3 Fitty Zee - initial findings

blacky · Post by **blacky** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:08 pm

Well, had the car just over 1 week, done nearly 1000 miles! So thought I would share my initial findings.

So far I've had 2 new RE050A tyres on the back to replace the worn out RE040's and bought a bluetooth adaptor to make my phone work through the Bose stereo. (Not really mods!!!) But anyway. back the important things!

I am struggling to come to terms with how much less grip the car has compared to the Evo, the TC light comes on very easily in the wet going round and roundabout at what I would consider reasonably steady speeds. Also, before fitting the new tyres on Saturday I had a little play and found the car to snap pretty sharply into oversteer and took me by surprise! I thought they were meant to be quite benign in their handing???!!?? Hopefully the new rubber will elp with this.

Also, the fact its NA and needs revved lots to go quickly is taking a bit of getting used to after 9 years of turbo Japboxes!! (too used to the Torque!) But once wound up it goes better than I tought it would, I just have to remember and change down more gears than I'm used to.

But on the plus side its a crackin mini GT car, on the Motorway or a sweeping A road it really is nice and sits well on the road. I could easily drive across Europe in it and feel fresh getting out of it. be a good car for a Nurburgring trip.

So, I'm thinking a driving day in it

may be best for me to gain more confidence in the car and learn about it a bit more, but as a day to day machine its great, turns heads, and is very comfortable and has all the gizmo's, all for a very reasonable price I would say.

More to follow......

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:58 pm

Welcome tp RWD Mr. B

Good to hear you're enjoying the car. In the Mazda with n/a I find myself changing down 3 gears in one go just to get the revs right to overtake something.

mikeb · Post by **mikeb** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:36 am

Logan you said exactly what i said about getting the turbo brain removed, thats what happened to me on the track day. Had to keep it reving .

blacky · Post by **blacky** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:13 pm

Yes, it's bad isn't it. I love turbos!!!

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:29 pm

I must admit, having got used to a normally aspirated car with a decent power to weight ratio (circa 250bhp per tonne without me in there) I would not go back to turbo unless it could offer me the same throttle response, and I just can't see that happening.

Interesting to see your notes about the handling; have you had the alignment checked? They shouldn't be that snappy, or not from the two that I have driven.

100% agree about a great car to go to continental Europe for Spa or Der Ring. That would be an epic partner for those trips.

blacky · Post by **blacky** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:08 pm

I would say all the cars with modern spec turbo's have NA licked, max torque from 1.5k-2k and linear to the high rev range.

As for the alignment, it's on my list to have checked, as the car seems to tramline a fair bit on rougher roads etc. Definetly worth getting it checked I would say!

It's all good though, as I didn't really buy the car as a full on track machine. It's definetly more suited to the road rather than track without serious work!

russ979 · Post by **russ979** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:23 pm

Crikey! Are the cracks appearing in this relationship already?
What you need is a big fat turbo for the go, and four wheel drive for the handling something like say a.............................................

blacky · Post by **blacky** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:55 pm

No cracks, I suppose it's mainly me being used to 4wd and turbo's!

It's not a car I ever was going to have for ages, just fancied a bit of luxury and to try something different for a while. Was fed up using a crap everyday tredder and since using my Evo everyday for the last 3-4 months was seriously hurting fuel wise and noise wise!!! But it was fun to be very quick everywhere!

The 350 is still pretty swift once wound up and is very comfortable and chilled just to pass the miles listening to the tunes!

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:35 pm

Have to say that RWD sorts the men from the boys, particularly when grip is on the low side. 4WD rather spoils you but does goad you to push a little too hard sometimes as for turbo shove it is very addictive but again you end up relying on it rather than ballancing the car/gear/revs.

Still as long as it has wheels in each corner it has to be fun

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:48 pm

rwd n/a the best combo known to man

F1 cars and top fuel dragsters use that formula