Low to the Ground = faster Feel

[WayOutCat]

Have been looking at a lot of early 90's cars and noticing that, although later models have stronger engines, these cars are more fun to drive since --bone stock with no expensive 'lowering' mods-- they seat the driver closer to the ground, with a good view down the hood.

This naturally increases perceived sensation of speed. : )

Early 90's Preludes, Corollas, Legends, & Sentras seem to all share this "low to the ground" driver seating benefit. Have not gotten a good look at a 240sx but I suspect that the same is true of them.

Anybody else noticed this? Or have you noticed lower cars? Or perhaps your observations contradict mine. Any input is useful.

I'm just sad to see all the low-buck fun cars getting higher off the ground.

[YukiHime]

Just drive a SUV and a Sport car, then you'll feel the difference. The higher that you are above the road, the less feeling of the speed.

[WayOutCat]

yes, thank you : )

[Moppie]

Having driven everything from large trucks to a variety of Lotus's then I have to agree.

The greatest feeling of speed Iv ever had was in my kit car, your but is about 3 inchs off the road, there are no doors, no roof, only a simple windscreen, and if you reach your hand out the side you can easily reach the ground.
50kmh felt like 100, so you can imagine what 180kmph felt like

[WayOutCat]

anyone know of any other low cars I should check out?

thanks!

[kfoote]

There is NOTHING like going 70 in a kart. I did the Bondurant karting school last winter and 70 MPH in a 32 HP 6 speed shifter kart feels WAY faster than anything else I've ever driven. I felt less comfortable in a flat out 60 MPH kink on the track I was on than I ever have in the 100 MPH Downhill at Lime Rock or the 85 MPH South Oval at NHIS where you track out to within 6" of the concrete wall.

[flylwsi]

hmm...
you have to consider other things, like sound deadening, exhaust note, engine note, etc.

sports cars have different levels of these 3 things compared to a truck/suv.

it's not simply b/c they're lower.

my truck is pretty low, and still doesn't feel as fast as my car.

however, the truck puts you a little further from the window, more insulated from the sound of the motor/exhaust, etc.

so it's not simply the height thing.

[Ground Rat]

Doing 100+ mph in my truck doesn't seem fast at all, until you apply the brakes. I'm lowering it soon, though.

[WayOutCat]

flylwsi,
I hear what youre saying about sound. care to elaborate? I'm sure there's more to getting the propper feel than getting a set of Greddys : )

[chopstick1981]

its one thing to have a car that "looks" like you're going fast, but there's no replacement for a car that you can actually feel going fast. I dont need to look out the window of my grandpas 55 chevy to know im going fast, i know it when it throws me into the back of my seat.

[Moppie]

I can dump the clutch on a truck and throw you into the back of the seat, but it sure as hell dosnt mean your going fast, it just means a large amount of torque has been very violently applied.

[flylwsi]

torque is part of acceleration. if you have a strong acceleration off the line, you are going fast, off the line.
it's a physics thing. if you can throw someone back in the seat off the line, you've got a strong launch, and will most likely win a 60 foot race. after that, it's gearing. but you will take people off the line.

[Altimas]

Just add to the throw you back in your seat deal, thats just torque.
Alot of trucks will do this to you, and when you punch it, it seems to accelerate pretty good, but a 4 banger econ box is usally faster, it's just the large amount of torque, because that's what you feel. You feel the force. You don't feel horsepower.
Oh and I can throw you head back in 1st gear with my stock 70 bug I can also squal the tires without dumpin the clutch
Can't wait till I get some dual carbs and exhaust. Then goes the bottem end mods+ new cam and rockers.

[chopstick1981]

dumping the clutch might throw you back for a quick sec., but im talking about throwing me back into the seat the whole quarter mile, so much torque the front end lifts off the ground. thats the very definition of fast. and if a stock vw bug is throwing you back in your seat then you have a weak neck... no dissrespect towards VWs, i actually like them.... just not stock.