Cars with best steering wheel feedback

[Mr Happy]

I guess the best compromise is to get a rack and steering wheel from a PAS car, and remove the hydraulics.

That way you get the feel, combined with the (slightly) smaller steering wheel and quicker rack!

I never came out looking like I'd been erm... excessively discovering myself with both arms after a drive though!!

[TotalControl]

Of the cars I have owned, the 205XS was brilliant in this. My Primera is a close 2nd. I really enjoy the drive in my Primera.

Of cars I owned for a short period of time, the MX5 NA and Mk2 MR2.

These are the only ones that stood out for me.

I remember my frog eye Celica being quite dreadful for feedback.

[traffman]

I borrowed a friends Peugeot 405 turbo diesel many moons ago and it gave excellent feedback , was great to hustle along.

Bro in laws Elise was epic for steering feel and what you felt through your fingers , and your backside to be honest.

[Nath88n]

I'm going to carry on the Peugeot theme. My current 205, it uses the 1.6 GTI setup with no power assistance.
Very feel some with nice progressive movement and about the right amount of feedback.

Any excuse;




This, (as you can imagine) is quite raw;



A vote for the MX5 too.

[Alfanatic]

Max_Torque said:

Maybe the unassisted 205 has a better feel, but i'd trade that extra feel in a flash for the ability to get in a quick dab of oppo when required without needing look like this:




and the high rate rack means you don't need to spin the wheel like this:




;-)

I think that is a bit of a fallacy though, or at least it doesn't have to be that way. I do know that some sportscars have been described for their heavy steering on opposite lock, the 911CS, Countach, Diablo and TR among them, but I don't think that's all down to the absence of PAS.

The Opel Kadett I had, no PAS, needed Popeyes arms, but that was to unwind the opposite lock, not to put it on. The Alfa, also no PAS, would practically wind the opposite lock on for you, and just about the right amount. It was easy as pie and certainly lighter on opposite lock than the Ford Sapphire I drove regularly at the same time, in which it felt like you were working against the PAS when applying opposite lock. As always the car as a whole makes more difference than the sum of the specsheet choices.

[Redlake27]

I like pretty much all current Fords.

My BMW 5 series E60 had good feedback. My Elises were incredible sensitive and involving. 90s Alfas (156/GTV etc) had great steering too.

[james n]

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet, or maybe I've missed it, but the DC2 Integra Type R is fantastic on the right tyres.
I agree with those saying the 205GTi though, cracking little cars.

[DouggyMc]

I loved the non assisted steering of my mk2 jetta. Very heavy at low speeds but get it on a country road it was absolutely brilliant.

[Speed_Demon]

Seems very good on my 182!

[V8Triumph]

MG Midget / AH Sprite
Triumph Spitfire / GT6
Unassisted Porsche 944

[renrut]

V8Triumph said:

MG Midget / AH Sprite
Triumph Spitfire / GT6
Unassisted Porsche 944

A Midget? As standard? Or with FL / Peter May front upright corrections?

I ask as I'm restoring a midget at the minute and if I can make sensible improvements now thats better than tearing it all apart again in 6 months.

[interloper]

V8Triumph said:

MG Midget / AH Sprite
Triumph Spitfire / GT6
Unassisted Porsche 944

Hmm I had an unassisted 944 and thought it was poor, okay but not great feedback and too slow witted. I actually swapped the rack for a modded power rack but with the PAS removed, way better (quicker from lock to lock, better feel because it was solid mounted rather than rubber ) but stupidly heavy at parking speeds!

Best racks (Ohh errr!) I have encountered have been on the original mini (no surprise), the 106 rally (non PAS), E30 3 series (with PAS), fwd Lotus Elan and the steering in the first of the new MINIs was pretty good too.

[fridaypassion]

Special K said:

Go and drive an Elise / Caterham. You have a blinkered outlook on steering feel if that's your best opinion ? The E46 M3 didn't have the best feel anyway !

Almost spat my Carling Premier out at the E46 M3 having steering feel!

I think the term steering wheel feel as in having nice soft touch leather might be confused with having any idea which way the wheels are pointing which is difficult in any modern Beemer let alone the E46 M3.

[jackal]

fridaypassion said:

Special K said:

Go and drive an Elise / Caterham. You have a blinkered outlook on steering feel if that's your best opinion ? The E46 M3 didn't have the best feel anyway !

Almost spat my Carling Premier out at the E46 M3 having steering feel!

I think the term steering wheel feel as in having nice soft touch leather might be confused with having any idea which way the wheels are pointing which is difficult in any modern Beemer let alone the E46 M3.

E46 m3 is the most numb steering i have ever encountered in any performance car ... Honesty, its atrocious. Even a basic scooby is better.

[rehab71]

S2000?

[Urban Sports]

rehab71 said:

S2000?

Nope, not standard anyway.

[rehab71]

Urban Sports said:

Nope, not standard anyway.

Oh, I'm wrong. Never mind.

[scarble]

fridaypassion said:

Almost spat my Carling Premier

eh?

[Captain Muppet]

scarble said:

fridaypassion said:

Almost spat my Carling Premier

eh?

I think it's an alcoholic lager/beer.

Like wine but fizzy and tastes more of soap and shame. I had my butler drink some as a punishment.

[scarble]

Captain Muppet said:

I think it's an alcoholic lager/beer.

Like wine but fizzy and tastes more of soap and shame. I had my butler drink some as a punishment.

harhar, just wondering why he didn't simply say "beer", it's like saying "leik omg I lost my iPhone FML!!1" rather than "I lost my phone "