Is the UK the best all-round country in the world for petrol heads?

[BritishRacinGrin]

Admittedly I haven't been everywhere, but having lived in Asia for nine months, I am struck by how in most of the world a car is still very much a luxury item, unobtainable by the average citizen. The prices of cars are skewed by import taxes to the extent that anything that isn't manufactured here or has a large engine is several times the cost of a car which is, so selection is limited and cheap cars are non-existent. The roads and driving standards are poor. Motorsport is available only to the very rich and circuits are few and far between.

In other parts of the world, modifications are outlawed or severely limited by legislation. This covers much of North Western Europe and North America.

The UK has without a doubt the cheapest used cars in the world particularly when considered as a proportion of the average household income. New cars, even those manufactured on the other side of the world, are reasonably priced. The selection of cars available on the market is huge. Comparatively relaxed approval regulations enable small volume manufacturers to bring their cars to market. It's the home of motorsport. Modifications, even significant ones, are legal and common. Licenses and road taxes are cheap. Even petrol is cheap compared to many EU countries.

Do you agree, and if not which country do you nominate as the best 'all-round' nation for the petrolhead to live in?

[SpeckledJim]

It's surely one of the only places that has both a degree of discipline, competence and courtesy on the roads, yet also allows you to register, tax and insure a motorised sofa.

[Quhet]

Haven't really got a clue but Saudi? UAE?

[SpeckledJim]

Quhet said:

Haven't really got a clue but Saudi? UAE?

Boring, jammed roads and wall-to-wall Corollas.

[bridgdav]

Germany... Tracks, cars, autobahn, open roads, discipline, mountains...

[BritishRacinGrin]

bridgdav said:

Germany... Tracks, cars, autobahn, open roads, discipline, mountains...

Fairly severe regulations on modifications I seem to remember... TUV approval is it?

[BritishRacinGrin]

I'm also going to throw it out there that I think we have great traffic police too. I've never had to bribe a UK officer.

[stuart-b]

It is great yes, but I think certain states in the US are even more hardcore. Check the forums (like BMW, Porsche, GTR etc) and their level of modding takes things to a new level. Hennessy, underground racing, AMS GTR etc.

Texas mile, nascar, indy car, various V8 race series, huge diesel heads, top fuel, funny cars, mad tricycles, big harley fans...you name it and it is there.

With the weather and fuel prices I think I would rather be a petrol head in the US. Not to mention the average disposable income of a graduate out there vs. The cost of cars...

Oh and I dont think anyone is as mad as Jay Leno...not even our resident harry metcliff

[coppice]

Of course we are- go out on any Spring or Summer weekend and you will see more classics , sports cars and interesting stuff than anywhere I've ever been. Motor Sport most weekend at a host of venues from club rallies to hillclimbs and international racing . And still a host of small suppliers of bonkers cars like Ariels , Westfield , Caterham , Morgan and McLaren.

In two weeks in Italy this year I saw one Ferrari and two Boxsters- nothing else of any note at all.

[Pints]

stuart-b said:

It is great yes, but I think certain states in the US are even more hardcore. Check the forums (like BMW, Porsche, GTR etc) and their level of modding takes things to a new level. Hennessy, underground racing, AMS GTR etc.

Texas mile, nascar, indy car, various V8 race series, huge diesel heads, top fuel, funny cars, mad tricycles, big harley fans...you name it and it is there.

With the weather and fuel prices I think I would rather be a petrol head in the US. Not to mention the average disposable income of a graduate out there vs. The cost of cars...

Oh and I dont think anyone is as mad as Jay Leno...not even our resident harry metcliff

But a 55 MPH maximum speed limit, IIRC.

[bridgdav]

BritishRacinGrin said:

Fairly severe regulations on modifications I seem to remember... TUV approval is it?

If you've been to the Nurburgring, even to observe, you will see plenty of car mods, road and track use.
Just because the daily driver might be a boring 3 series or Passat, doesn't mean ther play cars need to be as staid.

Plenty of disposable income, loads of holidays, lots of open road.

My experience of German fun is, family time, fast cars, fast bikes, cycling, hiking, skiing, climbing, Beer, Beer, Pork and another Beer.

[226bhp]

stuart-b said:

It is great yes, but I think certain states in the US are even more hardcore. Check the forums (like BMW, Porsche, GTR etc) and their level of modding takes things to a new level. Hennessy, underground racing, AMS GTR etc.

Texas mile, nascar, indy car, various V8 race series, huge diesel heads, top fuel, funny cars, mad tricycles, big harley fans...you name it and it is there.

With the weather and fuel prices I think I would rather be a petrol head in the US. Not to mention the average disposable income of a graduate out there vs. The cost of cars...

Oh and I dont think anyone is as mad as Jay Leno...not even our resident harry metcliff

Harry wouldn't have realised his dream of owning an integrale Evo over there though, officially not allowed.

[bridgdav]

Pints said:

But a 55 MPH maximum speed limit, IIRC.

Speed limits are Similar to UK.. 55mph as a rough NSL, but plenty of open road (highways) at 65 / 70 that as in UK people drive at 90+.

Best thing in my State is NO SPEED Cameras.. No stealth policing like UK.

[irish boy]

Is America one of the cheapest places to buy new cars? Look at the price of a new mustang, and the price of new euro cars seems to be about the same in dollars as we pay in sterling.

[Truckosaurus]

Also, Motorsport. I think we forget how many circuits we have in the UK. Wherever you live there will probably be a couple of tracks within 2 or 3 hours drive. Plus only a short road trip to any of the famous European circuits.

[Mr E]

Pints said:

But a 55 MPH maximum speed limit, IIRC.

Not really, not for some years. Some states ran no limit at night on empty roads (although I think that's stopped now)

Edited by Mr E on Sunday 4th January 08:26

[stuart-b]

Pints said:

But a 55 MPH maximum speed limit, IIRC.

Perhaps in 1960 for most of western USA it is even higher than here (75-80) plus a huge amount of tracks....far better for petrol heads. Even pioneering EV (tesla?)

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the...

Every time i drive back to England now i am amazed by how many new cameras exist all over the place. I think people are remembering the good times in the 90's but sadly those drivimg days are over for the UK

[stuart-b]

bridgdav said:

My experience of German fun is, family time, fast cars, fast bikes, cycling, hiking, skiing, climbing, Beer, Beer, Pork and another Beer.

Agreed, and in Munich you can hire any BMW from BMW directly and go flat out down the autobahn!

[Pints]

stuart-b said:

Pints said:

But a 55 MPH maximum speed limit, IIRC.

Perhaps in 1960 for most of western USA it is even higher than here (75-80) plus a huge amount of tracks....far better for petrol heads. Even pioneering EV (tesla?)

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the...

Every time i drive back to England now i am amazed by how many new cameras exist all over the place. I think people are remembering the good times in the 90's but sadly those drivimg days are over for the UK

Thanks. Every day's a school day.

Edit: it seems I was thinking of the New York limit which is effectively 55.

Edited by Pints on Sunday 4th January 09:03

[coppice]

stuart-b said:

Perhaps in 1960 for most of western USA it is even higher than here (75-80) plus a huge amount of tracks....far better for petrol heads. Even pioneering EV (tesla?)

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the...

Every time i drive back to England now i am amazed by how many new cameras exist all over the place. I think people are remembering the good times in the 90's but sadly those drivimg days are over for the UK

Nonsense - depending where you live (in North Yorkshire in my case)it is perfectly possible to drive for a very long way without seeing a camera. Great driving is perfectly possible - maybe not in Basingstoke but the North Pennine roads are deserted and as for NW Scotland- driving heaven.