Thought I'd let everyone know that the TL can hold it's ground!

My friend/co-worker and I were car shopping at the same time, and looking at all sport/luxury models available at the time within 35k to low 40's price range.

I opted for the TL with Navi, and he got the new IS350 with only a few options, but still nicely loaded.

These cars are obviously in somewhat different classes based on size, FWD vs. RWD, etc... The IS350 is an awesome car, but the well rounded practicality and fun associated with the TL won my praises and still does.

So to the point - we leave work at the same time, and often play on the relatively empty highway in front of the office. Usually for 1/4 up to 1/2 mile.

In a straight line, providing I get a good launch and don't bounce off the rev limiter when shifting (old 5.0 dog learning new high revving tricks), the TL will stay with, and even pull away from the 350 and maintain the lead if I get a good jump.

If I have a bad start, or a less than optimal shift, his 6pd auto pulls away and I can't catch up.

Still, these cars are so close in performance that it can go wether way based on the driving skills. Equally skilled drivers may yield worse results for the TL, but it sure is fun anyhow!

Just thought I'd share.

 

Wow, Nice to know.

 

Yeah,

I beat my buddies about a month ago. I think our cars, if properly driven can be equivelant to an IS350 in straight performance. On a track, i dont the Tl would be able to keep up though.

 

but you dont have a stock TL, I would expect this from your car.

 

I know what your saying but I think a stock TL can keep up with a IS 350 performance wise in a straight line if driven properly. I wasnt talking about my car. I should have explained better. My bad

 

I'm more inclined to think a 6MT can hold it's own VERY respectably against a "green" IS350. Once broken in though, I'd favor the IS. That said (and IMHO), Honda needs to get the RL's 290hp/256lb-ft J35 into the TL.......at least into a 6MT TL.

 

We should mention that 6MT TL's can keep up with the IS350, not necesarily auto TL's, right?

 

I was about to say the same thing....I wonder how much of a difference the results of the "race" would be if it were an auto TL vs auto IS350. sucks the IS only comes in manual for the IS250 RWD, otherwise it'd be an interesting match up.

 

A friend of mine has the IS350 and I have an auto TL. I would love to answer your question but I dont know if I want my pride hurt. Although he does have that wheelchair person equiment on his steering wheel. Maybe the extra hand movement will benefit me

 

:uhh: @ this thread

 

You know, I was wondering what you 5AT drivers think about the paddle shifter craze. Seems like more of a gimmick to me, but I'm bias towards a MT anyway!

I did use sportshift in my wife's old 2002 325i sometimes, but seems like I wouldn't get used to both hands on the wheel to shift.

My friend just confirmed that he uses them to play around on ramps, etc, but when we've had our battles he's in regular automatic mode (ECT power), as opposed to the sport mode, or paddle shifters...

 

Thanks for the comment! next time, why not just NOT READ IT!

 

lol..Go find a TL around your way and run it in your IS and post the results..

 

Paddle shifters and manumatics are the same thing as any ordinary automatic. They all have torque convertors which sap power the way to the wheels. I don't know why people think that because they have paddle shifters or a +/- shifter that something is different. Only ones that are different are BMW's SMG or Audi's DSG, these don't have torque convertors and have a hydraulic computer controlled clutch.

 

Don't forget Weight is the key in racing, not horse power. One clear example, a 1 litter motocycle can beat any car. Why? the motorcycle is lighter than a car. You can have 500 hp car and weights like a tank, it will probably go up to 45mph max.

 

Not. I assume we're talking quickest here. Put the world's quickest bike up against the world's quickest car and the bike is going to lose horribly. It will take the bike about 6.8 to 7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 180 MPH. The car will make that same trip in about 2 seconds.

Now for a street machine build by a factory. I have a road test of a Mustang that did a 0 to 60 in 1.9 seconds.

 

On that note has anyone taken on that wannabe Bentley (chrysler 300). That things also has 300+ HP but I think the base model is has a somewhat slow 0-60 time. It looks really heavy.

 

lol



even bugatti veyron 16.4 ($1.2 mil, 1001 hp) take 2.5 seconds for 0 to 60mph

 

What Mustang is this? Was it tied to the back of a rocket ship?

 

I honestly don't think the IS350 is all that fast. I've had the opportunity to race a few and I've blown them away every time (My TL is bone stock)

 

Seems a little tough to believe. The 3 fastest 0-60 cars from the back of a current Car & Driver are the Ford GT at 3.6 seconds, the Porsche Carrera GT at 3.5 seconds and the new Corvette Z06 at 3.4 seconds. Even with insane HP and incredible tires, you couldn't propel a Ford Mustang to 60 in under 2 seconds, especially if it has the live rear axle (only the previous Cobra has the IRS).

 

I think you mean to say one of the many elements that determine a vehicle's acceleration is its horsepower-to-weight-ratio. It is incorrect to say that horsepower does not matter in acceleration.

 

The kill stories on 300cforums.com claim they are beating 300Zs, G35s, E500s, 545/550s, GS430s, Mustang GTs, etc. Some are obviously exaggerated, but the 300C is apparently quicker than the early reports of 0-60 in the high 5s/low 6s and 1/4 mile in the mid 14s.

 

may be he is talking about a top fuel dragster

 

I'd figure the IS350 would be faster.. w/ 305HP thats a good jump from 270HP/258HP

I've driven the IS350 before and its a pretty quick car.... I think it feels faster than my roommates TL (aspec) both wre automatics though...

 

if all people care about in a car is how fast it goes then u might as well don't get a car unless u have 1.25 millions for a bagatti 16.4.... i m sure nothing can beat it yet. people buy cars at their own needs and the TIL is a perfect blend between performance, luxury and comfort. IS350 do have a bigger engine and higher hp so what ???? the back seat has no room at all ..... has anyone try to fit a regular man in it ??? it's freaking impossible. not to mention the car is RWD......in the chicago area most people would like to have AWD/FWD because it snows half of the year.

so in conclusion, TL rocks !!!!! i m not gonna have my own TL until end of this year and a 03 corolla is getting me around town...... now aren't u all current TL owners glad u have a TL not a 1.8L 130hp corolla with max speed 110mph ??

 

You are correct. Thank you for clarifying the statement.

 

I thought we were just comparing TL vs IS350 as in performance. Cause there were talking about racing and etc... I'm pretty sure I'd pick a TL A-spec over an IS350 in other terms.

 

you guys must be talking about the IS250.

 

the IS350 is in the mid 13's in the 1/4... the TL is in the mid 14's. either you guys were trying to race an IS250 or you were the only ones racing.

 

+1 I love kill stories where there was only one person who knew they were racing.

Take from Automobile magazine's test:
Link
With 306-horsepower on tap, and a eagerly responsive paddle-shifting six-speed automatic that actually holds its gear at redline, only Chryslers audacious 425-horsepower 300C SRT8 duo can duel it out with Lexus new sport sedan in head to head acceleration tests, and then win every so slightly with a 4.9 second run to 60 mph compared to 5.2 seconds to 60 mph for the IS, but in reality, despite being priced about the same, I dont think the two cars really target the same audience. I should mention here, mind you, that the 5.2 second 0 to 60 mph time was mentioned during the IS 350s technical introduction. A quick search on the net shows real times (by Car & Driver, Road & Track and other reputable sources) that span from 5.0 seconds to 5.8, most likely differing because of elevation levels and weather conditions. Lexus has now officially stated this number is 5.6 seconds, but as usual with this brand it is most likely an overly conservative figure.

 

Dude hands down any auto TL will get KILLED by an IS350. Take this from me, I own and love my Acura TL, but work at a Lexus dealer. My bud ran up an IS350 against me after I got a head start of about 6 car lengths. He floored it and killed me just getting up to about 120. Those cars are not toys my friend and in almost every aspect kill the TL. The TL has a nicer exterior, and MUCH larger back seat. Those IS's are on rails when taking corners also. Unfortunately the 350 doesn't come in a manual yet. It's a 6AT for those who didn't know, with tip-tronic and paddle shifters as well. For the price, save your money buy a TL, supercharge it and get some suspension mods. Do all that and you'll eat IS350's.

 

i believe that the auto tl is just as fast as the 6 speed and just as fast as the g-35 wich i have beat several times

 

TL a-spec any day over is350 add pulleys and intake ur right with the is 350 in preformance

 

We are talking stock cars here, mod the hell out of a Civic and it will kill a TL or an IS too.

 

I have a TL Aspec 05 and a IS350 lets just say the TL is a nice car.......... OK I cant lie the TL is not a very good run against the IS I have been the driver (TL) and have had someone else race the TL aginst my IS350 and it doesn't hold its own, it not discraceful just not that close either. just my .02

 

Overall, the TL is grossly superior to the IS.

There is, after all, much more to a car than straight line speed.

If, OTOH, you are a monied midget, the IS may just be the car for you.

 

The 5AT isnt running anywhere the 6MT without several boltons mods.

 

don't forget a fully loaded 350 will break 40k....6-8k more than the TL...Hmm with 6-8k in mods, i can beat the IS350 easily

 

you are on crack!

go sit in an IS350. i had a 2nd gen TL and i've had a brand new loaner 3rd gen TL (that i put 500 miles on in 3 days, so i got a pretty good feel for it).

looks are always subjective, so im not gonna go there. the leather in the TL doesnt even compare to that of the IS. the feel of the transmission is 10x smoother and the ride itself is 10 smoother than that of any TL.

the IS does have its own shortcomings though, so im not saying its the greatest car in the world either.