What's the slowest car you could put up with?

"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
05/03/2015 at 17:01 • Filed to: None

My new car is considerably slower than my last one (15s 0-60 against 12.6s) and it hasn’t bothered me as much as I thought it would. In fact the only thing I’ve noticed is it’s noisier above 80mph than I’d like. I assume some people wouldn’t be at all happy with such a slow car and some would be happy to drive around a classic with even less power.

So what’s the slowest car you could put up with DDing oppo?

DISCUSSION (100)

For Sweden > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:04

Walking

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > For Sweden
05/03/2015 at 17:06

There is no car called a walking.

E. Julius > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:08

As somebody who didn’t grow up around fast cars, and has really only driven them on a handful of occasions, driving a slow car doesn’t bother me too much. Would I prefer a fast car? Of course. But as long as it can get up to 60 mph from a stop turning onto a highway on ramp, I wouldn’t mind.

I’d also make an exception for a fun weekend car, like a Model T or something.

TheHondaBro > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:09

Not with that attitude.

TheHondaBro > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:10

A Fit. Iit ain’t quick, but it’s a blast to drive when the road gets twisty.

jkm7680 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:10

Slow is fine, the one thing that irks me majorly is short first gears.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:11

Kinja'd!!!

Mr. Flintstone would like to have a word with you...

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > E. Julius
05/03/2015 at 17:13

This is my philosophy too, as long as I can keep up with all manners of traffic I’m happy. It’s kinda fun driving to keep your momentum up too, without worrying about tickets.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:13

For the right classic or cool car, I could put up with osmeting plenty slow. For a DD I couldn’t do anything over 8 seconds 0-60.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
05/03/2015 at 17:14

I don’t believe this was ever referred to as a walking.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > jkm7680
05/03/2015 at 17:15

Mine will do just over 20mph in first, so it’s good enough.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:16

DD is a 350Z 6 speed, supposedly does 5.5s to 60... But it feels slow. Unless I’m behind a minivan... Classic cars ate exempt though

Clown Shoe Pilot > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:16

I daily drove a 1991 CRX HF (the slowest one) for a while. 0-60 is measured w/ a calendar. The upside is that it handles well enough that you can pretty much treat it like a rental go kart. Keep your foot to the floor and just drive.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > TheHondaBro
05/03/2015 at 17:16

Driving a slow car fast is always fun.

Scorpio GTX1 > jkm7680
05/03/2015 at 17:16

Dat torque, tho.

djmt1 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:17

80mph, huh?

TheHondaBro > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:17

Not necessarily fast, but the darn thing is a nimble little scamp.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 17:18

I don’t know anyone who has a car that will do 0-60 in under 8 seconds.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Clown Shoe Pilot
05/03/2015 at 17:20

It can be fun to string out a slow car.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun
05/03/2015 at 17:20

That car would probably feel like a rocket ship to me.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > djmt1
05/03/2015 at 17:21

Indeed.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > TheHondaBro
05/03/2015 at 17:22

Apparently a 1.4 fit with the CVT is barely faster than my car, that surprised me.

TheHondaBro > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:23

Probably because they come with 1.5 engines.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:23

As a DD, my 4Runner which takes anywhere from 15-?(17 at over 1000 ft., so I’m terrified to find out above that) to 60 depending on temp and elevation.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > TheHondaBro
05/03/2015 at 17:24

The 2002-2008 generation didn’t, at least not here. They had 1.2 and 1.4 versions.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:24

I started with a 83 Toyota Tercel with FWD and the three speed automatic... Each of my subsequent cars is a little faster

TheHondaBro > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:24

Oh jeez, and I thought a 1.5 wasn’t enough.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > TheHondaBro
05/03/2015 at 17:26

The new generation maxes out at 1.4 too, they must put a bigger engine in for the US market.

TheHondaBro > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:30

Yeah we get a 1.5.

RazoE > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:32

My Scion xB. 1.5L, 108hp 4 speed auto. But man is it a happy little car.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:33

Honestly, a car with no power can be amazing fun because you can drive it flat-out without actually breaking the speed limit.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:35

Maybe in China somewhere.

“Gangzhou Super Joy Walking” sounds about right.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:35

Must be a Europe thing.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 17:37

We realise we don’t actually live life 1/4 mile at a time and therefore don’t need cars that fast.

daender > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:37

The Miata, it’s fun learning how to make a slow car go fast but eventually I want something with the ability to cruise hundreds of miles around 2-2.5k rpm instead of 4 or be able to pass something without having to downshift once or twice.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
05/03/2015 at 17:38

Agreed, especially cars with a good chassis.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:44

The lack of horses just gives you more of an excuse to wring it out.

Two Drink Minimum > TheHondaBro
05/03/2015 at 17:47

Yep. The Fit (at least the ‘09 Sport manual I had) could be a lot of fun below 45mph. It was tough getting a smooth 1st gear launch, but after that the shifter and clutch combo were aces. And the engine was made to be thrashed. Between the taut suspension and excellent steering, you end up with a rev-happy carver that’s a lot of fun to abuse below highway speeds.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:51

Kinja'd!!!

Brickman > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:53

Unimog. Top speed 50 mph :P

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Two Drink Minimum
05/03/2015 at 17:54

Sorry for thread hopping... do you happen to own an Abarth?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 17:55

...That’s....that’s... fast

(Drive’s a ‘13 Civic with a 0-60 thats over 9 seconds)

Cé hé sin > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 17:56

Must be a most of the world thing.

Übel > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 17:59

I probably wouldn’t buy anything slower than 7 as a DD, although ~6 or less would be ideal. I like having a small power reserve just in case. Classics are not covered by this rule, naturally.

Slave2anMG > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:01

Kinja'd!!!

You’ve never daily driven slow ‘til you’ve daily driven one of these, a 240D. 67 hp in a 3400 lb car. And I loved that damn thing and still, 20 year later, rue the day I sold it.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
05/03/2015 at 18:06

I guess I could do a little more, but certainly not over 10.

Our Flex does eight, and that feels slooooow.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Cé hé sin
05/03/2015 at 18:07

True enough. Eight seconds (plus or minus a few tenths) is basically the slowest cars I’m accustomed to. That would include my dad’s Flex, which does it in eight, and which we both agree is too slow.

Frenchlicker > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:09

I don’t know anybody that dd’s anything under 8. Must be a middle class Midwest thing.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:09

If I had to keep track of every time I flat out floored my car (accelerating, not speed), I’d bet it was at least three times a week. It’s nice not to have to worry much about “can I accelerate fast enough to merge with those cars, or should I wait?” You can just go.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Frenchlicker
05/03/2015 at 18:10

Must be.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Übel
05/03/2015 at 18:12

Careful, I said eight and now apparently I’m some sort of snob who will only consider jet-powered Ferraris.

Frenchlicker > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:15

Wait, is that a stock Flex?

Alex from Toronto > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:16

Diesel Toyota Land Cruiser

Übel > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:16

Well yeah man, nothing says “bourgeoisie” quite like a hot hatch

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Frenchlicker
05/03/2015 at 18:17

It is. It’s actually an 8.something car, and it’s not like its in any way dangerous or a problem, but my dad and I both have...let’s say, brisk driving styles, and he wants something with more power.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:18

I hate it so much. And I always have to drive the shit out of it in order to do things like pass or merge.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Übel
05/03/2015 at 18:20

Or a V6 Camry.

Or a Suburban.

Or a Honda minivan.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
05/03/2015 at 18:22

That’s what I like about mine. If I want to pass or merge, I just do it. I’m not saying I would refuse to get behind the wheel of anything slower than 8, but I’d probably never buy a car that slow because there’s quicker stuff available at any price.

Now, if it’s a specific car I like, that’s a different story. I’d put up with and old Land Rover or Cadillac even if they took years to reach 60.

Frenchlicker > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:22

I love the Flex and that just adds another reason to. I think more people need to buy them but they are most likely turned off by the price.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Frenchlicker
05/03/2015 at 18:23

It’s a fantastic car, and while they were still rare, it really turned heads. Unfortunately ours has 140k miles on it and is beginning to go wrong.

Übel > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:24

Woah wait what? The first two I understand, but where can I buy a Honda minivan that can do 0-60 in less than 7 seconds? I want that.

Devilishprune > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:24

El camino?

E92M3 > Clown Shoe Pilot
05/03/2015 at 18:24

I had a 87 HF. It was a dog, but it was still fun to drive.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Übel
05/03/2015 at 18:24

New one does it in 7.7.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:26

I failed to pass a Kia Sportage the other night because the automatic decided it liked to ride in too high of a gear and refused to downshift....

Really awkward trying to pass someone, failing, then sliding quietly back behind them

traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:26

Hi. 5.2 here.

Unless you mean personally know.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:27

Cant say I’ve ever had an issue merging. I just get up to speed on the on ramp and merge at speed.

Frenchlicker > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:27

How can one not love an interesting car that comes with two refrigerators standard? I may look for a used one when I'm seriously car shopping next year.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
05/03/2015 at 18:29

I can imagine. Even disregarding the power, I’m glad I have both a shift option and a kickdown.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn
05/03/2015 at 18:30

Personally know. Our family tow car is fastest at about 8.5 seconds, since it needs to tow an over a tonne trailer. Everything else is pretty slow, my partners car takes about 16s.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:31

I’m sure that’s true. Most of the world, US included, makes do with cars that take at least 10 seconds. I would just prefer not to have one.

Also you must know somebody with a sub-8 second car. That’s V6 Camry speed.

Übel > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:32

Keep in mind that typically US on-ramps are much shorter (I have one near my house that’s a tight cloverleaf that runs straight into the highway with maybe 100’ of run-up), and traffic speeds are often in the 80-85mph range. My first car took 11.4 seconds to get to 60, and getting that up to highway speeds was not fun in the slightest.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:35

Who called you a snob?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Slave2anMG
05/03/2015 at 18:39

I love the way those look.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:40

Nobody used that word, but all the replies Im getting are “holy crap that’s fast, I’ve never had a car that fast, why would you need a car that fast”. You’re the second person to tell me they don’t know a single person with a car that fast. As far as I’m concerned eight seconds isn’t *that* fast.

bingham123 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 18:42

probably an original Citroen 2cv or a really early beetle, I don't mind not going fast if i have a car I love to drive

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Übel
05/03/2015 at 18:43

Right. Only issue I had when I test drove a 100-series LC and an Isuzu Trooper where that using short city on-ramps was not fun.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Übel
05/03/2015 at 18:47

Here people tend to move out of your lane too to let you merge even at low speeds.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:48

Not a single person. Fastest car in family is a 2 litre diesel Renault, takes about 8.5. One of my friends has a Mini Cooper that takes just under 9.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 18:50

For some people it really is. Not a lot of people have cars that fast here, no one can afford them.

Funktheduck > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 19:14

I think I read somewhere my 3 does it in just under 8

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 19:19

I guess gas is relatively cheap here, probably has something to do with it. All running costs seem lower in the states, actually.

fhrblig > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 19:22

The Chevy Sprint had a claimed 14.5 0-60 time, but I don’t think it was that fast. I had a couple of them, so I think I’ve got a pretty good tolerance for slow.

gamefreak32 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 19:25

Something that has >18lbs/hp, which is around what the average 4 cylinder sedan is in North America. 0-60 time of >9-10 seconds. Sometimes they are downright dangerous trying to merge into traffic going 65 mph or faster on a short on ramp.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 19:29

My taxes and insurance this year come to about $1300. Double or even triple that for a car with a 0-60 under 8. Then fuel already hits my wallet in a car that gets 50mpg.

SteveH > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 19:29

As a DD I really want something not too slow, currently a 2000 4.6 Range Rover. It’s hardly a rocket, but quick enough. For city driving I want to be able to get away from the lights.

Fun cars can be quite slow though, as long as their involving. Last slow fun car I drove was a 50s Austin Healey. Slow, hard work, loud, buffety, but really involving. I wouldn’t like to guess how long it took to get to 60, the needles dance around far too much!

duurtlang > Übel
05/03/2015 at 19:42

I just (as in: 10 minutes ago) returned home from a 3 hour stint on the German Autobahn. The unrestricted zero speed limit Autobahn. There wasn’t a single moment when I needed to literally floor my car, which officially does 9.9 seconds 0-62 if I’m not mistaken. Would I like more power? Absolutely! But I don’t perceive my car as slow at all actually.

duurtlang > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 19:46

For the record, there’s no Camry, Suburban or any type of Honda minivan available in Europe.

j250ex > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/03/2015 at 19:52

My 4 cylinder Tacoma while towing a trailer. Almost unsafe and not drivable on the highway.

SlickMcRick > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/03/2015 at 19:55

V6 Camry actually does it in under 6...

Big Bubba Ray > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 19:56

My Outback is slow as can be. 0-60 is just at 8 seconds I believe. Doesn’t bother me how fast or slow my car is as long as I can have fun with it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > j250ex
05/03/2015 at 20:13

Keep in mind, depending on the year of Tacoma, the 4 had more power or at least the same as my 3.slow.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 20:16

The Safari took 14 and was unbearable. I’d say 10 or less and were good. Of course, I love the 6 seconds the M3 takes.

Übel > duurtlang
05/03/2015 at 20:16

;)

duurtlang > Übel
05/03/2015 at 20:31

I have no experience with US onramps, but I consider the German ones rather short already.

j250ex > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/03/2015 at 20:45

It's not bad unloaded and not towing. Put a trailer behind it and damn it's slow

Two Drink Minimum > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
05/03/2015 at 21:12

I do indeed.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/03/2015 at 21:12

50 mpg sounds like heaven. I get 16, which is the price I pay for that 0-60 time.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Two Drink Minimum
05/03/2015 at 21:14

Ooooh! Someone I was looking for!

I’ve been thinking about getting one and want actual real world living opinions on it!

Whatever pros and cons you could think of! Please!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > duurtlang
05/03/2015 at 21:15

I figured.The average cars in Europe are smaller, and similarly sized cars tend to have smaller, and/or diesel engines than cars here, as best I can tell. The upside is far better MPG, the downside is they are slower.