Escaped Horses

[230ceBruno]

I saw a Topgear that alluded to the idea that over the years a car looses horsepower and ends up with less than it had when new.

Does anyone know how much that is lost on average within a certain period or how to gauge it.

Doesn't this mean that after a while the classics we keep may eventually not be able to incarcerate enough horses to move the car from stop?

Even, will the car not eventually become counter productive to run even if everthing on it is in good condition?

 

[Blobcat]

I saw a Topgear that alluded to the idea that over the years a car looses horsepower and ends up with less than it had when new.

Does anyone know how much that is lost on average within a certain period or how to gauge it.

Doesn't this mean that after a while the classics we keep may eventually not be able to incarcerate enough horses to move the car from stop?

Even, will the car not eventually become counter productive to run even if everthing on it is in good condition?

Funny that I remember a top gear where they drove a Golf GTI with ~90,000 miles on against a new one and the old one romped away as everything as bedded in. I'm guessing that the one they chose with 90K on had been well maintained and injectors/plugs/leads etc were all in excellent condition.

 

[type49]

In my experience, an older engine that has loosened up is always more responsive that a new one. Maybe they meant old & clapped out. Don't be shy of old & well looked after.