When can a vehicle be considered fast?

"sony1492" (sony1492)
08/01/2016 at 11:21 • Filed to: deep

It seems in this day and age many new vehicles can crack 0-60 in around 7 seconds, a number that used to be respectable. And,”normal” sports cars reaching low 5 second times.

They’re all fast now! What does this mean?

I got to thinking of all the sports cars that would get destroyed in a drag race w/ a v6 camry, and its most things built before 1996.

DISCUSSION (50)

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:25

I don’t get the 0-60 times or horsepower obsession.

dogisbadob > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:27

To me, anything under 9 seconds 0-60 is fast. Anything under 8 is really fast. Anything under 7 is fucking warp speed and shit.

10 seconds is slow to me. Probably because of the two digits before the decimal point.

bob and john > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:27

its all relative.

a tacoma is fast compare to a horse and buggy...but its slow compared to a veyron.

or around a track. a lotus elise will outrun a drag car every day of the week, yet the drag car is the ‘faster’ car.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:28

I would think fast is relative to the average car of the time. A modern V6 Camry isn’t fast by today’s standards of cars with 2 second 0-60 times but is a monster by the standards of anything earlier.

Stapleface > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:29

I think anything that will do under 8.0 in a 0-60 dash is quick, and under 7.0 is fast. As you said that's mostly everything nowadays. Performance is so obtainable right now. Really makes you wonder why the need for the facr that will do 0-60 in sub 6.0, since a normal car is maybe a second or two slower.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:29

It’s depressing that a minivan is capable of being the second most powerful vehicle I’ve ever driven.

The Dummy Gummy > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 11:30

If I had to guess you aren’t from the U.S.

Sam > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:32

It just has to *feel* fast. A Miata is not fast in a straight line, but it feels pretty fast because it's so tiny. An F-150 may be powerful, but it's big so it doesn't feel as fast.

sony1492 > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 11:33

It feels nice getting shoved back into a seat, simple as that. But I definitely understand what your saying, personally roadholding is the truely important factor of performance.

The Dummy Gummy > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:33

All relative, but sub 13 is fast for a sports car, sub 15 is fast for a family hauler.

Sam > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 11:33

We have a lot of straight, flat, well-paved roads in America, which go on for miles and you won't see another person the entire time.

Invinciblejets > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:33

My rx7 convertible did 0-60 in around 9.5-10 seconds. My Altima would destroy it in a drag race lol. But those numbers are truly irrelevant to driving experience.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/01/2016 at 11:34

Now I’m sad. A Honda Pilot is the most powerful car I’ve driven.

BorkBorkBjork > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:34

A vehicle that accelerates faster than 90% of vehicles currently in production.

sony1492 > bob and john
08/01/2016 at 11:35

A supercharged Tacoma is quick bar none.

DutchieDC2R > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:35

My personal definition of speed consists of more factors than just the sheer time it takes to go from 0-100 mph of 60 mph of 200 mph. I know that according to scientific definitions, the sound a car makes while accelerating has absolutely nothing to do with being ‘fast’, but here’s a story:

I have sat multiple times in a Tesla with the ‘insane’ mode on and, yeah, it was fast and yeah, it did feel fast, but I really did miss the sounds of it being fast. After the couple of pulls, I really had a contradictory feeling of: Were we really going that fast? We must have, but still, it didn’t sound like it (apart from the wind noise).

I think the whole ‘fast’ feeling is a package feeling. A Miata can feel fast on the right type of roads (twisties), even though you might not be going that fast at all.

That camry beating everyone on track, great step forward in technology, but I’m sure the guys in built cars are having more fun and are experiencing a more ‘pure’ feeling of ‘fast’.

crowmolly > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:35

We are at the point now where fast is not enough, you’ve also gotta have some style.

If you want streetable 1000hp you can totally get it. You can hit your number with an appropriately sized wallet.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > The Dummy Gummy
08/01/2016 at 11:36

You guessed right haha

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:38

I also like that, torque is great.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:38

Aw hell, you’re gonna start a ‘quick vs fast’ debate here, I just know it.

Personally, I think if you're getting to 60 in under 6 and doing the 1/4 mile in under 14, that's a fast car. That a Veyron can go 253 doesn't make going 140 not-fast, and a Corvette turning 11s stock doesn't mean 13s aren't fast.

The Dummy Gummy > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 11:39

I used to work with a guy from Serbia, who would ask me weekly “what is up with American’s obsession with speed?”

Nice guy, told him: cheap petrol helps fuel the fun.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Sam
08/01/2016 at 11:40

But also ridiculously low speed limits.

duurtlang > Sam
08/01/2016 at 11:42

I’ve made a 1600 mile roadtrip through New England this month. You’re right. However, given the low speed limits (70 mph was the highest I’ve seen) there’s no need for lots of horsepower on the highway. It’s the (very) poorly designed onramps that don’t leave a lot of space for acceleration that require horsepower.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 11:42

I like it to a point. The number wars are ridiculous, but I still would like to be able to merge.

My bird IS the word > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 11:44

0-60 times are fantastic because top speed is irrelevant. I am much more likely to do a quick pull than I am to top out my car. It is the horsepower thing that gets me. There is a point when you overpower a design by overwhelming the brakes, chassis, tires, and suspension.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > The Dummy Gummy
08/01/2016 at 11:44

I’m from the U.S., and still take discussions of ridiculous horsepower and bench racing 0-60 times as indications that the people talking are more about dick measuring than actually driving cars and improving their driving skill.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/01/2016 at 11:46

That’s when I really like cars with automatic and lots of torque. Our ‘ole Golf with stick is anemic.

My bird IS the word > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:46

I define fast by anything that feels powerful. There is a difference between something that moves when you push the throttle, or doesnt remotely surprise you. My mini, for instance, is right on that line. the trans am is only fast until it runs out of gearing, which is anything after about 30 mph. I really need to get rid of that dog of a differential (2.45 rear end)

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/01/2016 at 11:47

I mean 266hp is nothing to sneeze at but still why does it have to be a minivan.

The Dummy Gummy > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/01/2016 at 11:47

Fair enough, just meant American muscle is alive and well. Most the questioning comes from our friends across the pond.

I used to be all about power, but I don’t have time/money for that anymore.

I’d give anything for a Jaguar F-Type, but it isn’t practical for me right now.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 11:48

I can still keep up with modern cars, but I know my 4runner is working way harder to pass. And getting worse mileage.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/01/2016 at 11:49

Wait. My most powerful was 270 in a 2004 TL.

sony1492 > DutchieDC2R
08/01/2016 at 11:49

Thats a very good point, visceral experiance > speed

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > The Dummy Gummy
08/01/2016 at 11:50

Agreed. And yeah, I think we all were at one point. Then we become more educated and experienced with cars. I own an FR-S, so definitely not all about power. haha

sony1492 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
08/01/2016 at 11:50

I honestly just wanted to know what #’s peaple consider quick and fast.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > My bird IS the word
08/01/2016 at 11:52

The fastest 0-60 time I pulled was about 7 seconds in an Audi A4 with S-Tronic. Wasn’t too impressed but that’s just me. Horsepower obsession gets on my nerves, I cringe when non car people start talking about hp numbers.

sony1492 > My bird IS the word
08/01/2016 at 11:52

2.45?! Dear god..... Speechless.

My bird IS the word > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:54

dat fuel economy though- still sucks actually. My car was optioned as a cruiser, not a performance car. a 3.08 is what most reccomend with the three speed auto.

Sam > duurtlang
08/01/2016 at 11:54

If a Hellcat hits 150 in the middle of nowhere, and no LEOs are around to clock him, did it speed at all? You can get away with a lot when the nearest building of any kind is 30 miles away.

duurtlang > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 11:54

It’s all relative. Take two examples I’ve driven this month:

2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited (rental; old model). >300 hp, lots of weight, built like a 5/3 scale 25 year old base model subcompact, no communication, 7 sec 0-60.

1988 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6. 105 hp, doesn’t weigh a thing, well built for what it is, handles well, 9 sec 0-60 mph.

Clearly the Impala is faster. If you put your foot all the way down (who does that in a boat-car?) it shows it’s fast, if you don’t it seems dormant. The Peugeot feels a lot faster across the range. Well, eager would be the better word. Objectively the Impala is clearly the faster car, however subjectively I’d sooner label the 205 a fast (or quick) car than the Impala.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/01/2016 at 11:55

Swimming in traffic and daily driving is no problem in our car but I wish for a bit more power when overtaking on a country road.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 11:57

Haha. I don’t even attempt to overtake no matter how slow they’re going.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 12:08

Ha, it’s all good. A while ago there was some article about a Camry or whatever and I made the mistake of calling a V6 Camry ‘fast’ when most people consider it ‘quick’.

I’d say the stuff above though. 0-60 in under 6, sub 14 second 1/4, and 140mph. But of course there are muscle cars that top out at 120 that I’d still consider fast...it's weird.

Future next gen S2000 owner > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 12:36

It is relative to the vehicle. I drove a barstool to 52 mph, that was fast. I drove a car to 52 mph, that was slow.

It’s all relative.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/01/2016 at 15:26

Mine was a 69 Firebird but who knows how much power it made on the stock engine and how much actually made it through the ancient automatic trans.

Although if we broaden it from “car” to “vehicle”, I’ve driven a boat that had twin Chevy 350s.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 16:47

Well first, we must consider quick vs fast:

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/britis…

In essence, quick is a description of something over a short period of time. Fast is generally something that goes or happens at a high speed.

Sooo... quick is more likely to be applied to a 0-60 time... fast is more likely to be applied to a top speed.

You can have a car that has a high top speed, but not the best 0-60 time.

And you can have a car with a great 0-60, but lousy top speed.

I think by today’s standards, I would say anything that can do over 250km/h (about 155 mph) is fast.

And I would say that anything that can do 0-60 in under 6 seconds is quick.

The only exception to this would be police and local governments who like to make money off speeding tickets.

And of course the standards of quick/fast were much lower in the past.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
08/01/2016 at 16:50

You need to learn how to live your life 1/4 of a mile at a time!

;-)

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
08/01/2016 at 16:55

For those ten seconds or less, I’m free. After all those years this scene still gets me.

Aaaron > sony1492
08/01/2016 at 17:07

It all depends on how much it makes your passenger scream (in joy or fear, doesn’t matter) when you dump the accelerator.

If you can scare the shit out of somebody by simply driving in a straight line, that’s fast.

Lekker > sony1492
08/02/2016 at 17:26

A) If when the car starts turning/accelerating your instinct is to reach for the oh shit handle: it’s fast

B) If you reach speeds faster than legal on a freeway within 5 seconds: it’s fast

C) If you CANNOT go WOT on take-off, or you’ll lose traction: it’s fast

In other words anything that makes you sink into your seat whether it is straight-line or turning, that’s fast :)