[s-cars] A/C power loss and Maxima 3.5L 6-speed impressions

[TM]

A lot of the newer cars have a compressor shut-off switch upon
full throttle acceleration.

The A4/S4 have this, don't know about the UrS. I would assume that the
A6 does as well, considering it's a newer design than the A4 (B5
chassis).

As for the remark about Japanese cars, yes, this was the case with
econoboxes,
but that would apply to pretty much any econobox, regardless of origin.
Never
had that problem in my old Pathfinder, and the 3.5L Maxima SE 6-speed I
drove
yesterday showed no indication of any power deficiency- acceleration
comparable
to my car, possibly a couple ticks slower, very difficult to tell w/o a
side-by-side
comparison.

Yeah, the car is underbraked (I'd get some 350Z brakes for it if
possible), but
the power is excellent, the suspension isn't half-bad (probably needs
proper tires
instead of crappy Potenza RE92s) and the steering feel is not bad,
either- properly
weighted, unlike the scary-light steering of the 3.5L Altima I drove
just prior.

I still prefer my Audi, but the competition is getting to the point
where the
overall bar has obviously been raised quite a bit.

Acura CL Type-S 6-speed is next on the agenda, as is the Infiniti G35
(unfortunately
not a 6-speed yet).

Taka