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I am sure JimG will post something concerning this or write it in his novel or both and I am sure my write up will be much more concise and much LESS technical than his
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Today, I met JimG so I could drive his modified 2004 SSR (M'04) and he could drive my stock 2005 SSR (S'05) and we could compare any differences we experienced with the handling and performance (among other things) of the two vehicles.
Aside from the obvious differences between the two model years JimG has a modified rear differential and a modified dual exhaust. JimG's SSR was manufactured in 05/04 and mine 03/05 and obviously he has a few more miles on his compared to my 2200 miles.
First difference I noticed was how much easier his was to shift into gear from park.
His exhaust is much deeper and louder since it is a true dual exhaust and the mufflers are stainless steel packed.
I drove the M'04 at varying speeds from a stand still up to 100 mph (short distance) We went on straight aways and hilly switchbacks as well as normal rural highways.
The M'04 has a high pitched noise eminating from underneath that dissapears when coasting. I found out it is the rear end and Jim G can elaborate but it does dissapate as things warm up.
The handling was similar to the S'05 although I though there was a slightly firmer ride in the M'04 as I felt the road blemishes a bit more and things seem tighter in fast curves.
To me the accelaration seemed a bit slower from the lower speeds in the M'04 but that could be the horsepower difference.
RPM's were definetly higher in the M'04 at 65 mph and it took a little longer before the M'04 would shift into passing gear from the higher speeds. It also took a little longer downshifting at the lower speed range of 30mph-50mph which gave the illusion of being a bit underpowered.
I'll let JimG comment on his experience in the S'05 but he and I both agreed that we would like to drive a S'04 and compare it to his M'04 and my S'05. Then the 2006's will be out soon and we can start all over.
To be honest, it really is just an excuse to go drive each other's SSR's
Thanks again JimG for letting me contribute to your epic adventure in writing, I hope we accomplished something and if not, oh well, we got to drive our SSR's and had fun doing it. :thumbs
.
Today, I met JimG so I could drive his modified 2004 SSR (M'04) and he could drive my stock 2005 SSR (S'05) and we could compare any differences we experienced with the handling and performance (among other things) of the two vehicles.
Aside from the obvious differences between the two model years JimG has a modified rear differential and a modified dual exhaust. JimG's SSR was manufactured in 05/04 and mine 03/05 and obviously he has a few more miles on his compared to my 2200 miles.
First difference I noticed was how much easier his was to shift into gear from park.
His exhaust is much deeper and louder since it is a true dual exhaust and the mufflers are stainless steel packed.
I drove the M'04 at varying speeds from a stand still up to 100 mph (short distance) We went on straight aways and hilly switchbacks as well as normal rural highways.
The M'04 has a high pitched noise eminating from underneath that dissapears when coasting. I found out it is the rear end and Jim G can elaborate but it does dissapate as things warm up.
The handling was similar to the S'05 although I though there was a slightly firmer ride in the M'04 as I felt the road blemishes a bit more and things seem tighter in fast curves.
To me the accelaration seemed a bit slower from the lower speeds in the M'04 but that could be the horsepower difference.
RPM's were definetly higher in the M'04 at 65 mph and it took a little longer before the M'04 would shift into passing gear from the higher speeds. It also took a little longer downshifting at the lower speed range of 30mph-50mph which gave the illusion of being a bit underpowered.
I'll let JimG comment on his experience in the S'05 but he and I both agreed that we would like to drive a S'04 and compare it to his M'04 and my S'05. Then the 2006's will be out soon and we can start all over.
To be honest, it really is just an excuse to go drive each other's SSR's
Thanks again JimG for letting me contribute to your epic adventure in writing, I hope we accomplished something and if not, oh well, we got to drive our SSR's and had fun doing it. :thumbs