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Spoilers Spoil Good Design - Agree or Disagree?

103 messages,  Last post on Jul 14, 2007 at 11:34 AM

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Messages Page 8 of 11

#64 of 103 Bob by iluvmysephia1

Aug 06, 2005 (10:01 am)

do you mean kewl?
 
I guess some of us forget what the true reason for spoilers is because we don't wanna envision driving being a "race" to get somewhere before somebody else. But that could be a horse of another generation and flavor, worthy of another topic to discuss, eh?

#65 of 103 Taste is not to be disputed by hpmctorque

Aug 06, 2005 (10:26 am)

That time worn saying applies to spoilers. As for me, I like very few of them, and especially those spoilers that aren't functional, which is to say, the majority. As with rear deck spoilers, some people used to justify tail fins on the basis that they served a functional purpose. Well, maybe at speeds way above any legal U.S. limit some of them ( tail fins and spoilers) help stability, but in the majority of applications they add cost and weight, at a minimum. For some, this is more than offset by their visual appeal. I respect that, since I wouldn't want to impose my tastes and values on others. I would prefer if spoilers were options, though, so that those of us who prefer the styling of vehicles sans spoiler don't have to subsidize this item.

#66 of 103 Just saw this morning.. by rockshocka1

Aug 09, 2005 (7:58 am)

..a PT Cruiser with a rear spoiler. Had to do a double-take. Now I've got to figure out if that or the one on the back of a Tundra I've seen is the most rediculous.

#67 of 103 Mustang Spoilers by john_324

Aug 09, 2005 (9:21 am)

My 02 Mustang has a factory spoiler, and while I don't love it, I don't hate it either.
 
Given the large fake hood scoop and the smaller but still fake side scoops (actually a heritage feature...many of the classic Mustangs from back in the day sported the fake stuff as well), the spoiler seems to fit in nicely with the general retro-themed-over-the-top-pony-car look that Ford was going for at the time. Seems "balanced" to me.
 
The current Mustang looks much better w/o the spoiler, since it doesn't have any of the other stuff on it (hood and sides are clean).
 
Re a much earlier comment by Shifty, I love those Chapparal cars. I heard that at CanAm dinners, events and such, they would sometimes have one displayed in the building, but sucked to the roof.

#68 of 103 for the most part by chrisducati

Sep 04, 2005 (5:29 pm)

I would rather not have one. I see no reason for one on say a Camry. Some cars need them....like the TT but that is for European driving...we truly do not need them here. The only ones I ever really like were the very thin black rubber lip spoilers on 1970's and 80's BMW's and Benz cars.

#69 of 103 Spoilers and Airfoils whats the difference&How they work by brunoflannigan

Nov 17, 2005 (7:12 pm)

Replying to: carlisimo (Jun 22, 2005 12:49 pm)
Wow i am surprised by how much myth and urban legend have overrun airfoils and spoilers 2 seperate designs. Lets start with basic aerodynamics a car is in effect an airplane wing with wheels so the faster you go the less grip your tires have. Unless you lower a vehicle or add body kits (yes there is a purpose for them) because the design forces the air to travel over the hood causing the car to be pushed down (why racecars are so low) Even your car will most likely be equiped with a front air defuser that chunk of plastic lip under your car to discourage the loss of traction at high speeds. Spoilers are glorified parachutes because the majority of all downforce it creates is through drag. Now this is where airfoils rise above because they are inverted wings and will be thin, aerodynamic, light, and often expensive however it will increase rear downforce without greatly affecting CD (drag)(ive seen small and large ones)if you see a car with a huge wing laugh your ass off because not only did they waste alot of money but they are unloading thier front tires (push on the back and the front lifts) unless you compensate with a front airfoil under the car as well. Its not about looks its about performance and what driving conditions you subject your vehicle to. Downforce is not drag a common misconception give the acura rsx with mugen bodykits i believe and it was 11 percent less drag with about 3 times the downforce at 80mph this is because mugen wind tunnel tests thier bodykits. If you have any questions please ask. And if you question the accuracy of my statements please remove your front air defuser and judge for yourself. But i do not take responsibility for the morons that remove it and try to do 90 only to loose steering of thier very expensive uncontrollable moron made projectile.

#70 of 103 Re: I have always thought..... [bottgers] by raizelgs

Dec 01, 2005 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: bottgers (Aug 06, 2005 7:53 am)
"The Trans Am has that huge, hidious looking whaletail... "
 
I agree with you totally. I bought a 94 Formula with the same engine as the TA because I didn't like the big spoiler. My current car is an Infiniti G35 coupe . I was able to see the cars on the lot side-by-side and the spoiler really "spoiled" the lines of the car. It looked like someone had left an ironing-board on the truck lid.
The lines are very elegant without the spoiler and it is relly funny seeing some "grocery-getters" as someone earlier referred to them with spoilers.

#71 of 103 Re: Spoilers and Airfoils whats the difference&How they work [brunoflannigan] by carlisimo

Dec 01, 2005 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: brunoflannigan (Nov 17, 2005 7:12 pm)
"Spoilers are glorified parachutes because the majority of all downforce it creates is through drag."
 
They don't really produce downforce; they reduce lift by creating turbulence. Sometimes reducing lift is worth the extra drag - like if you're taking a sharp turn at 80mph.
 
Turning at high speeds is a good reason to give a FWD car a wing or spoiler - it's only silly if you're drag racing. Since almost everyone mocks downforce over non-drive-wheels, I have to assume that they think drag racing is everything.
 
But having the rear wheels slide out from under you during a turn is A Bad Thing (tm). It's why the Audi TT now has a spoiler. That car, while it's available as FWD or AWD, is nose heavy like any FWD car. With less weight over the rear wheels, it's even MORE important to reduce lift or add downforce over the rear wheels. I think one of the old Maxima models was also unstable at high speeds without a spoiler.

#72 of 103 Nissan Altima Spoiler by tspinner

Jan 27, 2006 (1:03 pm)

Of all the cars I have had, the 1998-2001 Nissan Altima's look the best with a spoiler. They have a wierd slope to them without the factory spoiler (which actually is pretty tasteful IHO). I never put one on my 2001 before I sold it. The other added benefit other than looks is that you can actually see the back of the car when backing out. It was difficult without a spoiler to tell.

#73 of 103 It depends by ubbermotor

Feb 20, 2006 (11:00 am)

Some cars look good either way. Some look stupid, and some people get carried away. I've seen a mid-80's supra with an F1 style wing. A Gremlin with a Sprint style wing. On the other hand, have you ever seen a '75 Camaro without one? ew.

Messages Page 8 of 11

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