What exactly does "Handles well" mean?

[soulreapersteve]

It's all been said but my thoughts are: "Just point and go" and "driver connectivity".

There's very little steering wheel play. First day I got the car, I was having fun on my street going 10 mph swinging the car's nose from left to right. The only other car that I've had direct experience with to compare is the POS Corolla I used to have. Lots of steering wheel play and no feedback at all (Yes, I know its an ecobox ).

In fact, I had to play "avoid the incoming giant rock flying from the commercial truck" the other day while on the highway. It was a butt puckering experience but because of the car's handling, I was able to quickly snap the car away from it.

The Corolla? Whole different story.

[mdm]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

It's all been said but my thoughts are: "Just point and go" and "driver connectivity".

Yes, to some extent it is about that feeling that it's not that the car is a device external to you, and you tell it what to do, and it follows or not exactly, but the car becomes an extension of you, and it's you interacting with the road.

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

The Corolla? Whole different story.

It might be because I know my Corolla so well and I am used to it, but handling-wise I still prefer it over a few newer GM products I have tried, from Sonic to Mustang.

[FR-Sky]

Handle well to me is.....turn like go kart,,and everything is in my control

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by mdm

Yes, to some extent it is about that feeling that it's not that the car is a device external to you, and you tell it what to do, and it follows or not exactly, but the car becomes an extension of you, and it's you interacting with the road.


It might be because I know my Corolla so well and I am used to it, but handling-wise I still prefer it over a few newer GM products I have tried, from Sonic to Mustang.

I was just pointing out that if the Corolla was in that situation, there would have been a giant rock in the car, or worse..

Anyhoo, what year do you currently have?

[mdm]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

I was just pointing out that if the Corolla was in that situation, there would have been a giant rock in the car, or worse..

Sure, and I'd very much prefer a faster response to steering input in my Corolla as well, less body roll etc, just saying that it may be still not that bad compared to some other cars.

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

Anyhoo, what year do you currently have?

2007

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by mdm

Sure, and I'd very much prefer a faster response to steering input in my Corolla as well, less body roll etc, just saying that it may be still not that bad compared to some other cars.


2007

2000 over here!

Its just sitting in the front of the house, collecting rust (literally).

I would drive it around to remind myself how boring every day drives used to be but dead battery and don't care to replace it.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by HachiRo

Someone wrote something before about how they avoided an accident with nimble and quick steering, but isn't that more so traction control keeping the car from spinning out?

I've been in that situation. It's a combination of all the systems in the car doing what they're supposed to do.

I'll give you an example. Shortly after I got this car, I was driving along in traffic when a big pile of steel chain suddenly appeared in the road directly in front of me. I had to react quickly, but I simply went around it.

The maneuver was similar to the infamous moose test. Below is what happens to a vehicle that doesn't handle well. No amount of traction control would help this thing.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaYFLb8WMGM"]Jeep Grand Cherokee moose test -- the full story - YouTube[/ame]

These are opposite extremes, but they help to illustrate the differences. Our cars have the lowest center of gravity of any production vehicle. That helps put the force on the tires laterally, so that they continue to grip. The suspension keeps it from rolling, further enhancing grip. And when it cuts loose, it cuts loose in a slide rather than a tumble. Further, our steering is tight and assisted electrically, so that not only do we feel the road better, we can steer with more precision in those critical moments. If I had had to do that move in my Cherokee, I probably would have rolled it or overcorrected and ended up in the median.

Part of your issue is that you're not accustomed to RWD. If it makes you feel any better, I have never owned a FWD vehicle and absolutely hate them when I rent them because they never react the way I expect when put to the test. It comes down to what you're used to. I'd suggest finding a very large parking lot with no cars or light poles in it. Wait until it rains, then go there, turn off traction control and go nuts for a while to get a feel for how the car reacts close to the limit.

[chaoskaze]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

2000 over here!

Its just sitting in the front of the house, collecting rust (literally).

I would drive it around to remind myself how boring every day drives used to be but dead battery and don't care to replace it.

It's a corolla. they are nice for what they are. problem free car with comfort. It might not seem like much now but i remember when i sat in the corolla for the first time as a kid back around 95? It was alot comfier then other cars of the time.

[Teseo]

Handling mean: if i focus enough i can drift to reach 2cm of the guardrail without screwing the tofu.

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Damn, guess I should brake earlier on the skidpad.

You do know you can correct understeer when it happens. You just don't give up and let it plow into the wall.

If your bitching understeer drive an MR2.

Reaction time to correct understeer in the MR2 is .5 seconds
Reaction time to correct understeer in the twins is about 30 minutes

[Packofcrows]

I dont like Jeep no more... ty

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

You do know you can correct understeer when it happens. You just don't give up and let it plow into the wall.

If your bitching understeer drive an MR2.

Reaction time to correct understeer in the MR2 is .5 seconds
Reaction time to correct understeer in the twins is about 30 minutes

being able to correct understeer =/= car does not inherently understeer

[kev60625]

I'm glad someone else said it, OP. I'm with you, haha

I came from a wrx, and I never ONCE felt the car losing control on a corner, while accelerating and going fast. with this car, the traction light always blinks and I can feel it sliding and it gets me worried at times. I remember going up my parking garage like a madman with my wrx and feeling really confident going 20+ around the corners, with the BRZ it's sketchy and I slide...I don't know. This is my first rwd car, so I can definitely say I'm not used to it yet I guess

I even did a complete 360 one time in the parking garage (empty after the 4th floor, so I wasn't harming anyone else lol). With the wrx, would've never have happened. I definitely blame myself obviously, but I think the wrx is better for beginners, I guess.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by kev60625

..........................I remember going up my parking garage like a madman with my wrx and feeling really confident going 20+ around the corners, with the BRZ it's sketchy and I slide...

What you need is a lower gear .... higher RPM ...... more gas .......


humfrz