MC MiYoung3269

Das Whaide

spdandpwr

Lol, as you can tell, I'm partial to exotics.

rxj27

I'll go out on a limb and say that lambos are "played out". Every C-D list celebrity or insecure middle age man with some change has one.

spdandpwr

you can say that about every exotic these days

...especially porsche

rxj27

Philosophical question that came up in one of the other threads. A member wants to make his 150 HP 5AT ILX "go faster". Is it worth the time and effort to tune it, turbocharge it, etc.? Or should one just save that money to buy an actual faster car and invest time/energy on that? In other words, where do people draw the line in performance modding as a worthwhile base to work on?

Totally a subjective question, I know, so don't give me a snarky answer about supercharging a GEO Metro, but hey I'm curious.

00TL-P3.2

Subjective, like you said.
If said member is really happy with the ILX, but wants more power/speed/etc. Then sure.

spdandpwr

I think it's contingent on what you're looking for in terms of making the car "go faster." It's a very relative term. If it's a second faster to 60, that's certainly achievable, but if they're looking to be blazing through the quarter mile in 15 seconds or less, it may be a difficult proposition, particularly on this platform. And, even then, they should've looked elsewhere to begin with, if they wanted such a quick car.

spdandpwr

It's snowing in nyc. Looks like the ILX will get its taste of inclement whether today/tomorrow. Does anyone plan on swapping to snow tires this winter or are they planning to try out the stock a/s tires?

terdonal

I put snow tires on mine already as I always run snow tires in winter even though we don't usually get a lot of snow we can. Unfortunately I have to be cognizant of shifting through the first 3 gears as they can slip through all three gears in the rain in particular.

spdandpwr

You're snow tires lose traction in the rain in 2nd and 3rd gear?

spdandpwr

Also, for you canadians, what's the dynamic package?

terdonal

Yup, if you boot it they will spin through first 3 gears in the rain no problem.
I guess the LSD would have been a good choice for the 6mt as you have said before. Note these are not High performance snow tires these are a premium snow tire and I got them in 205/50/17 which is the recommended alternate to the 245's. They are Hankook W409 Winter i-pike and the price I got them for $130.00 each was a no brainer against the ones I was originally going to get.

terdonal

Dynamic is 6mt.

spdandpwr

Gotcha. I may look into snow tires, though I'd prefer bizzaks, if available.
Also, I thought our stock tires were 215/45.

terdonal

Yes they are but if you check Tirerack they are the recommended alternate size which would be narrower for cutting through snow. May also cutting my traction a bit on the wet roads when applying too much gas.

spdandpwr

yea, I understand that 205s are an alternate, it's just that your original post put 245 as the stock tire spec

spdandpwr

I never understood how thinner tires worked to provide more traction in the snow. I know it helps the car slice through the snow, but doesn't it mean less surface area for the tire to grab the ground?

00TL-P3.2

For me, "go faster" pertains more to handling than straight line speed.
I much prefer twisty roads speed to "between the lights" speed.

spdandpwr

That's where the sway bar comes in. It'll make a huge difference on this car. Of course, the soft suspension could use some tweaking as well.

terdonal

terdonal

A thinner tire is going to cut deeper through the snow and would get to the road surface sooner than a wider tire would. Not too sure how much difference it really makes but the tire experts all seem to suggest it is the right way to go.

spdandpwr

Thanks, are you missing you zdx? and speaking of missing old vehicles. What were you all driving before the ilx. I was in a 2012 tsx. Lol, I like to hop from car to car, but this ilx seems to be the car I'll settle with.

MC MiYoung3269

Traitor..............

rxj27

So then what would be your ideal car to mod?

WRX/STI, Evo, (insert AWD turbo car here)?

Reminded me of an awesome TOPGEAR from couple years back of an Evo schooling a lambo on the race track...that ish cray!

terdonal

Yes, still missing my ZDX, a very under appreciated vehicle IMO. Never thought twice about my RDX when I got the ZDX. As much as I like the ILX I still question my decision at times but I have to remember it was an economic decision not a decision of the heart.

spdandpwr

problem is that version of the lancer evolution mr isn't sold here

That notwithstanding, the episode you mention is definitely one of the greater Top Gear segments. Thanks for bringing back some good memories!

rocket354

2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V. Bought it new in '03. Ugly little car but boy could it handle. And lightweight with 175hp meant it could move ok, too. Probably pretty similar quickness to the ILX, and with a torquier engine. The problems were 1) Nissan reliability, specifically with that model, too and 2) nice handling comes at a price of a harsh ride usually. The ILX is a much better balance for me, with a much quieter ride and nicer interior. I on a rare occasion miss the ability to swing around a bend super quick, but that comes up very rarely, and it's not like the difference is really THAT big.

rxj27

remember part 2? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that F*ing Quick version was only available in the UK right?

spdandpwr

All of the versions they mention in that episode (part 1 and 2, included) aren't sold in the states. We never had a 320hp evo, ever

spdandpwr

...and yes, the fq400 was only sold in the UK

00TL-P3.2

No ILX for me, yet.
Still running around in my '00 TL w/ 209k on the clock.

00TL-P3.2

I'd love to have a Lotus Exige, but that's $$ I won't have for a while
I'd really enjoy an S2000, or even a 1st gen or 2.5gen Miata.

When I get one, I know I'll be happy with the ILX. Maybe by then the ED engines will be in & maybe tech package on the 6mt.

rxj27

'99 Nissan Pathfinder...was an underpowered gas guzzler. Typical Nissan O2 sensor fail, leaky struts, and horrible Datsun service at the dealership. Was only useful during my early years of buying and transporting random Craigslist furniture...

spdandpwr, you seem to change cars every year. Whats next on the radar? I don't buy this "I'll settle with the ILX"...

spdandpwr

Yea, ideally, I'd be driving an s2000 alongside a daily like the ILX or the G37x (though I find that car to be too big). I wish there was a premium AWD compact car. I guess that's the Lexus and the A3, but I don't find myself buying into those brands.

spdandpwr

Surprisingly, I had the 2009 Honda Civic Si for just over two years. Got it in August 2009 and traded it in in November of 2011. I think once the ILX gets modded, which will happen, then I'll be more inclined to not want to let it go. Especially if I put a supercharger on it.

rxj27

I guess time will tell...while we are on the subject how do minor or more intensive major mods (supercharging) affect trade in value of a car?

spdandpwr

^mods will always adversely affect trade in value. It's always in your best interest to part out a car and sell rather than sell a car with mods. You'll maximize your profits that way. You should know that certain things like short throws and rear sway bars won't affect your trade-in value since the appraiser won't be able to see those parts.

00TL-P3.2

-They're getting bigger, but the A4/S4 is slightly bigger than compact.
-If Subaru still made a performance Legacy with a stick (& if they weren't awful looking IMO)
-JCW Countryman S All4 coming out this winter
-GT-R & R8 (pushing it into much higher prices)

Those all are priced well above the ILX though.
Just a standard CountrymanS All4 (what I wanted before the ILX) optioned how I'd want it, was borderline $40k.

Scratching my head on any other premium or slightly sub-premium AWD cars that would be fun.

rxj27

Premium? So no WRX or EVO?...hmm what about the ATS or Verano Turbo?

spdandpwr

I can't honestly name one premium sub-35k awd vehicle. The a3 when optioned out to ilx tech levels doesn't come close. The a4 starts at that price.