1997 BMW M3 vs. 1978 Ford Capri

To start off, 1997 BMW M3 is newer by 19 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1978 Ford Capri. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1978 Ford Capri would be higher. At 3,201 cc (6 cylinders), 1997 BMW M3 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1997 BMW M3 (240 HP @ 4800 RPM) has 103 more horse power than 1978 Ford Capri. (137 HP @ 5000 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1997 BMW M3 should accelerate faster than 1978 Ford Capri. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1997 BMW M3 weights approximately 155 kg more than 1978 Ford Capri. 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, both vehicles can yield 236 Nm of torque. So under normal driving conditions, the ability to climb up hills and pull heavy equipment should be relatively similar for both vehicles. 1978 Ford Capri has automatic transmission and 1997 BMW M3 has manual transmission. 1997 BMW M3 will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1978 Ford Capri will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.

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