RE: In praise of difficult cars: Speed Matters
Discussion
Threading a 30-y-o 928 along a bumpy, narrow, twisty road at 10pm is a good way to rediscover the meaning of 'concentration'. It would be a struggle to keep up with MrsPB's Golf and wouldn't see where the Subaru went, but there is real joy in hustling it along these roads. The long travel throttle and dog-leg box are easy, it's containing the enthusiasm that's hard!
As for quirks, whilst all three are manual, there are three different layouts of gearbox and of drivetrain, and three different handbrakes. Take nought for granted.
As for quirks, whilst all three are manual, there are three different layouts of gearbox and of drivetrain, and three different handbrakes. Take nought for granted.
dotgillingham said:
My '88 Saab 900 T16's lag is excessive, meaning no progress whatsoever in the wrong gear at the wrong speed. Takes proper concentration and forward planning to drive quickly, but by God when you get it right... Friend in a Pug 205 1.9 didn't see which way we went
I had an '86 T16S some years ago and agree. Get caught napping in 5th and almost anything would overtake you and overtaking opportunities are missed. Keep in on song though and you wonder if any car could be quicker. The performance stats really do not do it justice. I have an E39 M5 now but would still love a T16S.Got rid of my Corolla T Sport when we needed more space for a 530i. The Corolla had no power until 6500rpm and trying to keep it on lift was hard work changing gear! A giggle on your own but a pain with passengers due to low torque. Not that i've had any really exciting cars but I quite miss it!
marcosgt said:
Yes, I'm getting bored of the "Golf R is boring/everyone has one" rubbish.
GTis are 10 a penny, no-one says "Oh, I'd much rather have a Focus ST than a boring RS" and yet we get this drivel about the R every day.
It's boring in that it's a Golf, but so is the GTi.
On a twisty road the GTi won't see where the R went and you'll be readjusting your sense of how fast a family estate car can go.
One thing that is becoming increasingly true, though, is that most modern cars are too easy to drive and too fast for the ever restricted roads around (my son's 10 year old Hyundai will break the speed limit anywhere without any effort).
You can argue that you need to buy a car with more 'character', but no-one makes one anymore...
.
My last car was a Mazda RX8 - it had an engine rebuild, it did 22MPG, I couldn't get my dive gear in it, it was getting rusty and yet... it was a delight everytime I sat in it...
The R is better in nearly every respect, but it's just a car, like everything else vaguely practical these days and even cars which should exist only to be exciting...
M
your post confuses me!GTis are 10 a penny, no-one says "Oh, I'd much rather have a Focus ST than a boring RS" and yet we get this drivel about the R every day.
It's boring in that it's a Golf, but so is the GTi.
On a twisty road the GTi won't see where the R went and you'll be readjusting your sense of how fast a family estate car can go.
One thing that is becoming increasingly true, though, is that most modern cars are too easy to drive and too fast for the ever restricted roads around (my son's 10 year old Hyundai will break the speed limit anywhere without any effort).
You can argue that you need to buy a car with more 'character', but no-one makes one anymore...
. My last car was a Mazda RX8 - it had an engine rebuild, it did 22MPG, I couldn't get my dive gear in it, it was getting rusty and yet... it was a delight everytime I sat in it...
The R is better in nearly every respect, but it's just a car, like everything else vaguely practical these days and even cars which should exist only to be exciting...
M
yes, people take extreme positions on here and it can get tiresome. however, you seem to agree with the premise that 'too competent', easy to drive cars are a little boring and something that requires a little effort, with character, is more rewarding?
There are new cars that reward. The problem is that they're (necessarily) not as comfortable or have the same kudos to the masses, or even those on a car forum.
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