FWD: Driving impressions ...

[steveb@falcon.kla.com (Steven Buchholz)]

I had the following message come across on a local autocross list I 
$ub$cr!be to.  Apparently Cadillac is doing some evaluations of the 
new Catera.  It is too bad they didn't include an Audi in the test, 
but I thought it was interesting to see what an autocrosser thought 
of the cars ...

Steve Buchholz
s_buchho@kla.com
San Jose, CA (USA)

----- Begin Included Message -----
Josh Hadler writes:

<<  	What ever happened at that caddy drive demo thing? I'm sure many of us
            would love to hear about it. Wern't David and Charlie there?
Guys?  >>

We got to drive BMW 328i, MBZ 280CE, Volvo 850i, Lexus ES 300, Infiniti J30,
and assorted Cateras.  The track had lots of STOP signs so you couldn't get
much real speed going, and squealing tires was not permitted.  The Catera is
a RWD German Opel Omega, very nice car and in Germany it's marketed against
the next size cars up from those in the test.  It's roomier, heavier, a
little bigger in outside dimension.

If I'd had to guess weight from driving, I'd have thought the Volvo heaviest.
 Kind of truck-like for my money.  I liked the Catera the best, with BMW and
MBZ next.  The MBZ's seats were hard as rocks.  Those 3 all slalomed well,
though the Caddy rode the nicest.  Handling taut, but bumps isolated.  Nice
combination.  The Camry and Maxima, er, uh ES 300 and J30 had lots of body
roll, fwd push, lack of response in the slalom, as did the 850.  And, yes, I
got yelled at for squealing the outside front tire on the Benz!  Not by REJO,
but one of the lackeys assigned to ride with us.  I was pretty sedate, but
she was cringing.  I've driven more aggressively with my utility trailer!

All in all, if you are in the market for a car in that class, go, if you're
looking for a fun ride 'n drive, pass.

CHD
----- End Included Message -----