Have you gone soft? Or just grown up?

[noflac52]

When I was a kid I couldn't afford any of the cars that I admired so it was 4cyl and 6cyl cheap cars with a few home made mods. All my servicing and repairs were done by me and my mates who were in the same boat. We all used to love Castlereagh drags and Westmead speedway to get our fix of performance cars until for me anyway I got a bit older and had good finances for a while so my PH111 GTHO was the car that lit the fire that that still burns for a powerful V8.

Finances went bad for quite a while but I was still able to run V8s because in the seventies oil crisis corollas etc were twice the price of falcons, fairlanes, LTDs,V8 valiants, ramblers etc all of which I bought and modified at some time or other because I calculated that at those prices I could drive a V8 for about five years before the cost of the car and fuel reached the purchase price of a new corolla.

There have been a couple of times when I didn't have a V8 in the garage since but that was only because I had a high performance bike or was putting my money into racing but the passion for V8s has never died so now I build my own cars from classic shells and due to a lifetime of learning to do it right I have cars that handle, stop, perform and have all the comforts of new cars like aircon, power rack and pinion, adjustable suspension and economy.

Cars that I can just jump in and drive wherever I feel like without a second thought just like new cars, but they ooze character and make me feel right just driving them. Its not about impressing anyone else its just what makes life enjoyable. It all about what I appreciate.

Its a great sense of freedom when you realise peer pressure has no importance and you just do it for yourself. So in that sense I suppose its growing up or wiser, but my passion is still as strong as when I was a teenager and performance cars were unobtainable to me.

[MAD]

You were too busy trying to impress everyone else hulk and now you're bored because no-one cared.

This is the number one reason why you should always do things because YOU want to, not in an attempt to impress others.

[jimt3te50]

The "soft" part of me bought an SQ5 for the wife and that's our weekender as well- it does more kays than the other two put together. Its also the obvious car for family trips etc and very frugal at 6.5L per 100km average so far. A 3L V6 twin turbo diesel with an 8 speed ZF, 650Nm and 0-100kmh in 5.1 seconds.

That's as "soft" as I'll get.

Cars are getting more powerful and efficient every year. the replacement models are typically faster and even more capable than the ones they replace, so I think I'll become an even bigger revhead over time As I've got older, I just get worse and worse hahaha

[Stefan]

I get the power is not everything, and enjoying a well ballanced car, not sure about the blokes claiming to enjoy driving their Territory's....seriously, the handling and seating position of a bus is enjoyable? All the comprimises of a 4x4 but you cant take it 4 wheel driving, so what 's the point.

BUT

I've gone off my 393 XY GT and certainly prefer my stock 351 XA GT. On the street a 450hp XY has become irrelevant, it turns the tyres at any time you want, it exceeds every speed limit of the state in second gear, it is actually hard to drive within the law. My XA is a nice cruiser and just a nice enjoyable drive with a nice V8 burble, sunroof open, looks cool a F....

Cars are getting faster and faster yet road rules are getting stricter...kind of pointless really, better off with a nice balanced streetable and enjoyable car, just changing times.

But to drive a Terry for the handling....

[toothless]

v8 owner here to never to old for v8 or loud exhaust not to loud that will give you a defect of course ;p but as im getting older and the kids are too im only 31 but this year the ltd dc gets finished to what i want it to be just lowered nice wheels and a v8 grumble and sunroof open and enjoy the cruise where ever i go and take it too all ford day not to win anything but to show off that fairlanes can be loved too

[Binny]

We all go through different stages in our lives.
In the 90s I had a couple of warm cars but motorbikes were my passion. I remember finding the top speed on both my '88 model ZX10 ninjas on a number of occasions. I look back at what speed I got up to with my GF (now wife) on the back and I shake my head.
Now I'm 40 and have 2 young kids in school. Priorities change and it will be many years before they leave the nest. As such my car now suits my whole families requirements rather than my own.
I still have a VTR1000 in the shed that gets a ride maybe once a month. And when it does I have a grin from ear to ear without even doing anything silly. I just enjoy the scenery and the awesome torque and rumble from the v-twin. And because its worth bugger all there's no guilt of having an expensive toy in the shed that's rarely used.
One day I will be in a different phase of my life and that will change. Hopefully I won't be too old to enjoy it haha.

[xisled]

After owing a FPV GT since I was 24, I think I just am over these type of cars.

Easier to take out the VE station wagon than take the GT out.

[blueoval]

I also find, having a too nicer car that looks awesome and unique is often a target for jealous scum to key it, damage it or attempt to steal it in some form or another. Having a nice car when I was younger was great when you were driving it, but when it was parked anywhere I would be paranoid as hell in case someone tried to do stuff to it.

Getting a run of the mill car now, which is modern yet not a big 'look at me' vehicle is in my opinion been the best move I have made now. The younger me would have scowled at the thought and kicked myself up the backside but knowing what I know now, I much prefer to be out of the spotlight than in it.

[Streets]

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

My definition of "going soft" isn't lowering horsepower, but the fact I now "can't be bothered" driving the old, interesting car because it's isn't as comfortable, can't demist the windscreen properly, doesn't have air conditioning, might breakdown, can't make it to the destination without being filled up twice, etc, etc.

I'm the same. I'm over owning "unique" cars

next car I'm getting is going to be whitegoods

no more worrying about dents in the carpark or whether it will start on a hot day or fouling the spark plugs idling in traffic

no more "what's that sound" or "what's that burning smell"

I like to get on carsales.com.au and daydream about FG XTs and Aurions

[jimt3te50]

Sorry wrong post

[brennan.]

Another self generated opportunity for Hulk to talk up his automotive history, hopelessly disguised with a weak invite for other members to join in. Hey Hulk did owning all those cars make you a hard bastard in the first place?

[Blue Roo]

I went soft when I went from a Manual to an Auto V8. This is all because Ford won't put a heaver clutch in their cars, when towing.

[u2canb12]

Yeah I went soft @ 53, both my XB's have got power steering............

[toothless]

i have driven my brother inlaw terrioty and to me its just a over sized wagon and very uncomfy and slow

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Going to drive Melbourne to Sydney today in the GT-E, can't think of a better car for the job.

Highway or backroad?

[kazawaki]

Never going to grow up as far a power and toys are concerned. 1976 z900, 2002 zx9 track bike 2001 zx9 road bike, 1,000 cc supercharged H2 Ninja bike coming. Pursuit ute daily drive. I maybe swapping my track bike for a 1973 z900 turbo charged custom bike just for another option.Its not about image its just what I like and until im too old to get on one of these bikes or too blind to drive my ute it will be business as usual.

[Smoke Pursuit]

I grew up and Sold my GT for a Ranger. Thought I was ready to be responsible, save the planet and all that bull****. Lasted 14 months...

[pauljh74]

Never went for the V8 and had 2 6 cyl Falcons - the second being a then 2 year old EL XR6, which was the best car for the money IMO and what I wanted at the time. Of course with no budget constraints the decision would be different. The first car was getting something for not too much moolah to get you on the road, the second car I had a bit more bank and spent all of it on the car. I was in the first year sharing a rental with friends, but had saved most of it while I was still at home. 12 years later, there's more demands on the money - mortgage payments to make and only the mortgage redraw to fund the car. I got a car that appealed to me for the budget, and had reasonable costs of ownership. Next car I'll probably go back up 1 size, I'll assess that in about another 7 years. Might even consider an AWD car next time. I was hesitant going RWD to FWD and it does have some drawbacks even on a reasonably well sorted example (SP23).

[HULK_I6T]

Originally Posted by MAD

You were too busy trying to impress everyone else hulk and now you're bored because no-one cared.

This is the number one reason why you should always do things because YOU want to, not in an attempt to impress others.

your way off the mark..totally the opposite. ive modded many cars... but hardly drove them on the road... if I did it to please others id park it up at every car meet like many do. or start build threads to brag of every bit of the car. I dont do car meets nor do I advertise my cars on build threads.. rarely show at drag nights. ... my cars are for my enjoyment only.

[HULK_I6T]

Originally Posted by brennan.

Another self generated opportunity for Hulk to talk up his automotive history, hopelessly disguised with a weak invite for other members to join in. Hey Hulk did owning all those cars make you a hard bastard in the first place?

as per my previous post, your completely off the mark

no build threads or car meets for me.

[fgpsi]

HULK aren't you concerned about what people will think when they see you driving that Tezza ? Aren't you worried that they may think you're an old man and laugh at you ? What about the 3 or 4 birds hanging off your arms.. Don't you think they will think that you've gone senile and might need viagra now ?

They will probably look to trade you in for a new model...

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by MAD

You were too busy trying to impress everyone else hulk and now you're bored because no-one cared.

This is the number one reason why you should always do things because YOU want to, not in an attempt to impress others.

Im pretty sure the Op is asking YOUR cars/v8s/life opinion. If your personal opinion is wanted im sure someone will ask....but I doubt it

Im getting soft...but that's because of dodgy health....not preference or age. Thank god Ford made the G6ETs

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by brennan.

Another self generated opportunity for Hulk to talk up his automotive history, hopelessly disguised with a weak invite for other members to join in. Hey Hulk did owning all those cars make you a hard bastard in the first place?

lol but it fished you in to making yet another lame comment like all the other sheep. Everyone else can stay on topic....whats your problem. seems a good read so far.

[brennan.]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Everyone else can stay on topic...

But he asked if he had gone soft? I simply put a question to him in response.

Only stirring.

[T MAN]

imo.. if you own or had owned and modified cars and didn't drive them because you were bored with them, I say your either just really bad at modifying them your self , or your really not a true car guy...

[u2canb12]

Modern cars, including the so called performance variants make you soft. Sure they can go fast, brake on a dime and go around a corner but they do everything for you, including steering/braking/turning and everything else is assisted by a computer chip, give me anything pre 1978, at least you know your in total control and after a good hard run, you know you have been driving a car and not just a passenger..........

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by u2canb12

Modern cars, including the so called performance variants make you soft. Sure they can go fast, brake on a dime and go around a corner but they do everything for you, including steering/braking/turning and everything else is assisted by a computer chip, give me anything pre 1978, at least you know your in total control and after a good hard run, you know you have been driving a car and not just a passenger..........

Yeah- I remember the days of taking those old modded cars for a 30 minute feral blast through the hills, sore neck and sore shoulders afterwards...but buzzing.

But, you take a good analog car like a FG GT or an FGX XR8 with manual and turn off traction, that fun factor is still there, sure more smooth and faster, but there is always that edge that it will bite.

One thing I love today is abs-wet even more so. something really cool diving in hard on a corner under heavy late brakes and having the brake pedal modulating under your foot while turning round the corner.

Doing this without abs I agree required a lot more skill...actually was really good fun in my rally car on gravel with no abs and limited brake assist. But on the public road with real people to account for -abs all the way.

[MercurySilver]

if wanting to save money on fuel, insurance and mechanical is going soft then just call me butter
270kw out of a six is fast enough so wtf do i want a v8 for?

[T MAN]

sound, nothing beats the sound of a v8... going fast is fun, but going fast isn't everything.
I gave up my turbo 6 for a slower v8..

[snopony]

Originally Posted by Streets

I'm the same. I'm over owning "unique" cars

next car I'm getting is going to be whitegoods

no more worrying about dents in the carpark or whether it will start on a hot day or fouling the spark plugs idling in traffic

no more "what's that sound" or "what's that burning smell"

I like to get on carsales.com.au and daydream about FG XTs and Aurions

ahhhh yes.... "whats that burning smell..?" if I had a dollar for every time I've head that ahaa