Horsepower wars and "how much is too much"?

[IceGamer]

It's faster to 150mph either way

And you can do the math. If it goes 0-60 in three seconds and 130 in 12.3...60-130 is 9.3 seconds. Stock dark horse is going to take 11-12 seconds

Not sure where he's getting his information about the Model 3 but maybe he's confusing it with the Mach E, which is a dud on the highway. Or may e his just misinformed about electric cars.

If your numbers are right, I didn't fact check them but I would trust you that you picked some reliable source, then I am wrong.
I never checked any times and my source in this case was what I saw and felt on the Autobahn... The Model 3 performance that I had for 3 weeks was brutal in the beginning, decent going forward but nothing compared to it's initial punch. However, the biggest 'issue' was simply driving on the Autobahn. I had to recharge the car literally every second day and the car couldn't keep up its power for long. Obviously the average speed on the Autobahn is 80mph and I usually go something between 112 and 155 mph and in that environment the car felt slow, especially after 20-30 km it definitely took power away and limited top speed to 112mph...

But I see the issue with my initial statement. Thank you for reminding me that I didn't described the right circumstances I was referring to.

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[robvas]

What year was the one you had? The 2024 is the upgraded one

 

[agreywolfe]

"how much is too much" depends on the tire.

how much is enough? depends really, couple hundred, you dont really need any more than that on a regular basis.

most cars only need enough horsepower to go the speed limit. Torque matters more for them so they can get their slow asses clear of the intersection.

 

[Sofa King]

It's faster to 150mph either way

And you can do the math. If it goes 0-60 in three seconds and 130 in 12.3...60-130 is 9.3 seconds. Stock dark horse is going to take 11-12 seconds

Not sure where he's getting his information about the Model 3 but maybe he's confusing it with the Mach E, which is a dud on the highway. Or may e his just misinformed about electric cars.

Although, at the Ford dealer today (getting another S650), I saw a poster that says the mach e can get an update to fix that (after purchase).

 

[robvas]

Although, at the Ford dealer today (getting another S650), I saw a poster that says the mach e can get an update to fix that (after purchase).

You can't update the pre-2024 models

And even the best 2024+ only traps about 115mph. Could take down a manual 2024+ GT but it's no Tesla.

The non-upgraded 2024 models are still faster than the old Mach E, 107mph traps according to the forums

 

[LouG]

I see this issue like the hyperbike thing. Road bikes reached performance levels beyond the abilities of mere humans. The sheer speed things happen at is beyond the reflexes of most of us. The top MotoGP guys are called aliens for that reason. Now, mid range bikes are becoming a lot more popular because they're not intimidating, and you can actually use full throttle for more than 2 seconds.
I doubt there are many car drivers who can use 800 - 1000hp on the street, probably not on the track either. Drag strips may be a different matter, I have no experience of that.
I'm also not sure we need untrained drivers being able to hit 100kmh in the width of an intersection.
I'm also convinced that the driving ability of the average driver has become a lot worse over the 58 years I've been driving. I never used to see the absolute incompetence that is so common now.
In NZ I blame the dumbing down of driver testing, and the handing it over to civilian driver testing companies such as the AA and Vehicle Inspection companies. I have direct experience of them softening test standards so as to not upset customers that use their other services.
Also the preponderance of "safety" features that many drivers think absolves them from any sort of awareness of what's happening around them.
Lastly, bloody cellphones. "They" could not have invented a device more ill suited to safe driving practice.

 

[Racer57]

As the great philosopher Tim Allen says “ MORE POWER !”

 

[MCS]

At my age, I've been there and done that with cars. I used to be a big BOWTIE FAN. When Chevy bought out the V-8, it was fast, it was fun

I felt this. I've owned 4 Camaro in my life

1978 (350 auto - my first PROJECT CAR)
1979 (350 auto - my first Camaro ever)
1980 (355, Headers, 75 shot of Nitrous, 4 Speed Munci - my "race car")
1986 IROCZ (305 auto - my "poonani magnet"

These were fun years for me. Order was 79 first, 78 second, 80 third and 86 last.

Now that I'm older I thought I would try Mustangs and so had a 21 GT Prem with Roush Phase 2 and now a DH Prem with Whipple. Being a gear head is good.

Now, back on topic. How much is too much. That depends on the person. I'm rolling 810 but I don't track the car. Why did I get it? Because I wanted it and could afford it. It's PLENTY for the street and it sounds glorious.

Are there faster cars? Hell yes. I like to tease my girlfriend that EVERYONE is faster than me. Even that little Hyudanai that rolls by. The truth of the matter is that I'm slower than some, faster than most and I'm okay with that. I've already measured my johnson a few times in my life so I know the pecking order.

 

[robvas]

Easy answer is you need 50 more than the other guy

 

[smithwn]

According to Richard Petty, who lives next door to a friend of mine, ANYTHING over 500hp is a waste and will just get you in trouble.

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