Originally posted by Dan Nixon:
That 3200 is with you in the car right?
SVT is published at between 3020 and 3120 in the mags depending on sunroof and how much gas is in the tank (more useful than dealer listed because each manufacturer does dealer weights differently). Mine was 3050 on the scales with about 1/4 tank, sunroof, spare/jack, and a baby seat..
IIRC mags place Altima at about 3250-3300 with the 3.5. Do you have an actual weight?
I would "guess" alti is about +200-250 lb.
Suprising the SE-R handles as well as you say with that weight & wheelbase...plenty-o-power though.
No, that was w/o me in the car, at a weighing station, had some junk in the trunk as well (probably around 50 or so lbs). I'd guess my SVT weighed in at around 3150 with a full tank of gas.
"Rated" weight of the SE-R is 3287 to be exact. Rather extensive use of aluminum for body panels and suspension parts keeps the weight down on the Alty platform considering the size of the car. (the alty and maxima share the same frame/chassis)
As I said, the SVT felt more planted, and had better steering feel. The SE-R feels a bit numb in the steering department comparatively, and overall feels a bit more disconnected as a whole. I'm still getting used to this car though. We all know every car is different in this respect. 
If I could characterize it in words I'd say the SVT felt a bit more like a RWD car than the SE-R does in the curves. Both are very agile performers for what they are.
The SE-R is quick because it's geared out pretty well (on top of the VQ series engine). The final drive is 4.133 and the individual gears on the 6-speed are very well matched to the powertrain. I bought this car late October so I've not gotten to the track yet, I hope to run it sometime early spring and get some numbers. I'd say this car if launched well on Nittos could post low 14's or even 14 flat at around 100MPH well driven. Only time will tell for sure...
Last edited by cjbaldw; 03/08/05 08:09 PM.
