What is too much power for a daily driver?

[Gillbot]

Well, not everyone of course, but I've found as I've gotten older that I'm going more for comfort and fuel economy in a daily driver than speed. Hell, I'm not even taking the bike to work as much anymore.

I don't disagree with that at all, but some never give up that need or want for the power to be available. However, by your own logic, it's still not too much power for you but more like a less of a want for that power to be available.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

A lot depends on the cars suspension, traction control, etc.. 500hp would be totally different in a 80's Camaro vs a new Corvette.

 

[Gillbot]

A lot depends on the cars suspension, traction control, etc.. 500hp would be totally different in a 80's Camaro vs a new Corvette.

Also heavily depends on the right foot (plus more of course) of the person in control.

 

[MagickMan]

I'm not talking dragsters. It's just a silly statement to make. Wake up. Geez.

No, it wasn't. We're talking about street cars. I've driven a 1300bhp Heffner Ford GT, it was fine on the road. Better than fine, actually.

 

[MagickMan]

Unless you have half a brain. They've been driving them for the better part of 7 years with typically increasing numbers and they have yet to crash. Most don't fall for the morons trying to get them to race on the highway, they just go about their commute as normal. Personally, I have a LOT of respect for their discipline because I would find it hard to resist. :twisted:

As I said, as long as they aren't idiots.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Depends on the weight. My LS has 280HP, but is a might heavy at ~3500lbs. Doesn't floor me like my friend's modded Supra, but still feels plenty fast to me

 

[Fenixgoon]

as long as you have enough tire...i'm not sure there is such a thing

 

[BUTCH1]

No, it wasn't. We're talking about street cars. I've driven a 1300bhp Heffner Ford GT, it was fine on the road. Better than fine, actually.

Wow, bet that sucker burned a lot of gas..

 

[GoodRevrnd]

High performance cars such as M3's and M5's etc are more status symbols than anything. Hell, even the majority of Corvettes (the iconic American sports car) are sold with automatics.

I got mine because it's hella super fun and rocking sweet classic style. Of course, I bought a used e39. You're right--I couldn't really justify 100k+ on a car.

At the end of the day, who wants to take a $100,000 M5 to the track. I doubt many would want to risk that and 99% of owners don't.

Autocross is pretty low risk and something I intend to start once I'm well acclimated with the car.

And let me tell you, even at a 100 mph, a German sedan feels like it's doing 45 solid and stable, and it doesn't take much at all to get there.

Ain't that the truth. I imagine it's even more extreme in a newer one.


Ultimately, even if I rarely get to enjoy the full spectrum of power my car offers, the immense amount of torque available still makes it incredibly fun without going full stoplight racing like a retard.

 

[Zivic]

At the end of the day, who wants to take a $100,000 M5 to the track. I doubt many would want to risk that and 99% of owners don't.

I only know one person with a new m5...and i think it only ran 97k , but anyways. he claims he tracks it. said he has done events at BIR and Road America. Has plans to do an event with the local porsche club this this year.

 

[Topweasel]

It's better to have the power and not need it, than need it and not have it as long as you don't mind an increase in fuel costs.

Specially when their is a douche going like 1 mph under the speed limit in the left lane refusing to move and then proceeds to speed up when there is a hole in the right lane for someone to go around him. You always need to have more HP than that guy.

 

[drewdogg808]

I agree with the poster that said power is like money...can never have enough. I purchased a Lexus GS350 in Dec. 2006 and thought it had plenty of power (306hp). After 6 years of commuting, got bored and picked up a 2012 M3 (414hp) last year. It is alot of fun for a daily driver and although I drive fairly conservatively, I do step on it every now and then. Unfortunately, I now have to fill up every 4 days and go through about 1/4 tank of gas a day. But then again, I didn't get the m3 to save gas.

 

[exdeath]

It's better to have the power and not need it, than need it and not have it as long as you don't mind an increase in fuel costs.

Specially when their is a douche going like 1 mph under the speed limit in the left lane refusing to move and then proceeds to speed up when there is a hole in the right lane for someone to go around him. You always need to have more HP than that guy.

So much this. I love when some douche in a slammed tinted G37 rolls up acting like he owns the universe and Im able to cut his balls off and make his car feel like bicycle.

 

[Raduque]

If you do, remember that speed limiters are often set in combination with the speed rating of the tires on the car. Just make sure you have enough tire to safely do whatever speed you're planning.

They should be good up to 115ish. I'm not really looking to peg my speedometer (120), but more that I'd just like to move my truck's fat ass quicker, and be able to make a smoke show.

 

[MagickMan]

Wow, bet that sucker burned a lot of gas..

Cruising wasn't so bad, maybe 12-14MPG, but if you get in to it? Yeah, it starts turning into GPM instead of MPG.

 

[slag]

My dd has 300 hp, but its a crew cab truck. My wife's dd has 365 hp, and its the new Ford Explorer sport. It's insane how an SUV can move that fast, but it does move.

 

[michal1980]

this, imho id too much

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4-YIDmwv4pE

 

[Baked]

I just want a BRZ for my next car. Maybe add a turbo in there and I'm happy.

 

[Gillbot]

as long as you have enough tire...i'm not sure there is such a thing

Or right foot control. :whiste:

 

[Pray To Jesus]

With great power comes great responsibility.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Curb weight means everything. I don't know if there is a such thing as too much power for stock production vehicles. Most are balanced thanks to the EPA and MPG legislation.

I have more fun looking at it as "what's the least amount of hp a DD car should have?"

For most sedans, 200hp is plenty....maybe 180mpg if it's a turbo 4 cylinder.....below that, I'd be reluctant to buy.

For an SUV or medium/light Truck, 250hp is my low limit...but I would want to stay closer to 275-300hp range to maximize towing capacity and passing acceleration on the Interstate. 18" wheels can be had to maximize fuel economy and are recommended.

 

[Kadarin]

My current daily driver has only 470hp (yeah, it's a downgrade from my previous car), but it's still pretty badass. Sure, I'd love to supercharge it, but it's still got assloads of torque.

 

[MagickMan]

My current daily driver has only 470hp (yeah, it's a downgrade from my previous car), but it's still pretty badass. Sure, I'd love to supercharge it, but it's still got assloads of torque.

Once you get used to massive horsepower it's tough to drive anything that most consider "normal". The whole time you're sitting there rocking back and forth, saying "c'mon, go dammit!"

 

[disappoint]

Depends on how much the car weighs, but a 200HP GTI is just the right amount of power for that car.

High performance cars such as M3's and M5's etc are more status symbols than anything. Hell, even the majority of Corvettes (the iconic American sports car) are sold with automatics.

Automatic trans means you can't corner very well, you can't accelerate faster than 0-60 in 10 seconds and your top speed is limited to 70mph.

 

[nerp]

Automatic trans means you can't corner very well, you can't accelerate faster than 0-60 in 10 seconds and your top speed is limited to 70mph.

Sigh. Not again. I hope this is a joke.