Hello Paul, Kevin and other Technophiles,
A relatively easy way to compare one car's cornering ability with respect to another's is to compare their respective maximum lateral accelerations around a fixed radius bend.
Acceleration values can be obtained by attaching a relatively inexpensive accelerometer to the cockpit of each car in turn and drive each test car in turn at max speed (point of breaking traction) around a, say, 100m diameter "track" defined by witches hats on a safe, deserted car park or airfield. The higher lateral 'g'reading gives an indication of superior road holding.
One could swap wheel/tyres from one test vehicle to the other (if they fit!) to determine the effect of tyre selection.
"G Tech" offer a 3 axis accelerometer for ~ $110 US at...
http://www.gtechprostore.com/cgi-bin...on&key=0400452
As a point of comparison, a 1998 Lexus SC 400 attains ~ 0.8g on a 300ft skid pan.
The more advanced accelerometers can also give one a fair estimate of linear acceleration and horsepower output values - useful for other arguements!!
Regards,
Brett