Feel like my car doesn't suit me...

[KTZ]

Hey guys, sup ? I create this thread because i'm going through a kind of slump atm. I've bought my first hothatch this July. It is a Megane R26 F1 Team, 230bhp, cup chassis, recaro seats, LSD, blablabla...
I've always dreamed of an S2K but i also quite like the Meganes because of their performance which is why i bought one (main reason was mostly $$). It's now been roughly 5 months that i own this car and tbh i feel like it doesn't suit me AT ALL. It's powerful, got tons of grip but i can't enjoy it, i feel like something is missing, i'm not connected to my car at all... It's like if it wasn't telling me anything, it just runs quick and that's it. I didn't drive it for 3+ weeks and i didn't feel the need to but i still decided to take it for a drive since i wanted to get out a bit but then again, nothing really connects me to it. When i browse youtube, i often watch S2K videos, just the VTEC sound gets me ON ! It seems envious, monstruous. I think i enjoyed it a bit more when i drove it yesterday, maybe i'm not used to it enough since it's not my daily drive but yet i feel more enjoyment driving my daily 98bhp megane mk1 coupé...
Maybe the fact that it's a turbocharged engine makes me quite bored of it cuz it doesn't need you to work it up as much, idk... I need your help guys ! Share you thoughts, tips or anything

 

[synchromesh]

sup

Is there a car you've been into since you were a kid? Hot hatchbacks, wagons... ?

 

[KTZ]

Not really but when i was a kid i used to have this kind of toy (http://static.greenweez.com/images/products/17000/280/puky-voiture-racer-rouge-pour-enfant.jpg) which i used to call "Ma Mégane" haha. It's quite weird tho, seems like Renault almost made this car for me since i kept mentioning its name since i'm a kid but yet this car doesn't match me apparently ^^

The type of car that gets me on though are the radical cars such a Lotus Exige/Elise, NSX/S2K (i quite like the Supra MKIV aswell because of its looks). I was expecting to get as much by buying this R26 but it's so effortless that it's almost unrewarding, you need to push it to its very limits to get some reward apparently. Almost feels like a flying saucer

 

[TheCracker]

I was expecting to get as much by buying this R26 but it's so effortless that it's almost unrewarding, you need to push it to its very limits to get some reward apparently. Almost feels like a flying saucer

Well there's your problem. A harder core version of an already hot hatch is bound to only really come alive when it's pushed to near its limits. If you are not pushing it on a frequent basis, you're only left with an overly stiff hatchback, probably with an obstructive differential in regular driving. You'll probably get more enjoyment from an Elise or S2000 in more normal driving conditions, but they'll be less flexible as a daily-driving car than a hatchback. Why not try a Civic Type-R? You still get the hatchback practicality, but the with the high-revving nature of the VTEC.

 

[synchromesh]

Well, what other cars do you like that are in your price range?

Also, Miatas are a thing.

 

[KTZ]

Well there's your problem. A harder core version of an already hot hatch is bound to only really come alive when it's pushed to near its limits. If you are not pushing it on a frequent basis, you're only left with an overly stiff hatchback, probably with an obstructive differential in regular driving. You'll probably get more enjoyment from an Elise or S2000 in more normal driving conditions, but they'll be less flexible as a daily-driving car than a hatchback. Why not try a Civic Type-R? You still get the hatchback practicality, but the with the high-revving nature of the VTEC.

Yeah, i need to push it 24/7 to find its limits then i'll enjoy it but there isn't many winding roads near where i live and i'm not interested by taking it on track (someone could collide into me or smth). But the steering is too light and so is the clutch and the gear lever. The gas pedal is also a bit deeper than the brake which prevents me from doing heel/toe unless i brake really firmly.

The first car i wanted was an S2K because of its outrageous behavior, and it's for me close to the R26 in terms of grip/performance. When i drive my daily car i'm really pushing my car like a maniac. If you'd see how mad i drive my daily car you'd call me a freak haha (scared several people multiple times), but what i love the most is outperforming more powerful/better cars in corners with its slight corner entry oversteer .

I'll try to drive it more frequently and to push it a bit more time after time to reach its limits and enjoy it to its fullest Its cornering performance is known to be amazing but i haven't been quick enough to experience it yet

Well, what other cars do you like that are in your price range?

Also, Miatas are a thing.

Well, i bought my MRS for 10 800 €. My max budget at the time was roughly 12K€. If i would have waited until next february i would have been able to save 3-4k€ more and even maybe 6k€ if i'd have waited until april/march. But it still wouldn't have been enough for an AP2 S2K...
Yeah, i thought of Miatas aswell but i ended up forgetting about it a bit since i only thought of an S2K/MRS back at this time.
Atm i have 1.5k€ of saving on an other bank account and i'll save 1.5k€ in the upcoming months. My actual budget would be 12-13k€.

 

[VXR]

Well, you definitely have bought the wrong car if you don't have any winding roads near you. I've driven an earlier 225 Cup briefly and that thing was so stiffly suspended it was my most abiding memory. The one moment I got to wring it out though, it felt really good.

For everyday thrills, cheap, lower-powered RWD or pointy, lightweight FWD is the way to go.

 

[homeforsummer]

As above, there are a few factors at play here.

Modern hot hatches are incredibly competent, dynamically. Most of them are excellent fun too, but only if you're prepared to work for the rewards. Even some of the seemingly "boring" ones come alive when you're really on the edge of its grip and balance limits, when you start to feel like you're working the tyres and there's some good feedback coming back through the controls.

Unfortunately, because many of them behave like this you're usually doing quite illegal speeds to get the most from them. And the rest of the time, they feel just like what they actually are: family hatchbacks. Only stiffly-sprung ones that only do 30mpg.

In general, it seems you're discovering something many of us have found out: you're getting much closer to your daily driver Megane's limits, with its less sophisticated suspension, tyres, chassis etc, and an engine you have to work harder. In other words, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slowly.

You'll probably get more "daily" enjoyment from a car like an S2000 or MX-5, possibly at the expense of a degree of outright competence - a Megane R26 will absolutely dust an MX-5 or a standard S2000 down a twisty road or on a track with a half-competent driver at the wheel. One of the reasons I drive an MX-5 is for the feedback and balance at normal speeds, rather than its behaviour flat-out or its performance.

 

[KTZ]

Well, you definitely have bought the wrong car if you don't have any winding roads near you. I've driven an earlier 225 Cup briefly and that thing was so stiffly suspended it was my most abiding memory. The one moment I got to wring it out though, it felt really good.

For everyday thrills, cheap, lower-powered RWD or pointy, lightweight FWD is the way to go.

there is a few but they're not tight enough, not enough technical neither. I once drove on a road which has a nice succession of corners and i did push it like i could (didn't really know the car so i didn't push it nowhere near what it's capable of) and i managed to get the rear to slide since i trail braked into a corner. It felt good, it was progressive and easy to handle and the LSD allowed me to floor it and to literally pull away like a blast. I don't really think that i've bought the wrong car but i think i just need to learn how to enjoy it and to get better in order to push it at its limits, otherwise i'd be really ashamed of myself, i don't want to give up on it.

As above, there are a few factors at play here.

Modern hot hatches are incredibly competent, dynamically. Most of them are excellent fun too, but only if you're prepared to work for the rewards. Even some of the seemingly "boring" ones come alive when you're really on the edge of its grip and balance limits, when you start to feel like you're working the tyres and there's some good feedback coming back through the controls.

Unfortunately, because many of them behave like this you're usually doing quite illegal speeds to get the most from them. And the rest of the time, they feel just like what they actually are: family hatchbacks. Only stiffly-sprung ones that only do 30mpg.

In general, it seems you're discovering something many of us have found out: you're getting much closer to your daily driver Megane's limits, with its less sophisticated suspension, tyres, chassis etc, and an engine you have to work harder. In other words, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slowly.

You'll probably get more "daily" enjoyment from a car like an S2000 or MX-5, possibly at the expense of a degree of outright competence - a Megane R26 will absolutely dust an MX-5 or a standard S2000 down a twisty road or on a track with a half-competent driver at the wheel. One of the reasons I drive an MX-5 is for the feedback and balance at normal speeds, rather than its behaviour flat-out or its performance.

Totally agree with you, i still think i'd prefer an S2K (RWD & VTEC ). But i quite like my RS tho, i'll keep practicing on it but i'll end up buying an AP2 S2K one day or another if possible (or any other lightweight screaming beast). But, what you're saying is actually quite useful, it helps me to see things differently. I thought that my actual driving would be enough to have fun with this car but you made me realise that i need to step up my game a notch. I'm kind of rejecting my unability to get the best out of this car therefore i end up thinking it's because the car isn't enjoyable enough for me. I just didn't get the point until then yet. I thought that i was better than i really am, you opened my eyes big time there. I totally agree on the fact that an S2K/MX5 would give me more daily enjoyment because of their feedback and balance at normal speeds, they're "raw" cars, unlike my RS ^^

 

[VXR]

If you're not going to get much chance to wring it out, an S2K would possibly feel quite ordinary? Anything peaky is not going to be at its best at town speeds and could feel just as wasted as your RS is?

 

[KTZ]

If you're not going to get much chance to wring it out, an S2K would possibly feel quite ordinary? Anything peaky is not going to be at its best at town speeds and could feel just as wasted as your RS is?

Indeed. I may take it to the ring then since it's only two hours away. What you're telling me is that i need to take it somewhere where i can really push the car innit ?

 

[homeforsummer]

I do think you're missing out to a degree by not wanting to take the car on a track day. Of course, there's always the risk of something going wrong, but that risk exists on the road too. Everyone is going the same direction on a track (all things being well...) so in theory it's easier to avoid people. And you'll be up at the car's limits far more frequently and for far longer than would be safe on the road.

 

[Hayden]

What you're describing is pretty much the problem that gave birth to the Toyota GT86. Properly fast cars aren't fun on the streets because you need to be going way beyond the speed limit to actually push the car.

Realistically you have two options. Go to a track, or buy a car with a more accessible limit. If you're only two hours from the Nurburgring than stop reading this, get in your car and go! I've driven far further than that for a plain old autocross event! I'd (figuratively) kill for a chance to drive a car like your Megane there!

If you're certain that's not an option, than getting into something with a lower threshold is definitely a good idea. Trying to find the limit in that Megane on a public road could end very, very badly.

For your budget, the S2k would be absoloutly top of my list. But I would seriously recommend taking the Megane to a track day before giving up on it. It's an awesome car mate, give it a chance to prove itself the way Renault intended!

 

[KTZ]

I do think you're missing out to a degree by not wanting to take the car on a track day. Of course, there's always the risk of something going wrong, but that risk exists on the road too. Everyone is going the same direction on a track (all things being well...) so in theory it's easier to avoid people. And you'll be up at the car's limits far more frequently and for far longer than would be safe on the road.

I'll look to take it on the nurb as soon as winter ends

What you're describing is pretty much the problem that gave birth to the Toyota GT86. Properly fast cars aren't fun on the streets because you need to be going way beyond the speed limit to actually push the car.

Realistically you have two options. Go to a track, or buy a car with a more accessible limit. If you're only two hours from the Nurburgring than stop reading this, get in your car and go! I've driven far further than that for a plain old autocross event! I'd (figuratively) kill for a chance to drive a car like your Megane there!

If you're certain that's not an option, than getting into something with a lower threshold is definitely a good idea. Trying to find the limit in that Megane on a public road could end very, very badly.

For your budget, the S2k would be absoloutly top of my list. But I would seriously recommend taking the Megane to a track day before giving up on it. It's an awesome car mate, give it a chance to prove itself the way Renault intended!

I always loved Renault and their sport cars have always been 🤬 quick ! I won't give up on it, i just need more room to use it to its full potential. I'll take it to the nurb as soon as winter ends
But then again, i totally agree that taking a car to its limits on public roads is quite risky. I did push my daily car to its limit numerous times and there's been a few times when it could have ended up quite badly but thanks i'm cold blooded ^^'
I'll record my lap(s) on the nurb with my gopro and i'll post them on gtp

 

[lpb-nissan-gt-r]

Get a clio 182 trophy brilliant fun at speeds just below the limits And above if you intend.

 

[Exorcet]

Yeah, i need to push it 24/7 to find its limits then i'll enjoy it but there isn't many winding roads near where i live and i'm not interested by taking it on track (someone could collide into me or smth).

Is autocross an option? You would be alone on the track and less likely to be near walls. I agree with what others have said, the car you have wants to be on a track.

 

[KTZ]

Is autocross an option? You would be alone on the track and less likely to be near walls. I agree with what others have said, the car you have wants to be on a track.

They managed to change my mind, i'll defo take it to the Nurb since i'm only two hours away from it
When i first bought it i thought to take it on track but as i'm a bit paranoid i often end up about bad things...

 

[TheCracker]

They managed to change my mind, i'll defo take it to the Nurb since i'm only two hours away from it
When i first bought it i thought to take it on track but as i'm a bit paranoid i often end up about bad things...

The Ring might not be the best place to have your first track day (assuming you've never been on one before) Too many corners to learn, a lot of adverse cambers and very little run off area as well as possibly dealing with bikes and coaches on track too means The Ring isn't the best place to learn the outer limits of you and your cars abilities. Even Spa Francorchamps, which is probably a similar distance away from you, would be a better location. 👍

 

[KTZ]

The Ring might not be the best place to have your first track day (assuming you've never been on one before) Too many corners to learn, a lot of adverse cambers and very little run off area as well as possibly dealing with bikes and coaches on track too means The Ring isn't the best place to learn the outer limits of you and your cars abilities. Even Spa Francorchamps, which is probably a similar distance away from you, would be a better location. 👍

Yeah but someone i know has told me that there is a lot of people during the weekends but not during week days. I was planning on going a tuesday/wednesday or smth. But yeah, i know the corners since i spent loads of hours driving on it on gt6 but real life is defo different haha. I'll get a look at Spa aswell then, probably not that much further.