So you believe the A-Class has a smooth ride, with no harshness?
Odd, that when I ran a Cinq and my father used to get A-Classes when he took his Merc in, how we both remarked that a car costing one third had a much better ride.
Even the worst chunk of shit money can buy will get round corners successfully. Or all the roads would be straight. With turntables instead of roundabouts.
Handling isn't just about grip, it's about a combination of grip, balance, feel, and consistency. 205 GTi's grip very well indeed, they feel great when driven fast, messages through the wheel, through the seat of your pants all delivered well, unfortunately they're not very consistant. Great on a track, but the lift off oversteer is a bit on the lairy side for *proper* fast road use. A properly set up Mk2 Golf on the other hand will do very nearly the same average speeds as the 205 on a track, but the Golf will feel more consistant.
Driving a 205 GTi 1.9 (and I've had two of the buggers) over a road you know for 30 or 40 miles is fantastic, it's great fun, but it is hard work. The same roads in a Mk2 Golf at the same speeds won't be quite as exhilarating, but you get out at the other end with a smile on your face, not your heart in your mouth.
Heh; although I've not driven a SportKa, the new Ka has more power (same torque) and is keener from the mid-range upwards. Collection and upwards get a natty rev counter.
Although to be fair, a rev counter is useful not essential, and it's easy to add one afterwards.
And none of them are perfect. My first Pug 405 (1.9 8v) could happily take the speed-humps on the holiday-park where I worked, at 50mph - they were hardly felt in the cabin. If you try the same in the Ferrari, I can gurantee you WILL fill them in the cabin, and you'll probably break the car.
You can't have Ultimate ride AND Ultimate handling.
Stuff them, I like Vtec / Mivec / VVC / VVti - it's just a change in driving style when you want to drive flat out. I like turbo motors too - but some of them are crappy as well.
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