1971 Buick Riviera vs. 1973 Volkswagen 1303

To start off, 1973 Volkswagen 1303 is newer by 2 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1971 Buick Riviera. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1971 Buick Riviera would be higher. At 7,468 cc (8 cylinders), 1971 Buick Riviera is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1971 Buick Riviera (311 HP @ 4200 RPM) has 259 more horse power than 1973 Volkswagen 1303. (52 HP @ 4000 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1971 Buick Riviera should accelerate faster than 1973 Volkswagen 1303. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1971 Buick Riviera weights approximately 1240 kg more than 1973 Volkswagen 1303. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.

Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. 1971 Buick Riviera has automatic transmission and 1973 Volkswagen 1303 has manual transmission. 1973 Volkswagen 1303 will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1971 Buick Riviera will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.

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