Any excellent handling front-wheel drive cars?

[Danny Tran]

My surprise of the year: the previous model of the new generation Mini (not the one that just came out).

I tried one out on a race track. Handling is *EXCELLENT* and crip and precise. It boggles the mind how well the chassis copes.

I was under the impression it was an expensive fashion accessory for women and metrosexuals. WHo knew it was a competent driver's car?

Any other good handling FFs out there I wouldnt know about?

- new GTI: I found it kinda sluggish;

- Focus ST: havesnt tried it;
- new sport Suzuki Swift: not sold here.

[Blind_Io]

It might not be the fastest or the best handling, but with looks like that who cares?!

[gti138]

Peugeot's are pretty much the best handling FWD's IMHO! I'm biased though as I have one. Don't think you can get them in the US either

[LeMans GTR]

2nd gen Audi TT, Renault Hot Hatches and the Fiat Panda 100HP are all great little FWD cars. ( not sure if you can get them in the US though )

[Brother Michael]

Now I'm not sure if you meant cars in general or only FWD with some grunt i.e. ST, GTI, Cooper S etc.

Anyway I'm gonna say the Mazda 6. Haven't driven the MPS, but the normal car is a beautifully handling thing. So crisp and accurate steering, and quite quick so you don't have to turn the wheel like in a ship in order to achieve full lock. And the chassis is fantastic as well. And the suspension. And the gearbox. I miss that car so much.....I gotta have the MPS......that handling+all that power+4WD...mmmmmmmmmmm....

[Magnet]

Previous gen Integra Type-R
Peugeot 205 GTi
Renault Clio Sport

[flyingfridge]

The new GTI is a bucketload of fun, even if it doesn't have the outright pace. The XR5 (ST) is also brilliant, more go than the GTI but it's not as chuckable. That's not to say it isn't chuckable though, i's awesome.

I got to drive the Mazda 3 MPS last week. it can't handle the power, torque steers like a pig.

[avanti]

Lancia Delta HF Turbo, one of the best8)

[Hidden_Hunter]

From experience the integra (both type-r and non type-r) and the celica both are excellent handling FWD cars.

[Viper007Bond]

excellent handling front-wheel drive cars

Isn't that an oxymoron? Hmm...

[fbc]

Repeating others, but what the hell:

Mini Cooper / Cooper S
Renault Sport Clio
Golf GTI
Previous model Integra Type R
Previous model Civic Type R
Focus ST (XR5 to us antipodeans)

[chaos386]

The Scion xA I drove was pretty fun.

[teeb]

Your basic Focus hatchback handles great, even if it doesn't have the poke or oomph to go particularly fast.

EVO did a 'best handling FWD cars EVERR' feature a few months back, I'll dig out the results later.

[wooflepoof]

Try a nice cheap VW Corrado VR6

[Angst]

Originally Posted by teeb

Your basic Focus hatchback handles great, even if it doesn't have the poke or oomph to go particularly fast.

EVO did a 'best handling FWD cars EVERR' feature a few months back, I'll dig out the results later.

I don't have that issue here at my father's, but if I'm not wrong the winner was the Integra Type-R followed by the 205 GTi, Golf GTI mk I, Clio III RS, Clio II Trophy and Mini S GP. Not in this order, though.

[fbc]

Originally Posted by Angst

I don't have that issue here at my father's, but if I'm not wrong the winner was the Integra Type-R

Yep - the Type-R took the prize. They also said calling it the best handling FWD car was faint praise - in their opinion it's one of the best handling cars full stop.

[Samir]

This is basically an area dominated by Hot Hatches.

If I had to pick 1, I'd pick the Mazdaspeed 3.

However, I hate hatchbacks. Civic Si isn't bad from what I hear.

Of course, you might want to pay a bump up and check out a non-quattro Audi A4. They're still amazing.

[jayhawk]

Wow, I cant believe North Americans haven't posted the best handling front wheel drive vehicle that was sold here: the Mazda MazdaSpeed Protege. Forget the ITR, this car is exceptional.

[Danny Tran]

Originally Posted by teeb

Your basic Focus hatchback handles great, even if it doesn't have the poke or oomph to go particularly fast.

EVO did a 'best handling FWD cars EVERR' feature a few months back, I'll dig out the results later.

thatd be awesome thanks!

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by jayhawk

Wow, I cant believe North Americans haven't posted the best handling front wheel drive vehicle that was sold here: the Mazda MazdaSpeed Protege. Forget the ITR, this car is exceptional.

The Protege's are quite nice, any Mazda is decent and a tweaked one is great, but I've heard from quite a few people "If the Integra was RWD I would have bought it." I never hear that about the Protege.