Hi all, this is kind of a weird question but, I just got done driving I think a 2006 volvo s40 2.4 L with everything stock. (my rx7 is down because I blew a hose and waiting for mazda to ship me my new one)

Anyways, ..... I have only drove 3 cars more then just to move it and such. I had a 94 auto cavalier, 88 gtu rx7 5 speed, and I drove this 06 volvo with .. it says 168 hp ... But when I hit the gas ... its like the volvo ..takes a second to think ...and asks hey .. are you sure you want to go? Maybe ? oh ok and then goes... slowly .... Is this normal? My rx7 you tap the gas and its off, no lag or thinking. I havnt drove my cavalier for a while and cant remember if it had a lag, but it was a 3 speed I4 .. so like less then 100 hp to the ground. haha.

I was just wondering... is this normal because of the rx7 engine? or because the volvo is a luxary car instead of sports?

Again im really sorry for this random post but It's REALLY pissing me off ... other then the volvos heated power seats and semi digital dash ... I hate it... I wouldnt pay 3K$ for it let alone 20k$. Rx-7 anyday.

(but then again, nothing like pulling the e-brake on a volvo with the owner in the car only in the parking lot with snow obviously but still :P )

 

is the Volvo manual? The auto s40s are sssllllooowww to respond. I valet cars and i have only driven a few that react as well as my Rx7, all of which cost alot more mind you.

 

basically, an 88 GTU is the ****

 

Compared to most modern cars, the FC doesn't have that good throttle response, unless you're running a very good aftermarket exhaust system?

Touchiest throttle I've ever driven was some late 90's FORD ESCORT.
It made the car FEEL fast, but it really had no power.
The Ford engineers programmed the ECU to run such crisp response (really advanced ignition timing?), that is made the car FEEL fast.
Throttle response was ultra quick, and it made it tricky to take off from a stop.
It felt like you were going to burn rubber (hell, it was FWD) all the time, and it took some getting used to to start and stop.

That was such a weird experience...


-Ted

 

Actually it may have ETC(electronic throttle control) instead of cables like all the newer cars are starting to have and they have different sensors that need to agree before it takes off. I've seen the same thing with all the newer vehicles with seeming to take a second to go.

 

My old 95 prelude with VTAK!!!! had about the best response of a car ive driven. i could be in first and play a song by tapping the gas and breaking the tires free. it was super crisp and fast to respond. now im driving a t2 that takes about 2 seconds to really take off, but thats not entirely its fault, engine is worn slap out

 

i'd say its bcuz the computer is deciding what gear to choose, hesit.'s and than picks its gear. most automatics are this way...was it a manual tho?

 

True with what Houstonderk had to say about the new throttle systems. Today with the new advancements in automobiles, cars are going from a cable to a completelely "drive by wire" system. Instead of a direct cable going from your Accelerator to your throttlebody, there's a servo which depending on user demand (interpretted by the computer) opens the throttlebody to different driving conditions. This allows better emissions, control, blah blah blah which is useless. Of course, The New Subaru Impreza STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, and other cars are using it too, and those react much more quickly. ^_^ Just tidbits.

 

It's the electronic throttle's fault, well, partially.

My mom's 05 Impreza has one, and it "hangs" for a second when shifting. The revs don't drop for a moment after you let off the gas. It's very frustrating.