Is anyone else finding it harder to drive for fun?

[Frank7]

monkfish1 said:

1602Mark said:

Are modern cars guilty of taking the fun factor out of driving?

Yes. That why i sold my fastest most competent car. You cant really enjoy it without engaging in stupidity.

Colour me dumb, but I’m having difficulty working out your meaning with that statement.
Are you suggesting that the only way that one can enjoy owning and driving a competent car these days is by engaging in stupidity when driving it?
Please don’t think that I’m fishing for hidden meanings, what I know about cars, competent or otherwise, you could put on a postage stamp, and still leave room for the Lord’s Prayer.

[CooperS]

Frank7 said:

monkfish1 said:

1602Mark said:

Are modern cars guilty of taking the fun factor out of driving?

Yes. That why i sold my fastest most competent car. You cant really enjoy it without engaging in stupidity.

Colour me dumb, but I’m having difficulty working out your meaning with that statement.
Are you suggesting that the only way that one can enjoy owning and driving a competent car these days is by engaging in stupidity when driving it?
Please don’t think that I’m fishing for hidden meanings, what I know about cars, competent or otherwise, you could put on a postage stamp, and still leave room for the Lord’s Prayer.

I'd imagine they are saying is when a car is so capable at legal speed limits what ntervention can a driver have to make the experience any fun. Thus the need to push past the cars capabilities to have something to do but in doing so risk their licence.

[maz8062]

CooperS said:

Frank7 said:

monkfish1 said:

1602Mark said:

Are modern cars guilty of taking the fun factor out of driving?

Yes. That why i sold my fastest most competent car. You cant really enjoy it without engaging in stupidity.

Colour me dumb, but I’m having difficulty working out your meaning with that statement.
Are you suggesting that the only way that one can enjoy owning and driving a competent car these days is by engaging in stupidity when driving it?
Please don’t think that I’m fishing for hidden meanings, what I know about cars, competent or otherwise, you could put on a postage stamp, and still leave room for the Lord’s Prayer.

I'd imagine they are saying is when a car is so capable at legal speed limits what ntervention can a driver have to make the experience any fun. Thus the need to push past the cars capabilities to have something to do but in doing so risk their licence.

Exactly, and it will only get worse as speed limits are revised downwards and cars get even faster.

The other day I drove from NE London to Legoland in Windsor. This is a 35 mile trip round the North Circular, A40 and the M4. The A40 is now a 40 limit with average speed cameras and the M4 has got roadworks going on way past the Slough/Windsor turn off with a 50 limit and again, average speed cameras. Regardless of the time of day that route will cost you your licence if you try and chance it.

The best cars are the ones with sharp acceleration and low top speeds, but the car manufacturers focus on BHP numbers and useless gearing.

[1602Mark]

maz8062 said:

CooperS said:

Frank7 said:

monkfish1 said:

1602Mark said:

Are modern cars guilty of taking the fun factor out of driving?

Yes. That why i sold my fastest most competent car. You cant really enjoy it without engaging in stupidity.

Colour me dumb, but I’m having difficulty working out your meaning with that statement.
Are you suggesting that the only way that one can enjoy owning and driving a competent car these days is by engaging in stupidity when driving it?
Please don’t think that I’m fishing for hidden meanings, what I know about cars, competent or otherwise, you could put on a postage stamp, and still leave room for the Lord’s Prayer.

I'd imagine they are saying is when a car is so capable at legal speed limits what ntervention can a driver have to make the experience any fun. Thus the need to push past the cars capabilities to have something to do but in doing so risk their licence.

Exactly, and it will only get worse as speed limits are revised downwards and cars get even faster.

The other day I drove from NE London to Legoland in Windsor. This is a 35 mile trip round the North Circular, A40 and the M4. The A40 is now a 40 limit with average speed cameras and the M4 has got roadworks going on way past the Slough/Windsor turn off with a 50 limit and again, average speed cameras. Regardless of the time of day that route will cost you your licence if you try and chance it.

The best cars are the ones with sharp acceleration and low top speeds, but the car manufacturers focus on BHP numbers and useless gearing.

The reason I sold my E46 M3 was that to stretch its legs and push past it's limits, it meant going way too quickly and putting myself and others at too much risk. We just don't have the roads to enjoy that sort of performance down here. Added to which the size (and weight) of most modern cars makes them unsuitable for most of the lanes. As regular, comfortable and safe transport though, I am happy enough with my diesel 1 series. It's just not what I find fun.

[willmagrath]

I frequently drive to my girlfriend's parents in southern Scotland. Last time, I drove the 45 mins from the m74 to their house on fun roads and saw 8 cars, 8!! I could have fun at legal (ish) speeds and there's miles visibility so you can see any dangers from way back.

I live on the outskirts of London and if you want to have fun in a car you have to get up reaaaaally early.

[dirky dirk]

Weve just got a mini, its a boggo 2009 one but tons of fun
I drove tne old qashqai back to wbac, god that felt dull and drab by comparison

[Racing Sombrero]

7.30am after the clocks have gone back, absolutely pouring down keeping some of the cyclists in doors and even though my GT86 was tucked away recently cleaned in the garage i dragged it out for an autumn blast. What a drive buzzing round the Surrey hills back roads where I barely broke the speed limit but love ever minute. Back home and the car is definitely in need of a clean but I might just leave to give me an excuse to take it out next weekend

[Koolkat969]

Brilliant drive out this morning in the Clio. Left home @ 6am via the M25/A21 kent through to East Sussex for a 2hr drive. Hardly anyone on the road and despite the weather was good fun having a sensible drive especially as I'd just had my wheel tracking and balancing done and a good set of Michelin Pilot sports 3 gave a lot of confidence in the wet. Already plotted my next drive out. It's all about getting up early!

Came across a group of Ford Focus RS's somewhere between Kent and East Sussex in the opposite direction doing similar so who knows, you might be reading this thread also

Edited by Koolkat969 on Sunday 25th October 10:48

[anonymous-user]

Motoring is still fun. You just have to find the right places to go motoring in. My wife, who is a TV director, chucked this film together using her mobile phone yesterday. The locations are only forty miles or so from London.

https://vimeo.com/471786165

Password: Appia

[Paul Dishman]

1602Mark said:

I'm lucky I live in Cornwall and the A30 is easily avoided once you know the back routes. It's just a shame that the nearest circuit is Castle Combe and nigh on 2 hours or more away. That said, I still used to drive my old track M3 to Silverstone, Brands Hatch etc.

I'm in Devon, but I have to say that we're lucky down here as there are plenty of fast roads with little traffic on them. I've come up to people many a time while enjoying my 911 and been waved past. A further factor to remember is that there aren't many traffic police around and they concentrate on the dual carriageways- A30 and A38, which as you say are easily avoided. Local Plod have devolved speed enforcement to Special Constables and they descend en masse to a location and nick everyone in sight- including bus drivers, but outside of towns and villages there isn't really a problem. Not that you should be hammering through towns and villages anyway.

Edited to add: The Special Constabulary are very keen on enforcing the 40mph limit on Dartmoor so that's best avoided too

Edited by Paul Dishman on Sunday 25th October 13:55

[ben5575]

Quick 90min drive out this morning including a brief trip through Barnard Castle (yes really) to test my eyesight (no not really) on damp autumn leafy roads.

Say what you like about modern cars but 400+bhp in these conditions was fun enough for me

[MikeM6]

ben5575 said:

Quick 90min drive out this morning including a brief trip through Barnard Castle (yes really) to test my eyesight (no not really) on damp autumn leafy roads.

Say what you like about modern cars but 400+bhp in these conditions was fun enough for me

I went out for a drive this evening and left it in 400hp mode for most of the drive, it damp autumnal roads just meant 500hp was too twitch to enjoy. Surprisingly quiet in places.

[anonymous-user]

Try 45 BHP and fear no leaves!

[ddom]

Breadvan72 said:

https://vimeo.com/471786165

Password: Appia

Well, there’s a thing

[Zarco]

Koolkat969 said:

Brilliant drive out this morning in the Clio. Left home @ 6am via the M25/A21 kent through to East Sussex for a 2hr drive. Hardly anyone on the road and despite the weather was good fun having a sensible drive especially as I'd just had my wheel tracking and balancing done and a good set of Michelin Pilot sports 3 gave a lot of confidence in the wet. Already plotted my next drive out. It's all about getting up early!

Came across a group of Ford Focus RS's somewhere between Kent and East Sussex in the opposite direction doing similar so who knows, you might be reading this thread also

Edited by Koolkat969 on Sunday 25th October 10:48

This is it

[anonymous-user]

In south Oxfordshire, you can still go driving in the 1970s. On the day that I took this photo, I encountered very few other road users, and had fun on empty roads uncluttered by signs, markings and so on. I didn't go faster than 80 mph, and had the best fun at 50 to 60 ish.

[Leftfootwonder]

ddom said:

Those moaning about the SE should get out of bed early and head to the Malvern Hills area, working twice a week there currently and the roads are stunning and empty. It reminds me of Ireland some of it. Brilliant place.

Have you seen a map lately?

[Mr_Megalomaniac]

C n C said:

You make a valid point and yes, it was/is my choice to live here, although since I moved here from Yorkshire 33 years ago, things have deteriorated very significantly. I guess this is due to increase in population/cars on the road, but also due to further regulation, speed cameras, reduced speed limits etc.. possible in practise due to the speed humps.

I used to live in North London (Finchley) and I lamented the fact that a fun drive could only be had out of London (the trip to Chipping Ongar was fun). Not to mention the constant noise, higher borough taxes, and a severe dislike of a mayor I can only describe using 4 letter words.
Moved to Kent - now I have access to lovely driving, more space, less noise, and overall I'm far happier. I think the sad answer is that for the sort of fun we want to have, London isn't it.

[anonymous-user]

I doubt that anyone has supposed London or any major city to be a place for fun motoring since the 1960s or thereabouts, but there are lots of places close to London where you can drive on roads little changed since the 1960s.

[ddom]

Leftfootwonder said:

Have you seen a map lately?

Yes, you do know the Uk is quite small relatively and within 30-40 mins of most there are loads of roads to enjoy....