What qualities makes the 914 suspension, so archaic... Options

[olav]

I've been noticing a lot of people mentioning that the suspension system in a 914 is no match for modern suspension system. Some even mention that a Neon's suspension is better.

What are the problems with the 914's suspension that make it so uncompetitive with the newer cars?

Is it that the 914's suspension in some peoples cars is so old ie old bushings, shocks, torsion bars that are worn, etc that newer cars just have newer parts which makes them better or is the actual design of the suspension been superceded?

Just curious.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)

[jhadler]

QUOTE (Tobra @ Oct 24 2005, 12:45 PM)

I would guess that an Integra GSR would crush a neon, stock for stock, and unless the miata is a turbo, it will have trouble keeping up. It has a pretty advanced suspension, upper and lower wishbones anti-sway bars and all that. This said, I can tell you that there are three places my Honda beats my 914, shifting, braking and acceleration. With the same Yokohama tires, in similar sizes, the Honda will carry 10-15% less speed through the same corner. The 914 is also much more controllable, and pushing hard in a corner, it is extremely easy to control oversteer and understeer. With the integra, it understeers, period, unless you get pretty abrupt with throttle and brake inputs. The suspension is not bad, just old. It has taken 30 years for other cars to catch up. If macpherson struts were all that bad, why does the "Ultimate Driving Machine" use them still.

On the track, yeah an Integra can probably pull the Miata, but not very easilly. On an autox course, forget it. The miata will kill the integra.

In performance driving, competition etc. on alsphalt, all other things being equal, the problem with FWD cars is that you're asking the front tires to do almost ALL of the work. My favorite saying about FWD cars (and yes I used to autox a VW GTi), is that it really doesn't matter what you do with the rear end, the tires are only there to keep the gas tank from dragging on the ground... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

And as for an Integra vs. a Neon? An Integra type R vs. a Neon ACR? That's close, but the Integra gets it. A regular Integra GS-R vs. a Neon? The Neon gets it. Handles better, and is -LIGHTER-. Weight is key, and the Integra is not a super light car.

And lacking the Limited Slip of the Type R, it's pretty hard to put more power down with only 1 wheel...

-Josh2