McDoodle
Well-Known Member
Took my GT out for the third time today, on a little run up into Shropshire. I'm learning a bit more about it each time I take it out.
It was actually almost dry today so a bit of a new experience. I was pressing on a little bit more at times and it was SO enjoyable - not the most hi-tech of experiences, but all the better for it. You can feel that it's a mechanical thing and you're not being insulated by over-zealous electronics or un-necessary 'sophistication' (for want of a better word). You can feel the road through the front wheels, you can feel the rear through the seat of your pants, you can feel the gears clicking into place through your fingertips - it's a beautiful experience and so rewarding. It's still in 'normal' mode by the way - I want to make sure I have a good feel for the car in it's base setting before I switch to 'sport' or 'race', so that I'll be able to feel the differences.
As I mentioned previously I'm finding it difficult to hit the brake and throttle at the same time while pottering around, so smooth gear changes tend to have to be double de-clutch - the upside is that if you're pottering the massive torque means you don't have to change gear too often. But as I suspected, the harder you're on the brakes the better the brake and throttle pedals align.
Maybe it's because I'm not giving it full bananas, but 1st and 2nd seem to be almost too low geared - I find I'm throwing gears at it very quickly when moving off from a standstill. Also the throttle pedal travel seems too long, maybe this changes when you engage 'sport/race' - I certainly hope so, but it is one of those things that is down to personal preference, so they can't get it right for everyone I guess.
It certainly builds speed very quickly, and in almost any gear (except for top). Very impressive. Tyres I'm not having a problem with. OK, they may not be the ultimate best but they're not bad and you drive to what you have available - so once you have a feel for them you know what to expect.
Steering feels good, if not too sharp - slight understeer seems to be the order of the day, again a function of 'normal' mode I hope.
I'm finding the 'Engine Parameter' displays useful - from cold the 'Oil Temp' and 'Cylinder Head Temp' gauges are invaluable for minimising engine wear as much as possible. The trip computers are useful when pottering or on a motorway run, but bog-all use when the driving gets enthusiastic.
Basically, the more I'm driving this car the more I'm liking it. It looks good, sounds good and makes a memorable experience of even the most mundane trip. Therefore logic would seem to tell us, OMG! .... what must the GT350 be like! F:censored:K I want to try one of those!
It was actually almost dry today so a bit of a new experience. I was pressing on a little bit more at times and it was SO enjoyable - not the most hi-tech of experiences, but all the better for it. You can feel that it's a mechanical thing and you're not being insulated by over-zealous electronics or un-necessary 'sophistication' (for want of a better word). You can feel the road through the front wheels, you can feel the rear through the seat of your pants, you can feel the gears clicking into place through your fingertips - it's a beautiful experience and so rewarding. It's still in 'normal' mode by the way - I want to make sure I have a good feel for the car in it's base setting before I switch to 'sport' or 'race', so that I'll be able to feel the differences.
As I mentioned previously I'm finding it difficult to hit the brake and throttle at the same time while pottering around, so smooth gear changes tend to have to be double de-clutch - the upside is that if you're pottering the massive torque means you don't have to change gear too often. But as I suspected, the harder you're on the brakes the better the brake and throttle pedals align.
Maybe it's because I'm not giving it full bananas, but 1st and 2nd seem to be almost too low geared - I find I'm throwing gears at it very quickly when moving off from a standstill. Also the throttle pedal travel seems too long, maybe this changes when you engage 'sport/race' - I certainly hope so, but it is one of those things that is down to personal preference, so they can't get it right for everyone I guess.
It certainly builds speed very quickly, and in almost any gear (except for top). Very impressive. Tyres I'm not having a problem with. OK, they may not be the ultimate best but they're not bad and you drive to what you have available - so once you have a feel for them you know what to expect.
Steering feels good, if not too sharp - slight understeer seems to be the order of the day, again a function of 'normal' mode I hope.
I'm finding the 'Engine Parameter' displays useful - from cold the 'Oil Temp' and 'Cylinder Head Temp' gauges are invaluable for minimising engine wear as much as possible. The trip computers are useful when pottering or on a motorway run, but bog-all use when the driving gets enthusiastic.
Basically, the more I'm driving this car the more I'm liking it. It looks good, sounds good and makes a memorable experience of even the most mundane trip. Therefore logic would seem to tell us, OMG! .... what must the GT350 be like! F:censored:K I want to try one of those!
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