Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site oblio.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!oblio!jeff From: jeff@oblio.UUCP (Jeff Buchanan) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: big block vs 4-bangers Message-ID: <285@oblio.UUCP> Date: Thu, 7-Mar-85 16:38:54 EST Article-I.D.: oblio.285 Posted: Thu Mar 7 16:38:54 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 10-Mar-85 07:35:28 EST Organization: Counterpoint Computers Lines: 46 > > Jeff --- I propose a temporary truce: I won't flame you, you won't flame me. We'll agree that we disagree on how to compromise when the money runs out. We'll also agree that you CAN get handling out of US cars, and power out of European cars if you spend enough money. We'll agree to disagree on what the starting point should be. A '66 Corvette is nice, but it just doesn't appeal to me the same way a '66 911 does... OK? \tom haapanen watmath!watdcsu!haapanen Tom- You are right. Why argue over things which are subjective, like whether or not a cockpit is nice? But you are mistaken about the Car & Driver test comparing the Z28 to the '84 Corvette. The tests they performed proved the Corvette far superior to the Z in terms of handling. The Corvette did much better on the skidpad and went faster in the slalom. They said it leaned less in the corners and had "knife-edge" steering response. No such compliments for the Camaro. They said it had "asphalt wrinkling" road holding ability, again, Camaro road holding not as good. All the parameters that define good handling came out in favor of the Corvette, a fact which few readers overlooked. I do seem to remember an out-of-place statement in which something was said about the Camaro handling being better. This was obviously a misprint since all tests and subjective opinions about road feel and steering response favored the Corvette. I tried to find a catagory in which the Z28 was superior and I seem to remember that the seats were more comfortable. Also, I think it had a softer suspension which again proved the Corvettes' handling superiority. If the article had been entitled "Worlds most comfortable riding car" then the Camaro would have possibly won. As far as comparing the Porsche to the '84 Corvette in terms of handling, I just wish I had a nickel for every car magazine that ran both cars on a skidpad and slalom course, and always showed the Corvette blowing away the Porsche (not to mention the Ferrari, 300ZX, etc.). Even the $100,000 Lambrogini was inferior in the handling department (.86 g's vs .89 g's on the skidpad, the best measure of road holding ability, re: Road & Track magazine). OK, Tom, now tell me about all those tests you've seen that showed a Porsche could hold onto the skidpad better than an '84 Corvette. Jeff