How do I drive a FR car?

[AlexGTV]

I've owned GT4 for a couple of months now, I'm on 20% or so completion and consider myself a medium player as I have silvered all of the licenses and a dozen gold... but without being able to negotiate the FR cars handling at all.

The easiest cars so far for me where the modestly powered Pontiac Sunfire and in general I find FWD cars very forgiving as far as you take a racing line and AWD cars the best for handling and power like the Audis.

I've just come to terms with the handling of RR cars like the Ruf CRT Yellowbird and MR cars like the Lotus Elise but still can't drive confidently the FR ones.

I've tried various FR cars like the Viper or the Corvette and I've noticed how they easily spin if you break mid-corner or ever if you don't give any throttle any moment you steer. And the countersteering is VERY delicate and more times than not the car snaps back through the opposite direction resulting again in a spin.

What are some advices you can give me to be able to master the FR cars?

 

[NotThePrez]

Always manage the throttle. Don't accelerate through a corner full blast, but manage the amount you need. Same thing for when the cars drift. Get off the throttle a bit, but don't come completely off. Also, practice. Not all FR cars drive the same.

 

[Smallhorses]

Your problem, as with many other people here is simply trying to do too much too soon.
You need to get a handle on the basics first before you seek tonnes of power.
Ask yourself this. Do people in real life learn to drive in something FF & ~80 - 150HP, or a V10 500HP FR Viper?
Same goes in the game, if you can't handle a car anyway, you're unlikely to be able to cope with massive power & torque that causes the oversteer you're encountering when you mash the throttle out of a bend.

What you need to do is find a low powered FR car and get used to the handling characteristics of FR (and do the same for MR too before you try to handle a race car or a Pagani Zonda.)
I'd recommend buying one of the NA Mazda Miatas (MX-5) from '89 - '95 in the game, as they're ideal cars for learning FR handling, with not too much power to make them dangerous, and you can explore the limits of breaking the back end loose and recovering it without suddenly getting massive amounts of oversteer. Putting it on N3 tyres will also help a little too, and the S2 tyres that come stock are a little too grippy.
Alternatively you could try one of the Qs edition '80s Nissan Silvias or the Toyota AE86 for similar low-power learning.

For MR, the MG F '97 is an ideal low powered beginner to get used to the engine being behind the driver, and certainly if you've mastered RR cars like the Yellowbird, you shouldn't have too much trouble.

 

[AlexGTV]

Oops, I forgot to mention I've got a Dualshock2 controller that for some odd reason (maybe it's fake) does not have analog capabillity at all, zero. So I steer with the d-pad and accelerate and brake only full-on.

I understand that GT4 was meant to be played with analog capability for the best control and I use TCS for this reason, so should I forget controlling a delicate high power FR machine with a digital controller?

I've managed fine thus far and I can't be soft on throttle. Is this detrimental to being able to powerslide in FR cars?

 

[GTsail]

*snip*
I've tried various FR cars like the Viper or the Corvette and I've noticed how they easily spin if you break mid-corner or ever if you don't give any throttle any moment you steer. And the countersteering is VERY delicate and more times than not the car snaps back through the opposite direction resulting again in a spin.

What are some advices you can give me to be able to master the FR cars?

Welcome aboard AlexGTV!

Usually, most FR cars are fairly easy to drive and exhibit few unpleasant traits.

Can we ask what other FR cars you've tried?

Like Smallhorses says, start with some lower-powered FR cars and work your way into the game. I have often seen beginners drive their high-powered cars too fast into corners and then have to slam on the brakes and try to steer. This is slow, and often results in armco impacts. Try slowing down before the corners a bit earlier, let the car get settled, before getting back on full throttle.

Also, most car's (FR or otherwise) handling is affected by the level of suspension tuning performed. Are you running your cars with stock suspension or have you performed some tuning adjustments?

Good luck!
Respectfully,
GTsail290

 

[Rykon Zero]

I first learned to drive an FR, and for that matter, how to race, in a Toyota Supra, back in GT2. Needless to say, it was a huge crash (pun intended) course, like everything else in my life.

I'd say, my best bet for you, is something like a Miata or AE86, around a relatively slow course, like Autumn ring, or maybe Motorland.

I'm also jealous of you, I struggle to get silvers most of the time, and I'm practically a wizard at car control.

 

[AlexGTV]

I'm also jealous of you, I struggle to get silvers most of the time, and I'm practically a wizard at car control.

Then my friend you should aim to become a wizard of patience too, then you'll gold most I'm sure.

 

[daan]

and I'm practically a wizard at car control.

 

[AlexGTV]

I will follow your advice of driving low power FR cars to get the hang of manageable power and gradually increasing the horsepower, howerver as I stated before I can only have digital input and thus can only have full throttle on, is this prohibiting to drive the high-powered FR beasts (with their flashy powersliding and all)?

Some say he only listens to bagpipe music of the Victorian times, others that he poses at photomode instead of the cars, one thing is sure, he is called The StigNumbers!

 

[-raVer-]

Oops, I forgot to mention I've got a Dualshock2 controller that for some odd reason (maybe it's fake) does not have analog capabillity at all, zero. So I steer with the d-pad and accelerate and brake only full-on.

...

I steer with the d-pad too and accelerate/brake with the buttons.
I think I can drive FR cars well without sliding all the time thru the corners

by the way my analog sticks work but I don´t like to drive with them.


raVer

 

[AlexGTV]

I steer with the d-pad too and accelerate/brake with the buttons.
I think I can drive FR cars well without sliding all the time thru the corners

by the way my analog sticks work but I don´t like to drive with them.


raVer

Do you use the pressure sensibility of the buttons or you just smash the throttle and brakes, as I do out of necessity.

 

[-raVer-]

Do you use the pressure sensibility of the buttons or you just smash the throttle and brakes, as I do out of necessity.

I press the buttons and don´t smash them

here I have posted a video where you can convince yourself of my driving style

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=127335&page=4#post3902412



raVer

 

[AlexGTV]

That's what I mean. Pressing the button all the way down is the same as flooring it in the car.

Nice knowledge of the 'Ring! 👍

 

[oldmodelt]

Do you use the pressure sensibility of the buttons or you just smash the throttle and brakes, as I do out of necessity.

Do what everyone else is recommending and also consider buying a new DS2. The $20.00 bucks is money well spent for the hours of gameplay you are going to have.

I and many others also use the right analog button for the acc/brake function. But the combos are endless with the ability to map your own button setup.

Welcome too!

 

[Smallhorses]

Where are you AlexGTV? I have recently acquired a surplus DS2 controller that I have no use for. I already have 2, and I always drive with DFP.
It's yours for free if you pay postage.

 

[Korza]

i prefer driving a FR car without TCS. i hate understeer, i cant stand but i can manage oversteer. and its more fun to powerslide through a corner. it gives you a (false)sense of fulfilment.

 

[AlexGTV]

Where are you AlexGTV? I have recently acquired a surplus DS2 controller that I have no use for. I already have 2, and I always drive with DFP.
It's yours for free if you pay postage.

I'm in Greece, Thessaloniki, but don't worry my cousin has a useless, by him, ps2 (he is a WoWhead) and is going to give me his dualshock after I asked him.

I'm going to try some medium power FR cars with the proper control now and see what happens, hopefully I'll have progress.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

Oops, I forgot to mention I've got a Dualshock2 controller that for some odd reason (maybe it's fake) does not have analog capabillity at all, zero. So I steer with the d-pad and accelerate and brake only full-on.

I understand that GT4 was meant to be played with analog capability for the best control and I use TCS for this reason, so should I forget controlling a delicate high power FR machine with a digital controller?

I've managed fine thus far and I can't be soft on throttle. Is this detrimental to being able to powerslide in FR cars?

Not sure if this has been noted yet but...

1. The buttons on a DS2 are touch-sensitive...however, I find the analog sticks are easier to use (so far as going from zero to full and everything in between).

2. Turn the TCS off, or at least dumb it down to a low setting (1 or 2) if your car has lots of power. Cars with lesser power often won't need TCS. TCS can actually hurt your ability to get on and off the gas in a high-powered environment. I only use TCS if I'm using lots and lots of power and can't get manage the resulting wheelspin even with delicate throttle control.

HTH

 

[shepzki]

I have murdered my current DS2, D-Pad buttons stick, paint is totally worn off on the left of the square button and the left analogue stick has such a big semi-circular groove in it like you wouldn't believe. I have a brand new one sitting gathering dust, I tried to use it but it's just not the same, doesn't feel right.

On topic, I find things like this just come with experience. The only thing I can suggest is to practise with the analogue sticks as the control is just so much more precise, my method is analogue sticks for steering & buttons for accelerating & braking, tried with the stick for the latter but it doesn't work for me. I am quite good at feathering the throttle & brakes using the buttons so that's a plus.

I am not doubting your skill with a D-Pad but I don't think it will carry you past some of the more difficult tournaments in the game. Do more of the licence tests & driving missions, you get to drive all sorts of car's with varying drivetrains, power & handling so IMO that's the best place to start.

 

[-raVer-]

The problem is AlexGTV´s sticks don´t work, so he has to play with the D-Pad.

For me it´s ok playing with D-Pad and the buttons , I´m used to it


raVer

 

[mafia_boy]

D-Pad for life member reporting!!

I have gotten all 80 + 5 Coffee Breaks Gold and it's quite easy to do it with the D-pad. The difference is that the amount of moving the analog stick over can be done just as if not more efficiently with timed repeated taps of the D-pad in the direction you're going for soft turns, and holding it down for hard turns where you would push the analog stick all the way over. This can be used for drifting or circuit racing.

Same with the buttons due to the pressure sensitivity, you can roll your thumb or finger onto the button rather than mash the button and it provides a smooth throttle application much like you would if you were gently pushing the accelerator down on your G25/DFGT. This is good for acceleration tests and getting out of corners more smoothly when circuit driving and smoother braking rather than locking the wheels when using the brake button.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

D-Pad for life member reporting!!

I have gotten all 80 + 5 Coffee Breaks Gold and it's quite easy to do it with the D-pad. The difference is that the amount of moving the analog stick over can be done just as if not more efficiently with timed repeated taps of the D-pad in the direction you're going for soft turns, and holding it down for hard turns where you would push the analog stick all the way over. This can be used for drifting or circuit racing.

Same with the buttons due to the pressure sensitivity, you can roll your thumb or finger onto the button rather than mash the button and it provides a smooth throttle application much like you would if you were gently pushing the accelerator down on your G25/DFGT. This is good for acceleration tests and getting out of corners more smoothly when circuit driving and smoother braking rather than locking the wheels when using the brake button.

This is good advice (especially the Coffee Break stuff..perhaps I'll try these with the D-pad as I've never finished these yet). But personally I can't drive regularly with buttons during races.

 

[Gil]

If you use the right analog stick for the throttle, you have all the "play" in the stick to simulate partial throttle. You can also use it for the brakes.
My problem with using it for the brakes is that sometimes I want to stay on the throttle a little WHILE braking.
My set up used to be the L1 for gas and R1 for brakes. Those buttons have more travel, like the stick, and it seemed easier to modulate the amount of throttle and brake applied....

 

[Prince.M5]

Vice versa here... I can't seem to drive AWD cars that good.

What you do is that RWD car tends to have a lot of wheelspin. By that, you need to control and play around with the throttle. The car also love to go sideways expecially when you brake + corner at the same time. This pretty much happens a lot. Try to use the steering as smooth as possible when going through corners and if the car is going a bit sideways, give a bit of countersteer and control it. I used to lost it but now seem to getting better at it.

That's pretty much it from me, I'm still learning but hey, we can learn together 👍

 

[AlexGTV]

I tried out and bought the Corvette Stingray '69 to compete in the muscle car competion.

To my surprise no matter what, it won't oversteer it's tail out and it's the first FR car that I tried that doesn't do so.