Love Of Performance Cars - Why?

[developer]

While my car had been away for it's 4 day "wash and brush up" I've been driving the wife's Focus 1.6.

It's perfectly acceptable, starts at the turn of the key, does the same 30mph through town that mine does, plays the same music etc. etc.

It also returns excellent mpg, is cheap to tax and insure and, if I'm honest, is a very good car, even though it does blend in a bit with the neighbouring mundanity.

It got me thinking, why do I pay £500/annum road tax, and a higher insurance premium along with occasional single figure mpg - I mean, it's just about getting from A to B isn't it .

Then I arrived at MCC to collect my (now very shiny) 500+bhp superwagon, turned the key and set off on a 70 mile round trip to get home (actually 25 miles, but I wanted to play).

As I took in some fast and sweeping A roads around Droitwich, Hanbury and Redditch, including easily dispatching a Golf VR6 (yes, legally of course ), it all became clear.

Performance cars rule .

 

[gaz_l]

Why? Dopamine.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Ted]

It's what makes us who we are. Man and machine in perfect harmony. Some of us also ride motorcycles. Two hundred years ago if we could afford it we would have ridden fast horses. Some people get it, some don't.
If you have to ask (not you, John) you couldn't understand.

 

[martyp87]

Well, I wanted a CL for the luxury not performance. Actually, the AMG exhaust takes away from that factor as it is a too noisy IMO. Thankfully, inside with the windows closed you don't hear anything on normal driving, or I just turn the radio up to drown out the engine/exhaust!

On the road, my CLK240 is more than ample. Can't have any fun out on the roads anyway and its a fantastic car, comfy, quiet, handles well, good sound system etc. Just not 'special'...

As an additional bonus, the CL55 is good up at the drag strip which is a fun way to waste a Sunday.

 

[John]

I can only speak for me but it's a passion and enthusiasm which is unparalleled for any other material item.

Started when I was very very young (early as I can remember) playing with Matchbox cars - gawd knows where it will end...



They make me tick and I wish I could earn good money doing something with cars that I am interested in (i.e. not mechanics).

 

[developer]

I posted this in the General Discussion area as it's not specific to AMG's. My bro feels the same about his Alfa (though it's a tad slower

 

[C43AMG]

+ lots

 

[Giantvanman]

It's all about having passion, isn't it?

The "only need a car to get from A to B" crowd who sneer some snivelling drivel about not needing anything more than the bare minimum don't seem to have the same passion as those who ignore or accept the drawbacks of owning particular cars purely for the pleasure.

I know which camp I belong to and know who I would rather share a pint with and it isn't the sneering adenoids nursing a half pint of Mackinsons whilst dressed in head to toe taupe (wild generalisation, I know).

Good on you, Developer; hope you have lots of fun with the newly shined toy.

 

[trapperjohn]

Its about show, go and control for me - If Im being perfectly honest.

My "sit up and beg" "hand me down" push bike soon had "dropped" handle bars on it. The "go kart" made from lumps of wood and pram wheels "silver cross" were best - Was taken up the nearest hill and let loose with no breaks and washing line steering ropes!!

Lets not forget the grin factor either. Smiles better when you go faster.

OK Ive got 300Ds, 124s in my stable right now but they can make me smile once up to speed (about a week later than the OP) They also make me smile just to look at them when all cleaned up and just stood there.

Personal pleasure, statement making and the sheer joy of having a "good un" is all.

Might even go stealth mode and get a bi turbo like LTD's now this is a beast.

 

[renault12ts]

No one expects a 14 year old, rusty, diesel estate car to shift like that!! My daily pleasure.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Perhaps the question shouldn't be "Why?", but "Why not?" It's because we're humans (well most are anyway!) and all humans are different - that's what makes us more interesting than other animals. Although, again, there are those who'd disagree with even that statement because they're different - a difference to be celebrated.

Because we're all different some people get off on watching a bunch of prima donnas kicking a ball around, some love shopping (even harder to understand than my previous example), some enjoy watching Britain's Got Talent, ... and the elite love cars, especially performance cars.

No explanations are necessary - just enjoy!

 

[Chalpkin]

Adrenaline is the most addictive drug, rapid acceleration and speed give you an instant hit. Motorcycles and fast cars provide that.

 

[SL350_SWINDON]

Some people like the design and/or performance. I can't resist walking past my car without looking at it and it's lines. I'll often just look out of the house window and gaze at my car.
For a fact there are cars out there that are faster than most of ours for a lot cheaper too. But for me I'd never have an evo or impreza for example.

 

[E55BOF]

It's the surge when the foot goes to the floor...

 

[krisby]

ok, C320 not so much performance, but is still quicker than 90% of the dross you see on the roads. For me, its knowing that I can drop my right foot and beat most anything at the traffic lights, I can over take on a single lane carriageway without spending too much time on the dangerous side of the road, and if some **** pulls out on me going up hill, when he pulls his Fiesta back in, I still have the power to boot it and carry on overtaking, something not possible in a meandering family hatch.
Or it might just be simpler than the sensible side of driving something that is rapid, but as Gaz said, dopamine.
For many people I guess its affordability, being able to justify the cost vs affordability, or even a family. I know my step son enjoyed both his Nissan Silvias, he drove them like he stole them, then he moved back from NZ to the UK, got hitched, and now drives a Focus 1.6 and Ibiza 1.2, cos he can't afford to run thirstier cars, I feel truly sorry for him.

 

[geraldrobins]

Im perfectly happy with my 'dross', although Id never refer to someones pride and joy in that manner.
But everyone is entitled to their opinions and car choice.
I understand what a lot of you are saying but I can cant really justify choosing a 'high performance' car on the mileage I do and to drive on public roads.

 

[developer]

I understand what a lot of you are saying but I can cant really justify choosing a 'high performance' car on the mileage I do and to drive on public roads.

Whilst I see your point, I also don't do many miles, and I live in the city, however, I get chance to enjoy the power a few times on virtually every journey I make, without necessarily hitting illegal speeds.

The pleasure isn't always tangible, if that makes sense.

 

[krisby]

Im perfectly happy with my 'dross', although Id never refer to someones pride and joy in that manner.
But everyone is entitled to their opinions and car choice.
I understand what a lot of you are saying but I can cant really justify choosing a 'high performance' car on the mileage I do and to drive on public roads.

Well, dross as in run of mill humdrum cars, atleast to those of us with sub 8 second cars, and pride and enjoy is something different to many people, referring to my stepson again, his Ford and Seat are not his pride and joy, they are merely a means of transport, and that is the point, some people are not car people, for some that enjoy cars but can't afford something half decent in performance, then I don't think pride and joy enters in to it.

To drive on public roads with some performance is perfectly fine, I don't go ripping down 30mph residential streets, but I will do um, decent speeds on the motorway and A and B roads where traffic allows, in fact, I am going to Devon for a wedding next month and I will intentionally avoid the motorways and maximise my route through a mix of A and B roads just for the sheer fun of it.

Did not mean to insult your diesel either, and whilst I should be saving money too, I am of the opinion whilst I can afford the petrol for a 3.2 lump, I will, cos I know in a few years I too will be forced to run a diesel, so I will enjoy the free revving thumping of a petrol until then.

 

[geraldrobins]

Whilst I see your point, I also don't do many miles, and I live in the city, however, I get chance to enjoy the power a few times on virtually every journey I make, without necessarily hitting illegal speeds.

The pleasure isn't always tangible, if that makes sense.

It does make sense and I understand. I also meant that I do a relativley high mileage not low.
Youre entitled to your choices.

 

[geraldrobins]

Whilst I see your point, I also don't do many miles, and I live in the city, however, I get chance to enjoy the power a few times on virtually every journey I make, without necessarily hitting illegal speeds.

The pleasure isn't always tangible, if that makes sense.

Well, dross as in run of mill humdrum cars, atleast to those of us with sub 8 second cars, and pride and enjoy is something different to many people, referring to my stepson again, his Ford and Seat are not his pride and joy, they are merely a means of transport, and that is the point, some people are not car people, for some that enjoy cars but can't afford something half decent in performance, then I don't think pride and joy enters in to it.

To drive on public roads with some performance is perfectly fine, I don't go ripping down 30mph residential streets, but I will do um, decent speeds on the motorway and A and B roads where traffic allows, in fact, I am going to Devon for a wedding next month and I will intentionally avoid the motorways and maximise my route through a mix of A and B roads just for the sheer fun of it.

Did not mean to insult your diesel either, and whilst I should be saving money too, I am of the opinion whilst I can afford the petrol for a 3.2 lump, I will, cos I know in a few years I too will be forced to run a diesel, so I will enjoy the free revving thumping of a petrol until then.

I didnt feel insulted at all. I chose my car after careful consideration and am pleased with it. Its not my pride and joy either as there are other far more important things in my life but I do enjoy driving. Im sure your choice of car suits you anothers theirs, but they are only cars, mercs included.