Cars that feel fast, cars that don't...

Hahaha cars that get into crazy speeds without realizing? That's one long list. I don't even know where to start... Any BMW M product since about 2006? Some of the V12 Mercs. Gallardo..................................................................

 

Felt fast- my dad's old Porsche 965 turbo.
Didn't feel fast but was as fast as above-
Alpina Biturbo E34.
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I love the ariel atom 3. Mine is a 300 hp only goes 153mph top speed but 0-60 is 2.85 seconds. It feels very fast because you are very low to the ground.

The new 2014 vette has only 460 hp but is a delight to drive. Not quick but satisting

Cars that can go fast without feeling it are:

Lambo Aventador 700hp
Mosler 725 hp or 600hp

Just to name a few and there are many.

Lee

 

Rolls Royce ghost. Still amazed by how fast they accelerate and how quiet they do it.

 

S2000, especially with the top down.

I can drive something twice the HP and it feels slower.

 

Peter Egan has a couple of great old Side Glances article about this very phenomenon. I think it's either called "the low velocity, high speed car" or maybe it was "zoom factor"....I think that was the term he used for a slow car that feels fast...it has a high zoom factor. Anyhow, he used a Bugeye Sprite as the prime example. In reality it was painfully slow but it felt like you were tearing along at breakneck speeds barely in control....mostly because you probably were only barely in control with those trustworthy British drum brakes at all four corners!

I think a car like that would be a "1" on the scale you suggested above. An Atom may be more like a 4 or 5 because while perhaps feeling faster than it is, in reality it is still a very fast car by any measure. The Sprite on the other hand only FEELS fast.

To me a 10 would be something like a Bentley Continental GT Speed. Very powerful but very isolated.

Good thread idea!

 

Not quite on topic but any fiat 600 based abarth of the 6o's will feel crazy fast at 1/2 the speed limit...also your fighting for your life in a pre-a speedster at moderate speeds that involve corners...a car that goes fast and won't let you forget it is a Mid 60's lotus super seven cosworth (on period tires )

 

BMW 2002, one of the slowest car's I've ever driven. But an on-ramp to 65mph feels like you're doing 1000000000000mph. Love it.

Bentley Continental Flying Spur, comfortable and silent at speed.

 

Jaguar XJ R (Supercharged). Wheelspin first, then the needle kept climbing but no drama at all. So boring. Audi R8 V10 felt the same, it's too capable...

This is why I like older (20-30 years) very light cars because the feeling of speed on public roads is more important than the actual speed. No street racing here, just oldschool drives through the forrest on a day off.

 

Quoted for truth!

Pop the airbox cover off and the extra raging wail of VTEC from 6-9,000 rpm only adds to the manic feeling.

Brian

 

I remember Peter's columns. Driving the Speedster on the freeway above 70 mph, you feel like you're riding a missile with the 60 horsemen of the apocalypse riding behind you.

Per Lee's comment, being low to the ground makes a car feel fast. Also, being open, light and vintage.

 

Another vote for the S2000. I had one for four years; short of riding a motorcycle, it was the most fun I ever had with a car until I got my FCar (even considering the differences in tech & quality between the two cars, its quickness and low slung ride was great). Especially when it kicked up a notch past 4,000 rpm, the car was an endless source of smiles. I still regret trading it in for a BMW128 convertible, which was a good car, but not half as much fun to drive.

 

I'll never be getting rid of mine, with the amount of miles I'm racking up it'll worthless here in a couple years so no sense ever getting rid of it.

I have friends that have high(er) horsepower cars and they just don't get it, how can 240hp be considered fast, well if you're driving it right......

 

Agreed, we have had our S2000 since 2005, no plans to replace it, I have not found anything that is as much fun and reliable for under $50,000. They are a gem and so inexpensive to own, virtually no depreciation over the last 5 years, cheap to insure and maintain and you cannot beat the smiles per gallon!

 

Same goes for a Lotus


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Well sort of...I've had three Loti and two S2000's...(ap1 and a CR) and there is no comparison as far as maintainance and reliability . It's a Honda for goodness sake!!

 

I would say the new Abarth. I drove one this weekend and it feels a lot faster than it's going.

 

Very much true, older lighter cars are just more fun.

 

Original mini or Innocenti mini.

 

I drive an S2000 now and I would rate it a 3 or 4 on your scale. It feels fast at most speeds. In comparison I would definitely rate my old Ginetta as a 1 or 0. Driving it in a straight line at 90 feels like you are going to fly off the face of the earth. The seat pan was exactly 3" off the ground. My friend who is 6'-4" could fit in it and flat palm his hand to the ground while seated. That car was very low and very, very light.


BT

 

I would add the current Fiat Arbath to the "feels fast" column. The exhaust sounds great too.

 

+1

Feels fast, but isn't.