Foreign junk and bad roads
12-17-2007, 03:36 PM
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Foreign junk and bad roads I was in South America last week and drove a VW Jetta for the first time.
This car's chassis and suspension (??) was AMAZING !
Over bumpy roads it felt like a super light weight tank! ...no rattles, no jarring, no flexing, very responsive to every steering, braking and acceleration command! I could maneuver this car at high rates of speed with little effort and concern.
I wish the "handling" in our F-bodies was 1/2 as good as this car!
I'm not sure what the Krauts do to get the car to perform this way but the American manufacturers should take note.
This car's chassis and suspension (??) was AMAZING !
Over bumpy roads it felt like a super light weight tank! ...no rattles, no jarring, no flexing, very responsive to every steering, braking and acceleration command! I could maneuver this car at high rates of speed with little effort and concern.
I wish the "handling" in our F-bodies was 1/2 as good as this car!
I'm not sure what the Krauts do to get the car to perform this way but the American manufacturers should take note.
12-17-2007, 04:03 PM
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Yeh they are alright, but look at it this way. It´s not a hot rod. I belive the Camaro is. With the Camaro you got a bold attitude and a big engine. The rest is up to you to "hot rod". Just look at the base price (1999, was it 20K?) You could not find a European Car, sport cupé with V8, for that money. But I agree, with the new (5th gen) Camaro coming up, they (American manufacturers) should take note.
12-17-2007, 04:14 PM
#3
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I was in South America last week and drove a VW Jetta for the first time.
This car's chassis and suspension (??) was AMAZING !
Over bumpy roads it felt like a super light weight tank! ...no rattles, no jarring, no flexing, very responsive to every steering, braking and acceleration command! I could maneuver this car at high rates of speed with little effort and concern.
I wish the "handling" in our F-bodies was 1/2 as good as this car!
I'm not sure what the Krauts do to get the car to perform this way but the American manufacturers should take note.
This car's chassis and suspension (??) was AMAZING !
Over bumpy roads it felt like a super light weight tank! ...no rattles, no jarring, no flexing, very responsive to every steering, braking and acceleration command! I could maneuver this car at high rates of speed with little effort and concern.
I wish the "handling" in our F-bodies was 1/2 as good as this car!
I'm not sure what the Krauts do to get the car to perform this way but the American manufacturers should take note.
12-17-2007, 04:15 PM
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Well, driving a high HP car is a kick - especially when I can brake the 315s loose at will!
However, I just wish I knew what these foreign guys do to make their cars perform like this; is it a stiffer chassis with more welds, heavier steel, more curves to propmote stiffness? ...better shocks, brakes, tires wheels, roll bars, side window and roof supports, poly mounts?
All of the above? I give up; HOW DO THEY DO THIS?
I was so impressed I am considering buying a Jetta as a spare car!
I've owned lots of Bemmers, Benz, Vettes, Ricers, etc, but this car really impressed me!
However, I just wish I knew what these foreign guys do to make their cars perform like this; is it a stiffer chassis with more welds, heavier steel, more curves to propmote stiffness? ...better shocks, brakes, tires wheels, roll bars, side window and roof supports, poly mounts?
All of the above? I give up; HOW DO THEY DO THIS?
I was so impressed I am considering buying a Jetta as a spare car!
I've owned lots of Bemmers, Benz, Vettes, Ricers, etc, but this car really impressed me!
12-17-2007, 04:21 PM
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Yeh, my SS is loaded with aftermarket suspention stuff.
Strano bars, SS springs (stock height), BHD shocks, adj. LCA, adj. PHB, 315 tires, on and on and on....
Strano bars, SS springs (stock height), BHD shocks, adj. LCA, adj. PHB, 315 tires, on and on and on....
12-17-2007, 04:54 PM
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I'm gonna have to disagree. I'm not saying your wrong for feeling like the Jetta handles better than the Camaro, but in SCCA stock since the Camaro is a FS competitive car and the Jetta's are in GS and aren't competitive in that class and GS has a lower pax than FS, then the fbody cars should have an advantage even in SCCA stock form. Everyone has their own interpretation of "handling" though.
The Jetta is probably a hell of a lot more comfortable than the Camaro though
The Jetta is probably a hell of a lot more comfortable than the Camaro though
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12-17-2007, 07:34 PM
#9
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What I was saying above was not about having fun, I was saying my car will easily walk the Jetta I drove in the corners (even if I didn't have more power). My turn in is much sharper/more direct, and my car is all around more balanced.
However, I just wish I knew what these foreign guys do to make their cars perform like this; is it a stiffer chassis with more welds, heavier steel, more curves to propmote stiffness? ...better shocks, brakes, tires wheels, roll bars, side window and roof supports, poly mounts?
BTW what year was this Jetta?