Test Drove Cobalt SS, My Take Options

[Bigmeanbulldog55]

I test drove a Cobalt SS today. I was debating with some people about the traction issues with higher powered fwd cars which lead to this. I wanted to drive an srt-4, but I couldn't find a Dodge dealership close enough. I figured the supercharged Cobalt would be okay. The guy told me it was underated at 213hp to the wheels. I don't know about underated, but I'd believe 213. I wasn't really impressed though. I've driven faster. But with the traction, I didn't have a problem. It was the model without the LSD too. I've still got to find a srt-4, which I think will have more issues because of higher hp. But really, I didn't have a problem at all keeping traction. But, it was a nice dry day, and it has Z rated Prelli's on it.

[Bigmeanbulldog55]

there is no need for testing. high hp fwd cars are going to have traction issues. conservation of rotaional inertia and the the fact that the cars center of mass is above the roads surface (therefore a moment is imposed on the car) are the two factors that cause "nosing up" during acceleration. theres really no way around it, acceleration causes a higher normal force to be placed on the rear tires, and therefore more torque can be applied before traction is lost. the cobalt ss and srt4 are high enough horsepower where this will be a problem (and im willing to guess they both have a decent amount of mass over the front axel).

I'm not by any means debating the fact that fwd cars will have more issues than rwd. I just don't think they are as horrable as some people say. I just watched an episode of "Redline TV" a little bit ago, and they had a 320hp 4 door 95 Integra running on the track with a lot of success. They also had a fwd Cobalt that made the fasted time at the track. It beat out all the rwd and awd cars. It beat a purpose built Evo, Skyline, Chaser, and RX-7. This is enough proof to me. FWD cars can hook up and run with the rwd and awd cars. They'll never be as fast off the line as either, but on the street, I think they'll be okay.

[Kwanza26]

I'm not by any means debating the fact that fwd cars will have more issues than rwd. I just don't think they are as horrable as some people say. I just watched an episode of "Redline TV" a little bit ago, and they had a 320hp 4 door 95 Integra running on the track with a lot of success. They also had a fwd Cobalt that made the fasted time at the track. It beat out all the rwd and awd cars. It beat a purpose built Evo, Skyline, Chaser, and RX-7. This is enough proof to me. FWD cars can hook up and run with the rwd and awd cars. They'll never be as fast off the line as either, but on the street, I think they'll be okay.

They are pretty bad dude. Some get bad enough that they're no longer fun to just drive around. Of course this is reffering to something like 300-400+whp. Also... traction problems are only on slow starts and while the car's moving slowly (from a dead stop, during corner exit, etc). I doubt anyone will argue a FWD car has traction issues at higher speeds or during race situations, but during slow speed accel, there are serious issues.