I think the new Plus Four looks the business and might even take one for a test drive.
But I wouldn’t trade my Plus 4 for one.
The reason is that over my driving career, like others,I’ve spent a lot of my income chasing rainbows. I’ve been lucky enough to buy and run some powerful, scalpel precision cars which gave a great deal of pleasure on one level (owning) but all failed to deliver on another, more important level - the actual enjoyment of driving!
This might sound odd but with 400+ BHP under your right foot, the opportunities to use any Meaningful amounts of that power on public roads round our way is zero. The cars involved (Porsche x 4 Aston x 1 BMW x2) always felt wide on the quieter roads and never really got into their stride. When we went out for a day, I spent most of it worrying about whether some ar5e had keyed the car, broken into it etc.
My Plus 4 with its ladder chassis isn’t the worlds best handler, isn’t over powerful, but every time you drive it you have to actually drive it, and it feels alive at 30 over the moors roads in a way that better sprung, better handling cars just don’t. And I always end up wearing a stupid grin.
The crudity of the Trad is the reason why I like it so much. A better handling CX based car, with it’s more powerful engine, might be less fulfilling to drive because it’s too good. There would be limited opportunities to exploit either the power or the handling. And then I’d be back on the treadmill..I guess after all these years I’ve learned that less is more.
I kind of agree with all the above.. the reason most current Plus4 owners wouldn't swap is the new one doesn't have the very characteristics that enticed the owners to buy in the first place. I dont think it matters too much that it won't be too easy to tinker with, I suspect the future owners of the new P4 won't want to. Those of us that like to get out and get under and take pride in doing all or almost all of our own maintenance are a dying breed. Car drivers of the future won't want to muck about with it as they have neither the desire nor experience of it. Many of us grew up having to do it, now you dont and that has appeal for some. So i'm not surprised most won't change, hang on to what you enjoy. The new Plus 4 is i am sure a fine car, but its different, thats all.
