ziegler@lzmi.UUCP (09/02/83)
How can a Spitfire or RX7 outhandle a Corvette when all the magazine tests rate the Corvette superior? That's a good question. Perhaps in the incident I mentioned the RX7 driver was indeed more skilled, although the Corvette appeared to me to have reached its handling limits. I have driven both Spitfires and Corvettes, and my experience tells me that the Spitfire handles better, so I would be suspicious of those tests in the magazines you mentioned. HOWEVER, I MAY NOT BE A FAIR JUDGE OF SUCH THINGS, SINCE I HAVE DRIVEN MY SPITFIRE MUCH MORE THAN I HAVE EVER DRIVEN A VETTE. In general, I give much less credence to magazine tests and manufacturers' specs than I give to my own experience. (And that doesn't just apply to cars.) Also, the tests you mentioned were probably on newer Vettes than the ones I've driven and the one mentioned above, and they've made a lot of improvements recently, so I've been told. In any case, if there's anyone out there who has driven both cars extensively (>1000 miles) I'd like to see your ideas. Anyone else's opinion is worth no more than mine and, like my opinions, is not worth discussing on the net. By the way, let's leave off with the "Eat my dust" remarks. I've already mentioned that they don't impress me and they lend nothing to the brilliance of your repartee. I'd like to discuss driving, not practise flinging epithets. Joe Ziegler ...hogpc!pegasus!lzmi!ziegler
jlilien@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Joel Lilienkamp) (09/05/83)
Does anybody have precise descriptions of understeer and oversteer? I assume that understeer meens the car turns less sharply, and oversteer more sharply, that is desired/expected based on the turning of the steering wheel. Any insight would be helpful.
rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (09/10/83)
I'm a former owner of a Triumph TR250, and a Fiat 124 Spider, and have a fair amount of experience driving some mid-60's Sting Rays and a little in mid 70's Vettes. (I now own a 59 Vette, but let's ignore that for now, it's a little old fashioned). My basic feelings on the relative handling of these cars is: TR250 - Pretty fair handling, in the old British tradition. The IRS didn't work well (TR4 live axle versions are a little better, I think). I'd call the handling more fun than good. My little time in Sptfires gave me the impression that they perhaps handled a little better than the heavier TRs, but the swing axles take some gettin used to, especially on older ones. Fiat 124 - Very good handling, with good balance, tending slightly to understeer. An easy car to drive at its limits, and it was easy to set up controlled 4-wheel drifts. RX7's I've driven have had a similar feel. 60's and 70's Vettes - Heavy feeling, require a lot of effort on the part of the driver. You also have to pay careful attention to your gas pedal work, as throttle plays a crucial role in the handling of these (normal understeer, but proper throttle gives neutral handling and/or overssteer. Very good handling on smooth roads, but tight turns require a lot of work, and ad- hesion on rough roads is not good. In summary, my feeling is that Vettes can handle as well if not better than the others, but are much less forgiving, and are more sensitive to driver input, esp. on throttle. A friend who used to race his Porsche 912 had an interesting comment related to this: He said his 912 (911 with a four-cyl. engine) was easy to race, in that it was engine limited. You gave it all the gas you could, and drove it around the track. The engine couldn't exceed the car's handling limits. With a 911, on the other hand, the extra power made it easy to get in trouble, and the 911 requires greater skill to drive it at its limits. Incidently the car that "felt" as if it handled best was the Fiat. As for my 59 Vette, it has an extremely heavy feel to it, even though its lighter than even an 84 Vette. It understeers, but has a wonderful transition to oversteer with throotle upon exiting a turn. Although primitive, the handling is on a par with other sports cars of the period. In short, not too good handling, but tremendous fun! Also, a great engine (283/270 hp). Bob Schleicher (I didn't mean to go on like this!) ihuxk!rs55611