Braineack

iTrader: (62)

i like corners and launches.

Philip

Yeah, keep launching an AWD car hard and see how it holds up.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

same can be said for my little 6" Never owned an AWD and I'm aware of the issues, but I driven them and like how they feel.

Pitlab77

iTrader: (3)

[QUOTE=firedog25;46042]Just out of curiosity, what's everyone's hardon for AWD? QUOTE]

beats me too.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

I've never raced a fwd car, but they can't be all that bad. CRX is the choice for ITA in scca club racing and the RSX/TSX and 6s regularly top the A4 & BMW 3s in Speed Challenge. It's obvious they can be made to compete, but from a driver/car stand point, they just drive differently. And perhaps it's all in the "leveling" set forth by the sanctioning body. IMO it goes against what works in a traditional sense, and is probably why they don't work on the ultra high end- as in built GTs and prototypes. The GTs are based on production cars, and you don't see any high end fwd in that arena. I tracked my wife's 626 5spd v6 and it was amazingly nimble for the power and light weight, but a bitch to get it to turn with stock parts. Basically I'd hold the brakes on through the braking zone and half way to the apex. As soon as it felt like it was about to loop, I'd floor and drive out of the spin. That ain't fast. I just don't like feeling my drive wheels through my steering wheel.

Kelly

iTrader: (6)

Not a chance. Every car has its quirks. Now a Ford........thats unreliable.
I am excited to be going back to german FWD.

As for AWD and the appeal I guess see if you can strap yourself in a stock Evo and go for a drive. The car is absolutley one of the most sorted factory cars you will ever drive. The only other car I can think of that feels that "right" out of the box is an E36 M3.
After my first Evo drive I was dead set on getting one. The only thing I couldn't get over is I am not a huge fan of the styling and the fact that I was would end up in jail because every kid in town would be wanting to race me all day long.

Pitlab77

iTrader: (3)

14.3 i think in the new car and driver

Philip

holy slow batman.

olderguy

iTrader: (19)

Somebody needs to get back in a Miata soon.

Philip

nooooo

jcocke

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, its definitely faster than 15s. My GTI w/ around 20 less HP was a solid 14.5, but it was around 100 lbs lighter...also, no LSD on the GTI.

Philip

busting into the 14's

jcocke

iTrader: (3)

14s are not uncommon in the 1.8T world...and mine was far from stock. I wish I could have got it to handle as good as the 3 though. It was still a pig to lug around the track.

I wonder what the dealer markup is gonna be on these babies. I have a feeling my local dealer is gonna try to stick it to buyers.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Why even go to the drag strip if you are only going to run 14's? I've never enjoyed that.

jcocke

iTrader: (3)

I agree, its all relative though. 14s are slow to most people. I went b/c I had never been before, and I haven't been back either. A dragstrip is no place for FWD IMO.

I would like to have the opportunity to take one of those Mazdaspeed 3s around the road course though!

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I ran a 15.7 in my altima! It was acutally impressive since it was bone stock. But yeah, it's boring compared to a sub 14 machine.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

...or a track with turns... in both directions

getsidewaysd1

At least one person is thinking right. Who cares about 1/4 mile times. If you wanta go fast in a straight line, buy a mussle car.

ultimateforce

Here I am with the first Mazdaspeed car in the US and it's the lemon of the line.

:(

Philip

Funny, the monaro turned the same exact time, to the tenth on top gear's course as the STi. Where is the AWD advantage again?