Has anyone changed their preference from sporty to wafty?
Discussion
In my early thirties I worked as a consultant and was doing a pretty high mileage - 25/30k a year. They gave us a petrol card and an allowance of £500 a month (in 2006, so would be more now) to spend on a car, no particular rules. I chose a Lexus GS430, about 5yo at the time, and it was the perfect choice for the extremely regular event of facing a 200 mile drive home on a wet night after a few long days working away.
There’s plenty of us who prefer (or even need) wafty motors, even though tradition/stereotype suggests we should be keen to get in a firmer number. The prospect of those weekly (or more) drives from Sheffield or Manchester back to Kent on a foul Friday night in a liquorice-strip tyred, raucous-engined, and bone-shaker suspension car did not fill me with joyous anticipation. Fat leather armchairs, potent yet subtle engine, and top quality stereo was, and remains, a far more enticing prospect.
All depends what you want or need. My mum is coming up on 72 and loves her Fiesta ST, her second one in a row.
There’s plenty of us who prefer (or even need) wafty motors, even though tradition/stereotype suggests we should be keen to get in a firmer number. The prospect of those weekly (or more) drives from Sheffield or Manchester back to Kent on a foul Friday night in a liquorice-strip tyred, raucous-engined, and bone-shaker suspension car did not fill me with joyous anticipation. Fat leather armchairs, potent yet subtle engine, and top quality stereo was, and remains, a far more enticing prospect.
All depends what you want or need. My mum is coming up on 72 and loves her Fiesta ST, her second one in a row.
Honestly everyone is gonna hate this but try a GR Yaris I’ve posted about this before.
The suspension is fantastic for fast B road driving, it’s not too stiff so you can enjoy the slower pace. Previous hot hatches I’d think about going down a road or I’d get down it and I’d be sick of driving down due to the condition of the road.
I can’t get on with stiff hot hatches, I chose the softest tyre sidewall I could on my Mk7 Fiesta ST and put lighter wheels on to make the ride more comfortable
The Yaris is also quiet and comfortable. Issue is it’s small.
The suspension is fantastic for fast B road driving, it’s not too stiff so you can enjoy the slower pace. Previous hot hatches I’d think about going down a road or I’d get down it and I’d be sick of driving down due to the condition of the road.
I can’t get on with stiff hot hatches, I chose the softest tyre sidewall I could on my Mk7 Fiesta ST and put lighter wheels on to make the ride more comfortable
The Yaris is also quiet and comfortable. Issue is it’s small.
I went from wafty, to more wafty.
Having had a couple of 530d's and then an X5 40d, none sporty but reasonably quick in their own right I bought a 2010 L322 tdv8.
Slow
Wallowy
Boring
I really quite like it though!
If I didn't have a couple of sporty cars in the garage I probably would have something more exciting on the drive, but as it is this works well.
Having had a couple of 530d's and then an X5 40d, none sporty but reasonably quick in their own right I bought a 2010 L322 tdv8.
Slow
Wallowy
Boring
I really quite like it though!
If I didn't have a couple of sporty cars in the garage I probably would have something more exciting on the drive, but as it is this works well.
I did and then moved back. I had a VW Scirocco, then moved to an auto BMW 420d GC, now I'm in a Mini Clubman Cooper S.
The Scirocco drove great, was good fun and reasonably practical. But on longer journeys it was very noisy and the seats weren't the best.
The BMW was a luxury spec so no sports suspension or rubber band tyres, very comfy, cruised effortlessly, but lacked any sporty feel and felt very heavy when thrown into a corner.
The Clubman is about as practical as the 420, has a great engine and a decent manual box. Its fun on a country road, and cruises quite well. Weirdly its on 19s without run flats and somehow it rides better than the BMW.
The Scirocco drove great, was good fun and reasonably practical. But on longer journeys it was very noisy and the seats weren't the best.
The BMW was a luxury spec so no sports suspension or rubber band tyres, very comfy, cruised effortlessly, but lacked any sporty feel and felt very heavy when thrown into a corner.
The Clubman is about as practical as the 420, has a great engine and a decent manual box. Its fun on a country road, and cruises quite well. Weirdly its on 19s without run flats and somehow it rides better than the BMW.
Wafting is great if you do bigger mileages, or on occasional longer runs but as your only car I found it pleasant but lacking bite if you know what I mean.
Mercedes CLS with 388 bhp, lovely thing but at 1.8 tonnes not one to hustle. Even my M135i would manage a passable waft but with both the key problem was the auto gearbox, they are great and have their place but not for me for fun driving.
Now have a tuned Fiesta ST which to be fair isn't as hard to live with as I thought it may be, but wouldnt fancy doing a 500 mile run in it, would be fine but would prefer something wafty in that scenario. I was looking at stuff like CLS 63 Biturbos and M5's for a while but its way more car than I need, its a long range bomber when I want a fighter. Things like that operate in a mode which isn't really compatible with UK roads and license retention, like bringing a water cannon to a water fight.
We have a Golf DSG diesel on the way hopefully for youngest offspring, SE spec so will nick that for longer jaunts, that should do a bit of a waft as I progressively ruin the ST with various modifications, its like a Jack Russell whose owner mistook its bum medication for Daves inanity sauce who now has a weird tasting kebab and a dog charging round looking for a pond.
Mercedes CLS with 388 bhp, lovely thing but at 1.8 tonnes not one to hustle. Even my M135i would manage a passable waft but with both the key problem was the auto gearbox, they are great and have their place but not for me for fun driving.
Now have a tuned Fiesta ST which to be fair isn't as hard to live with as I thought it may be, but wouldnt fancy doing a 500 mile run in it, would be fine but would prefer something wafty in that scenario. I was looking at stuff like CLS 63 Biturbos and M5's for a while but its way more car than I need, its a long range bomber when I want a fighter. Things like that operate in a mode which isn't really compatible with UK roads and license retention, like bringing a water cannon to a water fight.
We have a Golf DSG diesel on the way hopefully for youngest offspring, SE spec so will nick that for longer jaunts, that should do a bit of a waft as I progressively ruin the ST with various modifications, its like a Jack Russell whose owner mistook its bum medication for Daves inanity sauce who now has a weird tasting kebab and a dog charging round looking for a pond.
Yes. I used to get excited by the biggest petrol engine in the smallest possible car with the sportiest suspension and a manual box, now I can't be bothered with any of that. I want the smallest wheels available with squishy tires, squishy suspension, squishy seats, automatic electric everything, no noise at all and the most possible mpg. I'm currently eyeing up the BMW 520d and Mercedes E220d, cars I would never have even considered buying 5 years ago.
Currently I'm trundling around in a diesel Skoda, very much enjoying the ride quality. Yesterday I got excited about achieving a new MPG record of 68.6. I'm 32 years old.
Currently I'm trundling around in a diesel Skoda, very much enjoying the ride quality. Yesterday I got excited about achieving a new MPG record of 68.6. I'm 32 years old.
TurboHatchback said:
Yes. I used to get excited by the biggest petrol engine in the smallest possible car with the sportiest suspension and a manual box, now I can't be bothered with any of that. I want the smallest wheels available with squishy tires, squishy suspension, squishy seats, automatic electric everything, no noise at all and the most possible mpg. I'm currently eyeing up the BMW 520d and Mercedes E220d, cars I would never have even considered buying 5 years ago.
Currently I'm trundling around in a diesel Skoda, very much enjoying the ride quality. Yesterday I got excited about achieving a new MPG record of 68.6. I'm 32 years old.
At least get into your 40's before you settle for that much boringness! I'm nearing 50 and I don't mind the boringness now(have a Mercedes GLC350d), but in my early 30's I would've definitely wanted something exciting to drive for sure(at your age I had my Cerbera). Currently I'm trundling around in a diesel Skoda, very much enjoying the ride quality. Yesterday I got excited about achieving a new MPG record of 68.6. I'm 32 years old.
I had A Moment in the mountains yesterday, involving me, a downhill curvy road, and the sudden appeearance of a layer of gravel in wet conditions.
In the middle term this might make me rethink this whole hooning thing. The problem is that the valley roads are hopelessly clogged and boring to drive, while the mountains roads are empty, beautiful, and lethal.
In the middle term this might make me rethink this whole hooning thing. The problem is that the valley roads are hopelessly clogged and boring to drive, while the mountains roads are empty, beautiful, and lethal.
Did the opposite so moved from a E46 330ci to a Clio 182 a couple of years ago. Wasnt planned but I crashed the E46 during the winter when we had the "beast from the east". I always felt that the E46 was wafty, heavy and not a lot of fun and wanted something more fun for my daily work commute which doesn't involve motorways.
Have thoroughly enjoyed every minute as it's great as a city car in my opinion for the daily journey I do including mundane runs to the shops, etc.
I've now strangely found my S2000 and Integra more comfortable than the 182. The S2000 almost feels like a gt car now in my mind. Think it's something to do with the suspension setups on the Hondas which are double wishboned so would think that's an important aspect to consider regarding any prospective car change as discussed.
My 182 is slightly lowered and McPherson struts plus rear beam don't make for the most comfiest ride but working for me so far as the fun outweighs the need for comfort on my daily commute.
Have thoroughly enjoyed every minute as it's great as a city car in my opinion for the daily journey I do including mundane runs to the shops, etc.
I've now strangely found my S2000 and Integra more comfortable than the 182. The S2000 almost feels like a gt car now in my mind. Think it's something to do with the suspension setups on the Hondas which are double wishboned so would think that's an important aspect to consider regarding any prospective car change as discussed.
My 182 is slightly lowered and McPherson struts plus rear beam don't make for the most comfiest ride but working for me so far as the fun outweighs the need for comfort on my daily commute.
TameRacingDriver said:
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?
One of the things i liked on the model 3 over my previous AMG/RS cars was the damping. The roads are so bad around here and despite the stupidly thin tyres the ride is way better than the spine smashing the german cars give you, but its still very controllable when lobbing it about. but just wondering if anyone else has made the change and what they went for and why. Any thoughts?mintmansam said:
Honestly everyone is gonna hate this but try a GR Yaris I’ve posted about this before.
The suspension is fantastic for fast B road driving, it’s not too stiff so you can enjoy the slower pace. Previous hot hatches I’d think about going down a road or I’d get down it and I’d be sick of driving down due to the condition of the road.
I can’t get on with stiff hot hatches, I chose the softest tyre sidewall I could on my Mk7 Fiesta ST and put lighter wheels on to make the ride more comfortable
The Yaris is also quiet and comfortable. Issue is it’s small.
Yes, the Swift Sport is similar. It's not too stiff either. Some reviewers moan that the suspension is 'a bit soft', but they are missing the point entirely. When your car is lightweight - it doesn't need rock hard suspension in order to achieve great handling. Case in point - the Alpine A110.The suspension is fantastic for fast B road driving, it’s not too stiff so you can enjoy the slower pace. Previous hot hatches I’d think about going down a road or I’d get down it and I’d be sick of driving down due to the condition of the road.
I can’t get on with stiff hot hatches, I chose the softest tyre sidewall I could on my Mk7 Fiesta ST and put lighter wheels on to make the ride more comfortable
The Yaris is also quiet and comfortable. Issue is it’s small.
This is why the overly heavy German performance cars tend to be made much stiffer and therefore a jiggly mess down very poor condition 'B' roads.
The Swift Sport is plenty taut enough, but can demolish a 'B' road without being bounced all over the place. When the suspension is just right, it should allow the tyre to stay in contact with the surface at all times. If your suspension is too stiff - it just hops and skips over the poor surface which means you can end up with literally no grip on occasion when you need it.
I'm amazed at how many YouTube wannabe car reviewers don't understand this concept. Many suggest that softer suspension, or more roll is a negative aspect, without really understanding the reason why.
Love the GR Yaris BTW!
SteveR1979 said:
I went from wafty, to more wafty.
Having had a couple of 530d's and then an X5 40d, none sporty but reasonably quick in their own right I bought a 2010 L322 tdv8.
Slow
Wallowy
Boring
I really quite like it though!
If I didn't have a couple of sporty cars in the garage I probably would have something more exciting on the drive, but as it is this works well.
Me too, I've gone from waft to waftier - my E39 530i is up for sale (shameless plug) as I've just bought a Discovery 4 (probably not as wafty as an L322) but it's nice and high up, like sitting in an armchair, and takes very little energy to aim. Adjustable bolsters are handy as it does like to roll on cornering... Having had a couple of 530d's and then an X5 40d, none sporty but reasonably quick in their own right I bought a 2010 L322 tdv8.
Slow
Wallowy
Boring
I really quite like it though!
If I didn't have a couple of sporty cars in the garage I probably would have something more exciting on the drive, but as it is this works well.
At the age of 47 I think I am there, I now really want an auto with a big engine and low NVH. When I first started driving I only cared about 0 to 60, I could quote every time in the back of Max Power by heart. Then I got sick of finance and had 15 years of sheds until now.
A combination of working from home, low mileage and boredom has got me thinking I want something a bit nicer. I am also sick of changing gear so I suspect that is it for me and manual gearboxes from now on.
Currently looking at Mercedes E350 CDi coupes, not sure I am ready to go full wafty saloon barge spec just yet. Usually I get excited, do the investigation and then go off the idea which hasn't happened as yet which suggests it may well happen soon, possibly to tie in with shed MOT in November.
A combination of working from home, low mileage and boredom has got me thinking I want something a bit nicer. I am also sick of changing gear so I suspect that is it for me and manual gearboxes from now on.
Currently looking at Mercedes E350 CDi coupes, not sure I am ready to go full wafty saloon barge spec just yet. Usually I get excited, do the investigation and then go off the idea which hasn't happened as yet which suggests it may well happen soon, possibly to tie in with shed MOT in November.
Nickbrapp said:
What I object to the most is with the premium brands, you lose out on so much if you chose not to have the sporty trim, take the current A3 for example, if you don’t get a S line, for some reason you can’t get decent LED headlights, or a sunroof. Why?
Same with a A class, unless you want a AMG line you can’t have a sunroof and you get halogen headlights. How crap is that?
Volvo seem to be the only people where the cars look decent in non R design trim
This is an interesting point. I don't know if it applies in the UK, but over here on the Continent BMW have a 'Luxury' trim line after SE and as an alternative to M-Sport. You can still have all the kit and options (although there are a few colours that are M-Sport-only) but you get less styling aggression and softer suspension. It's what I went for as I don't need my daily 3 Series Touring to be at all hard-core. Same with a A class, unless you want a AMG line you can’t have a sunroof and you get halogen headlights. How crap is that?
Volvo seem to be the only people where the cars look decent in non R design trim
S2000 to a 650, and now on my second 650 (this time a convertible). Realised that most of my driving was spent in stop / start traffic, so something with a bit of poke but not necessarily amazing handling fitted the bill better.
Can’t say I have regrets, other than observing where S2000 prices have gone in the last 7 years!
Can’t say I have regrets, other than observing where S2000 prices have gone in the last 7 years!
Joey Deacon said:
At the age of 47 I think I am there, I now really want an auto with a big engine and low NVH. When I first started driving I only cared about 0 to 60, I could quote every time in the back of Max Power by heart. Then I got sick of finance and had 15 years of sheds until now.
A combination of working from home, low mileage and boredom has got me thinking I want something a bit nicer. I am also sick of changing gear so I suspect that is it for me and manual gearboxes from now on.
Currently looking at Mercedes E350 CDi coupes, not sure I am ready to go full wafty saloon barge spec just yet. Usually I get excited, do the investigation and then go off the idea which hasn't happened as yet which suggests it may well happen soon, possibly to tie in with shed MOT in November.
I love the Mercedes GLC350d for this. The auto gearbox changes gear without you noticing and for a diesel it is surprisingly quiet in the cabin. I literally dawdle about in it like a grandad because it is so relaxing to drive. A combination of working from home, low mileage and boredom has got me thinking I want something a bit nicer. I am also sick of changing gear so I suspect that is it for me and manual gearboxes from now on.
Currently looking at Mercedes E350 CDi coupes, not sure I am ready to go full wafty saloon barge spec just yet. Usually I get excited, do the investigation and then go off the idea which hasn't happened as yet which suggests it may well happen soon, possibly to tie in with shed MOT in November.
I knew all the 0 to 60's in Max Power too!
I now look for the highest MPG...so it does just show how times have changed for sure!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff