I never owned a Dodge Ram 50, but I used one for one of my first paying jobs, well before I was legal to actually drive. It more or less looked like the pictured vehicle, though it wasn’t as bashed; it had the 4G64 four-banger and a five-speed, and as long as I was at work, it was my truck. This would have been around 1997-98, because I had just acquired the 1978 Impala, but hadn’t found the 1979 Caprice that was supposed to be the “parts car” I needed at the time. What do I remember about the little Ram 50? It worked like a mule. I’d spend days cutting up logs and splitting wood, and when I had a bed full I’d have to run them to the woodpile drop-off point and get back to my chainsaw, a drive of about a half-mile. It was easy to operate, simple to use, and was a bucket of fun to beat around on the gravel roads at the site. Often, I’d get warned to quit hauling ass in the little truck.
Today’s Question of the Day is an honest reflection of sorts: do you need power to enjoy the experience behind the wheel? I’ll go on the record right now and say no…but my background in underpowered disco barges is clean and clear. After testing my luck in the Hellcat Redeye a couple of days ago, I can say that having that kind of horsepower on tap should come with a Surgeon General’s Warning on the door jamb. But I’ve had just as much fun, if not more, in a beat-up Chevy LUV that was getting thrashed like a rental with the full walk-away insurance plan in place. Some small cars earn a place at the table for a fun factor. Small little cars that handle well, are comfortable, and have a real manual transmission are an addiction of mine, a guilty pleasure. My roommate’s Saturn SC three-door coupe got used often because I liked the peaky power and the five-speed. The fuel economy wasn’t bad either!
So be honest with yourself for a moment: tons of power is always nice to have, but it isn’t everything. There are other ways to enjoy a good drive, so do you really need an atomic bomb at the tip of the throttle? And what is your recipe of choice?
Most fun car I have driven was a 65 impala 2dr 4 speed with a 327 4bbl. Not terribly fast, but could burn the tires. Not bad mileage if you kept your foot out of it. Comfortable ride. Wish I still had it
Having horsepower really makes me feel safer while driving. “When in doubt throttle out” kinda thing but an S2000 or Miata is a whole lotta fun in a low hp package..
I’ve had some fun with no-horsepower vehicles. Some standouts have included a Triumph Spitfire and 250 cc motorcycles. You always feel like you’re getting away with something if you have to push an engine to its limits just to keep up with traffic, and it’s even more fun if the vehicle weighs practically nothing and responds quickly.
It’s always more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.
I’ve gotten rid of vehicles that were underpowered, simple fact.
I actually have a little rocket sled on rails. My 2010 Mazda 3 2.5i 4 cylinder 5 speed automatic is fun to drive and hammer on. I mean yeah it only has 167 hp and 167 tq, but for what it is, it\’s a fun car and handles like…. well like a rocket sled on rails haha
Helpful hint: Your street car’s engine will spend 99.99% of its driving time spinning below 3000 RPMs.
Second helpful hint: Carving corners is fun no matter what you’re driving.
Third helpful hint: It’s not speed that kills, it’s the difference in speed that kills.
Bottom line: We all love driving powerful vehicles but it’s not absolutely necessary for enjoyment unless you are the jerk who enjoys showing off and making the roads unsafe.
Low powered cars can be fun… if they have a manual transmission. VW Bugs, Corvairs, 70’s era Japanese gas mizers, etc.
Specifically, I drove a 77 Honda Accord hatchback. It had a two speed manual valve body automatic transmission. With 83 hp, it was a gutless turd. I learned to use the handbrake to have more fun. My big sis bought another 77 Accord hatchback that was only different in its color and it had a 5 speed trans. So much more fun to drive than mine.
1996 was the last year I own 4 or 6 cyl car. Don’t care about fuel mileage, just want something that I can downshift and will move quickly! Never even owned a fwd vehicle.
My 76′ Mini is one of the most fun vehicles I’ve ever had, the air cooled beetle I had was an absolute blast too. Off roading can be an absolute riot in a properly built Samurai.