# No, I don't want to race you.... sheesh **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 1, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979 "2011-06-01T17:00:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/21 "2011-06-02T12:33:49Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Oh, I actually don’t consider my car fast. If I was willing to, I could do 4800 RPM clutch drops and pull something close 6 seconds on a 0-60. Bah… that STILL ain’t fast. > > I like the Challenger (LOVE the Challenger. Want the Challenger. Can go buy one right now, if I want) I am a torque junky. I love torque. I would buy the Challenger in it’s fastest version, in a bright color, but I’ve decided that I am never gonna enjoy it or would enjoy it and risk death. My adrenal glands need to stay narrowly closed. > > My need for earth-twisting torque and massive am’ts of cubic inches gets vetted out on the water with a 502 cubic inch engine (8.2 litres for the metric crowd). Open exhaust through 4" pipes. Arrr Arrr Arrr! > Off to work now! I really like the look of the new Challenger too. Its a _great_ looking car. My neighbor up the street has a bright blue RT model. I have to drive-envy by that thing every morning! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/22 "2011-06-02T13:02:16Z")
griping about transmissions aside, I do feel your pain. I have an SRT-4 (not the abortion based on the Caliber) and for the longest time after I got it, every stupid kid driving a primer-and-fartcan Civic or his mommy’s Camry would pull that shit around me. Or, some other douchespigot who also had an SRT-4 would, upon seeing me, rev several times to make sure I heard the “psssshhh” of his vented blow-off valve. No, froggy, I’m not your buddy just because I bought the same kind of car as you. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/23 "2011-06-02T13:13:43Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > the abortion based on the Caliber Outside of the Pontiac Aztec, I can’t think of an uglier late model car off the top of my head than a Dodge Caliber. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/24 "2011-06-02T13:23:38Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Outside of the Pontiac Aztec, I can’t think of an uglier late model car off the top of my head than a Dodge Caliber. Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke would be a couple off the top of my head. Lincoln MKT. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/25 "2011-06-02T15:18:17Z")
The Juke. Definately the Juke. The back’s not bad, but you walk around to the front and ASAasdsDFGAJRKGJSKILLITWITHFIRE! It looks like a freekin’ bug. And not a Volkswagen bug, either. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/26 "2011-06-02T17:37:13Z")
[Nissan Juke](http://www.prlog.org/10650349-boston-nissan-juke.jpg) - I’m looking at pictures of it, and all I can think is, “What…the hell?” ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/27 "2011-06-02T17:39:08Z")
It’s worse in person…at certain angles, things just get all bulgy…and not in a good way. ---
**Author:** ![born\_too\_late](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@born\_too\_late](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/born_too_late)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/28 "2011-06-02T18:13:15Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > The Juke. Definately the Juke. The back’s not bad, but you walk around to the front and ASAasdsDFGAJRKGJSKILLITWITHFIRE! > > It looks like a freekin’ bug. And not a Volkswagen bug, either. It looks like a futuristic version of the [Family Truckster](http://jsignal.com/b2/media/blogs/all/080512-2.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/29 "2011-06-03T05:42:24Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Yes, autos have been faster at the track for a number of years. A little heavier, but faster. If you are talking about a drag race. The modern 6 and 7 speed automatics will eat their manual counterparts for lunch. You simply can’t shift as fast as an automatic. In addition to speed there is the advantage computers provide such as driver selectable shift points and the ability to “detune” the engine off the line to limit wheel spin. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/30 "2011-06-03T05:55:46Z")
Street racing has killed many innocent bystanders. So it’s a good thing that you don’t partake. Here’s a recent example from my area: > **[Parents mourn death of Santa Clara street race victim](https://www.mercurynews.com/2011/05/17/parents-mourn-death-of-santa-clara-street-race-victim/)** > > Parents mourn death of Santa Clara street race victim ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/31 "2011-06-03T10:59:13Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > The modern 6 and 7 speed automatics will eat their manual counterparts for lunch. You simply can’t shift as fast as an automatic. In addition to speed there is the advantage computers provide such as driver selectable shift points and the ability to “detune” the engine off the line to limit wheel spin. also, it gets difficult for a single-countershaft manual transmission to handle much over about 750 lb-ft of torque. that’s why you see most of these ultra-high-powered supercars have DSG/DCTs or really beefy planetary automatics. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/32 "2011-06-03T11:46:12Z")
Let me bend the collective ear for a sec: Guys please be careful and pay attention, esp where it comes to proper following distance. Commuting in a motorcycle, I pick the fast lane and choose an appropriate speed, it halves the number of locations people can come at me by, and I’m already doing 80 in a 65 zone, so it’s not like I’m holding things up. When there’s someone behind me, I’ll get over and let them pass. The last time I did this, there was a freight-train bearing down and I got over to the middle lane to let it pass…and by freight train I mean: Honda (8 feet ahead of a) Hyundai (8 feet ahead of a) Tahoe (8 feet ahead of a) Toyota (8 feet ahead of an) Avalanche (8 feet ahead of another) Honda all going the better part of 85 miles an hour. I watched this group, as a unit, barrel down the highway and off into the distance. If _anything_ happens, the whole unit is an insurance claim. I can only hope it happens far enough in front of me that I can get out of the way. In a motorcycle, I also have to worry about the under-caffeinated zombie fleet behind me, if they don’t stop in time. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/33 "2011-06-03T11:57:04Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > This thread is about finding an excuse not to race. Really? You feel you owe a complete stranger an explanation? Try this: “Good day, sir. _I said good day._” mmm ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/34 "2011-06-03T12:18:52Z")
^Technically, that would work.^ Realistically, it’s not fun. First, there is the disdain for these racers (esp. the lame ones), and I like to zing them somehow. I owe myself some satisfaction. It’s therapy. I’m a good boy. I don’t even buy the car(s) I REALLY want because I will be tempted far too much. My car is enjoyable, but I have to avoid cars like this [Dodge Official Site – Muscle Cars & Sports Cars](http://www.dodge.com/en/2011/challenger/index.html) … because I don’t know if I can avoid tapping all that HP/Torque. I’m salivating right now. That’s the bigger Hemi @ 392 cubic inches and a little under 500 HP. Crap… I could drive off the lot today in that thing. Hmmmm… I need to stop. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/35 "2011-06-03T12:25:21Z")
Meh, you get used to it. The HARD part is this: When you hoon, do it where it harms no one else, there are no witnesses and you have a full view of the situation…then when you’re done, GET OFF THE LOUDPEDAL. Squirt, 100 million miles an hour, stab the brakes…5 over like a little ol’ bluehair. It’s that last part that’s hard to learn. If your default behavior is law-abiding, then you won’t find yourself going faster and faster than you intend. Also: Spend some time on a track…rent some time in a Kart…take a driving school with SCCA. By doing so, you get to see what _real_ fast is, and then learn you just can’t do it on the street. Once you spend any time driving 8/10ths on a track, you’ll find it’s physically impossible to do more than about 5/10ths on the street and man, that’s no fun. Plus, with that kind of training under your belt, when you find there’s a situation where you DO get in trouble (ice, accident situation, emergency avoidance) you already know what it feels like and how to handle it. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/36 "2011-06-03T12:29:21Z")
FWIW, $1200 tire bills bring your hotrod tendencies under control right quick. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/37 "2011-06-03T13:09:00Z")
Tire bills won’t stop me. I do performance boating. 1200 bucks is few outings on a performance boat. That’s the problem. I don’t look at gas prices, maintenance costs, etc. I am very lucky to be able to afford them all. I’ve done Karts and I’ve done tracks. Nothing on the road is as intimidating as the sea, even when you are boating responsibly. I have the ‘speed bug’. I like power. Big V8 engines… massive am’t of torque, etc. I get my urges out on the open water. No car I can drive will total 8.2 liters with an open exhaust. For now… my dough goes to boating. Jeebus… it ain’t cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/38 "2011-06-03T13:38:09Z")
Then I don’t see where you’d have a problem with a Great Big Hemi…unless you have poor impulse control. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/39 "2011-06-03T14:06:26Z")
My BFF has a Mercedes Benz [SL63](http://www.mercedes-amg.com/#/sl63-overview). He likes to put on his English driving cap, crank Sinatra and motor in a civilized manner. 'tis most difficult not to feel superior as you drive the speed limit with admiring/coveting glances caressing the bodywork of your noble steed.🆒 When we go to dinner or whatever, he lets me drive since he knows I love that car even more than he does. With the top down, we get comments at every light, and occasionally some ricer or knucklehead in a Camaro wants to see “what that thing can do.” As an immature person with poor impulse control, I must admit I enjoy letting the ricers see the back bumper for about 8-10 seconds before slowing it down to a legal velocity. I get fewer takers on my bikes because most folks already know what will happen.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979/40 "2011-06-03T14:11:39Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > Then I don’t see where you’d have a problem with a Great Big Hemi…unless you have poor impulse control. 😃 I have it under control… but fear losing control! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-i-dont-want-to-race-you-sheesh/583979.md?page=3)