Good handling cars weighing over 4,000 pounds (1,815 kg)

[Parnelli Bone]

I need your help. Help me think of a list of cars which weigh over 4,000 pounds (1,815 kilograms) that handle relatively well.

I'm drawing a blank. I've been driving a Mercedes SL500 for the past few days in various races. It understeers under pressure and needs solid braking zones (or else), but I consider its handling traits fairly worthy (compared to a few other heavyweights I've driven). Which got me thinking what others are out there that are equal or better to the SL500.

Trying to decide on another heavyweight to drive around for awhile, you see.

 

[PF]

This is the list, sorted in ascending order in kgs. It also contains cars from every version; the Audi Pike's Peak and the Chrysler 300C are not on the Japanese version. All is taken from a GTP spreadsheet, but I've had it so long I can't remember who made it. +rep to whoever it was.

FPV GT '04 1825
Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution Super Production Rally Raid Car '03 1825
Aston Martin Vanquish '04 1835
Audi RS6 '02 1840
Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R230) '02 1840
Dodge Charger Super Bee 426 Hemi '71 1841
Chrysler 300C '05 1878
Audi RS6 Avant '02 1880
Volvo 240 GLT Estate '88 1890
Audi Pike's Peak quattro '03 1900
Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG '02 1910
Mercedes-Benz CL600 '00 1955
Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG '02 1955
Aston Martin Vantage V8 '99 1970
Mercedes-Benz SL600 (R230) '04 2025
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG '04 2028
Mercedes-Benz SL600 (R129) '98 2029
Ford SVT F-150 Lightning '03 2132
Chevrolet SSR '03 2248
Chevrolet SS Silverado Concept '02 2268
Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Hemi Quad Cab '04 2390
Land Rover Range Stormer '04 2500
Jay Leno Tank Car '03 3500

From this I'd pick the FPV and the Audi Pike's Peak. I also like both Astons, but haven't tried the others. Am assuming you don't want another Merc.

Will you be tuning them or driving stock (I'm guessing the latter, knowing you)? Some cars respond really well to tuning, going from utter crap to at least driveable, and often quite good.

Also note that you could use the Jensen Interceptor, but you'll have to add 1kg ballast!

 

[Spec M]

My ETZ E55 changed my whole perspective on larger and heavier cars.
With my settings and parameters it was definately and still is the best handling car in its class in my GT5 garage.
I was amazed by its grip and ability to transfer 800hps to the ground on S3 with no problem.
When I tested it on the 'Ring it was probably my most memorable experience in a driving game online or vs. AI period.
In fact if I can put away some more cash in the next year or two, and sale my C-Klasse for what its actually worth, ill buy an E-Klasse.

 

[niky]

I like the E55, though it's not as good as some of the other luxury sedans... the RS6 is just a pig.

The FPV GT is entertaining, but quite soft.

The Volvo 240 is decent, but slow... really slow... even with all the mods, it doesn't make much power at all.

The Lightning, Silverado concept and Range Rover concept are pretty good for trucks... but if you want a challenge, the Dodge Laramie is absolutely horrible... but good fun... at the same time... ...all power, no handling.

As is the Jay Leno Tank Car. Getting one around a track is a big challenge.. too bad you can't use it in a race.

 

[GeeTeeR]

Dodge Ram FTW!!!

 

[Seismica]

With the right driver at the wheel, any one of those Mercedes would be the best. I look at the others and i just see understeer.

Anyways, the SL600 (R230) that you use on El Capitan on one of the licence tests is excellent, but i think one of the older models that you use for a small section of the Nurburgring in the IB licence? is better.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

Cool tanks guys.

I should have specified I'm looking for a car, not a truck. I've already driven all the trucks.



From the list PF posted, I've driven all of them except the majority of the Benzes, the Super Bee, the Volvo, and the Audi Pike's Peak. I'm currently in a Benz phase, tho, so maybe this is a good time to check out some of those. 👍

Haven't driven the Super bee yet (I think it's a prize, which is probably why...haven't won it yet). Would it really be considered good-handling, tho? Or at least marginally good?

Also, is the Volvo 240 really over 1,815 kg? Wow, guess it is! Is its handling up-to-par, tho? (yes, I've never driven one).

Thanks guys...

 

[Greycap]

Also, is the Volvo 240 really over 1,815 kg? Wow, guess it is! Is its handling up-to-par, tho? (yes, I've never driven one).

"Really" in the game or "really" in real life? Yes and no. The papers of a real one say 1340 kg. That's what I call a major screw up... and the handling would probably be just about right (still too soft though) for the correct weight but for now it's hopeless.

Tunes for some of those mentioned:

 

[Spec M]

Wow I should have advertised some of my tunes

 

[Smallhorses]

Cool tanks guys. ...

I see what you did there...

Haven't driven the Super bee yet (I think it's a prize, which is probably why...haven't won it yet). Would it really be considered good-handling, tho? Or at least marginally good?

It's still a big heavy Muscle Car, and I've not attempted to tune one which would doubtless improve the suspension over the soggy pillows that it comes with in stock form. A transmission upgrade would also benefit it admirably to stop the usual topping out at 120mph scenario that's common to most GT4 muscle cars.

It did come out overall on top of the complete set of GT4 muscle cars when I tested them (in stock arcade mode form) for SFGTP races, being significantly faster around Trial Mountain than the Chevelle 454, and only marginally slower for Infineon Stock Car Course and High Speed Ring.

Dodge Charger Super Bee 426 Hemi '71
TM: 1'39.245
IStCC: 1'25.586
HSR: 1'21.913

Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 '70
TM: 1'39.896
IStCC: 1'25.554
HSR: 1'21.882

You can win the Superbee for the New York 200 miles race, which is a great challenge, and since we know you love a good race , can I suggest you give something along these lines a try: Another 200 A-spec New York Streets 200 miles. (Stock Honda NSX Type S Zero '99) ?

76 laps, almost 2 1/2 hours and just 4.7s winning margin.
Oh yeah, you'll get "seat-of-your-pants" racing alright!!!
250,000Cr & a Superbee as a reward too. Have fun Parnelli! 👍

 

[Giygas]

I like the E55 too, though it needs a couple of upgrades to hang with the M5.

The RS6 needs more power and a stiffer suspension, the body roll on that car is incredible annoying.

 

[breakpoint]

Too bad they don't have my caprice in GT4 or I would suggest it. After I did the springs and lowered it, the thing handles better than my GSX Eclipse did! I did make some "anti-flex bars" for under the hood and trunk sort of like a F body has, might help...

 

[RaidoGT]

.The Volvo 240 is decent, but slow... really slow... even with all the mods, it doesn't make much power at all.

Yeah, it's no speed demon - I guess at that weight, it'd never be.

Tried this car last week though, must say it was better than I'd feared to be (in keeping with tradition, tried it stock with N2's to keep things real), could even win the odd race with it. Despite huge body roll, handling wasn't even too bad, I would've thought it'd slither around in every corner, but it's actually kind of fun to drive. Nevertheless, still slow indeed though.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

"Really" in the game or "really" in real life? Yes and no. The papers of a real one say 1340 kg. That's what I call a major screw up... and the handling would probably be just about right (still too soft though) for the correct weight but for now it's hopeless.

Tunes for some of those mentioned:

Cool.

I recently had a look at an old 240 at shop I work at. The engine bay is dominated by this huge straight-6, and not much else! Very basic & bare. That's why I was suspicious about the real-life weight. I was thinking "geez, they must be very heavy because of alot of steel; hence their repuation (in my country) as sturdy. So that makes sense that PD screwed up.

I'll look into driving your Volvo there at some point! 👍

I see what you did there...



It's still a big heavy Muscle Car, and I've not attempted to tune one which would doubtless improve the suspension over the soggy pillows that it comes with in stock form. A transmission upgrade would also benefit it admirably to stop the usual topping out at 120mph scenario that's common to most GT4 muscle cars.

It did come out overall on top of the complete set of GT4 muscle cars when I tested them (in stock arcade mode form) for SFGTP races, being significantly faster around Trial Mountain than the Chevelle 454, and only marginally slower for Infineon Stock Car Course and High Speed Ring.

Dodge Charger Super Bee 426 Hemi '71
TM: 1'39.245
IStCC: 1'25.586
HSR: 1'21.913

Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 '70
TM: 1'39.896
IStCC: 1'25.554
HSR: 1'21.882

You can win the Superbee for the New York 200 miles race, which is a great challenge, and since we know you love a good race , can I suggest you give something along these lines a try: Another 200 A-spec New York Streets 200 miles. (Stock Honda NSX Type S Zero '99) ?

76 laps, almost 2 1/2 hours and just 4.7s winning margin.
Oh yeah, you'll get "seat-of-your-pants" racing alright!!!
250,000Cr & a Superbee as a reward too. Have fun Parnelli! 👍

I've been going thru GT4 painfully slowly, and just started playing again after not touching it much since TCV5, but I'm finally gonna do my first New Yawk race soon.

Too bad they don't have my caprice in GT4 or I would suggest it. After I did the springs and lowered it, the thing handles better than my GSX Eclipse did! I did make some "anti-flex bars" for under the hood and trunk sort of like a F body has, might help...

👍 I'd love an old Impala as well. Would be classic American Graffiti drag strip stuff to have up against the original GTO.