Originally Posted by CivicEX
LOL, yes, it's a GS-T. But you can't blame the understeer entirely on the configuration, since the darn civic turns in just fine. I'm guessing the Eclipse's heavy motor and mounting position give it a nasty "polar moment of inertia" compared to the civic and it's teeny tiny engine. I've debated slapping some Teins and low-profile tires on it, but it seems like a poor foundation to build on. It's been years since I've driven a GSX, so I don't remember if it's significantly better (aside from exiting corners).
YES! I can blame the understeer entirely on its configuration. The point where you really need traction isn't during turn-in. It regulates how fast you can take the turn, and FWD DSMs are tricky to control in a turn because they produce so damn much torque. That will bust your wheels loose leaving you understeering without much effort. A 3000lb car will turn in MUCH differently than a 2000lb hatchback. You really have to throw a DSM around because they're heavy cars.
An AWD car doesn't understeer. The reason why they're such good handling cars isn't just because they lay down power on all 4 wheels... AWD DSM's all have 3 differentials, and on a 92.5-99 production date car, the rear is Limited Slip. So you get the ability to do power slides and drifts. None of the FWD cars have a limited slip center differential. No civic hatches I know of in the US come with a LSD tranny. And with a FWD transaxle with different lenth axles, this results in wheel-hop, 1-wheel burnouts, and lots of understeer. A 210 hp Civic hatch would certainly suffer the same problems as a GS-T, just minus the weight of all the luxury interior options and electronics.
But GS-T's make up for what they lack in traction and drivetrain design (and thus, 60' times) with top-end acceleration. A GS-T will go through 3rd 4th and 5th a hell of a lot faster than a GSX will. IF you can make it stick, it is capable of exceeding an equally-equipped AWD's times. Transfer cases, viscous couplings, driveshafts, 2 extra differentials and 2 more axles is an awful lot of rotating mass for the same engine to push. But the ability to push them is why a stock 3300lb GSX will flip 1.8 60' times... but they're much more expensive cars to drive maintenance-wise. There's a lot more crap on them to break.
Fuel economy and maintenance costs are why civics kick ass.
You've got to be careful with your comparisons. Go drive an EVO VIII and see what a 4g63 does with AWD. It's more of a grown-up racer's car. And you'll like the fact that it comes with Recaro racing seats, Brembo 4-pot calipers, Spearco FMIC, carbon fiber body treatments, OZ wheels, and a de-tuned 276hp 4g63. It's a rally car that you can hang a license plate on. I bet it costs more to drive than a Civic would, too. Maintenance, gas, insurance, everything...
While you're at the dealer, schedule an appointment to get your GS-T's front lower control arms replaced for free. Lack of response from the wheel makes me think you didn't get the LCA recall performed, and your front suspension is loose. It's a safety recall. It made an enormous difference on every 2g DSM I've owned, and prevents you from shelling out big bucks on body work when they finally give.