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C&D $35K sedans comparo (from E60 board)

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Old 08-30-2005, 02:36 PM
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Oh c'mon, Steel. You can't possibly say the skid pad numbers are decent... sub 60 mph with the stickiest tires of the group? Get real. A stock Accord can do better than that, and some SUVs can match that.

I read in some magazine that "cheat codes" to bypass the VDIM will most likely be available online, which would turn up some impressive numbers... just don't know if it's worth the risk.
Old 08-30-2005, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ChicagoSteel
3600 lbs doesnt help what?

The car ran a near mid 13 second 1/4 and pulled skid pad numbers that were decent in the class, all with a traction system fully functioning.
Weight doesn't help handling. BMW keeps their cars under 3500lbs for a reason. The G35 handles noticeably worse than its 350Z sibling due to its extra 200lbs of weight. I'm not saying the IS350 handles bad, just worse than the BMW 330 and G35 (and probably even the Acura TL).

Of course that motor might just knock the VQ out of the Wards engine award this year
Old 08-30-2005, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by ndx2
Oh c'mon, Steel. You can't possibly say the skid pad numbers are decent... sub 60 mph with the stickiest tires of the group? Get real. A stock Accord can do better than that, and some SUVs can match that.

I read in some magazine that "cheat codes" to bypass the VDIM will most likely be available online, which would turn up some impressive numbers... just don't know if it's worth the risk.
The Is350 doesnt have good skidpad numbers, but neither you nor I know the nature of the traction system. I am SURE it has throttle control and that is the sole reason you dont get the quality skid pad numbers of the other cars.

With that said, skid pad doesnt tell the whole story anywatys, nor does slalom.
Old 08-30-2005, 07:58 PM
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All I know, I'm not gonna buy another $35K car after having a TL. Not saying that I don't like my TL, but we should move up to the next level car, such as E55AMG perhaps. That's the car I want next when I have enough money and have my house build.
Old 08-30-2005, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by foot3ch
All I know, I'm not gonna buy another $35K car after having a TL. Not saying that I don't like my TL, but we should move up to the next level car, such as E55AMG perhaps. That's the car I want next when I have enough money and have my house build.
If I were you I would go up slowly step-by-step to enjoy the process more. For me the next car after the TL would be IS350. Decent step up in luxury and performance but still leaves a lot to dream of. After IS350 I would go to a full luxury car like MB E350. Everyone should own a Benz in his/her lifetime. After I am done with E350 I would get a full-blown V8 luxury sports car like BMW 550, MB E 550, M45/55? or GS 460. And only after that I would jump to something like E55 or M5. By that time I you'll be 40 years old and will not be interested in performance oriented cars though.
Old 08-30-2005, 09:33 PM
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The bottom line: Toyota - Lexus
Honda - Acura
Nissan - Infinity
Old 08-30-2005, 09:34 PM
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Wait I didn't finish; BMW- BMW......this is why it ends up on top.
Old 08-30-2005, 10:16 PM
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What do the parent companies of Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti have to do with the price of eggs in china?
Old 09-01-2005, 11:24 AM
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Would TL A-SPEC have done better?

It would have been interesting (at least for me and other A-SPEC owners) how the TL A-SPEC would have done competing in this group. Even with the A-SPEC package, it would still be in this price range and it’s clearly (from prior tests) a better handler and might help to mitigate the anti-FWD bias. I suspect it would have moved up a notch or two. Who knows…comments anyone?
Old 09-01-2005, 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by ndx2
Did they not have a C320 (or even C230) at that event? Personally, I think the C-class sport sedans feel much, much better than the 3... I almost chose a C230 over my TL just for that reason (but couldn't find an MT, so that was out).

Anyway, I just saw that the IS's slalom figures were due to their stability control being permanently on... which can easily be overriden, but that still sucks. What a waste of perfectly good set of tires (stickiest of the group's, imo).
Agree. Why didn't they include the C230 Sport?? Engne too small?
Old 09-01-2005, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by EMF213
Agree. Why didn't they include the C230 Sport?? Engne too small?
Sports Sedan...not sporty compact wannabee Just kidding folks...don't get all riled up for nothing.

I think it would have just placed last due to its "performance" capabilities. Besides sporty handling, it can't hang.
Old 09-01-2005, 01:59 PM
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The TL beat the 330i, G35, and the IS350 in the handling tests, but got the lowest subjective score of the four for handling.


hey it's CD - the rule is - if your ass don't swing (RWD), you lose. that's all preferences and all.... but this "got to have it" thing is just absurd..
Old 09-01-2005, 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by ttliang
The TL beat the 330i, G35, and the IS350 in the handling tests, but got the lowest subjective score of the four for handling.


hey it's CD - the rule is - if your ass don't swing (RWD), you lose. that's all preferences and all.... but this "got to have it" thing is just absurd..

CD needs to clean up their acts otherwise they'd lose their credibility pretty quick.

are they on someone's marketing payroll, kickbacks?? (BMW, Honda's maybe?)
Old 09-01-2005, 02:09 PM
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Didn't read this whole thread, so no flames....but I'd bet my life that a SH-AWD TL wins this comparo...hopefully next year or 2 we will see that happen
Old 09-01-2005, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ttliang
CD needs to clean up their acts otherwise they'd lose their credibility pretty quick.

are they on someone's marketing payroll, kickbacks?? (BMW, Honda's maybe?)

i mean they need to leave out all the emotional/subjective stuff out of the comparo (got to have it, beautiful..ugly..etc. by who's standard???). leave that to us buyers to decide. just concentrate on the objective data and scores. it makes me sick to my stomach everytime i see this "got to have it" put a car over the top. got to have "what"? this month's paycheck? damn.
Old 09-01-2005, 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by EMF213
Agree. Why didn't they include the C230 Sport?? Engne too small?
The mag states they couldn't get a hold of the C350 with the new, bigger 3.5litre DOHC engine

I think it would have gotten 4th/5th place in that comparo.
Old 09-01-2005, 03:33 PM
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The idiots at C&D can't even add.

The total for the Acura TL is 203 not 200. They also gave the TL a lower score than the Cadillac CTS for as-tested price. The TL was priced lower so it should have at least 1 more point. That would give it a score of 204, one point ahead of the G35.
Old 09-01-2005, 07:54 PM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by EZZ
Weight doesn't help handling. BMW keeps their cars under 3500lbs for a reason. The G35 handles noticeably worse than its 350Z sibling due to its extra 200lbs of weight. I'm not saying the IS350 handles bad, just worse than the BMW 330 and G35 (and probably even the Acura TL).

Of course that motor might just knock the VQ out of the Wards engine award this year
Its the tires... the Bridgestones suck........... We put new rubber on ours and it handles like its on rails for a car its size.
Old 09-01-2005, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by lindros2
I can tell you from driving four of these (my TL daily, my G35 w/o sport pkg as a "backup" driver and the G35 sport / A4 and 330i at a BMW driving event), that the BMW is by far the best "driver's car" but lacks amenities (note they had the iDrive-less cars at the event).

The new "B7" A4 is actually quite competant, especially because it has some S4 suspension componentry. This surprised me.

The G35 Sport (2005 w/ 18" wheels) scared the crap out of me - either the tires were bad or the suspension is really inferior to the BMW and Audi on an autoX course.

-josh
Its the tires... the Bridgestones suck........... We put new rubber on ours and it handles like its on rails for a car its size. We learned from experience with the Max and 350 those Bridgestones suck, the Max and 350 before we sold it had new rubber.
Old 09-01-2005, 11:34 PM
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Originally Posted by TBnDFW
The idiots at C&D can't even add.

The total for the Acura TL is 203 not 200. They also gave the TL a lower score than the Cadillac CTS for as-tested price. The TL was priced lower so it should have at least 1 more point. That would give it a score of 204, one point ahead of the G35.
Email them and tell them they need to use basic math before producing an article.

Maybe the gotta have it factor of the BMW removes 4 points from everyone else as well.
Fucking clowns.

Almost as bad as Road and Track driving the NEW z06 to 12.3@116 when all the rest are running 11.5@127. Seems they used the time from the last gen and called it the new 506hp z06.

These mags are a JOKE.
Old 09-03-2005, 11:27 AM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by ndx2
"The whole 'Gotta have it' bullshit" trend is just as bad with Lexus as BMW, imo. Lexus fellas realize this, which is one of the reasons why they're offering the boring entry level IS250 that wouldn't excite any car enthusiast.

Have you driven both cars? I haven't driven either, but imo, while IS350 is very nice, it still lacks a lot of high-tech features found on the 330i.

Good thing they put on some sticky tires; any less, it would've been real embarassing for Lexus.

Maybe the slalom numbers will improve with (if offered) optional sport suspension, but I'm not surprised to see Lexus sacrificed handling for their well-known cushy, floaty ride that women and old people love. Performance oriented people would hate this, but no MT option, so they're not the target market here.

Well, this is a moot point... they're not lucrative enough for me to trade in my TL anyway.
I think that is BS...the IS300 was an AMAZING handling car and anyone who has driven it will tell you that so while Lexus cars usually are more toward luxury they can make a great handling car. I really like the TL but I bet an IS300 could whoop up on a TL in a handling comparo.

Many people (including a few IS300 owners) who have driven the new IS350 say it handles as well as or better than the IS300 so until I drive one I will have to go by what they say.

I also have no idea what you are talking about when you say the IS350 lacks a lot of high tech features the 330 has. What exactly are these? Surely they arent features found in the interior since the IS350 has features equivalent to much higher priced sedans. hell, basically everything in my 05 RL can be found in the new IS and many of those things arent in the new 330 so I am clueless about your comment there.






As for this comparo, I read that the BMW broke down and ahd other issues. To have it win the comparo just simply shows car mags continue to suck BMW cock. Why people have to be so biased in life is beyond me....
Old 09-03-2005, 11:31 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by Rob L
I think that is BS...the IS300 was an AMAZING handling car and anyone who has driven it will tell you that so while Lexus cars usually are more toward luxury they can make a great handling car. I really like the TL but I bet an IS300 could whoop up on a TL in a handling comparo.

Many people (including a few IS300 owners) who have driven the new IS350 say it handles as well as or better than the IS300 so until I drive one I will have to go by what they say.

I also have no idea what you are talking about when you say the IS350 lacks a lot of high tech features the 330 has. What exactly are these? Surely they arent features found in the interior since the IS350 has features equivalent to much higher priced sedans. hell, basically everything in my 05 RL can be found in the new IS and many of those things arent in the new 330 so I am clueless about your comment there.






As for this comparo, I read that the BMW broke down and ahd other issues. To have it win the comparo just simply shows car mags continue to suck BMW cock. Why people have to be so biased in life is beyond me....
The IS300 is a nimble car but the limits on the car weren't as high as the BMW and G35. It had a little too much body roll but with the small wheelbase, it could really do lane change maneuvers well. The rear had a tendency to want to break a little too easily IMO but overall, it was a very fun car. BTW, this observation is from driving my friends IS300 many many times around the same canyon (where I live) and my G35 exhibits higher limits (whats scary at 80mph in his car is scary at 100mph in mine).
Old 09-03-2005, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by TBnDFW
The idiots at C&D can't even add.

The total for the Acura TL is 203 not 200. They also gave the TL a lower score than the Cadillac CTS for as-tested price. The TL was priced lower so it should have at least 1 more point. That would give it a score of 204, one point ahead of the G35.
From what I figure out, is that say the acura got 74.8 in handling, they round it to 75. But at the end, they use the 74.8 figure to calculate the total. That's what I beleive they are doing, so basicly, the TL probably received a lot of **.6, which would round off to the next number, and then in the total's it "lost" a couple of point's.

Or maybe I just drank a lot yesterday...
Old 09-03-2005, 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by EZZ
The IS300 is a nimble car but the limits on the car weren't as high as the BMW and G35. It had a little too much body roll but with the small wheelbase, it could really do lane change maneuvers well. The rear had a tendency to want to break a little too easily IMO but overall, it was a very fun car. BTW, this observation is from driving my friends IS300 many many times around the same canyon (where I live) and my G35 exhibits higher limits (whats scary at 80mph in his car is scary at 100mph in mine).
Are we talking G35C ? if so, what year? with Vicsious limited slip diff. or not? Mt or Aut?

Sorry for all the questions... lol
Old 09-03-2005, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Joeski
Are we talking G35C ? if so, what year? with Vicsious limited slip diff. or not? Mt or Aut?

Sorry for all the questions... lol
G35c with auto, vlsd, and 18 inch wheels. So-cal traffic is murder
Old 09-03-2005, 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by EZZ
G35c with auto, vlsd, and 18 inch wheels. So-cal traffic is murder
I heard the 05's (don't know if other years too) they said that they made a mistake and didn't incorporate VLSD in the auto's by accident. Check it out, i beleive you are in due of a 250$ USD refund.
Old 09-03-2005, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ndx2
Well, I wouldn't say the 3 doesn't deserve the 1st place - it is a well engineered car.
The test is just stupid. These magazines need to be more objective and consistent... for example, compare 330i vs C350, IS350 vs G35, and throw in the CTS somewhere in there... IS250 AWD vs A4 2.0T/3.2 Quattro vs S60/R AWD...

And leave the TL and its FWD the hell alone!
Well I certainly would say the BMW doesn't deserve first place. The stupid car had a brake failure during the test that might have killed someone on a public road. Also multiple warning lights failed. Reminds me of the first(and last) new BMW I bought several years ago. It was a joy to drive, at least on the few days it wasn't back at the dealer getting fixed or serviced.
Old 09-03-2005, 03:32 PM
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the Numbers posted are on the manual I assume? Do you know the 0-60 and quarter times of the auto? Are they much different?
Thanks.
Old 09-03-2005, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Joeski
I heard the 05's (don't know if other years too) they said that they made a mistake and didn't incorporate VLSD in the auto's by accident. Check it out, i beleive you are in due of a 250$ USD refund.
I have a 2004.5 so I have the VLSD. It was a very isolated incident for the 2005 and about a hundred buyers were affected. Some got a lot more than $250 though...I believe one member negotiated a Nismo LSD.
Old 09-03-2005, 06:58 PM
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Old 09-05-2005, 02:13 AM
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Originally Posted by EZZ
The base price of the 330i is over $36k. I've never seen a base 330. The pricing tier will now have the upper entry lux sports sedans/coupes at over $40k (330,IS350,S4) and the middle entry lux sports sedans/coupes between $30-$40k (G35, TL, 325, IS250).
I'm sure you could see a base 330 if you ordered one
Old 09-05-2005, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by mr drippington
I'm sure you could see a base 330 if you ordered one
Yeah...complete with a driver's seat and steering wheel

The tested price of the 330 was over $42k.
Old 09-05-2005, 07:11 PM
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The Acura TL dominated the "every day" stuff, comfort, interior, features etc... I could care less if another car does .03 better 0-60. The TL was class leading on the slalom and skidpad. The IS and 3 Series are brand new cars, all cars in that class leap frog each other, year to year. The TL in the test showed very few flaws, bumpy ride, yes sometimes and yes oh my god, FWD issues!, guessed that! I would love a 3 Series, but for over $40 grand, I will stick with my TL!
Old 09-05-2005, 09:12 PM
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I agree w/ the above post about the TL doing well w/ everyday matters

If u read the article and ck out the "as tested" prices of the cars - I think the TL actually does very well

- what u get for your $
Old 09-06-2005, 12:17 AM
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Originally Posted by EZZ
The IS300 is a nimble car but the limits on the car weren't as high as the BMW and G35. It had a little too much body roll but with the small wheelbase, it could really do lane change maneuvers well. The rear had a tendency to want to break a little too easily IMO but overall, it was a very fun car. BTW, this observation is from driving my friends IS300 many many times around the same canyon (where I live) and my G35 exhibits higher limits (whats scary at 80mph in his car is scary at 100mph in mine).
I drove avidly in many autox, and the g35 sedan definetly can not be called on par with the is300's handling. My brother owns a g35c, and the only way he can pulled away from my car when it was stock was through the straightline. I can not imagine the sedan to do better than the coupe.

The g35 sedan has more weight, worse distribution, and longer than the is300. Perhaps the fear you feel when driving the is300 is simply because you are more used to driving your g35.
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