JG's May Column; Head or Heart

So I'm a bit behind on my reading and finally got to the May issue of GRM.  JG commented on the Corvette being the smart move because it is super competitive BUT he loves his MR2s. Since he asked how we all feel about this dilemma I figured I'd create a post.

So I have my Datsun 1200 that is a blast to drive; even with a proper race engine it would struggle to beat the fastest Minis.  I also have my F500, it's an early Novakar, even if it were SCCA legal it would never be competitive but I do love driving it. I could in theory sell both of those cars and by a competitive F500 for SCCA or a more competitive vintage car.

I always come back to a car I love and here's why. Once upon a time I had a very competitive D-sports racer, set a lap record with it and from an accomplishment stand point it was very gratifying. Unfortunately it required a huge commitment in time and money that week in and week out was more of a job than an enjoyable pastime.

Don't get me wrong, I have an ego, I drive well and I know it but at the end of the day this hobby is supposed to make me happy. So for me I go with the heart.

I read the Head or Heart article and it hit me in the, well, Heart.

I drag raced motorcycles for almost a decade - still have everything except for a tow vehicle to get the trailer with the race bike in it to the track.

Anyway, I raced Buells. I put money into it each year and got a little bit faster at a time. Hundreds here, thousands there.

Yeah, I could have bought a gsx-r and extended swingarm and went SECONDS faster, but I just loved MY bike.

I loved the community, I love the bike(s), everything. I didnt want the 'easy way' out.

Yeah, JG - keep it up, stick with the MR2. But, then again, Im biased. Off to work on my SW20 now (well, after I browse GRM a little more!)

Do I even have to say it? The answer for sundae cup is fit. I choose Rio. Why? Because I don't think. 

In reply to bobzilla :

Yeah I'm running a 1200 instead of a 510 so I get it.

If I used my head I probably wouldn't have any Fords at all. Instead I have 5 and a half (pro-rated for rust) 

In this day and age always go with the heart. There's always going to be something faster that comes along. And the reality is that with these faster machines they are far more capable than we are as drivers. (I'm talking to 0 to 60 and under 3 second category, which is becoming more and more common) 

When the vehicle is more capable than we are, The experience becomes less engaging and it becomes numb because we're just along for the ride. The car is doing what we ask and we don't have a need to will it on to do more. 

Wringing out a vehicle for all that it's worth that uses 80% or more of your skillset will always be more fun. You become fully comfortable and secure in the vehicle's capability, which you know like the back of your hand and you can manipulate the vehicle's response in a predictable and controlled fashion, even at the edge of traction and it's performance threshold. 

We as humans become bored with the comfortable nature and familiarity of what we have mastered, So we in turn seek out a new challenge with greater performance potential. Then when it's not as much fun we lament not having that chassis that fit our abilities and skillset like a glove and in turn felt like we were driving an old predictable friend. 

I like to think I'm a head guy, but I have a garage full of heart to prove myself wrong.

In reply to gearheadE30 :

You have a garage full of stuff that makes you happy...................that's using your head.

I went through this several years ago. I really wanted an E46 M3. It made sense and pushed the right buttons. My head said it was the right car. 

But my heart wanted an air-cooled 911. And my heart won out.

But a few years later, after more depreciation, I scored the M3 as well. 

I have a long term love affair (20 years?) with my 1989 Civic Si, it is now usually the slowest car on track when I do get to take it out (a lot of that is it being driven by the slowest driver in the group.)

At this point almost any modern family sedan is faster but the Si still makes me smile more than any other car I have driven.  My friends turbo Miata being a close contender.

In reply to LopRacer :

'89 Civic Si is a pretty terrific car. Who cares how much horsepower it makes. 

In reply to LopRacer :

I bring my Datsun 1200 to PCA track days that I instruct at and despite my driving the wheels of it I am still the slowest car in the group. 

Same goes for my F500 it's the slowest car in the wings and slicks group at the vintage races.

It doesn't matter because both cars are glorious fun to drive.