Accrington Web - View Single Post - Speeding-limiting cars

entwisi · 31-12-2008, 09:43

Few reasons that immediately spring to mind

one, a car that could 'just' do 70 will be slow getting there. There are no limits on acceleration ( and in fact this is what gives a greater thrill than just doing say constant 100 )

if you needed to accelerate at 70 to get out of way of something then you wouldn't be able to.

There are many places where drivers can exceed 70 ( Track Days, Autobahns etc )

Not many people stick to 70 even on motorways ( from someone who spends 2.5 hours a day on them ) and even most traffic plod think 70 is unrealistic in todays cars, 70 was brought in when the average family saloon did exactly what you suggest, about 70-80 top speed, your average family saloon is now capable of 120+ and twice the mpg and god knows teh levels of safety. Then we get into the improvements in brakes, suspension, tyres etc. drive a 2008 basic 1.6 Focus/Astra at 80 then get in a 1960's Austin cambridge and try doing 60, I bet you the latter will feel 1000x more dangerous.

Prestige - like it or not we humans are vain creatures, to some its the latest designer clothes, to some its the biggest flashiest TV, to others its cars, in your world there would be only basic clothing, one size of TV, one type/size of house etc, you soon see how silly it becomes when you apply teh same logic across our whole life.

I can understand that a non petrolhead wouldn't understand it just like I don't 'get' spending hundreds of pounds on a pair of jeans when I can buy perfectly good pair for under 20.

31-12-2008, 09:43	#20
entwisi God Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Up Bash Posts: 7,827 Blog Entries: 3 Liked: 44 times Rep Power: 4389	Re: Speeding-limiting cars Few reasons that immediately spring to mind one, a car that could 'just' do 70 will be slow getting there. There are no limits on acceleration ( and in fact this is what gives a greater thrill than just doing say constant 100 ) if you needed to accelerate at 70 to get out of way of something then you wouldn't be able to. There are many places where drivers can exceed 70 ( Track Days, Autobahns etc ) Not many people stick to 70 even on motorways ( from someone who spends 2.5 hours a day on them ) and even most traffic plod think 70 is unrealistic in todays cars, 70 was brought in when the average family saloon did exactly what you suggest, about 70-80 top speed, your average family saloon is now capable of 120+ and twice the mpg and god knows teh levels of safety. Then we get into the improvements in brakes, suspension, tyres etc. drive a 2008 basic 1.6 Focus/Astra at 80 then get in a 1960's Austin cambridge and try doing 60, I bet you the latter will feel 1000x more dangerous. Prestige - like it or not we humans are vain creatures, to some its the latest designer clothes, to some its the biggest flashiest TV, to others its cars, in your world there would be only basic clothing, one size of TV, one type/size of house etc, you soon see how silly it becomes when you apply teh same logic across our whole life. I can understand that a non petrolhead wouldn't understand it just like I don't 'get' spending hundreds of pounds on a pair of jeans when I can buy perfectly good pair for under 20. __________________ Ian Technical God, No 1 Geek And Linux Guru Have you seen my Flickr pictures?