Ford Focus ST Priced < $25k

kenchan

i wonder how the torque steer is vs mazdaspeed3?

m4a1mustang

It's got some torque-steer compensation system that works with the electronic power assisted steering, so it's supposed to be muted.

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kenchan

hummm...

UNKNOWN_370

Nissan is really good at controlling torque steer. And in the 13 altima. They are adding understeer control as well. If Ford copies this type of tech? It could be a dream to drive? Possibly?

kenchan

huh... i thought i saw on edmunds(?) review that the current maxima has some level of torque steer when launched.

how does the understeer control work? by brake distribution?

UNKNOWN_370

Maximas are worse handlers than altimas, believe it or not. Not as reliable either. Maximas basically have more looks. I'm not sure how understeer is controlled specifically, but its description sounds like its computer controlled. Possibly through braking? Let me see if I can find the altima spec sheet again online.

Pauly

sorry dude, but i have to disagree 100%.
im on my third, and i beat the piss out of the first two without a single issue. reliability cant be touched, from my own experience. the altima, on the other hand, has issues in several departments. my cousin has a brand new one with a failing transmission, broken sunroof, etc. my wifes friend also had one with transmission problem and other issues. i like the altima, but there is a reason it cost more to get in a max. its a better car.

as far as the torque steer thing, the max has plenty of it, sure. its got a ton of power. but it didnt happen on launch. straight line i have minimal left / right sway. however, step on it to pass while turning the wheel to switch lanes? better hold on with both hands! this is when torque steer is bad.

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UNKNOWN_370

3 altimas and going strong on my side. My cousin,, sister-in law and 2 good friends with maximas, have had transmission issues on the altima. A neighbor of mine drove his max aggressive one day and had transmission fluid all over the ground the next morning. I guess its going to be a who you ask.
As far as performance. The altimas don't have a whole lot of torque steer unless you go seriously hard into a turn. Straight lines torqque steer is controllable, turns, as long as they are not made over 40mph are pretty controllable. (This part may partly depend on driver ability) sudden turns in FWD will bring about vicious torque steer in any FWD, no matter what the ecu does to control it. Once aggressive you will feel that front weight on the axle. Even with nissan making it a mi engine mount it is harsh once you hit high level aggressive. But normal street aggressive, it should be subtle as long as you know the limits.

As far as maximas. I haven't driven one too aggressive but a 3.5 altima is 3200lbs. A maxima is 3600lbs, with that 400lbs of extra weight mainly to the front. So going back to what I said. The altima is a better handler most likely do to lighter weight. Maximas have the same suspension. And even thoughthey have the same transmission, true delta statistiics show the maxima having more issues on the cvt more than altimas. Not sure on manuals but either way. Both got the 120k mile extended transmission warranty, so we'll just say they both have issues though maximas statisticly have had more transmission problems.