Cars that desperately needed more power...

[geno]

I've noticed a few cars out there that are rediculously underpowered (or have been). Has anyone ever looked at the stats for the Dodge Avenger and the Infiniti G20? So much potential, both were pitifully underpowered for what they were supposed to be. Are there any other examples like this out there? I need a good laugh...

 

[urbantechie]

Geo Metro! Haha..

 

[Wingznut]

The Avenger is an excellent example. The new Mitsubishi Eclipse is another.

 

[Viperoni]

My car needs horsepower
250lb torque, 150hp

 

[vi edit]

Ford Focus wagon. Man, if they could shoe horn the 2.5 DOHC Duratec V6 into that car, you'd have yourself one fun ass ride on your hands.

 

[vi edit]

The Audi A4 1.8t is also a little sluggish for it's price tag. The 2.8 really isn't much of an improvement either. To get performance you have to cough up an extra 15k for the S4.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Volvo 240 and 740 (non-turbo) series, those old Volvo fours would run forever but they were dog slow (sorry to insult dogs there). A 100hp engine in a full size station wagon is a bad idea.

Zenmervolt

 

[Thegonagle]

Geo Metro 4-cyl = semi-OK power:weight ratio for a cheap economy car, IMHO.

The previous generation Celica was described in Car and Driver as having nothing wrong that 50 HP wouldn't fix.

Any 4-cyl mustang qualifies.

Colt Vista Wagon by Mitsubishi had 88 HP. So s l o w.

 

[geno]

100HP? Ouch, bad idea especially for a Volvo! (heavy)

 

[BA]

4-cyl Dodge Caravan.

Try going up a hill with a full load of flag-teamers. I thought we weren't going to make it...

 

[burnedout]

Older Volkswagen vans. Notoriously slow. Extremely underpowered.

 

[Emos]

vi_edit, the 2001 A4 1.8T models boosted the hp up to 170hp. Plus if you happen to be into "chipping" a four to five-hundred dollar investment can give you a gain of up to 50hp....not a bad price/performance ratio in my book!
Alas....the Audi S4 would be a sweet ride to have....but I also have to pay rent!
What Audi really needs to do is to bring over the A3 line to North America...especially the S3.

 

[luckydragon]

porsche carrera gt... needs a few more hundred hp

WAY underpowered as designed right now

 

[vi edit]

Emos, I know that Audi bumped up the HP in '01. I took a '01 1.8t 5spd Quattro out for a 25 mile spin. The 5spd and turbo made it feel quick, but it really wasn't anything to write home about.

Also, I've been saying for over a year that Audi should bring the S3 over here to the states. I'd be one the first ones on the waiting list for it

 

[bobtist]

The Model-A. That sucker was butt slow.

Hyundai Insight. I don't think it has 70hp. (or is it a Honda? I don't remember)

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

My '91 Corolla. I'm pretty sure that car has potential to be a good auto-crosser car, too bad no company has tapped into it. The engine has more torque than Civics of the same year, and revs smoothly to redline (wherever that is - I don't have a tachometer). Also a 40-shot of NOS would do the engine some good.

BTW, is it possible to add a tachometer to any car? How much would it costs.

 

[vi edit]

Oh - the '85 ford ranger.

I had the gas pedle to the floor and that thing refused to go above 60 MPH.

 

[Total Refected Power]

My old 1984 Nissan (Datsun) Sentra. Something like 70 hp. Had to turn the AC off when merging onto highways!!!!!!!!

 

[konichiwa]

bobtist

That's the Honda Insight. Even though it has so low HP, it gets around 60 MPG, which, among boats like the Ford SUVs which get under 10 MPG, is a great improvement.

 

[jorken]

This is why the Dodge Avenger is now Stratus R/T.

 

[urbantechie]

<< Had to turn the AC off when merging onto highways!!!!!!!! >>



ROTFLMAO!!!

 

[Emos]

Audi's official position on the A3 line not making it here is that they believe Americans feel that hatchbacks are &quot;cheap&quot;. Hopefully they'll eventually change their minds....

Audi S3

 

[nippyjun]

More power is a waste of gas. Car companies should be building lighter cars that are more fuel efficient. They reason they don't is because the oil companies are in collusion with them.

 

[RossMAN]

mAdD INDIAN - My sister bought a good condition used 1990 Toyota Corolla DX automatic 4 door. She paid $5,000 for it and it only had 67,000 miles. With proper care, tune ups, oil, etc. how long should it probably last? I can't believe it's 10 years old and it starts up just fine. But it's prob bound to start falling apart sooner or later.

Toyota's quality is one reason I might buy a Camry over an Accord next year but the Accord looks so nice and gets stolen more often than the Camry!

 

[Madcowz]

The Dodge avenger was not meant to have power. It was supposed to be a value car that looks sporty. I do however think that the stock Mustang needs a little more power to at least be able to compete with Firebirds and Camaros.