To appreciate power, you need another car
Discussion
I’ve concluded that to really appreciate the power of your car, you need another car as a daily driver.
For instance, I do about 20k PA in my daily snotter, that "only" has 170 BHP, so I’m used to this and everything is very ho-hum and normal. Yet when I get into my 340 BHP toy, I really enjoy the experience and almost drive with a permanent smile of my face.
Was talking to guy at work about this, who sold his TT 225 (sole car) as it “became boring”, so this sort of supports this logic
So I’ve deduced that if I drove my toy every day, it would become normal and I’d lose the excitement and fun factor
Anyone see where I'm going here?
For instance, I do about 20k PA in my daily snotter, that "only" has 170 BHP, so I’m used to this and everything is very ho-hum and normal. Yet when I get into my 340 BHP toy, I really enjoy the experience and almost drive with a permanent smile of my face.
Was talking to guy at work about this, who sold his TT 225 (sole car) as it “became boring”, so this sort of supports this logic
So I’ve deduced that if I drove my toy every day, it would become normal and I’d lose the excitement and fun factor
Anyone see where I'm going here?
Absolutely can. 
I have an XJR that I use during the week to tramp up and down the M4 everyday - 'cos that's what it's made to do.
However, I have a 2001 4.6 Range Rover that I use at weekends for pootling around town.
I was off work all last week with the kids so didn't use the XJR but drove the RR around for the whole week.
I got back in the Jaaagggg after the week in the RR... and it felt like a f
king rocket ship
But after a week drigin it again, it kinda feels 'normal' again. You just don't realise how quick your cars are until you get used to driving something slow for a few days.
I have an XJR that I use during the week to tramp up and down the M4 everyday - 'cos that's what it's made to do.
However, I have a 2001 4.6 Range Rover that I use at weekends for pootling around town.
I was off work all last week with the kids so didn't use the XJR but drove the RR around for the whole week.
I got back in the Jaaagggg after the week in the RR... and it felt like a f
king rocket ship But after a week drigin it again, it kinda feels 'normal' again. You just don't realise how quick your cars are until you get used to driving something slow for a few days.
OP, think yourself lucky. I suffer a combined daily 58 mile commute in an old Avensis just so I can enjoy a Monaro at weekends/high days and holidays. Actually the Toyota's not bad, it's comfy and reliable and cheap to run, but of course it feels slow compared to a 400hp Monaro
I've said it before, driving a daily snotter makes it much more of an enjoyable event when you jump into your 'special' car.
I've said it before, driving a daily snotter makes it much more of an enjoyable event when you jump into your 'special' car.
Bowler said:
I’ve concluded that to really appreciate the power of your car, you need another car as a daily driver.
For instance, I do about 20k PA in my daily snotter, that "only" has 170 BHP, so I’m used to this and everything is very ho-hum and normal. Yet when I get into my 340 BHP toy, I really enjoy the experience and almost drive with a permanent smile of my face.
Was talking to guy at work about this, who sold his TT 225 (sole car) as it “became boring”, so this sort of supports this logic
So I’ve deduced that if I drove my toy every day, it would become normal and I’d lose the excitement and fun factor
Anyone see where I'm going here?
It's not about straight up power, it's about sensation and sense of occasion. You need to drive things that offer totally different experiences. That way they then compliment each other. That said, boring cars are boring, whether you are used to them or not.For instance, I do about 20k PA in my daily snotter, that "only" has 170 BHP, so I’m used to this and everything is very ho-hum and normal. Yet when I get into my 340 BHP toy, I really enjoy the experience and almost drive with a permanent smile of my face.
Was talking to guy at work about this, who sold his TT 225 (sole car) as it “became boring”, so this sort of supports this logic
So I’ve deduced that if I drove my toy every day, it would become normal and I’d lose the excitement and fun factor
Anyone see where I'm going here?
Major Fallout said:
the 40bhp weekend monster is always exciting.
40bhp is quite a lot in a lawnmover! 
My 'toy' Mk1 MX5 isn't quick, but hustles along when the mood strikes... my regular turbo diesel Astra Van is probably a little quicker, but much less rewarding of course
Aways nice to have something different to drive though
300bhp/ton said:
You need to drive things that offer totally different experiences. That way they then compliment each other.
This. My daily driver has a VTEC engine that needs to be screwed round to 7800rpm in every gear to make progress. 'Fun' car is a TVR V8 with nearly double the torque of the Honda. The power & torque delivery in each is so completely different that it keeps driving both cars 'fresh'; the almost diametrically opposed engines in each car was deliberate to give a little variety.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff