I don`t want a fast car
Discussion
I think I`ve decided tonight. I don`t want another very quick car. I`ve read a few threads on here recently and on other forums that have got me thinking. Seriously, how fast a car do you need? Dick waving and $hitty pub talk about 0-60 times and some exaggerated theoretical top speed with your `mods`, It`s needless really for 99% of people. Nice to know it`s there (back to the dick waving) but is it essential? I`ve continually read "yeah but the so and so will be quicker with a remap". Along the lines of `the other car is slower so it`s crap` kinda mentality. Some of the best cars I`ve owned and enjoyed driving the most were not the fastest. Accord Type R and an E30 BMW 325 sport for example.
I was all ready to splash out on something fast to make faster. My budget was/is £15k and tonight I`ve kinda woke up. I read that some guy prefers to drive his Golf Gti more than his M6 as it,s more fun. Reason being, opening the taps on an M6 on a public road (60mph limit generally) means cheerio license and possibly job.
My last car was 5.1 to 60 and 168 out of the box. Jesus! You see the problem here? I can`t get away from it! I`m now looking at cars with character that will offer enjoyment and cost less.
Alfa 147 GTA, Mondeo ST220, Golf R32, BMW 330. I fancy a six pot. I know when I buy one someone will mention boost or fuel economy, a remapped something maybe even diesel. They`re missing the point.
I know I`m going against the grain so feel free to slaughter me car forum style...
I know what you mean.
I still like my fast cars etc, but now consider spending money a bit more wisely rather than lump it all into the best car i could afford. I like having a nice home stereo/TV, spending a bit on the kids etc.
As it stands, i usually picked the top of the range model due to it having better equipment, looks etc, just a bonus that it usually is the fastest also.
Having picked up a Mondeo ST220 about a year ago as an itchy scratch scenario, i can heartily recommend one, much better can than i ever imagined it to be. Meant as a short stop gap to tide me over, but cant see me swapping it anytime soon.
I still like my fast cars etc, but now consider spending money a bit more wisely rather than lump it all into the best car i could afford. I like having a nice home stereo/TV, spending a bit on the kids etc.
As it stands, i usually picked the top of the range model due to it having better equipment, looks etc, just a bonus that it usually is the fastest also.
Having picked up a Mondeo ST220 about a year ago as an itchy scratch scenario, i can heartily recommend one, much better can than i ever imagined it to be. Meant as a short stop gap to tide me over, but cant see me swapping it anytime soon.
Totally agree, sometimes less is more.
For the roads I like to drive, a fast car means committing to blind bends and breaking the speed limit to get the car's dynamics working.
I went from an S2000 and an E36 M3 Evo to a 1960s Alfa. I can drive at 8/10 whilst remaining reasonably under the radar - I love it.
For the roads I like to drive, a fast car means committing to blind bends and breaking the speed limit to get the car's dynamics working.
I went from an S2000 and an E36 M3 Evo to a 1960s Alfa. I can drive at 8/10 whilst remaining reasonably under the radar - I love it.
t, but the engine and power delivery were good.
You make a good point in as much as it does become tiring to always get obsessed about out and out fugures and performance.
You could have a blistering quick car on smooth flat tarmac but get left for dead by something with 25 50 75% of the power if it handles or has better composure. Good brakes and/or abas rarely get a mention too and they can make up for a power deficit if the feel and modulation are perfect.......
You could have a blistering quick car on smooth flat tarmac but get left for dead by something with 25 50 75% of the power if it handles or has better composure. Good brakes and/or abas rarely get a mention too and they can make up for a power deficit if the feel and modulation are perfect.......
Going against the grain here - but I still really enjoy powerful cars. How much I'm enjoying myself is more to do with how the overall car makes me feel though - the way it looks, sounds, smells and feels, rather that the on-paper figures or its monetary value. I love the sensation of hard acceleration. I also like contrast though - I would never want to try to own one car to do everything for me. I'd very quickly consider it the worst of all worlds.
Truckosaurus said:
Also, you mention Accord Type-R, E30 325i and Golf GTi, they are compared to most other cars Fast Cars and like you suggest probably the perfect amount of power and fun for a daily driver road car.
This I agree with ,enough power to get out of trouble and keep under NSL.150-200 ponies are enough IMO.
A car with huge power has a lot more compromises. My Mustang has over 460hp but the fact is that if I drove it every day, I would quickly get used to the power and think it needed more.
My daily is an 07 Fiesta ST. The 150hp is more than enough, it's cheap to run, it handles well, it's small enough to park anywhere and I can just about fit in the odd fence post if needed. It's about ideal for what I need as opposed to want but remains sporty.
If I were to quibble, better noise insulation, a bit more luxury and a better stereo wouldn't go amiss.
My daily is an 07 Fiesta ST. The 150hp is more than enough, it's cheap to run, it handles well, it's small enough to park anywhere and I can just about fit in the odd fence post if needed. It's about ideal for what I need as opposed to want but remains sporty.
If I were to quibble, better noise insulation, a bit more luxury and a better stereo wouldn't go amiss.
I had a 400bhp Ford Focus but I preferred my 85bhp Citroen Ax GT. I have a 185bhp Westfield at the moment but don't crave for more power. I recently infact posted a topic on me wanting something less speedy.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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