65Imp

iTrader: (8)

But I can recognize the strength of the F-bodies in both straight lne AND handling. What?! total blasphemy! Yeah, when I go to a road course 3 out of 4 fast cars out there are F-bodies. Sure they're modified, but the stock ones are real strong in the corners as well. Did you guys see the Car and driver article with the comparo between top of the line sportscars from a manufacturer vs. the lower buck alternative? Guess what car got fourth? right behind the modena, zo6, porsche tt, camaro ss? They must have made a mistake, there was a ringer driver, maybe they used race tires????? Nope, surprised a lot of the testers too. Sure it's a live axle, but it's set up well.... I'm sure it dosen't feel as steady or tossable as an FD, but isn't a car that out handles a NSX, Maranello, S2000, and boxter S at least a decent handling car? in my book the answer is yes, and the camaros are a worthy foe. Sure they're cookie cutter, and cheap-o interior, but they do go fast in all departments..... That's what you're buying. I prefer my FD, but I woulden't say no to a free F-body.
And to the original question, faster in a straight line.... It's close, I'd say it would be easier to win in the F-body (with sticky tires). But you look a lot better winning in the FD.

r1owner

This is perhaps the best statement in this whole thread! The only problem I have with it is that it doesn't mention BIKES!

Most people don't want to hear that their car can be beat.

The fact is the RX7 is still (even by todays standards) a great car. So are lots of other cars (even the Z28)!

JoeD

wait...did you just say that a Camaro handles better than those cars listed above???

BWWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!

good one!

65Imp

iTrader: (8)

Car and Driver did! Laugh it up Fuzzball, then look it up. All new cars, all on the same track, and the SS was faster. make all the excuses you want, but it beat them around the track.

JoeD

thats exactly how i felt when i was a little kid. back then, i went crazy over any car that did 0-60 in under 6 seconds, did the 1/4 mile in under 14, and had a high top speed.

then i grew up and realized that there is more to a car then performance numbers. hell, there could be a production car that ran 8s, had a 240+ top speed, and pulled sub 2 0-60 times. does that mean i should respect that car?? no. does that mean i am not an enthusiast?? no.

a car must earn my repect by more ways then impressive numbers.

lane_change

iTrader: (20)

My friends 97 z28 can't hang with my modded 97 GSX but my GSX lost to a modded FD so I have a lot of respect for that car. Also, my other friend has a 95 Firebird which rolled the dynos at 395rwhp and I have beat him on occasion and lost on occasion but we both spank the Z28 which only has an intake and exhaust. I've raced tons of F-bodies and hardly ever lose because they all think they got a fast car but the one FD I raced took me by 3-4 cars up to about 125mph. I am going to buy an FD real soon because his car launches almost with my GSX which no F-body can dream of, and handles awesome, it's the better package.

rynberg

Which issue of C/D was that in, because I have been a subscriber for a while now and sure as hell don't remember that.

65Imp

iTrader: (8)

It's Road and track January 2001, not Car and Driver. The Track was thunderhill and the Camaro beat the Boxter S, SLK 320, S2000, and the M roadster. The NSX was less than 2 seconds faster on the track with average times of ~2 min 15 seconds... I use the NSX as a comparison because our cars usually perform similarly, and the point is the camaro is no slouch, the S2K is thought to be one of the better handling cars, as well as the M roadster.

BTW: It was the ZO6 that was only beat by the 360 Modena. The rest of the field was the Z8, Maranello, NSX, SL 500, Porsche TT,

jimlab

Riiiight. And now your tastes have matured, and you like only fine wine, French paintings, and German automobiles. I gotcha.

You're a broken record, Joe...

waltk88

In this case, the NSX is a bad benchmark because it was not an entirely healthy example. Road & Track said there were problems with that particular NSX tested. It still performed pretty decent, though.

JoeD

wrooooong.

JoeD

no. i also like some cars that Japan, England, and Italy put out.

JoeD

yeah...i guess you could say that. i know better than to judge a car solely on how long it takes for it to reach a set distance, a quarter of a mile in your case.

waltk88

LT1 and LS1 F-Bodies are quick cars no question. Big, sticky tires mean that they can corner pretty damn hard.

But I still rate the FD as a superior handling car. The FD's steering is so communicative and direct the driver really feels at one with the car (old cliche, I know). I have pretty good experience with sportscars, having owned a 944 Turbo, E30 M3, and a Lancer Evo IV (while working in Hong Kong). I also had a lot of seat time in my brother's 86 911 turbo, 996 911, and Ferrari 348ts. The FD ranks right up there with the best in terms of steering. I drove a 98 Z28 for a week, and the steering is not anywhere near as tactile.

The FD has good brakes, essential for track fun. While a Camaro SS might be capable of great stopping distances, I doubt it can stand up to prolonged pounding as well as a FD. The 4-pot calipers on the FD have got to be better at resisting fade than the stock Camaro SS set up.

Personally, I also prefer my sportscars small and light.

But the LT1 and LS1 Cambirds are a lot of bang for the buck. Stock vs stock, the LS1 cars would beat the FD in a straightline race without much trouble. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of one day owning a LS1 Camaro SS or Firebird WS6 next to the FD in my garage. Would probably perform daily driver duty better. I also love those V8 sounds. But I'd have more fun on my Sunday morning drives in the FD.

jimlab

Or to reach 60 miles per hour, or top speed. We've got the point.

Like I said, you're a broken record. Same bullshit, different day.

Dan

here is a pic of my 98z. This car was loaded with every thing but leather and slp package.I bought it brand new. I went to the local drag strip and ran a consistant 13.9 @ 99.9mph, and that was bone stock with 3/4 of a gas tank on 93 octane. Possibly could have hit 13.7 on a cooler day and running on empty. I do have a time slip, but I cant find it.

r1owner

Dan, that time is pretty indicative of what a lot of LS1 powered F-bodies run with their drivers.

I have a friend with a 2000 SS 6M. Every time that we go someplace, we race at pretty much every safe opportunity. His best 1/4 mile is 13.46 (completely stock), mine is 13.50 (Apex N1 Dual catback). On the highway, the win pretty much goes to whoever gets the jump.

The cars are fairly well matched from what I have seen. At least with a catback on the FD.