How fast is fast enough?
06-04-2009, 01:21 PM
#21
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Sounds like you're enjoying the Z4 Billy 
In answer to the OP question, I'd say modern TVR's(Tuscan,T350 etc) were fast enough for me, in a straight line not many cars feel as potent, pity about the rest of the package
In answer to the OP question, I'd say modern TVR's(Tuscan,T350 etc) were fast enough for me, in a straight line not many cars feel as potent, pity about the rest of the package
06-04-2009, 01:30 PM
#22
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Just got back from a 180 mile drive after work to the welsh beach and back.
First time I've enjoyed a road drive in ages. Fairly low traffic, lovely roads, and enough power to dispatch slower traffic. Remiscent of a meet where me and Fieldl had a great time.
And hypothetically, on a clear welsh road, fast enough is rather fast. I saw some idiot go past me at 140 at one point. He looked like he was having a great time.
First time I've enjoyed a road drive in ages. Fairly low traffic, lovely roads, and enough power to dispatch slower traffic. Remiscent of a meet where me and Fieldl had a great time.
And hypothetically, on a clear welsh road, fast enough is rather fast. I saw some idiot go past me at 140 at one point. He looked like he was having a great time.
06-04-2009, 02:32 PM
#23
Originally Posted by billy_i_vtec,Jun 4 2009, 09:55 PM
I found that I had been constantly going upwards in BHP with every car I bought until I reached 400 BHP in my last car, an EVO VIII MR FQ300. I think I had gotten myself into the mindset that that was what you had to do each time you bought a new car.
I decided that was a daft idea and dropped back down to 265 BHP with my latest car the Z4 Coupe.
I'm finding that I can cover ground just as fast in this car as I could in the EVO and it takes corners just as well too. This is probably more down to my ability as a driver rather than what the car(s) can do as I'm sure I never pushed the EVO anywhere near it's limits.
I'm also having far more fun now that I had in the EVO as I can get a little tail happy again same as I used to do in the S2000.
Not sure if that adds much to this conversation but it's just my 2p worth.
More BHP isn't always better
I decided that was a daft idea and dropped back down to 265 BHP with my latest car the Z4 Coupe.
I'm finding that I can cover ground just as fast in this car as I could in the EVO and it takes corners just as well too. This is probably more down to my ability as a driver rather than what the car(s) can do as I'm sure I never pushed the EVO anywhere near it's limits.
I'm also having far more fun now that I had in the EVO as I can get a little tail happy again same as I used to do in the S2000.
Not sure if that adds much to this conversation but it's just my 2p worth.
More BHP isn't always better
I know I am going to get abused for this but my TVR Griffith was beyond my driving ability on a road - fun wise at least ... I got more fun out of my S2000 as I could thrash it more safely than the Griff which I had to be careful with !
The best car is one which is at your limit - and that of traction in a given situation - but not beyond !
BHP is irrelevant...
Power is nothing without control
06-04-2009, 11:41 PM
#25
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i dont think power is really irrelevant but it's far from the be all and end all. As quite a few have pointed out a key to putting a grin on your face is accelleration. to overtake the n0bs, the caravan n0bs, the red lorry, yella lorries etc. but also cornering, in equal or maybe greater measure.
Accell is where the bike makes me laugh out loud (though i dont think it does 100 in first like Dans!
whereas with the S corners make me grin. I dont grin about the vectra at all 
I drive 2 cars and a bike. The vectra is am armchair car, sit back, relax, quiet, cheap on fuel. The S corners hard, rides hard, you can chuck it about and get the hood down. The CBR is like a chainsaw, noisey, vibrates, dangerous but it's soooo sharp and on single carriageway roads with traffic it's the pick.
Accell is where the bike makes me laugh out loud (though i dont think it does 100 in first like Dans!
whereas with the S corners make me grin. I dont grin about the vectra at all I drive 2 cars and a bike. The vectra is am armchair car, sit back, relax, quiet, cheap on fuel. The S corners hard, rides hard, you can chuck it about and get the hood down. The CBR is like a chainsaw, noisey, vibrates, dangerous but it's soooo sharp and on single carriageway roads with traffic it's the pick.
06-04-2009, 11:52 PM
#27
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I loved my S2000 and gained so much driving enjoyment from the two cars that I owned, both driving quickly in a straight line, but more importantly travelling through a series of great bends and corners.
But, I always found the S lacking in straight line, mainly in part due to all my motorway and A road driving.
How fast is fast enough? I'm not sure, but I am very happy with the performance of my current car (currently has 350-360bhp), but I still hanker after even more.
It all depends how accessible the power is and how easy it is to put down that power, more importantly how much fun is it to apply that power.
My car can easily handle the power, lays it down well, and has a massively flexible engine, but I don't get a great sense of satisfaction on B roads as I used to with the S. This is probably why I will change to a 370Z or Focus RS next.
Perfect spec for me would be:
- 400bhp
- 450 Ib / ft
- FI 6 cylinder, preferably a turbo
- RWD
- <1500kg
I could do with two cars really:
C63 AMG for everyday driving
Z4M Roadster for the weekends
Perfect combination of power and craziness in both cars!
But, I always found the S lacking in straight line, mainly in part due to all my motorway and A road driving.
How fast is fast enough? I'm not sure, but I am very happy with the performance of my current car (currently has 350-360bhp), but I still hanker after even more.
It all depends how accessible the power is and how easy it is to put down that power, more importantly how much fun is it to apply that power.
My car can easily handle the power, lays it down well, and has a massively flexible engine, but I don't get a great sense of satisfaction on B roads as I used to with the S. This is probably why I will change to a 370Z or Focus RS next.
Perfect spec for me would be:
- 400bhp
- 450 Ib / ft
- FI 6 cylinder, preferably a turbo
- RWD
- <1500kg
I could do with two cars really:
C63 AMG for everyday driving
Z4M Roadster for the weekends
Perfect combination of power and craziness in both cars!
06-05-2009, 12:48 AM
#28
Thread Starter
i dunno what you've done to your Noddy car Andy but as stock it's 306bhp and 1560kg so about 196bhp/ton, not considerably better than the much better looking 335i
perfect car for me would be a Sagaris or one of the daft Lambo's (LP640 etc)
perfect car for me would be a Sagaris or one of the daft Lambo's (LP640 etc)
06-05-2009, 02:01 AM
#29
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Originally Posted by Nottm_S2,Jun 5 2009, 09:48 AM
i dunno what you've done to your Noddy car Andy but as stock it's 306bhp and 1560kg so about 196bhp/ton, not considerably better than the much better looking 335i
It's a monster now.
bhp / ton does not tell the full story, the torque from 1500rpm to 5500rpm is immense.
06-05-2009, 02:13 AM
#30
Whilst that is undoubtebly true and it makes a lot of difference, never type it again - 1,000 rpm less and you'd sound like one of those TDS drivers!
I tend to agree with the 1,500kg limit; it's heavy enough for NVH refinement, but not too heavy for a wallowy and miserable driving experience. Closer to 1,250 for the B roads and tracks though, ideally.
As a rule of thumb, about 200 bhp/tonne is a good starting point. But the area under the torque curve defines the characteristics of the vehicle.
I tend to agree with the 1,500kg limit; it's heavy enough for NVH refinement, but not too heavy for a wallowy and miserable driving experience. Closer to 1,250 for the B roads and tracks though, ideally.
As a rule of thumb, about 200 bhp/tonne is a good starting point. But the area under the torque curve defines the characteristics of the vehicle.