Re:164S vs Verde

["Crane, Damien" <Damien.Crane@domain.elided>]

Hi Giovanni

I have had a Verde for about 6 years now and love it.  During that time I
also had a 91 164S for about 3 years and I actually liked it even better.
To me it felt lighter and more nimble (really!).  Gearing was shorter, and
the throttle response was noticeably quicker as though the flywheel mass was
considerably less.  I would guess that the steering was a little quicker
too.  It was wider and more stable feeling, and I especially liked to put
the struts in sport mode when tearing around.  The engine pulled better in
the upper ranges without a noticeable loss in low end torque.  The seats are
not as good as the Recaros, and I am not a fan of leather, so it lost a few
points there, but in general it seemed like a more willing accomplice than
the Milano.  Why did I sell it then, you ask?  Well, it was my wife's car
and she didn't trust it (I kind of coerced her into accepting it), I was a
bit intimidated by its complexity, we needed the money and it was worth more
than the Milano.  But I often regret it.  You have to drive one--they really
are great.  I should add that I feel that under almost all circumstances,
fwd is not a disadvantage.  It's not a popular opinion but years of
performance rallying in front wheel drive cars have convinced me that
although you must drive them differently, but they can be just as fast.  As
long as the chassis is not tuned for infinite understeer.

Hope that helps

Damien

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