Something that holds a car from being great.

[RocZX]

I can't think of a good title.
There is many cars out new and old that had a few things that hold them back from great. Things like drivetrain, engine, body style, interior, paint color and other. That parts would have to change on a certain car to make it better?

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A few for me are:
The current gen Nissan Maxima change it from front wheel drove to rear wheel drive.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser the white roof makes it look ugly.
The Dodge Charger make it a 2 door just like the original one.

 

[Perfect Balance]

The 3000gt being FWD or AWD instead of RWD, and very overweight.
The 240sx in the US getting an engine that puts out 50 less hp than the one everyone else got.

All the American rwd vehicles that got a live axle in the rear instead of independent suspension.

 

[SpartanG]

A lot of cars just seem to be too expensive for what they are. Just a few grand cheaper and they would have sold much more strongly.

 

[AOS-]

Cars that look sporty and have a FWD drivetrain..

Silver Paint.

 

[SVX]

The 4-speed transmission in the SVX. Really should of had the WRX of the era's tranny.

 

[motortrend]

IMO the new 7 speed manual on the 991. I just can't see how that will work, I think 6 was enough. Also, no choice fr a manual tranny on the Lexus IS-F or merc AMGs. MOst will still go with auto, but the lack of a manual transmission spoils it for some

 

[JCE]

The 3000gt being FWD or AWD instead of RWD, and very overweight.

My old '93 3000GT VR4 would still rape 95% of all vehicles on the road in both a straight line and around corners at the time 11 years ago when I had it. 👍 Hell, they give modern cars a run for their money easily. What was considered heavy (3,700 lbs) then is the norm today with RWD coupes thanks to added safety and luxury items. Now the automatic, non turbo, FWD model (base and SL) were pretty slow. Either of my two current cars would beat them with no issue. That's not even considering the base model Dodge Stealth with an even worse engine, a 12V SOHC engine instead of the 24V DOHC. That is the real crime here, the Dodge Stealth. One of the ugliest coupes ever to wear a Dodge/Chrysler badge.

Plus, AWD in that car was a must. Adding RWD to that much turbo boost would either spin the rear tires away or cause the traction control system to interfere prematurely. Add to the fact that it also had all wheel steering meant even with its weight it still could corner very well.

 

[motortrend]

The plastic bumper, and the unavailability of a manual transmission

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

E60 M5: Transmission. It is god awful. The 6 speed is too rare (and only offered in the US) to consider it an option really. Also the needlessly complicated drivetrain.

FD3S RX-7: Unreliable turbo control system

 

[motortrend]

I think the 6 speed was not very good on the M5 and was more of an afterthough. SMG transmissions have never been very smooth either though.

 

[Jondot]

The fact that IT'S A FIAT

 

[homeforsummer]

The fact that IT'S A FIAT

And that Ford seemingly doesn't understand that the same styling cues don't work when applied to every vehicle in the range. I mean, they barely work on any current Ford, but they're particularly unpleasant on something as small and upright as the Ka.

 

[Mike0105]

The fact that IT'S A FIAT

Ironically, the FIAT 500 is a good car, the Ford KA(k) is absolutely rubbish. Owners hate them more than the previous model according to the JD power survey. It came last again!

Edit: I'm sure that doesn't apply to the SportKa!!!

 

[CodeRedR51]

The 240sx in the US getting an engine that puts out 50 less hp than the one everyone else got..

I never really understood why Nissan took out one of their best 4-cylinders ever made and gave us a truck motor. 👎

 

[buickgnx88]

The 4-speed transmission in the SVX. Really should of had the WRX of the era's tranny.

They didn't have a strong enough transmission to handle the power at the time. The nice thing now is you can get one and swap in the manual!

IMO the new 7 speed manual on the 991. I just can't see how that will work, I think 6 was enough. Also, no choice fr a manual tranny on the Lexus IS-F or merc AMGs. MOst will still go with auto, but the lack of a manual transmission spoils it for some

Once again is probably an issue of lack of strong enough transmission, and developing one would be pointless since the take rate would probably be slim. As far as the Porsche trans goes, it's basically just a 6-speed + OD. Also, with 7-speeds it allows for better gearing for acceleration while still offering an overdrive for highway cruising.

Edit: Guess my reasonings are why the cars are keeping the cars from being great.

 

[Joey D]

A poorly designed interior and one made with cheap feeling materials. It can be the greatest car in the world but if where I sit is just down right awful I would never even consider it.

And archaic technology, we live in 2011 lets get technology off new car that dates back to the 60's.

 

[Perfect Balance]

My old '93 3000GT VR4 would still rape 95% of all vehicles on the road in both a straight line and around corners at the time 11 years ago when I had it.

I disagree. They were pigs in all variations.

The only thing the VR4s had going for them was straight line speed, and even then their weight kind of killed that.

RWD would have made them pretty fun as 2 door drift cars with sedan like stability. Or something.

 

[SVX]

They didn't have a strong enough transmission to handle the power at the time. The nice thing now is you can get one and swap in the manual!

230 hp powerful? I thought the WRXs at the time had around 250?

 

[buickgnx88]

Since it used a 6-cylinder rather than the 4-cylinder found in the Impreza, they must not have had a transmission that would fit on the 6 with enough strength. At least that's what I get from the whole deal.

 

[JCE]

I disagree. They were pigs in all variations.

The only thing the VR4s had going for them was straight line speed, and even then their weight kind of killed that.

RWD would have made them pretty fun as 2 door drift cars with sedan like stability. Or something.

You can disagree all you want, I'm the one who street raced and won often enough back in those days. You know, back when it was not a big deal like it is now thanks to the Fast and Furious ricer crowd that ruined it.

[offtopic rant]Racing was extremely common place in the late 90's and in 00. I cannot even count how much I raced people. Girls, guys and even old people. It was a free-for-all and it was great. Worst speeding/racing ticket? Cost me a cool $120 in Denton, TX. Now that sort of thing nets you fatter tickets, car impounds and jailtime. But I digress...[/offtopic rant]

The VR4 coupe weighed 3,700lbs. That isn't all that heavy considering what coupes weigh-in now that would of been around its price range. The original MSRP for the VR4 was $44,000 in 1999. Take a look at this comparo. These would of been its likely competition today due to the high price of those twin turbo Japanese coupes in the 90's. The only true lightweight in the 90's was the RX-7 with under 3,000lbs for the twin turbo. Everything else in coupe form was 3,400lbs and more around its power range in the late 90's. Yes its heavy but it isn't a heavy pig like everyone keeps saying. Driving one never gave me that feeling, precisely because of the AWD and it being a Mitsubishi with toys up the yingyang. Now, driving the modern Challenger and Camaro does give me that OMG heavy pig feeling. Those SOBs are over 4,000lbs for the V8's. OVER FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS!

 

[Zenith]

IMO the new 7 speed manual on the 991. I just can't see how that will work, I think 6 was enough. Also, no choice fr a manual tranny on the Lexus IS-F or merc AMGs. MOst will still go with auto, but the lack of a manual transmission spoils it for some

People were saying the same thing when the standard transmission had 4 speed s and the 5 speed was coming out, same with 5 to 6, and now 6 to 7. 6 is already a lot for anything that doesn't race on big tracks.

 

[SVX]

Since it used a 6-cylinder rather than the 4-cylinder found in the Impreza, they must not have had a transmission that would fit on the 6 with enough strength. At least that's what I get from the whole deal.

Ahh, thanks. That seems right.

 

[Perfect Balance]

You can disagree all you want, I'm the one who street raced and won often enough back in those days.

And I'm the one who has driven at least 50 of these cars in all variations at work and have done everything from brake pads to piston rings on them. I think I've as much right as anyone to judge that car and IMO, it feels and drives like a heavy pig.

Of course, I feel the same way about the last gen Honda Prelude and I know you disagree with that one as well.

In fact, that's another car that I think would have been great RWD.

The VR4 coupe weighed 3,700lbs. That isn't all that heavy considering what coupes weigh-in now that would of been around its price range.

Snip

Now, driving the modern Challenger and Camaro does give me that OMG heavy pig feeling. Those SOBs are over 4,000lbs for the V8's. OVER FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS!

I will agree though that cars today are too heavy as well, but I don't think it's to say the 3000gt was in any way, a light vehicle.

 

[speed junkie]

You can disagree all you want, I'm the one who street raced and won often enough back in those days.

Lol what, some Civics and Neons?

The only true lightweight in the 90's was the RX-7 with under 3,000lbs for the twin turbo. Everything else in coupe form was 3,400lbs and more around its power range in the late 90's.

Wut?


Turbo Fastbacks of the 90s

Mk IV Supra: 1,550 kg (3,417 lb)

180SX: 1220 kg (2690 lb)

Celica ST185: 1380 kg (3042 lbs) (turbo 4wd)


Turbo Coupes of the 90s

R32 GTR: 1,430 kg (3,152.6 lb) (GT-R)

R33 GTR: 1,530 kg (3,373.1 lb)

Skyline R34: 1,540 kg (3,395.1 lb) (GT-R)


Turbo Sedans of the 90s (just for good measure)

Impreza: 1220 kg (2690 lb) (Varies)

Evolution (I-IX): 1,170 kg (2,579lb) - 1,490 kg (3,285 lb)


Turbo luxury sedan from the 90s

Mark II X90 series: 1,390 kg (3,100 lb)
X100 Series: 1,480 kg (3,300 lb)


Turbo VR4: 1,715 kg (3,781 lbs)

Yes its heavy but it isn't a heavy pig like everyone keeps saying.

Yes, it is.

Driving one never gave me that feeling, precisely because of the AWD and it being a Mitsubishi with toys up the yingyang.

Drives car with more torque than average car.
Sports car!

AWD doesn't mean you can ignore the car's weight and given tires. Good suspension, little weight, and tires (among other things such as weight distribution) are what make a car "handle" well. AWD helps it launch faster, and slide around a corner faster than a 2WD.

 

[motortrend]

People were saying the same thing when the standard transmission had 4 speed s and the 5 speed was coming out, same with 5 to 6, and now 6 to 7. 6 is already a lot for anything that doesn't race on big tracks.

Thing is, wouldn't you get confused downshifting from 7 to 6 and accidentally hit 4? I mean, on a six speed you go left up and down, right up and down and up and down in the center but the 7 speed would add another gate to the right and up. Wouldn't that be sort of confusing or cause some mistakes?

 

[CyborgGT]

Cars that look sporty and have a FWD drivetrain.

Prelude. A friend and I recently test drove a 5th-gen (after riding in my swapped Accord, then driving an SH in the rain, he let off on the Honda bashing and has been wanting one of these) and sitting in it, it felt like a low-slung sports car. An SH with RWD would make for such a great car.

 

[buickgnx88]

Guess I could go with the YJ Wrangler, if they would have done a spring-over axle rather than a spring-under, it may have been received better by the CJ crowd (well and of course round headlights, but I actually like the rectangle lights better ). Sure it may have rode worse and had a higher center of gravity, but hey that's how it shoulda been!

 

[Cale]

Not having an LS engine from the factory.

 

[High-Test]

The 4-speed transmission in the SVX. Really should of had the WRX of the era's tranny.

Agreed.

Autoblog once described Subaru's 4 speed auto as having been carried by Moses down from Sinai. As I never learned how to drive a standard transmission on a real car, (they were all GM products with clutches made of cheese) I have this unfortunate autotragic in my 2009 Legacy.

Not the worst transmission by any means, but it's really underwhelming on an otherwise fantastic car.

My Dad bought a Dodge Charger R/T in 2006 right when they came out, and I've driven the beast quite a bit over the years. The single worst thing about the car is everything contained in the passenger cabin. It's all rubbish. It goes like stink and makes a glorious noise, but the Interior looks like it came out of a dollar General. Yet somehow they used the softest soft touch plastic I've ever felt. Too bad it was all in one color.

 

[White & Nerdy]

Chrysler Prowler - V6 + Automatic
Pontiac Aztek - Too expensive, built on FWD minivan platform (thus ruining original styling).
Yugo - They were well built, until...
All the new Lincolns - Very competent cars, but most of them make me want to throw up.
Chevy Volt - That body looks amazing, too bad there's an electric motor lurking under it.
Saturn compacts - Very light, but used a completely bespoke, not-very-powerful, extremely unreliable engine. Also, most of them are criminally ugly.