When It Comes To Sports Cars, What's MORE Important To YOU? The NUMBERS Or The EXPERIENCE?

I recently reconnected with an old friend from high school. He was a notorious car freak and still is today. But, we differ in two BIG ways.

First off, he's a tuner. A stock vehicle will just not suffice for my friend. I, on the other hand, am a big believer in keeping cars as close to OEM as possible. Sure, I may swap out the standard, leather steering wheel for an Alcantara one, but that will not affect the performance or perceived reliability.

Second, as we've been talking cars lately there's an evident difference in how we approach sports cars — our one true love. My friend is all about speed. Frankly, nothing else really matters. My perspective is different. I prefer more well-rounded products that deliver an experience.

For example, when discussing cars we'd like to own at some point, he reminisced about the Ultima GTR while I thought back to the Ferrari 360 Modena. Rather than have an interior befitting of an arcade game and lighting fast speed, I'd prefer a Tubi or Capristo V8 symphony and the snick-snick of a gated manual 'box.

Different strokes for different folks.

All that said, I've got to ask: What's MORE important to YOU? The NUMBERS or the EXPERIENCE?

TomM - 7/30/2018 8:11:11 AM

+1 Boost

All these Hyper Exotic Sports cars have numbers that I will never drive the car to - so since I am a big man - I prefer one I can comfortably get into - plus a Naturally aspirated V12. Fact is - most of these cars are simply TOO small for me to get into at all.

MDarringer - 7/30/2018 11:11:01 AM

-11 Boost

This question is a false dichotomy, which renders it patently illogical to begin with.

But hey, we're here; let's play.

For me numbers drive the experience. The visceral feel of speed is experience. The high level of grip is experience. So the experience is driven by the numbers. Beyond that sound and styling factor in.

Whenever I've driven a Miata at the track, I tell myself that it's supposed to be an iconic experience, but the numbers ruin it for me. Where is the power? Where is the cornering grip?

senft - 8/3/2018 6:24:42 AM

+1 Boost

FWIW: When Dan Neil reviewed the ND Miata, he took it to a track where kept up with Ezra Dyer in a Z06.
But yes, you have a point: Driving a not-so-powerful car fast is fun, an overpowered car mores. Power of course adds to the experience. But does the experience *start* with power or does power *add* to the experience?

zlives - 7/30/2018 2:25:40 PM

+1 Boost

numbers before seeing the car in person
experience and feel after

mini22 - 7/31/2018 9:36:53 PM

+1 Boost

Of course we cannot drive blindfolded and not get into deep trouble. But lets say for the sake of argument that we could. Numbers then would be totally meaningless. It would all be about the sound and feel. I guess numbers have their place because our culture is captivated by them. Car makers market performance based on them. From a personal level could you be totally happy in driving a Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing when you could easily out accelerate and out handle it in Honda Accord of today. I think you could be very happy and satisfied with the Mercedes. However its the numbers that ultimately still sell the product.

MDarringer - 7/31/2018 10:34:17 PM

-2 Boost

Your thinking is a fallacy. Your premise is that the parameters are mutually exclusive. Take a ride blindfolded in a Shelby Mustang GT350. The sound and feel is amazing but also very much tied directly to the numbers. I'd be happy to blindfold you in a Sagaris but they are much more terrifying when the numbers mesh with the sound with your eyes open.

mini22 - 8/1/2018 11:18:07 AM

+1 Boost

So based on your logic a Ferrari Daytona or a Lamborghini Miura with 0-60 times of 5.4 seconds and 5.8 seconds are inferior drives to Mustang GT350 as that vehicle does 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. I think I'm going to stick with my fallacy thinking thank you.