vr4

[Eliot Lim <eliot@u.washington.edu>]

i tend to look at cars from an engineering point of view.  yes, the rx7 
has the design philosophy that i really agree with.  eliminate the problem
(weight) at the source and everything else falls into place.  noisy?  get
a pair of ear plugs!  those are the best sound deadening materials that
you can get.  stereo?  i have a nice one at home that won't get stolen,
thank you very much.  or, get a real thoroughbred engine and let *that*
be the stereo.  :)

here's my litmus test as to whether an engine generates music or noise:
if you find yourself turning up the stereo the engine is making noise;
if you find yourself turning off the stereo, the engine is making
music.

a fat pig may have overcome all its inherent disadvantages, but then the
question one asks is "if they sent it through jenny craig first how much
better would it be?" 

the fact that it can pull X g's and do quarter mile in Y secs is irrelevant
to my point.  for the same power and the same tires in a car 1000 pounds
lighter, what would the numbers be? 

there is a ton of sh*t on that car that is totally unnecessary.  two
tone exhaust?  movable rear wing with no real aerodynamic benefits?
what are these things there for?  for those who prefer style over
substance.

and since you're big into race tracks, would a big fat car be easier to
race or a small skinny one?  i guess a big fat car would be difficult
to pass or lap!!  :)

the big audis are pretty damm heavy too, i agree 100% but at least they can
carry 5 passengers and their luggage.  the a8 is a step in the right
direction.

there is also a big weight difference between european audis and american
audis, because americans need to have their cup holders and powered crap. 
the rx7 is proof that a wonderful concept falls on deaf american ears, so
they have to toe the line like mitsu who just goes ahead and makes whale
blubber with a zillion bhp and 8 mpg engines, knowing that the americans like
it, engineering purity be dammed.  

name me one race engineer who doesn't try him dammnest to cut down on fat!

if you think that prostituting oneself for the american masses is ok, that's
your cup of tea.  there will be others like me who will continue to act as a
conscience!  :)

heh heh heh.  we now bring you the vr4 flame war!!! unsubscribe now, and
don't post that #$%^&* request to the list you idiots!!!


eliot