What Is Your Number? How MUCH Horsepower Is Enough?

Probably one of the most often talked about numbers in the automotive space is horsepower. 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 1,000, if you dream it up it can be done these days it seems.

But the second most talked about number would have to deal with fuel efficiency and MPGs. Even if you have money to burn, it's not fun seeing it fly out the window when your auto is guzzling gas at 11 mpg.

That said, I was interested in doing a very unscientific poll that really asks how much is enoug AND what is the perfect balance for YOU?

Obviously lets keep it in modern times with the vehicles to be chosen. We want this to be as apples-to-apples as possible.

And since I am a gentleman, I will let YOU go first.

So, weigh in sooner rather than later: How MUCH power is enough for YOU?

ParadoX - 4/24/2013 11:22:55 PM

+1 Boost

The exact figure doesn't matter to me. What does matter is that acceleration, handling, etc. A Mustang may have more power than a Lotus, but the Lotus is quicker because of its lower weight. Personally, I find the power of my C350 to be about right (300ish HP).

iamdabest1 - 4/24/2013 11:32:13 PM

+1 Boost

im satisfied with the hp in my e92 m3, the only thing is i wish it weighed a few hundred pounds less..

PUGPROUD - 4/25/2013 7:19:03 AM

-1 Boost

1 horsepower for every 5 pounds of weight...500 hp and 2,500 lbs for example.

Agent00R - 4/25/2013 7:38:03 AM

+1 Boost

Man, you guys are serious.

I love my dd that has 200 but I really like the neighborhood of 330 - 350 for sportier driving.

stampfer - 4/25/2013 11:56:53 AM

0 Boost

Horsepower and torque both important. For the average sedan of 3500-4000lb, in the 400's would be about right and 500's better. My 2007 CTS-V with 400 on both was OK and I often feel my current E90 335i at about 300hp/300ft-lb is underpowered.

85bmw745i - 4/25/2013 10:41:18 PM

+1 Boost

Not sure how a 335i could feel underpowered considering it smokes the CTS 3.6, G37, C350, A4 etc and everything else in its class. Anything that can go 0-60 in low 5- high 4 seconds isn't slow.

bfghemicuda - 4/25/2013 7:34:56 PM

+1 Boost

Enough to make your knees rattle and still get in to Heaven.

85bmw745i - 4/25/2013 10:45:10 PM

+1 Boost

It depends on the car really. o-60 in under 6 seconds is plenty fast. My 85 745i because if its gearing doesn't go that fast 0-60 because it is slow iff the line til 2600rpm when the turbo spools up. It gets 60mph in first gear so you can imagine how slow a 4,000lb car with a 2.91 rear end is off the line. However on the freeway it is a freaking monster. 390hp to the rear wheels and 496lb/ft torque to the rear wheels with 98 octane fuel make it quite fast.