I was driving to my parents' place a couple nights ago. I'm coming on to a very fun and curvy on-ramp. I decided to take her up to about 65-70mph on the curve before I hopped on the highway. I havent taken this route in my car before but I have in others. My car started to skip skidways all over these bumps. They werent very serious bumps. It was just that the road wasnt perfect. I didnt like the feeling at all. I'm of the impression that if I had a few more lbs on my S I wouldnt have felt like a rag doll. We all bitch and complain about the weight of our cars but these advantages are only best on a flat track or course.

I wonder how precise Elises feel when your taking a not=so smooth corner in the real world.

 

I believe this particular situation has less to do with the weight of the car and more about the suspension spring and damper combo. With the right spring rate and damper valving, both rebound and compression, the car could have felt composed and stable.

Why it often times feels more stable in a car with more mass is because the more the car weighs the more forgiving the suspension components are going to be if you get the setup slightly wrong. With a lightweight car the flaws are seen much easier. Suspension setup with a heavy car it is like throwing a football through an open garage door whereas with a lighter car you have to get the same football through a tire swing. Both can be done it is just that one is much simpler.

 

I agree that the rear dampers aren't tuned as well as they could be. The rear tires seem to hop over imperfections rather than absorbing them; yet large undulations on the freeway at speed, I can feel the bump stops. Maybe less high speed damping, and more low speed?

 

I'm guessing a Cayman would have felt different? I guess thats why we pay 30k versus 60k. Their are other reasons ofcourse?

 

Yes, it would!

 

100lb heavier and has active suspension management, not to mention not a vert so it should feel more composed, let along being double the price.

 

that's why my car is light AND awd...

 

Any heavier and you probably would have gone off the road since your suspension and tires would have had to work that much harder.

Lighter is better when it comes to handling.

 

Tell that to BMW, Infiniti, and Nissans GTR. Those cars arent exactly light and they apparently hug corners.

 

You are neglecting downforce. It becomes more necessary as cars get lighter.