Are Canada/USA the best western countries for car lovers?

[Jader1973]

That’s just, like, your opinion man.

[TheOctaneAddict]

No we are pretty lucky here, we have the most racetracks per square mile of anywhere in the world. We have epic roads, numerous manufacturers that let you visit the production line, relatively cheap used cars, and lots of friendly owners clubs filled with helpful people.

[Silvanus]

As you are talking purely about cars and driving, i think it all depends on the type of cars and type of driving you enjoy.

For example if you like fizzy little Euro hot hatches on a twisty country road, North America isn't ideal.

However, there are other thrills to be had in those countries, big pick-ups, muscle cars, huge lazy V8 SUVs and big road trips. Plus lots of other cars we don't get in Europe.

Australia has unfortunately lost its USP. Ford and GM pulled the plug so no more utes and V8 super saloons.

There are a few other countries that serve the PHer well outside of Europe. Far eascountries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand have big car scenes and what look to be some amazing driving roads.

Europe to some extent seem to be at war with motorists, especially those that drive for fun.

Edited by Silvanus on Wednesday 30th November 10:55

[The test driver]

Jamaica said:

The UK has clearly lost a step the amount of madness happening in such a tiny island are crazy. If you love cars you will be taxed to death and stuck driving 20mph that's if you can navigate through the million speed bumps and potholes.

So much tax is paid but the driving experience is st, we pay tax but are treated with contempt and we receive subpar roads.

The USA is a vast country, cars are abundant rules depend upon the state you are in but generally you have much more freedoms. Canada is a huge country too with nowhere the same restrictions as the UK.

Australia is a random island in the middle of nowhere imports are expensive.

Hhmmmm swings and roundabouts really, having lived in both the UK and US theres benefits in both.

Some of the pot holes in NY and NJ will swallow your car whole so don't neccesarily assume the roads in the US are better than the UK, The US much like the UK has had public infrastructure under funding issues for a long time and with more miles of road to cover when it goes wrong bridges quite literally collapse.

Plus the DMV's are state run so potluck to what state your in to how well run they are, but from personal experience the DVLA's online licence renewal is much nicer than sitting in the DMV's cattle lines for a few hours to do anything like renewals or ownership swaps.

However in the US when its good its really good, some of the country roads are just stunning and there are more of them without having to drive to the backend of Scotland to get to them.

[plenty]

Having had my car and licence confiscated on the spot followed by a expensive court case for doing 88 mph on an empty country road in the height of summer with visibility to the horizon, I'd say Ontario isn't ideal.

[InitialDave]

It very much depends what you want.

I think we have a pretty good balance here, there are some aspects that are better in other countries, but they come with things that are worse (both directly in terms of the car enthusiast side, and also what the country is like in other ways).

[Bennet]

Are Canada/USA the best western countries for car lovers?

Dunno, maybe, but who cares? No one in their right mind is going to move there just to enjoy the driving.

You live in the UK, so find a way to get around that works. Get a modern classic or an MX5, or a motorbike, or a pushbike.

Or stop worrying about cars all together. There is more to life than this. Get a dog. Learn to dance. Meet people. Volunteer. Your obsession, if genuine, with "the state of uk driving" seems unhealthy.

[Justin85]

Having lived and driven the USA, Canada and the UK I'd say no.

We have a diverse and wide ranging car culture here. Very good access to many well run and well organised circuits, most of which are not very far away from where most of us live. Lots and lots of shows, from village green gatherings to Goodwood, Salon Prive, Festival of the Unexceptional etc. A very very active and accessible motorsport scene from bare bones clubman series to F1.

A broad church of classic car enthusiasts supported by a myriad of clubs and groups and a skilled and talented cottage industry to back it up. I live in Oxford with access to some fab A and B roads on my doorstep. My 9 mile commute along a B road brings me far more joy be it in a Citroen Dyane or a Porsche 911 than an awful lot of miles in the 'States did. Yes, there are beautifully surfaced and interesting roads on the other side of the pond, but not the opportunity to enjoy them daily or locally for many.

We also have, IMHO, a decent standard of driving and car maintenance which can be lacking in certain parts of the 'States and Canada. We also have easy(ish) access to the best of Europe in half the time it takes to cross Texas.

[Jamaica]

Bennet said:

Are Canada/USA the best western countries for car lovers?

Dunno, maybe, but who cares? No one in their right mind is going to move there just to enjoy the driving.

You live in the UK, so find a way to get around that works. Get a modern classic or an MX5, or a motorbike, or a pushbike.

Or stop worrying about cars all together. There is more to life than this. Get a dog. Learn to dance. Meet people. Volunteer. Your obsession, if genuine, with "the state of uk driving" seems unhealthy.

Mx5 is that ulez? So I should move out of London? Why should a car lover need to ride a bike? I don't like bikes I like cars.

[mikey_b]

Jamaica said:

Bennet said:

Are Canada/USA the best western countries for car lovers?

Dunno, maybe, but who cares? No one in their right mind is going to move there just to enjoy the driving.

You live in the UK, so find a way to get around that works. Get a modern classic or an MX5, or a motorbike, or a pushbike.

Or stop worrying about cars all together. There is more to life than this. Get a dog. Learn to dance. Meet people. Volunteer. Your obsession, if genuine, with "the state of uk driving" seems unhealthy.

Mx5 is that ulez? So I should move out of London? Why should a car lover need to ride a bike? I don't like bikes I like cars.

You live in one of the largest and most densely populated cities in Europe, and then complain about it being difficult to enjoy driving?

Also, aren't you the guy who has started several threads about how great ancient POS 'bangernomics' cars are because it's cheaper, and whining about speed limits and emissions controls?

Newflash - densely populated cities, crappy old bangers, and a strong 'car culture' are not compatible with each other. You have two choices: either move out of London, or put up and shut up.

[Scrump]

Already being discussed here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

And here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...