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What's the point of lots of speed and acceleration?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Isaac Zachary, Nov 18, 2024 at 5:50 PM.

  1. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    MKBHD gets caught on camera going 96 mph in a 35 mph zone.
    Engineering Explained puts a supercharger on his Miata and also gets pulled over for speeding.

    My 40hp VW seemed to have plenty of power. Sure, modern cars are twice the weight, so 80hp should be plenty. But no more manual transmissions, no more cool sounds, no more uniqueness (unless maybe it's a Mini Cooper), so I guess the only thing reviewers have left to talk about is how much modern cars push a person back into their seat. But I don't get it. My car has way too much power, nearly 200hp, and I never floor it.

    Are there any modern cars that are cool to you, and why do you think they are cool? Is it their tire shredding speed that I personally don't agree with, but maybe you like it? Or is it something else?


     
    #1 Isaac Zachary, Nov 18, 2024 at 5:50 PM
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i mean, teenagers i can understand the testosterone. it's like manual gearbox...
     
    #2 bisco, Nov 18, 2024 at 8:20 PM
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  3. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    I have had pretty much everyone, everywhere tell me that you accelerate out of danger and that slow acceleration and speed limits are dangerous.

    Despite the fact that vehicles with the most acceleration and speed also have the highest per capita accidents.
     
    #3 Rmay635703, Nov 18, 2024 at 8:36 PM
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have seen people accelerate out of accidents they caused on the highway, leaving a trail of carnage in their wake
     
    #4 bisco, Nov 18, 2024 at 8:43 PM
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  5. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Yes, I have heard of this excuse. I have seen people on forums post how they only buy fast cars because they think they are safer.
     
    #5 Isaac Zachary, Nov 18, 2024 at 9:13 PM
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Copious acceleration is something that’s always puzzled me about the Teslas. Maybe the “2” in the works will get more sensible.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Nov 18, 2024 at 10:44 PM
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  7. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    I think to appeal to everyone, both as a family car and as a sports car. That way they don't have to make more than 4 non-pickup models.

    We'll see about the Model 2, if and when it ever comes out. I'm not paying $43k for a new Model 3. Right now might be the time to get one with 0% financing and both federal and state incentives. But I can't afford $800/month for a car payment for 0% APR nor even the $500/month for 60 months at 1.99% APR for the base model, even including all incentives and the resale value of my current car.
     
    #7 Isaac Zachary, Nov 19, 2024 at 12:13 AM
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  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    OKAY.

    @ Speed:
    The great philosopher, George Denis Patrick Carlin once opined eloquently about speed:


    He MUST be a great philosopher because he's 'peer reviewed.'
    Like Whoopi Goldberg.......he's been on Star Trek.
     
    #8 ETC(SS), Nov 19, 2024 at 5:39 AM
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Once saw someone claim the turbo lag on the last Dart was dangerous.:rolleyes:

    It was to help sell the S; performance is a big draw for spending that amount on a car. Then EVs don't suffer as much as ICE cars do in efficiency for having the extra power.
     
    #9 Trollbait, Nov 19, 2024 at 12:07 PM
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  10. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Senior Member

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    Transportation is not supposed to be a contest or thrill ride. We get driver training and receive a license that shows we are trained enough. It isn’t enough, some people break the laws when they can. Advertising cars that are fastest, winning something, doesn’t help. What exactly are they winning.
     
    #10 Mr.Vanvandenburg, Nov 19, 2024 at 1:43 PM
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    around here, they are winning the race. it's not their fault or poor training, it's law enforcement.
     
    #11 bisco, Nov 19, 2024 at 1:46 PM
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  12. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    #12 frodoz737, Nov 21, 2024 at 8:21 PM
  13. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    "Transportation is not supposed to be a contest or thrill ride." This is sensible but incomplete I think. Sporty acting and looking cars produce high manufacturing profits and dealer markups as well. SUV particularly large ones also do as. Transportation appliances strive for volume.

    As manufacturers are driven in part by per-unit profits, they often lean towards contests, thrill rides, and other joys that market well. Compliant purchasers eat that up. Such purchasers are situated to hold themselves in high esteem compared to appliance purchasers. One would shade towards totalitarianism in opposing that. One ought not.

    There was a time when vehicles were spicy for having lots of chrome-plated steel and aero-like non-functional fins. Seems so long ago.
     
    #13 tochatihu, Nov 21, 2024 at 9:31 PM
  14. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    I have one that gets 40 something mpg per gallon...and one that goes over 200 mph. The point is...free choice.
     
    #14 frodoz737, Nov 21, 2024 at 9:52 PM
  15. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Yeah, that makes sense. It's probably another excuse why they don't make econo cars anymore. "But the cars we sell are all fast so cost more!"
     
    #15 Isaac Zachary, Nov 21, 2024 at 11:58 PM
  16. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    Power in EVs is almost an afterthought.
    To get more range you need lots of batteries. With lots of batteries, you get lots of power.

    The only other requirement is an electric motor that can make use of the full amount of available voltage. That isn’t a very steep climb.

    Cars have been selling on performance/speed for a century, this is nothing new.
    It is just that now you can have performance and efficiency in the same package.
     
    #16 Zythryn, Nov 22, 2024 at 12:17 AM
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  17. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Makes sense, especially when a desirable feature on EV's is batteries that charge very quickly. And batteries that can charge quickly can also discharge quickly.
     
    #17 Isaac Zachary, Nov 22, 2024 at 2:17 AM
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