So yesterday I got to test drive the as yet Unreleased Lexus IS350. The car has a beast of a V-6 rated at 306 Hp. The car moved quickly, but its handling definetly left something to be desired. I took the car around a short Autocross style track at Belmont Park, NY. Let me tell you, it didnt like some of the rather bumpy corners on the course.

Was also lucky enough to drive the comparison car, the 2006 BMW 330i. As far as Im concerned, to hell with the extra 50hp you get from the Lexus, give me the BMW anyday. That car stuck to the corners like glue, and felt much more settled at high speeds.

All I can say is, I heart RWD 50/50 weight balance with 255hp!

 

http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=77

 

Since selling my Max on Friday, I have been drving my mom's 1999 Audi A6 2.8 Quattro. While it doesn't have the best acceleration, it handles SO much better than my Max ever did (lowered on Teins/GR2's).. I couldn't believe it. This is just a random sidenote, but I thought I'd share this bit of info. If all Audi's handle this well, then picking up a new/newish A4 might be a decent choice in that price range.

 

Makes me wonder if I should even install my headers/catback and just get a BMW instead... lol

 

handling is more than just springs and struts....

 

Indeed it is.

 

....the reason BMWs handle so well is their stiff frames. Drive a maxima with SFC's and it is surprisingly similar in feel to a 5-series Bimmer....

 

Hows the ground clearance with the SFC's ?

Plus Most bimmers have a better weight balance.

 

I didn't want the Warpspeed SFC's so I'm designing some of my own to have made (when funds are available). The maxes I've seen with them do not seem to have lost much clearance at all. The SFC's are not as low as the lower tie bar I have, that's for sure...

 

...and the RWD.

 

I was actually at the Taste of Lexus in Belmont also yesterday. When I drove the IS350, the handling around the curves of the track was incomparable to the 330i. The BMW's handling was great despite the lacking in interior design. I found myself using the breaks less in the BMW than the Lexus. My friends actually lost control of the GS430 when driving thru the wet area of the test.

 

That wet section was fun. As far as fit and finish in the interior went, the GS was lovely. I just wish we had more track to play with the vehicles...

Did you see the rigged comparison tests? I was majorly unimpressed by them.

 

Ground clearance with SFCs:

 

are the subframe connectors an easy install? they appear to be...of course, NOTHING under the car is easy when its lowered, but if i get it on ramps or whatever, are they a fairly bolt on procedure? i never got around to installing my LTB, i sold it, that seemd fairly involved, but if these really stiffen the frame that much, i may look into them.