both cars auto. which one is faster 0-60 and which one has better handling characteristics. what is the top speed and 0-60 numbers on the new 2002 maxima (auto).

 

Fifty six views and no possible reply. Come on guys, whats wrong?

 

The last time there was a discussion about the 3.5L Maxima and CLS it raged for days...

 

I was seriously interested in the MTX Maxima but was waiting for the HLSD to come out in it. While waiting I decided to check out the CL when the 6 speed was available. The CL already had an HLSD and the superior interior quality convinced me to purchase.

I don't have the exact figures but you can go to the Acura site and do comparos with other cars. However, I can give you my butt dyno reaction to the test drives.

The CL is much stronger in the low gears. You can easily chirp the tires in second gear. I think it pulls much stronger due to the HLSD. The HLSD also helps immensely in corners as you power out. This was written about in the C&D comparo with the BMW 330. The CL corners flatter than the Max and has a slightly higher top speed. The MTX shifter is far superior with short and tight throws. The CL is far more athletic and luxurious and, comparably equipped, is only a couple of $K higher while maintaining superior trade value (hey, Enterprise has Maximas as rentals) and cachet.

I concur with C&D's statement that the CL Type S 6-speed is the finest front driver on the market.

 

A quick sum, they are to equal in speed, while the CL-S will hand the Maxima is ass in the turns.

 

Auto vs auto is a close race but I'd give the edge to the CL-S. The Maxima falls off in the upper RPM's. When I raced one thats where I would pull.

 

The VTEC and the headers have never caused me to lose to a MAXIMA.

 

I've never test driven a maxima. How do the skidpad G limits compare? Anyone see tests?

 

.80-.82 at the most...

 

Yea but with the money you save on a Maxima you can invest in springs and a RSB

 

Springs and RSB, make the ride rough. At least ours is still smooth with a .86G

 

0.82, 0.80, 0.86. Ok which is which..? I dont need puzzles.

 

The 0.86 was from the July 330CI vs. 2003 6-speed (with LSD).

I have to check, but I think the very early MT test of the 2001 CLS auto was around 0.82G.

Depending on who has done the test, the skid pad #s have been from around .80 to .86. And I would believe the numbers based on the tire compound alone. The stock MXM4 tires stick pretty well on very abrasive surfaces and aren't too happy when put on new pavement or smooth concrete... (and that's why I dumped the stock tires ASAP). IMO, the “tooth” of the surface used for the skip pad will make a huge difference with these tires. (I sure haven’t seen any spid pad “specs” given out and I haven't run into the "skid pad police" [well... not yet] )

 

Whats the slalom #s of a 2k-2k2 Maxima vs CL-S. Those are the real numbers that indicate how a car really handles. Skidpad is primarily a tire test.

 

I don't have the answer for you, but I'd be careful with that line of thought.

The skidpad is steady-state handling, but it isn't just like holding the wheel and going faster and faster (there's some adjustments happening).

There are some cars that have slalom #s that look just OK, and they "feel" very easy to drive. Depending on the cars polar moment of inertia and myriad other factors, you can get a less then perfect picture of a cars performance based on those two numbers alone.

IMO, my CLS is not really happy around 10MPH hairpins, and my Bimmer was happier, and the Porsche 914-6, Ferrari 245 Dino, and Mini Coopers would nearly pull themselves around by themselves.

Same "shit" going on with the slalom -- not everyone is on the same "page" and will use different surfaces and conditions.

Just for info sake here are the numbers from July ‘02 R&T and the Maxima #s are for the previous version tested in 2000:

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MAKE Skid pad Slalom
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CLS AUTO 0.80G 60.1 MPH
TLS AUTO 0.83G 61.0 MPH
MAXIMA SE 0.81G 60.4 MPH (222 HP model)
SKYLINE GTR 0.89G 60.8 MPH (and this car handles!)
----------------------------------------------


</font>
</pre>



Even from the same magazine, the numbers don’t tell the whole story…

 

Salom speed is how fast you go through the cones. The max is more tossable because its suspension isn't as firm. But it also sucks if you are on a real road course, because it won't handle as good as the CL. Stop argueing, you guys have a rear beam, we don't. I have my maximas modded and it still did not handle as good as the CL-S stock. We went for a cruise with alot of modded austin maximas that had suspension, and guess who had almost 1st place? me. The rest couldn't take the turns in the mountains at 100mph like me and one 4th gen with full coilover setup and suspension. He had 18s with 245s as well.

 

The Slalom is a better indicator of handling than a skidpad test. The BMW 330 has worse skidpads than a CL but has better slalom numbers. We ALL KNOW that the bimmer would toast a CL in terms of handling.

Truth is that the Max and CLS are VERY similar in terms of handling on a track. It will come down to the driver. However, the CLS will exhibit better feel especially when the road gets bumpy due to the IRS.

 

You are correct. IRS does have its advantages, but on a track where the pavement is smooth it doesn't.

 

So your saying your stock CL-S handles better than a Full suspension Maxima?? I got a good laugh on that one!

No way is a stock CL-S gonna hang with a full suspension Maxima, unless the driver sucks. With my suspension setup (RSB, FSTB, Eibachs, and G-force Tires) my car hanldes very similar to a 330i Sport. As we all know, a 330i will rape a CL-S in the twisties.

 

Dream on boy.

 

I am stating facts. CL-S stock is no match for a Full Coilover Maxima with FSTB and RSB. The only way you could overtake the maxima IS if the driver was poor.

 

It takes a MAXIMA with full suspension is what I am saying to handle as good or a little better than a STOCK CL-S.

Yea get all the same stuff on a CL-S, and the Maxima is toast.

 

I test drove a 2k2 CL-S last year and I can honestly say that when I had a stock suspension on my SE, there was very little difference between the 2 cars handling wise. The nice thing about the CL-S was how it handled bumps while cornering. My max would kinda make me feel uneasy when I hit a bump while cornering hard.

 

I've driven the 03 CL-S with LSD (6 speed). Its a step up from the 01, 02 CLS. The LSD adds some grip and pulls you through corners... Very nice.