Hmm - MotorTrend figures for the 1998 Firebird WS6 vs. the 1999 Miata:

The Miata is ahead in the lateral acceleration .92 to .87g's, and ahead in the slalom 70.5 mph vs. 65 mph. The Firebird clobbers it in braking 60-0 with Miata 122, Firebird 109 ft. Does .05 g's difference in the skidpad mean the F-body qualifies as terrible handling? I remember that the early 90s FWD Plymouth Laser turbo did 70 mph in the slalom -- you apparently don't need a 2300lb car to accomplish that figure.

By the way, a Hyundai Azera family sedan equals the Miata's 60-0 braking and makes it look silly when you compare acceleration. The Miata manages to run a whopping 15.9 @ 86 mph, the same as my 6000lb truck. Whee, that must be stimulating behind the wheel. It can't accelerate as quickly or brake as quickly as the Hyundai sedan (which does a 15.0 @ 94), much less the Firebird/Camaro. Who cares if a car is barely more nimble "on paper" if it's so damn slow in real use?

 

when i sold my 69 chevelle to some 19 y.o. kid from W.V. that had more money than brains his first question over the phone was "will it beat a WS-6 TA?" it seems some spoiled rich classmate got a brand new one (this was around 97 or 98) and was running his mouth and nobody could beat him. i told him as long as they didn't have to turn he would have no problems but if they did then he'd better have an awfully big lead before they get to one.
i called him a few weeks later and he said he did shut the kid up. the chevelle ran 12.70s with the 327 i had in it and 11.60s with the old 454 that i blew up so the car would hook, just wouldn't turn very well.

 

I mean come on....a Miata IS a chicks car... The only guys that drive one in the real world are old men who are going thru a middle age crisis too broke to buy Firebird/mustang/challenger. or well the other one im not gonna say... and flaming dodges on a dodge forum.. good move... eh I bet his Hair Tie Matchs his seats.. not his paint.

 

Ive never found myself behind a tiny import, they always find themselves behind me
[sm=usa.gif]

 

well, my stock pinto can rape my ram. i bet it can out run all your guys' trucks even with every mod int he world. and yes, my hat matches my pintos paint. LOL!

 

If your going to street race with a truck (which I do occassionally)...the only time it makes sense, is at a light. Trucks do great as you said in a straight line. That's the only time I will get competitive with somebody is at a green light with a nice straight road. Otherwise it's not worth it, even if you are faster, like you said, the body of a truck isn't meant to be doing crazy passes, turns etc. I only pass people if it's a long straight road, but I don't do it to be an *******. It's a good point though. I mean, as a truck driver, you have all these ponies under the hood waiting to fire up, but they aren't meant for speed, they are meant for hauling and towing. Sure, if you want to own some poptart at a green light, I say sure, show him a truck can wipe him up...but really, if your truck is cool enough, all it has to do is go roaring by at the speed limit to show how sweet it is[8D]