Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

fintail

Column shift, right? I like that setup. MB has been using it for around a decade now, on new models introduced since around 2007.

MB has cars in numerous fleets - I have seen them at Hertz and National, and of course Sixt (along with every fleet in Europe, where the brand is a lot more ordinary).

GLS is made in Alabama.

oldfarmer50 said:

Got to drive my first MB today...a black on black GLS 450. Pretty nice big SUV. Had an unnecessarily complex gear shift. But it rode nice. Delivered it to a MB dealer which surprised me since I didn't think MB would sell rental cars.

Got to see how my Mustang would handle in the snow when I drive one of our V6s. Did pretty good.

Also got to drive a Caddy XTS and a Mini.

Fun day.

stickguy

sounds like the new gig is working out. Having fun, making pocket money, and staying out of your wife's hair a few days a week. win win win~

stickguy

new santa fe looks nice. Will put that on the shopping list too.

was chatting cars with my daughter earlier, and she referred to the RDX as "an antique". And said I need to upgrade that since it is the wife's car, and she can barely see the BU camera screen at this point!

28firefighter

Stalk shifter on the C takes some getting used to, but very easy once you’ve adjusted. Also meant when we went to Vancouver with the X1 last weekend, I turned the wipers on trying to shift into reverse/drive...

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

Got to drive my first MB today...a black on black GLS 450. Pretty nice big SUV. Had an unnecessarily complex gear shift. But it rode nice. Delivered it to a MB dealer which surprised me since I didn't think MB would sell rental cars.

Got to see how my Mustang would handle in the snow when I drive one of our V6s. Did pretty good.

Also got to drive a Caddy XTS and a Mini.

Fun day.

OF....what were your driving impressions as far as steering and ride, comfort, solidness etc. You must have noticed.

GLS450 is way to big for me....a car isn't fun when it is that big, but, it must be comfortable.

I wasn't in favor of the gear shifter and I still am not sure it is the best way to make a shifter, I like the idea of a floor shift, but, that is kind of crude these days compared to the all electronic smaller shifter. Plus, it isn't in the way taking up a lot of valuable space. I think there is a way to improve shifters, not Chryslers dial-a-drive, not BMWs beer tap (though not too bad), not Nissans gears coming out of the dash, not Edsels buttons on the steering wheel, but, something.

stickguy

voice commands? "siri, reverse..."

qbrozen

explorerx4 said:

@stickguy, It's a Limited, they only make so many per year. The picture I posted the other day were from #44. Not sure what the process is to replace the front piece of glass. I'm going to see if I can take a look at it. It should still be on site with the glass cracked until the replacement arrives.

Forgot to ask: which engine? 5.0? 

fintail

When I drive other cars, I blindly reach for the column shift now - it is muscle memory. I like how the lack of a console shift opens up the interior a bit. The fintail also has a column shift, of course, so it was an easy learning curve for me. If the car isn't sporty, no point putting it on the floor IMO.

28firefighter said:

Stalk shifter on the C takes some getting used to, but very easy once you’ve adjusted. Also meant when we went to Vancouver with the X1 last weekend, I turned the wipers on trying to shift into reverse/drive...

abacomike

fintail said:

When I drive other cars, I blindly reach for the column shift now - it is muscle memory. I like how the lack of a console shift opens up the interior a bit. The fintail also has a column shift, of course, so it was an easy learning curve for me. If the car isn't sporty, no point putting it on the floor IMO.

Stalk shifter on the C takes some getting used to, but very easy once you’ve adjusted. Also meant when we went to Vancouver with the X1 last weekend, I turned the wipers on trying to shift into reverse/drive...

Fintail, when I bought the BMW 740i after owning many MB’s, I kept turning on the wiper motor because I was so used to the right column shifter.  It took me some time to re-adjust back to the column shifter when I got the S 450 last November.  I prefer the column electronic shifter because it provides additional stowage space for the “huge” console compartment in the S 450.

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
Gen 2(direct and port injection) 3.5 ecoboost with 10 speed trans.

tbirdmarco

 Explorer for unfortunately the fax and things happen as you know so might be how long now do you get your truck week or so sweet and join the new trends in with you here driving impressions when you pick it up 

tbirdmarco

 Stick guy I do like the new Santa Fe to as well in the video I posted above have to check it out when it comes out seems a lot better than the current one which I wasn’t crazy about 

tbirdmarco

 So what do you do you have old former a few days a week sounds similar to what Sandy in Florida does nice write up on the cars drove over the past few days 

tbirdmarco

 Happy Friday everyone 

driver100

fintail said:

When I drive other cars, I blindly reach for the column shift now - it is muscle memory. I like how the lack of a console shift opens up the interior a bit. The fintail also has a column shift, of course, so it was an easy learning curve for me. If the car isn't sporty, no point putting it on the floor IMO.

28firefighter said:

Stalk shifter on the C takes some getting used to, but very easy once you’ve adjusted. Also meant when we went to Vancouver with the X1 last weekend, I turned the wipers on trying to shift into reverse/drive...

I have to switch...column on E400, console on the C250. Takes awhile to adjust, then I have to adjust back again!

bwia

stickguy said:

new santa fe looks nice. Will put that on the shopping list too.

was chatting cars with my daughter earlier, and she referred to the RDX as "an antique". And said I need to upgrade that since it is the wife's car, and she can barely see the BU camera screen at this point!

Very nice grill. I like that design very much. Not too big but makes a bold statement nonetheless. Overall the new Santa Fe looks luxurious but I wonder if there is a Genesis version coming soon?

driver100

<

IGNORE (most posters do anyway)

driver100

Nothing cooler than owning a Lamborghinni:
https://youtu.be/MjBHOQ6FNaA

driver100

stickguy said:

voice commands? "siri, reverse..."

Good idea stick....I like it!

Only problem is, say your wife gets in the passenger seat and says....honey, how do you like my REVERSiblE new jacket?

stickguy

I ask how much did it cost and what was wrong with the old one? Then she belts me.

graphicguy

Michaell said:

houdini1 said:

Michaell said:

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

Look what just arrived at my house today - a regional favorite:

Mmmmmmmmmmm.....................dinner tonight!

Not tonight ... today is officially designated as "Mexican Wednesday", where we go out to our favorite local Mexican restaurant.

Bring the leftovers home and pour that chili over them.

What are these "leftovers" you speak of?

You're supposed to put that chili over spaghetti, then a mound of finely grated cheddar chesse (3-way). Add beans or onions for a 4-way, or beans and onions for a 5-way.

Or, you can put the chili on a hot dog.

You could be a "proper" Cincinnatian!

And yes.....Greek in origin.

graphicguy

oldfarmer50 said:

graphicguy said:

New 800HP Mustang.  This dealership is about 30 minutes from me........must keep repeating....”I don’t need another car.....I don’t need another car.....hide your checkbook.....hide your checkbook”

http://www.lebanonford.com/lfp-800hp-mustang.htm

You want us to talk you out of an 800hp Mustang for $40k? Come on. If that offer is legit I would jump on it.

Oh....it's legit. That dealership has been offering new "modified" Mustangs for a while, now.

They compete with Rousch, Saleen, and all those tuner companies. Funny thing, they are in a small little town north of Cincinnati called Lebanon. When you stop in, they have a whole separate dept in their "performance group" who love to talk about what they do to the Mustangs. They ship internationally, too.

May take a little trip there this weekend and see if I can snag a test drive.

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

Stalk shifter on the C takes some getting used to, but very easy once you’ve adjusted. Also meant when we went to Vancouver with the X1 last weekend, I turned the wipers on trying to shift into reverse/drive...

Ha ha so did I. On the plus side the GLS did remind me not to forget my keys as I got out. They must have added that feature for old forgetful types like driver and Mike.

explorerx4

Since my truck deal involves only dealer cash and discount, not any incentives, some of which expire at the end of the month, I'm thinking they want to push the sale into next calendar month.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

Nothing cooler than owning a Lamborghinni: https://youtu.be/MjBHOQ6FNaA

many years ago I noticed a Lamborghini being parked in our parking lot at work. That was until I got about 20 feet from it and noticed it was a kit car. 

Does that count?

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Got to drive my first MB today...a black on black GLS 450. Pretty nice big SUV. Had an unnecessarily complex gear shift. But it rode nice. Delivered it to a MB dealer which surprised me since I didn't think MB would sell rental cars.

Got to see how my Mustang would handle in the snow when I drive one of our V6s. Did pretty good.

Also got to drive a Caddy XTS and a Mini.

Fun day.

OF....what were your driving impressions as far as steering and ride, comfort, solidness etc. You must have noticed.

GLS450 is way to big for me....a car isn't fun when it is that big, but, it must be comfortable.

I wasn't in favor of the gear shifter and I still am not sure it is the best way to make a shifter, I like the idea of a floor shift, but, that is kind of crude these days compared to the all electronic smaller shifter. Plus, it isn't in the way taking up a lot of valuable space. I think there is a way to improve shifters, not Chryslers dial-a-drive, not BMWs beer tap (though not too bad), not Nissans gears coming out of the dash, not Edsels buttons on the steering wheel, but, something.

The steering was not notable but I didn't get to toss it around since I was driving in a snow storm. The ride was firm but not jarring. The interior was definitely more upscale than the Ford SUVs of similar size. Nice leather seats and what looked like real wood trim. Yes, it was too big to be a daily driver for me (and I drive a full sized cargo van). I had to sneak it out from a tight parking spot and had a hard time judging where the edges were. Also the avoidance nannies were overly sensitive, going off at passing street signs.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@qbrozen,
Gen 2(direct and port injection) 3.5 ecoboost with 10 speed trans.

I've wondered if some of the F-150s I've driven have the 3.5 Ecoboost because they seems so peppy. Would that engine be routinely put into a lower trim?

oldfarmer50

tbirdmarco said:

 So what do you do you have old former a few days a week sounds similar to what Sandy in Florida does nice write up on the cars drove over the past few days 

Yes, 2 days a week, 20-25 hours. I think Sandy works more than I do. I think he had two jobs at one point. He's a machine.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

@qbrozen, Gen 2(direct and port injection) 3.5 ecoboost with 10 speed trans.

I've wondered if some of the F-150s I've driven have the 3.5 Ecoboost because they seems so peppy. Would that engine be routinely put into a lower trim?

Probably the base v6. If it was the turbo, you'd find it way more than "peppy."
You can get any engine in any trim, though.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

graphicguy said:

New 800HP Mustang.  This dealership is about 30 minutes from me........must keep repeating....”I don’t need another car.....I don’t need another car.....hide your checkbook.....hide your checkbook”

http://www.lebanonford.com/lfp-800hp-mustang.htm

You want us to talk you out of an 800hp Mustang for $40k? Come on. If that offer is legit I would jump on it.

Oh....it's legit. That dealership has been offering new "modified" Mustangs for a while, now.

They compete with Rousch, Saleen, and all those tuner companies. Funny thing, they are in a small little town north of Cincinnati called Lebanon. When you stop in, they have a whole separate dept in their "performance group" who love to talk about what they do to the Mustangs. They ship internationally, too.

May take a little trip there this weekend and see if I can snag a test drive.

They may be offering a screaming bargain just to get their name out there. If so this would be a time not to overthink the offer. It could be like Isell's stories of the customer who gets an accidental below cost deal and then blows it by leaving to think about it.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:

Stalk shifter on the C takes some getting used to, but very easy once you’ve adjusted. Also meant when we went to Vancouver with the X1 last weekend, I turned the wipers on trying to shift into reverse/drive...

Ha ha so did I. On the plus side the GLS did remind me not to forget my keys as I got out. They must have added that feature for old forgetful types like driver and Mike.

I like the feature that reminds you to take along your drivers licence

driver100

explorerx4 said:

Since my truck deal involves only dealer cash and discount, not any incentives, some of which expire at the end of the month, I'm thinking they want to push the sale into next calendar month.

Are you saying....maybe they cracked the moon roof?

fintail

Your W204 C was the last automatic new platform MB sedan introduced with a console shift, and it might be the last ever - now all the sedans have a column shift, other than some top spec AMG models, which have a funny small console shift. SLs still have a floor shift, however, along with ROW spec manual cars.

Tesla uses the 2010 era MB column shift and some other MB switchgear, too.

driver100 said:

I have to switch...column on E400, console on the C250. Takes awhile to adjust, then I have to adjust back again!

fintail

That's another benefit, more storage.

When shifters moved to the column in the 30s, it was seen as modern tech. It eventually was seen as stodgy, and floor shifters, with the pretense of sport, became the rage. At least in a few applications, the ideal has changed back again.

abacomike said:

Fintail, when I bought the BMW 740i after owning many MB’s, I kept turning on the wiper motor because I was so used to the right column shifter.  It took me some time to re-adjust back to the column shifter when I got the S 450 last November.  I prefer the column electronic shifter because it provides additional stowage space for the “huge” console compartment in the S 450.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer,
Should be easy to tell which type of engine the truck has. V8, you can tell by the sound.
Turbo v6's will have ecoboost badging. Base engine is a NA V6.

stickguy

I prefer console where it belongs and easier to find without looking. Also force of habit from daily driving stick for 30 Years.

Michaell

graphicguy said:

Michaell said:

houdini1 said:

Michaell said:

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

Look what just arrived at my house today - a regional favorite:

Mmmmmmmmmmm.....................dinner tonight!

Not tonight ... today is officially designated as "Mexican Wednesday", where we go out to our favorite local Mexican restaurant.

Bring the leftovers home and pour that chili over them.

What are these "leftovers" you speak of?

You're supposed to put that chili over spaghetti, then a mound of finely grated cheddar chesse (3-way). Add beans or onions for a 4-way, or beans and onions for a 5-way.

Or, you can put the chili on a hot dog.

You could be a "proper" Cincinnatian!

And yes.....Greek in origin.

We made the chili last night .... was almost as good as what you get at the restaurant.

I was a happy (and full) camper!

bwia

Yesterday some 11,000 vehicles were stuck in a traffic jam somewhere in China. I wonder if some of these people ever got home or simply run out of gas.

Mr_Shiftright

I've read where sometimes they just abandoned the cars and get home any way they can, then pick the cars up gradually over the next few days. This could be the "new normal".

snakeweasel

bwia said:

Yesterday some 11,000 vehicles were stuck in a traffic jam somewhere in China. I wonder if some of these people ever got home or simply run out of gas.

11,000 cars doesn't sound like a lot. We have expressways here that average more than that an hour. 

Mr_Shiftright

Well figure about 1100 cars a mile on a 4-lane, so yeah, 10 miles of cars.

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well figure about 1100 cars a mile on a 4-lane, so yeah, 10 miles of cars.

There is a lot more than 4 lanes in that picture. 

pensfan83

Pennsylvania has a well earned reputation for poor transportation infrastructure and Pittsburgh has no shortage of bombed out roads or highways, especially this time of year. Driving into the office a few times this week I essentially slalomed the entire way there once I reached the city limits. Given how rarely I actually drive into the office I would have been pretty irate had I hit anything and done damage of any significance.

graphicguy

Michaell said:

graphicguy said:

Michaell said:

houdini1 said:

Michaell said:

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

Look what just arrived at my house today - a regional favorite:

Mmmmmmmmmmm.....................dinner tonight!

Not tonight ... today is officially designated as "Mexican Wednesday", where we go out to our favorite local Mexican restaurant.

Bring the leftovers home and pour that chili over them.

What are these "leftovers" you speak of?

You're supposed to put that chili over spaghetti, then a mound of finely grated cheddar chesse (3-way). Add beans or onions for a 4-way, or beans and onions for a 5-way.

Or, you can put the chili on a hot dog.

You could be a "proper" Cincinnatian!

And yes.....Greek in origin.

We made the chili last night .... was almost as good as what you get at the restaurant.

I was a happy (and full) camper!

Should have followed it up with this....

http://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Graeters-to-bring-back-Chunky-Chunky-Hippo-for-Fionas-birthday-467725043.html

pensfan83

graphicguy said:

Should have followed it up with this....

http://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Graeters-to-bring-back-Chunky-Chunky-Hippo-for-Fionas-birthday-467725043.html

There's a Graeter's store located less than 5 minutes from my Acura dealer. I know where I'll be heading after the car's first service!

driver100

fintail said:

Your W204 C was the last automatic new platform MB sedan introduced with a console shift, and it might be the last ever -

driver100 said:

I have to switch...column on E400, console on the C250. Takes awhile to adjust, then I have to adjust back again!

I will say...the nice thing about the small column shifter is you can pretty well change gears with your hand still on the steering wheel....whereas, with a console shifter you have to remove your right hand from the wheel, and bring it down to the console.

driver100

bwia said:

Yesterday some 11,000 vehicles were stuck in a traffic jam somewhere in China. I wonder if some of these people ever got home or simply run out of gas.

If you look to the far left side where the highway continues the traffic seems to fall off (no headlights or tailights) in both directions......is that a giant sink hole?

isellhondas

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

graphicguy said:

New 800HP Mustang.  This dealership is about 30 minutes from me........must keep repeating....”I don’t need another car.....I don’t need another car.....hide your checkbook.....hide your checkbook”

http://www.lebanonford.com/lfp-800hp-mustang.htm

You want us to talk you out of an 800hp Mustang for $40k? Come on. If that offer is legit I would jump on it.

Oh....it's legit. That dealership has been offering new "modified" Mustangs for a while, now.

They compete with Rousch, Saleen, and all those tuner companies. Funny thing, they are in a small little town north of Cincinnati called Lebanon. When you stop in, they have a whole separate dept in their "performance group" who love to talk about what they do to the Mustangs. They ship internationally, too.

May take a little trip there this weekend and see if I can snag a test drive.

Man, I would hate to work in a store like that!

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer,
Should be easy to tell which type of engine the truck has. V8, you can tell by the sound.
Turbo v6's will have ecoboost badging. Base engine is a NA V6.

I didn't notice any badging but I might have missed it in the rush to get rolling. I've been tempted a few times to pop the hood on various cars to see the engine but until I get more established i don't want management wondering if I'm stealing air filters.

explorerx4

@driver100,
I'm saying they told me the roof is cracked and they have to order a new piece of glass.
It wasn't cracked when I test drove it last Monday.