Driving enjoyment...less is sometimes more?

[white_goodman]

Have you ever voluntarily bought a less powerful car to your previous one and been happy with your choice in terms of driver enjoyment?

It's easy to get in the mindset that more power and performance is better and this is certainly what the manufacturers seem to offer with each new iteration of a given model but does this always equate to a more fun (better) driving experience.

With the exception of a couple of lower-powered motors for financial/practical reasons, over the last 14 years, I have worked my way up from a 60bhp Astra to a 227bhp Impreza WRX and the extra power has enhanced the driving experience. That being said, in that time I have also enjoyed driving some of my mum's lower-powered motors (Cinquecento Sporting, Ford Ka, even a Citroen Nemo diesel and my wife's old Fiat 500 1.2).

I've got to the point where I feel I need 200bhp+ and RWD or AWD, as I find wheelspin and torque steer an issue in powerful FWD motors but maybe I'm missing something. If I didn't always crave extra power, I might actually enjoy a less powerful FWD car. When I had my 205 GTi (1.6) with only 115bhp, I rarely thought this isn't fast enough and just enjoyed the drive.

My friend had a slightly different experience. 7 years in a Ford Puma 1.7 which he loved, then 4 years in a Seat Leon FR TFSI (200bhpish) which he hated and now he has a gen 1 Suzuki Swift Sport, which he loves. Partly my fault, as he drove one of my Golf GTI company cars when he had the Puma and decided he must have something with 200bhp+ but in reality he found it quick but uninvolving. The DSG and very firm ride didn;t help either.

What's your experience, have you ever bought a less powerful car and loved it?

[Zyp]

Yes, from 450bhp turbo to a 240bhp supercharger.

Never regretted it and certainly enjoyed the latter more.

[Nigel Worc's]

I've changed from using a 212 bhp BMW for work, to a 69 bhp van.

I also changed from using a 750 Zephyr motorcycle, to a 500 classic.

Power can be fun, but only if you want to go faster really, and the punishments are getting harder.

I enjoy the freedom of motoring, and the places that freedom takes me.

[Heaveho]

Haven't done that, but have very fond memories of the Corolla GTIs I had in the late 90's, which were obviously only about 130 brake or so. I drive stuff now with circa 400 hp, but I miss the lightness and relative simplicity of them, and they were ultra-reliable. I'd have another if it was practical to do so and keep what I have now. There's also something really satisfying about being able to drive something close to it's limits, which you are obviously more able to do with less power......worryingly, I find I'm quite happy in a 90 brake Ford Connect sometimes!

Probably a rose-tinted view, and I suspect it would cure me of the memories I have if I drove an old GTI now!

Edited by Heaveho on Wednesday 5th February 23:44

Edited by Heaveho on Wednesday 5th February 23:45

[Cento186]

Sometimes I wish it had more power but once you find a windy road it doesn't matter

[Escy]

I've had a 106 Rallye 1.3, Civic EK9 and a Toyota Levin BZR. All are 1600cc or under, all are great fun. You can drive them harder for longer on the roads. I eventually get bored though and end up getting something faster.

I have to say, a 227bhp Impreza isn't even fast. I wouldn't be surprised if it bores you.

[white_goodman]

Escy said:

I've had a 106 Rallye 1.3, Civic EK9 and a Toyota Levin BZR. All are 1600cc or under, all are great fun. You can drive them harder for longer on the roads. I eventually get bored though and end up getting something faster.

I have to say, a 227bhp Impreza isn't even fast. I wouldn't be surprised if it bores you.

In the grand scheme of things, it is pretty quick. Useful power for overtaking, small and agile enough to hustle down B-roads, exploitable in wet or dry conditions. It is the fastest car I have owned by some margin and I would question whether I need more performance on the road. I don't actually have it any more as I emigrated and am currently driving something a bit slower (I just bought the best car that I could afford for my budget).

Where would I have to go next for something noticeably quicker or "better"? Could I exploit that extra performance on the road? Maybe I would enjoy a less powerful, more "fun" car, I don't know. I guess that's what this thread is about.