Question: How would you rate the handling of 2G GSTs?

Phya · Jul 3, 2004

Would you say the handling of a 2G GST is very good? horrible? and compared to what?

Thanks, Phya

Kemy · Jul 3, 2004

well, I have a 1996 GST Spyder and it handles like a dream in my opinion (had a BMW 320 before that)

..... just my opinion :thumb:

hornetsnest · Jul 3, 2004

I've driven/rode in both. The spyder doesn't handle as well because of the extra weight and not being as stiff because of the top, but both handle pretty well. Main downsides are understeer (because FWD) and weaker brakes (single piston vs GSX dual). Otherwise, put a good suspension package on a car that weighs less that 3k and it's gonna handle well.

bjones18 · Sep 4, 2004

The 97 Talon AWD has quite a lack of (steering) on center torque feedback, and not much steering returnablity.

BMWs tend to have "steering wheel torque feedback" very proportional to the amount of "cornering." Is this necessary for good handling? no, but it "feels right."

A "brick" can handle well with sticky tires, negative camber, low cg, and 50/50 weight distribution. A "brick" is not necissarily streetable, and it can be touchy at the limit of adhesion.

Jebus[tuning] · Sep 4, 2004

Don't forget, 2G's turn like 18 wheelers.

2gGSX · Sep 4, 2004

What jebus means is that you won't be pulling too many tight U-turns from a stop

paranoidTSi · Sep 4, 2004

The turn radius sucks in my talon, get in the median and make a u turn and I usually end up bumping into the 3rd lane....my 87 corolla has a better turn radius.

I've been in a lowered DSM and the handling is much better than the stock height.

If I had to rate the handling of my car it would be about 5 out of 10, too much body roll.

Mackzero · Sep 4, 2004

Most performance cars will handle well with a properly tuned suspension and good driver that is used to the cars. As for the GS-T, I liked my 98 GSX a lot better than any of my buddies GS-Ts. But to answer the question at hand.... I would rate it a 6.5 out of 10 for handling. Compared to other cars similar to it.

greenmachine97 · Sep 4, 2004

I have a full suspension on my car and it handles alright. but i am not completely satisfied with the rigidity of the chasis. it is just to flimsy for me. i know that there are plenty of 2's that own people on the road course and do great at the scca, but you have to realize that more than most of that is due to the driver. 2g's are alright for street handling, but if i was going to autocross in it, i would probaly choose something else.

noz · Sep 4, 2004

my spyder gst..
handling........gotta be one of the worst car stock.
I can berely bust a U with my spyder.

greenmachine97 · Sep 4, 2004

yes, the turning radius is absolutely horrible. in all honesty, my suburban has a better turning radius. :thumbdown

hornetsnest · Sep 4, 2004

paranoidTSi said:
...make a u turn and I usually end up bumping into the 3rd lane...

I know what you're talking about...My only real "complaint" about the handling

Understeer can't really be a valid complaint beacause it is inherent in FWD cars.

blcknspo0ln · Sep 4, 2004

5 out of 10 also

my Xterra > my talon in turning radius :thumbdown

this is with tokico's and a strut bar

IMMORTALSPYDER · Sep 4, 2004

Handling and turning radiuses are two totally different things.
The suspension is problaby average to above average on stock components. With aftermarket parts obviously it's better.

EdwardNorth · Sep 4, 2004

Why exactly do our DSMs have such a chitty turning radius anyway? Would the wheels rub if the stops were any further out? It's almost embarassing sometimes turning in parking lots with my Talon...

But I was wondering if maybe it's possible to adjust the stops?

TSiGoesPsSsSst · Sep 4, 2004

Certainly handles alot better than my 91 Shadow winter beater :shhh:

Thomas91169 · Sep 5, 2004

low speed handling is sloppy. when i first started driving it it felt soft and unresponsive. however, after driving a while i noticed it has a certain point in which it will "bite" into the corner, this is at about 3/4 turn either way of the wheel, i can feel the tires acheve grip and pull to that side. at highway speeds though it has above average handling, it kinda wants to stick to the asphalt at 80+.

as for U turns, my thunderbird did them better, and that thing was a barge. i remember when i saw another eclipse and i tried to bust a Uie real quick, i almost hit the curb on the other side of the street. ive found out the ebrake works best fot those tight spots.

yoshimitsuspeed · Sep 5, 2004

Thomas91169 said:
low speed handling is sloppy. when i first started driving it it felt soft and unresponsive. however, after driving a while i noticed it has a certain point in which it will "bite" into the corner, this is at about 3/4 turn either way of the wheel, i can feel the tires acheve grip and pull to that side. at highway speeds though it has above average handling, it kinda wants to stick to the asphalt at 80+.

as for U turns, my thunderbird did them better, and that thing was a barge. i remember when i saw another eclipse and i tried to bust a Uie real quick, i almost hit the curb on the other side of the street. ive found out the ebrake works best fot those tight spots.

I prefer the gas pedal in the gsx

but it sucks when you mess up. OMG

2GEclipseGST · Sep 5, 2004

I have to say, i love most everything about my GST, EXCEPT the handling, it's WAY under par. I've driven SUVs with better turn radius'. If you want a nice handling car, go grab yourself a 240sx (s13 or s14) I LOVE the handling of those cars! =P

IMMORTALSPYDER · Sep 5, 2004

2GEclipseGST said:
I have to say, i love most everything about my GST, EXCEPT the handling, it's WAY under par. I've driven SUVs with better turn radius'. If you want a nice handling car, go grab yourself a 240sx (s13 or s14) I LOVE the handling of those cars! =P

Like what was said above- Handling and turning radius are completely different.

2gGSX · Sep 5, 2004

EdwardNorth said:
Why exactly do our DSMs have such a chitty turning radius anyway? Would the wheels rub if the stops were any further out? It's almost embarassing sometimes turning in parking lots with my Talon... But I was wondering if maybe it's possible to adjust the stops?

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84167&highlight=turn+radius
Our stock turning radius is quoted to be 38.1ft just so you know
And as a reference, the Honda Del Sol has a 30.8 ft circle, and a Dodge Caravan has a 37.6 ft circle

And as IMMORTALSPYDER said, handling really has nothign to do with the turning radius, unless you often come to very low speeds/complete stops and have to make very tight turns

You can't really do anything to change this unless you switch to much more narrow tires, or completely change your suspension.

As for the original topic, the handling of any car can be made better. It's dependant on how compatible it is to the driver's style anyways.

bjones18 · Sep 5, 2004

Where did we get handling confused with turn radius?

Handling: understeer/oversteer, pitch, grip, lat acc, and the ability of the vehicle to provide sensory feedback.

Parking lot: turn radius, steering wheel turns to lock, amount of effort to crank that wheel.

noz · Sep 5, 2004

bjones18 said:
Where did we get handling confused with turn radius?

Handling: understeer/oversteer, pitch, grip, lat acc, and the ability of the vehicle to provide sensory feedback.

Parking lot: turn radius, steering wheel turns to lock, amount of effort to crank that wheel.

i don't think anyone got confuse, we just wanted to point that out because it sucks more or almost as much as the handling.

bjones18 · Sep 5, 2004

noz said:
i don't think anyone got confuse, we just wanted to point that out because it sucks more or almost as much as the handling.

What part of the handling are you not happy with?

SiNiST3R · Sep 5, 2004

Well lets see i have a 97 spyder and racing a SRt/4 on the back roads i had him on the long streches, but when it comes to conoring i did mild Okay. I Drifted to much on one turn and my car was 1/2 off the road only hit one of them white plastic markers noprob.

All in all its an Okay handler not the Best. and thats a turthfull answer. my POS CRX si i had now that hadle like a gocart and was bad ass in the back road but it had no go slow as a goat.

The Central Hub for DSM Community and Information

Question: How would you rate the handling of 2G GSTs?

Phya

Kemy

hornetsnest

bjones18

Jebus[tuning]

2gGSX

paranoidTSi

Mackzero

greenmachine97

noz

greenmachine97

hornetsnest

blcknspo0ln

IMMORTALSPYDER

EdwardNorth

TSiGoesPsSsSst

Thomas91169

yoshimitsuspeed

2GEclipseGST

IMMORTALSPYDER

2gGSX

bjones18

noz

bjones18

SiNiST3R

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