Dab of oppo on the way to to work this morning

"R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet" (r-saldana) 03/26/2015 at 10:59 • Filed to: Bored-lopnik, New DD needed, Dab of Oppo

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I think it's is hilariously awesome when car control comes as second nature to me. Admittedly when I was a teenager and wrecked my first vehicle (2WD F-150 6-cylinder) I had zero car control, but then again I was pissed that the girl I was seeing then left the tickets for the Beale Street Music Festival on my kitchen counter 25 miles away.

Anyway, we had a bit of spring rain this morning for all of 3-4 minutes and that made the roads certifiably slick. I DD a 1995 Nissan 4x4 (con manual) factory named D21, but otherwise known as a Nissan Hardbody. The V.R.T. (very red truck) just crested over 240k miles this week, and while I am glad to have a reliable little truck, I am tired of driving this thing. It is loud, uncomfortable (suspension feels like a racecar, except without any of the grip) and extremely slow. But It has given me ample practice at driving a slow car fast with good balance and control.

So I am making my left hand turn at the signal onto the road my office building is on, and the back end steps out at least 40 degrees. I kept my foot in it and counter steered as though nothing was going on at all. Had I been one of the habitually non-attention paying Toyota Highlander-Honda Odyssey parent-mobile pilots that clog up the streets where I live:

1. the car would not have slid because wrong wheel drive

&

2. I would have caused a ridiculous scene or accident

TL;DR - Truck got slippy on the morning commute, I saved it without any ceremony and went on about my business, and I am tired of driving a 20 year old slow small pickup truck.

Have some cars that probably ought to not be sliding but whatevs. Also, I have my sight set on getting a Focus RS next spring, recommend some other similar cars that will be fast, fun, manual, AWD or RWD, have at least four full doors, and reliable/responsible. Set the budget at $60K maximum.

Funktheduck > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:08

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Toyota Yaris

E. Julius > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:10

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Focus RS has my vote all the way.

Hiroku > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:12

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I lost the rear end on my FWD hatchback once on my way to work one morning. Had the clarity of mind to give it throttle and counter-steer immediately, managed to avoid a complete spin-out but still ended up driving straight into a ditch. My next car will be definitely be RWD.

As for your question, V70R is the obvious answer!

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Funktheduck 03/26/2015 at 11:14

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R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > E. Julius 03/26/2015 at 11:15

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Milky > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:15

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me evertim it snows. RWD ftw.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Hiroku 03/26/2015 at 11:16

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I give you a budget of 60k and you return a FWD wagon that I would be hard pressed to find a manual in?

Where have all the lightweights gone? > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:17

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Have you looked at the Chevy SS? 400hp 'Strayan V8, RWD, 4 doors, loads of trunk space, and you can get it with a manual for less than $50k.

feather-throttle-not-hair > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:18

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The ground is always wet here in seattle, it is a good place to own a 300hp rwd car with a manual transmission.

I completely feel you though, i got a little sideways around a turn yesterday, just like half a turn of oppositelock and only for a split second, but my instinct was not just to immediately countersteer, but also to modulate the throttle. Back off, but dont back off all the way.

I've definitely not had the correct instincts/spun cars into the ditch in my younger years. It's nice having those reactions.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Where have all the lightweights gone? 03/26/2015 at 11:19

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Why won't Ford make something to compete with this. Also, I think that GM is not worth 50k unless it is on a purpose built sports car (Vette, ZL1, Z28) and I do not care for GM interiors or business activities in general.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:24

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This is why I love my Miata in the snow (with snow tires of course). It just requires a dab of oppo around every turn so I got some good practice this winter lol. Also, I admire your use of "wrong wheel drive" to describe FWD, I of course was inspired by that phrase when I joined Oppo a couple years ago.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:25

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I've not been a huge fan of GM's interiors in general, particularly from Chevy, but this one actually impressed me. It has quite a few of the toys from Cadillac (side departure warning, parallel parking assist, etc.), and it has a solid stereo stock.

I test drove a 2014 model (auto only for that MY), and I was thoroughly impressed. My fiancee also noted that it is one of the comfiest back seats she has sat in at the Chicago Auto Show, beating out the Jag XJ and both offerings from Maserati.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 03/26/2015 at 11:28

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My wife is seriously infatuated with the new Mx-5, she has been since she watcehd that ep of TG when Hamster drives it in the country.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Where have all the lightweights gone? 03/26/2015 at 11:31

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My reaction to pretty much all "modern" GM products

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 11:46

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Haha well the RCR of the Miata is one of the best inspirations for my purchase. I somewhat wish I had popup headlights but I enjoy my car too much to actually regret anything. The ND is definitely looking to be pretty awesome!

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 12:17

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This one never gets old

Hiroku > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/26/2015 at 12:19

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Nope, I give you the possibility to buy an AWD (not FWD) turbo wagon with active suspension and tons of practicality while leaving what, 40k left over for a manual conversion, holidays with the family, and whatever the hell else you want!

Sounds like good value to me :)

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Hiroku 03/26/2015 at 12:40

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Manual conversions while seriously awesome in theory rarely pan out to be as usable and reliable as their purpose built/engineered compatriots