Once pricing information is finalized, I’ll feel a lot better saying this is the car for me. I will say it is the closest thing to the “right car” that I’ve seen in years. Personally I wouldn’t mind another 20 - 50hp but, depending on what this car costs, I could do without it. At 30k+ this car is under powered at 24k or less it is an amazing deal. It is really hard to find that magical, agile 2+2 rwd coupe, and I’ve been looking, hard.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZDan
Feel/feedback absolutely ARE related to size/weight. Same vs. same, the lighterweight/smaller car will give more immediate feel/feedback. Size and weight insulate you from the driving experience.
|
Handling is related to size/weight though it is one of many factors. Feel/feedback is barely if at all related. An M3 has vastly Superior feel/feedback than a Yaris or Fit, and an Elise is vastly Superior to a Lexus ES or Camry. to say a heavy car like a GTR insulates you from the driving experience is disingenuous. There is something to be said about the feel of a momentum car, but that is not the be all end all driving experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZDan
??? I realized a long time ago that lighterweight/smaller cars are just more FUN than bigger/heavier cars. Long before an FR-S/BRZ was even thought of.
|
I agree that light cars are fun, that is why I am on this forum and why despite many performacne advantages I’m not looking at the GC, Mustang, etc. This is however, a subjective opinion it can not be stated as a fact.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZDan
Hmm, S2000, Boxster/Cayman, Miata, Elise, none of those are 600 lb heavier...The fact is, lighter-weight cars are underrepresented in the population of sports/sporty cars. Which SUCKS.
|
No they are not heavier, but for me the soft top is a deal breaker. so despite my love for the s2000/boxster/z4 they are out (for me). I agree as well that there is a terrible gap in the auto industry's offering of a small fun rwd sport car, I hope the AS1 fills that gap but it is yet to be seen.
to suggest that the 3 series coupe, M3, GTR, Corvette, or Boxster are not some of the best handling cars available is either dishonest or flagrantly incorrect, many of those are 300 - 600 pounds heavier than the AS1. When I say we’ve bought to much into the marketing this is what i mean. A light car is great, balance likewise is great. However, being light is not some magic bullet for performance. The AS1 will be a fun car, it could be a great car, depending on price it could become a historic offering. But there have been great cars that weighed more, had higher center of gravity's, and offered plenty of non purist bells and whistles. I’m not saying you have to want those cars, but they shouldn’t be discounted.