... against an Acura CL-S or a TL-S in the twisties?

Generally speaking,
Would a stock Max be outhandled by the CL-S/TL-S in
the slalom?

I've driven a friend's CL-S, but I never did any hard
cornering with it. I suspect that the lighter, earlier
gen Maximas equipped with fully independent suspensions
should not have a problem. But what about the heavier
4th and 5th generation Maximas equipped with the solid
(or shall we say semi-independent) rear axles--- how
would these Maximas handle against the CL-S/TL-S (equipped
with excellent front and rear independent suspensions)?

 

do you really need to ask?

 

a stock maxima handles like crap...

 

It actually handles better than the cl-s or tl-s. Acura put more of a luxury feel suspension, Nissan has more of a sport...

 

The CL and TL-S have the better suspension design. If you put a set of Eibachs on either Acura and put them against an Eibach-equipped Max, the Acuras would win for sure.

It's very possible to make a solid beam car like a Maxima handle good, but it's much easier to make a double-wishbone car like the Honda-Acura handle even better. How else can you explain the butt-dragging ITR?

 

Have you driven both of them?


I know they outhandle 4th gens, but don't know personally if moving the link on the rear beam helped on the 5th gens that much.

 

Reading various posts on both www.acura-tl.com and www.acura-cl.com , they state that the Maxima actually handles BETTER.

 

My GF has the CL. In my opinion, it handles better with less roll in the turns. I dont' know how much you think about this, but the stock seats are a litte more narrow and support you a the kidnies better, making you feel more stationary in the car than I do in my Max.

Now if you talking about a cone slolum.... I don't know.. never tried.

 

I've driven a stock 5spd Max as well as the CL-S.
They're both hella fast (and stable!) going straight, but
I've never pushed either one hard around corners or on
some twisties. I guess as long as the road is well-paved
then it probably doesn't matter, but if the pavement gets
rough then the CL-S/TL-S wins out.

Personally, I'm set on getting the HLSD-6speed Max when
it comes out, but if a 6speed CL-S had been available now
it would have been hard for me decide which one I'd get!
Thanks guys for all the feedback!