I kind of agree with you, but if its not a performance test, why not get average joes to test the cars and do the write up based on their feedback instead of a professional driver?
Not to split hairs, but how do you quantify "driver confidence?" I hate to pick on the Miata, But I don't feel comfortable or confident in a car small enough to be a speed bump to a '84 Chevy Pick-up. Doesn't mean its a bad car, it just means its not the car for me. The CTS-V is my ideal car, but I'd never know that from reading the article. It just seems so much more logical and interesting to put people in these cars that have never driven them before and get an unprofessional opinion if you are going to go the route of subjectiveness.
Quote:
Originally Posted by garagelogic
Did some of you actually read the article, or did you just scan the participating cars and where they were ranked? If you took the time to read the article, the author said up front that this particular comparison was not a traditional “best overall performance” or “best handling” documentation. They said, and I quote:
I don’t think there is anyone out there who will argue that the Corvette ZR1 would win any performance test, hands down over the rest of the cars in the field, nor would anyone ever think that a GT500 would even compare favorably, let alone place ahead of that car on any track. But then again, this was not a “best performance car” article; it was a best driver’s car article.
Using the quote above, the ZR1 scored a 6th place finish in this compare because apparently, despite its awesomeness, it failed to inspire driver confidence or ergonomic delight. While we all recognize the performance that comes with a ZR1, I doubt there are very many of us that would feel comfortable getting behind the wheel of that car for the first time and trying to reach its potential. IMO, I think that’s what they were trying to say when they referenced driver confidence.
Then there is the issue of ergonomic comfort, which is probably 90% subjective, at least. I can see where they are coming from here, as well. While many here don’t mind or even like the design and layout of the Gen5 interior, I would hazard to guess that a majority of people who are not Camaro enthusiasts would have issues with it. Let’s face it, when the GT500’s first hit the showrooms, the interior design and materials were its biggest shortcoming, yet die-hard Mustang/Shelby guys reacted much like Gen5 owners do now and said things like “it’s not that bad” or “I didn’t but the car for its interior”, etc. However, the average person who did not have a special affection for the car tended to point out the interior as a shortcoming.
If you will just view the article for what it is, you will see that getting all bent out of shape for where a particular car is placed should not be an issue. If you feel anything less than a straight up performance comparison is stupid, then this particular article will only serve to make you angry.
Life’s too short to get riled up over any vehicle, let alone a magazine article that might have placed whatever beloved nameplate you prefer in a less-than-flattering light.
|