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What is it called when a car feels "responsive"?

post #1 of 8
8/31/11 at 7:49am
Thread Starter 
I used to drive my 2002 Honda Accord in High School. My parents ended up selling it, but I loved the way it drove.

You pressed the gas and it felt like you were pressing GO, or you turned the wheel and it felt like you were actually TURNING the wheel. You just felt super in touch with everything. It was only a 4 cylinder, so it wasn't "peppy" and the turning wasn't "tight" per se. It was just...responsive. And I loved to drive it. (Getting a little nostalgic just thinking about it smile.gif)

I've driven later versions of the accord and they were similar, but not the same. And it was totally different than driving, say, an Audi M4 or a BMW or something; those felt like you were activating some sort of esoteric mechanism that made the car go or turn, if that makes sense.

What is that quality that I was so in love with called?
Edited by GraphicNovelty - 8/31/11 at 8:18am
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post #2 of 8
8/31/11 at 8:03am
I'm not sure of a word to describe this direct, connected feeling. Car mags sometimes refer to older models as feeling "analogue", in a good way. Usually it's put down to less weight in older cars due to fewer safety aids, less sound deadening etc, which makes even slower cars feel more responsive than faster modern ones. Older cars tend to have less power assistance in the steering than bang up to do models too, which can make a huge difference. There are some models which still have the go-kart feel to them; a BMW MINI does for example
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post #3 of 8
8/31/11 at 12:24pm
I would reply right away to this dumb question, but i don't want to be considered too, uhh, what's the word? responsive.
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post #4 of 8
8/31/11 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
I asked another forum and this is what they said:
Quote:
it just means that there isn't so much fucking power assist on steering/brakes that you can steer with your pinky and brake with one toe, the suspension isn't so squishy that it absorbs every single tiny little thing and wallows like a bitch through corners

basically it's what honda used to be all about, peppy little I4s that rev the crap out of everything and go LOLIAMCARVROOMVROOMWHEE

and now
not so much

just "good road feel, responsive and not ridiculously fucking heavy" - good luck with that in the modern world of emissions regulations ruining our engine fun and safety regulations making suspension squishy as fuck and cars heavy as fuck
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post #5 of 8
9/1/11 at 1:02pm
throttle response for acceleration
direct for the steering
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post #6 of 8
9/5/11 at 12:30pm
Trompe generally has it right.

Some advice for you in general:
1. Avoid cars with turbos if you want immediate "go" response. Pretty much all turbos have lag before power kicks in.
2. Go with rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive has all kinds of issues involving understeer and torque steer.
3. The smaller the car, the better usually. Don't buy a truck or SUV unless you absolutely need one.
4. Body roll is an annoyance that can be fixed on most cars with a $200 sway bar.
Edited by zerostyle - 10/3/11 at 2:56pm
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post #7 of 8
9/22/11 at 11:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas View Post

I would reply right away to this dumb question, but i don't want to be considered too, uhh, what's the word? responsive.
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post #8 of 8
9/22/11 at 11:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas View Post

I would reply right away to this dumb question, but i don't want to be considered too, uhh, what's the word? responsive.
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