Reading Car Specs

[B2Bomber]

Apart from entries which are there for really obvious reasons, let's talk about entries in a car's spec sheets and why car buyers ought to review such entry. Let's start with: wheel base.

[OTEP]

Here is the reference I use: http://www.caranddriver.com/glossary...-of-terms.html

Unfortunately wheelbase is not there.

Wheelbase on a two axle vehicle is the distance between the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheel on the same side.

[Radical!]

I remember, shopping for a Japanese minivan in California in the late 80's, we chose the Nissan Van (ette) over the Toyota Minivan due to its longer wheelbase. The Salesman was quick to point out that with a (slightly) longer wheelbase vs its Toyota counterpart, the Nissan has less rocky motions in the freeway. I'm a sucker for logical Sales pitches...

[boybi]

Longer wheelbase usually means bigger cabin space, but bigger turning radius.

[OTEP]

Wider vehicles can potentially have a tighter turning radius because the wheels can turn harder to one side before hitting the engine/inner fender.

Large engined vehicles can also have a bigger turning radius. Nissan Sentras with 1.6 engines have a bigger turning radius than Sentras with 1.3 engines.

[B2Bomber]

nice link doc, so apart from turning radius, cabin space and obviously to some extent category, does it really affect the ride comfort?

wala rin pala dun tread width(?)...