Am I blinded by infatuation?

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

I disagree. Hard turns are a lot more fun than sliding around like a boat. Being able to take the turn onto my street without touching the brake at all is a lot more fun than having the back kick out. And this car still has enough power in stock form to break the back end loose even with wide, sticky tires.

I should really try some good rubber but I'm afraid of losing the stupid factor. Too much off-road in my blood.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I should really try some good rubber but I'm afraid of losing the stupid factor. Too much off-road in my blood.

Don't worry, max performance summers (PSS, Ventus V12, Extreme contact sport, etc.) Will significantly increase your grip, but the car is still very playful. You can still break the tires loose and get it sideways on command. The increased grip makes the behavior at the limit more predictable too. Losing the silly handling at the limit was my biggest fear putting serious tires on, but it was very much unfounded.

[gravitylover]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

It didn't surprise me because I've never owned a FWD car. We didn't have them growing up. I learned to drive in British sports cars and American muscle. I've always hated the way a FWD car handles.

BUT! When I was growing up, sliding your RWD sports car around corners wasn't called "drifting." It was called "doing it wrong." You kicked the back out to learn where the limits were, then you danced on that line. So while I can appreciate the skill it takes for some of the drifting ballet, I still consider it mostly just a waste of tires. Pulling Gs in a hard turn and knowing the car can take it is a lot more entertaining for me.

Yeah there are a couple of spots where it's fun to toss the car around like entrance ramps but otherwise yeah, sticking it to the ground and ripping a corner with nary a squeal is more fun and IMO takes more skill.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by Myriad

Yeah, I’ll second this. I was a little surprised how easy it is to kick out the back when making a hard turn. Scares the crap out of you the first couple times. My old Integra rode like it was on rails and that’s what I was used to. This car can go so much faster and has less roll, lower center of gravity—it has so much going for it to make a thrilling corner that I thought it was a pity the tires gave out so much more easily. I too am looking forward to wearing these tires out and getting something stickier.



Myriad

I had a 95 GS-R with Komi Yellows ground control coil overs, 550lbs springs front and rear and a Type-R rear bar. That car was a blast and with any mid corner lift it would oversteer but just a little throttle and it would settle back down. I still enjoy the FRS way more. Especially with real tires. With real tires the FRS isn’t as tail happy but can still be tail happy if you want it to be.

[why?]

I think sticking like glue is boring. I love freaking people out by sliding around.

[RToyo86]

Originally Posted by ermax

I had a 95 GS-R with Komi Yellows ground control coil overs, 550lbs springs front and rear and a Type-R rear bar. That car was a blast and with any mid corner lift it would oversteer but just a little throttle and it would settle back down. I still enjoy the FRS way more. Especially with real tires. With real tires the FRS isn’t as tail happy but can still be tail happy if you want it to be.

I had a 96 GSR as my first car. I'd love to own another one again. Even in stock form it was very balanced, just with a lot more body movement.


I bought my 86 on a bit of a whim. I was tired of my SX4 and didn't need the practicality. I saw a facelift 86 on a lot. Window shopped for a month, went in, test drove one and bought it the same day after working out the numbers.

[ghst86]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I should really try some good rubber but I'm afraid of losing the stupid factor. Too much off-road in my blood.

255/35/18 Continental ExtremeSports wrapped all around and I can't break traction if I tried. The grip is pretty phenomenal. Now, with all nannies turned off, it's a different story...

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by why?

I think sticking like glue is boring. I love freaking people out by sliding around.

You're interpreting the reactions the wrong way.

The looks you get are not saying, "Oh no! I'm so freaked out by that guy sliding around!"

Those looks are saying, "Jeez. What a douche."

[86MLR]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I should really try some good rubber but I'm afraid of losing the stupid factor. Too much off-road in my blood.

215 Hankook RS4's

Sensible tyre size for NA <200hp

Lots of grip at 35psi (spirited fun drive)

Easy to slide at 38psi (daily travel/fuel economy/being a ****)

Brilliant in the dry

Average in the wet

Holds up well at the track IRT heat

Cheap

Wears well

Opinions may vary

[ermax]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

You're interpreting the reactions the wrong way.



The looks you get are not saying, "Oh no! I'm so freaked out by that guy sliding around!"



Those looks are saying, "Jeez. What a douche."

I don’t know I tend to think the guy in the 991 GT3 driving like grandma is the douche not the guy that’s actually enjoying his car. Assuming they aren’t putting people at risk of course.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by ermax

I don’t know I tend to think the guy in the 991 GT3 driving like grandma is the douche not the guy that’s actually enjoying his car. Assuming they aren’t putting people at risk of course.

That's just the thing about sticky tires, speed versus grip limits. I don't want to have to exceed the former to flirt with the latter.

[86MLR]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

That's just the thing about sticky tires, speed versus grip limits. I don't want to have to exceed the former to flirt with the latter.

This is why I love my little 86, I've had big powered car with grip, I've had medium powered cars with grip, when you were having fun, you were "having fun" BUT, when things go wrong you are into the next postcode before the wheels stop.

In the 86 all it takes is tyre pressure and a little "flick or kick" and you have your arse out at 40kph, drop the psi by 1 and it's out at 45kph, rinse and repeat for faster skids.

I actually have a mate at work who sold his set of "big" tyres/rims.

He has dropped down from 255 to 215, the reasoning was to be able to play with the car more at lower speeds, and not need to be at the limit to break the tyres away.

Different story if you are hitting the track, where alot of corner grip is required, but for a street car, give me the playfulness any day.

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by 86MLR

This is why I love my little 86, I've had big powered car with grip, I've had medium powered cars with grip, when you were having fun, you were "having fun" BUT, when things go wrong you are into the next postcode before the wheels stop.

In the 86 all it takes is tyre pressure and a little "flick or kick" and you have your arse out at 40kph, drop the psi by 1 and it's out at 45kph, rinse and repeat for faster skids.

I actually have a mate at work who sold his set of "big" tyres/rims.

He has dropped down from 255 to 215, the reasoning was to be able to play with the car more at lower speeds, and not need to be at the limit to break the tyres away.

Different story if you are hitting the track, where alot of corner grip is required, but for a street car, give me the playfulness any day.

Nice. I use 205's on a short track. Tons of fun and I've never seen anyone at the finish line handing out trophies

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by 86MLR

Different story if you are hitting the track, where alot of corner grip is required, but for a street car, give me the playfulness any day.

It is amazing how sensitive it is to small changes in pressure. I don't remember my 240Z being that way but it was a whole different kind of fun.

It'll be a while before I'm in the market for fresh tires. @humfrz just gave me his stock ones to use up.