[DMCForum] DeLo vs. Porsche perform. was: stupid driving lesson question

["cruznmd" <racuti1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the insight. Very interesting!

I agree, that had JZD had more time, things would be very different 
today. He -knew- the car needed more. Why else would he have Legend 
industries involved so early?

The handling comparisons are interesting to hear you tell. I take 
curves pretty fast, usually 2x the posted cautionary limit (depending)
but I've never driven a Porsche so I don't know if that's good or 
not. I am aware that the odd weight bias could make the PRV the 
leading end of the car. :) I've never had even a small bit of 
slippage. Just FYI, I'm running BFGoodrich Radial T/A's.

I did not at all feel that the front end was in danger of rising up 
on me at higher speeds. Maybe it's all those tools I keep in the 
trunk. Just kidding! I've actually been nearly "tool-less" for 
several months now. I just keep a small "ready-bag" which any car 
really should have. At any rate, to me, the car seems to get 
smoother, the faster I go. It's kind of exhilarating.

--- In DMCForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "bkp944" <bk_pollard@xxxx> wrote:
> Rich,
> 
> Thank you for the suggestion on 87 octane gas, I will try it.
> 
> I had a 1987 Model 944 with 5-speed, normally aspirated. After 8 
> years and 150K miles, I sold it. 
> 
> It had a 4-cylinder engine that put out 160 HP. At approximately 
> 3,000 pounds, it was a bit heavier than our DeLoreans. The wheels 
> were 15" all around, but the rear wheels were wider than the front. 
> 
> You can tell by my Yahoo ID that I still admire that car. I have 
> been ID'd as BKP944 for a long time. My DeLorean VIN# is 4494, so I 
> guess with a little creative thinking, my ID still applies :-).
> 
> Straight line acceleration is comparable to our DeLoreans. The 
> difference is in handling. The 944 has the engine in front and the 
> transmission in the rear. This created a 51/49% weight ratio. It is 
> hard to describe the feeling, but one can take curves very, very 
> fast and the car is well-behaved. It is hard to make the 944 break 
> loose from the road. 
> 
> The DeLorean's weight distribution is all messed up in comparison 
to 
> the 944. I would never attempt to take curves in the DeLorean like 
I 
> did the 944. It is just simply the difference between the two very 
> different vehicles.
> 
> I wish John DeLorean would have allowed Porsche to take their time 
> and design our cars. Can you imagine a gull-winged 911-type car, 
> 500+ horsepower, etc. :-)
> 
> Anyway, I do not to step on anyone's toes about the DeLorean. I 
> really enjoy mine, but realize like with *any* car, there are pros 
> and cons. 
> 
> Technology has followed a steep curve since the DeLoreans were 
> built. We are a bit jaded. I think the Porsche 924 (competing car 
in 
> 1981) had 140 horsepower. In 1983, Porsche introduced the 944, 
> correcting almost all the problems with the 924. Too bad John Z. 
> never got that opportunity. The next generation DMC-12 would 
> probably been very formidable.
> 
> You said you have had your DeLorean up to 110 MPH. I've not had 
mine 
> above 85 MPH. My front end gets so light at those speeds that I do 
> not want to push it. My front end is at stock height and the car 
has 
> about 45K miles on it.
> 
> Have you upgraded your suspension and lowered the front end? I plan 
> to do that this winter.
> 
> -Brian
> VIN#4494
> 
> --- In DMCForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "cruznmd" <racuti1@xxxx> wrote:
> > Brian,
> > 
> > You make an interesting statement. You definitely drive yours 
> harder 
> > than I do, but I wouldn't call it abuse. If your car is in good 
> > repair then I don't see anything wrong with it. Of course you'll 
> be 
> > getting lower mileage. I know it sounds crazy, but burn a few 
> tanks 
> > of 87 octane and see what happens.
> > 
> > A question for you: (This may sound stupid) How would you rate 
the 
> > DeLorean in performance performance compared to your Porsche? You 
> > seem to indicate that it was an older model, not built within the 
> > last 5 years. Is the DeLorean really that feeble, or are we jaded 
> in 
> > our expectations because of present-day technology?
> > 
> > My feeling on the car's performance is that it's adequate. The 
A/C 
> > definitely drags it down, but when it's off I feel I 
> > have "comparable" acceleration to other normal street cars, and 
> I've 
> > had up to 110 mph. Most people who want to race me could probably 
> out-
> > last me, but they usually lose their nerve and give up once I 
pass 
> > 100 mph. I wouldn't want to race a top-end BMW or Mercedes or 
> > anything...but you get the point.
> <SNIP>

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