Am I beyond help? Am I alone in this affliction?

[anonymous-user]

I have a slightly different affliction.

I just can't find 'ordinary' performance cars interesting in the slightest.

I've tried. I really have.

I wish I liked things like Focus RS's, Golf R's, M3/M4's, Audi RS4's, fast Mercs, etc but I just can't stand them. They do nothing for me.

As it stands right now, I have just sold a couple of classic Porsches that I've had (and loved) and I'm browsing for a new toy, and I absolutely cannot bring myself to even look at anything less than a Ferrari 430 or a Lambo Gallardo.

In my mind, I consider anything less than either of those, to be 'crap' and not worth having. I would rather take a taxi than buy something less special.

I had a DB9 recently, but sold it as it just wasn't doing it for me either.

So it looks like I'm about to blow my wad (of cash) over a 430, and presumably suffer the running costs along with it.

I just wish I was a normal guy who could go out and buy an M4 or a new Focus RS and be over the moon happy with it.

I meet people all the time who have just bought a secondhand Porsche Boxster or whatever, and they are absolutely made up with it. Like they've just won the lottery. Their dream car apparently, yet I look at it and think 'I would rather walk'.

It's only in the last couple of years I've ended up like this.

I think I need help.

[mfp4073]

SWoll said:

Because you could replace it with something that is even better?

If you try other things and dismiss them I would understand your view, but to say it's because you can't be bothered seems a bit daft to me?

OK a poor choice of words by me, I really love certain types of cars, namely rear drive V8s, and the Monaro is a kind of old school muscle car, which is right up my street.
But, I really hate buying cars, I'm not sure why but the whole buying process is a big turn off for me. Hence the can't be bothered bit. But the truth is I love my Monaro.

[mickyveloce]

It's all about materialism, the need to impress and the path to inner peace isn't it?
If you subscribe to the theory that the acquisition of "stuff" can never bring happiness, then you're half way there.
If you can't be happy with what you have, then you have an issue.

Some people I've met are obsessed with the ostentatious display of wealth. They spend money they don't really have on material goods they don't need to impress people they don't like.
It's always going to end in tears.

I'm not blameless by any means. Who is? If any of my cars isn't (in my mind) as good as it possibly can be, I can't rest; I must resolve problems, replace offending parts and re paint tainted panels.

However, I don't see the need for a 430 Ferrari or anything of it's ilk in my life. And for that, I'm grateful.

[SidewaysSi]

Lord Marylebone said:

I have a slightly different affliction.

I just can't find 'ordinary' performance cars interesting in the slightest.

I've tried. I really have.

I wish I liked things like Focus RS's, Golf R's, M3/M4's, Audi RS4's, fast Mercs, etc but I just can't stand them. They do nothing for me.

As it stands right now, I have just sold a couple of classic Porsches that I've had (and loved) and I'm browsing for a new toy, and I absolutely cannot bring myself to even look at anything less than a Ferrari 430 or a Lambo Gallardo.

In my mind, I consider anything less than either of those, to be 'crap' and not worth having. I would rather take a taxi than buy something less special.

I had a DB9 recently, but sold it as it just wasn't doing it for me either.

So it looks like I'm about to blow my wad (of cash) over a 430, and presumably suffer the running costs along with it.

I just wish I was a normal guy who could go out and buy an M4 or a new Focus RS and be over the moon happy with it.

I meet people all the time who have just bought a secondhand Porsche Boxster or whatever, and they are absolutely made up with it. Like they've just won the lottery. Their dream car apparently, yet I look at it and think 'I would rather walk'.

It's only in the last couple of years I've ended up like this.

I think I need help.

We all want different things in cars. I too look at Boxsters, M4s and FFRSs as deathly dull devices. Over assisted modern rubbish IMO.

But I am not too interested in Ferraris either as I want something that flies under the radar and look for feel, handling and exploitabilty on road which those cars cannot provide.

So I just modify my older cars and look to classics to provide me with the hit I need. Curently have a couple of cars which I am spending a lot on (E36 328 and Lotus Elise ) which when finished will be my perfect fast road/track cars which will be a lot more exciting and match my needs than anything new or more expensive.

Will end up keeping them for the rest of my days so don't mind some expenditure up front. Rather than spend £10-15k on a new car, I am just making my current cars perfect.

[Julian Thompson]

Describing a Focus RS or an M4 as “rubbish” needs some further qualification, Sir... you can switch all the nanny modes off and you’re left with two absolutely terrific motor cars there. Sure - the steering isn’t on the same plane as your Elise but then again, not much is! But steering aside - I struggle to see what you’re going to do to an e36 328i to truly make it more fun than either of those two?

[AdamIndy]

I used to be the same having owned the best part of 30 cars in the 17 years I have been driving. I bought my current car as a bit of a stop gap, that was 6 years ago. It's not special(ST170) but it does everything i could possibly want a car to do. It's still fun to drive, the handling is sublime. It's plenty quick enough for road use, it's ok on fuel, it's a great looking car to my eye and it's the most reliable car I have ever owned.

I don't see the point in changing it and making sacrifices, the only time I can see me changing it is when I need an estate car for lugging around my bike and all the trackday stuff that goes with it.

I would love to buy my dream car but I'm under no illusions that I'll ever be able to afford it.

Fast cars don't really do an awful lot for me anymore since doing trackdays on bikes, if you want the feeling of power or speed then there is nothing comes close to a bike.

[SidewaysSi]

Julian Thompson said:

Describing a Focus RS or an M4 as “rubbish” needs some further qualification, Sir... you can switch all the nanny modes off and you’re left with two absolutely terrific motor cars there. Sure - the steering isn’t on the same plane as your Elise but then again, not much is! But steering aside - I struggle to see what you’re going to do to an e36 328i to truly make it more fun than either of those two?

The trouble with both and with many new cars is largely physics. They are around 200KG heavier than my older car and inevitably they have massive grip which is a pain if you like to slide around a bit at road speeds. So first off, they are immediately at a loss. Add to that things like ePAS, DBE throttles, turbos etc and they are less immediate and full of nannying stuff that I personally can't stand.

As for what I have done - taken a very good non Sport 328i and done/will do the following to create a car that looks old but is a bit of a laugh. I want it to be a "Clubsport" type car with a focus on road ability but with a harder edge than any factory BMW.

- Reduced wheel size to 15" for ride /handling/feel
- Fast Z3 rack which has been rebuilt. I may remove the PAS in future
- E30 steering arms with M3 bushes. M3 trailing arm bushes
- Vibratechnics engine mounts
- Bilstein B12 kit (new springs and dampers)
- X brace to stiffen the front end
- Fully upgraded cooling system
- Stiffer adjustable ARBs
- Race brake fluid and Ferodo DS2500 pads
- 3.46 ratio diff and LSD
- M50 manifold, carbon induction and remap
- Quickshift gearchange and CDV delete. Also lightweight flywheel and E34 M5 clutch
- Remove as much sound deadening as possible

Sure there are other bits but in the main, that would be largely it. A perfect family car IMO! Fast enough on road, slideable with sensible limits, decent feel and we'll sorted as a road car but can take in a trackday if needed.

My Elise has had similar tweaks and it is still a hit after all these years.

Edited by SidewaysSi on Sunday 22 October 12:57

Edited by SidewaysSi on Sunday 22 October 13:25

[anonymous-user]

I doubt the OP is looking for an old clunker that's been crashed through Halfords.

[Escapegoat]

Lord Marylebone said:

Porsche Boxster or whatever, and they are absolutely made up with it. Like they've just won the lottery. Their dream car apparently, yet I look at it and think 'I would rather walk'.

You were doing so well, and you had to go and ruin it with an obvious lie. So, just 1/10 on the PH Posturing Scale. Must try harder.

[SidewaysSi]

rockin said:

I doubt the OP is looking for an old clunker that's been crashed through Halfords.

Clarkson. Is that you?

[anonymous-user]

Escapegoat said:

Lord Marylebone said:

Porsche Boxster or whatever, and they are absolutely made up with it. Like they've just won the lottery. Their dream car apparently, yet I look at it and think 'I would rather walk'.

You were doing so well, and you had to go and ruin it with an obvious lie. So, just 1/10 on the PH Posturing Scale. Must try harder.

In the interest of full disclosure, I've had a Boxster. A 2005 987 3.2S with a full Remus exhaust, and it was a great car. It was fast, handling was superb, the noise was epic, and it was everything you expect from a roadster.

It was my dad's, and he gave it to me after he didn't want it anymore, I ran it for a little while and then sold it after fixing a couple of issues.

Would I buy one with my own money? No.

So there you have it, I'm not saying it's a bad car at all, but I just wouldn't buy one. Which was kind of the whole point of my post.

Stupidly, I'm the sort of person who wants either a 911 or nothing at all.

Problem is, I've had a few 911's and now I want to 'progress' if that's the right word.

[SidewaysSi]

Lord Marylebone said:

Escapegoat said:

Lord Marylebone said:

Porsche Boxster or whatever, and they are absolutely made up with it. Like they've just won the lottery. Their dream car apparently, yet I look at it and think 'I would rather walk'.

You were doing so well, and you had to go and ruin it with an obvious lie. So, just 1/10 on the PH Posturing Scale. Must try harder.

In the interest of full disclosure, I've had a Boxster. A 2005 987 3.2S with a full Remus exhaust, and it was a great car. It was fast, handling was superb, the noise was epic, and it was everything you expect from a roadster.

It was my dad's, and he gave it to me after he didn't want it anymore, I ran it for a little while and then sold it after fixing a couple of issues.

Would I buy one with my own money? No.

So there you have it, I'm not saying it's a bad car at all, but I just wouldn't buy one. Which was kind of the whole point of my post.

Stupidly, I'm the sort of person who wants either a 911 or nothing at all.

Problem is, I've had a few 911's and now I want to 'progress' if that's the right word.

I had the same but a Cayman GT4. Nice car but didn't do anything for me. Personally I find my "crashed through Halfords" BMW the more interesting car.

[Julian Thompson]

In fairness Si I think you’re pushing a difficult argument because you’re creating a semi track based car here and then trying to compare it back against factory efforts that are designed as compelling road cars. I also fully understand you’re creating something personal and unique and that’s a lot of fun so credit to you. I get where you are coming from in terms of the increasing ability and power of these modern cars but it’s still possible to enjoy them - if you’re able to justify a bit of a slide in the 328 I guarantee I could generate an equally justifiable moment in the m4 without drama due to the prodigious torque (actually probably easier than you could in the 328!) - there is no way you can justify traction loss due to anything other than a big steering angle and overwhelming the back tyres occasionally on the public road in any of these cars (ie testing the lateral cornering grip to an extent that results in a slide isn’t on the menu anyway) so honestly these “lower limits” really only mean “slower car so you’re going slower but feel more engaged”. And I get that. But really a £15k radical or caterham (or your Elise) would most likely be a better track car than your 328 anyway and a £7k 330d estate car would be a better family car probably so again I can’t see where the M4 or focus RS earn their “modern rubbish” moniker.

As for the gent suggesting the GT4 and boxster are dull I can only suggest that it’s because you’ve not yet scratched your Ferrari itch properly yet. Once you’ve enjoyed the 430 for a while you’ll come to realise that, just like the other cars, they are still not perfect and the F car badge is no guarantee of automotive personal fulfilment. If you’re honest with yourself it is more likely to be you wanting to feel like you climbed the summit - you never ever forget your “I’m driving my first Ferrari home oh my god” moment. So by all means enjoy your F430 but watch out for the GT4 (or even Sideways Si in his Halfords Sponsored 328 - only kidding!) in your mirrors when you go on track because unless you have the ceramic brakes you’ll last three laps !

Edited by Julian Thompson on Sunday 22 October 18:46

[CanAm]

Pica-Pica said:

Just the radio antenna would make me think -What?

It does seem rather over-engineered.

[SidewaysSi]

Julian Thompson said:

In fairness Si I think you’re pushing a difficult argument because you’re creating a semi track based car here and then trying to compare it back against factory efforts that are designed as compelling road cars. I also fully understand you’re creating something personal and unique and that’s a lot of fun so credit to you. I get where you are coming from in terms of the increasing ability and power of these modern cars but it’s still possible to enjoy them - if you’re able to justify a bit of a slide in the 328 I guarantee I could generate an equally justifiable moment in the m4 without drama due to the prodigious torque (actually probably easier than you could in the 328!) - there is no way you can justify traction loss due to anything other than a big steering angle and overwhelming the back tyres occasionally on the public road in any of these cars (ie testing the lateral cornering grip to an extent that results in a slide isn’t on the menu anyway) so honestly these “lower limits” really only mean “slower car so you’re going slower but feel more engaged”. And I get that. But really a £15k radical or caterham (or your Elise) would most likely be a better track car than your 328 anyway and a £7k 330d estate car would be a better family car probably so again I can’t see where the M4 or focus RS earn their “modern rubbish” moniker.

As for the gent suggesting the GT4 and boxster are dull I can only suggest that it’s because you’ve not yet scratched your Ferrari itch properly yet. Once you’ve enjoyed the 430 for a while you’ll come to realise that, just like the other cars, they are still not perfect and the F car badge is no guarantee of automotive personal fulfilment. If you’re honest with yourself it is more likely to be you wanting to feel like you climbed the summit - you never ever forget your “I’m driving my first Ferrari home oh my god” moment. So by all means enjoy your F430 but watch out for the GT4 (or even Sideways Si in his Halfords Sponsored 328 - only kidding!) in your mirrors when you go on track because unless you have the ceramic brakes you’ll last three laps !

Edited by Julian Thompson on Sunday 22 October 18:46

See your point entirely but as said for me, modern cars are in general pretty dull. Yes, I could probably slide them at will but from experience I have found the limits to be a bit too high for my liking. My 328 is not a race car at all but it will oversteer very easily at 20mph if I want it to.

Unfortunately I grew up with Caterhams and old Peugeots which really spoilt me for everything else as I now want every car to be as much fun and feelsome as them which no modernish factotum car will ever achieve. So I end up modifying what I have which means I have ended up with "keepers".

I found my old DC2 Integra and Cayman GT4 both lacking the on road thrill I look for which in some ways means I needn't bother looking at many other cars. As for a 330d, my mum actually has one and I can categorically say that it is nowhere near as much fun or as accomplished on road as my old thing.

And here is my Halfords special with most of the mods previously listed on it. Completely chavved up eh?

[scoobygaz1]

I had my last car 10 years started of as a prodrive classic Impreza cira 260, ended up at 507 bhp each modification made it feel like a different car, a couple of turbo changes and an engine rebuild made it fun and drive like a different car.

[*Al*]

Had my current car (Nissan 370z roadster) a few weeks and I'm already looking forward to my next purchase. Exciting isn't it?

[Strudul]

Lord Marylebone said:

I just wish I was a normal guy who could go out and buy an M4 or a new Focus RS and be over the moon happy with it.

[Julian Thompson]

Your car looks lovely Si :-)

[anonymous-user]

Strudul said:

Well I can certainly relate to that.

I really would like helicopter.

And an offshore power boat.