J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I spend most of my time chasing the most powerful car I can justify and afford, however most of the time its just extra cost, extra risk of prosecution when you do get the rare chance to use it.

Was driving an old 205 1.1 back to its owner last night and ok it was slow, the brakes woeful, steering rubbery and handling "interesting" but it had a nice gearchange and a willing engine, most fun I have had in ages, was following a 5 series and trying to keep up, dont think I went over 60 but really had to drive it, in my Saab I just point it, squeeze the throttle and it does it, its competent but not as much fun, now I dont want an old 205 all the time as frankly it was a bit whiffy.

But, it was nice to feel I was driving, I think we have got so focused on Power Outputs and massive torque we have missed the point, ok a powerful diesel is a good day to day car in which to do massive distance but is it fun ?

I think we are fixated by acceleration and performance figures and have ended up driving by and large souless and boring cars where to get a thrill you have to hoof it and feel the G force from the accelration, the handling is so competent and safe there is little feedback.

What modern cars offer that feeling of something being alive, rather than just being good or do I need an old crap 205 ?

blot

Never once been close to boredom in the G spyder, but I also have fun driving the knackered 106 too, in fact don't think I've ever found driving any particular car dull, maybe I just like driving

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Power is definately NOT important.

Some of the most fun i've had was in a Yaris that only had a 1 litre engine. It's the chuckability of wee cars that make them fun.

We've just got a new Cooper S the other day and although i've yet to give it some beans, i'm really looking forward to the easyness of backroad driving, in such a small car that has a bit of poke about it.

what would scooby do

anything that's got character, regardless of power is fun to drive IMHO.

blot

Then again, best moment so far involves 180mph & I'd have to drop the 106 from the top of everest to reach that speed, so maybe power helps a bit

The Chief

My mate has just bought a 2.2 VX220, i was a bit ho hum about this car as i've owned a 260bhp scoob but after driving it it was a revelation, i loved it in every way.

Ok it did not have the oomphhh of the scoob or the wet weather grip but more than made up in steering feel, handling finesse and just general feel that comes with a light car.

It has to be the best car i have ever driven, it just felt alive.

I did not even go above 60 either!!!!

drb5

iTrader: (4)

That reminds me of the Elise i was once out in, around Knockhill.

Phenominal car for handling, but it DID lose out a bit on the straights....something which doesn't matter when on the road, as you simply can't use the full power of a lot of cars, just as JACKO said.

Blueblaster

I asked a similar question a few days ago about why we all seem to be fixated on getting more expensive, more powerful cars to replace the ones we currently have. As usual people call me boring and accuse me of living life like an accountant, but there is a very real point that needs to be appreciated. Unless you break the speed limit more power invariably means less fun. This finally dawned on me when I floored my STI on a country road in second gear and found myself at the national motorway limit in about 6 seconds. Boring and dangerous. Do the same thing in a light hatchback that costs a quarter of the money and you have to take it into fourth before you reach that kind of speed. The sensation of speed is ever so much greater in a small car as well. IMO a lot of people buy a Scoob or equivalent because they want to impress their mates and the girls. Standing by to be insulted .

Steve vRS

No.

I have had two Imprezas, including a 300bhp Type R and I am now hankering after an MX-5

Maybe it's a mid life crisis!

Steve

drb5

iTrader: (4)

I won't insult you, as what you said is true.

Running costs were another reason why we got the Cooper S...not least because of the so-called average mpg - 46!

BOB.T

I think you're absolutely right BB

The one dissapointment I have with our new Focus ST is that virtually as soon as you've got your foot down you're at the speed limit...obviously I've never exceeded it Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the car and I'm not about the chop it in for a 1.0l festa but it would be nice to drive it and not worry about becoming a criminal!

Bakerman

Absolutely.

The problem with powerful cars is that they come with associated big tyres/good grip/sorted suspension which for me removes the feeling of fun and or challenge. Sure a 911 (recently drove a Carerra 4s) or Impreza can go round corners quicker than I can so where is the challenge, best fun I ever had was an AX GT in 1990 which had skinny as hell 165 tyres and only 85bhp but was a barrel of laughs.
Nowadays the power figure can be irrelevant given the sheer weight of modern motor cars.

Motorbikes are the same, cutting edge sports bikes work far too well for the road and in fact don't really work unless you are giving it some.

If I was to buy a fun car it would be a base Elise or more likely a VX but even then for the road they are way more than necessary. More to life than speed.

Adidas

Got to say that some of the biggest smiles I had was when I had the 205 GTi. Track days especially had me grinning from ear to ear. The only reason why I got rid of it was because I got a bit bored after 2 years of ownership.

Dream Weaver

Well I do drive a lovely and very reliable 205 GTI but I am selling it this year to make way for a Focus ST, mainly because I don't have time to mess about with it any more and its also a bit small if we ever need to use it as a family car.

The difference in driving feel between the 205 and our 1 year old Civic (or a Focus ST for that matter) is immense, you feel attached to the 205 but maybe thats because you are never more than 2 to 3 inch away from any part of it!! Head close to roof, legs to doors etc etc.

But, my own 205 does have way too much power, and its not as nice to drive as when it only had 160bhp so to answer the OP power isn't everything. I'm losing 20bhp in a few months prior to selling it for the ST so I will see how it goes then with "only" 180bhp.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

The thing is, and I think we rarely admit it, bhp is about ***** waving rather than driving enjoyment.

I think I want an MX5 as well.

Blueblaster

My 17th birthday conincided almost exactly with the launch of Max Power. Back then it really was about modifying your car and not a photoshoot for the country's least attractive **** and *****. It was a terrific magazine because it didn't have a huge budget and therefore had to concentrate on relatively moddest enhancements. All sorts of superminis and hot hatches would get a serious makeover for relatively little money and the result would be a little firecracker of a car you could hurl around the British roads. Imagine what is available these days - how about a Ford Puma with some new wheels, slightly lowered with pair of bucket seats and a tasty stereo. 4 grand to you sir and more fun than your average supercar driver could ever imagine.

Anyone remember the launch of the DIMMA Clio? God, I wanted one of those. 7 grand for the kit and wheels and worth every penny.

Here's one for the 30-somethings

: : Dimma UK - Some of the best in Car Modification and Styling Accessories : : :

Varboy

Thing I find driving a car with less power and far less prodigous handling is that as you are used to travelling at mental speeds, you have far more confidence to grab the slower car by the scruff of the neck and really abuse it, far more so than if you were not used to the capabilities of a faster car.

I drive my wife's Beemer in such a fashion, it's great being able to get oversteer with ease and really feel like you are pushing the boundaries. The wife, of course, does not agree.

So in summary, you probably would not appreciate the slower car, unless you are experienced with the relative beasts we are accusstomed to.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

I don't agree fella. You can still enjoy driving in a big BHP car as well as a low BHP car. A standard Scoob (say) is a good car, a STi is better & a Spec C / RAR perhaps even better. Each is more powerful than the other, weighs the same or similar ... you get me

TX.

ScoobyDoo555

I have to admit that after having several Scoobs, my current S4 Avant, and Wifey's GTi6 (306), my favourite by a LONG shot, is the Pug!!

The overall driving experience is fantastic. Yes, the Scoob was surge/accelleration-tastic, and the Audi is blisteringly quick and comfortable, but when picking keys off the rack, I always find myself going towards the slowest car.......

coz it's the most fun

Dan

j4ckos mate

The dimma 205's looked awful

T5OLF

iTrader: (4)

I loved my old mk2 escort, 2L pinto, tramp bars and panard rod - handled like a dream. Also love the wifes MX5 - no real power to speak of but great fun.

When I do sell the scoob the next car I will build will be either an MX5 with a rover V8 lump or a bike engined cateram/locost.

Blueblaster

Maybe a bit crude, but with a lovely set of split rims, a saucy paint job and and Mi16 transplant they were the business. Love Dimma's 106 as well.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Reality check !

I loved my old Imp, but no brakes....

I don't drive any faster in my Scoob, but at least i can stop !

That's where 30 years of engineering really pay off. IMHO.

DunxC

The Chief

What??? in the day i thought they looked awesome. a guy at work had a geuine Dimma 1.9 gti with a TT conversion, he paid 16k for it and it went like ****

bootsy

i totally agree with youas i posted on your thread i drive a 106 rallye and loving it.it has no toys to help the driver and is so light and chuckable in the corners.when i first started driving i had mini's and had loads of fun and my pug handles just the same but with a bit more power

Ringpeas

The most involving car I ever drove was my 1.3 Mk2 Escort.

If you got it to 80mph it sounded like it was about to explode
Every corner in the wet was a gamble
The tyres squeeled around every roundabout
The brakes only worked part time, despite every effort to get them sorted.
It would spin in the wet without warning

Now this was all great when I was 18, but now that I am in my mid 30's I need something that is a little less likely to get me killed!

My Accord is a good car, it does everything I need. I do miss the power of the Scoob though

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

They looked great, it was like a Hot Hatch/Supercar hybrid, and they were generally done well, the Mattig Astra was a step to fat though.

Blueblaster

LOL I remember those. The rear tyres were enormous and yet it was a front wheel drive car. An utter nightmare to drive.

The Chief

Does anyone remember the Reiger or reigar Golf convertable that was on the cover of teh first Max Power (yes, yes, ok i bought it once) used to see that thing driving around where i lived in Stockport, looked OTT but bloody awesome.

Blueblaster

I do remember that. The thing with all these kits was they had to be the best quality available and fitted professionally. There were some absolute shockers that still cost a fortune.