lumpydog

So a co-worker that purchased a new Mercedes C230 Sports Sedan tells me that he "took one of my kind (Acura TL) at a set of lights the other day.... On paper this sounds hard to believe... Did he find a TLer who didn't know how to unleash the fury?

Got me thinking - what stock vehicles are a good match for the TL (would be a close race).

crazymjb

G35(sedan), BMW 3 series, merc C class, lexus ES330, Civics and celicas.

california-usa

Are we talking automatic here or manual? On city streets or freeways?
On city streets ( usually 0-60mph ) I know for a fact that the only car ( in the same class ) I will avoid would be the G35 sedan because I know for a fact that it will burn the s*** out of me and will make me look like a fool for even trying. On freeways I avoid NO cars...not even the G35 because once a TL goes over about 60mph...it can take on ANY car in its class.

lumpydog

Assume optimal setup - MT TL with (as I recently learned, VSA disabled). I'm talking city street 0-60.

By the way, I'm afraid I'd do poorly in a drag at this point - I'm new to the TL... It's my first vehicle with any real "sport" bias. Coming out of an SUV I'm still getting comfortable with the accelaration and braking capabilities of the TL (which do not cease to amaze me). One of these day's I'll have to meet my co-worker out on the street and let'er rip. Just not comfortable enough with the equipment yet.

03CoupeV6

A C230 will not be taking a new TL or anything newer than 2000. It used to be a 2.3L Kompressor 4 and now it's a 1.8L.

Actuary

So are we talking about red light racers here?


Stay away
New mustang GT, Cobra, C AMG, Camaros Firebirds, 300 SRT-8, STI, Evo and all other obvious ones (eg: corvette)

Close
G35 AWD, new 330i, new 530i, old 540i, E430, Ram Hemi, Old mustang GT, RX8

Go ahead
new 325i, old 325i, old 330i, C class(except AMG), 525i, E320 , old 530i, Altima, Maxima, New eclipse, WRX, Focus SVT, Civic SI

I could be wrong on couple of those cars since I never been to red light racing with all of them.
I would try if it was a rolling start against a camaro

dman918

Pretty good list. The WRX would be close though.

Toasterthedog

Year Make Model Price Horsepower 0-60

2005 BMW Z4 2.5i $34,300 184 6.9
2005 Audi A4 3.0 $31,950 220 6.9
2005 Toyota Camry Solara - SLE $26,095 225 6.9
2005 Mercedes C320 Sport Sedan $37,950 215 6.9
2005 Mazda 6 S $23,995 220 6.9
2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP $27,390 260 6.9
2006 Audi A3 $25,000 200 6.9
2005 Toyota Camry Solara - SE Sport $23,045 225 6.9
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT $22,905 220 6.9
2006 Mercedes CLS 350* $65,200 272 6.9
2005 Ford Thunderbird $37,750 280 6.9
2006 Mercedes ML500 $48,500 302 6.9
2006 Lexus RX400H $45,000 268 6.9
2005 Toyota Celica GTS $23,035 180 6.8
2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster $34,085 215 6.8
2006 Honda Civic Si $20,000 200 6.
2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS $29,015 240 6.8
2005 Audi Allroad 2.7T $40,250 250 6.8
2006 Hyundai Azera* $27,000 265 6.8
2005 Chevrolet Impala SS $29,215 240 6.8
2006 Volkswagen Passat* $32,000 280 6.8
2005 Mini Cooper S $20,400 168 6.8
2005 Pontiac Bonneville GXP* $35,585 275 6.8
2005 BMW X5 4.4i $52,800 315 6.8
2005 Lincoln LS $44,000 280 6.8
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS* $26,000 240 6.8
2005 Jaguar S-Type $49,300 294 6.8
2005 BMW 330ci Convertible $44,600 225 6.7
2005 Mazda Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata $26,720 178 6.7
2005 Lexus LS430 $56,000 300 6.7
2006 Chevrolet Malibu SS* $25,500 240 6.7
2005 Mitsubishi Galant - GTS $26,299 230 6.7
2005 Audi Allroad 4.2 $47,250 300 6.7
2005 Volvo S40 T5 $26,060 218 6.7
2005 Saab 9-5 Arc $36,250 220 6.7
2005 Mitsubishi Galant - LS $22,299 230 6.7
2007 Volkswagen Golf GTI* $23,000 197 6.7
2005 Jaguar X-Type 3.0 $36,300 227 6.7
2006 Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Aero* $35,000 250 6.6
2005 Mercedes C320 Sports Coupe $28,250 215 6.6
2005 BMW 530i $45,400 225 6.6
2005 Chrysler Crossfire $29,045 215 6.5
2005 Saab 9-5 Aero $39,950 250 6.5
2005 Dodge Magnum $29,995 340 6.5
2005 Mini Cooper S Cooper Works $25,000 207 6.5
2005 Volkswagen Phaeton V8 $66,950 330 6.5
2005 Volvo S60 T5 $33,285 257 6.5
2005 BMW 330xi $37,450 225 6.5
2005 Cadillac SRX V8 $50,135 320 6.5
2005 Volkswagen Golf GTI VR6 $22,330 200 6.5
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS $21,995 205 6.4
2005 Cadillac CTS $32,250 255 6.4
2005 Nissan Altima SE $23,150 250 6.4
2005 Lexus SC430 $63,500 300 6.3
2005 Nissan Altima SE-R $29,200 260 6.3
2005 Cadillac XLR $75,835 320 6.3
2005 Nissan Maxima $27,200 265 6.3
2005 Acura RSX Type-S $23,570 210 6.3
2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse* $27,000 250 6.3
2005 BMW 330i $35,700 225 6.3
2006 Mazda Mazdaspeed 6* $29,000 274 6.3
2005 Pontiac G6 GT $23,925 240 6.3
2005 Audi A8 $66,590 335 6.3
2005 Infiniti FX 45 $44,200 315 6.3
2005 Suburu Legacy 2.5 GT Wagon $27,095 250 6.3
2005 Volvo S80 T6 $46,285 268 6.3
2005 Honda Accord EX V6 $26,500 240 6.3
2005 Jaguar XJ8 $59,830 294 6.3
2005 BMW 745i $69,900 325 6.2
2005 BMW 745li $73,900 325 6.2
2005 Saturn Ion Red Line $20,885 205 6.2
2006 Audi A3 Quattro* $30,000 247 6.2
2005 Audi TT Quattro Roadster 1.8 $39,700 225 6.2
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport* $82,000 389 6.1
2005 Jaguar XK8 Coupe $69,830 294 6.1
2005 Jaguar XK8 Convertible $74,830 294 6.1
2005 Mercedes SL500 $89,900 302 6.1
2005 Saab 9-2X Aero $26,950 227 6.1
2005 Suburu Legacy 2.5 GT $26,095 250 6.1
2005 Mercedes S500 $83,900 302 6.1
2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS* $29,900 303 6.1
2005 Cadillac STS V8 $47,495 320 6.1
2006 Chevrolet Impala SS* $29,900 303 6.1
2005 Mercedes CL500 $93,900 302 6.1


Link found here http://www.performancecarnews.com/te...cess=ShowTable

crazymjb

My friend has got a 93 9K aero, that thing is 2.3l turbo 4200 pounds, and is faster then a 911 carrera between 75-100. I think it reaches 100 in 12.5. I really WANT to have a faster car so if anyone can confirm that that would be great. My otherfriend has a passat W8 but I don't think we should have a problem with those.

Yakuza70

If the Altima 2002+ is a MT 3.5 V6 I'd put that in the "Close" category for a drag race. 0-60 times have been 5.9 to low 6 second range.

I recently saw a new Subaru Legacy GT on the road. Aren't those supposed to be pretty quick? 250 hp/250 lb/ft - 3300 lbs. Somewhat of a "sleeper" car that might catch some by surprise.

lumpydog

Toaster:

Great link - I'll be sure to share it with my friend who owns the C230 Sport Sedan... Might help to settle him down a little

Also - great pic of the bulldog in the lobster costume. My family has owned 8. Great pets! My username comes from our second Bulldog. He loved chocolate but was allergic to it. Whenever he ate it (as often as he could), he'd break out in hives. His nickname was lumpydog because of the way is skin/fur looked after a good chocolate session.

Ga_Tech_TL

I have a 530 and it is very slugglish compared to my TL. THe old 540 will smoke the TL. It wont even be close. Dont compare 300 some hp and a vanos V8 to a 270hp v6 vtech. Its just unfair. ALways stay away from the bimmer 540s...

gcjin2007

ya crazymj, that should be about right. bec the 9-5 engine from 75-100 can hang with the ferraris. the saabs are QUICK at those speeds thx to their turbos

ndx2

I'm pretty sure the old 540i's had less than 300. More like 282 or 290, with 0-60 time in the low 6's. I think the TL can hang with it in the straight line... but of course, the V8's got the advantage at higher speeds. The TL's also not as refined, balanced, etc. as the 5 series in almost all aspects.

Actuary

I just checked. 282 for older years and 290 for 2003.

Cadillac Deville isn't up with TL. I just red lighted one this evening.

So according to that website, our TL is faster than Mercedez SL500? as it rated our TL as 6.0

Ga_Tech_TL

Well I say this because the TL and the e36 M3 are like neck to neck, but off the line the M3 will get a head start because of the rwd. BUt my point is that several M3 vs 540 races have all been won by the 540. Off the line and on a roll. So if the TL cant catch up with the 540 from the start then the race will be over in seconds. Of course we are talking about 6 spd vs 6spd.

Ga_Tech_TL

Dude that is only 0-60 and only because we have manual. After those few seconds the race is over...

idnumber1

Haha, very funny. Not to be mean, but my neighbor own's a C230 and the acceleration on that car is a not that great. I currently own a 05 Maxima and it is waay faster than his car... he even admitted it when i let him drive my car. My car has 265 hp so if the Acura has 270 hp its should have no problem with against a C230.

empathy

price dosent have much to do with it. there are a lot of people that build fast civics, integras, preludes, and s2000's. my prelude would kill any TL, unless someone decided to boost a TL or is running ITB's, and has a completely stripped car. i dont think a car that weigh's close to ~3900 pounds(and that includes the driver, full tank of gas and random crap people keep in their car). when people build civics, they usually strip the crap out of the cars and the sohc engines are removed and replaced with b, h, and k series engines. their 2200 pound car with the driver will take a TL any day even with a b16a which has 130 hp. weight is a huge factor in drag racing.

oh yeah, my prelude was boosted with the bottom end rebuild with iron sleeves, forged pistons and rods and the interior was fully gutted and NO i did not use a crappy greddy kit.

edit: i just reread the original post and u were talking about STOCK cars :P sorry.

kensukikatayo

but the NEW NEW C230 Sports are no longer Kompressors but they've lost 11 torque but gained 12 hp I think. But now they have 7 speed AT!!! But nonetheless, shouldn't be too big of a deal, watch out for those new C350's tho, those new 7 speed transmissions seem scary (look at the SLK350 even tho its lighter, mid 5's)

mattg

mickey3c

It's funny when a 325 wants to stop light race. Its a nice car with decent performance, but come on... A race usually indicates some cort of challenge and possibly some surprizes... And typically when someone wants to race when I am at a stoplight, it's a corvette or some VW GTI... Nothing that would be that close... And the driver makes all the difference..

As for some cars mentioned, I cannot believe a 530 would be close at all!!

bigman

You better be going against a 3rd gen or a V6 camaro from a roll. from a roll, my LS1 Trans Am is vicious and i have an auto.

Ga_Tech_TL

Off the line its not really bad (im assuming we are talking about the new 5 series). The rwd really has the advantage from the start. But the TL has more hp but less torque. So i guess if its a quick race form a stop, it could be somewhat close.

bwilder10h

I don't think all the numbers in that link are real-world times. Motor trend reported the Mustang GT to be 5.8sec 0-60.

A buddy of mine has a Boxster S and the TL takes him stop light to stop light but he might be a slight disadvantage with the manual up against the auto TL.

bigman

Wow, your buddy in the boxter S does not know how to launch his car.

mickey3c

The boxster S is not that much of a car. Sure it tips the scale at just under 3000 pounds, but 0-60 is about 6.25 seconds and torque is 236 at 4700 and hp is 280 at 6200.

Porsche's version of a miata is all.. It is quick and does a lot of things well but that is it. It more of a mountain road type of car...

Kobe

Owning a TL and a 300 C, Letting my friend drive the TL and myself in the 300 C, I would definitely say the 300 C will get the better of the match fairly easily. I have taken on other TL's in the 300 C and had the same result. The TL is no slouch but the 300 is able to get it convincingly each time in stop to stop launches

WdnUlik2no

the new G35 sticks (coupe and sedan) now have 298 HP with 260 torque. You think the TL could still take these? I recall a car and drive article that that the TL 6MT. was about a half second faster than a 2004 G35 stick in the 0 - 60 times. This was when all G35 sedans (auto and stick) had 260/260. Now that the g35 sticks have 28 more horses, I think that would close that half second gap pretty easily. I would think that the new G35 sticks would be a bit faster than the TL.

Agree with everything else though. you forgot about V6 Mustangs though. Even the new V6 stangs are not really that fast.

WdnUlik2no

I beat a Boxter S in my 01 Mustang GT.

toynaround

You are way off on your performance of the Boxster S. The regular clocks in at 6.0 for 0-60 and the S is in the low 5's , 5.1. "As for not much of car" it will blow away our TL's in every aspect of handling and road performance there is. I know because I have one. The minute you go into a hair pin the boxster will leave the TL in the dust. IMO its alot more fun to drive a true handling car than one that goes fast in a straight line. Not to say that out TL's are not great cars and fun to drive but they are not in the same league.

As for "porsche's version of a Miata " you could not be further from the truth. The Boxster is so potent that Porsche has long been afraid to put the full 911 motor in the chassis because they know it will outperform the 911. (mid engine weight distrubution is the key) The Ruff version of the boxster is deadly.

Check out what card and driver thinks of the S, they even prefer it over the new vette. http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=6

peter

WdnUlik2no

thanks for the article. I guess it would have helped if I had mentioned that I was racing an earlier version of the boxter S. I never thought to check out the specs of the new one. I guess that would make a differece!! My bad!!

Ga_Tech_TL

yeah i was sort of confused too bc i heard a story about a boxster that kept up with a 540

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

I guess you can't add because last time I checked, 260 + 28 was 288, not 298 HP as you said.

mickey3c

low 5s for a boxster S?!!! lol with the 3.2? I find that hard to believe but then Ihave seen mags off by a second or more in their times.

One thing I do believe is that the G in the 0-60 run with the 6 speed could be slower since last year it has 280 ponies with 270 torque... for 05 the 298 motor dropped torque to 260. Net result was in a 1/4 mile it could be slower... The said the same thing for the Z that the dropped torque and increased hp was .1 slower but was faster overall on the track..

EZZ

Nah. Actually, he can't subtract because the new version is 298hp so he should have stated that it was a 38hp increase and not 28hp. The new ones dyno around 240-245hp so yes the hp is really there and not Nissan fluff.

Yakuza70

Actually, '03/'04 G35s had 260hp/260 lb/ft torque. For the '05s MTs ONLY, they raised the hp to 298 with torque remaining the same - 260 lb/ft. The '05 autos now have 280 hp/270 lb/ft torque. I'm not sure why Infiniti did this but it does get confusing!

SergeyM

Avoid me and my BMW especially above 100 mph.

Ga_Tech_TL

Why? what bimmer do u have? THe only bimmers that the TL should avoid are the M3s, 545, 540, m5 (of course) and the 645...

Ga_Tech_TL

Yes, the new 6spd g35 sedan AWD will beat a TL. PLus the G comes with a short thrower which is always good to have in racing