Discussion
I've posted a few topics on specific cars recently, and read others, where replies often go along the lines of 'it's not a sports car' or 'they are rubbish on the limit' or 'hard to provoke into oversteer'
Here's the thing, how often do any of us drive on the absolute limit in our cars? I'd wager that it isn't that often in the main.
When I'm out in the TVR I'll spend most of my time listening to the V8 drowning out Mrs G's chatter as we head out for the day, burbling along with the wind in our hair as we make progress, but not to excess. Sure I hoon from time to time but not that often is it anywhere near the limit. In fact, absolute limit in the Chim has been only a handful of times over three or so years.
Am I in the minority? I like fast cars, but I don't drive fast all of the time. I'm reasonably nippy on the road but a Carrera S gets me excited enough and I doubt I'd need an RS or GT model!
How many here genuinely drive hard all the time, enough to find the shortfalls in chassis, tyres or whatever? I don't mean on track once in a while, or 'that time we headed to Le Mans in '98' I mean more often than not.
Here's the thing, how often do any of us drive on the absolute limit in our cars? I'd wager that it isn't that often in the main.
When I'm out in the TVR I'll spend most of my time listening to the V8 drowning out Mrs G's chatter as we head out for the day, burbling along with the wind in our hair as we make progress, but not to excess. Sure I hoon from time to time but not that often is it anywhere near the limit. In fact, absolute limit in the Chim has been only a handful of times over three or so years.
Am I in the minority? I like fast cars, but I don't drive fast all of the time. I'm reasonably nippy on the road but a Carrera S gets me excited enough and I doubt I'd need an RS or GT model!
How many here genuinely drive hard all the time, enough to find the shortfalls in chassis, tyres or whatever? I don't mean on track once in a while, or 'that time we headed to Le Mans in '98' I mean more often than not.
t and posturing IMO, there's not the space or place to do that kind of driving 90% of the time on the roadsInteresting one. But what makes it confusing is that one's perception of "driving hard" may be different from someone else's.
The only sujective way to know is obviously when you reach the limits of both lateral acceleration and traction, which in my opinion are impossible to safely get to on an the open road with most performance cars.
I reckon most drivers' perception of "driving hard" would correspond to around 6 or 7/10th... hopefully !
The only sujective way to know is obviously when you reach the limits of both lateral acceleration and traction, which in my opinion are impossible to safely get to on an the open road with most performance cars.
I reckon most drivers' perception of "driving hard" would correspond to around 6 or 7/10th... hopefully !
I certainly don't. Granted that if I'm joining a DC I generally will use WOT and a broad rev range - but it's the only option sometimes in a heavy car with 118bhp! I certainly don't get anywhere near the limit of any of my cars, especially not on public roads. I do try to maintain momentum where possible though - IAM stylee.
Being a small hatch with only 120hp I can exercise a lot more of the car's potential - driving at 8/10ths is perfectly safe in it, easily enough for you to feel what the chassis balance is like etc, and on rare occasions you can absolutely thrash it to the limit, but not often at all. Something like a TVR I could never justify getting right up to the limit, aside from a bit of tail-slidey action.
I think what makes a car is how it feels - you get the impression of oversteer/understeer before you actually get there.
I think what makes a car is how it feels - you get the impression of oversteer/understeer before you actually get there.
Kozy said:
I drive at WOT, all the time, that's the only option if you want to keep up with traffic in an MX5.
Truth!It's amazing how little I put my foot down now. In the MX5, it would be everyday, but since upgraded to a car of the Bavarian variety, by the time it's redlined in 3rd, I am already waaay past the N/S limit!
Agreed, it's a very rare occurrence for me to drive fast.
I've had my 5 series 4 months now and never driven it flat out and I know it's quite quick (for a big heavy car).
I've had quicker and much sportier cars and as much as I do like to drive spiritedly at times, it hasn't happened that often.
I met with some other owners of the same marque a few times (in various cars) and we just pootled along most of the time with an odd blat and a bit of overtaking.
I've had my 5 series 4 months now and never driven it flat out and I know it's quite quick (for a big heavy car).
I've had quicker and much sportier cars and as much as I do like to drive spiritedly at times, it hasn't happened that often.
I met with some other owners of the same marque a few times (in various cars) and we just pootled along most of the time with an odd blat and a bit of overtaking.
The only car I've driven hard is my Caterham, on track. I automatically add a margin for error when driving on the road, even in my first car- a Renault Clio which I ragged mercilessly as only a seventeen year old can.
Nowadays I settle for fast progress and occasionally a little oversteery fun on roundabouts and junctions. No point 'hooning' the big five series and the Caterham is track only for 50 weeks of the year.
Nowadays I settle for fast progress and occasionally a little oversteery fun on roundabouts and junctions. No point 'hooning' the big five series and the Caterham is track only for 50 weeks of the year.
I get told off too often. In the merc I am cruising most of the time. Fast cruise enjoying the dukebox, overtaking when I need to.
In the mgf I have the occasional moment. I'm very bad for 'out of junction onto big road' sideways moves.
In the integrale I am a warrior. In a video game . Totally un-pc. In the correct areas of course. Back roads in the highlands. Like Britney Spears, in the zone.
Towns and motorways are for cruising and getting from a to b.
The hi-lux is just a tool. Depends what you are driving and where. Road conditions also come into it. Along with your mood, the music on your beat box and the passenger or lack of.
In the mgf I have the occasional moment. I'm very bad for 'out of junction onto big road' sideways moves.
In the integrale I am a warrior. In a video game . Totally un-pc. In the correct areas of course. Back roads in the highlands. Like Britney Spears, in the zone.
Towns and motorways are for cruising and getting from a to b.
The hi-lux is just a tool. Depends what you are driving and where. Road conditions also come into it. Along with your mood, the music on your beat box and the passenger or lack of.
Garlick said:
How many hear genuinely drive hard all the time, enough to find the shortfalls in chassis, tyres or whatever?
No-one drives hard all the time - it's impossible. You buy good cars for when you have the opportunity to do so just as you don't drive your Range Rover up to the axles in mud 24/7 but when you want to, you can.I think I've only driven my Elise "properly" twice this year. The rest of the time I drive at an average pace and just enjoy the feedback.
The MX5 gets driven hard much more often. It's worth little enough that I'm happy giving it a thrashing whenever I like. Plus it's fun, if I didn't want to thrash it I'd replace it with something less thrashable.
My 5-series mostly got wafted. My 2CV got driven flat out everywhere. My Silvia was sideways on every trip. It depends on the car.
It also hugely depends on the roads and traffic. When I lived in cities I had to go for a bit of a drive just to get to roads that might have the visibility and lack of traffic to make quick driving possible.
The MX5 gets driven hard much more often. It's worth little enough that I'm happy giving it a thrashing whenever I like. Plus it's fun, if I didn't want to thrash it I'd replace it with something less thrashable.
My 5-series mostly got wafted. My 2CV got driven flat out everywhere. My Silvia was sideways on every trip. It depends on the car.
It also hugely depends on the roads and traffic. When I lived in cities I had to go for a bit of a drive just to get to roads that might have the visibility and lack of traffic to make quick driving possible.
I have never ever driven on the limit, not even 60% on the limit I doubt. I have had my foot flat on the floor, but I have a rear wheel drive and have never even heard the tyres squeal or smelt any rubber. I'm just not a good enough or confident enough driver.
Most people who think they are great drivers are often not. They just take more risks that's all.
Most people who think they are great drivers are often not. They just take more risks that's all.
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