Which Cars Are the Current Benchmarks?

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 03/06/2017 at 09:49 • Filed to: Questions

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I’m not going to lie, I’m confused if benchmarks have changed or not since everyone says there is something better. What vehicles are Automakers themselves going out to purchase and test alongside their own models? Bonus points if you throw in a model that isn’t a performance car.

I’ll write Tesla Model S right now since that one is way too obvious.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 09:51

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I would venture the Camaro ZL1 as a performance coupe/pony car benchmark.

Viggen > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 09:59

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Well it seems like everyone always tries to beat the various variants of the 911 (Carrera S, Turbo S, and GT3 mostly commonly), so yeah I’ll say the Porsche 911 family is a benchmark.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:07

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One could argue that the M3, which was the benchmark for so many decades, no longer is in that segment.

avalonian > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:08

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Yo wobbles! Have you considered applying for jalopnik? These kinds and questions would make great articles and you could make some serious dough.

WilliamsSW > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:12

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Well, the BMW 3 series still is the benchmark for the sports sedan, I’m sure. This is in spite of it not being as good as it used to be, in my opinion. The reality is that no competitor has clearly displaced it, from what I can see. Each competitor has its own gaps.

Maxima Speed > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:12

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I’ll show myself out.

WilliamsSW > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/06/2017 at 10:17

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It’s funny, I just made more or less the opposite point, but I agree with you to some extent. I think, though, that manufacturers feel the need to benchmark, so what has replaced the M3? Or are they using the E9X M3 as a benchmark (this may be true for Cadillac)? I feel like the 3 series and M3 may not be deserving of benchmark status anymore, but I can’t name their replacement, which is really sad.

Wobbles the Mind > Maxima Speed 03/06/2017 at 10:19

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This is exactly the sedan I’m wondering about. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen the Camry used as the bar for a comparison test. Accord pops up usually and every reviewer name drops the Mazda6 no matter what.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:22

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FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:23

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The new 5 Series better be good because the E-Class is quite brilliant.

Wobbles the Mind > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/06/2017 at 10:24

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I’ve been arguing that these 500 hp sedans are a new class all together. Comparing the M3 to the QV or AMG S is like setting a 340i against an M3. I still think BMW has the benchmark they just don’t have a product yet since they weren’t expecting the ATS V, Alfa, and C63S to just bump up a class rather than compete directly.

Wobbles the Mind > avalonian 03/06/2017 at 10:27

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Nah, I just enjoy helping to keep Oppo engaged and active.

PS9 > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:27

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YOU ARE NOT GENGAR, CHANGE THAT AVATAR IMMEDIATELY YOU IMPOSTER

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/06/2017 at 10:28

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I argue the current Camaro in general fits that, the only thing it lacks is a good greenhouse lol

PS9 > Maxima Speed 03/06/2017 at 10:28

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The benchmark in things that are not bold despite their claims. See also; Nissan Maxima.

Wobbles the Mind > PS9 03/06/2017 at 10:31

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Is there a Gengar?! I’ll switch.

PS9 > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:41

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nFamousCJ is the only true king of the gengars. You will be hanged by your ears at Hyundai headquarters for your mockery of the throne!

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 10:54

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Still the Integra. Nope, not biased.

IAN_Z > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 03/06/2017 at 11:01

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Mmmmmmm

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > IAN_Z 03/06/2017 at 11:08

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Probably one of the best interiors I’ve seen in a while. Though the base spec is very dissappointing.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 11:23

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It’s not outright performance, though. The M3 used to be the benchmark because it was an incredible performer, but it also got the rest so right. The ride wasn’t too rough (compared to the fast Audis for example), and it had the best steering feel, sound, and other intangibles. And above all, it was balanced. The latest M3/4 is much more of a handful to drive at the limit, by all accounts, and with EPS it’s lost some of the magic sauce the old cars had.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > WilliamsSW 03/06/2017 at 11:26

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See my response to Wobbles. It seems like in the past the M3 was the car that got pretty much everything right. Now, the Cadillac has the best handling, the M3 is the best all-rounder (maybe), the Mercedes has the best sound, and the Alfa has the best feel and road manners. I don’t think there’s a real stand-out anymore.

WilliamsSW > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/06/2017 at 11:59

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Yeah, I think that’s exactly right. When I think of the 3 series and it’s competitors, I can think of things that each one does well, and I can also think of things that it falls short on. I’ve driven some, but not all, and there isn’t one that I’d set above the rest— unless you determine where your want to compromise.

carzcarzcarz > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 12:01

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Hellcat for HP with warranty.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > WilliamsSW 03/06/2017 at 12:19

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Granted, BMW’s been taking it to the bank lately, so as much as we might lament their pivot away from a tactile, rewarding driving experience, they’re making gobs of money for their shareholders. When BMW starting winning comparisons vs. Cadillac due to their superior trunk space and rear seat room, I knew the end (of my love for their products) was nigh.

I think the M2 looks great, though, and many love driving it, too, despite it’s mediocre finish in several comparisons. Hopefully a M2 ZCP comes and gives it that extra something it needs to stand near the top of the heap.

GE90man > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 12:23

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i’d like to think of the m3 as a benchmark without only focusing on it’s numbers. the m3 is fun to drive and practical, amongst other things such as luxury... etc

Axial > Wobbles the Mind 03/06/2017 at 22:41

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IMHO, Porsche sets the benchmark for every segment they build for. If they built a mid-size sedan, they would absolutely whip anything coming from anybody else.

RT > Wobbles the Mind 04/10/2017 at 19:16

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As far as performance cars goes: GTI (cheap), M3 (mid) and 911 (expensive).