[cstavaru]

I recently visited US (again) in Seattle, WA. and noticed that even on highways the speed limit is 60mph. Anyone going over 75-80mph would end up stopped by a police car a few miles down the road. In town people were driving so relaxed and polite that going over 40mph would make you feel guilty. If you would accelerate with the slightest agressivity you would turn everybody's heads

So, why do you need more power ? I think the smaller cars/engines from Europe would suit USA just fine...

I must reckon US feels a very safe country from the driving point of view, but in no way would you need more than 110-130hp on a car with a reasonable weight and manual gearbox. What I noticed though is that most cars there are so heavy that they need some big power just to move from a standstill. I drove a brand new 250hp 3.5l V6 Dodge Charger ("high output" engine ? come on... ) and my 115hp Renault Megane would kick its ass in every way.

There are three things that ruin US cars:

1. the weight
2. the use of automatic gearboxes.
3. the suspension (barge-like on every car).

Combine these and you end up needing an enormous amount of power just to drive decently. You can easily outperform a 250hp 3.5l US car with a 100hp 1.4l manual Euro car like a Golf (Beetle).

[trixman]

Wow.

Are you honestly saying 'what's the point in cars that go over the speed limits?'.

I can't comment too much on the US vehicle rant, as I'm in the UK, but from what I've seen recently they have come on leaps and bounds compared to where they were a few years ago (with regards to fuel economy).

[VTECaddict]

I'm not quite sure about your last sentence, but yeah the size and automatic means more power is needed to move cars around decently. It's not really a matter of real necessity, but its more of just bragging rights. Plus with the relatively cheap fuel prices here, it's very conducive to big, heavy, powerful, inefficient cars (and trucks).

Seattle is a pretty tame driving city though. Come to LA. People routinely go 15-20mph over limits, both on the highway and city streets. A lot of highway on ramps here also have short merges, so more power comes in handy to get up to speed faster.

I guess the same question can be directed to you. Why did you buy a 300hp car in a continent dominated by superminis?

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

I'm not quite sure about your last sentence, but yeah the size and automatic means more power is needed to move cars around decently. It's not really a matter of real necessity, but its more of just bragging rights. Plus with the relatively cheap fuel prices here, it's very conducive to big, heavy, powerful, inefficient cars (and trucks).

Seattle is a pretty tame driving city though. Come to LA. People routinely go 15-20mph over limits, both on the highway and city streets. A lot of highway on ramps here also have short merges, so more power comes in handy to get up to speed faster.

I guess the same question can be directed to you. Why did you buy a 300hp car in a continent dominated by superminis?

Ah, but we have 300bhp superminis !!!

Being serious for a sec, the average driving speed in Europe is a good deal higher than in the US. Couple that with the availability of the autobahn in Germany, having a higher powered car can be justified. Ultimately however, no one needs 300bhp, or 400bhp or whatever the latest huge figure is. There is a bit of a cultural difference though - as you have rightly said, a lot of the power-craze in the US is due to bragging rights... over here, people care less about what power their car has, and more about the brand of the car !!

Cultural differences....

[clark192]

DING DING DING. You hit the nail on the head there.

American manufacturers (or foreign brands with US branches) have determined that us Americans need more space. Space = larger cars, and larger cars = more weight. Then, we all need to feel like we can get somewhere fast, so in order to power these heavy cars, we need bigger and stronger engines. The US in unlike europe in that we have more open spaces and can accomodate the larger cars without issue. So, in the end, we have a heavier, larger, more powerful car which suits the majority of the public just fine.

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by clark192

DING DING DING. You hit the nail on the head there.

American manufacturers (or foreign brands with US branches) have determined that us Americans need more space. Space = larger cars, and larger cars = more weight.

But why do americans need more space than Europeans inside cars ? In the USA way more people drive alone in the car compared to my country, for example.

[TurboBimmer]

And at the doomsday of the world economy, americans finally realize that "smaller", more economic cars aren't that bad after all

[cstavaru]

Oh, I think Obama noticed too

http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...ance-cars.html

[roho3323]

Thanks for the history lesson.

Until this post, I thought only BMW,Mercedes, Audi, Porshce, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Ford, Volvo, GM, Bentley, VW, Bugatti, and Land Rover made fast high-horsepower cars ONLY for the US.

Thanks for sharing

[clark192]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

But why do americans need more space than Europeans inside cars ? In the USA way more people drive alone in the car compared to my country, for example.

No idea, you have to ask the auto manufacturers that. Apparently someone somewhere who makes decisions thinks this is how it is. Not that I am complaining, mind you. Its not like our bimmers are good for seating 5 grown men comfortably

[Potty_Pants]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

But why do americans need more space than Europeans inside cars ? In the USA way more people drive alone in the car compared to my country, for example.

We're bigger then most other people... and im not just talking about the whales either.

and in regards to the suspension comment... our roads here suck so they have to put the crappy suspension on the cars.

Now regarding the high weight and HP cars, we gotta have the fastest, biggest, cars possible... we're gluttons oink oink "pig and a poke".

for a few its about 0-60 so doing 75-80 isnt a concern , But i hear your comments. if you consistantly do 75-80 in some areas its a safe bet you'll get ticket(s).

just a different country with different things. If america was the same as your country would there be any reson to travel here ?

ppp

[vgame64]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

I recently visited US (again) in Seattle, WA. and noticed that even on highways the speed limit is 60mph. Anyone going over 75-80mph would end up stopped by a police car a few miles down the road. In town people were driving so relaxed and polite that going over 40mph would make you feel guilty. If you would accelerate with the slightest agressivity you would turn everybody's heads

This is part of the double standard in this country...it's okay if they are speeding, but when you speed near their home they get

So, why do you need more power ? I think the smaller cars/engines from Europe would suit USA just fine...

People want to flex their muscles via their car in the US. Also we need all that power to move all that weight from safety features that would protect us from an asteroid collision. Don't forget, nearly any American idiot can get a license.

I must reckon US feels a very safe country from the driving point of view, but in no way would you need more than 110-130hp on a car with a reasonable weight and manual gearbox. What I noticed though is that most cars there are so heavy that they need some big power just to move from a standstill. I drove a brand new 250hp 3.5l V6 Dodge Charger ("high output" engine ? come on... ) and my 115hp Renault Megane would kick its ass in every way.

I don't feel safe...no road discipline at all. And the BMW 120d I drove in Germany would spank ~80% of American cars

There are three things that ruin US cars:

1. the weight
2. the use of automatic gearboxes.
3. the suspension (barge-like on every car).

Americans tend to like a very smooth ride...and our highways are mainly straight and most drivers take turns on local roads at 5 mph, so the barge suspension is perfect.

Combine these and you end up needing an enormous amount of power just to drive decently. You can easily outperform a 250hp 3.5l US car with a 100hp 1.4l manual Euro car like a Golf (Beetle).

Well thanks for pointing out how retarded this country is in terms of its driving system. As I said, between most Americans not knowing how to drive manual, most American cars needing enormous safety features because anyone get can a license and anyone can sue, and Americans love of all things large (SUVs vs wagons), we need a lot of power. We are a country formed by rejects from other countries, but it's the best damn place in the world.

When gas prices increase for us, I am sure we will start to learn that bigger is not always better.

[ZBMW]

I think all your comments and questions get validated or answered by the bankruptcy of Chrysler and, this AM, General Motors.
Ford, which makes a lot of small cars in Europe, is doing ok and seems likely to weather the world wide economic problems.

[chumley]

I'm not defending it, but alot of it comes down to culture and lifestyle differences between us. Europe has 1000x better public transport, and the geography makes for much shorter travel distances. Limited space, much narrower legacy roadways in mature cities and significantly higher fuel costs force people into that choice. If Europe was 3x the size it is with no meaningful rail or bus system that transcended borders and fuel cost $.60 liter you think everyone would be driving micro-sub-compacts out of some higher social conscience? Ha! - Not likely.

As someone who is guilty of having the wife drive an MDX (a thirsty tank), it's hard to put your kids sub-compact when you share the road with 50 million other people in giant suv's. When they switch I'd be happy to.

Also - I don't think cars have to be small to be efficient, but building a larger car using light-weight materials just costs alot more. Doesn't mean it can't be done.

[thegeneral101]

come to Miami if you think everyone drives at 60mph....i've seen people going 80 pass cops and not get stopped. Its nice to have the power for merging and passing....its also in our culture from the muscle car era (1970 Chevelle SS 454 anybody??)

[Zeph]

I couldn't agree with OP any more... that is why I drive a BMW and not some crappy American rust bucket. I love the USA, served in the military, and wave my flag/s. But I am not an idiot either, and I have class (style). American cars just aren't as nice, refined, stylish, etc. as the foreign cars. And you are EXACTLY right, they are too big, too heavy, and handle like crap. That is why so many of us love to have our Japanese/European 4 and 6 cylinder cars and run circles around many of these loud and annoying V8 cars. I am not old fashioned, I like new and innovative. Amazing how the American car companies are having trouble

As far as speed goes, try driving through Alabama sometime We have 70 mph speed limits and most people (on average!) are going about 85 or so down the interstate. This is the home of Talladega Plus we have drag strips and road tracks all over the place. Interstate 459 is the "Birmingham Raceway" because so many people race top-end there. The best part is that we have about 5 billion Rustangs running around who all think they are the fastest car ever! They are fun to race, so loud and obnoxious, with their cowl hoods and crap Let's just say I haven't lost to one yet

[Andras]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

But why do americans need more space than Europeans inside cars ?

Because obesity is pandemic in the US but just a minor issue in Europe.
And it's not my point of view, it's statistics.
Which is much worse than an italian dude's point of view

[Zeph]

Originally Posted by Andras

Because obesity is pandemic in the US but just a minor issue in Europe.
And it's not my point of view, it's statistics.
Which is much worse than an italian dude's point of view

ya but you will see 3 fat chicks climb out of a Hyundai and watch the car lift up like 4 inches lolz

[dannygenio]

Because there are people like me who doesn't give SHIT About the COPS!!!.. YEA... I am RICH

[DR_E92]

Originally Posted by Andras

Because obesity is pandemic in the US but just a minor issue in Europe.
And it's not my point of view, it's statistics.
Which is much worse than an italian dude's point of view

+1

lots of fat ppl in the US coupled with not knowing how to drive properly

[lawdude]

From a 2007 Top Gear Survey:

". . . nearly every category sees a badly-built, unreliable European banger at the bottom."

http://www.topgear.com/content/carsu...ures/07/1.html

[Zeph]

hehe, good read I don't see my categories though: fun to drive and hauls ass! But I like my luxury too. My 350z was the "touring" ediition with leather heated seats and the upgraded stereo with 6 disk in-dash CD player. Unfortunately if was a bit of a piece of shit and looking back it was a plastic rattle box. Now I have a 335i. Perfect combo for me, just wish the HPFP was more solid.