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From: rogerh@arizona.UUCP (Roger Hayes)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Suspension systems
Message-ID: <10210@arizona.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 26-Apr-84 16:23:56 EST
Article-I.D.: arizona.10210
Posted: Thu Apr 26 16:23:56 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Apr-84 06:20:02 EST
References: <7368@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Dept of CS, U of Arizona, Tucson
Lines: 24

The answer to "is there a car which will soak up bumps without falling off
the road" is yes.  Almost any french car is great at exactly this.  This 
is because the french secondary roads are terrible, and the french like
to drive fast.

My personal experience is with Citroens and Renaults.  I had a Citroen D19
for a while -- great, great car.  Best suspension system in the world.  The
absolute standard for comfort in a car, and decent handling in its own 
dignified way.  Unfortunatley, parts and service are totally impossible, 
so I bought a Renault 5 (aka Le Car).  That was much fun to drive, still had
a really good ride but felt perky. Sortof like a bumpercar.  Underpowered,
though.

What do you give up?  Well, French cars corner on their doorhandles.  They
stick to the road very well, but they tend to alarm bystanders. Also they are
ususually underpowered, especially after federalization.

You might check out the AMC Alliance, which is really a Renault built in 
America.

	Roger Hayes

PS: I drive an MG now.  The ride is awful, but it's exciting.  I miss my
R5 though.