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Hey! Howdy! Hello!
(I was unable to decide how to greet everyone taking a few minutes to read this award-winning post)
Met up with a very old friend who I had not seen in almost a year. We hung out with some other mutual friends but then wanted to kick it back and try carving the back roads in the area for fun. I had my 2014 WRX and he had his brand new 2016 BMW 340i with him. Well not technically "brand new" but pretty new. Less than 10k miles on it. His was automatic (not DCT since only the "M-series" have them) but it legit was fully loaded with all of the luxury options, creature comforts, and performance options available. He gave me the run down of the numbers and actually admitted that if he wanted to shell out another five grand or so he could have had a base model M3 with nothing on it at all.
So we hit the curves and corners and had a really good time. I drove my car and showed him how good (and responsible) I was. He did not drive my car since he did not want to ruin my clutch and transmission, and I respect that. His previous car was an older e36 (similar to mine) and it was stick but he was never too good at it. I digress. Then I was given a ride in his BMW on the same exact roads. It was fun. Not as fast (we both agreed since it was RWD and he is far from a professional driver) since he was being pretty cautious but still very enjoyable. Then I was given a shot at it. The first five minutes I was very slow and careful. I did my thing and got used to the car. Then I really started to push it. I realized something very quickly; driving my WRX for so long and only occasionally trying out other RWD cars actually made me an over-confident and "worse" driver. I did not crash or anything but there were times where I felt like if I gave the BMW even 5% more power it could be a little issue on my end.
So here is my question: Does the WRX just handle so much better or am I used to it more or does the AWD really mask my mistakes and I am just used to it now? The BMW felt more fun but was slower and a tad scarier. Ever since I got my WRX in May 2014 all other cars I drove for fun or test out were normally on highways or straight roads where handling did not mean anything. This was my first time driving a none-awd car on the "twisties" in about two years.
Second question, which is more of a pop quiz, but should I improve the handling of my WRX this summer? New pads and rotors and better brake fluid? I have the stock set up now, and although it is pretty good, I do think about how much better it could be with aftermarket parts which are stronger and can handle more.
Also, what do you all think about the new BMW three series?
Let me know what you all think!
(side note to the adults)
I have a flawless driving record and have never in my life been in an accident. I know how to be safe and responsible. I will be 23 years old in about a month and have been driving since I was 16 years of age. My experience with driving performance cars ranges but I have serious skill and understanding of how to keep powerful cars under control and when to ease off and call it a day. Do not worry, nobody was in danger nor was anyone or anything in potential harm.
(I was unable to decide how to greet everyone taking a few minutes to read this award-winning post)
Met up with a very old friend who I had not seen in almost a year. We hung out with some other mutual friends but then wanted to kick it back and try carving the back roads in the area for fun. I had my 2014 WRX and he had his brand new 2016 BMW 340i with him. Well not technically "brand new" but pretty new. Less than 10k miles on it. His was automatic (not DCT since only the "M-series" have them) but it legit was fully loaded with all of the luxury options, creature comforts, and performance options available. He gave me the run down of the numbers and actually admitted that if he wanted to shell out another five grand or so he could have had a base model M3 with nothing on it at all.
So we hit the curves and corners and had a really good time. I drove my car and showed him how good (and responsible) I was. He did not drive my car since he did not want to ruin my clutch and transmission, and I respect that. His previous car was an older e36 (similar to mine) and it was stick but he was never too good at it. I digress. Then I was given a ride in his BMW on the same exact roads. It was fun. Not as fast (we both agreed since it was RWD and he is far from a professional driver) since he was being pretty cautious but still very enjoyable. Then I was given a shot at it. The first five minutes I was very slow and careful. I did my thing and got used to the car. Then I really started to push it. I realized something very quickly; driving my WRX for so long and only occasionally trying out other RWD cars actually made me an over-confident and "worse" driver. I did not crash or anything but there were times where I felt like if I gave the BMW even 5% more power it could be a little issue on my end.
So here is my question: Does the WRX just handle so much better or am I used to it more or does the AWD really mask my mistakes and I am just used to it now? The BMW felt more fun but was slower and a tad scarier. Ever since I got my WRX in May 2014 all other cars I drove for fun or test out were normally on highways or straight roads where handling did not mean anything. This was my first time driving a none-awd car on the "twisties" in about two years.
Second question, which is more of a pop quiz, but should I improve the handling of my WRX this summer? New pads and rotors and better brake fluid? I have the stock set up now, and although it is pretty good, I do think about how much better it could be with aftermarket parts which are stronger and can handle more.
Also, what do you all think about the new BMW three series?
Let me know what you all think!
(side note to the adults)
I have a flawless driving record and have never in my life been in an accident. I know how to be safe and responsible. I will be 23 years old in about a month and have been driving since I was 16 years of age. My experience with driving performance cars ranges but I have serious skill and understanding of how to keep powerful cars under control and when to ease off and call it a day. Do not worry, nobody was in danger nor was anyone or anything in potential harm.