Why does everyone seem to hate Hondas as performance vehicles?

Question

I know the sterotype of being "Rice Burners" and having loud exhausts on cars that look like they should be in the junkyard rather than on the street. But seriously why do people hate Hondas?

Answer 1

Ok...a little physics lesson:



When a vehicle takes off, it resists motion. This is called the inertial moment. Weight is transferred to the back of the vehicle. Where are the drive wheels on Hondas? The back? BBZZZZT. The front? Ding Ding Ding.



Another lesson: You can get 400 HP or so out of a N/A LS1. You can get 400 HP out of a 1.6L Honda running 25 LB. of boost and a 100HP shot of nitrous. Which can you take down the track every weekend without having it up on a lift once a week? The Chevy. There is no substitute for displacement.



That said, Honda's kick ***. They are ultra-reliable, well made, their motors are bulletproof and they get damn good gas mileage in general. In fact, I really wish I had a little honda civic 5-spd. I just don't think they are as capable as race cars.



But then again, depends what type of racing you are talking about, and which honda cars...because the S2000 is a very capable race machine.



Added for the people below: of course it's about HP/Weight...but saying that Honda's technology is more advanced is BS. There is only so much you can do with their tired old Iron blocks before you can't even run pump gas anymore. There is no substitute for displacement, and a Chevy aluminum block will get you more HP/weight (of the engine) than a honda iron block.



And saying that a honda handles good is a little bit retarded. Maybe compared to other front drivers...but seriously, have you ever accelerated through a corner? Doesn't feel right in a front driver.

Answer 2

I don't like to generalize but it's way too obvious of the type of people that are attracted to "rice burners". The American muscle car has always been big and rear wheel drive. Anything smaller or front wheel drive is just a souped up go kart.

Answer 3

its because hondas are so much better than whatever muscle cars, compared to hondas any muscle car has shittly mileage, is unreliable, and cant perform. i have seem little 1.5 liter hondas blow supercharged 350's out of the water with their engineering and performance. i have nothing agains muscle cars because there is nothing better than liting up your rear tires in a cloud of smoke but what can you say when you race a car that has less than half the horsepower than you have and it smokes you. hondas are easier to tune, handle much better, are much lighter, and cost alot less. that is why most people hate hondas, and that is why i like them

Answer 4

hondas typically lack torque...and horsepower...small numbers like 125hp and 140lbs/ft scare a normal american...but its more about a ratio of hp to weight...hondas are lighter and smaller in all dimensions...therefore...125hp goes farther in a civic than it does in a chevelle...this concept confuses alot of people...so big HP/weight means more than less HP/weight.

Besides, its hard to change everyones stereotype overnight...honda has come a long way...as did other carmakers...