Cars that the owners think are fast but really are not

[JulesMaximus]

Pontiac Solstice GXP.

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Pontiac Solstice GXP.

Stop it! That joke has already been played out in this thread.

 

[NaOH]

All econo cars that people mod with ebay parts..... swapped is a whole diff matter....it's not longer that car.

I'm plenty happy with my GTI. I think it's fast.....enough.

 

[SAWYER]

Originally posted by: CRXican


And then you have the V6 Mustang drivers that couldn't afford the V8 who have to drive around at unsafe speeds to feel like they have a powerful car.

SO TRUE! I know a guy who bought an 05 V6 and is talking about putting a super charger on it, WHY????

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Mazda3 / Speed3
Focus and Focus SVT / RS
Civic / Civic Si
Scion
Mustang V6 and non-modded GTs
BMW non 335 / non //M
G35 Coupe
350Z

G35 coupe is plenty fast.

It's certainly not slow, but I sort of consider 5 seconds + to not be 'fast'. There are so many cars that offer 0-60 in the 5 second range, but a whole lot less in the 4 second range, very few in the 3s, and the 2 second range is so rare as to be legendary.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: AdamK47

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: AdamK47

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Are you just trolling or what?

I was simply stating facts.

Heh, well, it's your opinion, and I bet you are virtually alone in thinking that Vettes aren't fast. Hell, the ZR-1 is one of the fastest production vehicles of all time.

I have a Civic I'm modding that would take a ZR1 fairly easy. It doesn't have an engine or a turbo yet though.

Edit: I wasn't quick enough. People already ratted me out.

lol thanks for the laughs. For some reason, I was taking you seriously

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: NAC
Call me crazy, but I just can't comprehend people who want more than like ~250hp. Unless you are going to spend time at the track, you simply cannot use the full throttle in a car with too much power. My S4 is way over-powered and therefore, IMO, not much fun to drive. Thinking of getting a Mazda 5. Bigger. MUCH MUCH slower. And I suspect - I'll enjoy it more.

Yeah I agree. My Lincoln LS8 has a 3.9L V8 and 280 HP. This is more than enough for my drive to work.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

For people that say 5 seconds to 60 isn't fast:
Year-make-model-0 to 60-1/4 mile
1993 Ferrari 348 Spider 5.6 14.1
1994 Nissan 300ZX Turbo 6.0 14.4
2004 Maserati Quattroporte 5.9 n/a
2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 5.4 13.9
1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 5.7 14.2
1998 BMW M3 Sedan 5.5 14.0
1985 Buick Regal Grand National 7.5 15.7
1996 Acura NSX-T 5.8 14.3
2001 Audi S8 5.8 14.4
1999 Aston Martin DB7 5.7 14.3
1993 Jaguar XJR-S Coupe 7.0 15.2
1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000S 5.2 13.7
1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE 5.1 13.7
1969 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 5.6 14.0
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 5.3 13.8
1966 Shelby Cobra 289ci 5.2 13.7
2007 Subaru WRX 2.5L Turbo (Non-STI) 5.3 14.1
1997 Toyota Supra Turbo 5.1 13.6


I'd say if you're breaking into the 5's to 60 and 13's in the quarter, you're sufficiently fast. 14s are debatable.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
For people that say 5 seconds to 60 isn't fast:
Year-make-model-0 to 60-1/4 mile
1993 Ferrari 348 Spider 5.6 14.1
1994 Nissan 300ZX Turbo 6.0 14.4
2004 Maserati Quattroporte 5.9 n/a
2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 5.4 13.9
1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 5.7 14.2
1998 BMW M3 Sedan 5.5 14.0
1985 Buick Regal Grand National 7.5 15.7
1996 Acura NSX-T 5.8 14.3
2001 Audi S8 5.8 14.4
1999 Aston Martin DB7 5.7 14.3
1993 Jaguar XJR-S Coupe 7.0 15.2
1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000S 5.2 13.7
1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE 5.1 13.7
1969 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 5.6 14.0
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 5.3 13.8
1966 Shelby Cobra 289ci 5.2 13.7
2007 Subaru WRX 2.5L Turbo (Non-STI) 5.3 14.1
1997 Toyota Supra Turbo 5.1 13.6


I'd say if you're breaking into the 5's to 60 and 13's in the quarter, you're sufficiently fast. 14s are debatable.

That's actually a good point. Tires, suspension, and other technologies have improved over time, but a lot of times a pretty fast car will have trouble getting out of the hole.

The '86 Countach is a good example, along with that Supra. Great 1/4 times (and likely high trap speeds), but not so hot out of the hole.

13s 1/4 is pretty quick, 14s is mediocre today, and 15+ is family sedan/minivan/econobox territory

 

[zerocool84]

How about any car that someone drives that's in their teens to mid twenties???

 

[rh71]

heh 2nd post and already Scion is mentioned.

Anyway, it bugs me that people drive their 300hp+ nice cars at 60mph just cruising in the middle or right lane of a highway. Spirited driving is my favorite term. Don't care about 0-60 jackrabbits or quarter miles in the real world.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
How about any car that someone drives that's in their teens to mid twenties???

You haven't seen the parking lots of the two Frisco, TX high schools. I live in Panther Creek, and the parking lots there is *almost* as inspiring as the RUF Auto Centre showroom.

Some examples :

Bentley Continental GT
Viper (looks like a recent one, blue w/white stripes)
More than a few Vettes, C5s and C6s, Z06 etc, no ZR-1 AFAIK ... yet
Hayabusa
GT-R
Lots of modded import crap that might or might not be fast
Plenty of S4/M3s, and a new black M6
etc

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
For people that say 5 seconds to 60 isn't fast:
Year-make-model-0 to 60-1/4 mile
1993 Ferrari 348 Spider 5.6 14.1
1994 Nissan 300ZX Turbo 6.0 14.4
2004 Maserati Quattroporte 5.9 n/a
2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 5.4 13.9
1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 5.7 14.2
1998 BMW M3 Sedan 5.5 14.0
1985 Buick Regal Grand National 7.5 15.7
1996 Acura NSX-T 5.8 14.3
2001 Audi S8 5.8 14.4
1999 Aston Martin DB7 5.7 14.3
1993 Jaguar XJR-S Coupe 7.0 15.2
1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000S 5.2 13.7
1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE 5.1 13.7
1969 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 5.6 14.0
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 5.3 13.8
1966 Shelby Cobra 289ci 5.2 13.7
2007 Subaru WRX 2.5L Turbo (Non-STI) 5.3 14.1
1997 Toyota Supra Turbo 5.1 13.6

I'd say if you're breaking into the 5's to 60 and 13's in the quarter, you're sufficiently fast. 14s are debatable.

My $6,000 motorcycle will do 0-60 in 4 seconds flat and 12's in the quarter mile.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
How about any car that someone drives that's in their teens to mid twenties???

Whaattt? I never considered my Civic to be fast, I used that from age 17 to 21. Now I have my Accord (and am still 21). I don't consider my Accord fast also.

I feel my dads ES350 is pretty good but not fast (it does 0-60MPH in 6's)

 

[theeedude]

For public roads, 350Z is about as fast as you can use. I know, 0-60, drag strip, quarter mile are all interesting, but you aren't going to use those on public roads without looking like an idiot. So what's important is that a car makes you feel like you are fast without requiring you to be reckless to achieve that feeling. For that you don't actually want too much power and too much grip. You want something where you work the engine, the gearbox, and suspension at the limits, where it is fun, on everyday basis. That's why cars like Miata are so much fun. They feel a lot faster and more powerful than they are. You can run them at WOT and toss them into corners in every day driving, and it's no big deal.

 

[SSSnail]

Fast is all relative.

Add the Kompressor series to the list as well.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: senseamp
For public roads, 350Z is about as fast as you can use. I know, 0-60, drag strip, quarter mile are all interesting, but you aren't going to use those on public roads without looking like an idiot. So what's important is that a car makes you feel like you are fast without requiring you to be reckless to achieve that feeling. For that you don't actually want too much power and too much grip. You want something where you work the engine, the gearbox, and suspension at the limits, where it is fun, on everyday basis. That's why cars like Miata are so much fun. They feel a lot faster and more powerful than they are. You can run them at WOT and toss them into corners in every day driving, and it's no big deal.

Go drive a Lotus Elise. Most fun you can have on 4 wheels...with your clothes on anyway.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
For people that say 5 seconds to 60 isn't fast:
Year-make-model-0 to 60-1/4 mile
1993 Ferrari 348 Spider 5.6 14.1
1994 Nissan 300ZX Turbo 6.0 14.4
2004 Maserati Quattroporte 5.9 n/a
2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 5.4 13.9
1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 5.7 14.2
1998 BMW M3 Sedan 5.5 14.0
1985 Buick Regal Grand National 7.5 15.7
1996 Acura NSX-T 5.8 14.3
2001 Audi S8 5.8 14.4
1999 Aston Martin DB7 5.7 14.3
1993 Jaguar XJR-S Coupe 7.0 15.2
1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000S 5.2 13.7
1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE 5.1 13.7
1969 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 5.6 14.0
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 5.3 13.8
1966 Shelby Cobra 289ci 5.2 13.7
2007 Subaru WRX 2.5L Turbo (Non-STI) 5.3 14.1
1997 Toyota Supra Turbo 5.1 13.6

I'd say if you're breaking into the 5's to 60 and 13's in the quarter, you're sufficiently fast. 14s are debatable.

My $6,000 motorcycle will do 0-60 in 4 seconds flat and 12's in the quarter mile.

And it will also kill you if you hit a speed bump.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: senseamp
For public roads, 350Z is about as fast as you can use. I know, 0-60, drag strip, quarter mile are all interesting, but you aren't going to use those on public roads without looking like an idiot. So what's important is that a car makes you feel like you are fast without requiring you to be reckless to achieve that feeling. For that you don't actually want too much power and too much grip. You want something where you work the engine, the gearbox, and suspension at the limits, where it is fun, on everyday basis. That's why cars like Miata are so much fun. They feel a lot faster and more powerful than they are. You can run them at WOT and toss them into corners in every day driving, and it's no big deal.

A 36hp VW Beetle is about as fast as you can use on the public roads but even that can get you in trouble.

 

[SSSnail]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: senseamp
For public roads, 350Z is about as fast as you can use. I know, 0-60, drag strip, quarter mile are all interesting, but you aren't going to use those on public roads without looking like an idiot. So what's important is that a car makes you feel like you are fast without requiring you to be reckless to achieve that feeling. For that you don't actually want too much power and too much grip. You want something where you work the engine, the gearbox, and suspension at the limits, where it is fun, on everyday basis. That's why cars like Miata are so much fun. They feel a lot faster and more powerful than they are. You can run them at WOT and toss them into corners in every day driving, and it's no big deal.

Go drive a Lotus Elise. Most fun you can have on 4 wheels...with your clothes on anyway.

Fcuk an Elise, go drive an Exige.

Edit: In retrospect, I do have a lot of fun at go cart tracks.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
For people that say 5 seconds to 60 isn't fast:
Year-make-model-0 to 60-1/4 mile
1993 Ferrari 348 Spider 5.6 14.1
1994 Nissan 300ZX Turbo 6.0 14.4
2004 Maserati Quattroporte 5.9 n/a
2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 5.4 13.9
1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 5.7 14.2
1998 BMW M3 Sedan 5.5 14.0
1985 Buick Regal Grand National 7.5 15.7
1996 Acura NSX-T 5.8 14.3
2001 Audi S8 5.8 14.4
1999 Aston Martin DB7 5.7 14.3
1993 Jaguar XJR-S Coupe 7.0 15.2
1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000S 5.2 13.7
1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE 5.1 13.7
1969 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 5.6 14.0
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 5.3 13.8
1966 Shelby Cobra 289ci 5.2 13.7
2007 Subaru WRX 2.5L Turbo (Non-STI) 5.3 14.1
1997 Toyota Supra Turbo 5.1 13.6

I'd say if you're breaking into the 5's to 60 and 13's in the quarter, you're sufficiently fast. 14s are debatable.

My $6,000 motorcycle will do 0-60 in 4 seconds flat and 12's in the quarter mile.

And it will also kill you if you hit a speed bump.

That's why you go over them at slow speeds. Hence the term speed bump.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: rh71
heh 2nd post and already Scion is mentioned.

Anyway, it bugs me that people drive their 300hp+ nice cars at 60mph just cruising in the middle or right lane of a highway. Spirited driving is my favorite term. Don't care about 0-60 jackrabbits or quarter miles in the real world.

Why does it bug you? You realize they are bigger targets for tickets and usually have a rougher suspension/lowered so going fast equals REALLY rough ride or you fuck up your car if the freeway is all chopped up.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: senseamp
For public roads, 350Z is about as fast as you can use. I know, 0-60, drag strip, quarter mile are all interesting, but you aren't going to use those on public roads without looking like an idiot. So what's important is that a car makes you feel like you are fast without requiring you to be reckless to achieve that feeling. For that you don't actually want too much power and too much grip. You want something where you work the engine, the gearbox, and suspension at the limits, where it is fun, on everyday basis. That's why cars like Miata are so much fun. They feel a lot faster and more powerful than they are. You can run them at WOT and toss them into corners in every day driving, and it's no big deal.

Not really. I just want something when some of the cars mentioned here rattle their fart pipe next to me at a light I can flex my little toe and put them a mile behind me in the 3-4 seconds it takes me to hit the posted limit.

Redlining a car with 100 HP and "feeling" fast is not the same thing as actually BEING fast.

And you can work all that same stuff in a faster car, you just can't use the full range of the throttle. If the car has twice the power, only press the pedal half as far. But when you are making that pass on the freeway and don't care about having fun, but that prick going 45 in the lowered civic speeds up so you can't get around him, you can still press it all the way to the floor and leave him like he was in reverse.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: senseamp
For public roads, 350Z is about as fast as you can use. I know, 0-60, drag strip, quarter mile are all interesting, but you aren't going to use those on public roads without looking like an idiot. So what's important is that a car makes you feel like you are fast without requiring you to be reckless to achieve that feeling. For that you don't actually want too much power and too much grip. You want something where you work the engine, the gearbox, and suspension at the limits, where it is fun, on everyday basis. That's why cars like Miata are so much fun. They feel a lot faster and more powerful than they are. You can run them at WOT and toss them into corners in every day driving, and it's no big deal.

Not really. I just want something when some of the cars mentioned here rattle their fart pipe next to me at a light I can flex my little toe and put them a mile behind me in the 3-4 seconds it takes me to hit the posted limit.

Redlining a car with 100 HP and "feeling" fast is not the same thing as actually BEING fast.

Try redlining a bike with 100hp. You'll be faster than 99% of vehicles on the road.

 

[overst33r]

Anything with a fartcan...

My miata was very fun to drive around town. Didn't have to worry about wheelspin in 1st/2nd gear, just mash and go. In the S2000 it's more scary than it is fun at times because it happens much faster than in the miata. Plus, it can bite if I'm not careful in corners/rain.

The S2000 is quick, but not fast. Mid 13s at best. I wouldn't know what to do with more power. I'd say about 250-300hp is the sweet spot for a street car.