like a Neanderthal.
It's all relative to conditions and use I suppose. Even if you rarely use all the power a car has, it's nice to know you can if you want.
Precisely why I bought a 4WD Forester - in the winter it's nice to see a gap in traffic and know you'll fit into it - regardless of wet, gravel, slope etc 0-60 sub 7 regardless - usually sub 6.It's all relative to conditions and use I suppose. Even if you rarely use all the power a car has, it's nice to know you can if you want.
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