Slow Car Fast VS Fast Car Slow
06-27-2017, 04:01 PM
#21
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I actually do own both of those cars. A lightly modded WRX and a bone stock C6 GS. I can't say I prefer one or the other. I love driving both.
Ironically the GS gives me more enjoyment on the tight mountain back roads due to its handling balance and incredible grip rather than its speed. It has a lot of power, but it comes on very smoothly and the engine doesn't rev freely like a small displacement 4cyl does so you have to give it real deliberate blips for heal/toe rev matching. This car is not my favorite highway cruiser either. But on the tight technical backroads though, it's pure joy. Living in the mountains, I like the low end torque also. Really, for the kind of driving I do, this car needed nothing but tires. It has good trans gearing, plenty of torque and plenty of grip.
Even though I know it's slower, the WRX 'feels' quicker on the highways and big sweepers due to the turbo and ironically due to the lack of low end torque. You get nothing off the line and then it punches you hard when the boost kicks in. It's the same way on the highway when you punch it to pass someone. It's addicting. That engine just loves to rev too. I love heel/toe rev matching in that car. It's not too bad in the handling department with just sway bars and wide 255mm performance summer tires, but it understeers when you push it hard in the tight corners. It the less tight and technical stuff AWD lets you stomp on it in the corners like a FWD to pull you through. The AWD with snow tires is a blast in the snow too.
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Ironically the GS gives me more enjoyment on the tight mountain back roads due to its handling balance and incredible grip rather than its speed. It has a lot of power, but it comes on very smoothly and the engine doesn't rev freely like a small displacement 4cyl does so you have to give it real deliberate blips for heal/toe rev matching. This car is not my favorite highway cruiser either. But on the tight technical backroads though, it's pure joy. Living in the mountains, I like the low end torque also. Really, for the kind of driving I do, this car needed nothing but tires. It has good trans gearing, plenty of torque and plenty of grip.
Even though I know it's slower, the WRX 'feels' quicker on the highways and big sweepers due to the turbo and ironically due to the lack of low end torque. You get nothing off the line and then it punches you hard when the boost kicks in. It's the same way on the highway when you punch it to pass someone. It's addicting. That engine just loves to rev too. I love heel/toe rev matching in that car. It's not too bad in the handling department with just sway bars and wide 255mm performance summer tires, but it understeers when you push it hard in the tight corners. It the less tight and technical stuff AWD lets you stomp on it in the corners like a FWD to pull you through. The AWD with snow tires is a blast in the snow too.
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True kind of like that sensation of acceleration could be greater in a slower automatic vs a faster auto trans, since when you clutch in the acceleration stagnates for a second and then picks up again and you get that feeling of acceleration all over again which in my opinion is why ill never by an automatic sports car
06-27-2017, 04:06 PM
#22
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06-27-2017, 04:17 PM
#23
True kind of like that sensation of acceleration could be greater in a slower automatic vs a faster auto trans, since when you clutch in the acceleration stagnates for a second and then picks up again and you get that feeling of acceleration all over again which in my opinion is why ill never by an automatic sports car
06-27-2017, 05:51 PM
#25
Melting Slicks
Today we look at 2 different types of cars to drive on the street, please keep in mind we are talking about street driving.
Also theoretically you own both of these cars so its not a own one or the other situation.
A 250-350hp car:
-Slam through gears
-Bounce off rev limiter without loss of control
-Hitting speeds around 100 at the top of 4th/low5th
-Breaking the wheels loose without loss of control
A 450-500hp car:
-Slam through 1 gear(1st to 2nd)
-Bouncing off rev limiter can cause loss of control
-Hitting speeds around 100 at the top of 2nd
-Breaking the wheels loose can cause loss of control
Side note, everyone and their grandma wants to race you and honestly at this point every other car is way below your league so its not even worth your gas or time.
With all of this being said, which style do you prefer and why?
Also theoretically you own both of these cars so its not a own one or the other situation.
A 250-350hp car:
-Slam through gears
-Bounce off rev limiter without loss of control
-Hitting speeds around 100 at the top of 4th/low5th
-Breaking the wheels loose without loss of control
A 450-500hp car:
-Slam through 1 gear(1st to 2nd)
-Bouncing off rev limiter can cause loss of control
-Hitting speeds around 100 at the top of 2nd
-Breaking the wheels loose can cause loss of control
Side note, everyone and their grandma wants to race you and honestly at this point every other car is way below your league so its not even worth your gas or time.
With all of this being said, which style do you prefer and why?
06-27-2017, 07:02 PM
#26
Le Mans Master
A bit like asking..."would you rather be the dumbest smart kid in class, or the smartest dumb kid in class?"
As for your Fiero...glad you enjoy it. You are one of a select few...
As for your Fiero...glad you enjoy it. You are one of a select few...
06-27-2017, 07:04 PM
#27
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St. Jude Donor '05
06-27-2017, 07:41 PM
#28
Le Mans Master
My first car was a 1965 MGB. Great car to learn how to drive. Easy to slide and catch, nail those apexes. 102 mph top end with a razor sharp tune. Was fairly quick to 30 mph, but all done after that.
06-27-2017, 08:56 PM
#30
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A Fatal Stoner (06-28-2017)
06-27-2017, 09:10 PM
#31
Interesting topic. I prefer higher horsepower cars because as someone previously said, I like knowing I have it under my foot if I need it/want it. I've owned 600 hp Cobra Terminators, 500 hp E60 M5's (my all time favorite car) and while rarely could I go through more than two gears without fearing reckless driving, it was those short, controlled bursts that I love coupled with the sublime exhaust notes; that S85 V10 just cannot be put into words.
The C6 base (I have a GS) might just be THE perfect amount of power to weight and that LS3 is just wonderful. The car is unbelievably quick, balanced and refined. Quite frankly I don't understand everyone who raves about the Miata and the Mini. I've driven both, and other than the go cart handling, they did nothing for *me* since straight line acceleration is an important factor in my fun cars.
The C6 base (I have a GS) might just be THE perfect amount of power to weight and that LS3 is just wonderful. The car is unbelievably quick, balanced and refined. Quite frankly I don't understand everyone who raves about the Miata and the Mini. I've driven both, and other than the go cart handling, they did nothing for *me* since straight line acceleration is an important factor in my fun cars.
06-27-2017, 09:27 PM
#32
Melting Slicks
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C6 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Since you left out a lot of C6's (400-435hp and the A6) The question is irrelevant to me, if it wasn't already.
06-27-2017, 09:53 PM
#33
Le Mans Master
I want the power available when I want it. I also understand that as torque and power build $hit can get loose and you better be aware when it does...and it is better if you don't get it loose. Seat time fixes that subtle notion. That said, I can sort of by proxy understand that dude in the next lane who is making ricer passes by me with his Altima or whatnot. I am sure he is having fun.
06-27-2017, 10:10 PM
#35
Instructor
I rip it at least once every time I drive, and since I live in a somewhat rural area of Florida there is never any danger to the general population. This often involves letting the rear hang out a bit. If you leave the traction control on and develop a little skill it will save you and you have the answer to your question. Take the horse power and drive like hell! There is no substitute for horsepower!
06-27-2017, 10:41 PM
#38
Le Mans Master
Cheers from a Tampa jungle heat, sir ^
oh yeah, wife is from Latham/Albany so another clank of the beer mug, sir
oh yeah, wife is from Latham/Albany so another clank of the beer mug, sir
Last edited by raspyc6; 06-27-2017 at 10:42 PM. Reason: clank
06-27-2017, 10:58 PM
#40
Drifting
I'm with Ed on this one!
"To answer your question, I prefer to have developed my driving skills so that breaking the tires loose or hitting the rev limiter does not cause me to lose control in either situation. Practice makes perfect."
I'm finally selling my house in NY. Time for a nice vert in Florida. I started out looking at the Miata, and must have driven 3, when I realized that even though they were fun to drive, I quickly became bored by the lack of power!
I'd much rather have a fast car, and drive it slow, maybe!
"To answer your question, I prefer to have developed my driving skills so that breaking the tires loose or hitting the rev limiter does not cause me to lose control in either situation. Practice makes perfect."
I'm finally selling my house in NY. Time for a nice vert in Florida. I started out looking at the Miata, and must have driven 3, when I realized that even though they were fun to drive, I quickly became bored by the lack of power!
I'd much rather have a fast car, and drive it slow, maybe!
