Reclaiming the Passion

[Jakestar]

In recent years my yearning for all things automotive had somewhat waned, with the arrival of a company car 3 years ago and a strong desire for property ownership lead to the selling of the MR2 Turbo and the acceptance that I'd have to wait a while to get back "involved" with cars.

The resulting 3 years of driving the company golf blue-motion and saving every last penny for the property deposit lead to a loss of interest in all things 4-wheeled, I even got sloppy with watching F1!

Yesterday, 15 minutes is all it took to bring back that feeling, that adrenaline rush, that overwhelming feeling of "living". I'd had an driving experience gift from the parents and to be honest wasn't holding out lots of hope of it being amazing, what with the horror stories and (understandably) it was one of the cheaper gifts, 3 laps driving a V8 Vantage and 3 laps passenger in a supercharged Atom.

But how wrong were my predictions!!! Yes it was all over far too quick, and had I the spare cash I would have paid for more laps in the Ferrari and Lambo they have available, but that didn't matter. Getting back into the driving seat (my first in an Aston) was amazing, and then the passenger laps in the Atom, wow! I don't get scared easily, but on a dampish track I couldn't believe how much speed that thing can carry through corners and twice at full opposite lock at a fairly decent speed I thought we were going off the track. It really showed how (very) limited my driving skills are!

But the experience has certainly relighted my fire, and as the property purchase is going through I fine myself now looking for cheap cars (clio 182 potentially) to rung alongside the company golf. Yes I don;t need it, and the missus will moan that I'm wasting money, but I don't care as I just need to get behind something interesting again!

[poing]

Sounds like you had fun and hopefully you will have fun looking for a new toy. Although I'd look for a 106 Rallye instead of the Clio if it's just a weekend toy. Actually, no I wouldn't, I'd be going for 2 seats and unlimited head room if I didn't already have that as my daily.

We should make everyone do this, it can only help with all the terrible drivers that only see cars as a means to an end and have no interest beyond arriving at their destination.

[Jakestar]

I agree, everyone should give it a go!

I had thought about an mx5 but don't think it would be nippy enough. That's why I like the clip, it's got a good amount if poke, a decent chassis, and reasonably priced.

Shall keep options open though, I don't have a garage but the toy can be as impractical as I like as it will only be for weekends.

[danjama]

Mx5 will be quicker and more fun than a Clio!

[Fantuzzi]

Jakestar said:

and the missus will moan that I'm wasting money, but I don't car

Ive never understood this, why do people who dont like cars see spending money on a nice car as wasting money?

I completely understand why people buy things I dont like, if they get enjoyment and fun out of it, be it a new pair of shoes or crack cocaine. We waste loads of money on food that tastes nice, why dont we all just eat rice and only drink water...

Glad to hear you are getting back into cars.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Jakestar said:

... I had thought about an mx5 but don't think it would be nippy enough. ...

There are fast cars, and fast drivers.

I'd recommend driver training to anyone who's feeling a bit jaded - learn how to do it better, and it's more fun.

[TameRacingDriver]

MX5 is not the quickest car in the world, but I had no problems pedaling my RS-Limited to pretty obscene speeds on bendy roads. I never really felt it too slow unless I was trying to overtake, and even then it was OK most of the time, just up hills it struggled.

[StuB]

I drove a charged Atom and had a massive buzz afterwards. It's on my bucket list.

[hesnotthemessiah]

danjama said:

Mx5 will be quicker and more fun than a Clio!

Maybe quicker but not as much fun and in the Clio one wouldn't look like a big girl.



Anyhoo back on thread......

Supercharged Atom - What a car!.....What an experience!

[MuZiZZle]

I'd suggest buying one that's "track" ready, as getting yourself to that spec can be quite high, unless you want to tinker and do it all yourself. So many cars are being broken at the moment it's unreal what's floating about on the forums for specific cars! I have a 141bhp VTS and it was surprising the clio boys up at knockhill the other month, don't rule out the 106 gti/rallye/VTS parts are cheap, very cheap!

[TameRacingDriver]

hesnotthemessiah said:

Maybe quicker but not as much fun and in the Clio one wouldn't look like a big girl.



Anyhoo back on thread......

Supercharged Atom - What a car!.....What an experience!

Not sure if serious.

A Clio 172 is quicker than a MX5, but (arguably) less fun. As for looking like a girl, its a Clio. Remember the "Papa, Nicole" adverts? Not exactly a 'mans car' is it (and I say that having owned a couple) ??

[Jakestar]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

There are fast cars, and fast drivers.

I'd recommend driver training to anyone who's feeling a bit jaded - learn how to do it better, and it's more fun.

I'll be the first to admit I could do with a little coaching.

Anyone care to mention a decent person / company to offer this in the sout east?

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Jakestar said:

I'll be the first to admit I could do with a little coaching.

That realisation is the important thing and it's probably the case for 99% of drivers, but only 1% are prepared to do anything about it.

I can think of many other fields where people who are keen are prepared to devote time and money to getting better at it (but probably never as good as we'd like), but for various reasons it tends not to be the case with driving.

If you haven't had any previous post-test instruction, then a RoSPA or IAM course (Xmas offer voucher codes here) is an excellent way to get started. They won't make you into the finished article, but are a great way to learn the basics at your own pace for next to nothing.

Many groups will give you a free assessment if you ask, or there are many people here or on ADUK who'd be happy to help.

The more cash-rich and time-poor could consider professional coaching, and there are a number of respected coaches who could do the job. I'm not in a position to say anything about the South East, but pop a post in the Advanced Driving forum and I'm sure you'll get some recommendations.

Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Monday 17th December 14:41

[obscene]

StuB said:

I drove a charged Atom and had a massive buzz afterwards. It's on my bucket list.

Was going to suggest a bike then saw you have a K5 1000. The Atom must be good!!!