How much do you really care about top speed figures in powerful/fast cars?

[edkwon]

I brought up this question in the porsche/speed limiting thread after things got off topic and the discussion turned to how much it matters if you have a car with a top speed of 200 mph when its restricted to 155 mph.

I'm keeping this discussion to fast/powerful cars, because in small underpowered cars, top speed is of course very significant, if its a microcompact with a top speed of only 100 mph, that means its struggling just to hit 80-90 mph which has a real world impact.

But my question is (partially copied and pasted from my other thread)

How much do ppl really care about the top speeds if they owned those powerhouse cars anyway (esp in countries without autobahn type unlimited speed roads)?

As far as im concerned, its purely for bragging rights, and driving either on a high oval/straight (a simple-minded or drag racers idea of fun, not mine).

What i want those cars for is the passing power at realistic speeds, the top speed is simply a byproduct. but living in the US i cant think of any reasons to drive faster than 150 mph in a non track situation other than to wag my e-penis around.

its an entirely diff matter in europe when ppl can actually legally drive faster than 150 mph as part of their commute, then there is some merit to considering top speed capabilities.


So basically, if your 155 mph is computer unrestricted to 200 mph, great, but does it really matter? How often are you going to need to take it past speeds of 155 mph/250kph in a public roads environment, or is it all out of some childish need to know that you could take it up to 200 mph if you want to?

[MadCow809]

Top speed means quite a bit, if you have a fast car, by all means...nail it and see what it will do.

Nothing beats seeing the needle bouncing off the limiter. But then again, SA's highway is very different from the states.

It all depends on where you live and how you drive.

[tigger]

Well first off I've never owned anything that was able to crack even 140mph. And while that was fun to do occasionally, it didn't really matter. Personally I'm more interested in how fast a car can get up to a reasonable speed (say 80-90mph), than what it's upper limits are.

Even if there were some unrestricted roads in the US I still wouldn't be to interested in the top speed, merely what the car could maintain for any length of time.

[edkwon]

Top speed means quite a bit, if you have a fast car, by all means...nail it and see what it will do.

Nothing beats seeing the needle bouncing off the limiter. But then again, SA's highway is very different from the states.

Youre lucky you live in a country where you're much more free to do that then.

[Ottobon]

Not too interested, i'd rather have taller gearing that increase acceleration instead of all out top-speed.

I however do care very much about how well the car can handle high speeds, not so much if it can do 220mph compared to 210mph, but how stable, comfortable, and component it feels at that speed. If it can feel alright at its top-speed then it probably has the fundamentals needed to be a great GT car, as well as economical at highway speeds (aka low aero drag)

because in small underpowered cars, top speed is of course very significant, if its a microcompact with a top speed of only 100 mph, that means its struggling just to hit 80-90 mph which has a real world impact.

x2, very true.

[KaJuN]

One of the main reasons I like a good top speed figure is that it shows what the designers and engineers have really accomplished. Anyone can make a car that produces insane amounts of horsepower but it takes a lot more effort to then make a car capable of going 200+ mph.

[edkwon]

One of the main reasons I like a good top speed figure is that it shows what the designers and engineers have really accomplished. Anyone can make a car that produces insane amounts of horsepower but it takes a lot more effort to then make a car capable of going 200+ mph.

interesting point but not exactly answering my question. Mine is more like.... if you owned a potential 200 mph car electronically limited to 150 mph, do you care enough to pay a lot of $$$ or violate your warranty to unlock that electronic limit? Do you care enough that you MUST have that capability and will take it all the way to 200 mph whenever you please?

or are you happy with the knoweldge that the car was engineered to go that fast, but in real world conditions are perfectly happy to blow the doors off other cars from the 0-150 mph range and feel no need to actually rocket it to 180, 190, 200 mph, whatever?

[Ottobon]

not that you asked me in particular, but to answer they above I do a good bit of Trackdays, so i'd want it removed.

[edkwon]

not that you asked me in particular, but to answer they above I do a good bit of Trackdays, so i'd want it removed.

I may be just ignorant, but i dont know too many of my friends who do amateur trackdays who are running their street cars in the 151-200 mph range, but i could be wrong, i suppose its easy to break those speeds on a significant straight.

[KaJuN]

interesting point but not exactly answering my question. Mine is more like.... if you owned a potential 200 mph car electronically limited to 150 mph, do you care enough to pay a lot of $$$ or violate your warranty to unlock that electronic limit? Do you care enough that you MUST have that capability and will take it all the way to 200 mph whenever you please?

Simple. If I paid for a 200 mph car I would want it to be able to go 200 mph. The times it actually got up to those speeds would probably be few and far between but I would absolutely hate it if I got up to a good speed and the computer wouldn't let me go any faster.

[MadCow809]

Youre lucky you live in a country where you're much more free to do that then.

well, come to SA and i will give you a free ride we got the best beer and steak as well

[fbc]

In powerful cars, I couldn't care less what their top speed is - I'm much more interested in acceleration and response.

[Ozodis]

here in germany it matters, u will often travel with 160km/h in die middle/left lane. furthermore i find no reasons (beside co2 emissions) why i shouldn't travel at max speed when can, but the limit of 155mph is okay, there are to few passages where u can savely drive faster than that.

[GraemeH]

I don't care so much about top speed as I do about other virtues. See the NSX or Exige for example, which have relatively low speeds, but you wont find anyone that has driven one that wont talk about how wonderful they feel to drive. I'd happily "only" be able to cruise at 140 in return for that.

[cdbob]

Speed is good for letting a powerful engine rev low on the freeway, I mean honestly no body really needs 200 mph but its more bragging rights that your car can do it and anything more then it is just amazing.

[DaShowstoppa]

In powerful cars, I couldn't care less what their top speed is - I'm much more interested in acceleration and response.

That's true but to be honest I'd only really be interested in the asthetics and sound - it just so happens that the top cars tend to be the most beautiful (DBS, 911 etc) I'm never gonna be able to wring the thing (70mph speed limit) so why worry about a max speed. As long as the car is nice to drive, responsive and looks and sounds great then I'm happy. For example I'd be just as happy with a Jaguar XK than I would with a "balls out" Aston DBS

[DTMracer]

Top speed matters for bragging rights.

[sonza68]

Couldn't care less. Case in point, my Lincoln is capable of 180 mph with some very minor tweaks, but it is limited to 130. I've never cared about the limiter though since I never drive that fast (115 is the fastest I've had it and that was for a very short burst).

[tigger]

Simple. If I paid for a 200 mph car I would want it to be able to go 200 mph.

Ditto. Not that I would even use it on a regular basis, it's just the principle of the matter.

we got the best beer and steak as well

Bah! Kansas City beef and beer FTMFW!!!

[Z102]

Top speed matters for bragging rights.

x2. In hypercars, it's the only thing that counts. In "normal" cars, there are more important things, like ride comfort, gadgets or acceleration.