amazing how well the alero handles

number1alero · 06-24-2007, 05:28 PM

when doing some driving around this weekend, i decided to test my 2002 ecotec alero against my 1996 mustang cobra... both are completely stock with no mods at all....

my testing consisted of driving some straight roads, and then focusing on roads that had sharp turns where the speedlimit is suppose to be 35.

this stretch of road near my house turned out to be perfect. its got a mile long straight stretch, followed by an s turn where the turns are 90 degrees, and there are 4 of them. i was able to consistently go through the turns at about 40-45 in the alero, but only around 30-35 in the cobra

this is mainly due to a BAD front bumpsteer problem, which is a problem for all stock sn95 cobras (96-98 cobras)

bumpsteer if you dont know is where there is a link that prevents the car from hitting a bump and changing directions on the road.

just wanted to share what i never thought would happen, an economy grocery getter that easily outhandles a performance car...

MixtapeMessiah · 06-24-2007, 05:36 PM

as u point out like all american muscle cars, are only good going straight

number1alero · 06-24-2007, 05:45 PM

definetely reinforces my next purchase being a k-member kit which includes the a-arms, bumpsteer kit, coilovers, subframe connectors before i buy this built n/a motor that has 400rwhp on a safe tune

antichrysler · 06-24-2007, 06:05 PM

That's interesting... handling was one of the things I always complained about on the Aleros. It's really soggy and there's lots of body roll

troyertrain · 06-24-2007, 06:24 PM

yeah, i love my alero but the thing is definately not a corner carving machine. it throws me all around going around corners, one of the things i hate most about it...

Alon Alero · 06-24-2007, 06:29 PM

From my little experience I know that the Alero won't handle as good as most japanese/european cars (becoz its an american car after all that float on the road) but it does handle pretty much ok than u would expect from this type of american car and the most important thing is that it let's u feel good... When u drive a mazda or an audi u can do any corner better than the alero BUT u feel attached to the ground... u feel every little obstacle on the road and its very stiff...

jabartram · 06-24-2007, 06:42 PM

i dont know what you guys are talking about, my alero handles like it's on rails.

antichrysler · 06-24-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabartram

i dont know what you guys are talking about, my alero handles like it's on rails.

how much of the suspension did you change?

jabartram · 06-24-2007, 07:10 PM

even when i got it new, i felt comfortable with the handling, but now i have alot of suspension.

antichrysler · 06-24-2007, 07:32 PM

Yeah it's pretty decent for an american car... but it's not that great for cornering... or driving in the snow... or abrupt steering changes

TheMeaningOfLife · 06-24-2007, 09:55 PM

Mines floppy and it rolls all over the place, my old zx2 was a car that took to corners well though, it would just plant and go, the alero on the other hand you even over do it a little bit and the tires are screching and squealing. And no kidding it handles better then a mustang of any sort, wen u have that much pushing you from the rear the fronts arnt gunna stay down as well.

Frostbite545 · 06-24-2007, 10:01 PM

Compared to a few cars, the alero handles well imo. Didnt some of the GLs from 2000 up get a better suspension ? Either way, I was doing 60 and a raccoon jumped in front of me. Swerved left then right, in a really short distance, (insitinct i guess) and didnt flip the car. Tires barely complained. Guy in the car with me has a mustang n hes like yeah... in my car.. we'd be dead.

rowdygls · 06-24-2007, 10:09 PM

I know one member of this site that would agree with the title of this thread and disagree with all the nay sayers. Mfuller is/was the road racing/suspension/brake guru, you had a question about how to make the alero brake or corner better, he was the guy to go talk to.

antichrysler · 06-24-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frostbite545

Compared to a few cars, the alero handles well imo. Didnt some of the GLs from 2000 up get a better suspension ? Either way, I was doing 60 and a raccoon jumped in front of me. Swerved left then right, in a really short distance, (insitinct i guess) and didnt flip the car. Tires barely complained. Guy in the car with me has a mustang n hes like yeah... in my car.. we'd be dead.

It's pretty hard to flip a car when it's wider than it is tall

jayson_waltz · 06-24-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antichrysler

Yeah it's pretty decent for an american car... but it's not that great for cornering... or driving in the snow... or abrupt steering changes

mines awesome in the snow, its unstopable even bottomed out

blueolds01 · 06-24-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frostbite545

Compared to a few cars, the alero handles well imo. Didnt some of the GLs from 2000 up get a better suspension ? Either way, I was doing 60 and a raccoon jumped in front of me. Swerved left then right, in a really short distance, (insitinct i guess) and didnt flip the car. Tires barely complained. Guy in the car with me has a mustang n hes like yeah... in my car.. we'd be dead.

yes, the GL could get the 'sport' suspension package(16" rims w/ goodyears(correct me if im wrong) like all the GLS's got. mine is one of them.

lilfee504 · 06-25-2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabartram

i dont know what you guys are talking about, my alero handles like it's on rails.

antichrysler · 06-25-2007, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayson_waltz

mines awesome in the snow, its unstopable even bottomed out

lol i have a receipt for $9000 body damage saying it isn't

adam337 · 06-25-2007, 01:44 AM

seriously anti..im getting annoyed of you. all you do is bash on aleros ALL the time and brag about your new mazda. No one cares..its about time someone says this and im probably getting a warning for this but..

CiscoPath · 06-25-2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabartram

even when i got it new, i felt comfortable with the handling

Ditto 100%. Not to be a butt or anything, but some of you guys......gulp.........probably just don't know what you're doing. If you're experiencing too much bodyroll or having too much play in the turns, it's mostly likely due to breaking your turn too early or too late, or you didn't properly negotiate the rate of speed with the turn itself, or didn't get on the gas quick enough when coming out of the apex.

In short, don't blame the car, blame the operator. I mean, how else do you explain how some Al's "feel" as though they ride on rails, and others have to fight to regain control after hitting a curb? Some Als got better suspension than the others? Hell no. It all comes from experience and how in-tune you are with your car. If you're not constantly testing yourself and the limits of your car, you're not gonna know what it's capable of or what you're actually brave enough to try. I'll say it like this. You can't be a Sunday-driver all week long and then come Sunday, decide to let loose and expect try to make a 90 degree turn at 45 MPH when you're normally making it around................5 MPH and expect to slide through it like butter? It ain't gonna happen.

Damn, that wasn't as short as previously stated. I guess i'm mainly speaking to the guys like Anti, MOL, and Troyer. Chances are, you guys either have a ton of audio making your Als a boat, or your drivings so laid back, it would put Miss Daisy to sleep 90% of the time. Those who "still" have Als and don't have it weighted down should TAKE IT TO THE TRACK......TRACK......TRACK..........TRACK............and actually see that it's not sports suspension tuned (which it wasn't built for), but can be a very grippy and responsive car IF you take the time to work with it.