it would take a brave man...

 

Or a stupid one..... lol.

 

The problem with some of those interstate off ramps is the grading on the shoulders: if youslide off, you REALLY are off, and tumble down a long, steep angle. Game over.

There is a difference between ultimate cornering limits and the feel or confidence that the car inspires. I think that is some of the Focus vs. 944 issue discussed above. Imagine part of the difference there is tire compatibility with the car chassis. I'm not sure a 944 was designed for some of the tires out today with their stiffer-than-when it was designed sidewalls. the wrong tires -- or more right to say -- the less than "right" tires on a 944 might make it feel less capable than it really is. This was recently driven home to me: had to replace the rear Michelin Pilots on my Carrera with no warning and the store only had Brigdestones in the right size. The handling is noticeably squirelier with them on the rear: might be incompatibility with the fronts (still the original Michelins) or just not good tires for the car: either way I plan to actually get rid of them soon, even though they are nearly new. How tires match the car can make a big difference.

This month's Car and Driver magzine really drives home that point. In the compariosn of the Solstice with the Miata they note that while the Solstice is slower than the Miata in every measured category, it is probably faster around a road course just because it inspires more driver confidence and can be driven closer to the limit consistently.

 

I was just thinking about that the other day. I had the 944 try to go sidways with me around a REALLY hard turn up a moutain (had about 10 minutes to get my good friend from base to the airport.) I was only doing about 40 MPH and the rear end just didn't want to cooperate with me. I did about 65 in my focus up that same hill so I was just a little bit surprised. My focus had Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's on it and the 944 has Sport Touring Perilli's on it, I think the Kumho's are a bit sportier and wonder if thats the reason the Focus felt like it handled better. I have also found that when its cold outside I have to drive about 30 mins fairly easy on the car or the rear end is a bit squirly also. Its getting about time to get new tires for the 944 in the next few months so we'll see when I finally decide on new treads. Any suggestions? I don't need anything crazy just a good all around tire.

 

i cant believe that we are comapring a focus to a 944...

 

Yeah I know.... sad....

 

one thing, i use 712's at the track, and for the price, they are about unbeatable.