4BangR-x
15+ Year Contributor
- 2,764
- 7
- Sep 12, 2005
-
Sandwich,
Illinois
Date: August 6
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Joliet, IL
Track: Autobahn
I would like to start off by saying this was a very cool event. At no charge to attendees, you get to test drive a few vehicles on a track with professional drivers sitting shotgun. They provided helpful and useful tips, as well as keeping the driver in check and on the road.
Cars Tested:
Lexus RX350 AWD
Engine Type: 3.5-Liter V6
Horsepower: 270 @ 6,200 RPM [2]
Torque (lb-ft): 251 @ 4,700 RPM [2]
I felt this cars performance was average for a luxury SUV. The auto tranny was pretty slow to respond, and the engine wasnt very enthralling. This car showed its weight. However with all the passengers the car was at nearly 5000 pounds, and handled well with that being said. The brakes were very impressive. The creature comforts are what you should expect for a $45,000 dollar car. Fit and finish was very nice, as well as overall comfort.
Cadillac SRX
Engine Type: 3.6 V6
Horsepower: 255@6500
Torque: 254@2800
Well, its a Cadillac. The only exciting thing here is the glorious engine sound at 4500 rpm and up. It did sound amazing. I felt it handled ok for how big it is. It was very comfortable in the front, but the rear was disgusting. The seats felt like a wood bench. I felt it was quicker around the track then the Lexus. But that was probably due to the awesome, awesome sounds that came from the engine. Its brakes were sub par.
Cadillac CTS
This car was easily the worst of the day. It was uncomfortable, had terrible understeer, and was very, very slow. I am 6'3", but i expect to fit in a Cadillac. With the seat all the way back, my knees were smashed into the dashboard, and my hands would hit my leg upon turning the wheel. I swear this car has comparible leg room to an Eclipse in the back seat. Its performance was exhausting. I had to try to get this car to move. It plowed most corners, and its trans could not keep up with my demands.
BMW 530 Xi (I thought it was badged as 535 X?)
Great car. Handling was very impressive. Oversteer upon request, even with AWD. The brakes inspired confidence, and the trans was quick. Overall the best performing, and most comfortable car of the day. Its easy to see how BMW is The Drivers Car.
Now I know there was a few of you dsmers out there. When the ride-along asked me what my DD was, he commented on how many people said they drive turbo eclipses the day before.
He said he had 3 in the same car at once.
Also, anyone who was out there, can you verify the cars driven? It seems to me there were different trim packages then what seems to be available on the cars websites. Like for some reason I was almost positive every car was AWD.
Looking back on the event, it was a great way to spend a Sunday. For only a couple minutes of our time to take notes and give feedback on the cars, we got to flog them pretty good around the track.
www.rideanddrive.net
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Joliet, IL
Track: Autobahn
I would like to start off by saying this was a very cool event. At no charge to attendees, you get to test drive a few vehicles on a track with professional drivers sitting shotgun. They provided helpful and useful tips, as well as keeping the driver in check and on the road.
Cars Tested:
Lexus RX350 AWD
Engine Type: 3.5-Liter V6
Horsepower: 270 @ 6,200 RPM [2]
Torque (lb-ft): 251 @ 4,700 RPM [2]
I felt this cars performance was average for a luxury SUV. The auto tranny was pretty slow to respond, and the engine wasnt very enthralling. This car showed its weight. However with all the passengers the car was at nearly 5000 pounds, and handled well with that being said. The brakes were very impressive. The creature comforts are what you should expect for a $45,000 dollar car. Fit and finish was very nice, as well as overall comfort.
Cadillac SRX
Engine Type: 3.6 V6
Horsepower: 255@6500
Torque: 254@2800
Well, its a Cadillac. The only exciting thing here is the glorious engine sound at 4500 rpm and up. It did sound amazing. I felt it handled ok for how big it is. It was very comfortable in the front, but the rear was disgusting. The seats felt like a wood bench. I felt it was quicker around the track then the Lexus. But that was probably due to the awesome, awesome sounds that came from the engine. Its brakes were sub par.
Cadillac CTS
This car was easily the worst of the day. It was uncomfortable, had terrible understeer, and was very, very slow. I am 6'3", but i expect to fit in a Cadillac. With the seat all the way back, my knees were smashed into the dashboard, and my hands would hit my leg upon turning the wheel. I swear this car has comparible leg room to an Eclipse in the back seat. Its performance was exhausting. I had to try to get this car to move. It plowed most corners, and its trans could not keep up with my demands.
BMW 530 Xi (I thought it was badged as 535 X?)
Great car. Handling was very impressive. Oversteer upon request, even with AWD. The brakes inspired confidence, and the trans was quick. Overall the best performing, and most comfortable car of the day. Its easy to see how BMW is The Drivers Car.
Now I know there was a few of you dsmers out there. When the ride-along asked me what my DD was, he commented on how many people said they drive turbo eclipses the day before.
He said he had 3 in the same car at once.Also, anyone who was out there, can you verify the cars driven? It seems to me there were different trim packages then what seems to be available on the cars websites. Like for some reason I was almost positive every car was AWD.
Looking back on the event, it was a great way to spend a Sunday. For only a couple minutes of our time to take notes and give feedback on the cars, we got to flog them pretty good around the track.
www.rideanddrive.net
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