Generation game
Posted by Dan Read at 2:50PM on Thursday 25 September, 2008 0 Comments
Earlier this week, I invented a new game. It's called the Generation Game. OK, so Brucie will probably be on the phone in ooh, minutes, to sue my arse. But I'm claiming it as my own.
Cos it's got a car theme, see. So it's mine.
Anyway, I got my inspiration on the launch of the Subaru Forester boxer diesel. You can read the first drive in the next issue of Top Gear Magazine, so I won't spoil it for you too much.
But it goes like this: Subaru kindly let me have a blast in an old Forester, right after I'd stepped out of the new one (at least, I think they knew about it - the car was just sort of there, with the engine running...).
And after traveling precisely three metres, I instantly knew it was better. Better to drive, more pleasing to look at, less burdened by NCAP/Health and Safety/Pedestrian Impact rubbish.
Turn in was sweeter (no electric power steering here), response was sharper, and the whole thing felt more involving.
Seems the new car, like many others, was over-engineered, heavier and generally more insipid than its older relative.
It has far too much interference between you and the road.
Which got me thinking. How many old-generation cars are better than their new replacements? Take Peugeot for example. I'd have a 205 GTI over a portly 207 any day. And Mazda. For cheap thrills, the Mk1 MX5 beats the Mk3.
And what about VW? Does the current Golf GTi really excite you as much as the Mk2 16v? It shouldn't.
Of course, some new cars are just phenomenal.
Ferrari nailed it with the 430 (better than 360, no question). And Jag did it with the XF (not even a hint of S-type). But, for me, a lot of the old-timers still have it.
What do you reckon? Wanna play my game? Give it a go, and let us know your thoughts.
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