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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

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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