The Spec V Sentra struck me as being only average in acceleration (7.4 0-60mph with 2 shifts)and actually one of the slowest in 0-30 time. I wonder if this is attributable to the 17 inch wheels which seem pretty large for such an average powered car. The Focus slows considerably with 17 inchers due to rotational intertia so I suspect it is the same for the Sentra.

The SVT Focus may actually accelerate quicker 0-60 but it won't have the torque of the 2.5 Sentra, so in acceleration out of a curve, especially with an LSD, the Sentra should be much faster. Remember that the torquey all-wheel drive Impreza 2.5RS (7.8 0-60)has dominated STS yet the Sentra annihilated its road course time. It beat every other car in the test by 2 seconds or more!

The Altima has achieved better than .8 lat. g's with only average tires, so I would not be too quick to label it a boat. By comparison the Sube did .79 lat g's and it has certainly been a winner.

Fastest Contour at SZ 2002 Auto-X. 10th in PAX out of 125. CEO of FOGEY(Fast Old Guys Emasculating Young-uns), Inc. Terry Haines, Chairman, Senior V.P.s: (alphabetical)JavaContour, Jet Mech, MFE, SeicoRacing, SVTSTS, Vern Kilburn. If your not a member, yet, wait a few years. I'm not just the CEO, but I'm a member, too. Working with the rank and file to get the job done right!

Historical:
63 TVR (1K in 74), 75 TR-7 (paid cash new), 79 RX-7 (zoom,zoom), 81 RX-7GSL (autobahn-driven),82 Mustang GT (autobahn-driven), 85 Mustang GT (SE Division F Stock Solo II Champ), 86 MR-2 (3rd SE Division D Stock), 88 Civic DX (had 1st born and still owned MR2) 92 Sentra SE-R (all go and no show), 98 EO SVT Contour (FTD SZ 2002). 02 Altima 3.5SE 5 spd!!!