PAS or non PAS - what to buy
Discussion
I'm looking to buy and know I need to try both types but to date have only had a test drive in a non PAS car (certainly heavy on tight corners at very low speed etc). What I have learnt is this. Non PAS has 2.7 turns lock to lock wheras PAS has 2 turns L to L (does this apply to early and later model PAS 500's), so I assume a faster response is available. I think for my type of driving, and being an older guy, I should go for PAS. But I have read the electric PAS post with interest but would like to know the options on conversion. Can you convert a non PAS car using a hydraullic or electric system, can the cost preventitive (ie cheaper to look for a PAS car) and is the net gain not as good (ie still 2.7 T L to L) but perhaps with the advantage of variable rate on the electric system
Don't be put off by the lack of PAS
You develop techniques for turning the wheel at low speeds.
For example, in a car park, keep moving and nice slow speeds, to turn left I would put my hands at 10 to 4 and pull with the left and push with the right.
To turn right they would be at 20 to 2 pulling with right and pushing with left. Sliding the wheel through the hands rather than hand-over-hand like you'd use in PAS cars.
When you've got the car moving, even above about 10 mph, you can't tell you don't have PAS.
Any way, if you're as precious as I am about the TVR you end up parking at the arse end of car parks where nobody else is, so you can pretty much park where you like
You develop techniques for turning the wheel at low speeds.
For example, in a car park, keep moving and nice slow speeds, to turn left I would put my hands at 10 to 4 and pull with the left and push with the right.
To turn right they would be at 20 to 2 pulling with right and pushing with left. Sliding the wheel through the hands rather than hand-over-hand like you'd use in PAS cars.
When you've got the car moving, even above about 10 mph, you can't tell you don't have PAS.
Any way, if you're as precious as I am about the TVR you end up parking at the arse end of car parks where nobody else is, so you can pretty much park where you like
just a hint in case you go for larger tyres, eg change to 16' wheels at the front to allow for a brake upgrade, like it was done on my car by the previous owner: It gets even harder! presently I have 235 tyres at the front, which looks dramatic, but I will try to reduce a bit at the next tyre change... unless my wife who likes the arm muscles I have now developed convinces me not to do so :-)
It all becomes a bit heavy to park with slicks on but is fine when on the move and then feels light as anything with the road rubber. Not driven one with PAS but imagine a lot of the “feel” is lost. Had an XJS for a while but sold it because it was too light, you rode in it rather than drove it. Having said all that I guess it is easer to catch a slide if you plan to get the car sideways.
steve-V8s said:
It all becomes a bit heavy to park with slicks on but is fine when on the move and then feels light as anything with the road rubber. Not driven one with PAS but imagine a lot of the “feel” is lost. Had an XJS for a while but sold it because it was too light, you rode in it rather than drove it. Having said all that I guess it is easer to catch a slide if you plan to get the car sideways.
well surprisingly non pas owners think pas cars lose 'feel' and pas car owners think pas is better...
I've had both and prefer pas...
above 5mph they 'feel' the same as far as I'm concerned.
Beleow 2-3 mph, need strong forearms.....
If you lose the back end, it is a LOT easier to catch a PAS car. imho, quicker rack, doesn't weight up...
(lost my first griff - NON PAS- like this, ended up backwards in a ditch)
just try both, see what you think
B
I've just moved up from a V8s and during th course of looking for the right car I tested both non and PAS cars. From the limited time I spent on test drives I can't really say that I noticed a lot of difference, this is probably down to weather and road conditions.
I have just purchased a non-PAS 500 and what I can say IMO is that the steering is a lot lighter and more positive than the V8s. This is quite important to me, being on older guy (50+) with a lot of maneuvering required to get the car in to the garage. In fact its a darn site easier to get the car into my garage, despite the fact its wider.
I have just purchased a non-PAS 500 and what I can say IMO is that the steering is a lot lighter and more positive than the V8s. This is quite important to me, being on older guy (50+) with a lot of maneuvering required to get the car in to the garage. In fact its a darn site easier to get the car into my garage, despite the fact its wider.
Hello eng622.
So now you know ... the answer being: It's up to you.
It's a bit like asking are blondes better than brunettes really - there's no definitive answer, just preferences. Try 'em both and see what lights your fire, maybe try a red head too. Oops! I meant to say converted electric one too.
So now you know ... the answer being: It's up to you.
It's a bit like asking are blondes better than brunettes really - there's no definitive answer, just preferences. Try 'em both and see what lights your fire, maybe try a red head too. Oops! I meant to say converted electric one too.
Hi eng 622,
i drive a 430 without PAS and its a damned thing to put it into a parking slot sometimes. and also a damned thing when driving much faster as the police allows. but since living in germany, talking about 220 km/h plus.
have driven a 500 once with PAS and must admit, that it feels better especially at very high speeds on the motorway. but not so on smaller curvy rowds.
but as you are not the youngest anymore ;-) (your words) i would advice you to buy a car with PAS.
but also be aware that the renewal of the PAS isa pretty expensive thing. (especially here in germany). but that should´nt be your problem on the island of tvr-happyness.
Kind regards
LL
i drive a 430 without PAS and its a damned thing to put it into a parking slot sometimes. and also a damned thing when driving much faster as the police allows. but since living in germany, talking about 220 km/h plus.
have driven a 500 once with PAS and must admit, that it feels better especially at very high speeds on the motorway. but not so on smaller curvy rowds.
but as you are not the youngest anymore ;-) (your words) i would advice you to buy a car with PAS.
but also be aware that the renewal of the PAS isa pretty expensive thing. (especially here in germany). but that should´nt be your problem on the island of tvr-happyness.
Kind regards
LL
I'm now in a position to answer my own question having driven a PAS version over the weekend (manual versions already tried). It's going to be a PAS Giff.I'll be looking for. For me the damping provided by the PAS, giving a more relaxed feel at speed, was the turning point but also the faster turn in (for me)turning at junctions etc., when moving very slowly, was an added bonus. Thanks for all the comments, now I need to find one in the right condition.
I wouldn't get into trying to fit PAS - expensive job. Best to just find a PAS car.
... and don't listen to all the non-PAS boys bravado. Nothing wrong with PAS. If you do any amount of town driving, you'll be thankful for having it. Unfortunately some of us live in the oh-so-crowded south east and don't have miles and miles of empty roads to play on.
Alan, who does not feel in the least bit gay for having PAS because I'm not in the least worried about my sexuality and no I'm not protesting too much just because I'm an only child and my mother really wanted a girl I can't help that occasionally I have this need to dress in womens clothes ....oops!
... and don't listen to all the non-PAS boys bravado. Nothing wrong with PAS. If you do any amount of town driving, you'll be thankful for having it. Unfortunately some of us live in the oh-so-crowded south east and don't have miles and miles of empty roads to play on.
Alan, who does not feel in the least bit gay for having PAS because I'm not in the least worried about my sexuality and no I'm not protesting too much just because I'm an only child and my mother really wanted a girl I can't help that occasionally I have this need to dress in womens clothes ....oops!
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