Anything handle better than A 914?, Senior project my son is working on Options

[porschecb]

Given all things such as weight, center of gravity etc. etc. etc. (hp?) He would like to know. Any thoughts? Insite? He is totaly impressed how the 914 handles corners and curves compared to anything else he taken a drive in. (not many) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Aaron Cox]

look at a lotus europa (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

ford GT, carrera GT, LOL

[TROJANMAN]

lotus europa

[zen motorcycle]

Koenigsegg CCR

McLaren F1

At least I assume they do I haven't been able to test drive them either (IMG:style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

[Cap'n Krusty]

Stock? Any Lotus. Audi Turbo Quattro Coupe. Corvette ZO6. The Cap'n

[Sammy]

reality check:
a stock 914 on stock size and style of tires, without sway bars or any 911 parts bolted on, does not handle that well. I know it's fun to pretend they do, but in fact they will drag their door handles in a corner if you are fortunate enough ot get the stock skinny tires to actually grab.

There are LOTS of cars out there that handle better than a stock (unmodified with 911 parts) 914.

Having said that, it is a very good platform for modifications and it doesn't take all that much change to make it a very good handler.

[racerx7]

miata

[drive-ability]

My 93 RX7 would out handle my 914 and I dare say most any other car. You have a good platform to work with in a 914. Its up to you to set it up.

[BMXerror]

I'd say that as far a handliong goes, you've got great potential with a 914, but it's not the best out there by any means. Still, all the racers have gotten ahold of it and created a market for a lot of SERIOUS suspension pieces, and given the lower weight and supirior weight distribution to most other cars, you can have something that handles rediculously well for not that much. Though it will ride crappy on the street (as if you care).
Mark D.

[porschecb]

I am talking pretty much stock. 205 tires and better than stock shocks. thats it. Thanks for feedback so far. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[anthony]

I am talking pretty much stock. 205 tires and better than stock shocks. thats it.

That is what I have on my stock '74 2.0L (Bilsteins and SO3 Bridgestones). I must say that I find the handling limits to be pretty insane. I'm sure a Lotus Elise or Corvette ZO-6 would put down a higher skidpad rating but the 914 is pretty darn good.

[GeorgeRud]

Noble, Ultima, Lotus 7, Lotus Europa, etc. Not much for the sort of money you have in a 914 though!

[michel richard]

Mazda Miata, Lotus Europa, Austin Mini.

But as others have said, this is against a stock 914. The strength of the 914 is its potential, and the ease of upgrading.

Michel

[Jamie]

Not a fair comparison when matching a vintage 30 plus year old car against contemporary rockets!! Not even close to apples vs. oranges!

[Boojum]

Koenigsegg CCR

McLaren F1

At least I assume they do I haven't been able to test drive them either (IMG:style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

Yeah... No. Both have awesome top speed, but the CCR is probably better in the handling department. I've heard that the F1 handles somewhat like a wet fish. Most reviews I've read basically conclude that cornering ability is appaling, despite its insane price, and that it's really great for going straight, really, really fast, and not for much else. Plus, it weighs about the same as a 914.

I would have to answer that one of the the best handling cars ever, for any price, would have to be a Lotus Seven, or more specifically, a replica like a Caterham Super Seven, or even better, a DIY kit, with sticky tires and all the suspension goodies. Consider it a go-kart on stereoids. A Seven with a modern aluminum block engine will will not top thousand pounds, and as Lotus loves to prove time and time again: light weight and good balance = superior handling. I've always thought that a Seven with a turbo RX-7 engine would be a blast. Downside is that you're not likely to be seen by people in tall vehicles.

edit: I just found out that a Canadian company is producing Seven replicas with a Hayabusa engine and sequenial transmission. 1300cc, 185 horsepower ar 9800 RPM, 105 lbs/ft at 6700 RPM, rev limit of 11,000 RPM, and it's redicliously light, of course, seeing at it belongs to a 500lb motorcycle. Plus, I've heard of some people who have done turbo hayabusa engines putting out as much as 500HP on alcohol. This is probably as close as one could come to true F1 style performance and handling at a somewhat affordable price.

[So.Cal.914]

Back in the early 80's I raced a new corvette in Azusa canyon. He worked up

there and drove that road 5 days a week, but I was no stranger eather. At that

time my 914 was "stock", 1.7 no sways 155/15's. In the straights he would

pull me but in the corners I would catch him with no problem. When we got to

the bottem and stopped at the light he asked me if it was a six, I replied that

it was a tired 1.7 with a bad clutch and in need of tires. The look on his face

was priceless. The handling is not as good as a properly set up teener or some

others but for a 30 + year old car it's damn good.

[boxstr]

Ariel Atom watch this an dsee if you don't agree. I know not apples to apples but who cares, these are kewl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdkEV-t9jg0

[Boojum]

Ariel Atom watch this an dsee if you don't agree. I know not apples to apples but who cares, these are kewl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdkEV-t9jg0

Agreed. Ariel Atom is super cool... But I think the Lotus Seven design is slightly more aerodynamic, and besides that, it's classic, if not classy. I also think it's cool that some Sevens raced along with their big brother F1 cars in Grand Prix, when Lotus used engines built by guys who also built...forklift engines?! Strange, but true. That Colin guy was a mad genius. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

edit: thought you guys would also enjoy this: Fun with a Lotus Seven

[URY914]

Mazda Miata, Lotus Europa, Austin Mini.

But as others have said, this is against a stock 914. The strength of the 914 is its potential, and the ease of upgrading.

Michel

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Completely

Even after all I've done to my car, some stock street cars can still get pretty close to my times. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[JPB]

Its all about the dollar and how much you want to drop on a decent ride. 914 four engines are expensive to work on and todays throw away motor craze with great HPs makes it an attractive alternative. There is no dought that a well upgraded 914 hangs with the big boys but again its all about the $$$$$. All wheel drive cars are hard to beat!!!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) AWD+Hp= (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) on the seat!