I find that extremely difficult to believe. I've ridden and driven plenty of worse handling vehicles. Comparatively speaking, a new stock Z28 is a decent handling vehicle. The shocks may not fulfill the car's potential, but its not as bad as some purport.

 

Really? I can't name one I consider worse. I'd be interested in what you think is.... The stock shocks are garbage. Junk. Terrible.

Bearing in mind I have some driving skills, I almost wrapped my car up when it was new because the shocks were so bad the car acutally got all kinds of crossed up coming out of a corner. It had Koni's on it that night. Like anything, it's a matter of what you do. If you commute to work on interstates, yeah it's ok I guess. I just hate the Cadillac like float and the impact harshness. I prefer a more taut BMW like feel and less harshness.

 

So.... you are saying that its worse than:
1998 Dodge Van
2004 Hundai Santa Fe
2004 Hundai Sonata
1990 Chevy Lumina
1990? Chevy Astro
1996 VW Jetta
1996 Audi Wagon
.
.
.
?
I really really doubt it.
That is one hell of an exaggeration.


I'm no expert and usually trust your knowledge and experience in the field (I'll admit that you have much more knowledge and experience than me), but that is way too much of an exaggeration.

I have driven some good handling cars too. I'm not a racer, but I do have a frame of reference for comparison. I've driven late model Corvettes, Mercedes (RWD & AWD), BMW, Mazda RX8, Mazda Miata at their driving events. BTW, its true that the RX8 has no bottom end torque.

That is why I said:
Anyway... back to the topic at hand.
I don't want this to get personal or angry and then have to reprimand myself .... especially since I just recently locked a thread that turned into a heated argument.

 

We're all guilty of embellishing at some time or other , no need for anybody to get their panties all fluffed up. Hell , we're all just bench racing anyways . I'm glad my ego won't let me try to convince the world that I'm the number one authority when it comes to suspension geometry , no matter how much experiance we may or may not have . So lets keep it fun , shall we ?

 

A BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc. ride great for a lot of reasons, not just solely springs and shocks.

I guess that's the plus of buying an $80,000+ sedan - you get a great ride. All joking aside, I'm merely pointing this out so the guy doesn't think spending $1,500 on springs and shocks is going to make his Camaro handle like a $95,000 M5.

 

Never said it did, but its a HUGE factor.
I was really more refering to something like a 3 series or WRX... But either way the handling difference is night and day and the Konis are well worth the $700.

 

Don't worry ... I'm not posting and having my words twisted to appear as an attack. So, it will be OK ...

 

Why does everyone think it's bad to debate? That's fine, it's when the people start poking fun, and slighting each other that it's not.... Sheeh.

Your list above are "apples". None of those are sports cars. I mean, and Astro? A Hyundai Sante Fe? That's really a stretch don't you think? You have some time in sportier cars. But that doesn't tell the entire story either. The difference between a base Corvette suspension and then on through Z51 and then Z06 are HUGE. Base Vettes are very soft and are not the handling machines the upper packages are. They are tuned for the "gold-chain gang" the cruisers.... Mercedes are all quite different. An AMG is tuned differently than a "Sport" package, and they are both tuned more on the ride side than BMW's tend to be.

YMMV, and that's 100% FINE with me. But you need to realize that opinions are largely a matter of perspective too. Which is why you are entitled to your as I am to my own. But having a control is indeed important. Dog Food would taste good to the starving, I bet you'd find it pretty disgusting because you're used to better.

 

I love the analogies you make in your posts Makes the discussions more entertaining

 

This is great! I love this forum.

 

I understand what you are saying. I'm just following with your previous statement where you said that the Z28 was the worst handling car you have driven. You've probably driven more cars than me which makes that an even greater exaggeration considering that you must have driven some non-sporty cars as well. Now, if you had said that its the worst handling sports car that you have driven that would be a different story. Its not the worst handling car I have driven and its I think its comparable to other sports cars that I have driven. Again, like you said YMMV.

I didn't want to come across as attacking you.
Debate is fine. Its just when it gets out of hand....

 

We'll just have to agree to disagree.... I think this car drives like poo stock.

 

I agree with Sam on this one.

The rear stock shocks are the biggest culpit! I haven't even felt family sedans float and wiggle in the rear-end like a brand new LS1 F-body. I got those things off as fast as possible. It took me a while to figure out what the problem was because I never was on any Tech forums back then.

The fronts were not as bad. HD's are slightly better in front.

The springs are a bit soft, and the sways are a bit small, but they are not as big of a problem as the shocks. That being said, I think stiffer springs and sways makes the car handle like a sports car should.

 

Totally apples-to-oranges comparison but....
The best handling vehicle I've driven is probably a go cart. I love driving those.
(I'm not talking about the cheap ones either.)

 

ok im hijacking this thread for a minute since its the same question i had.

to Strano: my question was very similar to his. I have the intention of lowering my car about an inch, and looking for shocks to go with, but WITHOUT breaking the bank. As in approx $1000 tops. I would use the car for drag racing as well as autoX so im looking for a happy median. I know it wont be a perfect 50/50 split, but as close as I can get for the $. What would you reccomend? I think the OP may end up going with something very similar to mine.

 

I get put you on Koni's and a set of Strano Performance springs for $1009..... Or, when Bilsteins come back in and I can get going on Revalves again a setup with springs would be around $800.