Cross-Shopping FL5?

[Rhorn]

I’m sure a few people have wondered what the hell was going on when they watched me pull into a parking lot and start driving backwards while whipping the steering wheel lock to lock.

My neighbor got the same Type R as me and honestly I know he is driving by without looking just because of that wastegate rattle

Sponsored

 

[jtlctr]

My neighbor got the same Type R as me and honestly I know he is driving by without looking just because of that wastegate rattle

There were a couple of times when I left work and thought I was hearing a slight noise in the brakes, like a sort of singing. At first I figured it was another rock in the brakes, but realized it went away with certain throttle positions. I assume I was hearing the waste gate.

 

[zumbooruk]

well... after all this discussion, it seems that our garage made up my mind for me...

we have a built-in workbench at the far end of the garage where I park, and we needs enough room to pass between the front of my car and the workbench, for example from the right side of the garage where my wife parks her (longer) car, or to the door leading to the backyard.

FL5 is about 6" longer than FA5, but still should leave enough usable passing space.

the 4BW is another 7" longer leaving less than 6" of space between the front of the car and the workbench

so it seems that practical (car and garage) won over (possibly) more fun-to-drive RWD/better power to weight ratio.

now for the hunt for out-of-state dealers and transport vs fly and drive back to California.

 

[TypeRD]

well... after all this discussion, it seems that our garage made up my mind for me...

we have a built-in workbench at the far end of the garage where I park, and we needs enough room to pass between the front of my car and the workbench, for example from the right side of the garage where my wife parks her (longer) car, or to the door leading to the backyard.

FL5 is about 6" longer than FA5, but still should leave enough usable passing space.

the 4BW is another 7" longer leaving less than 6" of space between the front of the car and the workbench

so it seems that practical (car and garage) won over (possibly) more fun-to-drive RWD/better power to weight ratio.

now for the hunt for out-of-state dealers and transport vs fly and drive back to California.

I went from an FA5 (owned for nearly 14 yrs) to my FL5 in early 2023. The FL5 is a significantly larger car inside and out. It took me a little while to get used to it. You’ll see what I mean when you get yours. Good luck with the search!

 

[Pekingduck]

i bought fl5 and also have other sporty cars mainly bmw m and I like the community from Honda side more then the bmw side. But I do enjoy bmw more at 100% of my limit due to rwd. I have to admit I slightly disappointed with fl5 but maybe because I watch all the hype on YouTube.

 

[Bigfx]

i bought fl5 and also have other sporty cars mainly bmw m and I like the community from Honda side more then the bmw side. But I do enjoy bmw more at 100% of my limit due to rwd. I have to admit I slightly disappointed with fl5 but maybe because I watch all the hype on YouTube.

If BMW just made an m340i with a six speed!!! IMHO that would be the best car hands down

 

[zumbooruk]

i bought fl5 and also have other sporty cars mainly bmw m and I like the community from Honda side more then the bmw side. But I do enjoy bmw more at 100% of my limit due to rwd. I have to admit I slightly disappointed with fl5 but maybe because I watch all the hype on YouTube.

Agree, which is why I considered the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, but practicality (see above) trumped fun-to-drive...

 

[jtlctr]

Agree, which is why I considered the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, but practicality (see above) trumped fun-to-drive...

I was one day away from buying a CT4-V but the seller backed out last minute. It was an amazing deal, because I caught him right before he was about to get hosed by selling it to Carmax. I probably would have gotten it if I had agreed to buy it right then and there, but I asked for a few days to think it over because I wanted to do a ton of research before dropping that kind of money, good deal or not. There was definitely some sketchy issues with a few of them a year ago when I was researching. In the end, I’m glad I got the Honda because I value reliability and not having to be without my fun car for months while some shitty tech at the dealer tries to find out why the car just shut down all of a sudden.

 

[Pekingduck]

If BMW just made an m340i with a six speed!!! IMHO that would be the best car hands down

But those wide fender is what get me. That one of the reason why I like fl5.

 

[onepointsix]

Coming from (and still have) an FG2, bought when new, to an FL5. It's not the fastest, nor is it meant to be, but it's the smiles per gallon/liter that mattered most to me. It's got that in spades. Practicality is a huge bonus and helps sell the car to the other half!

 

[optronix]

This ^


A big heavy v8 is apples and oranges to a Type R driving experience. Luxury sedans are great for standing starts and enjoying the v8 engine sound and experience every time you put your foot down while being pampered with luxury amenities.

The Type R on the other hand can brake later and take corners at a higher speed than heavy rwd v8 sedans. Curvy, hilly back roads are where the Type R is at home and you will have much more fun on those in an R than a heavy car. If you truly want more straight line performance, an FL5 completely stock with nothing but a TSP or Phearable tune is faster in a straight line than the CT4 V Blackwing. But you can't realistically do anything to make the CT4VBW as light as the Type R is.

Lastly, Cadillac and BMW are not capable of making a stick shift that is as good as the one in the Type R even if you get into the 6 figure cars.

The "you could just get a tune" argument, even when true, is negated by the fact that "you can just get a tune" for whatever other, more powerful car you're comparing against and once again it's not a competition.

I won't argue with the BMW shifter, but the "advantages" of having a nice-feeling shifter IMHO are outweighed by the advantages of rear-wheel drive. I bought into the ultra hype around the shifter as well- and it's "ok". End of the day, even if it "feels rubbery", you're still shifting a manual. It's a pleasant novelty but you're probably not thinking about how cool the shifter is as much as you think you are. And there are aftermarket solutions to make it better.

The Cadillac transmissions are excellent by most people's standards.

In the end, I’m glad I got the Honda because I value reliability and not having to be without my fun car for months while some shitty tech at the dealer tries to find out why the car just shut down all of a sudden.

I don't think this is a fair assessment. There have been people without their Hondas for months, and as far as I know there are no widespread issues with the latest Cadillacs. I will however offer my own experience as a data point that "reliability" is a relative term for these types of cars, and my dealer experience with Acura (supposedly a "higher tier" than Honda.....) has actually turned me off from the brand. While I wasn't without my car for months, they did keep it for two separate visits for multiple days to diagnose a noise that I actually ended up telling them what it was (the infamous "wastegate rattle"), while also not offering a loaner for my troubles. And that's not the only issue, they're just overall an immense disappointment- but I doubt the Cadillac experience would be any better.

TL;DR, people will always try to justify their purchases. They are both excellent options as highly practical enthusiast cars. The Cadillac does have a higher hill to climb because of the price, but you really don't have to look hard to find reasons to still choose it over the Type R... but IMHO you can't go wrong either way. There will be subjective advantages of one over the other but I'm just glad they both exist.

 

[jtlctr]

I don't think this is a fair assessment. There have been people without their Hondas for months, and as far as I know there are no widespread issues with the latest Cadillacs. I will however offer my own experience as a data point that "reliability" is a relative term for these types of cars, and my dealer experience with Acura (supposedly a "higher tier" than Honda.....) has actually turned me off from the brand. While I wasn't without my car for months, they did keep it for two separate visits for multiple days to diagnose a noise that I actually ended up telling them what it was (the infamous "wastegate rattle"), while also not offering a loaner for my troubles. And that's not the only issue, they're just overall an immense disappointment- but I doubt the Cadillac experience would be any better.

You're absolutely right. I have gone back to the Cadillac forums a few times, and it seems like they are reliable cars. I imagine the dealership tech experience will be similar across most brands.

 

[MooMoo]

If BMW just made an m340i with a six speed!!! IMHO that would be the best car hands down

except bmw manual transmissions kinda honk, can be fixed in the aftermarket. I had an M2 comp and if I bought that car again I would have got the DCT, I think I agree with reviewers that say new bmws are better matted to the autos

 

[Bigfx]

The "you could just get a tune" argument, even when true, is negated by the fact that "you can just get a tune" for whatever other, more powerful car you're comparing against and once again it's not a competition.

I won't argue with the BMW shifter, but the "advantages" of having a nice-feeling shifter IMHO are outweighed by the advantages of rear-wheel drive. I bought into the ultra hype around the shifter as well- and it's "ok". End of the day, even if it "feels rubbery", you're still shifting a manual. It's a pleasant novelty but you're probably not thinking about how cool the shifter is as much as you think you are. And there are aftermarket solutions to make it better.

The Cadillac transmissions are excellent by most people's standards.



I don't think this is a fair assessment. There have been people without their Hondas for months, and as far as I know there are no widespread issues with the latest Cadillacs. I will however offer my own experience as a data point that "reliability" is a relative term for these types of cars, and my dealer experience with Acura (supposedly a "higher tier" than Honda.....) has actually turned me off from the brand. While I wasn't without my car for months, they did keep it for two separate visits for multiple days to diagnose a noise that I actually ended up telling them what it was (the infamous "wastegate rattle"), while also not offering a loaner for my troubles. And that's not the only issue, they're just overall an immense disappointment- but I doubt the Cadillac experience would be any better.

TL;DR, people will always try to justify their purchases. They are both excellent options as highly practical enthusiast cars. The Cadillac does have a higher hill to climb because of the price, but you really don't have to look hard to find reasons to still choose it over the Type R... but IMHO you can't go wrong either way. There will be subjective advantages of one over the other but I'm just glad they both exist.

this guy lays it down!!! Yeah I had a blackwing and like stated I’m an avid car hopper and there really is no comparison between blackwing and the type r and even the warranty is better for the blackwing than the one for the type r if reliability is a concern too. Also the shifter in the blackwing is legendary compared to the one in the type r, I have driven manuals my whole life and tbh the type r isn’t that special especially with the clutch and 2nd gear. Several reviewers scratch 2nd, it’s a flaw in the transmission but people make the type r transmission out to be “god” like but my sti, mustang, blackwing, wrx …. None ever had that problem. The cope for this car is on another level it’s a slow car that for its price point is average in what it does compared to over 50k cars (be honest most of yall paid that with adm) what it does have is 4 doors and it’s manual transmission. That all being said I see myself in a blackwing or m2 in the near future bc it’s one thing to look the part, it’s another to actually be able to do it.

 

[Bigfx]

except bmw manual transmissions kinda honk, can be fixed in the aftermarket. I had an M2 comp and if I bought that car again I would have got the DCT, I think I agree with reviewers that say new bmws are better matted to the autos

I have to disagree drove an m3 g80 and pushed it hard and the shifter was just fine and the clutch compliant. The only issue with bmw’s is the price lol but certified used really helps in the affordability aspect.

Sponsored