I had a ’97 SE that was getting long in the tooth and had the opportunity to drive a ’03 SE Titanium Edition with a 6 speed and the limited slip differential option for about six months. This car was loaded – black leather, sunroof, 6 CD Bose, all the goodies. Beautiful too. It had darked out windows where “you can see out but can’ noBODY see in”. The power was awesome. Jump on the gas and the bit*ch jumped. Now for the downside.

The limited slip front end made it tough to get in parking spots. The turning radius must have been half again what a normal Max was which made parking something you had to think about well before you got to the parking spot. The beefy tires and wheels looked great but they were crap on rain or snow. And the clutch. Bahh! The engagement point was about three inches long from first contact to full engagement. Under hard acceleration the full engagement point varied depending on how hard you pushed your right foot. And the torque steer!!!! Heaven help the person accelerating hard from a right or left hand turn! It’s like wrestling a monkey in a knapsack!

After about six months with this beautiful but flawed vehicle I bought a 2000 GXE 5 speed. It feels like a smaller car, more nimble. The clutch has a smart and clean engagement point and the 5 speed is just right. With the six speed I found myself going from 4th to 6th or 3rd to 5th. Rarely did I use all six gears. Certainly, I miss the ponys from the 3.5 liter but I don’t miss the torque steer. This GXE with Joe Average tires seems to handle better that the Titanium Max, too.

I also miss the leather and the Bose (OK, not the rumble from the sub-woofer) but for day to day driving, I have to give the gold star to the 2000 GXE. For one thing, 30 MPG trumps 26. Has anyone else had the opportunity to compare a pre ’02 5th gen with the ’02 and ’03?

 

I would of traded my 00gxe with you.

 

me too

btw how can you be getting 30mpg???

 

I have a 2000 SE 5 speed and a 2002 SE 6 speed in my garage right now. The 2002 blows it out of the water. I can see what you are saying about the clutch, but the power and earlier variable intake make it well worth it.

 

The limited slip has nothing at all to do with the turning radius in those cars.

 

What exactly is the difference in clutches between the two years? I've never driven a 2000, but I can attest to the long engagement zone for the 6 speed (some like it, but I don't like it at all...makes me feel like I'm dragging the hell out of the clutch every time).

I'm not sure I understand what you mean here. Anyone care to explain?

Also, what's the point of skipping gears? Unless you're just cruising along and want to save gas, then I can see why you may want to use it, but I always upshift in sequence, and don't really see the point of skipping gears.

 

Oh yeah....I forgot to mention that part in my above post....

 

1st then 2nd will get you to the speed limit. Race to 60mph then maintain a crusing speed from there (1,2,5 or 6).

 

Right, but this is if you're "racing" to get to the speed limit. I mean if you're just driving around casually (shifting around 3K rpms), then this wouldn't be ideal IMHO.

Plus, he was saying he went 4-6 and 3-5. I guess I wasn't seeing the reason for that kind of "skippage".

 

There isn't a logical explanation for it. I do it frequently too. If I reach my desired speed in a lower gear I skip to the cruising gear.

 

With regards to Andy, I have to respond to this post. I own what appears to be pretty strong '00 SE 5speed, my only track experience is a crappy, traction and wheel-hop limited 15.10 @95mph. I recently traded cars with a friend of mine that has a '03 HLSD 6-speed. There is no doubt that the 3.5 is faster, and the HLSD does a great job putting the power down, but the crisp-ness of the 3.0 5-speed has been lost. The next day after we traded, my bud called me & said "I really like your car"- "Mine's not that much faster" Hmm- This from a guy that just spent 30K- I guess all of our cars are neat, but the 3.0 5-speed is a pretty cool combo-