1978 AMC Pacer vs. 1978 Buick Electra
To start off, both 1978 AMC Pacer and 1978 Buick Electra were released in the same year (1978). Therefore the support and the availability on parts for both vehicles should be relatively similar. At 5,730 cc (8 cylinders), 1978 Buick Electra is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1978 Buick Electra (153 HP @ 3400 RPM) has 63 more horse power than 1978 AMC Pacer. (90 HP @ 3050 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1978 Buick Electra should accelerate faster than 1978 AMC Pacer. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1978 Buick Electra weights approximately 426 kg more than 1978 AMC Pacer. 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. Let's talk about torque, 1978 Buick Electra (381 Nm @ 1800 RPM) has 159 more torque (in Nm) than 1978 AMC Pacer. (222 Nm @ 2200 RPM). This means 1978 Buick Electra will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1978 AMC Pacer.
Compare all specifications:
| 1978 AMC Pacer | 1978 Buick Electra | |
| Make | AMC | Buick |
| Model | Pacer | Electra |
| Year Released | 1978 | 1978 |
| Engine Position | Front | Front |
| Engine Size | 3802 cc | 5730 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 6 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | V |
| Horse Power | 90 HP | 153 HP |
| Engine RPM | 3050 RPM | 3400 RPM |
| Torque | 222 Nm | 381 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 2200 RPM | 1800 RPM |
| Engine Bore Size | 95.2 mm | 96.5 mm |
| Engine Stroke Size | 88.8 mm | 97.8 mm |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Automatic | Automatic |
| Number of Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Vehicle Weight | 1359 kg | 1785 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 4360 mm | 5650 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1960 mm | 1970 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1370 mm | 1400 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2550 mm | 3030 mm |
