How long before you found yours 'slow'?

mrsmr2 · July 2, 2004, 18:28

Having owned mine for 7 weeks and covered 3,300 miles, I'm now starting to get used to the handling, and am really starting to thrash it. I'm getting more confidence that the back end isn't going to do anything untoward.

Now I'm driving it and feeling it's slower than before. It isn't, it's just that I'm used to the car and the want the speed to arrive quicker.

As with all cars I've owned, once I've got used to them and more comfortable with thrashing them, I want more power s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

So, how long before you felt you needed more power in yours?

PS - still love the car, and it's handling, and it is fast enough for me really.

kanujunkie · July 2, 2004, 18:45

chuck in a turbo if it's feeling slow, that could spice things up!!

Anonymous · July 2, 2004, 20:17

I thought it was just me! I think this is the same for every car though, once you get confidence the acceleration and handling become 'normal'
I have now done nearly 1000 miles in mine, and am beginning to enjoy some 6k moments. s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:
I don't kmow if its my imagination, but the car doesn't feel as impressive at high revs as the test drive did. My last car was an IS200, and you seemed to get a real 'kick' over 4500rpm.
Does the engine loosen up with higher mileage?

Liz · July 2, 2004, 20:47

I thought the same, suppose you grow into the car and grow used to the handling and the power.

Simon drove my car home today whilst I followed in a hire car I have for the weekend, the sight and superb sound of the '2 zooming away from me down a country lane did make me remember just how great it is. s:D

s:D

And also having driven 5 miles in a Vauxhall Zafira (whatever its called- I ordered an Astra Estate s:roll: :roll: s:roll: ) which felt awful going around corners, like it was going to tip, I should think that the '2 is going to feel like a pocket rocket which is stuck to the road when I get back in it again! I can't wait!

Anonymous · July 2, 2004, 21:14

I agree with Liz. Driving another car I actually enjoy the change but getting back in the '2 makes you appreciate the handling etc. even more.

mrsmr2 · July 2, 2004, 21:15

The car isn't slow, it's just me getting used to it. When I first had it I held back as I didn't know what the car would do e.g. I expected the worst lifting off when flat out in 2nd on a tight bend. Now I do know what it's going to do so I'm spending more time at faster speeds.

I'm pretty sure I'd feel the same in most cars e.g once used to the speed, would want more. It's a never ending circle.

However, I'm not always fast as I got 38.5 MPG on last tank s:)

s:)

The engine is loosening up but not significantly. The turbo package is interesting, but I think the car is fast enough for me really. Plus I don't think I'd need it on a twisty country road and I'd only end up travelling at very silly speeds on open roads if I had it.

The kick at 4.2k revs is nice and the sound after that is very addictive.

Anonymous · July 2, 2004, 21:55

Quote from: "CrazyDave"I agree with Liz. Driving another car I actually enjoy the change but getting back in the '2 makes you appreciate the handling etc. even more.

try driving a van for the day and then go back! you'll fell like you're literally sitting on the floor! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

as for when i think it got "slow", ive never thought it was that quick anyway.
However, burning off the line and the '2 being my first rear wheel drive car, redlining in 1st and 2nd, it does feel fast!

But anything over 70 and it could do with a bit more oomph, but how often do you go that fast anyway? s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Slacey · July 2, 2004, 22:30

I've had my car for two years now, and I still think it's quick enough - learn to drive it properly and it will never seem slow as skill will always overule power.
Having just got back from an advanced airfield training day, the emphasis was that power is nothing without control, and after some of the wipeouts I had (not all were deliberate s:wink: :wink: s:wink: ), I don't think I would want too much more in the way of sheer grunt to speed the moment of when it goes pearshaped. Still going turbo though s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

Anonymous · July 2, 2004, 22:38

but then the skill only comes in to play when you come to the twisty stuff, where as we ALL know the '2 excels. it just hasnt got enough of the straight line speed.

I used to do a lot of karting, so my reactions are always sharp when things start to get a bit messy, but now i have weight transfer to deal with, which makes the '2 a bit harder to control than a kart.
i could really do with getting myself down to an airfield s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · July 2, 2004, 23:27

Quote from: "mrsmr2"So, how long before you felt you needed more power in yours?

Before I bought it s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

Part of the reason I found the T-5 hard to replace was the power (225bhp from 2000rpm all the way to the redline with 221ftlbs of torque!

I drove 2 MR2's before buying mine and straight away I was dissapointed with the straight line speed especailly above 70.

Having said that I felt the volvo getting "slower". I think you just get used to the acceleration. I went from a 1300 cc escort to s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted: so it was bound to feel super quick.

Everything is relative I drove a 3000GT and got back in the Volvo which seemed sluggish compared to 300+ bhp.

Anonymous · July 2, 2004, 23:53

Quotetry driving a van for the day and then go back! you'll fell like you're literally sitting on the floor!

I drove a Corsa for a day s:oops: :oops: s:oops: (did I just admit that?) And felt like I was sitting on the floor when I went back to the '2 s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Anonymous · July 3, 2004, 00:24

I find sitting in the passanger seat and letting someone else "give it some beans" helps.
I just remind myself of the why i got it.
This is not the top reason..... But the look you get when sat at the lights or in the high street on a beautiful day. You could be sat in a M3 or Porsche and you wouldn't get much more attention. (or maybe thats me music!)

Wouldn't mind a few more horses but i can still upset drivers of MX-5's and MG's....and the occasional TT at 130mph. (i dont condone speeding s:wink: :wink: s:wink: )
P.S. I know its that if i walked in the pub with the lads and i said "hey boy, I just trounced an MX-5" they would laugh... But its the principle s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

heathstimpson · July 3, 2004, 06:51

Quote from: "Liz"I thought the same, suppose you grow into the car and grow used to the handling and the power.

Simon drove my car home today whilst I followed in a hire car I have for the weekend, the sight and superb sound of the '2 zooming away from me down a country lane did make me remember just how great it is. s:D s:D

And also having driven 5 miles in a Vauxhall Zafira (whatever its called- I ordered an Astra Estate s:roll: :roll: s:roll: ) which felt awful going around corners, like it was going to tip, I should think that the '2 is going to feel like a pocket rocket which is stuck to the road when I get back in it again! I can't wait!

And my 'other' car is a familymobile Zafira. Driving both is great as when you get back in the 2 the excitement to drive returns from the boredom s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Liz · July 3, 2004, 09:37

Quote from: "heathstimpson"And my 'other' car is a familymobile Zafira. Driving both is great as when you get back in the 2 the excitement to drive returns from the boredom s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Thats what I am looking forward to, the '2 is still here but as this hire car has unlimited mileage I am going to take it to work today as I have to drive it to Heathrow tomorrow.

I agree with Paul as well, Si drove mine home the other night and gave it some down a country lane near us. I haven't been a passenger in it for ages, felt alot faster with someone else driving it, weird!

heathstimpson · July 3, 2004, 13:28

Quote from: "Coley"IWouldn't mind a few more horses but i can still upset drivers of MX-5's and MG's....and the occasional TT at 130mph. (i dont condone speeding s:wink: :wink: s:wink: )

Just found out that my brother has bought a MG for his missus s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:cry: :cry: s:cry: Does he ever listen to his big brother s:evil: :evil: s:evil:

Anonymous · July 3, 2004, 13:39

to be honest I find the acceleration after 75-80 to be poor? its all well and good having a quoted top speed, but not if you run out of road trying to get there s:? :? s:?

around town and country roads she holds her own well though s:D

s:D

markiii · July 3, 2004, 13:40

over 75-8- poor? your obviously in the wrong gear then. s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · July 3, 2004, 13:48

just my opinion s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

depends what your expectations are I suppose?

SteveJ · July 3, 2004, 14:00

Quote from: "red-devil"to be honest I find the acceleration after 75-80 to be poor? its all well and good having a quoted top speed, but not if you run out of road trying to get there s:? :? s:?

around town and country roads she holds her own well though s:D s:D

The 6 speed 'box is good for 91mph (GPS verified on track) in 3rd so I dont understand why you think the car is slow 75-80 unless as Mark says you are in the wrong gear. Agreed 6th is pretty useless and is actually slower than 5th, but with 4th gear taking you to the wrong side of 110mph in less than 20 seconds I dont think we can really complain.

Anonymous · July 3, 2004, 14:18

OK s:? :? s:?

aaronjb · July 3, 2004, 22:39

Quote from: "mrsmr2"So, how long before you felt you needed more power in yours?

Right about the time I picked it up.. s:)

s:) But I was going from a car with 3 times the power (albeit 1.5 times the weight) at the time..

Still think 3rd gear from 4000+ rpm is the 2's 'sweet spot' though.. never quite get tired of that s:)

s:)