Driving style changes with vehicles?

[psudaytona]

Not to sound too dumb, but today I was thinking about this.

Has anyone noticed they had to change their driving styles to adapt to a new vehicle?

I remember training to drive on a 93 GMC Jimmy with the Vortec 4300 V6. It was punchy but by no means "really fast".
When I purchased my old daytona with its 2.5L 100HP I noticed I had to be heavier and more aggressive with the peddle just to keep up.

Now I have a V8 200HP and again I find this "transition shock". Its punchy nature makes me now less aggressive with driving I find.

On a good note, I finally understand what I read about V8s on here, other boards, and from other folks in general. They are so much smoother and quieter than I4 engines when not under high load.

I don't think I ever want to go back to an I4, I will gladly pay for the extra gas.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I've noticed it a bit when switching from my older torque-y KA24DE (Nissan Altima) to my Integra which has much less torque, I find myself having to rev much higher and push the pedal harder. But I still get great gas mileage, although it seems counter-intuitive

 

[Shannow]

Every car I drive I drive a little differently.

My 4Runner RV6 feels like a rowing machine you have to change gears so often. Big hills I let it lose speed, as I know it's going to be the difference between hitting the crest at either 25 or 30 km below the limit depending on how I push it.

My Navara TD I drive 1-3-5 most of the time for my normal commute. Big Hills, I give it everything, trying to get over the crest an extra 12-15km over the limit (always getting 10km/l regardless of treatment you tend to enjoy it).

Prius at work, I try to play for th best economy.

Commondores at work...blah. Go hard, but don't handle or inspire.

 

[wander2039]

I notice when I go from our 3.0L Escape to my 2.3L Ranger. The Escape likes to go squeek at stop lights. Wouldn't drive Escape all the time with the mileage it gets.

 

[Lonnie]

The insurance group that crash tests cars did a study that proves your statement. They talked about the difference in driving attitudes based on various cars and how the same driver reacts differently in traffic based on influence from the car being driven. I have ordinary cars and I know this is a true statement because I drive a friend's Ferrari F40 every now and then. I can tell you that I drive that car differently than my 4Runner or Civic.

 

[obbop]

When I jumped out of the 18-wheeler after 5 months on the road and ready to take some time off to harass the locals that itty bitty 1975 Honda Civic felt like a coffin.

Rolling on 13-inch wheels I looked up at everything. T'was 1978 and there were far fewer small ferrin' cars to share the road with.

It did take a bit to cease looking in the outside rearview mirrors to see where the trailer was at while turning corners.

Was pleasently surprised, though, at being able to shift the Honda 5-speed without using the clutch as was done with the "large car."

Did add air horns to the Honda. Loud air horns. Felt emasculated without being able to alert the masses to my presence. When used, others would be alerted and often look my way. Was hard on my male psyche though, when, realizing the source of the trumpeting, those folks would laugh.

 

[Auto-Union]

Go with the flow.

 

[1sttruck]

Yes, driving style changes with vehicles; 3/4 ton turbodiesel pickup with a manual vs Taurus vs Suzki 1100 etc.

 

[Brogy]

Yea I was just noticing that this week. I drove my sisters car, a corolla, and compared to my car, an accord, it felt like a sports car. I was changing lanes more and speeding. In my accord I stick to the right lane and dont speed.

 

[gedcruise]

Why? The Accord would eat the Corolla for breakfast.

 

[TheTanSedan]

It better. Stopping this 8,060-lb Dodge is not to be left to chance.