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In Reply to: Cars and Hi-Fi posted by Fear3000 on June 29, 2000 at 04:16:38:
I used to own it -- a 1980 Audi 5000 diesel. All of 69 righteous horsepower; great low-end torque. Absolute observed top speed (with a slight downhill grade)-- 72 mph. Realistic average cruising speed (lightly loaded, average rolling terrain, a/c off): 63 mph. Estimated 0 - 60 time: 20 seconds. However, it had great brakes and cornered quite predictably on Continental contac tires. In the mountains, I could almost make up the lost uphill time during the downhill portion of the run.My next car was a 1987 Mustang GT.
Seeing what you drive, I understand your interest in brakes. The ONLY way to hustle a FWD car around a corner is to trailbrake very heavily to unload the rear tires and hope they slip a little unless you have enough room to go early for the apex and just let the car drift wide. On a road you can't do that; maybe on a track you can. In a FWD car, the only "steering" you can do with the throttle is to make the car run wide when you open it up. RWD offers many more options and thus demands more skill. Not for the faint-hearted.
I used to timetrial a '89 MR2, and played around with an Integra on a track day. The Integra would point into the apex quite nicely with a well timed yank on the handbrake - just keep that button in, or you will have some trouble releasing the brake quickly :) Not recommended for RWD cars, though (especially MR2s and other tail-heavy ones!).JB
I don't race, but I think a FWD car is more challenging to drive fast simply because you have less options. Less options means you've got less margin for error if you get a little out of shape.
Your new moniker?Let me guess... it starts with one of those close to last letters...
> > I used to own it -- a 1980 Audi 5000 diesel. < <Last year, as I was having the GTI serviced, the shop lent be a '81 Benz 240D - *the* slowest car I've ever driven. The thing literally had trouble getting out of its own way!
> > The ONLY way to hustle a FWD car around a corner is to trailbrake very heavily to unload the rear tires and hope they slip a little unless you have enough room to go early for the apex and just let the car drift wide. < <When I aim for the apex, I know you're gonna be at least four feet wide, no matter what I do. [G]
> > RWD offers many more options and thus demands more skill. < <I'm not sure about that, Bruce. FWD and RWD, in a lose sense, demand a different set of skills - both can be very challenging. I also own a RWD also, a Miata, but choose not to run it for various reasons, not the least of which being my desire not to finish last [the class is more competitive in my area].
Best wishes,
Felix
Like something with enough HP to induce power oversteer.In case you were wondering, I bought the Audi because I believed all of the predictions made by then about the price of motorfuel in the future.
It was slightly faster than the 240D.
> > Like something with enough HP to induce power oversteer. < <Wouldn't I love that!! But...it ain't gonna happen in, at least, the next 10 yrs unless someone wants to sell me a BoxsterS for ~$25K. Like I wrote below, it's a matter of balance and driver confidence [not to metion skill], and the Miata is truly a Godsend in that regard. I can honestly tell you that I'm a hell of a lot faster in my GTI than in a friend's Mustang GT for those same reasons.
Best Wishes,
Felix
depending upon the vintage. Mine had go-kart suspension that was easily upset by bumps in a corner. (The IRS in the newest Cobra supposedly fixes that.) Brakes that were completely ineffective at speeds above 75 mph. (Newer versions have better brakes.) The stock GT was fundamentally set up to push. Even with very heavy braking, the back end stayed planted. Of course, the abundant torque from the 5 liter engine could easily break the rear end fee.Not an easy car to drive fast.
On my favorite run thru the mountains of W. Va., I am faster in my current car (SHO) than I was in the Mustang for just the reasons you cite -- and because the brakes are better, now that I replaced the stock brakes with "Baer Claws."
I have read a review of Jackson racing's supercharge setup on the previous generation Miata that was very favorable. Unlike every other Miata bolt-on for more HP, did not have bad driveability characteristics; just a little more power. I think under 7 secs. to 60. I recall it was enough to induce poweroversteer if the pilot chose to.
> > I have read a review of Jackson racing's supercharge setup on the previous generation Miata that was very favorable. Unlike every other Miata bolt-on for more HP, did not have bad driveability characteristics; just a little more power. I think under 7 secs. to 60. I recall it was enough to induce poweroversteer if the pilot chose to. < <Yea, I read that also - with a great deal of interest I might add. The price was pretty reasonable too. I'd like to see how the product works out over time, and then I might very well jump in... I have a feeling the Miata will be in our family for a long time.
Best Wishes,
Felix
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