19 replies to this topic

[Bobbins]

Agreed, definitely not about speed.

Everyone is different and to some drivers enjoyment can be gained from simply cruising down a straight road, windows open just enjoying the ride, to others it's making as much screeching noise as possible on every bend! To most it's somewhere in between.

I've learnt in 40 years of driving that my own enjoyment is gained from trying to drive the perfect line and driving it smoothly, but at a speed for the car which is enough that the handling is contributing to the steering rather than just being a dull drive. In a well setup Mini this can be at quite modest speeds which makes it so much fun, in fact in a very standard Mini this is attainable! I don't do super small steering wheels, this to me detracts from it, as do over wide wheels, but the right handling car can make driving sublime.

Sadly with most modern cars the capability of the chassis, oversize tyres, general lardiness, all add to a sanitised drive where handling doesn't actual become a criteria until doing silly speeds, with the Mini the ability to "float" at realistic speeds is what makes it so much fun. Well it does to me anyway!

[Dusky]

Instant throttle reaction. Speed, road holding,...
I drive a yank tank now which does 0-60 in +-5.5 seconds. The sound, throttle reponse, brute power,... is amazing. With the 255 tyres it also holds the road quite well. In French they would say “pilotage “ that’s what I enjoy.

[sandraleslie]

As has been mentioned, it all depends on the vehicle and the roads.

Sat in traffic commuting to work? No vehicle is ever fun, but comfortable seats and a good stereo make it much more liveable. A classic typically doesn’t work well in this environment where as even a dull modern can be perfectly pleasant.

On good country roads at a healthy pace? Yeah, a classic comes into its own. You don’t need to be going mega speeds to feel like you’re actually driving. Moderns are OK, but ‘exciting’ cars have the problem that to become ‘exciting’ typically risks your license.

The one spanner in those works for me is riding a motorbike. I love riding in traffic - filtering, nip-and-tuck manoeuvres, the need to have absolute focus - to me it’s more fun than driving on track (although I imagine racing is a different story). And you don’t need to be doing life ending speeds either. One of the best experiences on the road I’ve ever had was carving through rush-hour traffic on a pathetic 125cc motorcross bike I’d borrowed from a friend. No power, no speed but great visibility and brilliant manoeuvrability. A Mini in the right environment is about as close as you’ll get to that I think.

 

Indeed. I rely on comfort and good music while driving. A big NO on driving fast. As long as I am safe especially with my family beside me, I am happy.

[Mini Manannán]

It's certainly not driving fast these days.  Though I do like the odd go at 'caning it' (as much as you can in a 43 year old car!) the amount of traffic usually curtails any spirited driving.  No, I prefer enjoying how accurately you can place a mini, sweeping round three corners on one arc is a favourite   Maxxing out the MPG by driving really smoothly is another.  Sad but true

[Cooperman]

Having been driving for over 60 years, the only real fun these days is driving a well set-up classic car on a demanding road. Modern cars are quite simply very bland and the current tyres give everything great road-holding. Handling is, in the main, very neutral and traffic levels, combined with electronic enforcement, make for dull driving experiences.

However, in a decent classic car on a twisty road the fun for me is still carrying the speed smoothly through the corner, accurately positioning the vehicle and making safe progress.

When I drive one of my Minis the fun returns and it is so enjoyable.