Has anyone changed their preference from sporty to wafty?
Discussion
After another drive in the MCS yesterday, it occurred to me that as with most hot hatches, and even most other vehicles with a sporting stance, they are in a way quite one dimensional, in so much as I only really seem to enjoy them when pressing on a bit.
I've owned a string of cars like this now, but I'm not getting any younger and to be honest the opportunities to press on are getting less, like it or not, and it can be frustrating, and frankly I don't always want to drive like this all the time anymore and in this case I could just be in any other hatchback really, so I'm now beginning to wonder whether I wouldn't enjoy a more relaxing, more luxurious car.
I'm thinking nice big engine (6 cylinder or more) with a nice noise and effortless torque, comfortable seats etc with the aim of a more relaxing drive, to enjoy other elements of driving, enjoying more of the scenery and just generally relaxing rather than hooning around. I remember when I had my 350z roadster it was such a relaxing car to tootle about in and made a lovely noise.
I realise this makes me sound a million years old
but just wondering if anyone else has made the change and what they went for and why. Any thoughts?
I've owned a string of cars like this now, but I'm not getting any younger and to be honest the opportunities to press on are getting less, like it or not, and it can be frustrating, and frankly I don't always want to drive like this all the time anymore and in this case I could just be in any other hatchback really, so I'm now beginning to wonder whether I wouldn't enjoy a more relaxing, more luxurious car.
I'm thinking nice big engine (6 cylinder or more) with a nice noise and effortless torque, comfortable seats etc with the aim of a more relaxing drive, to enjoy other elements of driving, enjoying more of the scenery and just generally relaxing rather than hooning around. I remember when I had my 350z roadster it was such a relaxing car to tootle about in and made a lovely noise.
I realise this makes me sound a million years old
but just wondering if anyone else has made the change and what they went for and why. Any thoughts?Well I am a million years old but I keep more than one car. With a very uncompromising car that is fun on a track I tend not to drive it much in heavy traffic ,especially if it is a manual.
I have one big V8 which is not wafty but definitely comfortable for long journeys and is extremely quiet. Plenty of room and OH lives it as much as she detests the harder cars.
I will buy one more track-focused car but after that It will be some kind of plug-in Googlemobile people box.
I have one big V8 which is not wafty but definitely comfortable for long journeys and is extremely quiet. Plenty of room and OH lives it as much as she detests the harder cars.
I will buy one more track-focused car but after that It will be some kind of plug-in Googlemobile people box.
I can relate in a couple of ways. I really enjoy just taking it easy in the 370Z Roadster and just enjoying the noise it makes roof down. I've also recently got a F82 M4 and the ride in that is really poor(even in comfort mode), and I find myself getting quite grumpy about it which definitely does show my age.
I certainly feel like I'm ready for something like an S-Class or 7 Series on tiny wheels and with air suspension!
I certainly feel like I'm ready for something like an S-Class or 7 Series on tiny wheels and with air suspension!
Yeah, went from a Cayman to a 13 year old IS250 
Plan was to keep the Cayman as a weekend car but it then wasn't getting the use.
Haven't regretted it; the IS250 has just been so much more suited for types of drives I actually do, as opposed to the one's I aspired to/pretended to. Still having 6 cylinders let's me kid myself a little too.
Having said that, longer term i.e. into retirement, I would like to get one again, or maybe go Boxster/MX5; I don't think it's an age thing per se, more about the realities of time demands at certain stages in your life.
Plan was to keep the Cayman as a weekend car but it then wasn't getting the use. Haven't regretted it; the IS250 has just been so much more suited for types of drives I actually do, as opposed to the one's I aspired to/pretended to. Still having 6 cylinders let's me kid myself a little too.
Having said that, longer term i.e. into retirement, I would like to get one again, or maybe go Boxster/MX5; I don't think it's an age thing per se, more about the realities of time demands at certain stages in your life.
Yes, in 2003 I went from a poly bushed, HKS'd, lowered and stiffened manual S14 200SX to C43. Auto, V8, taught but wafty.
For London traffic and long journeys it was bliss in comparison and so what if I couldn't slide it round a roundabout twice a year, LOL.
18 years later I'm on my 4th V8 Merc. I've settled in to the formula.
Although, to be fair, I derided Mercs all the way through my twenties and mid to late 30's. But that's because I read Perfomance car and bought into Ring laptime-think which had nothing to do with the way I actually used a car for the vast majority of the time.
For London traffic and long journeys it was bliss in comparison and so what if I couldn't slide it round a roundabout twice a year, LOL.
18 years later I'm on my 4th V8 Merc. I've settled in to the formula.
Although, to be fair, I derided Mercs all the way through my twenties and mid to late 30's. But that's because I read Perfomance car and bought into Ring laptime-think which had nothing to do with the way I actually used a car for the vast majority of the time.
I like my 530i touring, it is comfortable, practical and has enough go to drive a bit quicker if needed. I have a kit car, it is fun, noisy and very engaging to drive, I have done European road trips in it, but not with my wife.
I do have a hankering for an LC 500, not sure if I really want to spend that much money on a single car though. Was that what you meant by wafty?
I do have a hankering for an LC 500, not sure if I really want to spend that much money on a single car though. Was that what you meant by wafty?
Toltec said:
I like my 530i touring, it is comfortable, practical and has enough go to drive a bit quicker if needed. I have a kit car, it is fun, noisy and very engaging to drive, I have done European road trips in it, but not with my wife.
I do have a hankering for an LC 500, not sure if I really want to spend that much money on a single car though. Was that what you meant by wafty?
I think when I say wafty I mean a car with GT qualities over outright sporting edge. Though I will think about anything at this point within reason. It'd be nice to have something that can be relaxing but also a bit of fun in the bends when the mood takes.I do have a hankering for an LC 500, not sure if I really want to spend that much money on a single car though. Was that what you meant by wafty?
It's likely just personal preference really, depends on when you expect to go out too. I work shifts and regularly drive home at 3, 4 or 5 am. No one about then so can enjoy myself more than if I'm just doing a more common 9-5 work commute. I'm not ancient but can see the appeal of the wafty option.
Yep, just lately I’ve decided that I think barges are maybe my thing. I’ve had numerous dedicated sporting cars and while they are a lot of fun as has been said they are one dimensional quite often. For my next car I’m looking for something fairly big with a proper engine and a bit of shove. I’m more interested in having something that sounds good and I can roll about in comfort with.
I think in part my mindset was changed after I crashed and wrecked a very dedicated mx5, for quite a few months afterwards I wasn’t interested in cars in the least and zero interest in buying something sporty again straight away like I normally would have.
Maybe when I can run multiple cars I’ll have something like a caterham to hoon around in when I feel like it and then a comfy car for the rest of the time. Think I’m done with have hardcore cars as an only car though.
I’m 24 and an old man already, not sure if that bothers me or not though honestly.
I think in part my mindset was changed after I crashed and wrecked a very dedicated mx5, for quite a few months afterwards I wasn’t interested in cars in the least and zero interest in buying something sporty again straight away like I normally would have.
Maybe when I can run multiple cars I’ll have something like a caterham to hoon around in when I feel like it and then a comfy car for the rest of the time. Think I’m done with have hardcore cars as an only car though.
I’m 24 and an old man already, not sure if that bothers me or not though honestly.
TameRacingDriver said:
I think when I say wafty I mean a car with GT qualities over outright sporting edge. Though I will think about anything at this point within reason. It'd be nice to have something that can be relaxing but also a bit of fun in the bends when the mood takes.
The Lexus is supposed to be more towards sporty for a GT, but still more a GT than sports car, if that makes sense. Sounds awesome too.Going on the above post maybe you should try one.
Edited by Toltec on Sunday 6th June 14:00
Toltec said:
The Lexus is supposed to be more towards sporty for a GT, but still more a GT than sports car, if that makes sense. Sounds awsome too.
They look lovely, and would definitely be on my shortlist if I had £60k, alas, I do not 
More like £10k or £15k tops.Drive it fix it repeat said:
Yep, just lately I’ve decided that I think barges are maybe my thing. I’ve had numerous dedicated sporting cars and while they are a lot of fun as has been said they are one dimensional quite often. For my next car I’m looking for something fairly big with a proper engine and a bit of shove. I’m more interested in having something that sounds good and I can roll about in comfort with.
I think in part my mindset was changed after I crashed and wrecked a very dedicated mx5, for quite a few months
I must admit the bit in bold is something I've been thinking about more recently. In my driving career I've seen quite a few accidents, funnily enough including a BBR MX5 that spun off into a field. Driver unharmed, but he was quite lucky.I think in part my mindset was changed after I crashed and wrecked a very dedicated mx5, for quite a few months
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Sunday 6th June 14:03
Riley Blue said:
I had nine GTIs followed by a brief flirtation with turbo diesel power before I succumbed to 'wafty' and bought an A8. Now, at the age of 71, I'm thinking of going back to something a little more sporty, probably a Fabia VRS.
First of all congratulations for still enjoying driving in your advanced years, so I dont want you to take my post in the wrong way. It is a fact that the mind and body is affected by age and whether we like it or not our reactions slow down. You are wanting to switch to a more sporty car, and as a Fabia VRS is not known for its looks you must want it for the way it drives.
At 71 do you consider yourself capable of driving a "hot hatch" in the manner it was designed to do, and more importantly safely controlling it?
I am not suggesting you are ready for your pipe and slippers, but neither would I expect you to be desiring a hot hatch.
I am only 54 and still lust after fast cars, but I am pretty sure I will not do in the next 15 or 20 years.
Ron240 said:
irst of all congratulations for still enjoying driving in your advanced years, so I dont want you to take my post in the wrong way.
It is a fact that the mind and body is affected by age and whether we like it or not our reactions slow down. You are wanting to switch to a more sporty car, and as a Fabia VRS is not known for its looks you must want it for the way it drives.
At 71 do you consider yourself capable of driving a "hot hatch" in the manner it was designed to do, and more importantly safely controlling it?
I am not suggesting you are ready for your pipe and slippers, but neither would I expect you to be desiring a hot hatch.
I am only 54 and still lust after fast cars, but I am pretty sure I will not do in the next 15 or 20 years.
A chap used to come out on PH runs up here, must have been at least late 70s, possibly in his 80s, with a tuned Audi TT running 300 bhp. He was plenty capable of piloting it at some obscene speeds! Turns out he used to be a racing driver.It is a fact that the mind and body is affected by age and whether we like it or not our reactions slow down. You are wanting to switch to a more sporty car, and as a Fabia VRS is not known for its looks you must want it for the way it drives.
At 71 do you consider yourself capable of driving a "hot hatch" in the manner it was designed to do, and more importantly safely controlling it?
I am not suggesting you are ready for your pipe and slippers, but neither would I expect you to be desiring a hot hatch.
I am only 54 and still lust after fast cars, but I am pretty sure I will not do in the next 15 or 20 years.
I think its a mixture of age and also UK roads these days.
So rare that you get a road not congested, with a decent surface, in ok weather and without cameras everywhere. On those very rare occasions a sporty car is a joy. However, more and more I don't enjoy UK roads so a wafter is a far more comfortable way to travel when you are just cruising along maintaining a steady speed in any conditions.
So rare that you get a road not congested, with a decent surface, in ok weather and without cameras everywhere. On those very rare occasions a sporty car is a joy. However, more and more I don't enjoy UK roads so a wafter is a far more comfortable way to travel when you are just cruising along maintaining a steady speed in any conditions.
Shnozz said:
I think its a mixture of age and also UK roads these days.
So rare that you get a road not congested, with a decent surface, in ok weather and without cameras everywhere. On those very rare occasions a sporty car is a joy. However, more and more I don't enjoy UK roads so a wafter is a far more comfortable way to travel when you are just cruising along maintaining a steady speed in any conditions.
Yes, I think that's my thinking.So rare that you get a road not congested, with a decent surface, in ok weather and without cameras everywhere. On those very rare occasions a sporty car is a joy. However, more and more I don't enjoy UK roads so a wafter is a far more comfortable way to travel when you are just cruising along maintaining a steady speed in any conditions.
The fact I've been trying to make the ride on my Mini more bearable is probably quite telling!
Even up here in the North East, I've noticed roads are very much busier than a few years ago. I know some will tell me to get up earlier, but that's not the whole picture. I feel like I just want to have a more relaxing experience these days. There's something quite pleasant about not being in a hurry, in a car with some comfort and a nice noise filling your ears.
Ron240 said:
TameRacingDriver said:
Turns out he used to be a racing driver.
Just a tame one now though. indeedGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff