I think the xA could be quite the well handling car once the following limitations are gotten rid of.

1.Crappy stock tires for performance driving. I have Bridgestone Potenza's and they don't grip too well.

2.New springs, struts.

3.Some sway/strut bars to help with body roll.

Aside from that, I think the xA could handle quite well.

 

actually i found it to handle suprisingly well in a little "test" run i did behind an RX-8, two 3's and a Saleen Mustang about a month ago :twisted:

 

What is limiting the car in stock form is the tires , buy new ones asap. I'd love a set of SO-3's. But it's fun sliding the crap out of the 185's.

 

My xA handles great with just Eibach springs, 215/45/17 sticky tires on 7x17 wheels, a lower sub frame brace and urethane sway bar end links. Most people can never get near the limit of their cars handling, if you do you will notice a slight "rear steer" effect that I think is caused by flex in the rear torsion beam locating bushings. You will never get there with the stock tires, I swapped mine out in less than a week.

ken

 

I got stuck with Goodyears on mine.
Those tires suck pretty bad, but I'm too broke to get a new set right now.

I'm hoping that if I get a set of Eibach springs, it will considerably improve handling performance. Then maybe I can get some decent tires.