RE:A4Q vs RX7TT? Unh Unh.

[MSV96@aol.com]

In a note dated 10.28.96, "Graydon D. Stuckey" (who words I don't find fault
with...no flames here either!) wrote:
>There simply is no contest in anything but compromised-traction conditions.
 I think
> that us quattro nuts rightfully hype up the quattro, but compared to a
> real sportscar like the RX7 twin turbo, there are precious few quattros
> (even modded) that will keep up.

How modded Graydon is my question...I witnessed the solid thrashing in the
1988 Trans-Am at several venues...at Long Beach the talk of the pits was that
the 200 (they were really 5k's "modded" to the hilt I'll grant you) quattros
didn't have a prayor against 'merican iron (same thing they all said about
John Bauer's 911SC in 1980) because they were street family sedan chassis
(they were too, against tube frame race cars) running puny little 2.2 L.
turbo motors (putting out something like 650 hp if memory serves me well-it
may not)...Now, I do agree that the twin turbo RX7 is one hot little sports
car-in fact it is the only japanese sports car I truly lust after...buuuut I
NEVER underestimate a q in capable hands. Case in point is the other day when
I had opportunity to flog a buddies 95 M3 around thinking that I would never
be happy with my old 4kq afterwards...to my pleasant surprise, not only was
the handling no better than the old q (aside from the differences in 14 vs.
17 rubber anyway), but the thing supposedly had 255hp (it has a Dinan chip)
and felt hardly any quicker than my lost (but not forgotten) 5kcsqw or either
of the 2 911's I have owned. Needless to say, I am more pleased than ever
with my 4ksq (my 3rd one)...after all. Now I look upon it as quite a bargain
at 1/10 the value my friend payed for a car that is certainly nowhere near 10
times the ride...and I know what will happen when I start to loose
grip-taking that M3 to the limit is fearsome in that you really aren't sure
what is going to happen next, and you are going very quick! But really
now...we are all quattro fans here, and when it comes to "sports cars" (the 2
seat kind) there is no substitute for our cousin, the awd twin turbo-and we
all know that will knock the socks off any "sports car" imported into the
US...'cept maybe in the 1/4 mile...but then we are talkin' sports cars, not
NHRA aren't we? With all due respect to Graydon whose writings I truly
enjoy...I just wanted to toss in my .02 worth to the list and uphold some awd
dignity-no flames intended! And yes...the RX7TT is one awsome machine-I have
had opportunity to "strap one on" and they are intense...but we all drive q's
here 'cause we like 'em da best, don't we?

Mike Veglia
85 4ksq (wishing it had a turbo...but enjoying it's great handling just the
same!)