Has anyone here owned both? From a handling standpoint, hands down I'd prefer my just donated 2000.
The 2002 rips in acceleration, but I need to keep 2 hands on the wheel to dial in the curves - plus it's a manual. The 2000 was just one hand and AT, not sure why the big difference in steering weight.
Does the 3.5 make it nose heavy/understeer compared to the 3.0?
Thoughts?

 

There is no difference in the suspension setup between 5.0 and 5.5's-- though the front brakes are slightly larger on 5.5s If I recall correctly, the VQ30 actually weighs more than the VQ35.. but regardless they are only +/- 10 lbs or so different. The automatic transmission versus the manual transmission would net a larger overall weight discrepancy ~~20-30lbs.

But to answer your question, no the difference between cars handling is not due to differing weights. I would assume one of two things:

A) the 2002 has worn suspension components, engine mounts, worse tires, etc.
B) a placebo effect has occurred and since the 2002 is leaps and bounds faster than the 2000... it seems as though the 2002 handles worse.

 

Yeah, I had driven the 2000 for almost 19 years, and the last 10 exclusively. The 2002 just came to me in the last year. Placebo.

 

Just the 3.5 engine is 30 some pounds lighter.

The 2002 is better in every way . Except reliability.

 

Yes, i had a 2003 SE and the 2000 i have handles and feels a lot better. Even a really beat up 2000 SE 5spd that i test drove handled better than the 2003. I'm sure there has to be some differences that they made to the steering system.

 

Thanks for confirming, my 2000 had 127k miles before donation and the 2002 now has 63k - same Cooper Zeon tires on both and new struts on the 2002 that has half the mileage. The AT/MT is a big difference though.
Should things get serious I'd still prefer to be driving the 2000, no doubt - even with the 28 less HP. My 2000 had the Meridien package.

 

I have owned a 2000, 1997, 2003, 2001 and my most current 2002 GLE in that exact order. The VQ30 is a sweet motor no doubt, but other than reliability and maybe gas mileage, the VQ35 is the better motor in every way imo. Its also smoother, not to mention all the other upgrades the 5.5 has over the 5th gen. Just bought a 2002 GLE a week and a half ago. Has every feature, heated steering wheel/mirrors etc. Cant comment much on the handling because i wasnt into track racing, but the 3.5 has much more take off power than the 3.0, and i mean much more. The motor is much more powerful and responsive at city speeds, but i also read that the 3.0 has very strong top end performance, the 3.5 performs better at all rpms imo.