[opelbits]

Ok, so what makes the Rally handle better than the Luxus? The 3.67 can't make that much of a difference....can it?

Maybe some extra weight in the Luxus, but with a 73-74, are you really going to notice a little less weight when you have those heavy bumpers slinging around?

Are the spring/swaybar rates different?

 

[opelbits]

i'm not seeing how GT is beating everything else. if you say a paticular car is the best cuz you've only driven that 1 car on the list, its not a good judgment against the others.

I think there is a certain 'coolness' quotient that may be a factor. Having had GTs and Mantas, the Manta is, by far, a better handler in stock form (obviously you can modify a GT to handle better than a stock Manta, but that's not really fair, is it?), but, and this is the big 'BUT' that hurts the Manta, the view from the driver's seat is not nearly as 'cool' as the GT view. Minimalist black vinyl and flat featureless hood compared to the GTs dash/gauge set-up, hood bulge, and the way you can see the fender peaks? One seems very bland, the other tells you right away you are not driving just another commuter.
Basically, regardless of how the car handles, YOU feel better with an inspiring view.

 

[opelbits]

But don't forget one of the most important items affecting handling are the tires. The modern tires are soooo advanced from what these cars came with. Not to mention that most people use larger then stock sizes now also when they replace them. Judging by other cars I have driven, I'd bet that my GT would pull almost a G on a skid pad with the 205/50/15 Faulkens I'm using.

Case in point...I had a friend that autoXed a MG Midget, full race, slicks, etc. Midgets had an ancient suspension design. Even though the car had a full cage in it, you could actually see the body twist on course. The tires got that much grip.

IMHO,
Jc

To me, ultimate grip is not 'handling'. I am much happier with a car that has a nice, smooth, unflustered transition into a drift or slide at 60 on 185/70s than I am with one that goes into snap oversteer at 95 on 205/60s.

(You Manta/Ascona guys know what I'm talking about)