CivicFerio

Finally took my GX to the racetrack today to test out the VSC. Earlier that day I drove my friend's GS300 for a full session and immediately noticed that the GS has a very soft suspension and body motion was not adequately dampened, and it also under steered badly when driven at the limit. The GS likes to be driven very smoothly and if the VSC does come into play it makes it's presence in a subtle way. I had fun with it trying to get away from a BMW 330i sports.

The last hour before the track closes most of the people began to packing up, and the track was open to anyone who is registered to run that day. Since I'm one of the staffs I get to run for free. My daily driver and track car Civic has blown a head gasket and I was forced to drive the GX to the track. Since I haven't driven my GX hard on the streets, I decided this would be a great opportunity to test the handling of the GX.

I set the suspension at full firm and then proceeded to pre-grid. Trying not to look stupid, the track marshals and other drivers gave me thumbs up. Entering the track it was totally a different experience, since I never driven an SUV on the track before. I have to get accustomed sitting really high off ground. It took me 2 laps to get used to the limits of the GX. Laps 3-4 I began to push harder and trying to make the VSC come on. When the VSC does come on, the car just slows down dramatically like someone just threw out the anchor. The VSC is very sensitive driven at the limit a slight upset in cornering balance sends the VSC on and slows you down quite a bit.

I was surprised that the damping of the GX was better than the GS. The GX remained poised at entering turn 8 at 95mph and body roll was minimal. Overall feel is excellent, I didn't get scared at all. All the time I feel I'm in control of the car.

Though I can feel the weight of the car on the turns it handled predictably and the tires gave plenty of warning before they start to slide. It also under steered when driven at the limit and it's a little bit unstable braking hard and entering a turn due to soft suspension. The brakes are good and were capable of hauling the GX from 105mph down to 70mph for turn 1 with no drama repeatedly. I manage to drive about 6 laps chasing an old Datsun Z, I manage to pass him in the end. hehehe

CivicFerio

turn 9

CivicFerio

turn 9 exit

CivicFerio

front straight

CivicFerio

GS300

CivicFerio

tires

CivicFerio

happy camper

Kash

nice pics thanks for posting your findings

brent0226

Did the GX feel pretty quick? How flat is the torque curve? Even though it's down a bit on horsepower, the figures I've seen in magazines for it are pretty favorable. Good to hear the brakes were good.

Stability control is amazing, isn't it? I went playing in my Jetta (with ESP, German version of VSC) in the rain in an empty parking lot... did some tight doughnuts, and just as soon as it started to under or oversteer, I felt that crunching like ABS does... felt like someone lassoed the car and pulled it back on course Can't wait to try it out on the GX, though a bit dangerous for an SUV

looknow12

Throw a supercharger and a revamped suspension (I am not fond of the current suspension, I gather Lexus is not either which is why they are changing it for next year), and the GX might be able to compete (without turns . )