Driving feeling? Detached from the world...

[plenty]

KTMsm said:

I've only tried 2 and hated how you're fighting the wheel when accelerating out of junctions / tight bends

Yes that is the drawback of the FWD LSD for sure. But the feeling of being pulled around the corner, line tightening as you add throttle, is addictive. I've experienced it on various Renaultsports and Hondas.

[TWPC]

Condi said:

So, are all modern performance cars like this, or is there something out there which is both semi-practical and also gives the driver some "feels? A little kit car or Caterham would no doubt be visceral, but isn't practical for leaving outside and taking to work? Have modern cars gone too far at removing the driver from the experience of driving? You might expect that with a washing machine Kia, but for a V6 Audi to do the same? I was surprised.

A requirement for many car buyers does seem to be isolation from the road and the environment. And legislators and sensible parents have stressed safety for years, which in many cases is interpreted as or results in minimising contact with the environment (understandably!), hence stronger cars - which are heavier - and more predictable handling - hence understeer... In addition, reviewers of cars always regard quietness and a soft ride as a good thing so heap praise on those that isolate you. It seems inevitable that most modern cars will be more disconnected than well sorted old ones.

Have car manufacturers gone too far in isolating occupants from the road? As long as we have the choice to buy noisy, tactile cars I guess not. It's what most people seem to want.

In terms of answering your question about semi-practical and fun, my suggestions would be (as others have said) Mazda MX-5, Toyota GT86, Ford Fiesta ST or another decent hot hatch - Hyundai i30N, Peugeot 208 GTI, RWD BMW M135i...

[Julian Scott]

Condi said:

I took an S5 out for a test drive today, lovely motor, incredibly capable and by far the fastest thing I've driven with 350hp up front. By any measure, a wonderful piece of engineering. Loads of technology.

BUT

It didn't make me "feel" as expected. The "driving experience" was somewhat detached. There was little steering feel, and while the car was undeniably quick, it wasn't "scary quick", it was just "everything is very under control" quick. One moment you are there, next moment you are here, sort of quick. Maybe I was expecting too much from riding motorbikes. They are visceral, you feel every bump, every bit of wind, every movement of the bars and of the bike. You learn to trust it, to believe in it.

So, are all modern performance cars like this, or is there something out there which is both semi-practical and also gives the driver some "feels? A little kit car or Caterham would no doubt be visceral, but isn't practical for leaving outside and taking to work? Have modern cars gone too far at removing the driver from the experience of driving? You might expect that with a washing machine Kia, but for a V6 Audi to do the same? I was surprised.

It's an Audi. And even worse, a non-RS Audi.

TADTS.

/thread end

[donkmeister]

LunarOne said:

donkmeister said:

Sorry chum, you'll need a proper car if you want to stop this staircase-dominating sausage hammerer from being in front.

Is that where the name donkmeister comes from? The sound of sub-zero sausages being hammered? They might go "donk" if you use a saucepan to do the hammering.

Until now I thought you had a fixation with Crocodile Dundee!

No, you were on the right lines... I earned the nickname from striking similarities with the character from Crocodile Dundee as to my stature, handsome visage and a level of subtlety akin to receiving a brick in the face.