04 V6 vs ES330

[angelo]

any thoughts about the difference in performance?

[tiredolddog]

Lexus ES

225 hp @ 5,600 rpm, torque 240 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
3,460 lb

Toyota Solara SE V6

225 hp @ 5,600 rpm, torque 240 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
3,425

Looks like a pretty tight horse(power) race. Lexus weighs 35 pounds more.

[700t]

Since the 04 Solara and ES330 have identical engine-tranny and about the same weight the other facor to consider is rim size.
Solara has 17'' rims and ES330 has 16'' rims. This is where the Lexus has a gearing advantage and assuming the 16''rims are lighter there is also less rotational mass. So I am guessing the Lexus would beat Solara in acceletration.
From a Toyota owner perspective I am thrilled that 04 Solara has the same engine-tranny as Lexus RX330 and ES330.

[angelo]

Since the 04 Solara and ES330 have identical engine-tranny and about the same weight the other facor to consider is rim size.
Solara has 17'' rims and ES330 has 16'' rims. This is where the Lexus has a gearing advantage and assuming the 16''rims are lighter there is also less rotational mass. So I am guessing the Lexus would beat Solara in acceletration.
From a Toyota owner perspective I am thrilled that 04 Solara has the same engine-tranny as Lexus RX330 and ES330.

the engine is the same in ES330, but not RX330 (the later is with 230hp and 242 lb ft of torque). I think it has to do with the use of premium for RX.

[angelo]

Since the 04 Solara and ES330 have identical engine-tranny and about the same weight the other facor to consider is rim size.
Solara has 17'' rims and ES330 has 16'' rims. This is where the Lexus has a gearing advantage and assuming the 16''rims are lighter there is also less rotational mass. So I am guessing the Lexus would beat Solara in acceletration.
From a Toyota owner perspective I am thrilled that 04 Solara has the same engine-tranny as Lexus RX330 and ES330.

Lexus ES tires: 215/60/16
Solara tires: 215/55/17
the difference is less than 1% and should not be a factor at all.
you may still argue than the rotational mass of the 17" tire will be higher but it really depends on the wheel/tire package and won't actually make any difference.
The big difference will be in handling since the sidewalls of the Solara's tires are 4.7 in compared to 5.1 in for the Lexus

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

From a Toyota owner perspective I am thrilled that 04 Solara has the same engine-tranny as Lexus RX330 and ES330.

Lexus ES/RX have always had Camry engines...
In 2000 ES got their own 5speed auto (which the camry inherited in 2002)
So its nothing new for 04.....