Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
(The Toyota MRS only has 190 hp, but easily beats the 320hp Silvia)
The only way you'll have a valid comparison is if you have two identical cars with varying power levels. You are picking two completely difference vehicles with very different drive train layouts.
With cars like the MazdaSpeed3, Civic Si, Cobalt SS and others, what are the or some of the best handling front wheel drive cars out there? Which ones strikes the best balance between cornering and smoothing over the bumps in the road?
A Miata in reverse?
Returning to the topic of best handling stock FWD cars, I'd mention the B13 (1991-1994) Nissan Sentra SE-R. A guy I knew who had a very nicely modified Mk.2 VW Scirocco said that a stock SE-R he had owned was actually the better handler, even though it was otherwise a cheap tin can.
I remember that the car mag reviews of the time raved about the handling of the NX2000 which is an SE-R with a lower, coupe body and bigger tires.
The original Infiniti G20 (shared chassis with the SE-R & NX2000?) was also praised for handling and probably has nice suspension compliance.
The various 4WS/SH Honda Preludes were acknowledged for their handling as well as the third-gen Integra Type-R.
The ultimate FWD car might be the 1989-1995 resurrection of the Lotus Elan which was mentioned earlier.
I'd be interested to know how these older cars stack up in the handling department versus the current FWD kings, such as the Mini, Mazdaspeed3, Cobalt SS, Focus, VW GTI, Civic Si.
I'm sure there are a raft of European and Asian FWD handlers which are largely unknown to us in the U.S (e.g. Renault Clio Williams).
I think the best handling front-engine, front-wheel drive (FF) is one that has a low amount of power.
I don't know about power, but a smaller engine puts less weight on the front tires ➔ less centrifugal force required of the front wheels on turns ➔ less slip angle of the front tires relative to the back tires ➔ less understeer. Simple physics.
Front-wheel drive cars have inherently flawed handling, because you have the entire running gear - engine, transmission, drive axles - sitting right over the drive wheels, and the back end is just sort of hanging there. So in a corner, the front tires get overwhelmed by their disproportionate load, and they quit early, causing understeer. Then if you gas it, since the steering wheels are also the driving wheels, the car will oversteer due to the torque twisting the axles (torque steer). The best handling FF cars will be the ones that best adjust to these well-known, natural issues with the drivetrain setup.
The Mini is a great example. The front wheels are pushed as far forward as they can go, and the components are fairly lightweight. As a result, it handles like an overgrown go-kart.
Honda has done well in recent decades by outfitting their small front-wheel drive cars with double wishbone suspensions, front and rear. The impact of this sophisticated setup on drivability is huge. Honda and Toyota both are known for making reliable cars; the dirty little secret is that a proper Honda is also a blast to drive hard, whereas a front-drive Toyota is competent at best. And when Honda goes out to make something fun, like the Acura Integra or RSX, you're in for a treat.
Mazda has always had something of a fun streak. The early RX-2 and RX-4 had dismal reliability records, but man, they were a kick to drive. Recently, they've managed to recapture that spirit with their entry-level cars, and the Mazda 3 is one of the best-handling small cars on the market. The thing I like most about it is actually the manual transmission - Mazda makes the best sticks you can buy without paying a blue-propeller price.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
