Supercars. Meh.
Discussion
Thanks for the kind comments! I’ll try and reply to the main points:
We tried the NSX in Sport and Sport+, it still had the same problem pulling away from a stop sign at a T junction. It really should be able to do that, then go mental when needed. It wasn’t awful, but oddly poor for Honda.
The cars weren’t terribly leggy. I think the Ferrari had 66K (KMs) and it was in fine condition. The only one with broken controls was the Lambo.
I get the point about ride comfort, but Porsche can do it, Maserati can do it, the Ferrari had it so there’s really no excuse. I’ve driven a 996GT3 and that was better too, and a 996 Turbo I test drove was lovely and pretty quick.
There’s a reason the 911 is so successful, and I’m not a 911 fan. It just works. You can drive to the shops, no drama, or put your foot down and off you go. Want to be shouty and dramatic? There’s models for that.
I’m eyeing up a GranTurismo now.
We tried the NSX in Sport and Sport+, it still had the same problem pulling away from a stop sign at a T junction. It really should be able to do that, then go mental when needed. It wasn’t awful, but oddly poor for Honda.
The cars weren’t terribly leggy. I think the Ferrari had 66K (KMs) and it was in fine condition. The only one with broken controls was the Lambo.
I get the point about ride comfort, but Porsche can do it, Maserati can do it, the Ferrari had it so there’s really no excuse. I’ve driven a 996GT3 and that was better too, and a 996 Turbo I test drove was lovely and pretty quick.
There’s a reason the 911 is so successful, and I’m not a 911 fan. It just works. You can drive to the shops, no drama, or put your foot down and off you go. Want to be shouty and dramatic? There’s models for that.
I’m eyeing up a GranTurismo now.
The Rotrex Kid said:
mr_spock said:
It’s like a toddler with a sugar rush. It’s all LOOK AT ME BWAAAH BWAAAH ISN’T IT FUN TO HIT DADDY IN THE KIDNEYS.
I actually snorted out loud at this 
Great write up. I dare say you've said a lot of things that 'normal' people would feel about these cars.
Proper funny that, very Clarkson-like!Sounds like a good day out - always sceptical about supercar experiences since a mate did one and wasn't allowed to put his foot properly. More like driving slowly in procession around a loop on an airfield.
Drove a gallardo a few years ago and was underwhelmed. For such a special car it just didn't give me the wow factor I was hoping for. The 911 4s was much better imo but still didn't feel like anything to shout about. Couldn't escape the fact these cars are expensive bits of kit and that I was pretty lucky to get my hands on them. Yet to be blown away by any car tbh. Hard to please...
NAAHD said:
Drove a gallardo a few years ago and was underwhelmed. For such a special car it just didn't give me the wow factor I was hoping for. The 911 4s was much better imo but still didn't feel like anything to shout about. Couldn't escape the fact these cars are expensive bits of kit and that I was pretty lucky to get my hands on them. Yet to be blown away by any car tbh. Hard to please...
Are they that special though? It's a mass-produced (14000+) junior Lamborghini signed off by Audi.Having had the opportunity to work for auto vivendi a few years ago as a delivery car driver I can tell you super cars are not all that fun in real world. Sorry to burst the bubble people.
911 turbo is the best IMO. Haven’t driven the latest but 996/997/991 very easy to drive. 996 was a manual as well and even through heavy London traffic it’s quite pleasant. Open road it’s a joy. Worst was aventador, gallardo close as well. It was a manual gallardo and by god it was tough in any traffic. When a client wanted it no one wanted to deliver it.
For track fun supercar wise Audi R8 felt pretty good. It’s not completely bonkers. Road wise close to 911 for me but like with all super cars they all have shocking turning circles, parking annoying, 3 point turn forget it.
Oh and if it’s a nice bright yellow Lambo or red Ferrari leave it on a busy street in London and expect to come back and find hand prints all over it!!!
Having said all of that……..nothing like tunnel blasting a v10/v12 Ferrari/Lambo. It’s sooooooo much fun.
911 turbo is the best IMO. Haven’t driven the latest but 996/997/991 very easy to drive. 996 was a manual as well and even through heavy London traffic it’s quite pleasant. Open road it’s a joy. Worst was aventador, gallardo close as well. It was a manual gallardo and by god it was tough in any traffic. When a client wanted it no one wanted to deliver it.
For track fun supercar wise Audi R8 felt pretty good. It’s not completely bonkers. Road wise close to 911 for me but like with all super cars they all have shocking turning circles, parking annoying, 3 point turn forget it.
Oh and if it’s a nice bright yellow Lambo or red Ferrari leave it on a busy street in London and expect to come back and find hand prints all over it!!!
Having said all of that……..nothing like tunnel blasting a v10/v12 Ferrari/Lambo. It’s sooooooo much fun.
jhonn said:
After the owner left, gingerly manoeuvring out of the dirt car park, my wife asked if I would prefer something like that to my current MX-5. I thought for a moment and with all honesty replied, 'No'. For the roads that I drive on and my level of driving ability, concern over damage/running costs, I know I'll have much more fun with the MX-5.
I've had two MX-5s, three Aston Martins, and now have a Ferrari F430 Spider so I view this story from both sides. I can see your point here, even having spent the last 15 years in much faster and more expensive machinery, I still have a soft spot for the MX-5. It's small, nimble, easy to place on narrow roads, and has the right amount of power to be fun while still being able to really work the car at safe speeds. Good to hear someone doesn't always assume more/bigger/faster is automatically better. The MX-5 is a star..... however ....
all that being said I feel I need to make a counter-point to all the people on here saying how bad supercars are in the real world and give my own experience; I f
king LOVE my supercar. Every trip is an event, whether I'm driving to the shops, going for a blast with the roof down or giving charity rides with my car club, I adore every minute of it. After more than a year in it there is still a tiny voice in my head when I get in that says "wow, I'm actually in a Ferrari", every time. The way it communicates through the steering in corners, the way it fires out of the straights, the way it stays flat and stable under hard braking, the noise of the normally aspirated V8 revving to 8500 RPM behind me, it's just brilliant.Yes it's compromised, and deeply flawed. The criticisms made by the OP and others are all valid. I'm certainly not trying to tell the people on here who disagree with me that they are wrong. As an every day car my old DB9 was way more usable, a Tesla can accelerate harder for less money, and a Lotus would out point it in the corners. A well set up sports car like a cayman is, objectively, better at virtually every situation in the real world. Would I swap my big shouty red V8 Ferrari for one? You'd need to pry the keys from my cold, dead fingers.
murphyaj said:
jhonn said:
After the owner left, gingerly manoeuvring out of the dirt car park, my wife asked if I would prefer something like that to my current MX-5. I thought for a moment and with all honesty replied, 'No'. For the roads that I drive on and my level of driving ability, concern over damage/running costs, I know I'll have much more fun with the MX-5.
I've had two MX-5s, three Aston Martins, and now have a Ferrari F430 Spider so I view this story from both sides. I can see your point here, even having spent the last 15 years in much faster and more expensive machinery, I still have a soft spot for the MX-5. It's small, nimble, easy to place on narrow roads, and has the right amount of power to be fun while still being able to really work the car at safe speeds. Good to hear someone doesn't always assume more/bigger/faster is automatically better. The MX-5 is a star..... however ....
all that being said I feel I need to make a counter-point to all the people on here saying how bad supercars are in the real world and give my own experience; I f
king LOVE my supercar. Every trip is an event, whether I'm driving to the shops, going for a blast with the roof down or giving charity rides with my car club, I adore every minute of it. After more than a year in it there is still a tiny voice in my head when I get in that says "wow, I'm actually in a Ferrari", every time. The way it communicates through the steering in corners, the way it fires out of the straights, the way it stays flat and stable under hard braking, the noise of the normally aspirated V8 revving to 8500 RPM behind me, it's just brilliant.Yes it's compromised, and deeply flawed. The criticisms made by the OP and others are all valid. I'm certainly not trying to tell the people on here who disagree with me that they are wrong. As an every day car my old DB9 was way more usable, a Tesla can accelerate harder for less money, and a Lotus would out point it in the corners. A well set up sports car like a cayman is, objectively, better at virtually every situation in the real world. Would I swap my big shouty red V8 Ferrari for one? You'd need to pry the keys from my cold, dead fingers.
Love my turbo body 911, looks like a 930, and just took her through 200Km in Scotland last autumn. Back off to Le Mans this summer.
Bloody life be every km and will keep her until I die.
Yesterday I spent a joyous 3 hours in my 430, it’s a fantastic driving car. God I love it, wether driving around twisters or just sat looking at her afterwards with a beer.
We also have a mk1 mx5 in the house, such fun.
I am of course I am a baldy 50 year old, but who cares. One day I won’t be able to get in them anymore until then, bring it on.
Oddly the MX5 is the hardest to get of.
Daft cars, bloody love em
lb3nson said:
Very interesting, I do wonder how leggy these cars are. I’ve got a track experience at the end of July that was bought for me and I deliberately picked the non-supercars in the hope I might be able to drive them a bit more enthusiastically.
On another note, screw getting into a supercar with a random stranger who may have no idea how to drive or not kill themselves.
I occasionally get to be one of the instructors on these experience days. I haven’t done it much recently because of Covid and it is just a “paid hobby” really for a few days a year in between doing my day job; it can be enjoyable but the days are long, the pay not great and as you suggest, some of the clients are not even vaguely be reasonable drivers!On another note, screw getting into a supercar with a random stranger who may have no idea how to drive or not kill themselves.
As for the cars, they can be variable as they do get used a lot. 40 clients a day is not untypical, and probably for several days a week.
From my point of view, I really don’t like Lamborghinis at all and wouldn’t have one if I won the lottery; the Ferrari I enjoy the most is actually the California; I like being in Astons, Audi R8s and Nissan GTRs.
I have owned 3 Aventadors ( amongst many others) and still regard them as one of the most fun cars to drive. Sure they are dinosaurs by modern standards but you don't buy any of these cars for sensible reasons you buy them for all the wrong reasons. I would say however the Aventador does vary massively from car to car. My latest which was an SV had a really good set up (2016 car) and My S (2018) was poor by comparison.
I find that all supercars are 90% of the time a real pain in the backside but that other 10% makes it all worthwhile, no rhyme or reason just something clicks every now and again and makes you smile!
I find that all supercars are 90% of the time a real pain in the backside but that other 10% makes it all worthwhile, no rhyme or reason just something clicks every now and again and makes you smile!
jhonn said:
mr_spock said:
. On the down side, I’m now a balding middle aged man in a Ferrari. With the roof down. And another bloke in the passenger seat.
That was a great read! The line above especially made me laugh.Also laughed at the Lambo review "I honestly hated this thing. It’s an engine with some 90s arcade game wrapped around it." ROFL.
The bit about the Merc being like a cut and shut S Class also made me smile.
If I had to get one, that's the one I'd choose as it's the most normal-looking of the lot.
sone said:
I have owned 3 Aventadors ( amongst many others) and still regard them as one of the most fun cars to drive. Sure they are dinosaurs by modern standards but you don't buy any of these cars for sensible reasons you buy them for all the wrong reasons. I would say however the Aventador does vary massively from car to car. My latest which was an SV had a really good set up (2016 car) and My S (2018) was poor by comparison.
I find that all supercars are 90% of the time a real pain in the backside but that other 10% makes it all worthwhile, no rhyme or reason just something clicks every now and again and makes you smile!
why was the S poor in comparison to the SV? Most journos/testers praise the S as having brought a few improvements to the previous model AventadorI find that all supercars are 90% of the time a real pain in the backside but that other 10% makes it all worthwhile, no rhyme or reason just something clicks every now and again and makes you smile!
TP321 said:
sone said:
I have owned 3 Aventadors ( amongst many others) and still regard them as one of the most fun cars to drive. Sure they are dinosaurs by modern standards but you don't buy any of these cars for sensible reasons you buy them for all the wrong reasons. I would say however the Aventador does vary massively from car to car. My latest which was an SV had a really good set up (2016 car) and My S (2018) was poor by comparison.
I find that all supercars are 90% of the time a real pain in the backside but that other 10% makes it all worthwhile, no rhyme or reason just something clicks every now and again and makes you smile!
why was the S poor in comparison to the SV? Most journos/testers praise the S as having brought a few improvements to the previous model AventadorI find that all supercars are 90% of the time a real pain in the backside but that other 10% makes it all worthwhile, no rhyme or reason just something clicks every now and again and makes you smile!
I'm glad some fellow posters have offered their positive ownership experiences with supercars.
I enjoy the start up of my aston V12 every single time, as a totally legal and as it left the factory car, nothing should sound this glorious and like others you will have to drag those keys from my dying fingers before I woukd voluntarily give her up just because she ain't that great for every day use.
Turning circle a bit crap....tick
Infotainment from the dark ages......tick
Cabin space a bit tight......tick
Running costs a bit silly.....tick
BUT
she makes me feel great and that's all that matters.
Now if its an MX5 or a Pista or a what ever, it doesn't matter so long as it gives that feeling.
Now the OPs comments are extremely valid but you only really gel with a car when you give it the beans and live with it for a while and that's the difficult bit as you often have to commit to a car before you get the chance to do just that.
I recently did a Palmersport day driving various race cars and the one I was looking forward to most was the 2022 M4. I hated it and thought it was rubbish, fast - yes, but rubbish. Electronics constantly trying to over ride me. They may make it go quicker but I couldn't connect with it. Now at Palmersport you are very much encouraged to drive their cars as fast as you possibly can and post as quick a lap time as possible and that's maybe why I didn't like the M4 ad fundamentally it's a road car and living with it as a daily may well change my opinion but on track their was just too much electronic stuff going on.
Not sure what my conclusion is other than it should just make you feel good and if doesn't try something else as I know some people adore the M4
I enjoy the start up of my aston V12 every single time, as a totally legal and as it left the factory car, nothing should sound this glorious and like others you will have to drag those keys from my dying fingers before I woukd voluntarily give her up just because she ain't that great for every day use.
Turning circle a bit crap....tick
Infotainment from the dark ages......tick
Cabin space a bit tight......tick
Running costs a bit silly.....tick
BUT
she makes me feel great and that's all that matters.
Now if its an MX5 or a Pista or a what ever, it doesn't matter so long as it gives that feeling.
Now the OPs comments are extremely valid but you only really gel with a car when you give it the beans and live with it for a while and that's the difficult bit as you often have to commit to a car before you get the chance to do just that.
I recently did a Palmersport day driving various race cars and the one I was looking forward to most was the 2022 M4. I hated it and thought it was rubbish, fast - yes, but rubbish. Electronics constantly trying to over ride me. They may make it go quicker but I couldn't connect with it. Now at Palmersport you are very much encouraged to drive their cars as fast as you possibly can and post as quick a lap time as possible and that's maybe why I didn't like the M4 ad fundamentally it's a road car and living with it as a daily may well change my opinion but on track their was just too much electronic stuff going on.
Not sure what my conclusion is other than it should just make you feel good and if doesn't try something else as I know some people adore the M4
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