I have driven both stock. My 03 vs 05 loaners. The 05 has a better interior, better shifting auto and seems to have much better grunt. Those are my subjective observations. The 05 seemed to have better feeling steering (less power steering aid) and better handling(both non-sport but the 05 came with 18s stock)

Now I've opened the hood on the 05. The engines look identical. I wonder if all/most of the hp diff (if any) are just ecu tweaks? I'll have to look at the gearing again but the final drives were the same? Maybe it's just the improved shifting that accounts for the more perceived grunt? It seems to get up alot quicker once in gear also.

The 05 engine still only has intake side VTCs so what is the deal?

 

When I get out of an 05 loaner, truly the only thing I'm envious of is the padded leather armrest! I have actually gone to upholstery shops to see if they can retrofit mine to be like the 05. But honestly - that’s about it... I really prefer the 04. And no, I'm not saying it because I have an 04 - it would have been too easy to trade to an 05 if there was a value in doing that.

Oh yeah, and the rubber seal under the lip of the hood... I prefer that to mine 1/3 way back. I'm looking into seeing if I can retro that too.

The 07 on the other hand... I just might need to sell and buy when that comes out... we shall see.

 

Best 1/4 mile so far is 12.9 @ 111 on street tires. So cams are in the works and I should see 115+.

 

I'm confused... If the cars (coupe versus coupe) is the same weigh and the 06 has 20 HP more then...Logically it's a tad faster unless the driver sucks...Isn't the more HP going to give you the extra edge over the other guy? Given that it's the same weigh to HP ratio?

 

If you are racing a 05/06 automatic vs manual then yes, although the automatic is lighter by a few lbs. I'm referring to a 03/04 manual vs a 05/06 manual sedan.

The 03/04 sedan weighs less than the 03/04 coupe. The 05/06 sedan weighs less than the 05/06 coupe. The 03/04 sedan weighs less than the 05/06 sedan just as the 03/04 coupes weigh less than the 05/06 coupes. You follow me.

 

Got it...I didn't mean to be rude but i was reading the other threads how Sedans are always saying the tearing up coupes....I guess it's the later models they were tearing up...They are always saying their car is lighter...hmm...by 100 pounds or more..That's like what 1 person in the car? Or maybe 2 or 3 people? I just find it funny that they can say it's lighter...When most of the time someone is racing a their car and they have a friend in the car that is over a 100 pounds holding the camera....At least on streetfire.com that is...Well, whatever...Thanks for the comment

 

Didn't see any rudeness in your post.

 

If I'm going to full on race someone I'm certain I'll be the only one in the car... I'm not going to jeopardize someone else’s wellbeing at the expense of me proving my AT sedan WILL beat a coupe.

For the "safety only" race conscious out there... you/we would never have a passenger in the car at the track if you really give a **** about winning.

K... N/A coupes... lets race.