Discussion
iphonedyou said:
podgeorge said:
Even the Golf has a decent character in comparison.
Really.I can see your angle though, I had a Mk4 GTI 1.8T previously and that was the most characterless thing I’ve ever owned. I can’t really explain it but there is just something about it.
podgeorge said:
I recently drove a new top of the range, Discovery Sport.
I don’t think I have ever driven such a soulless, boring and bland car in all my life.
Is it me or have car manufacturers really perfected the art of the soulless car?
It makes me sad that character seems to a a word absent from many major manufacturers specification these days.
I’d say it’s the drivetrain that gets us, here’s an example, I’ve driven a F10 520d, 14 plate, 180 bhp automatic, comfortable, spacious, good on fuel and premium, one of the most boring cars I have ever driven, can’t imagine what a Passat or Mondeo would be like !I don’t think I have ever driven such a soulless, boring and bland car in all my life.
Is it me or have car manufacturers really perfected the art of the soulless car?
It makes me sad that character seems to a a word absent from many major manufacturers specification these days.
Anyways My brother bought a basic E39 523i manual BMW and it is so much more fun, not that fast, only a 2.5 with 170 bhp but it is brilliant to drive, so much better and it has character compared to the 520d. Small wheels, simple dashboard, straight 6 noise without 19inch wheels on runflats that break your spine when you hit a pothole.
I highly doubt the 523i would have been considered characterful back in its day, probably another premium tool used by accountants and doctors.
Downsizing, turbo charging and high fuel costs are taking away the pleasure of driving.
The year 2001, you go into BMW and pick the cheapest 5 series, 2.2 straight 6 170 BHP manual.
The year 2018, cheapest 5 series is a 520d auto only and if you want a straight 6 it’s the range topper at 55 grand with 340bhp you’ll never even use.
That being said, I don’t think a car like the discovery sport is meant to have character, typical 2.0 diesel 4x4 intended to give you 50 mpg and show up the other school mums in their Tiguans and GLC’s.
Modern cars are all about being competent. There are still some models that aim at fun, or some exotic stuff that has (engineered in) character, or some smaller manufacturers that can’t polish every aspect and leave some character (rough edges).
But what were you hoping for from a family bus? What didn’t it do that would have added ‘character’?
I get why you like the 182. It’s a car I test drove many times a few years ago but wasn’t quite for me. But the Golf? That has no character, it’s just pretty flawed (very course engine and very soft chassis).
But what were you hoping for from a family bus? What didn’t it do that would have added ‘character’?
I get why you like the 182. It’s a car I test drove many times a few years ago but wasn’t quite for me. But the Golf? That has no character, it’s just pretty flawed (very course engine and very soft chassis).
Cars that are like...so good...and so complete....can be boring!
I've not driven the MK7 Golf R but i had the MK6 Golf R for a weekend. Yes it was very fast...and a great 'all rounder'...but it left me cold!
By contrast - the similarly powered but much 'inferior' Leon Cupra R of the same era - was an absolute, absolute blast to drive. SO much more fun.
I've not driven the MK7 Golf R but i had the MK6 Golf R for a weekend. Yes it was very fast...and a great 'all rounder'...but it left me cold!
By contrast - the similarly powered but much 'inferior' Leon Cupra R of the same era - was an absolute, absolute blast to drive. SO much more fun.
Many modern cars are completely deadened to any feedback. Deliberately.
Its not that car manufacturers cant make a car interesting, some still do but the fact is most wont.
So much is the disconnect between driver and road they're having to add all kinds of computerised trickery to compensate. Automatic braking, lane assistance, all of it making the driver dumber and reassuring them in their lack of skill.
AEB is nothing like ABS, instead of taking a task that was rare and performed under stress it is taking away the basic task of paying attention to what you're doing. I think that if AEB is used, the car should send a message to the CPS and have an charge of careless driving drawn up, perhaps also taking a photo of the cabin to check if the steering wheel attendant was on the phone as well.
Its not that car manufacturers cant make a car interesting, some still do but the fact is most wont.
So much is the disconnect between driver and road they're having to add all kinds of computerised trickery to compensate. Automatic braking, lane assistance, all of it making the driver dumber and reassuring them in their lack of skill.
AEB is nothing like ABS, instead of taking a task that was rare and performed under stress it is taking away the basic task of paying attention to what you're doing. I think that if AEB is used, the car should send a message to the CPS and have an charge of careless driving drawn up, perhaps also taking a photo of the cabin to check if the steering wheel attendant was on the phone as well.
podgeorge said:
I recently drove a new top of the range, Discovery Sport.
I don’t think I have ever driven such a soulless, boring and bland car in all my life.
Is it me or have car manufacturers really perfected the art of the soulless car?
I think they're made to be that way, I've a GLC and its a lovely motor to cover miles in very effortlessly, you just sit there and it gets on with the job. Never once does it raise a smile or feel in anyway interesting to drive and I think that is the remit of that type of vehicle.I don’t think I have ever driven such a soulless, boring and bland car in all my life.
Is it me or have car manufacturers really perfected the art of the soulless car?
My Kia is the blandest thing on the menu. From a distance, in a car park, it could be any grey Astra/Focus/Hyundai/whatever. It is utterly forgettable, not dynamic, not fast. But it's reliable and economical and costs F all for a work hack.
I'd probably have a heart attack if I ever bought a 320d.
I'd probably have a heart attack if I ever bought a 320d.
I doubt 'character' is high on the list of things the average consumer is looking for, they typically want it to be comfortable, look alright, be relatively frugal, have the various toys they want and some would like it portray a certain image which comes from the brand. With this criteria the Disco Sport does a great job of meeting the requirements which is why they sell so many.
I understand wanting character in a hot hatch or sports car but in a family bus it would be well down mine and i suspect most people's list of requirements
I understand wanting character in a hot hatch or sports car but in a family bus it would be well down mine and i suspect most people's list of requirements
SaggyOstrich said:
Pretty much every new car is bland now, it's depressing. Even the ones that are sporty versions are boring as hell.
Just drive around and you'll see all the same crap, just a sea of blandness.
My old man has a supercharged 5 litre V8 F Type R. That definitely isn't boring. Always puts a smile on my face every time I drive it or am even a passenger! Fun cars are certainly still out there! Isn't the gt86 meant to be good to drive? New mx5? New Lotus cars are meant to be good (exige for example). Just drive around and you'll see all the same crap, just a sea of blandness.
I've also heard a lamborghini Huracan Performante is meant to be good too
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff