Overall this is a nice car, but I wasnt really impressed by how overwhelmingly nice it was. I would definitely have to get used to it, as it just doesnt feel the same as the Q... I would love to have one but I dont think that I could have one WITHOUT the Q, at least I dont think so at this point!
The car I tested was in absolutely perfect exterior condition. Looks BRAND NEW, I was on my hands and knees looking for dents and scratches, and its not there.... Interior had some leather wear, nothing out of the ordinary, the drivers side has a little wear on the lumbar panel, nothing of a big deal, and the passenger side has a small stain on the seat (maybe grandma's depends didnt hold?).
Anyway, I wasnt blown away by this car. Its definitely a looser feeling car, steering is very loose compared to the Q. I wasnt impressed with the RSS, I wasnt able to really test handling, but its no worse or better (maybe slightly if anything) than the Q, with standard suspension!
SO the drive: From a stand still, its not very powerful. I mean it goes but it doesnt light up the tires, like our GTP, which i was kinda surprised. SOunds like it could use some plugs/wires, sounds like it stumbles a little.....
MAN OH MAN I cant say enough how sweet this sounds, and how smooth the northstar is. Very impressed by that, it doesnt feel like the engine is going 5500 RPM and its UBER SMOOTH all the way to the redline. The transmission is VERY respsonsive, and shift AS SOON as you ask it to.... Very pleased with that..
I wasnt really able to get a good comfortable position driving, but I kinda gave it up. Seats are very comfy, but maybe not supportive enough. I only took about a 5 min drive and I was on the edge of the seat most of the tiem
Ill have to go back and test it more. It seems like you sit too low in the car, and the seat was up all the way (vertically)Rear seat room was a litlte cozy, but the seats are comfortable. I liked the rear vents, enough to keep it cool back there, i wish my Q had this
Overall, the interior feels kinda weird, I dont know waht it is, but Its hard to get comfortably situated. I had problems with the controls, the temp and the volume are exactly the same size and I was fumbling around, and the gear shift kinda gets in the way of the controls.
Another thing I like is the onboard diagnostics. Basically we have a consult right through the dash, lets you view all kinds of parameters. If only the Q had this.....
There is quite a bit more road noise than in the Q, wind noise is similar
THe sound system is very clear, but lower bass notes are kinda distorted, it may be the speaker is blown or something, however Id rate it overall as the same or slightly better than the Q....
Now, for problems I noticed
THe passenger side blew only HOT HOT HOT air, i adjusted it to full cold and turned off the 2nd zone and still teh same. The AC is ICE COLD though, keeps the cabin cold and could easily freeze you. There isnt a vent, that I noticed, to keep "mr. happy" cool like there is on the Q, but didnt feel around...
It needs new brake pads, no big deal, brakes felt very weak, but the rotors felt perfect, not warped at all.
There was also a litlte clunk when I hit it one time, and when you turn off TCS it feels VERY weak. The temp gauge is right in the middle...
So here is my overall review.... (out of 5)
Ride (Highway cruise)ETC- 4.5Q45- 4.5
Suspension feelETC- 4Q45- 4
Steering feelETC-3 (it feels too loose, but is nice on teh highway, if it were a LOT tighter at lower speeds id be happy)Q45- 4
Acceleration (stand still, WOT at 50)ETC- 3.7Q45- 4, 4
overall powertrainETC- 4 (didnt like FWD, but theres no torquesteer at all, very happy with that, doesnt feel like FWD at all)Q45- 4 (has a more solid feeling transmission but just not as responsive)
Interior layoutETC- 3 (id have to get used to itQ45- 5
ComfortETC- 4 (not as supportive but oh so soft, not good for high speed cornering)Q45-4
Sound systemEqual
