Today's new cars are way overpowered...

[turnkey4099]

I agree. Our 2013 Impala is a rocket. But it's throttle is electronic, so there's NO feedback to your foot whereas our 92 Suburban has a nice spring on the cable and pushes back against your foot. I can take the traction control off on the Impala and try to spin the tires in the snow but its hard to judge and I always end up with too much or too little throttle. On the Suburban, I can pump it just right and do all kinds of fun things in the snow!

One of the things I had a hard time getting used in the new 2005 Ford 500 was that damned delay between punching it and getting some action.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

And, of course, which one would you rather be in on a lonely stretch of road on a nice summer evening with the windows down and no headlights for miles and miles?

I recall several occasions like that. In the days of the old tube radios, you soon learned to park on a hill just in case you ran the battery down. Do I hear an Amen?

 

[HHR]

On the 2005-2007 wagon (Freestyle?), the CVT was used on the AWD models and the 6 speed was used on the FWD models. Aaron Z

All Freestyle models (FWD and AWD have the CVT transmission. I own a 2007 Freestyle and it is a FWD with the CVT.
After getting used to the CVT, it's a joy to drive.
I haven't been able to find a replacement vehicle that is as versatile and as efficient.

 

[MossRoad]

One of the things I had a hard time getting used in the new 2005 Ford 500 was that damned delay between punching it and getting some action.

Our Impala also has that delay. When you turn a corner and want to accelerate after making the turn, you push the pedal, nothing seems to happen, so your brain tells you to push it harder, but as you do so the car is computing what you wanted to do a split second ago.... and then it sees the "push harder" and drops down 2 gears and adds a bunch of fuel and you get a big jerk back in the seat and the car takes off. Even my young daughter who's only been driving a year knows its too long of a delay and she's never driven a car with a throttle cable or no delay. Its a noted problem on the 2011-2013 Impalas. There's several people that will burn you a new program in your chip that's supposed to significantly reduce that delay, smooth up some shift points, and remove the speed limiter if you're so inclined....

 

[dfkrug]

They are all apparently faster than a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500..... and that's just sad....

That's not sad, that's great!

Many many of today's cars have "too much power", esp for the avg American driver....that's one
of the reasons that traction control was mandated a few years ago. The Camry V6, with nearly 300
hp, is a popular car among old ladies. Many of those drivers never use that power. Ever.

When I was in high school, I would go to lunch almost daily with a friend who had a pristine,
somewhat modified 69 Mustang 428 Cobrajet. It was almost undrivable in the rain due to
excessive power, and crappy traction. Too much power? Probably. But fun nevertheless.

 

[MossRoad]

Crowd watches old Mustang...



Crickets chirping at new Impala...



What I'd rather be driving if given a choice...


1969 Yenko Nova SC427

 

[TomSeller]

The Nova was a much overlooked car. It was expected to be a sleeper, but had classic lines but was substantial enough to handle big engines and would go like a bat outa heCK. That mustang is one of the best looking cars ever made. The Impala, as most cars are these days, is just one of a bazillion models available. Time will likely be kind to it. Nice lines and good features.

 

[Egon]

For the mundane stuff this would be my choice.


And for those windy sunny summer roads.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

One of the things I had a hard time getting used in the new 2005 Ford 500 was that damned delay between punching it and getting some action.

I tested our 2006 Ford 500 parked. A fast pedal to the floor and release. Max RPM was 1500. The 454 in the 1992 motor home would be heading for the red line.

Now when when running 55 in 6th gear with TC locked up and go to WOT it moves. Never had a vehicle with shift points of 6200 RPM at WOT.

I agree traction control is a good feature. On the 500 I can turn it off.

 

[toppop52]

New cars are rev limited to 1200-2000 rpm in park, depending on brand and model, to make them fool proof. That way you can't rev them to the moon with no load and blow the engine.