650 spider torrential rain country roads
Discussion
Had to pop up to Aberdeen yesterday and decided to take the Mac.
The dual carriageway there has always been one of my least fav roads as its proper character less, but they managed to make it worse by making it average speed cameras.
Decided that on the way back i would go the single carriageway coastal route home even though it was torrential rain.
Although my little peanut brain was telling me to just cruise it as i aint no driving god, its a little bit tricky when you have warp speed on command.
What a journey of discovery.
I knew the 650 not to shabby at handling but in the horrendous conditions i have never been in anything as much fun or sure footed thats rear wheel drive...the first little rear end kicking out under perhaps a tad to much acceleration out of a bend gave a shall we say 'moment', but was so easy to catch, regain traction and take off....it was almost like i had nothing to do with it. ( probably didn't! )
After that, the journey was an absolute hoot as i felt so confident in its abilities...the extremely heavy rain seemed to make no real difference to the cars abilities.
Its proper minging today though...fortunately the volcano orange still makes it look sparkling.
What a great wee motor it is.
The dual carriageway there has always been one of my least fav roads as its proper character less, but they managed to make it worse by making it average speed cameras.
Decided that on the way back i would go the single carriageway coastal route home even though it was torrential rain.
Although my little peanut brain was telling me to just cruise it as i aint no driving god, its a little bit tricky when you have warp speed on command.
What a journey of discovery.
I knew the 650 not to shabby at handling but in the horrendous conditions i have never been in anything as much fun or sure footed thats rear wheel drive...the first little rear end kicking out under perhaps a tad to much acceleration out of a bend gave a shall we say 'moment', but was so easy to catch, regain traction and take off....it was almost like i had nothing to do with it. ( probably didn't! )
After that, the journey was an absolute hoot as i felt so confident in its abilities...the extremely heavy rain seemed to make no real difference to the cars abilities.
Its proper minging today though...fortunately the volcano orange still makes it look sparkling.
What a great wee motor it is.
You dead right about that main dual carriageway, I refuse to use it in any decent car, it car cruelty to a car like yours! The good thing about it though, all the brain dead seem to like it and keep off the nice roads.
The Montrose, Arbroath route is good, but next time, try Perth to Glenshee, Braemar, Aberdeen, lots of variations to scope out and all fantastic fun.
The Montrose, Arbroath route is good, but next time, try Perth to Glenshee, Braemar, Aberdeen, lots of variations to scope out and all fantastic fun.
corinthian said:
You dead right about that main dual carriageway, I refuse to use it in any decent car, it car cruelty to a car like yours! The good thing about it though, all the brain dead seem to like it and keep off the nice roads.
The Montrose, Arbroath route is good, but next time, try Perth to Glenshee, Braemar, Aberdeen, lots of variations to scope out and all fantastic fun.
Yup...definitely will never use that way to Aberdeen again...the Braemar route is fantastic. The Montrose, Arbroath route is good, but next time, try Perth to Glenshee, Braemar, Aberdeen, lots of variations to scope out and all fantastic fun.
Yep, they are very good in the rain.
I found the lightweight, mid-engine layout and aero all help on very wet roads, whats doesn't help is the 610 BHP lighting up the rear tyres.
On some occasions, I have been known to take the baby step of pressing the winter button (taking the edge off the power)
I found the lightweight, mid-engine layout and aero all help on very wet roads, whats doesn't help is the 610 BHP lighting up the rear tyres.
On some occasions, I have been known to take the baby step of pressing the winter button (taking the edge off the power)
Wilmslowboy said:
Yep, they are very good in the rain.
On some occasions, I have been known to take the baby step of pressing the winter button (taking the edge off the power)
I cannot lie...there was one point where the rain was so heavy that i had a choice of backing off or sneaking the winter mode button on....so the button it was. On some occasions, I have been known to take the baby step of pressing the winter button (taking the edge off the power)
Did seem to help the traction though....
650spider said:
Wilmslowboy said:
Yep, they are very good in the rain.
On some occasions, I have been known to take the baby step of pressing the winter button (taking the edge off the power)
I cannot lie...there was one point where the rain was so heavy that i had a choice of backing off or sneaking the winter mode button on....so the button it was. On some occasions, I have been known to take the baby step of pressing the winter button (taking the edge off the power)
Did seem to help the traction though....
SSO said:
I've driven mine in light snow with the winter mode on, worked really well and felt well planted.
That is good to know, as this 650 isn't getting packed away for hibernation...it will continue to get used regardless of season or weather...its such a capable car it would be rude not to.To be fair, if its dropping in value, i would rather get the use out of the dwindling worth, having more fun than any other sporty car i have owned previously, rather than it sitting in the garage.
The funny bit is that considering its mileage and how i use it, McLaren Glasgow think it is near mint condition and almost cannot believe the speedo reading!
Indeed these cars do have good traction with the engine close to the rear wheels, and the suspension allowing the weight to rock back (especially in Normal), but ultimately they will succumb to the physical laws of our Universe...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNqa8-RFDC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNqa8-RFDC8
650spider said:
That is good to know, as this 650 isn't getting packed away for hibernation...it will continue to get used regardless of season or weather...its such a capable car it would be rude not to.
To be fair, if its dropping in value, i would rather get the use out of the dwindling worth, having more fun than any other sporty car i have owned previously, rather than it sitting in the garage.
The funny bit is that considering its mileage and how i use it, McLaren Glasgow think it is near mint condition and almost cannot believe the speedo reading!
Mine is my DD so it gets used year round. At this point it pretty much fully depreciated so no sense not using it all the time.To be fair, if its dropping in value, i would rather get the use out of the dwindling worth, having more fun than any other sporty car i have owned previously, rather than it sitting in the garage.
The funny bit is that considering its mileage and how i use it, McLaren Glasgow think it is near mint condition and almost cannot believe the speedo reading!
corinthian said:
You dead right about that main dual carriageway, I refuse to use it in any decent car, it car cruelty to a car like yours! The good thing about it though, all the brain dead seem to like it and keep off the nice roads.
The Montrose, Arbroath route is good, but next time, try Perth to Glenshee, Braemar, Aberdeen, lots of variations to scope out and all fantastic fun.
We are back up in Aberdeen for a short stay and this time came up via the A93 from Blairgowrie...if anyone is ever up this way and has never used this route its a 'must do', skimming past Balmoral and takes in some of the most stunning scenery you shall see along the lines of 'Skyfall'.The Montrose, Arbroath route is good, but next time, try Perth to Glenshee, Braemar, Aberdeen, lots of variations to scope out and all fantastic fun.
Journey time was double compared to average speed camera route but what a drive.. the road was epic and fortunately no cars behind or in front of us for almost the whole journey.
12pack said:
Sounds epic. This will be my last weekend on the Corsas. Looking forward to Michelin’s for more challenging road trips like the one you describe.
I have always thought of Pirellis as utter crap, but its corsas that i am running with around 6-7mm tread all round, and the grip levels are fantastic...especially in the damp, which i am struggling to comprehend.I don't know how McLaren manage to give the cars the levels of traction that they have...just look at the launch clips of 720s and not be amazed that a 2 wheel drive car can put that power down...i can currently only speak of the 650 at the moment but the confidence it gives you due to how it just does exactly what you want it do do is just fantastic....and if it does give a little sideaways action, its sooo easy to catch and control.
However, the other day i watched an older top gear with Clarkson testing the Ferrari F12 on similar roads around Pitlochry...he stated then that the F12 was just far too fast for the roads...he was right...the roads we were on were epic, but a golf gti would probably keep up as nobody can give it large on these types of roads and be safe with these levels of power...blind crests just appear and you have no idea if they break right or left....and bear in mind the 650 is quicker to 60, 100, 125 and 150 than the F12...
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