andyktlee

iTrader: (8)

We bring up an open diff because it is considered a norm for performance cars to come with them. Suspension is a completely different story. Some companies use a MacPherson front strut while others swear by multilink. You can get away with old suspension designs if it's set up correctly, but the lack of a limited slip is a HUGE performance downgrade on a track. You can't get away with the potential of one tire spinning at a largely different rate than the other.

Sinister Subaru

Yeah, leaf springs are a big difference from an open or limited slip diff. Hell, even an antiquated live axle can get the job done under certain conditions. Why do you think that most of the super-fast Supras out there are running GM 12 bolts? They're live axle setups. Anyone that knows anything about drag racing knows that an IRS is not an ideal setup for a drag car because the weight is not evenly distributed over the rear wheels.

Take a look at the new Jeep Rubicon. It runs Dana 44 axles, both, live axles up front and in the rear. Why? Because it keeps the wheels planted with an even weight for traction over rough terrain. With an indepedent suspension, more weight would be on one wheel compared to the other wheel.

Go out and drive a car with an open diff, and then one with a limited slip diff, and you will immediately notice a difference upon acceleration and the first corner you dive into.

It's ridiculous that a $27,000 "sports car" would even have an "available" limited slip diff on the option list. Even a V6 F-body had a limited slip diff from the factory. On a $27,000 "sports car," a limited slip should be standard equipment, period.

Sinister Subaru

You've probably never seen one for sale because nobody wants a base model vehicle. It's much easier for a dealership to sell a more desireable vehicle, hence the reason they mainly stock optioned 350Zs.

Robert_K

iTrader: (7)

Both are great cars but to not consider the 350Z base a sports car is just dumb imo. I think the test were fair and just handle the fact that the Z was picked as a better car than the Evo.

nirvevo

iTrader: (10)

Sure, everyone has their opinions - mine is as I stated, I don't think there is a real big difference, preference - yes

I stopped at a Subie store yesterday, and looked a new STI 's interior, there are maybe 2 small trim pieces that aren't obviously plastic, It's like taking about who's favorite color is better.

Everything that we've mentioned scrapes and punctures and warps with sun & age, just like the next one.

Everything that I've seen is just another texture or color of the same average interior. Some might look a little more space-age, like I mentioned, no real difference though.

I do agree with what the one person said about the VW's. There was one right beside the STI and it did look and feel nicer than the Nissan, Honda, and Toyota's, as well as Mitsubishi. Certainly not enough to make me look at one seriously though.

Honda's interior is WAY over rated. They just use big rounded moldings that remind me more of Little Tykes toys than a fine interior. Maybe a bit sturdier than other styles, but we are talking "so what" levels. We've had an Accord and a Civic, .... ehh .... A friends Pilot that I rode in was nice, but not any nicer than any of the other brands SUV's.

And again, unless you're looking at an upper trim level Camry, Maxima's, etc... it still ends up being my "plastic is nicer than your plastic".

And truthfully, I guess my heart isn't really in nice interiors, I mean, I wouldn't turn down leather, I might even pay more for it, ....but not for the plastic wood and poser bezel's that are still just plastic.

I'm not missing anything with the Evo's interior, but I'd be missing a lot of "car" with one of the "comparable" cars

(meaning I'm not including interiors in Audi's, Porsche's, BMW's, etc...)

Noize

iTrader: (24)

12.5 is a little optimistic for a C6, IMO. Car & Driver got a 12.8.
Anyway, without VHT on a dragstrip, even a stock Evo or STi will give a C6 a seriously hard time until nearly triple digits.

Roll races are for ricers. Top speed runs are for people just begging to get locked up. Of course a C6 is a better track car with a better powerband than an Evo, but I don't have a hard time believing he beat a C6.









Also: For those of you nutswinging off the 350Z, let me restate what I said on P3:
The 350Z is a lot less than it could be, because Carlos Ghosn turned Nissan into a platform sharing profiteer, complete with inferior paint finishes that are full of orange peel, and the gutless also-ran VQ engine is hard to make power with NA (Here's to hope that the new HR engine is a lot better!). At least it drives the proper wheels.

Anyway, I would NEVER own a 350Z as they are now. Different people like different things, and I think the 350Z blows goats.

Sinister Subaru

C&D are a bunch of crackhead retards. They couldn't drive a car to its full potential if they tried. They're no different than R&T.

12s for any car are respectable times, but a car that weighs 3100-3200 lbs and has 400 hp is surely capable of quicker times than a 12.80. I know numerous people that own LT1, LS1, and 4.6L Mustangs that are making in the 400 hp range and they are consistently running in the mid 12s. Keep in mind that these cars also weigh nearly 200-300 lbs more than a C6 Vette, and compared with the C6, they have the aerodynamics of a brick.

As for the 350Z "blowing goats," I think that's a bit extreme, but you're right about the "platform sharing." Doesn't the 350Z have the same engine from the Maxima?

Sinister Subaru

Well, of course you're going to agree with the results! You own a 350Z! If the 350Z lost, you'd be sitting here making up excuses as to why it should have won!

I won't even begin to mention why it shouldn't have won. Besides, despite the Evo being the best performer of the bunch, I wouldn't have voted for the Evo either. It may be the best performer of the bunch, but it surely isn't the most well-rounded car for under $30,000.

Noize

iTrader: (24)

Power was never in question! Ellis (LSx) has area under the curve that guys with cars like ours can only dream about. The only problem with the Vette is traction. Get a good holeshot with VHT like a proer dragstrip has, blow an ECU + flash Evo VIII away.

Street race like a big dummy from a red light, and the Vette just doesn't have the traction to catch up for awhile.

Sinister Subaru

Exactly.

Noize

iTrader: (24)

Now back on topic. The 350Z is a shapile because...