Which handles better, a Q45, Q45A, Q45T, J30, J30T, or Q45 or J30T with HICAS?

[Victor]

Was wondering if anyone who has driven two or more of these vehicles has any opinion on which is the best handling of the vehicles being compared, and second question, which has the most comfortable ride? For the Qs which generation are you talking about?I have only driven two of the choices, a 2000 Q45T with 67,700 miles on it, and a 1994 J30T with HICAS four wheel steering and 194,400 miles on it. From my very limited sample I would say the J30T handles better, even with worn out shocks, but the Q45T has a more comfortable ride. Any other opinions?
Modified by Victor at 10:58 AM 7/23/2009

[Q45tech]

The vehicle with the Michelin Pilot PS2 Tires in an uprated load index.Ultra performance tires can often overcome a 400 pound weigh difference compared to the low cost generic tires most buy.

Define handling into measured G force for a specific radius turn and speed.Don;t confuse ride, body roll, and steering with measured G handling.

The Q45 has a better camber gain curve compared to J30 or 1997-01 Q41, but the tires must match the curve to be successful.

The Active system stops being active when G roads exceed ~0.55G The t cars only work in transistion other than the rear sway bar so steady state skip pad may not be as good as slalom in a brand new in spec set up.

All in all a basic 1990 Q [lowest weight Q] with Eibach, 28/20 mm sway bars, and corrected camber with the best tires on the lightest wheels will out handle the rest.

[maxnix]

PS2 in 255/40-18 are XL load rated.

Ray's and BBS make suitable forged light weight yet strong wheels in approrpriate offsets.

[Infinitiguy19]

Ray's and BBS make suitable forged light weight yet strong wheels in approrpriate offsets.

OEM 1991-1993 Q45t wheels are forged but I am unsure of the weight.

Was wondering if anyone who has driven two or more of these vehicles has any opinion on which is the best handling of the vehicles being compared, and second question, which has the most comfortable ride? For the Qs which generation are you talking about?I have only driven two of the choices, a 2000 Q45T with 67,700 miles on it, and a 1994 J30T with HICAS four wheel steering and 194,400 miles on it. From my very limited sample I would say the J30T handles better, even with worn out shocks, but the Q45T has a more comfortable ride. Any other opinions?

OK you need to relaize:

G50 Q45: has four wheel steering (HICAS) and Active Suspension.

FGY33 Q45: has Electronically adjustable shocks but NO HICAS OR ACTIVE SUSPENSION!!!

J30: Has No Active Suspension but does have HICAS.

HICAS was an option and not avalible on every J30 or Q45.

Active Suspension was an Option and not avalible on every J30 or Q45.

[BadQ45t]

If we could measure them all as brand new factory fresh it would be interesting. I kno wthe FY33 is not a great handling car out of the factory, but lowered with kYB SR Specials, YR tires and bigger rims and it handles VERY well.

I think the J's would have a bit of an advantage just in sheer lack of mass, the older Q's would be hampered by older R rated tires.

We'd need to look at the skidpad ratings for all new to compare properly.

[Kiven422]

All in all a basic 1990 Q [lowest weight Q] with Eibach, 28/20 mm sway bars, and corrected camber with the best tires on the lightest wheels will out handle the rest.

I strongly disagree. Once driven as if you are "a mob-boss on the wildest goose-chase Hollywood cannot image," undoubtfully... the best handling vehicle is a bone-stock 1994 Q45-T (w/HICAS & 15" BBS/Firestone unidirectional tires).

At twice+ the speed of traffic, harsh road surfaces, curves, and maneuvers to avoid traffic all at once is too much for any vehicle, even Corvette. In the Q45-T you still get the chance to signal.

In this car you will realize you were only close to the limit. If only for a slightly higher top-speed this would be the recommended vehicle for the Gumball Rally.

I cannot exaggerate it enough... Street & Freeway handling, this car is one-of-a-kind. A 300ZX TT's handling sucks.

[BadQ45t]

The only objective way to really compare is to see the original skid pad ratings...The 92' standard I drove only had HR rated tires and it wasn't up to most corners without growling. I don't think the 94' Firestones were much better.Come on someone find those ratings somewhere?

[qship96]

All the 90's Infinitis had mediocre skidpad numbers compared to new modern cars in their class. I dont think a single 90s M,Q,J model ever broke .80 on the skidpad!

[Victor]

I am more interested in subjective feelings. In which car do you feel most comfortable in doing high speed manuevers? I know with my J30T with HICAS I can make turns at high speeds where others will have hit the curb. The corner of my street is notorious for wiping cars out that try to take the turn at high speeds but don't make it, as evidenced by all the black marks on the curb and cars that have to be towed from the spot. I don't even have to slow down with my J30T. Maybe its just subjective, but I feel much safer and in control bobbing and weaving through traffic in my J30T. The one place I don't feel as safe with HICAS is when the car starts hydroplaning. It doesn't rain very much in California, so when it finally does the roads get covered with a mixture of water and road film oil. and it scared the crap out of me the first time that happened on a sweeping curve.

[Q45tech]

Tires have improved since 1989 and even the non Ultra Michelins can meet or exceed the orginal V RATED XGTV........the Pilot EXALTO in 215/65/15 in H rating specifically.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...id=60

[Victor]

Are the Bridgestone Potenza RE960s even better than the RE950s they tested? I notice the Bridgestones have the best slalom times. That's what I put on my J30T, and they were comparatively cheap at $81 each plus mounting and balancing and sales tax.

[Q45tech]

To really utilize modern tires you MUST mount tires which have a higher load index than oem sizes.Something in the 98-100 ranges as this reduces slip angles for a given weight transfer range.

You can cheat the laws of Physics a little with a stronger [load index] but harder tire compound [longer wearing].

Every tire model and size is different.