to those with fast vehicles, how do you stand public roads!?
11-10-11, 07:17 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (20)
to those with fast vehicles, how do you stand public roads!?
i admit it, i've enjoyed fast cars.
i admit i've had speeding tickets in the past, and hated getting them.
these days, with law enforcement budgets down, they seem more aggressive than ever in collecting 'speed taxes'.
i no longer drive a fast vehicle, but any vehicle can of course easily break every speed limit out there.
if i did have a really fast car, say a porsche 911 turbo, gt-r, lf-a, i'm not sure i could stand driving it on public roads though. i once drove a porsche 911 turbo, and the owner told me it could do 125mph in 3rd gear (of its 6). i experienced um, a 'fast' speed in just a few seconds and realized "heck i'll probably lose my license if i get pulled over!" so i slowed way down with its unbelievable brakes, and drove like a granny in it, except for a little bit of fun on a twisty road. although some roads have low speed limits for specific corners/bends/turns, most don't, so if a road has a 55 limit but a sharp bend, going 55 around the bend without braking can still be fun. but 55 in a fast car is pretty boring to me.
so to those who have fast vehicles, whether stock or modded, how do you stand driving it, unless you just don't care about speeding tickets?
because of this, i concluded a slow but fun handling car (like the miata i had for a couple of years) was the most 'fun' i was likely to have on public roads. other than that, might as well drive a comfy boat and use cruise control most of the time (which i what i do).
i admit i've had speeding tickets in the past, and hated getting them.
these days, with law enforcement budgets down, they seem more aggressive than ever in collecting 'speed taxes'.
i no longer drive a fast vehicle, but any vehicle can of course easily break every speed limit out there.
if i did have a really fast car, say a porsche 911 turbo, gt-r, lf-a, i'm not sure i could stand driving it on public roads though. i once drove a porsche 911 turbo, and the owner told me it could do 125mph in 3rd gear (of its 6). i experienced um, a 'fast' speed in just a few seconds and realized "heck i'll probably lose my license if i get pulled over!" so i slowed way down with its unbelievable brakes, and drove like a granny in it, except for a little bit of fun on a twisty road. although some roads have low speed limits for specific corners/bends/turns, most don't, so if a road has a 55 limit but a sharp bend, going 55 around the bend without braking can still be fun. but 55 in a fast car is pretty boring to me.
so to those who have fast vehicles, whether stock or modded, how do you stand driving it, unless you just don't care about speeding tickets?
because of this, i concluded a slow but fun handling car (like the miata i had for a couple of years) was the most 'fun' i was likely to have on public roads. other than that, might as well drive a comfy boat and use cruise control most of the time (which i what i do).
11-10-11, 07:23 AM
#2
My SC is a weekend car pretty much, I consider it fast ha ha. I usually cruise around or do spirited driving late at night with friends, my buddy's 911 TT got to almost 180mph the other night I wasn't far behind him lol. I just try to be careful and plan routes and times if I know I will go fast. Ironically I get pulled over a lot in my TL and I consider that car slow.
11-10-11, 08:34 AM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: May 2005
Location: IL
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love highway runs in my mkiv supra. That being said, invest in a decent radar detector. Also, I always say if I get a speeding ticket, it's because I deserve it. So I am willing to pay it.
But I cannot drive a slow car. There are too many Prius drivers asking to be cut off with their traffic-causing driving habits lol
But I cannot drive a slow car. There are too many Prius drivers asking to be cut off with their traffic-causing driving habits lol
11-10-11, 08:57 AM
#5
Dysfunctional Veteran
The ultimate answer for me is take it to the track. Texas was no place at all to get nabbed by the law for speeding. I once got pulled (at 17 years old) for doing 125 in a 70, on a road off of I-35 (outside of Hillsboro) just south of Fort Worth. It was a straight stretch of road, with only a few small hills, about 20 miles long.
The only reason I "got off easy" was because the sheriff's deputy that pulled me over, saw my last name. He asked me who my father was. He and my dad were good friends in the USAF years before. Sheriff's Deputy Doug Kessler told me to call my father right there or he was going to throw the book at me. I did, he asked to speak to him, he told my dad who he was, what I had done (and what I was driving...his modded-to-the-hilt '68 Charger R/T) and what he was going to do. He wrote me a ticket for 89 in a 70, 1 mile-per-hour short of a Reckless Driving charge. When I got home, my dad took my car, my license and grounded me for 6 months. I also had to pay for my ticket, the court fees, get my own insurance, and pay for the traffic school to get the reduced fine. I was given my license back to drive only to work, because it was too far to walk/ride a bike (15 mile commute each way). I was also not allowed anywhere near that car for a VERY long time. That was not the last ticket I ever got, but it was the last one I ever got "on purpose". Of course I didnt get the ticket on purpose, but I did 125mph on purpose (I was actually going faster, but I stood on the brakes a hot second or 2 before his gun got me). From that day on, I took my fun to a track day. Scared me straight for sure. I definately thought I was going to Jail that day, and I probably should have. Were it not for a serious stroke of luck, I might not even be where I am today, as I am pretty sure that charge could have been more than a misdemeanor.
As it was, my life sucked for 6 months, but I deserved it and I knew it. I also knew what a deal I got and took my consequences without complaint. I have not ever really owned a "fast" car, but I am fairly certain the Charger will one day be mine, and that will be a blessing, now that I am responsible enough to drive it. I think the fastest car I ever owned was a modded out 12.4 second 1/4 mile Escort ZX-2, which some of you may remember.
That said, I have ridden in quite a few fast cars, TT Supra's nearing (and 1 of them over) the 4 digit HP mark, sideways @ over 100mph in 3rd is only fun when its not your ticket. Even 1QWKLEX's IS300 was fun when I got to go for a spin (700+RWHP IIRC). In the end IMO, anything over 350HP is fun, but overkill for public roads.
The only reason I "got off easy" was because the sheriff's deputy that pulled me over, saw my last name. He asked me who my father was. He and my dad were good friends in the USAF years before. Sheriff's Deputy Doug Kessler told me to call my father right there or he was going to throw the book at me. I did, he asked to speak to him, he told my dad who he was, what I had done (and what I was driving...his modded-to-the-hilt '68 Charger R/T) and what he was going to do. He wrote me a ticket for 89 in a 70, 1 mile-per-hour short of a Reckless Driving charge. When I got home, my dad took my car, my license and grounded me for 6 months. I also had to pay for my ticket, the court fees, get my own insurance, and pay for the traffic school to get the reduced fine. I was given my license back to drive only to work, because it was too far to walk/ride a bike (15 mile commute each way). I was also not allowed anywhere near that car for a VERY long time. That was not the last ticket I ever got, but it was the last one I ever got "on purpose". Of course I didnt get the ticket on purpose, but I did 125mph on purpose (I was actually going faster, but I stood on the brakes a hot second or 2 before his gun got me). From that day on, I took my fun to a track day. Scared me straight for sure. I definately thought I was going to Jail that day, and I probably should have. Were it not for a serious stroke of luck, I might not even be where I am today, as I am pretty sure that charge could have been more than a misdemeanor.
As it was, my life sucked for 6 months, but I deserved it and I knew it. I also knew what a deal I got and took my consequences without complaint. I have not ever really owned a "fast" car, but I am fairly certain the Charger will one day be mine, and that will be a blessing, now that I am responsible enough to drive it. I think the fastest car I ever owned was a modded out 12.4 second 1/4 mile Escort ZX-2, which some of you may remember.
That said, I have ridden in quite a few fast cars, TT Supra's nearing (and 1 of them over) the 4 digit HP mark, sideways @ over 100mph in 3rd is only fun when its not your ticket. Even 1QWKLEX's IS300 was fun when I got to go for a spin (700+RWHP IIRC). In the end IMO, anything over 350HP is fun, but overkill for public roads.
11-10-11, 09:30 AM
#6
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC/ATL
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speed laws are retarded, I have driven the interstate at night, no one on the road and I have to do the limit plus 15, I would really like an exception to that
I know what stretches of highway I can open my cars up on, looking into getting a radar detector but everyone I know who has a radar detector has speeding tickets
I know what stretches of highway I can open my cars up on, looking into getting a radar detector but everyone I know who has a radar detector has speeding tickets
11-10-11, 09:35 AM
#7
Lexus Champion
One of the downsides when driving in Singapore: Uber-low speed limits with speed radars and cameras and sonar detectors every 500 meters on most expressways.
Probably one of the good things (imho) about my country is that you can bribe some of the police officers so you don't have to get your license confiscated.
All you need is to do some under-the-table dealings then you're all good
Probably one of the good things (imho) about my country is that you can bribe some of the police officers so you don't have to get your license confiscated.
All you need is to do some under-the-table dealings then you're all good
Trending Topics
11-10-11, 10:01 AM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
At some point HP is wasted on public roads, but it doesn’t mean high HP cars cannot be fun as daily drivers.
Do you need 600hp, no?
Is the CLS550 fun with 400hp AWD, yes considering its weight.
Lots of power coming out of turns, highway passing, stop and go, power is nice but there is a tipping point where you don’t need “more”.
Do you need a 911 Turbo when you can have the GTS as a daily driver? To me, just as a daily driver no.
Hell the Ford Raptor I did not want with the low 300hp, but the 400hp+ 6.2 is MUCH more fun.
Its the sound, the feel, take off power, passing power, its just a matter of do you have enough to get that feeling.
Do you need 600hp, no?
Is the CLS550 fun with 400hp AWD, yes considering its weight.
Lots of power coming out of turns, highway passing, stop and go, power is nice but there is a tipping point where you don’t need “more”.
Do you need a 911 Turbo when you can have the GTS as a daily driver? To me, just as a daily driver no.
Hell the Ford Raptor I did not want with the low 300hp, but the 400hp+ 6.2 is MUCH more fun.
Its the sound, the feel, take off power, passing power, its just a matter of do you have enough to get that feeling.
11-10-11, 11:12 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
This is why I have switched to luxury cars rather than trying to tune a car to be as fast as possible . Over time you realize that you use the luxury of the vehicle far far more than the sport side. I live in AZ with open roads and the LS cant be topped for comfortable high speed cruising. You rarely get a chance to really push the car hard through corners so the comfy high speed characteristics are very desirable.
11-10-11, 11:20 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
I don't think you need HP to have fun. To be sure, I love a high HP car. But I had every bit of fun in my 135 hp Firebird as I do in my 250 hp Lexus. This is part of the reason I'm considering buying a 4-banger gas sipper right now. I love having a v8 with decent power, but I don't NEED it. I do however need to save fuel. A car that can do 150 stock isn't something that I need(but something that I like )
)
11-10-11, 11:29 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
I have always felt that under powered cars are more fun on the track, especially when they handle really well. The driving experience is still great. You can work on your line and not oversteer out of every corner
11-10-11, 11:36 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
I would love to see a system put into place. Only during certain hours and during certain days of the week, the speed limit is no existent (as long as there isn't many cars on the road and you get a proper license to drive at twice the speed limit). It be a complicated system to put into place.
About 11 years ago. The highway patrol in Quebec went on strike for a while and I do not recall any car accidents. People were doing 200+ km/h on the highway late at night.
All I can really say is, if the Germans can do it, why can't we?
One thing I dislike driving the speed limit at times, when no one is on the road. It puts me to sleep / antsy, hence the reason I go over the speed limit. It keeps me awake and my brain thinking.
About 11 years ago. The highway patrol in Quebec went on strike for a while and I do not recall any car accidents. People were doing 200+ km/h on the highway late at night.
All I can really say is, if the Germans can do it, why can't we?
One thing I dislike driving the speed limit at times, when no one is on the road. It puts me to sleep / antsy, hence the reason I go over the speed limit. It keeps me awake and my brain thinking.
Last edited by JessePS; 11-10-11 at 11:41 AM.
11-10-11, 12:58 PM
#13
I would love to see a system put into place. Only during certain hours and during certain days of the week, the speed limit is no existent (as long as there isn't many cars on the road and you get a proper license to drive at twice the speed limit). It be a complicated system to put into place.
About 11 years ago. The highway patrol in Quebec went on strike for a while and I do not recall any car accidents. People were doing 200+ km/h on the highway late at night.
All I can really say is, if the Germans can do it, why can't we?
One thing I dislike driving the speed limit at times, when no one is on the road. It puts me to sleep / antsy, hence the reason I go over the speed limit. It keeps me awake and my brain thinking.
About 11 years ago. The highway patrol in Quebec went on strike for a while and I do not recall any car accidents. People were doing 200+ km/h on the highway late at night.
All I can really say is, if the Germans can do it, why can't we?
One thing I dislike driving the speed limit at times, when no one is on the road. It puts me to sleep / antsy, hence the reason I go over the speed limit. It keeps me awake and my brain thinking.
here in the US it's a bit off, often times you see completely unsafe vehicles running around. and of course, so many people simply don't know how to drive. all those can contribute to big problems if there is no speed limit
