Analog AND Digital speedo
11-06-2002, 12:10 AM
#51
non sequitr
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's the 3.0A4 w/ quattro. The 1.8T is about 100 lighter on MT/AT, and the BMW 325i and 330i is yet 100 lighter still on the same MT/AT weights.
200lbs might not seem much, but as you turn, the G force adds a multiplicative factor that makes even a small weight increase a large penalty.
The weight distribution of course, affects the base handling properties. Nose heavy will want to understeer, and the FWD/AWD layout of the Audi is no help either. The front tires and brakes on a front heavy car will also take quite a bit of abuse from trying to keep that weight in check, particularly from braking. (all the weight shifts to the already heavy front, overloading the front brakes and tires)
The excellent suspension on the A4 however, manages to minimize the effect of understeer on turning, so it feels relatively nimbe, but there is no way to escape the pitfalls of extra weight. The car is definetly more sporty than your average sedan, but it's not as good as others in the sport sedan category.
200lbs might not seem much, but as you turn, the G force adds a multiplicative factor that makes even a small weight increase a large penalty.
The weight distribution of course, affects the base handling properties. Nose heavy will want to understeer, and the FWD/AWD layout of the Audi is no help either. The front tires and brakes on a front heavy car will also take quite a bit of abuse from trying to keep that weight in check, particularly from braking. (all the weight shifts to the already heavy front, overloading the front brakes and tires)
The excellent suspension on the A4 however, manages to minimize the effect of understeer on turning, so it feels relatively nimbe, but there is no way to escape the pitfalls of extra weight. The car is definetly more sporty than your average sedan, but it's not as good as others in the sport sedan category.
11-06-2002, 12:31 AM
#52
Originally posted by fuz
That's the 3.0A4 w/ quattro. The 1.8T is about 100 lighter on MT/AT, and the BMW 325i and 330i is yet 100 lighter still on the same MT/AT weights.
200lbs might not seem much, but as you turn, the G force adds a multiplicative factor that makes even a small weight increase a large penalty.
The weight distribution of course, affects the base handling properties. Nose heavy will want to understeer, and the FWD/AWD layout of the Audi is no help either. The front tires and brakes on a front heavy car will also take quite a bit of abuse from trying to keep that weight in check, particularly from braking. (all the weight shifts to the already heavy front, overloading the front brakes and tires)
The excellent suspension on the A4 however, manages to minimize the effect of understeer on turning, so it feels relatively nimbe, but there is no way to escape the pitfalls of extra weight. The car is definetly more sporty than your average sedan, but it's not as good as others in the sport sedan category.
That's the 3.0A4 w/ quattro. The 1.8T is about 100 lighter on MT/AT, and the BMW 325i and 330i is yet 100 lighter still on the same MT/AT weights.
200lbs might not seem much, but as you turn, the G force adds a multiplicative factor that makes even a small weight increase a large penalty.
The weight distribution of course, affects the base handling properties. Nose heavy will want to understeer, and the FWD/AWD layout of the Audi is no help either. The front tires and brakes on a front heavy car will also take quite a bit of abuse from trying to keep that weight in check, particularly from braking. (all the weight shifts to the already heavy front, overloading the front brakes and tires)
The excellent suspension on the A4 however, manages to minimize the effect of understeer on turning, so it feels relatively nimbe, but there is no way to escape the pitfalls of extra weight. The car is definetly more sporty than your average sedan, but it's not as good as others in the sport sedan category.
But like the 3 series, they are a dime a dozen on the roads nowadays...
11-06-2002, 03:47 AM
#53
non sequitr
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dime a dozen does not begin to describe the sheer numbers of 3-ers around where I live. Just north of Si Valley in the east bay area of CA, where you can not go on a 5 minute trip without seeing about as many BMWs. You'd get the impression that 10% of vehicles here are of German decent. 
Good concentration of miatas and FC/FD RX-7s too. It's a madhouse I tell you! A MADHOUSE! :D
Good concentration of miatas and FC/FD RX-7s too. It's a madhouse I tell you! A MADHOUSE! :D
11-06-2002, 05:05 PM
#54
Registered
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Aliso Viejo, ca
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
every other person has a 3 series beemer... just in our parking lot, there must be 20 3 series beemers total... not that many audi's for lexus.. thought the 350Z are starting to pop up..
11-11-2002, 06:41 PM
#55
Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
real talk
I just realized that it is hard to see how fast youre going if youre accerating fast because a digital speedo will flicker through the numbers, whereas in an analog, you can just see where the relative position of the needle is.
11-11-2002, 07:47 PM
#56
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London (England)
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: real talk
Originally posted by MazdaMan182
I just realized that it is hard to see how fast youre going if youre accerating fast because a digital speedo will flicker through the numbers, whereas in an analog, you can just see where the relative position of the needle is.
I just realized that it is hard to see how fast youre going if youre accerating fast because a digital speedo will flicker through the numbers, whereas in an analog, you can just see where the relative position of the needle is.
11-11-2002, 08:25 PM
#58
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London (England)
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Toadman
Peripheral vision, baby. Needle sweep is a good thing. Rapidly scrolling numbers = bad.
Peripheral vision, baby. Needle sweep is a good thing. Rapidly scrolling numbers = bad.
11-11-2002, 08:45 PM
#59
Nomad Mod
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Hilton or Marriott
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LOL, and wind noise. But I wouldn't mind a digital readout that "locks in" a speed upon LIDAR or radar acquisition as a preview to the upcoming conversation with a Constable of the law, but that's an entirely different thread. :D
But I wouldn't mind a digital readout that "locks in" a speed upon LIDAR or radar acquisition as a preview to the upcoming conversation with a Constable of the law, but that's an entirely different thread. :D
11-11-2002, 08:55 PM
#60
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London (England)
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Toadman
LOL, and wind noise. But I wouldn't mind a digital readout that "locks in" a speed upon LIDAR or radar acquisition as a preview to the upcoming conversation with a Constable of the law, but that's an entirely different thread. :D
LOL, and wind noise.
But I wouldn't mind a digital readout that "locks in" a speed upon LIDAR or radar acquisition as a preview to the upcoming conversation with a Constable of the law, but that's an entirely different thread. :D
11-16-2002, 02:41 AM
#63
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
An analog and digital speedo, a la Porsche Boxster, would be great.
I know its fairly poor, but I think everyone will get the idea. Who really wouldn't rather see something like this?
I know its fairly poor, but I think everyone will get the idea. Who really wouldn't rather see something like this?
Last edited by mx32mpsrx8; 11-16-2002 at 03:54 AM.
11-16-2002, 03:59 PM
#64
Originally posted by mx32mpsrx8
An analog and digital speedo, a la Porsche Boxster, would be great.
I know its fairly poor, but I think everyone will get the idea. Who really wouldn't rather see something like this?
An analog and digital speedo, a la Porsche Boxster, would be great.
I know its fairly poor, but I think everyone will get the idea. Who really wouldn't rather see something like this?
11-17-2002, 02:46 PM
#65
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: anaheim, california
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UGH .. i hate porche dashes... it be kinda cool if they had the RPM in the center like the ferraris and have the miles/km off to the side.
I still think the lexus is300 chrono style is the coolest.. i just hope they have all the buttons in easy to reach positions. I hate looking and reaching for buttons..YES I AM A LAZY AMERICAN =(
I still think the lexus is300 chrono style is the coolest.. i just hope they have all the buttons in easy to reach positions. I hate looking and reaching for buttons..YES I AM A LAZY AMERICAN =(
11-18-2002, 04:57 PM
#67
Pure Gold
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having earlier said I prefer analog speedo to digital, I must say this is the best (partly) digital dash I've ever seen (the real one, not the editied one with the 'Porsche-like' speedo to the right).
The Edmunds review stated that the optitronic guages are white with the headlights off and red with the headlights on - I think optitronic (a la Lexus LS430, GS430 etc) are fantastic, anyone else agree?
The Edmunds review stated that the optitronic guages are white with the headlights off and red with the headlights on - I think optitronic (a la Lexus LS430, GS430 etc) are fantastic, anyone else agree?
11-19-2002, 10:01 AM
#68
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well....
I like the gauges of the RX-8 as-is. They're big, legible, and at night will light up into a crimson red which will kick a** against a black background. As far as the person who likes the chrono style of the IS-300? Yuck. That is the most trendy gauge cluster I have ever seen. I remember looking at the "Lexus Test Drive" on the speed channel months ago and a Lexus representative said, " The gauges of the IS-300 are race inspired." Race inspired? What race car do you know of I inspired those gauges? I don't know of any race car that has chrono-style gauges. I fell off of the sofa laughing at that comment. What inspired those gauges are my Swatch and Guess watches. On a side note--- I am dissappointed that Mazda won't offer a mini-disc player as at least an option...I'm a mini-disc fanatic, and also I don't think they are going to offer a nav. system either. I like to travel and a nav. system would be nizzzzeeee. Once I got a taste of nav., I can't go back.
11-19-2002, 10:28 AM
#69
Drive it like U stole it!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Woodbridge, Ontario
Posts: 859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by 1.3 liter
...also I don't think they are going to offer a nav. system either. I like to travel and a nav. system would be nizzzzeeee. Once I got a taste of nav., I can't go back.
...also I don't think they are going to offer a nav. system either. I like to travel and a nav. system would be nizzzzeeee. Once I got a taste of nav., I can't go back.
I initially had no desire whatsoever to put a nav. in the rx8. That was until a recent trip to southern California where it was installed in the rental car. Now I want one assuming that it is not over priced.
11-19-2002, 12:40 PM
#70
Sponge Bob RotorPants
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought last we heard from boowana (who seems to be the authority as he is usually right and is so confident in his information) was that there would be a nav and sunroof option. I think it was from a mid october post, which is recent enough for me to still have hope...
11-19-2002, 01:09 PM
#71
Drive it like U stole it!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Woodbridge, Ontario
Posts: 859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by pmacwill
I thought last we heard from boowana (who seems to be the authority as he is usually right and is so confident in his information) was that there would be a nav and sunroof option. I think it was from a mid october post, which is recent enough for me to still have hope...
I thought last we heard from boowana (who seems to be the authority as he is usually right and is so confident in his information) was that there would be a nav and sunroof option. I think it was from a mid october post, which is recent enough for me to still have hope...
11-19-2002, 01:19 PM
#73
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hope boowana is right too!
I'd also like to be able to get nav as an option (I know that we've seen pics with the new red RX-8 with a sunroof, so I'm happy about that) ... but isn't there some kind of problem with ordering a nav system on the mazda 6 in the states - I thought that it isn't being offered here ...?
11-19-2002, 01:53 PM
#74
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I remember seeing a nav. in the pre-production Mazda 6 and was hopeful that Mazda would offer one, but was dissappointed when it wasn't offered in the production Mazda 6. That made me think that the RX-8 wouldn't have one either. It's funny that Mazda doesn't offer a nav. in any of it's vehicles, but Lexus offers them in ALL of theirs. Go figure.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
