Ok, I've been thinking about this recently and its really got me stumped (the your all thread did this to me lol).

What exactly makes a car fast?  What I mean is what makes my car, for example, as fast as a Mustang GT (it actually is)?  My car is a 185 HP I6, 3300lb car and the Mustang is a 290 HP V8, 3200 lb car (I think...).  You'd think I'd get blown out of the water and my car is a porker with no HP, but its pretty nimble and keeps up with the 'stang.

This isn't about my car, I'm talking generalities.  Is it the transmission?  Do some transmissions transer power better than others?  Or is it the fact that dual-overhead cams are just that much better than SOHC?  

in the end what makes a car fast is power to weight ratio, yes there are other factors like where is it fast, if its geared right it might be only fast 0-100 and that's it or it could be a top speed runner but be really slow on acceleration. its a really hard question because its a combination of a lot of different factors everything from the body to trans to the type of engine when when it makes it power.  

A combination of properly tuned suspension/weight management and engine power will ultimately yield the best results.

of course, it also depends on who you ask.  If you're referring your question to a 13 year old that just saw FnF for the first time, then he'll probably say 'Orange paint and body kits', if you ask one of us you'll probably get an answer similar to that provided above.  Naturally, ask anyone above the age of about 40 and they'll say one thing: Cubic inches.

... hehe, inches...

So there you are  

it is a combination of the above (except maybe the orange paint and graphics).

Honestly, my Fiat spider is pretty quick (I will not say fast) but when you look at the specs, you might think otherwise. 85 hp in a 2200 pound car does not sound like a recipe for quickness.. until you consider that the car runs a very close ration transmission AND a 4.40 to 1 differential. At 112 mph, you are above redline in fifth.

Honestly though, a car can be "slow" and still be considered fast. Look at the Mini and all those small engined Abarth's from the fifties and sixties. They often showed their taillights to larger and faster cars on the track due to their better power to weight ratios, better suspensions, and brakes.

Same goes for comparing american and european cars from the fifties and sixties. Yes, a BMW 2300 coupe' might get it's doors blown off in a straight line, but put it on a massivly curvy road or track, and it will walk all over most american cars of that vintage.

There is also perceived quickness.. as I am sure you have all seen in the ricer crowd. Big exhaust with almost no muffler makes a car that sounds "fast" combine that with slippery tyres and a sloppy suspension and you can feel fast cruising at 50mph.

Honestly though, this is my opinion. A fast car does not need 1000hp, be able to generate 1g of lateral acceleration, or even be able to brake in less than 120 feet from 60mph. A fast car is a driver's car. It will talk to the person behind the wheel in a language both understand. It is reliable and consistant in it's acceleration, handling, and braking.. and above all else, it rewards a competant driver.

Synergy is the term I am looking for. When being driven, a fast car should become all but one with the driver.  

Dude.

Deep.  

*golf claps* Well put, sir. Well put.  

WTF? I typed S-A-I-D, not $-H-!-T. Why was that censored?  

lets try said  

Yeah, when you become part of the car, and the car becomes part of you, then your fast.  

.  

I like what was already said, but I have something to add,
a note on HP, remember the numbers you have are peak, if you start measuring them on how much HP will my car make at 3000rpm with the gas to the floor, it is quite lower, my WRX has a peak base HP of 227, peak wheel power of 165HP, and power to the wheels at 3000rpm when pulling away from the acura I was racing is only about 60HP to 80HP.

most of car design is tradeoffs.
I drive mostly on city streets, so the things I like are the 0 to 25 MPH abilities of the car, ability to take any corner at 30MPH with the gas to the floor and not skid the tires.
I like perfect suspension, good brakes, all wheel drive, and sticky tires. I usually don't modify the engine unless I can get more power out at every RPM, and that can be hard to do.
I don't mind that I will loose many 80MPH to 120MPH races.
If you have no detectable tradeoffs, then your tradeoff was usually money, either spent by the manufactuar of the car designing the car
or fixing what the designers left out.
I hope that helps some

my sugestion is to test drive everything on your favorite type of roads, then buy what you like or what gets you the fastest time.  

I have a question What could i do to my 89 nissan 300zx turbo To make it faster with a price under $1000 bucks  

Mainly Jim Wolf Technology will have the most assorted variety, so there would be a lot to choose from. I'd choose the ECU upgrade at about 600 bucks it fits the bill. HKS sells an Intercooler kit for about 1200 bucks (ouch!). But who doesn't love having those three letters popping out of the lower half of the  bumper!  


The answer to the question is simmilar. "RESPONSE" if the car reacts to you if it talks to you; when gas means "GO!" not -accelerate-.... And when breaks means "Oh *** !" not -gently now-....And finally you should check your face for a big ass smile on it.   If its limp its limp and should be discarded no matter if it makes 1000hp. Its like having a super hot girlfriend who won't return your calls!  

I just came home from a 10hr shift at work.  

NOS decals and TYPE R seat belt pads add at least another 10hp  

NOS decals and TYPE R seat belt pads add at least another 10hp
I'm gonna get some spinner hubcaps from Wal Mart, that'll make my Tempo handle like it's on rails!!