Spoilers...yes or no

Mike Feinstein · Mike Feinstein's Garage

I've been shopping for a G50 Carrera recently and am wondering about spoilers. What are the pluses and minuses to having front and rear spoilers on a car that will see 2 or 3 DE's each year and the occasional Auto-X....otherwise, primarily street use.

I like how they look (but could easily live without them) and don't want to pass up a nice car I'm considering that doesn't have them. Interested in your thoughts and experience.

Thanks,

yelcab1 · 07-06-2002, 07:31 PM

On a convertible, no.
On a Targa, maybe
On a coupe, it looks great.

Do what you like. Who cares what others think?

89911 · 07-06-2002, 07:34 PM

For 9/10 of there use, the spoiler are for looks only and a personal preference. I do think I benefit from these because my car is mostly a track car that is operating in the 100 mph speed range frequently. The car feels rock solid at these speeds, but it is hard to compare with a nonspoiler car. I personally like the looks of the car with spoilers, it just looks like it means business. I orginally wanted a nonspoiler car when I first began looking. The tail kind of grew on me.

Tyson Schmidt · 07-06-2002, 09:04 PM

You know, you can have you cake and eat it too! Just follow Jack olsen's lead. He has a stock tail, a ducktail, a C2 electric tail, a '74 IROC tail, and now a 3.8 RS tail all hanging in his garage.

All you need to do is paint them to match, and install them for the track.

I made a removable front splitter for Jack,s car to balance the aerodynamics when the big tails are installed.

You can simply install the Turbo front spoiler and leave it there when you remove the tail for daily use. I've driven 911's with the front spoiler and no rear wing, and while much dartier, not a problem at street speeds.

Or, you can keep the "no tail" look while still keeping the tail by installing a C2 electric spoiler.

expat · 07-06-2002, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yelcab1
On a convertible, no.
On a Targa, maybe
On a coupe, it looks great.

Do what you like. Who cares what others think?

What's wrong with them on a convertible????????????

Mark

87 Cab!!

dickster · 07-06-2002, 11:04 PM

Quote:

I do think I benefit from these because my car is mostly a track car that is operating in the 100 mph speed range frequently. The car feels rock solid at these speeds, but it is hard to compare with a nonspoiler car

i don't agree with that. i think you'll notice the difference even at speeds below 100. personally i think if you're gonna track it, you'll want spoilers (ala Tyson Schmidt), but if the right car comes along i'd get it and worry about them after!

btw-i was looking for a non spoilered car and ended up with a carrera wale tail! i found you can't be too choosy.

good luck in the hunt, i hope you find the right car.

Milu · 02:52 AM

I find a spoilered car is slightly more stable in crosswinds even at 60-70 mph. It's significant over about 120 mph, which is also when you can properly feel the effect of downforce. Another plus I find is that the spoiler on the back makes it easier to aim around obstacles when you're reversing.

Down side is some front spoilers can cause clearance problems, girlfriends use the rears as shelves when you're not looking, cats love sitting on them, and I've even caught parents putting their kids on them to take a photo!

Personally I think the cars look better without, but I wouldn't pass up a good car because it did or did not have spoilers.