Handling on the street
10-06-2016, 11:27 AM
#2
10-06-2016, 02:57 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
"Average motorists" aren't driving Corvettes. Truck and SUV drivers don't engage in...spirited motoring. All of my vehicles are designed for spirited motoring. No SUVs here. I enjoy cornering!
10-06-2016, 05:22 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
10-06-2016, 11:02 PM
#9
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Knowing how the car/truck you are driving will react in a given situation is more important. There are corners that I can take in some cars at 60, but my truck can only handle them at 40. All out handling/braking/acceleration really only comes into play in an emergency.
10-08-2016, 01:21 PM
#10
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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To me handling is as important as acceleration on the street. It just lends to the overall feeling of enjoyment driving a nice handling car. I just got back from a nice drive on a pretty deserted road in my Viper that was full of tight turns. It was a blast 
10-08-2016, 01:34 PM
#11
10-08-2016, 01:36 PM
#12
How much do you all think handling really matters on the street? And by that I mean, performance handling like the kind you'd typically use on a race track. Had an argument with someone the other day and they basically made it sound like cars that don't have excellent handling are horrible and anyone would rather have a better handling car. I'm just not seeing it myself. I owned a Buick and a Cadillac in the past (Both from the '90s), neither would be known for their handling and I never had a problem in the years I drove them. I'm sure if I tried to be boy racer taking corners as fast as I can, then it might be more of an issue but I don't get this mindset that cars all have to have this perfect handling for driving on public roads. I get and do partake in the enthusiast's angle on driving, but cars are still basic transportation at the end of the day.
Obviously it's not a real concern for a Vette since they handle great regardless of generation pretty much. I don't even understand where a person even notices their vehicle's handling in day to day driving. I sure don't feel it in my Vette. Maybe if I take a corner at a light without slowing down as much? They talked about how power is something they can't use as much, but handling is every day. I feel like I use power more than I use handling, notably merging on to expressway traffic or something. Contrarily, I can't recall the last time I thought "If only my car had better handling".
Does anyone else think handling on a street car is really that important? I'd be inclined to think if you took a poll of the average motorist it's going to be very low on the list of concerns, considering how many trucks and SUVs I see and neither are known for their handling.
Obviously it's not a real concern for a Vette since they handle great regardless of generation pretty much. I don't even understand where a person even notices their vehicle's handling in day to day driving. I sure don't feel it in my Vette. Maybe if I take a corner at a light without slowing down as much? They talked about how power is something they can't use as much, but handling is every day. I feel like I use power more than I use handling, notably merging on to expressway traffic or something. Contrarily, I can't recall the last time I thought "If only my car had better handling".
Does anyone else think handling on a street car is really that important? I'd be inclined to think if you took a poll of the average motorist it's going to be very low on the list of concerns, considering how many trucks and SUVs I see and neither are known for their handling.
10-08-2016, 01:52 PM
#13
Race Director
It's a complicated question.
No doubt about it, the handling performance of say a Corvette vs a sport compact or something like that makes no difference on the street. Yeah I know the Corvette pulls over 1g on a skidpad and has much higher limits, but reality is, you NEVER get near those limits on the street. Hell, most aren't even getting near those limits ON A TRACK. In the mountains, my buddy and I were tearing it up, him in his C6 and me in my C4, and he said his max G was in the .6 to .7 range that he saw. Neither car were breaking a sweat with it.
What will make a difference on the street is feedback, and steering ratio. Corvettes since the C5 have had terrible steering with virtually no feedback. Some of the steering ratios have been quick, and that make a car feel sportier and better handling.
The bottom line is, performance cars these days have traded actual driving indulgence and pleasure for quantitative numbers that magazines can spout and buyers can brag with, but never approach. The "sports cars" we think of today are really just expensive jewelry that when put on a race track in a pro driver's hands are capable of things that the buyers can't even fathom.
Will handling of a 2500 dually vs a Corvette make a difference? Yes. Corvette vs something like a Mustang or WRX or Focus ST? Not at all.
No doubt about it, the handling performance of say a Corvette vs a sport compact or something like that makes no difference on the street. Yeah I know the Corvette pulls over 1g on a skidpad and has much higher limits, but reality is, you NEVER get near those limits on the street. Hell, most aren't even getting near those limits ON A TRACK. In the mountains, my buddy and I were tearing it up, him in his C6 and me in my C4, and he said his max G was in the .6 to .7 range that he saw. Neither car were breaking a sweat with it.
What will make a difference on the street is feedback, and steering ratio. Corvettes since the C5 have had terrible steering with virtually no feedback. Some of the steering ratios have been quick, and that make a car feel sportier and better handling.
The bottom line is, performance cars these days have traded actual driving indulgence and pleasure for quantitative numbers that magazines can spout and buyers can brag with, but never approach. The "sports cars" we think of today are really just expensive jewelry that when put on a race track in a pro driver's hands are capable of things that the buyers can't even fathom.
Will handling of a 2500 dually vs a Corvette make a difference? Yes. Corvette vs something like a Mustang or WRX or Focus ST? Not at all.
10-08-2016, 04:31 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Be still my heart those are some bad boy machines. If I off my viper I just might have to jump a jet and come ride one of those Atoms.
10-09-2016, 08:52 PM
#15
Turn in and steering feel will go a LONG way to having a more enjoyable car to drive vs just all out numbers.
For instance a Miata or a 350z is MUCH more fun to drive around at 'slow' speeds even just turning down side roads. They feel light and nimble and sharp. The c5 has a very heavy steering feel and isn't exactly razor sharp; or any kind of sharp...yet it handles well and has tons of grip at speed.
It is just another dynamic and an important one. It allows you to have more fun than just the straights. A balanced car is so rewarding to toss around too. Big, lumbering, nose heavy cars can just be unpleasant to drive spiritedly.
If you really can't notice, perhaps cars just aren't for you. Not that you have to drive wrecklessly to have fun, but too many people putz around these cars like it doesn't matter. Just a fancy Cadillac status item.
For instance a Miata or a 350z is MUCH more fun to drive around at 'slow' speeds even just turning down side roads. They feel light and nimble and sharp. The c5 has a very heavy steering feel and isn't exactly razor sharp; or any kind of sharp...yet it handles well and has tons of grip at speed.
It is just another dynamic and an important one. It allows you to have more fun than just the straights. A balanced car is so rewarding to toss around too. Big, lumbering, nose heavy cars can just be unpleasant to drive spiritedly.
If you really can't notice, perhaps cars just aren't for you. Not that you have to drive wrecklessly to have fun, but too many people putz around these cars like it doesn't matter. Just a fancy Cadillac status item.
10-09-2016, 09:24 PM
#16
Safety Car
It really all depends on the driver....... The majority of the driving public has zero clue about spirited driving and what good handling actually is. For those who appreciate a good handling car then I would say it's absolutely paramount to drive something that scratches your itch. I drive a 2013 Audi S4 for daily duty, its a car that does everything quite well, it handles great, is very refined/quiet inside and is pretty quick. I appreciate a car like this for daily duty. Is my Z06 faster and more fun to drive, absolutely but its also loud and crude in comparison. Not a car I can really use for work being on the phone and hauling clients around. I also have a 2015 Yukon Denali as my other daily driver, its used for hauling the family around, hauling stuff for my properties and towing. It's got the magnetic ride and 22" wheels so for a big slug it actually handles well but its still pretty soulless in terms of driving dynamics. Bottom line all that matters is that you feel good about what you are behind the wheel of!!!! Some of us need/want a car that can be driven at 10/10ths and others simply could care less, whatever your choice doesn't necessarily equate to a wrong answer.
10-09-2016, 10:40 PM
#18
Well by that logic nothing needs to handle better than a loaded 18 wheeler as they can navigate the freeway without tipping over. I mean every single vehicle on the road is designed to operate within the speedlimits without just flying into the trees or the wheels folding under.
Why buy a sports car at all? We can only drive within the speed limits and it's illegal to accelerate quickly.
Why buy a sports car at all? We can only drive within the speed limits and it's illegal to accelerate quickly.
10-10-2016, 10:52 AM
#20
Well if one ever decides to drive aggressively in any manner; the answer is still 'yes'.
Despite the fact both cars can navigate an off ramp; one is going to feel better than the other doing it. I don't mind things that inspire confidence.
Despite the fact both cars can navigate an off ramp; one is going to feel better than the other doing it. I don't mind things that inspire confidence.