Why is oversteer fun?

[McWigglebum4th]

Now lets pretend that FWD and 4WD have never been invented.

The only possible method of driving a car is RWD


RWD can be set up to understeer or oversteer


we prefer oversteer


But why?


What makes oversteer more fun?

[Benbay001]

More of something is always better than less.
Fact.

[Lefty]

Man controlling machine. Harnessing the power, controlling it, making lots of noise and smoke.

[pti]

Benbay001 said:

More of something is always better than less.
Fact.

Understeer?

[Benbay001]

Lefty said:

Man controlling machine. Harnessing the power, controlling it, making lots of noise and smoke.

The trouble is, you could argue that understeer is controllable, smokey and noisy.

[Athlon]

I think it is because if you get into an understeer position a gentle lift will help get things back in order whilst if a car oversteers and you get it under control and hold the car where you want it the feeling is great and rewarding.

[Alucidnation]

Becuz itz kooooool.

[lamboman100]

Sliding out of control is always fun (on a racetrack, of course).

Understeer is good, too. Just throw a hot Clio into a wet roundabout at 60mph and watch the grin as you dodge the kerbs from left-right-left (all on a closed, private racetrack, of course).

[New POD]

The quickest, safest and more efficient way through bends is where none of the tyres are actually sliding.

Over steer is fun, but get it wrong and you are going backwards to your death.

(Here speaks someone who has been sideways on a public road a few times, but not actually died)

[Mr2Mike]

Benbay001 said:

More of something is always better than less.
Fact.

Genital warts?

[TREMAiNE]

The adrenaline rush of the loss of control... which you then control.

[Codswallop]

Oversteer is more fun than understeer because;

1) It requires more skill to balance a rwd car on the throttle
2) It can help you do tight turns
3) Looking out of the side window while going straight is cool
4) It makes lots of smoke and slides can last for ages
5) Cliché alert; You don't see the tree that kills you

[interloper]

IMO a small amount of over steer feels more natural and helps get the nose pointed were you want it. On the other hand big unpredictable slides can be anything from exhilarating to scary.

Mostly I find under steer unpleasant like your dragging the front wheels across the ground.

Sadly the reality of most of my driving these days is lacking in slideyness, as I cruise around in a casual manner.

[Synchromesh]

I think there's something beautifully elegant about seeing a car poised in that state of equilibrium, like someone walking a tightrope.

There's also the skill and satisfaction of getting it right - to begin with just getting the back out then learning how to hold it there, different ways of initiating, and linking oversteer through direction changes.

Personally I have a bigger grin on my face on laps where I've done a few good drifts than ones where I've been neat and tidy and set a good time.

[nagsheadwarrior]

I drive a Capri,if im going to crash to death i want it to be backwards in a ball of fire!

[Toltec]

Understeer can be fun too, turn in and control the line to the apex on the throttle and brakes as required, then push the car out to the exit only unwinding as you transition to the straight. Steering by changing the slip angles on the front wheels rather than by turning the steering wheel can be a lot of fun to get right.

[TheD]

nagsheadwarrior said:

I drive a Capri,if im going to crash to death i want it to be backwards in a ball of fire!

As you drive a Capri there is a good chance this will come true ...I loved my Capri