Does a low top speed in a performance car bother you?
Discussion
raspy said:
ecsrobin said:
How often are you above 125?
It's clearly a bragging contest down the pub. My car can do 155mph, and if I pay to get the limiter removed, it could do 168mph. Blah!I've personally pretty much maxed out all the performance cars that I've had over the years though(maybe I'm just a lunatic?!), just because I've always enjoyed doing that. So I would(or will) notice if a car has a low top speed...because of that.
I'm not saying that it is big and clever, but it is just something that I've always done. I remember seeing 138mph on the clock in my XR4x4, and that was 31 years ago now for example(it was probably only doing about 125mph in reality though).
cerb4.5lee said:
The Caterham was an odd move for me really to be honest, because generally in the past I'd go for bigger engines and more power.
It could be argued that my Caterham isn't a performance car really, because it only has a 140bhp. But Caterham do offer much faster/more powerful versions though to be fair.
I disagree that the Caterham is not a performance car. What does it weigh 550kg maybe so 250 bhp/Tonne which is probably not dissimilar to your M4. It could be argued that my Caterham isn't a performance car really, because it only has a 140bhp. But Caterham do offer much faster/more powerful versions though to be fair.
Of course the handling characteristics will be completely different. The M4 is brutish to the Caterham’s nimbleness.
My friend has just sold his heavily modified M4. RWD and 570 bhp. Decided that the opportunity to use that power on our crowded roads is very limited and rather selfish. He’s realised that other road users are not going to anticipate such a fast moving vehicle,
Even my modified Exige had a relatively modest top speed due to the drag caused by the large rear wing. It handled well and cornered like on rails on track though.
I now prefer a nippy car for the local driving I do and if I chose a long distance car a high top speed would be an irrelevance as I keep to limits.
cerb4.5lee said:
We've been discussing the top speed on another thread about the new electric MG Roadster, and its top speed is only a 125mph, yet it has over 500bhp though.
For me personally I'd want it to go quicker than a 125mph, and I don't like Volvo anymore because they limit their cars to only a 112mph as well.
So would a low top speed in a performance car bother you?
The more pertinent point, perhaps, is that the MG Cyberster is all mouth and trousers. The twin-motor variant is quoted as producing 503 BHP and 535 lb/ft. It completes the 0-60 sprint in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph.For me personally I'd want it to go quicker than a 125mph, and I don't like Volvo anymore because they limit their cars to only a 112mph as well.
So would a low top speed in a performance car bother you?
The power output is almost identical to that of the third-generation Dodge Viper SRT-10 coupe - 510 BHP and 535 lb/ft - however that had a top speed of 193 mph. The Viper was, admittedly, half a second slower to 60, however that was with a conventional manual gearbox. I'd hazard a guess that one fitted with a drag-spec transmission (Lenco/Powerglide/Whatever) would beat the MG in a sprint - only fair to level the playing field, here, and allow the Viper engine to benefit from near-seamless power transfer.
I'd be disappointed by a 500 BHP car that was no faster, all said and done, than a twenty-year-old Mondeo with an ordinary petrol engine. I'd wonder what the point of it all was...
Nomme de Plum said:
cerb4.5lee said:
The Caterham was an odd move for me really to be honest, because generally in the past I'd go for bigger engines and more power.
It could be argued that my Caterham isn't a performance car really, because it only has a 140bhp. But Caterham do offer much faster/more powerful versions though to be fair.
I disagree that the Caterham is not a performance car. What does it weigh 550kg maybe so 250 bhp/Tonne which is probably not dissimilar to your M4. It could be argued that my Caterham isn't a performance car really, because it only has a 140bhp. But Caterham do offer much faster/more powerful versions though to be fair.
Of course the handling characteristics will be completely different. The M4 is brutish to the Caterham’s nimbleness.
The Cerbera was a great car when it worked...but the problem was that it didn't work very often though!
raspy said:
It's clearly a bragging contest down the pub. My car can do 155mph, and if I pay to get the limiter removed, it could do 168mph. Blah!
That is quite condescending, what if someone does value their cars top speed? Why judge them so?I do value the top speed of my car, I gain some enjoyment from knowing what it is capable of, even if I don't use it. I appreciate the capacity, it's not even about bragging to others.
I love cars, I love the sensation of acceleration, the feeling of a well driven powerful car. I love a car that feels faster than it is, but I also gain enjoyment out of the fact that my car could do 200mph, even if it never has or will.
My watch won't reach it's maximum depth either.
Honestly, it's like the Greens and their (now published) anti car stance have infected PH.
cerb4.5lee said:
Nomme de Plum said:
cerb4.5lee said:
The Caterham was an odd move for me really to be honest, because generally in the past I'd go for bigger engines and more power.
It could be argued that my Caterham isn't a performance car really, because it only has a 140bhp. But Caterham do offer much faster/more powerful versions though to be fair.
I disagree that the Caterham is not a performance car. What does it weigh 550kg maybe so 250 bhp/Tonne which is probably not dissimilar to your M4. It could be argued that my Caterham isn't a performance car really, because it only has a 140bhp. But Caterham do offer much faster/more powerful versions though to be fair.
Of course the handling characteristics will be completely different. The M4 is brutish to the Caterham’s nimbleness.
The Cerbera was a great car when it worked...but the problem was that it didn't work very often though!
It as without doubt the most shoddily built car I ever owned and driveable for about 25% of my ownership. The rest being in for repair of one thing or another.
When it did go it was terrifying at speed and the handling a bit unpredictable. I was lucky and received a full refund plus interest. IMO it was less than the sum if it’s parts and could have been a really good car.
There are far more important characteristics than top speed that make a great car.
colin79666 said:
Top speed wouldn’t put me off.
Stupid annoying speed limit warnings would, it’s putting me off changing to something new.
The speed limit warnings in new cars are annoying I agree, you can at least switch them off currently though. I recently had a 2024 Merc EQA350 as a loan car, and the first thing I did in that was turn the speed limit warning bong off. It was easy to do as well thankfully. Stupid annoying speed limit warnings would, it’s putting me off changing to something new.
Nomme de Plum said:
Well I think you know I owned one as well.
It as without doubt the most shoddily built car I ever owned and driveable for about 25% of my ownership. The rest being in for repair of one thing or another.
When it did go it was terrifying at speed and the handling a bit unpredictable. I was lucky and received a full refund plus interest. IMO it was less than the sum if it’s parts and could have been a really good car.
There are far more important characteristics than top speed that make a great car.
Yes and I knew that you had one. It as without doubt the most shoddily built car I ever owned and driveable for about 25% of my ownership. The rest being in for repair of one thing or another.
When it did go it was terrifying at speed and the handling a bit unpredictable. I was lucky and received a full refund plus interest. IMO it was less than the sum if it’s parts and could have been a really good car.
There are far more important characteristics than top speed that make a great car.
It is sad I reckon that it was so troublesome for you. Mine was a pain as well, but I did at least persevere with it for 6 years though. Some folk do seem to get lucky with them from what I read/hear though.
I'm glad I had one, but it would take a lot to get me back into another TVR to be fair now. I do still love the bloody things from a distance though for sure.
tarbrush said:
Dunbar871 said:
Wouldn’t touch a performance car with a low top speed; wouldn’t touch an EV. Not necessarily the same thing.
+1 Completely agree.I’ve a couple of locals who like to drive fast in a straight line and then embarrassing slow when the bends arrive.
MikeM6 said:
That is quite condescending, what if someone does value their cars top speed? Why judge them so?
I do value the top speed of my car, I gain some enjoyment from knowing what it is capable of, even if I don't use it. I appreciate the capacity, it's not even about bragging to others.
I love cars, I love the sensation of acceleration, the feeling of a well driven powerful car. I love a car that feels faster than it is, but I also gain enjoyment out of the fact that my car could do 200mph, even if it never has or will.
My watch won't reach it's maximum depth either.
Honestly, it's like the Greens and their (now published) anti car stance have infected PH.
That's just like me; my car will do 197mph, and I've a watch that says 300m on it. I've never driven at 197 and I will never going scuba driving; but I still like both ideas.I do value the top speed of my car, I gain some enjoyment from knowing what it is capable of, even if I don't use it. I appreciate the capacity, it's not even about bragging to others.
I love cars, I love the sensation of acceleration, the feeling of a well driven powerful car. I love a car that feels faster than it is, but I also gain enjoyment out of the fact that my car could do 200mph, even if it never has or will.
My watch won't reach it's maximum depth either.
Honestly, it's like the Greens and their (now published) anti car stance have infected PH.
cerb4.5lee said:
Nomme de Plum said:
Well I think you know I owned one as well.
It as without doubt the most shoddily built car I ever owned and driveable for about 25% of my ownership. The rest being in for repair of one thing or another.
When it did go it was terrifying at speed and the handling a bit unpredictable. I was lucky and received a full refund plus interest. IMO it was less than the sum if it’s parts and could have been a really good car.
There are far more important characteristics than top speed that make a great car.
Yes and I knew that you had one. It as without doubt the most shoddily built car I ever owned and driveable for about 25% of my ownership. The rest being in for repair of one thing or another.
When it did go it was terrifying at speed and the handling a bit unpredictable. I was lucky and received a full refund plus interest. IMO it was less than the sum if it’s parts and could have been a really good car.
There are far more important characteristics than top speed that make a great car.
It is sad I reckon that it was so troublesome for you. Mine was a pain as well, but I did at least persevere with it for 6 years though. Some folk do seem to get lucky with them from what I read/hear though.
I'm glad I had one, but it would take a lot to get me back into another TVR to be fair now. I do still love the bloody things from a distance though for sure.
I believe that some of the later post Wheeler cars were correctly engineered. I fancied the Sagaris but the opportunity cost for something that would be rarely used is too great. I’m not in the U.K. full time either so it would be pretty pointless.
Dunbar871 said:
Little reminder on why top speed is important, before this forum fully converts into Mumsnet... 
Why is that important? Surely it doesn’t take much talent, if any, to drive fast in a straight line on a motorway just being mindful of other road users. Very odd attitude to think there is something special about it.
Nomme de Plum said:
Dunbar871 said:
Little reminder on why top speed is important, before this forum fully converts into Mumsnet...
Why is that important? Surely it doesn’t take much talent, if any, to drive fast in a straight line on a motorway just being mindful of other road users. Very odd attitude to think there is something special about it.
hand that PH card in TODAYGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff