Hi folks,
I'm a car nut. I've found Grassroots MS forum users to be very knowledgeable.
Does a car exist that has:
1) Fantastic steering
AND
2) Fantastic transmission (either a great shifting manual or a responsive auto)
AND has
3) Four-doors :-)
Some notes:
-Curb weight <1320kg would be icing on cake
-So would a decent, factory "LSD"/ATB
-The only satisfying auto transmissions I've sampled was either a DCT or the ZF 8spd calibrated right.
-An RX8 comes to mind but a bit more usable torque is important for a 4-door street car.
-Let's leave price aside for this one.
E36 M3 is about as close as it gets. 3175 LB.
you defined the smaller BMW 3 series.. either E30, E36, or even the E46 in four door trim
SSATB
New Reader
7/26/15 8:17 a.m.
I'm dreaming. I wish there was a lightweight, 4door car with great steering & transmission. It doesn't have to be rwd.
Regarding BMWs, honestly, out of all BMWs I've driven, including an e46 330i, e36/e46 M3, F30, e30 318i, only the e46 ZHP 330i's steering was good enough to be memorable. Have never driven an e30 M3.
SSATB
New Reader
7/26/15 8:26 a.m.
What would be needed to convert a 135i (DCT, N54/N55) to a Rotrex system? I love turbos -- but only in a fwd car. I think rwd should be enjoyed with a powerband and power delivery only NA or centrifugal charging can provide. That is my honest (and biased) opinion.
nocones
SuperDork
7/26/15 8:30 a.m.
The E30's I've driven (325is, 318, M3) have all had terrible steering. Very slow ratio and not great feel. Still fun to drive in spite of this but compared to a Miata/porsche/wrx its bad
The Fiesta ST seems to jump out as the answer here.
not a 4-door but 128i would be relatively new and fit the bill
szeis4cookie wrote:
The Fiesta ST seems to jump out as the answer here.
I was going to suggest focus or Fiesta st. Also kia rondo of course
Panamera, it's not a lightweight though. Also any Evo, great steering on them.
Desy
New Reader
7/26/15 1:38 p.m.
4 door integra GSR comes to mind. As does the Focus ST/Fiesta ST for new cars.
Problem with most if not all new cars is electric power steering. Gives a crummy feel in my opinion.
Mike
Dork
7/26/15 1:44 p.m.
It has a good rep, not that I'd know.
nocones wrote:
The E30's I've driven (325is, 318, M3) have all had terrible steering. Very slow ratio and not great feel. Still fun to drive in spite of this but compared to a Miata/porsche/wrx its bad
That's why my E30 has an E46 rack.
Just buy the best Evo in a manual that you can find.
Ford Fairmont with the right SN95 Cobra & Maximum Motorsports bits added.
SSATB wrote:
I'm dreaming. I wish there was a lightweight, 4door car with great steering & transmission. It doesn't have to be rwd.
Regarding BMWs, honestly, out of all BMWs I've driven, including an e46 330i, e36/e46 M3, F30, e30 318i, only the e46 ZHP 330i's steering was good enough to be memorable. Have never driven an e30 M3.
I find it odd that only ZHP had memorable steering.. especially over the better performing E46 M3
Just out of curiosity, have you actually driven an Rx-8, or are you using internet jokes about torques to discard it?
