Car Talk 6: Best of times and Worst of Times

[Desertbreh]

This was a great article in the latest C&D. Zero-150mph-Zero. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a4 ... test-2023/

Kind of like the trap speed in the 1/4 mile tells you how much SRS motor you have, this test separates the wheat from the chaff in terms of baller power and baller brakes.

Most interesting takeaways were:

1. The Golf R CRUSHING the CTR by 12 seconds which really alters my thought process about these alleged competitors. Really two different leagues.
2. The incredible brakes on the Dark Horse
3. What a force the (big time) Porsche Turbos are.

Plaid was out because of a nail in a tire but looks like it would have been the victor via acceleration. Still want almost every other car in the test more however, which is

Thanks for posting this... I am going to come in and apologize for the R. how fast it is to 60? You can't launch a FWD car for shit... it seems like there is some sort of limiter for it around 150mph as well because there is no way in hell it is 12 second slower than the golf.

However the elantra N being that close to the HYPE R is not surprising at all... a lot of reviews compare the two... kind of crazy to see the price spread of 15-20k between them once you factor in mark ups.

The Elantra N is balling on a budget no doubt. You don't care that you are driving a Korean car. You don't care about the questionable exterior design/dumb stripe on the bottom. You are having the most fun and utility possible in the low to mid 30's with a warranty that will last until you have depreciated it to the level of a wash bucket.

[Desertbreh]

Also, I didn't see any limiter discussion or any other reason the CTR was 12 seconds behind the Golf R other than a lack of power.

[D Griff]

Yeah this is a very interesting (and also very pointless) test. Even if you drag race or track day bro these numbers are largely useless. It's kind of wild when a Hype R and ElaNtra can beat a Golf R around a track. The Hype Rs piss poor braking performance is kind of embarrassing. It's nice to see VW offering some decent brakes, my GTI's were shit, worst of any car I've owned besides my Taurus I think.

EV6 is kind of a hero in the braking department considering it isn't a 'real' performance vehicle.

Dark Horse braking is indeed kind of wild for how much of a fatass it is, but it's also a $70K Mustang, so I'm glad they strapped on some dece waxables.

[D Griff]

Thanks for posting this... I am going to come in and apologize for the R. how fast it is to 60? You can't launch a FWD car for shit... it seems like there is some sort of limiter for it around 150mph as well because there is no way in hell it is 12 second slower than the golf.

However the elantra N being that close to the HYPE R is not surprising at all... a lot of reviews compare the two... kind of crazy to see the price spread of 15-20k between them once you factor in mark ups.

The Elantra N is balling on a budget no doubt. You don't care that you are driving a Korean car. You don't care about the questionable exterior design/dumb stripe on the bottom. You are having the most fun and utility possible in the low to mid 30's with a warranty that will last until you have depreciated it to the level of a wash bucket.

Yep, I wish I could find some wants for the Elantra N but I just cannot. Too ugly.

[Gberg2119]

The Elantra N is balling on a budget no doubt. You don't care that you are driving a Korean car. You don't care about the questionable exterior design/dumb stripe on the bottom. You are having the most fun and utility possible in the low to mid 30's with a warranty that will last until you have depreciated it to the level of a wash bucket.

Yep, I wish I could find some wants for the Elantra N but I just cannot. Too ugly.

While I don’t really have any issues with the current N, the 2024 refresh looks really good.

[max225]

Yeah this is a very interesting (and also very pointless) test. Even if you drag race or track day bro these numbers are largely useless. It's kind of wild when a Hype R and ElaNtra can beat a Golf R around a track. The Hype Rs piss poor braking performance is kind of embarrassing. It's nice to see VW offering some decent brakes, my GTI's were shit, worst of any car I've owned besides my Taurus I think.

EV6 is kind of a hero in the braking department considering it isn't a 'real' performance vehicle.

Dark Horse braking is indeed kind of wild for how much of a fatass it is, but it's also a $70K Mustang, so I'm glad they strapped on some dece waxables.

How is the Hype R piss poor braking? It tested pretty decent and stops better than a supra

[Desertbreh]

The Elantra N is balling on a budget no doubt. You don't care that you are driving a Korean car. You don't care about the questionable exterior design/dumb stripe on the bottom. You are having the most fun and utility possible in the low to mid 30's with a warranty that will last until you have depreciated it to the level of a wash bucket.

Yep, I wish I could find some wants for the Elantra N but I just cannot. Too ugly.

Man it is.

[Johnny_P]

There’s also nowhere I can go 150 remotely safely. So who cares overall.

It's purely about big dick.

Well in your case its also outrunning the drug cartel

[Johnny_P]

Also, I didn't see any limiter discussion or any other reason the CTR was 12 seconds behind the Golf R other than a lack of power.

I wonder how the CTR would do if the wing was removed. Its bolt on. That would have been an interesting test.

[CaleDeRoo]

Also, I didn't see any limiter discussion or any other reason the CTR was 12 seconds behind the Golf R other than a lack of power.

I wonder how the CTR would do if the wing was removed. Its bolt on. That would have been an interesting test.

CTR vs ITS lets make it happen

[Gberg2119]

I think savage geese sums up the Elantra N perfectly. It’s the Kirkland brand Type R.

I think the refresh looks great

[max225]

I think savage geese sums up the Elantra N perfectly. It’s the Kirkland brand Type R.

I think the refresh looks great

Oh shit it now comes with GTI pizza cutter wheels.

[D Griff]

Yeah this is a very interesting (and also very pointless) test. Even if you drag race or track day bro these numbers are largely useless. It's kind of wild when a Hype R and ElaNtra can beat a Golf R around a track. The Hype Rs piss poor braking performance is kind of embarrassing. It's nice to see VW offering some decent brakes, my GTI's were shit, worst of any car I've owned besides my Taurus I think.

EV6 is kind of a hero in the braking department considering it isn't a 'real' performance vehicle.

Dark Horse braking is indeed kind of wild for how much of a fatass it is, but it's also a $70K Mustang, so I'm glad they strapped on some dece waxables.

How is the Hype R piss poor braking? It tested pretty decent and stops better than a supra

Oh I’m dumb and looked at the graph wrong.

[Johnny_P]

What’s with all the unpainted Nissan Altima inspired bumpers?

This. The WRX. Toyota BusyForks, etc.

[D Griff]

I think savage geese sums up the Elantra N perfectly. It’s the Kirkland brand Type R.

I think the refresh looks great

Definitely a big improvement! I don’t think I’d seen this yet.

[D Griff]

This still doesn’t make me want a Hype R any less. Obviously AWD+DSG nets a much faster launch in the R but I wouldn’t want DSG either way. It’s a little odd that the Civic kinda dies in the top end but also doesn’t really matter. Even most tracks I have access to will top out around 120-130, VIR and CMP a bit higher.

[Johnny_P]

I wonder how the CTR would do if the wing was removed. Its bolt on. That would have been an interesting test.

CTR vs ITS lets make it happen

I vaguely remember reading on a forum that people are taking the chassis control module from the ITS and bolting it to the CTR to make the dampers more reasonable on the street. I have no interest in a CTR.

Latest crush is an Audi A6.

I can’t afford any of that tho. Daddy’s new house needs a new HVAC system. Goodbye $15 grand.

[Johnny_P]

This still doesn’t make me want a Hype R any less. Obviously AWD+DSG nets a much faster launch in the R but I wouldn’t want DSG either way. It’s a little odd that the Civic kinda dies in the top end but also doesn’t really matter. Even most tracks I have access to will top out around 120-130, VIR and CMP a bit higher.

I agree the top end thing seems odd when every review says it is a revvy motor.

[CaleDeRoo]

CTR vs ITS lets make it happen

I vaguely remember reading on a forum that people are taking the chassis control module from the ITS and bolting it to the CTR to make the dampers more reasonable on the street. I have no interest in a CTR.

Latest crush is an Audi A6.

I can’t afford any of that tho. Daddy’s new house needs a new HVAC system. Goodbye $15 grand.

My buddy's dealer just took in a one owner old lady owned 2002 S6 wagon. Unfortunately it's kinda rusty.

[Johnny_P]

I vaguely remember reading on a forum that people are taking the chassis control module from the ITS and bolting it to the CTR to make the dampers more reasonable on the street. I have no interest in a CTR.

Latest crush is an Audi A6.

I can’t afford any of that tho. Daddy’s new house needs a new HVAC system. Goodbye $15 grand.

My buddy's dealer just took in a one owner old lady owned 2002 S6 wagon. Unfortunately it's kinda rusty.

A wagon version of the BEATR would be awesome as a daddy mobile. We will probably need to buy a car when the next baby comes. I don't think one car will cut it with two munchkins.

[CaleDeRoo]

My buddy's dealer just took in a one owner old lady owned 2002 S6 wagon. Unfortunately it's kinda rusty.

A wagon version of the BEATR would be awesome as a daddy mobile. We will probably need to buy a car when the next baby comes. I don't think one car will cut it with two munchkins.

It was tempting for a few of us because it only has 55k mi and is the belt version of the V8.

[D Griff]

A wagon version of the BEATR would be awesome as a daddy mobile. We will probably need to buy a car when the next baby comes. I don't think one car will cut it with two munchkins.

It was tempting for a few of us because it only has 55k mi and is the belt version of the V8.

That is pretty cool. Thing is though, an auto tranny from 2002 is just... terrible.

[D Griff]

I'm taking advantage of my free oil change/tire rotation at the Toyota rape palace this AM. They have a used GR Corolla in the showroom I checked out. I must say, what a shitbox! I'm sure it's fun to drive but I'd have a tough time dropping $40K on this thing. It makes the 86 feel like a fuckin' Maybach inside.

[D Griff]

And that red in person is also bad. It's like AARPurple crawled into a hole and died.

[CaleDeRoo]

It was tempting for a few of us because it only has 55k mi and is the belt version of the V8.

That is pretty cool. Thing is though, an auto tranny from 2002 is just... terrible.

It's not a sports car really though just like my S4. The 5spd auto isn't bad and the manual allroad assembly bolts right up IIRC. I'd like to see how "rusty" it actually is.