Proposed Changes to Law

[pipme]

.......Still, it means when I can get a group 20 car insured for £900 I will think it is a bargain, and the wait will make it all the sweeter

Could be that the group 20s will be effectively legislated off the road, big bro watching via satellite all speeds all locations .. Govn doesn't have to legislate against vehicles .. just make it pointless to drive at greater than any speed limit ... pretty soon we would notice how many potentially very quick motors would be sold ... probably no one remaining licensed to drive them ... Which really leads us to the fact that all pokey (and otherwise) vehicles are unleashed regularly in contravention of the law .. be that what it may ... it is still the law.
The great motoring days have probably gone ...
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[AdamW]

Most people buy fast cars for the acceleration, not the top speed. A car that does 150mph really isn't THAT remarkable now. You can get a Vectra that does it, a Mondeo that does it, a Mk4 Astra that does it (as will the Mk5 when the VXR version comes out). Cars that could be had for about 20K new (the Astra Turbos were being sold off for £14K when the Mk 5 came out).

Whereas plenty of people regularly drive at 80, very few people ever drive a car at more than 90mph. Even fewer at more than 100. Almost every car on the market today will do over 100. So how many people buy a car thinking "Yes, I will get to use that 155mph top speed!".

If I had a choice between a car that does 0-60 in 8 seconds and does 160mph, or a car that does 0-60 in 6 seconds, with a top speed of "just" 120, I would choose the latter.

Electric cars will probably have great acceleration due to the different torque characteristics of the motor. It will seem a lot smoother though, no surging like you get towards the red line in an ICE. Think about Intercity trains: they accelerate so smoothly yet get up to 140mph quite quickly.

 

[2scoops0406]

Think about Intercity trains: they accelerate so smoothly yet get up to 140mph quite quickly.

You positive you're from the UK?

 

[pipme]

I have and do know quite a number of people with powerful vehicles, I am afraid they not only use the acceleration, but drive at relatively high speeds whenever possible .... hence they have points and collisions ... Hopefully without yours truly on board ... What can you do ?

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[AdamW]

Give them enough points and they slow down: I know an Audi TT owner who has been very careful since he hit the magic 9 point barrier!

And I suppose to add fuel to your argument, my dad never used to be a speeder until he got something obscenely fast... now he owns a radar detector, and I'm pretty sure if I told him about the laser jammers you can buy he would get one!

Saying that, he is in the 90mph cruise category rather than the "Let's see what it will do" category. Heck, I could do a comfortable 90mph cruise in my 1.6 easily enough. So to withdraw my earlier fuel I say that having a very fast car doesn't necessarily encourage you to try out it's top end.

I don't drive a lot of motorway miles, probably 3000 miles per year on motorways if that. But in my experience I have had plenty of BMW 318s flashing their lights and gesticulating to get out of their way (those things are even slower than my car!). But in 7 years, I have never had aggro from a BMW M3. OK, they are relatively rare but you would think there would be at least ONE.

I maintain that buying a fast car doesn't mean you will test it's top end. Just look at all the Focus 1.6s and Mercedes Sprinters on the motorways going at 90mph to see that people with slower cars do it far often!

 

[pipme]

I think as the performance potential increases then the driver control comfort zone rises in parallel leading to generally higher speeds.

Best maxim ... Never drive quickly when late !!

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[2scoops0406]

One of my accqaintances has an Audi RS4, I defy anyone to drive that slowly !! I've had a go in it, and it is honestly a struggle to kept it at or under 30 MPH. Not condoning, merely observing !

 

[pipme]

Off the fence Patton !!

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[AdamW]

One of my accqaintances has an Audi RS4, I defy anyone to drive that slowly !! I've had a go in it, and it is honestly a struggle to kept it at or under 30 MPH. Not condoning, merely observing !

Leave it in first, with the handbrake on a couple of clicks

A neighbour of mine has a lucky s*d of a boyfriend who has an Audi RS6 and a Lotus Elise, some special edition with a big wing on the back and a barely legal exhaust system... that doesn't contribute any to the discussion but I need those cars! A couple of years ago there was talk of a "special" RS4 with a 4.2 litre V8, but I don't think it ever came to production. But then there were also pre-production 3.6 litre Alfa 156 too.

Anyway, coincidentally to my earlier comments I saw a BMW M3 on my drive to work this morning. It was being driven at 35mph in a 40 limit with 2 lanes each way. Very sensible, I thought. Then on the next roundabout the driver tried to turn right from the left lane... whilst I was alongside it, going straight on! Very near collision. One of the many thoughts that ran through my head was "how ironic!".

I think we all need to get mental-engine cars ASAP before the oil runs out and we are reduced to driving milkfloats.

 

[2scoops0406]

A couple of years ago there was talk of a "special" RS4 with a 4.2 litre V8, but I don't think it ever came to production.

That's the new RS4, not out yet, but Ow! when it does come out!! The current RS4 outdrags many Ferraris 0-60 I think it's 4.3 secs but I'm too lazy to look it up, all I can say is it's not the sheer straight line speed, its the handling, you can throw the car into corners at breathtaking spped, and the tyres do even so much as squeak. It really is an awsome drive, and I want one...... Where's that 'Crusier now !!!