figure this one out

[stargazer30]

Okay so I drive a MR2 roadster. It weighs about 1050kg and has 138 bhp & 126lb/ft. So that puts it in the nippy but not hot hatch fast category. My wife has just bought a 2008 civic. The normal 1.8 petrol version which funny enough puts out 138bhp too and 129 lb/ft but obviously is heavier, about 1300kg IIRC.

So its a no brainer then the MR2 is the quicker car, a good 1 second faster to 60. So why is it when driving the two cars, which I do daily, the Honda feels noticably faster/more torquey.

So far I've considered..

• Lower gear ratios on the Honda?
• The FWD honda has more weight shifting under acceleration
• The exhaust sounds more meaty
• Its a Honda and they just like being rev'd
• The guy who built this honda did a number on it and it really is faster.
• I have a screw loose

Any ideas?

[MitchT]

I think heavier cars are generally subjected to more rolling and pitching which accentuates the sensation of whatever the car is doing. A guy I used to work for had a BMW M3 (E36) and then a Lotus Esprit GT3. The Lotus was significantly faster, but never felt as fast, which I think was due to it staying flatter when changing speed or direction.

[Boobonman]

Time for a race then.

[StottyZr]

Boobonman said:

Time for a race then.

[Nick3point2]

Because how fast a car 'feels' is subjective and inconsistent?

With a hangover any car feels like an F1 car (when you being given a lift, in case you are still over the limit).

[MarkRSi]

Well I've just come from a Honda Civic Type-R (2008) to a 2004 MR2 Mk3/Roadster. At high revs there is no doubt the CTR is faster but at lower revs and speeds the MR2 picks up a bit quicker (more lightness?)

stargazer30 said:

• Lower gear ratios on the Honda?

MR-2 is definitely longer geared compared to the CTR. Despite 8000 revs 2nd goes to 55mph. I can get to 60mph with only 6500 revs in the MR-2. 70 is less than 3000rpm in 6th (35-3600 in the CTR).

stargazer30 said:

• The FWD honda has more weight shifting under acceleration

Probably, the CTR (FN2) was always a bit of a lardy bd, hence the rock hard suspension no doubt. Also driving my grandads Citroen C3 it feels like you're going to tip over at cornering speeds that would barely register in the MR-2.

stargazer30 said:

• The exhaust sounds more meaty

The stock exhaust/induction note of the MR-2 is st compared with the CTR's K20. So I put a custom backbox on MR-2 so whilst it sounds a bit like a chavmobile is much better IMO

stargazer30 said:

• Its a Honda and they just like being rev'd

Ooooooooooooooh yeah It's strange since despite the MR-2's VVTi it doesn't seem to like being rev'ed much, must be tuned for torque and efficiency I think?

Edited by MarkRSi on Tuesday 26th July 08:43

[chuno]

How old is the MR2?

Perhaps a few horses have escaped over the years..

[MarkRSi]

chuno said:

How old is the MR2?

Perhaps a few horses have escaped over the years..

Pre-cat failure?

[Rarefied Brains]

Can you find their respective torque/power curves and overlay them? Might just reveal something?

[stargazer30]

Mark,

Its a normal 1.8 petrol civic not an FN2 CTR lol Damn, I wouldn't compare the MR2 to the hot hatch verson.

No issues with the power output or engine in the MR2, its bang on the money.

David