pauldan@hou2e.UUCP (P.SAUNDERS) (03/01/85)
It seems to me that more than one netter has responded to the "Starion Challenge" with the Laser/Daytona: >> I challenge >> you to find ANY American car that would match these features for this >> price [$15,000]. >You're on... the Chrysler Laser/Dodge Daytona are quite comparable, >at a considerably lower price tag -- I paid 12 grand for my loaded >(many would say overloaded for a performance car :-) Turbo Daytona. Well, I've test-driven both cars and bought neither, so here's my semi-objective two-cents worth... The Laser (turbo, of course) is no match for the Starion. It has considerable turbo lag, and a lack of midrange power. With the turbo and engine both revved up, power is good, but the engine is not happy- and it lets you know this with a loud, rough noise. Of course, *no* turbocharged car is without turbo lag; even F1 racers are afflicted. The idea is to compensate for it. The Starion hides its turbo lag effectively by using a 2.6L engine with good midrange power- the Starion's engine does not *rely* on the turbo for power. And even at 2.6L, it's one of the smoothest 4's I've driven. (Admittedly, the 2.6 will swallow more fuel than the Laser 2.2 -- you don't get somthing for nothing!) I found the steering response on the Laser to be quite heavy and slow; of course, it's difficult to compare a FWD car to a RWD car, since they have completely different handling characteristics. The Starion was about as nimble as one would expect for a car of it's weight (as I recall, close to 3000 lbs.). The Laser, having a fairly cushy suspension, offers a fairly smooth ride compared to the Starion. One of my major complaints with the Laser (one which may seem petty to some) was the shift linkage. I don't know about other drivers, but I don't enjoy playing "Guess the Gear" when I'm driving. I know, I know- FWD has inherent difficulties in this area. Fact accepted, but come on, guys, this was REALLY BAD! The shifter had more lateral play in third gear than most cars have in neutral! I'm sure that with practice one could learn to miss fewer gears while driving this car, but it's not my idea of a good time. Other petty complaints of mine have to do with the Laser's interior: a lumbar inflator bulb with no apparent place to stash away nicely; a silly mesh net between the backs of the two back seats, which must be removed to fold down one of the seats; blah blah blah ad infinatum. Not to be completely negative about the car- I think that it's better looking than the Starion, and visibility is a whole lot better too. And I wouldn't put my worst enemy in the Starion's "back seat". Please note that both of these cars were '84 models, so things may have changed. But in my mind, the Starion is one of the best values on the market. Dan Masi AT&T Bell Laboratories Holmdel, NJ Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author alone. (who else would want them?)