Power or Handling?

So I have a question for all autospiers. Which do you hold in higher regard for a daily driver? Raw power, or Handling finesse?

Keep in mind that as a daily driver, this car ISN'T a weekend track car, it's merely something to get you from a to b every day, presumably in the most enjoyable way possible.

A powerful car in this case would be one with a higher redline, a larger and more consistent torque curve, and better engine response.

A car with better handling, can come to a stop sooner, pull more g's in a corner, and do slaloms faster.

Joe_Limon - 9/23/2010 2:14:46 PM

-3 Boost

I choose power, considering that I'm going in a straight line 99% of the time, it is far easier to have "fun". Sure there are speed limits, but cars don't accelerate as hard in higher gears anyway.

LexSucks - 9/23/2010 2:31:34 PM

+5 Boost

Power or Handling?

Both. The 2 are not mutually exclusive. Choosing just one would leave me with a car that doesn’t have a satisfying driving experience.

But if I had to choose, I’d probably pick power (even though I’m a handling guy).

Joe_Limon - 9/23/2010 2:36:57 PM

-2 Boost

It can be a mutually exclusive choice. Say you had a car that you wanted to upgrade. You can do the $500 sway bar upgrade, or the $500 ecu tune.

LexSucks - 9/23/2010 2:56:17 PM

+1 Boost

I'd do the ECU tune :)

mini22 - 9/23/2010 2:49:36 PM

0 Boost

Who does not like power. However I think it depends on your budget. If all you can afford to spend on a "new" car is 15 to 16 grand a new Mazda 2 would give you the handling perhaps. However you go used and buy a nice used 911 SC or early Carrera and get your power as well.

SHOWTIME - 9/23/2010 2:58:51 PM

+3 Boost

Power, since all new powerful cars have good enough handling anyway.

91z4me - 9/23/2010 7:12:43 PM

+1 Boost

The muscle cars of the 70s disagree with you.

Joe_Limon - 9/23/2010 8:09:19 PM

+1 Boost

I believe the word you missed was new

enthusiastx11 - 9/23/2010 9:40:18 PM

0 Boost

that's not true at all....lots of cars go fast in a straight line but have shitty handling and a lack of steering feeback.

just drive almost any well-powered lexus.

Joe_Limon - 9/24/2010 12:45:42 AM

0 Boost

The "shitty" handling in a lexus is only because it isn't optimized to perform on a race track. By no means am I a lexus fan, but I will point out that on all those endless miles of straight road you see, the stereotypical lexus buyer will be glad that they chose the softer ride over the sportier one. Getting back to the question asked, this has nothing to do about how well a car can perform on a track. It's a far more practical question, of what would you use every day?

Terry989 - 9/23/2010 3:17:43 PM

+5 Boost

I'll take handling since steering feel, better braking and maneuverability is something I use on a daily basis (I spend little time on the interstate and don't race cars on the road. I'm also run AutoX with my daily driver, so handling trumps power on these types of courses.

monster - 9/23/2010 3:42:00 PM

+2 Boost

Sorry Terry, i meant to upvote. Too bad I cannot change it now.
Site Admin: Please update the forum so that we can make edits to posts and voting system.

LexSucks - 9/23/2010 4:32:38 PM

+1 Boost

Don't worry I upped his boost for you :)

Steve - 9/23/2010 4:16:17 PM

+1 Boost

To me, a balance of *both* is what I seek. And considering my car has spent no time on a track, gimme some great looks, lack of defects, and lotsa enjoyability, and I'll put power and handling in the back seat for the ride :-)

Joe_Limon - 9/23/2010 4:19:47 PM

0 Boost

lol booo, that answer is like telling me you like gray when I ask you if you prefer black or white. Everyone agrees that a balance is best, but, if you had to choose one or the other ;)

Steve - 9/24/2010 12:54:04 AM

+1 Boost

Joe_Limon: Have you stopped beating your wife? Yes or no?

Sometimes, in order to get a meaningful answer, we have to *NOT* answer the question as it was posed.

Joe_Limon - 9/24/2010 2:16:22 AM

-2 Boost

No! I don't have a wife, and if I did, I could still say No adding on that I hadn't even started in the first place. To be a parallel to what you said, I'd have to answer something like you said "Yes and no... only when she doesn't do what I say" which is the worst possible answer to that question. You might need to think of a better example for me to understand.

Joe_Limon - 9/24/2010 2:17:08 AM

0 Boost

or better yet realize that the question is not mutually exclusive. You can still like both but have a favorite.

ChiAutoGuy - 9/23/2010 5:31:38 PM

+1 Boost

If I had to choose one - Power - But I live in Chicago where ALL the roads are straight and a good handling car is more or less a waste

Larrybel2000 - 9/23/2010 6:11:23 PM

+3 Boost

My Miata is fun. Not much power but turns on a dime.

02chuck - 9/23/2010 6:39:32 PM

+3 Boost

I would take the handling, I figure most cars go decently well and diving into what corners that are on my way is a cheap thrill with out getting a ticket.

holmstar - 9/23/2010 6:56:53 PM

+1 Boost

For me, it's kind of a balance thing. I wouldn't go for a car that has little power, but awesome handling. Likewise I wouldn't go for one with tons of power, but rolls like a boat. That said, I'm probably a bit stronger on the handling side of the curve.

MorePower - 9/23/2010 6:58:22 PM

+5 Boost

Handling(including braking performance)

With traffic and a seemingly exponential increase of cars on the road, there seems to be a decreasing amount of space & time to use power. Stoplight races and on-ramp challenges don't do it for me anymore.

Besides, with good timing and car placement, a three-cylinder Chevy Metro or an 83 yr old Toyota Matrix driver can block/negate any application of power in traffic.

freeagent - 9/23/2010 6:59:18 PM

+3 Boost

handling, so long as the power is adequate. after tht, i'd add lightness before power

thstone - 9/23/2010 7:11:37 PM

+2 Boost

Handling.

More daily driving fun can be had with a car that handles well than one that has gobs of power.

irishmike - 9/23/2010 9:05:07 PM

+2 Boost

Yep, I'll take handling. Not much opportunity to use power. No matter the road, there will eventually be a turn.

t_bone - 9/23/2010 9:30:39 PM

+2 Boost

Handling for sure...and steering feel especially. The car should feel like an extension of yourself at all times.

Drerx8 - 9/23/2010 9:31:29 PM

+2 Boost

I drive an RX8...so obviously handling, but I definitely wouldn't mind more power.

enthusiastx11 - 9/23/2010 9:38:57 PM

0 Boost

handling obviously.

what's the point of power if you can't control it with a well-balanced chassis?

Joe_Limon - 9/23/2010 9:55:11 PM

-4 Boost

lol, I'm sure you would take full advantage of whatever well balanced chassis on your daily commutes. Who knows, it might just shave tenths of seconds off on your way to work :P

As I outlined in the question, we are NOT talking about a weekend track car.

enthusiastx11 - 9/24/2010 10:17:29 PM

0 Boost

i don't see the difference between driving the car hard and driving it daily. a superior, well balanced chassis affords better control, accident avoidance, less uncomfortable body roll and MORE FUN.

so, HANDLING always over power than can't be properly controlled.

Joe_Limon - 9/25/2010 12:23:16 AM

-1 Boost

ok... have fun pushing those g's in all your lane changes...

M_Motorsport - 9/23/2010 9:44:07 PM

+1 Boost

Both BUT Power I would take over handling. Driving an AMG Mercedes, I prefer the ability to pass almost anything on the highway almost anytime I want. Cornering is great but unless you live in Austria on a mountain road with twists and turns for the most part here its mostly straits.

Yonder7 - 9/24/2010 7:12:32 AM

+1 Boost

M_Motorsport: It is very nice to see anything disappearing in your rear veiw mirrors.... A German friend told me I like my M5 but I hate when something pass me, almost allways it have a Mercedes AMG logo...For me the perfect balance is Mercedes AMG...it both but power over all....M cars are extraordinary and fun, only when you remove the speed governor or in the track (most of the time it won´t be on the track).

1dott8 - 9/24/2010 9:59:59 AM

+1 Boost

handling. i'm in traffic all day anyway so i don't need a car that can run me right into the rear of another vehicle at warp speed. as long as i'm sitting in traffic, i'll be happy with handling this way i can maneuver with finesse.

theman440 - 9/25/2010 12:35:30 AM

+1 Boost

Power, Power, Power

MercBasher - 9/25/2010 12:38:02 AM

+1 Boost

Both, different questions
style versus practicality
options versus lower sticker price
lease versus buy
red versus white
grey versus silver
dark silver versus graphite

MercBasher - 9/25/2010 12:39:03 AM

+1 Boost

oh and let me add blue versus cobalt, orange versus amber, and cream versus beige.

tango - 9/26/2010 2:15:24 AM

+1 Boost

Handling for sure. I have discovered the virtues of wishbone suspensions and 4 wheel discs. The Great Sir Colin Chapman, convenor of Lotus Cars, believed in lightweight, well-handling cars with modest engine output. Consider an Elise or an Exige and you will understand what I'm getting at.

OzzYDante - 10/5/2010 9:36:55 PM

+1 Boost

I think I'll choose power due to the daily commute I do.

BTW, @Joe_limon I read this article: http://www.autospies.com/news/The-Effect-of-Weight-Distribution-on-Turning-Moments-50856/, and found it very useful for a research about weight distribution I'm doing, and i need some sources, can you give any help? anything is useful, really
Please reply thtis

Joe_Limon - 10/7/2010 4:54:42 PM

0 Boost

Yes, I can help, email me joelimon(at)gmail.com