the slalom figure tells me everything I need to know about how the car handles.

most people tend to focus on the utterly useless 0-60 and skidpad.

and then, of course – there’s the joy of driving. Drive a 115 hp Miata. Ignore the numbers – you’ll have more fun than in almost any other car on the planet.

70 to 0 braking distance
Road Holding / Skip Pad

From several sources my 600cc sportbike goes 0-60 somewhere in the 3’s…(I’ve seen 3.2-3.6). a zx-14/hayabusa goes from 2.9-3.5.

0-100 in my bike is 8′ish. A hyabusa can do it in under 5. That is a significant difference!

The only reason they’re here is to spread their religious dogma… they hate cars\ people\ society… I find it sad that Farago apparently leans their way.

Not true. Personally, I am an agnostic Darwinian pro-military AGW-denier and free marketeer somewhere to the right of Attila the Hun. But I do not consider mine the only valuable perspective.

While it is true that there are plenty of Bush-bashing tree huggers hereabouts, there are just as many writers and commentators who see things… differently.

I allow any and all opinions here as long as they conform to our anti-flaming policy. I am impressed by the passionate intelligence of those whose opinions I do not share. I consider my close encounter with their POV an honor and a privilege. And although I do not see them as “my enemy,” I like keeping them close, if you know what I mean…

Anyway, anyone wishing to write for TTAC on an automotive issue from any angle is invited to do so in the comments section or in an editorial, review or blog. For the latter three, email robert.farago@thetruthaboutcars.com for our guidelines.

Left, right, environmentalist or no, thanks for putting food on my table.

I’m feeling the same as losgatosCA and thetopdog.

I discovered TTAC way back at it’s beginning and fell in love with the witty, sarcastic, torpedoes be damned truth telling…

Unfortunately it seems to be turning into another left wing, global hoaxing, ANTI CAR website. I’m beginning to wonder if maybe that wasn’t the goal all along??? Calling all the global warming CO2 expelling environazis on here “car enthusiasts” is like calling Ann Coulter liberal.

The only reason they’re here is to spread their religious dogma… they hate cars\ people\ society… I find it sad that Farago apparently leans their way.

I know very few people who would actually force their car into 1st while moving forward. Apart from Autocrossing, maybe.

You don’t have to force it. You barely even have to blip the throttle during the double clutch to sync it.

I like knowing 0-60, and 0-30, and 5-60, and 1/4 mile, and 30-50, and, well, the more information the better.

Yeah, the same thing occurred to me. But I’m not as convinced as you are that the Merc would win in a 5-60 mph sprint. I’d bet the Merc’s tires still wouldn’t have enough traction, unless there are some electrons on board doing the actual driving. And that just takes away the whole point (for me, at least).

That’s why I don’t like the new Nissan GT-R. I mean, it’s an awesome feat of engineering. But what’s the point when it’s the electronics that are keeping the car on the track and not the driver’s skills?

Take the much maligned (here) current model Impala SS with FWD and 4-speed auto. The WRX STI handily beats it from a dig- 4.9 sec vs say 5.8 sec.

Take the same two vehicles 5-60 and the STI is well into the 6’s, with the Impala still pulling sub-6’s. See ya, Subaru.

For day-to-day driving the Impala will be cheaper, more comfortable, have much more room (fold-flat seats), be cheaper to buy and cheaper to insure. FWD with good tires will deal fine with most snowy streets.

It’s hard to overcome the torquiness of extra cylinders.

That makes sense, I’m only 24 so perhaps my priorities are not the same as someone a little bit older

And to make things worse, the manufacturers look at the market’s response to these stats and alter their designs to make cars that excel in the current “stat of the day”.

I think I can answer your question. Being a piston head does not have age limits. I have owned and driven drag racers and open wheel circle track cars many years ago, and still enjoy riding my motor cycle on the tail of the dragon. But horse power and handeling are not that important any more. Yes your needs may change with time. Thats how we end up with this group.

Having said that, I think there are other tests that are better. Why not 0-70 or 0-80? Those are speeds you see on the freeway. I also think the rolling start is a good test since most people, even gear heads, don’t do a “proper” start when driving on the street. A 5-60 or 5-70 time would give a better indication of the real world.

I would use the following:

0-60, 60-0, skidpad, & quarter mile due to historical significance

5-70 (or 5-80) since it represents real world takeoff and speed on the freeway

70-0 (or 80-0) to show the distance from highway speed

Emergency lane change – fastest speed to do it safely

Repeat all of the above on wet pavement and with 10 psi under and over tire pressures.

I have been asking myself the same thing. I personally don’t understand (I’m not saying it’s wrong, I just don’t understand it) how somebody that willingly spends time on a car website isn’t interested in performance above all else, but apparently there are plenty of people here that feel differently

However, 30-50 and 50-70, or just 30-70 acceleration is also an important measure. The Merc probably beats the Vette there, unless, of course, the tires are still spinning (which would be sick!).