Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans

475 messages, Last post on Jul 25, 2008 at 4:41 PM

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac CTS, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Mercedes-Benz 350-Class, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans - This is exactly why we gathered this group of sport sedans. That is, to find out if the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport, 2008 Lexus IS 350 or 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport can topple the Bavarian champ — the 2007 BMW 335i. In the spirit of the segment, each car in the test is outfitted with sport package hardware — usually a stiffer suspension and bigger wheels and tires — and an automatic transmission. (more)

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#94 of 475 Re: Where is the Lexus IS 350? [150mphclub] by scottm123 Nov 09, 2007 (7:13 am)
Replying to: 150mphclub (Nov 09, 2007 6:02 am) Getting the exact Lexus I wanted was also a complete pain in the $$. Special ordering was a complete nightmare and everytime I started a new order, new rules were thrown into the mix, making it impossible. Even more frustrating is the endless amount of threads from toehrs talking about how they ordered the exact IS they wanted, and it came in ahead of schedule. I ordered the exact G I wanted, over the phone no less, and it came in exactly the way I wanted. Every person has a different experience, that's for sure. Replies to this message: circlew (Nov 09, 2007 7:32 am)
#95 of 475 Re: Where is the TL typeS ???????? [6sptl] by lovemyclk Nov 09, 2007 (7:25 am)
Replying to: 6sptl (Nov 08, 2007 6:15 pm) "The fact* is that the TLS will outhandle and outrace any of these vehicles*" Outhandle and outrace a G35S or 335i
#96 of 475 Re: Where is the Lexus IS 350? [scottm123] by circlew Nov 09, 2007 (7:32 am)
Replying to: scottm123 (Nov 09, 2007 7:13 am) I got the E90 330 in December 2005 exactly as ordered. It was in-transit on the day I ordered it. The dealer experience is the best I've encountered. Makes you want a repeat performance more than I could ever believe was possible from ANY dealer. The Audi dealer up the road proved a notably less satisfying experience during the shopping phase as was my local BMW dealer, (which has since changed owners). Regards, OW
#97 of 475 Re: Where is the TL typeS ???????? [6sptl] by from_fl Nov 09, 2007 (10:10 am)
Replying to: 6sptl (Nov 07, 2007 3:09 pm) TL is FWD.
#98 of 475 Re: Where is the TL typeS ???????? [6sptl] by habitat1 Nov 09, 2007 (11:50 am)
Replying to: 6sptl (Nov 08, 2007 6:15 pm) Congratulations on your S2000 - one of the best cars I've owned. But I think your memory of your former TL has become a little clouded. I own a 2004 6-speed and test drove a 2007 TL-S 6-speed a couple of months ago. As much as I am happy with my car as a "sporty" family sedan, it is absolutely not in the same league as the 3-series in handling, steering or overall performance. If performance were my priority, I'd readily take a 328i over the TL-S, let alone the 335i. I don't know what you could possibly be thinking when you claim that a 62/38 nose heavy, FWD TL-S will outhandle and outrace a perfectly balanced 50/50 RWD 3 series. When I jump out of my 911 and into my TL 6-speed, I have to baby the TL so as not to induce torque steer and wheel hop that borders on the dangerous under hard acceleration. You could point your S2000 straight ahead and accelerate to 60 through 1st and 2nd gear without holding the steering wheel and it will go straight. Do that in a TL and you will be in a meat wagon heading to the morgue. FWD is not, nor will it ever be, conducive to performance. Period. Replies to this message: taxesquire (Nov 09, 2007 2:02 pm)
#99 of 475 Re: Where is the TL typeS ???????? [6sptl] by threxx Nov 09, 2007 (1:00 pm)
Replying to: 6sptl (Nov 08, 2007 6:15 pm) You show an obvious and extreme bias and/or lack of knowledge regarding these cars when you say "the TL-S will outhandle and outrace any of these vehicles". It's simply, factually, and absolutely untrue. Anyone with a realistic handle and experience on these cars will echo that as essentially fact - not even really a question of subjectivities or opinion. The 335i, for example, ran a verified and official 8:26 at Nurburgring. The S2000 (which I'm sure is a quicker track car than the TL-S) ran a best of 8:39, and for reference the Ferrari 360 Modena ran a best of 8:09 meaning the difference between the S2000 and the 335i's best is almost as significant as the difference between the 335i and the Ferrari 360 Modena. Fairly significant. I apologize for comparing the 335i to a S2000 but the fact is I can't even find any verified/usable track times for the TL-S since it seems they're fairly rare to see at a track in the first place... Replies to this message: 6sptl (Nov 09, 2007 9:26 pm) habitat1 (Nov 10, 2007 5:33 am) graphicguy (Nov 10, 2007 8:01 am) and 1 more... circlew (Nov 10, 2007 9:32 am) and 11 more...
#100 of 475 Re: Where is the TL typeS ???????? [habitat1] by taxesquire Nov 09, 2007 (2:02 pm)
Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 09, 2007 11:50 am) I concur with habitat1. I also have an '04 6MT TL with the extra-tight suspension. It's a great car that handles great, but the FWD is limitting.
#101 of 475 Re: Where is the TL typeS ???????? [threxx] by 6sptl Nov 09, 2007 (9:26 pm)
Replying to: threxx (Nov 09, 2007 1:00 pm) Absolutely incorrect, the TL has never run the nurburgring, so what? The TLS will out accelerate the s2000 at any speed, when equipped with summer tires its handling limits (though not its feel) are easily a match to the s2000. I've owned both and can attest to such. The TL's will easily "outnurburg" the S2000 no questions asked. Thus the fact that the 335 can barely outmatch the S on the course means exactly squat. Matter of fact, the s2000, can barely out accelerate the RL, a much maligned car that is significantly slower than the TL. Replies to this message: habitat1 (Nov 10, 2007 5:33 am) graphicguy (Nov 10, 2007 8:01 am) roadburner (Nov 10, 2007 9:16 am) circlew (Nov 10, 2007 9:32 am) pmc4 (Nov 11, 2007 6:41 pm) and 10 more...
#102 of 475 Re: Where is the TL typeS ???????? [6sptl] by habitat1 Nov 10, 2007 (5:33 am)
Replying to: 6sptl (Nov 09, 2007 9:26 pm) You are seriously in need of driving lessons, my friend. And I take back my previous congratulations - until you get those lessons, you shouldn't be driving, let alone owning, a Honda S2000. As a Porsche 911S owner, I have no ego hesitation giving Honda credit and recognizing the S2000 as a legitimate, serious sports car. The best to come out of Japan in decades, perhaps since the NSX. The S2000 may not have sledgehammer torque, but every piece of its ground up, hand assmbled chassis is designed for scalpal like handling. It is in the same racing class and successfully competed against the likes of the Corvette C5 and Boxster S. Check out websites for Laguna Seca, Summitt Point and others for race results. Or watch this for an example of how to drive: Honda S2000 at Laguna. The idea that anyone, current owner, previous owner or non-owner, would ever put a FWD Acura TL-S in the same handling category as an S2000 is so absurd as to be laughable. It dissapoints me to say this, but Acura hasn't taken mainstream performance engineering serious enough to produce a model that can compete in the sports sedan segment, let alone something that could ever compete with a sports car. Try to push the TL-S towards its performance limits and it plows into curves, the steering goes wild under hard acceleration and it exhibits all the weaknesses that a FWD Honda Accord would, just a few mph later. There is nothing remotely fun about going white knuckled to push a TL-S shod with performance tires to the performance levels that come easily and naturally to a RWD 3 series or G35. Hell, I could go out next April and lead the Boston Marathon for the first half mile. Then the meat wagon would haul me off hyperventilating, while the elite athletes blew by, hardly breathing. That's what the TL-S is compared to the 335i. Except the TL-S couldn't even lead for the first half mile. It may be sporty, but it's not remotely close to being a world class athlete. So let's get this straight and call a spade a spade. The TL is a very nice, affordable, gizmo loaded, "sporty" FWD family sedan. The 335i is a serious RWD sports sedan. The S2000 is a serious lightweight sports car. And, please, if you really can't tell the difference, consider some driving lessons and give those S2000 keys to someone more deserving. Replies to this message: graphicguy (Nov 10, 2007 8:01 am) roadburner (Nov 10, 2007 9:16 am) circlew (Nov 10, 2007 9:32 am) pmc4 (Nov 11, 2007 6:41 pm) kdshapiro (Nov 11, 2007 6:50 pm) and 6 more... spiritinthesky (Nov 12, 2007 5:29 am) and 2 more...
#103 of 475 Re: Rice Burner ? [drtravel] by dglassm Nov 10, 2007 (6:51 am)
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 07, 2007 10:51 am) Good question , I guess it depends if you want a car that drives or a car that sits in the dealership waiting for back ordered run flat tires and or fuel pumps that do not work ... The BMW styling is 1980's at best , the reliability sucks and who is going to own 335 after the warranty expires ? The G35 rocket is king , I will take the G35 with sport package any day over the poorly engineered and overpriced 3. And who leads in residual value Infiniti ! http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/10/24/068485.html http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=123235 Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Nov 10, 2007 8:48 am) circlew (Nov 10, 2007 8:51 am)