Originally Posted by Brit_in_NJ' post='995263' date='Sep 1 2009, 06:31 PM

You said people were missing the point "because they start comparing actual models v. models." and you go on to mention "exact same suspension setup-stock sport suspension" I have an enginerring background so when I hear "exact" I assume exact.

Since everyone else was speculating I took your "exact same suspension" and put forward my theory but yes they are not the same because of the different setups. Edmunds has tested both the 535 and the 550 and came up with two numbers that indicate handling.

For the 550
Slalom (mph): 64.9
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0 .87

For the 535
Slalom (mph) 65.3
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.89

If these numbers are accurate then the difference in suspension rates I think has made up for the few hundred pounds in weight although yes the 535 is the better handling car.

End of discussion

Originally Posted by DTD' post='995331' date='Sep 1 2009, 08:08 PM

Yeah the 535 is the winner, unless "the Stig" shows up and puts on his favorite flavor of rubber and hammers down. Then the numbers are arguably marginal. With a polished driver the 550 could still even up! But if the I6 is lighter, balanced, and can put out the same hp, then well yes it is ripe for the pickens. Could it have better MPG too? The above posts do show some pretty good reasons to like the I6!

Originally Posted by JeffNNJ' post='994781' date='Sep 1 2009, 09:02 AM

The thing I don't understand here is why. I could understand if there were millions of dollars at stake and these cars were Formula 1. Otherwise, in the real world, both are superbly well handling cars. When you consider their size, weight and capacity, they are astonishingly well handling. The only exception to all of this is PolePosition's 550 which probably handles a lot worse because the 50/50 weight distribution is disrupted by his gallons of carbon fiber

Originally Posted by DTD' post='995331' date='Sep 1 2009, 05:08 PM

Yeah the 535 is the winner, unless "the Stig" shows up and puts on his favorite flavor of rubber and hammers down. Then the numbers are arguably marginal. With a polished driver the 550 could still even up! But if the I6 is lighter, balanced, and can put out the same hp, then well yes it is ripe for the pickens. Could it have better MPG too? The above posts do show some pretty good reasons to like the I6!

Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='995351' date='Sep 1 2009, 05:52 PM

Yes about two months ago (the day of the Ross Docks meet) in the Bear Mountain Twisties that are to the left of the Gate Hill Road exit of the Palisades Parkway (heading toward RT-9W), I was on the tail of a Porsche Boxster thagt really was trying to lose me but couldn't. Now I do suppose that I was comfortable pushing my car closer to the edge of the performance envelope than the Boxster driver was but he was trying to lose me and my 4000 pound 550 in the twisties and could not do so. It does astonish me that the 550i Sport has such tenacious grip and lack of roll (thanks to the sports suspension and ARS) in the twisties for a heavy car.

And there's no doubt that Kerry's 550 is just being weighed down by all of that heavy, ugly carbon fiber.

Originally Posted by swajames' post='995372' date='Sep 1 2009, 09:16 PM

The latest Boxsters are able to pull close to 1G in the corners, are very quick and are incredibly nimble, particularly with PDK. Generally speaking, the Boxster really shouldn't have had any trouble pulling away in the twisties as it's their natural hunting ground. The older Boxsters are nimble cars too, but a little short on power. Maybe you were playing with one of those?

Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='995382' date='Sep 1 2009, 06:29 PM

I agree completely. This month one of the major car mags just rated the Boxter's sibling the Cayman as the best driver's car in the world at any price.

How fast you go in the twisties is one part car and one part driver. I deduced that the Boxter's driver was not comfortable going above 9/10s. In the twisties, I am fine at 10/10s because I just know exactly where the car's handling limits are and am fine with pushing my car right up to their edge.

But of course with drivers of equal or closely equal ability, the Boxster should be able to demolish the 550 in the twisties.

Originally Posted by beallio' post='994755' date='Sep 1 2009, 07:49 AM

A Civic beats the 535, 550, and M5. Hands down.

Originally Posted by swajames' post='995383' date='Sep 1 2009, 09:32 PM

Just shows you, the very best mod you can do is put an attorney with some tough deadlines to meet in the driver's seat!