Hi folks,
I'm a car nut. I've found Grassroots MS forum users to be very knowledgeable.
Does a car exist that has:
1) Fantastic steering
AND
2) Fantastic transmission (either a great shifting manual or a responsive auto)
AND has
3) Four-doors :-)
Some notes:
-Curb weight <1320kg would be icing on cake
-So would a decent, factory "LSD"/ATB
-The only satisfying auto transmissions I've sampled was either a DCT or the ZF 8spd calibrated right.
-An RX8 comes to mind but a bit more usable torque is important for a 4-door street car.
-Let's leave price aside for this one.
E36 M3 is about as close as it gets. 3175 LB.
you defined the smaller BMW 3 series.. either E30, E36, or even the E46 in four door trim
SSATB
New Reader
7/26/15 8:17 a.m.
I'm dreaming. I wish there was a lightweight, 4door car with great steering & transmission. It doesn't have to be rwd.
Regarding BMWs, honestly, out of all BMWs I've driven, including an e46 330i, e36/e46 M3, F30, e30 318i, only the e46 ZHP 330i's steering was good enough to be memorable. Have never driven an e30 M3.
SSATB
New Reader
7/26/15 8:26 a.m.
What would be needed to convert a 135i (DCT, N54/N55) to a Rotrex system? I love turbos -- but only in a fwd car. I think rwd should be enjoyed with a powerband and power delivery only NA or centrifugal charging can provide. That is my honest (and biased) opinion.
The E30's I've driven (325is, 318, M3) have all had terrible steering. Very slow ratio and not great feel. Still fun to drive in spite of this but compared to a Miata/porsche/wrx its bad
The Fiesta ST seems to jump out as the answer here.
not a 4-door but 128i would be relatively new and fit the bill
szeis4cookie wrote:
The Fiesta ST seems to jump out as the answer here.
I was going to suggest focus or Fiesta st. Also kia rondo of course
Panamera, it's not a lightweight though. Also any Evo, great steering on them.
Desy
New Reader
7/26/15 1:38 p.m.
4 door integra GSR comes to mind. As does the Focus ST/Fiesta ST for new cars.
Problem with most if not all new cars is electric power steering. Gives a crummy feel in my opinion.
It has a good rep, not that I'd know.
nocones wrote:
The E30's I've driven (325is, 318, M3) have all had terrible steering. Very slow ratio and not great feel. Still fun to drive in spite of this but compared to a Miata/porsche/wrx its bad
That's why my E30 has an E46 rack.
Just buy the best Evo in a manual that you can find.
Ford Fairmont with the right SN95 Cobra & Maximum Motorsports bits added.
SSATB wrote:
I'm dreaming. I wish there was a lightweight, 4door car with great steering & transmission. It doesn't have to be rwd.
Regarding BMWs, honestly, out of all BMWs I've driven, including an e46 330i, e36/e46 M3, F30, e30 318i, only the e46 ZHP 330i's steering was good enough to be memorable. Have never driven an e30 M3.
I find it odd that only ZHP had memorable steering.. especially over the better performing E46 M3
Just out of curiosity, have you actually driven an Rx-8, or are you using internet jokes about torques to discard it?
