i agree completely... although i would say that you likely dont need more than 100hp, depending on size of the vehicle, haha.. IMHO, I was very happy with my 306hp GS350, i really did not need more acceleration, ever - and it was AWD too... only time when I was missing acceleration was at speeds over 110mph but is that really a need? I dont get to drive often at those speeds.

We are pretty spoiled today... vehicle I genuinely missed speed in was Golf Mk2 D. It had no turbo and it was crazy slow, took years to overtake literally.

 

There is no such thing as too much power.

Now is there too much power in some peoples hands based on their capabilities. Yes and that would include me in a 800hp Ferrari. To me when you get over 500hp to the 600+ range that **** is scary.. Well to me it is on a public road.

So for me it's about context. I'm all for more power.

 

More powerful road going cars now than ever before. Power isn't going anywhere but up

 

I own and have ridden in/driven 1000hp+ cars and yes there is a thing as too much power.

 

Depends on the car. FWD, 400hp is too much. RWD, 600hp is too much. AWD is good to 800hp. My Vantage is rated at 420hp....i think 500hp would be the sweet spot

 

too much power? Yup. Ever see a TT Viper. They can spin the tires at 120 mph. In the end its all about balance. In my opinion I would even lean towards having less power and a better suspension. Balance is key.

 

I think we've reached some kind of practical limit.

I mean look at the mid-size cars with V6. 5-something seconds run times

 

There is definitely a such thing as too much power. The trick is that, as others have mentioned, that point varies wildly based on the application. A lightweight convertible with a flexible chassis will hit the point of too much power much sooner than a large truck meant for hauling heavy loads. For me, my Miata has a decent amount of power for it's size, but I'd still enjoy more. I think all other things being equal, anything up to 300 hp would be enjoyable, but after that point, I think it'd become more of a hindrance than it would be worth. On the other hand, our Mustang with 300 hp feels a bit weak for what it is, though it's mostly a result of poor gearing at low speeds. With it's current setup, I think it'd be better around 450-500 hp, though the suspension might need a rework at that point.

 

It's much more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow...

 

there are folks that are riding around with 1800+ whp lambos. and its becoming more and more common among the well-heeled, power hungry. too much power is very subjective....

and lest you think these folks have garage/dyno queens...the homie Dustin has racked up almost 5000 miles on his Underground 2R Lambo....

 

Yes, its all about where you use the power. Now a 1000hp twin turbo Hennessey Dodge Viper. Way overkill on the street in traffic. You can't use all the power except for maybe 2-3 seconds, then you're going 100+mph, if you can get traction.

On the Autobahn, at the drag strip, at the Texas Mile(standing start to 1 mile race), on a scary, fast, long straightaway road course, well then there is no such thing as too much power. Now getting above 180mph, there is the scary aerodynamic factor, go fast enough and the car will want to take off like a plane(mainly talking about older cars here, all the modern supercars are designed to generate downforce at those speeds to keep them stable)

 

For those cars with insane power more than likely should be relegated to the track. I'm a corner guy, uphill auto crosser for a bit back in the day and found a humble 146 HP rx-7 with modest mods to be MORE than sufficient for cornering. How fast can one go into and through a 40mph curve?
What's funny and I've seen this so many times where kids get there cars plumbed with extra HP but forget that stopping is important too. So they get 500hp with stock brakes. Saw one in a redwood tree once. Nice car, tons of mods easily 350 HP in the Honda and I walk up to see stock brakes. Makes you wonder.
On the other hand once I rode in a Honda civic hatchback and this car was a MONSTER during the auto cross event. Turns out he was a driving instructor! Real cool mellow guy turned in the best times in that event. That car handled like a mag lev on rails. Only 165 HP but the very best shocks/coils adjustables and so forth.

 

This. One of my employees used to DD and track his modified C5. After several years, he sold it and got a modified S2000. He loves the new one WAY more, because he can push it closer to the limit on the track, whereas the Vette just has more power than can be effectively used--even at the track--without getting scary.

 

My car has 445HP, wish it has 100 more.