aleph1 wrote:First of all, they are fairly heavy for their small size (because of the AWD). Second because they are AWD they have natural understeer. They dont handle BAD, but they are very "bulky" feeling (eg. mini 3000GT VR4). I have driven 2 when I was in the market for a car before I got my 240. I can't say that it being AWD makes me a fan, because I dont really care for AWD much anyway. I will admit the engine is nice(Im talking 3SGTE, not sure if the older all tracs had this one), most are from Toyota (2JZ, 4AG, etc). On the other hand it never producted enough stock power compared to other brands' competitive cars (Evo, WRX/STi), although, it is debatable whether Toyota targeted that niche with the AllTrac/GT4. To be fair though, considering the time when this car came out in the US, it would have definitely been the best car for the money, considering it was turbo and AWD. But I can tell you, off hand, that the evo and sti romped it in everyway, the GT4 was sort of a bastard child, not good enough, but not crappy either. Most GSXs are crap (transfer case probs and crankwalk anyone??), only the 1st gen ones are worthy of mention, I would rather have an Alltrac than a GSX, but not a 240 =)
Its definitely a quality car, and the resale value shows that, but it being rare or having an unreasonably high value is not what I would call "proof" that a car is good.
I suppose I just prefer a lighter feeling RWD car. I would have sprung for an 86, but considering that their recent hike in value is totally ridiculous; while the 240 was still fairly cheap (aka untouched by hype) and had more power potential.
The All Trac was never a bastard child, it's actually very popular. There's people everyday on the All Trac boards trying to find one, but they just never do because no one wants to sell theirs. People eventually give up on finding one and settle with a different car. It has its ups and downs like you said; it does have a bulky feeling to it but does handle well.
There is no proof that the car is good, but the only complaints about the all trac is that it's too hard to locate parts and parts are expensive to replace. Not much of aftermarket support here in the states due to not many all tracs here in the N. America continent. Fortunately most parts are interchangeable between the mr2 and the all trac.
The all trac in it's days was well worth it comparing it to cars that came out the same time as it did. It was one of the cars that actually had balls, not that other cars had balls too, but it actually had a very nice engine with potential to start with. Don't forget reliablility.
One thing that is odd is that lots of people complain about awd cars being heavy and slow, but when it comes to 3k+ lbs rwd vehicles like the supra and z32 for instance people are all for it. I tell you it's hype...all about hype. Any car can be made fast. I know the supra and other super cars have huge engines that can produce massive hp, but come on...who's a dyno queen nowadays? Everybody is soo much into drifting and touge that no one cares about hp much anymore. Also, everyone that I've met always talks about the supra being faster than the z32 and rx7? Why? I dunno why, but I bet it's all about the name and so many accomplishments achieved by racers all over the world that keeps the Supra's name high. Although, I have seen z32s and rx7s at the drag strip with basic bolt ons clocking in faster times than Supras with lots of modifications. For example, this past summer there was a forest green supra that was at the drag strip. The owner thought he was a bad *** and didn't want to pop the hood for anyone to see because he was a dyno queen. Whaddyaknow? He pulls up to burn out. Stages. Lights go green and he loses to a civic hehe...the Supra clocked in an 18 sec.
But back to topic, the STI and the EVO did have more hp and less weight but that doesn't make it a better car. Nor does it make the All Trac any better than those two whether it has less or more weight and less or more hp. It's all about tuning one's car and how you drive it. Any car can be made fast like I have stated before. I know I am contradicting as to what I stated above...but as I'm typing this down...things seem more clear that all cars have its ups and downs. Conclusively, I'm just an All Trac guy like Aleph1 is a 240sx guy. :icesangel
