Modern car feel

"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2) 02/16/2016 at 18:35 • Filed to: None

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Is it just me or are modern FWD cars starting to feel very similar? I just had a rental Sonata and it strongly reminded me of a rental Focus I’d had earlier - similar steering effort and ratio, throttle response, pedal feel, and general chassis and suspension tuning among other things.

Although the rental VW GTI I drove was very different, the variable ratio steering, turbo, and sportier wheel/tire setup probably the reasons for that.

fourvalleys > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 02/16/2016 at 18:40

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Electronic throttle, electronic steering and suspension that’s tuned to be comfortable more than sporty probably contribute massively to this.

DoYouEvenShift > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 02/16/2016 at 18:43

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I call it the Camry effect.

TheRealBicycleBuck > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 02/16/2016 at 19:03

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We are entering the age of the generic commodity car. Pick a size and color. The manufacturer makes little difference. My rental Sonata could be swapped out for a Fusion, Malibu, or Optima and nobody would know the difference. That's exactly what the rental car companies do.

Steve in Manhattan > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 02/16/2016 at 19:14

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As someone who rents a few cars a year, I’m inclined to agree with you. Chrysler 200, Chevy Volt, and other similarly-sized cars feel largely the same.

jjhats > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 02/16/2016 at 19:55

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I think it’s funny how easily people here will trash on the delightful mediocrity of modern mid size sedans. Back in the 90's you had to be in a honda to enjoy that. Almost all cars for sale today have stellar steering brakes and power compared to cars from 20 years ago. Brakes are bigger tires are grippier and wider and seats are much more comfortable. Today the answer isn’t accord or camry it’s whatever cheapest because the gap is thinner than it’s ever been. In case you’ve forgotten these are all cars you would severely regret getting the keys tossed to at the Avis counter:

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > jjhats 02/16/2016 at 20:16

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*shudder*