Out-handling the 914 Options

[bongo monkey]

The 914 has a reputation for being one of the best handling sports car in the world. I find it hard to believe that 30 year old entry-level techonology can out handle modern sports cars that are focused on handling. What production street cars do you think can out-handle the 914? I've heard about Lotus cars handling extremely well, but also being quite expensive. How does the 914 compare to modern entry-level sports cars, such as a Honda S2000?

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

I don't necessarily think that the 914 design is what makes it handle good.  It's more like the type of people that the design attracts have a propensity for being skilled drivers.  My non-p-car buddies are alway amazed that an early 911 (PCA AM class car let's say) can put the whop-down on all comers (twin turbos, boxsters, '92 RSA, whatever) at an event.  Yeah sure the car is dialed, but it's the driver that those cars tend to attract that makes the difference, likewise the 914.

Have fun,
Kevin

Yeah, the driver makes a LOT of difference. I think comparisons should be made for street-driven vehicles...track/AX-only cars are like dragsters in that they are specialized and thus anything goes.

I set my cars up for handling because I drive on the streets -- given a twisty road or a straight one and I'll take the twisty every time! I smoked some punk in a Mustang 5.0 with my VW station wagon in some curves because he only knew how to mash the gas pedal...yeah, on the straights he was gone but when we entered the corners I wasreally applying the brakes and flashing him to move.

Tires make a BIG difference in handling and braking, and that is the first "upgrade" I recommend next to suspension (springs/shocks) -- if you're not sure what to get then I recommend getting a tire with a Treadwear value between 360 and 180 (we're talking street driving but the lower the number the better the stickiness but the less life it will have) with Temperature and Traction ratings of 'A' or 'AA'. Sway bars and springs/shocks make a difference, as a matter of course. It depends on how much $$$ you wanna blow and how much of the car you want to keep street driveable i.e. keeping your kidneys from shaking out of your body. Then you practice, practice, practice!!!