Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

PF_Flyer

stever said:

Which one is the Camry?

Heh... That reminds me of the customer that needed tires at my buddy's shop.

What size?

Don't know

OK, what kind of car?

It's blue

snakeweasel

PF_Flyer said:

Perhaps we need a LAW about this too

Here's a tip: Don't park your car on a lake

Can't legislate away stupid I guess

That's Lake Geneva, WI about an hour and a half from Chicago. It's where Chicago's giants of industry and commerce built their summer homes. There are a lot of $5+ million homes along that lake.

driver100

houdini1 said:

Aren't you afraid that not having the logo will take some of the "soul" from your Mercedes?

Good point, it probably just won't handle the same.

Perception and reality and all that!

abacomike

driver100 said:

Aren't you afraid that not having the logo will take some of the "soul" from your Mercedes?

Good point, it probably just won't handle the same. Perception and reality and all that!

The only ones who know that you have a "make due" windshield is you and the "Doctor" who did the circumcision on the E400! 

driver100

stever said:

Which one is the Camry?

Stever, save yourself $30 or $40k and buy the Camry....sounds like you won't notice the difference anyway.

For those who think driving a Mercedes is strictly an image thing....we took the Passat in for a recall today...90 minutes round trip. While we were waiting for the Passat I said to my wife, I can't wait to drive the E400 again.

The Passat is a great value, considering what it cost. The E400 may cost about 2.5X more, but the E400 is 10X better to drive in almost every way. Feels and is safer, with more power and better handling, more solid, more comfortable, has all the safety features and a lot more comfort, much smoother, much better steering and control, easier to operate etc etc.

They both get you from A to B but it is how you get there that is the big difference.

driver100

PF_Flyer said:

abacomike said:

houdini1 said:

Aren't you afraid that not having the logo will take some of the "soul" from your Mercedes?

I agree - in fact I just got a text from driver's neighbor informing me that the E400 is starting to look more like a Japanese Camry than a German Daimler-Benz product!  Truly a shame. 

Close, no cigar?


I know which one I would take, even though it costs about 3X as much, but, whatever turns you on

ab348

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

abacomike

ab348 said:

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

Daimler-Benz sends in their top ophthalmologist to "look" for the 3-pointed star on the right side of the windshield.  Definitely high tech! 

driver100

ab348 said:

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

No Mercedes signature is like buying a Polo shirt without the Polo player

driver100

abacomike said:

ab348 said:

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

Daimler-Benz sends in their top ophthalmologist to "look" for the 3-pointed star on the right side of the windshield.  Definitely high tech! 

Maybe I could forge one.....sign it Mercanti

stever

driver100 said:

Stever, save yourself $30 or $40k and buy the Camry....sounds like you won't notice the difference anyway.

Most sedans look alike to me. At least Toyotas have names - the number stuff really confuses me!

oldfarmer50

stever said:

driver100 said:

Stever, save yourself $30 or $40k and buy the Camry....sounds like you won't notice the difference anyway.

Most sedans look alike to me. At least Toyotas have names - the number stuff really confuses me!

Ditto.

abacomike

stever said:

Stever, save yourself $30 or $40k and buy the Camry....sounds like you won't notice the difference anyway.

Most sedans look alike to me. At least Toyotas have names - the number stuff really confuses me!

The only manufacturer whose vehicles are logically numbered is Lexus:

The number on a Lexus indicates the engine size in liters:

200 = 2.0 liters
350 = 3.5 liters
460 = 4.6 liters

Letter indicates:

IS = "Individual Sedan"
SC= "Sport Coupe"
ES= "Executive Sedan"
GS= "Gran Sport"
LS= "Luxury Sedan"

Mercedes used to correctly indicate the engine size in their numbers, but no longer do the numbers mean that in most cases.

E400 = E Class with a 3.0 L V6 twin turbo
CLS400 = 3.0 engine with twin turbo
CLS550 = 4.6 liter with twin turbo

etc.

stever

Sorry, even though trying to pick a name in the morass of copyright law, not to mention picking a name with a non-objectionable meaning in another language is difficult, I'm one of those who don't "get" the alpha/numeric stuff and prefer names.

Of course, that's how we got the Prius and Touareg.

So a Lexus XC90 (or is it XC 90?) has a 9 liter engine? And why would I care so long as it has at least one, preferably two, USB ports?

stickguy

other than being a Volvo, no.

BMW used to make sense too. 3/5/7 series being small/medium/large. and the # being displacement. Until they decided to fudge the # part to be "equivalent" displacement for output. Now with all the crazy models (GT? GC?) I think they just make stuff up at random.

abacomike

stever said:

Sorry, even though trying to pick a name in the morass of copyright law, not to mention picking a name with a non-objectionable meaning in another language is difficult, I'm one of those who don't "get" the alpha/numeric stuff and prefer names. Of course, that's how we got the Prius and Touareg. So a Lexus XC90 (or is it XC 90?) has a 9 liter engine? And why would I care so long as it has at least one, preferably two, USB ports?

There is no XC90 in the Lexus line.

houdini1

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

No Mercedes signature is like buying a Polo shirt without the Polo player

I'm impressed by that Camry. Very sharp looking. E Class is showing its age a little. First remodel in several years due out mid 2016 as a 2017 model.

stickguy

I sat in an E class at the auto show. Very comfy. Great visibility. My son said it was an "old mans car". Considering the 2 people here I know that have one (well, until recently 2), I couldn't argue with him.

explorerx4

ES = Estrogen Sedan. I don't think I've ever seen a guy driving one.

driver100

stickguy said:

I sat in an E class at the auto show. Very comfy. Great visibility. My son said it was an "old mans car". Considering the 2 people here I know that have one (well, until recently 2), I couldn't argue with him.

I agree with everything you said stick. It is the most comfortable car I have been in, and it has the best visibility I have experienced. If "old man's car" means the most sensible, logical, best handling and easiest to drive car made I would agree. Ask your son what a young person's car would be....a Fit, a Prius, a Camaro, a Scion, a Miata, Corvette........he's absolutely correct, I will take the E.

stever

Guess my X macro is too close to my V macro (L is reserved for Lincoln so I use X for LeXus). My, ahem, XC90 typo has been edited.

Sorry to raise any wraith.

abacomike

stickguy said:

I sat in an E class at the auto show. Very comfy. Great visibility. My son said it was an "old mans car". Considering the 2 people here I know that have one (well, until recently 2), I couldn't argue with him.

You'll get no argument from me! 

abacomike

stever said:

Guess my X macro is too close to my V macro (L is reserved for Lincoln so I use X for LeXus). My, ahem, XC90 typo has been edited. Sorry to raise any wraith.

Wraith or wrath?  Wraith is a ghostlike demon.  Wrath is ire or anger.  I don't think you raised either. 

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

No Mercedes signature is like buying a Polo shirt without the Polo player

My mom once gave me a set of polo shirts where the image was of a polo player falling off his horse.

snakeweasel

abacomike said:

Letter indicates:

IS = "Individual Sedan"

Individual Sedan? Is that a sedan just for one person?

abacomike

snakeweasel said:

Letter indicates:

IS = "Individual Sedan"

Individual Sedan? Is that a sedan just for one person?

Who knows.  When I worked for Lexus, I had to take model tests online and pass them at 90%+ in order to become certified.  One of those tests had questions about the letters and numbers of their entire line. That's the only reason I know what the numbers and letters mean. 

stever

abacomike said:

stever said:

Guess my X macro is too close to my V macro (L is reserved for Lincoln so I use X for LeXus). My, ahem, XC90 typo has been edited.

Sorry to raise any wraith.

Wraith or wrath?  Wraith is a ghostlike demon.  Wrath is ire or anger.  I don't think you raised either. 

Mild bit of car humour for the Grey Poupon crowd.

abacomike

stever said:

stever said:

Guess my X macro is too close to my V macro (L is reserved for Lincoln so I use X for LeXus). My, ahem, XC90 typo has been edited. Sorry to raise any wraith.

Wraith or wrath?  Wraith is a ghostlike demon.  Wrath is ire or anger.  I don't think you raised either. 

Mild bit of car humour for the Grey Poupon crowd.

Speaking of "WRAITH", Rolls Royce of Ft. Lauderdale has a two-tone Wraith on display at the Boca Town Center mall.  Hood and most of the sides and trunk is a dark maroon.  Top and front and rear quarter panels are a light gray.  Beautiful RR Coupe - big car!

driver100

stever said:

abacomike said:

stever said:

Guess my X macro is too close to my V macro (L is reserved for Lincoln so I use X for LeXus). My, ahem, XC90 typo has been edited.

Sorry to raise any wraith.

Wraith or wrath?  Wraith is a ghostlike demon.  Wrath is ire or anger.  I don't think you raised either. 

Mild bit of car humour for the Grey Poupon crowd.

Speaking of which....I have switched to Honey flavored these days

nyccarguy

@abacomike - you learn something new every day.  I never knew that the Lexus prefixes had meanings!  Thank- you!

abacomike

nyccarguy said:

@abacomike - you learn something new every day.  I never knew that the Lexus prefixes had meanings!  Thank- you!

My pleasure! 

nyccarguy

What does RC stand for?  Race Coupe?

@snakeweasel - it does make sense that IS stands for Individual Sedan.  They are pretty small on the inside.  

abacomike

nyccarguy said:

What does RC stand for?  Race Coupe?

@snakeweasel - it does make sense that IS stands for Individual Sedan.  They are pretty small on the inside.  

Think about their "size" when they first came out - 2002 or so - they were extremely small cars.  Now, they are much larger.

abacomike

nyccarguy said:

What does RC stand for?  Race Coupe?

@snakeweasel - it does make sense that IS stands for Individual Sedan.  They are pretty small on the inside.  

Bradd, the RC came out many years after I left Lexus.  So I never had to take the RC test for certification! 

berri

There might be a reason they took that Camry shot from the rear instead of the front end.

driver100

berri said:

There might be a reason they took that Camry shot from the rear instead of the front end.

Excellent point berri....I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:

venture

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

ab348 said:

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

Daimler-Benz sends in their top ophthalmologist to "look" for the 3-pointed star on the right side of the windshield.  Definitely high tech! 

Maybe I could forge one.....sign it Mercanti




You should be able to get the sticker from a Mercedes dealer. If they don't have any, eBay has them.

ab348

venture said:

You should be able to get the sticker from a Mercedes dealer. If they don't have any, eBay has them.

The only ones I have seen on ebay are the older "G. Daimler" signature stickers, which I like better than the new style.

venture

ab348 said:

venture said:

You should be able to get the sticker from a Mercedes dealer. If they don't have any, eBay has them.

The only ones I have seen on ebay are the older "G. Daimler" signature stickers, which I like better than the new style.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CLEAR-Windshield-Decal-Sticker-Mercedes-SCRIPT-WHITE/151739977747?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=33876&meid=205b81267b434b75969690bbca7f092f&pid=100005&rk=2&rkt=3&sd=161757727558

carnaught

Catching up on posts after returning from the week in S. Fl.

Condolences to Michaell on the loss of your dad.

Congrats to imid. and ty on your recent purchases.

abacomike

venture said:

ab348 said:

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

Daimler-Benz sends in their top ophthalmologist to "look" for the 3-pointed star on the right side of the windshield.  Definitely high tech! 

Maybe I could forge one.....sign it Mercanti

You should be able to get the sticker from a Mercedes dealer. If they don't have any, eBay has them.

The sticker isn't the problem - it's the "etched" 3-pointed star in the fat right bottom of the windshield along with the etched part number that separates the "real" from the "imposter"!!! 

iluvmysephia1

Lettered/numbered vehicle names are for...those who've got nothing better to do than confuse car enthusiasts!

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

So if I were to go used, then I'd definitely be a little snobby about a few things - 

@stickguy - the RDX fits the bill nicely.  Although I suspect If I were to pick up something like that, my wife would make it hers.  It has almost 60K miles on it.  Nothing for an Acura, but consider it is going to need some preventative maintenance for me to get it up to my specs of obsessive.  That RDX will have 100K miles on it in a little over 2 years with the driving I do & I'll still be paying for it.

@roadburner - if I were to go the used 3er route, I'd want a 335xi.  I really don't have an interest in a 2013 328xi.

an MB, BMW, or Audi I wouldn't own without a CPO warranty.

@nyccarguy A Q50 Hybrid is what you're looking for.

abacomike

iluvmysephia1 said:

Lettered/numbered vehicle names are for...those who've got nothing better to do than confuse car enthusiasts!

Can't argue that fact!!!

Mr_Shiftright

I don't see why car companies would have any trouble coming up with new car names instead of lettering. Why, I've got 4 already in 4 minutes:

Ford Duck (a sure-footed AWD sedan)
Hyundai Dominant Owl (with optional lighting package)
Lexus Cote D'Oro (gold package)
Buick Grand Sofa (SUV)

See, it's easy....

stever

@iluvmysephia1, I forget. Is your Soul a + or !?

stever

Those pics that speak for themselves remind me of another sedan I got as a rental a couple of months ago:

driver100

venture said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

ab348 said:

I bet Daimler Benz has some sort of hi-tech way to tell if the windshield is replaced with one lacking the requisite signature. You might get drummed out of the club for not wanting to spend an extra $600 for the signature!

Daimler-Benz sends in their top ophthalmologist to "look" for the 3-pointed star on the right side of the windshield.  Definitely high tech! 

Maybe I could forge one.....sign it Mercanti

You should be able to get the sticker from a Mercedes dealer. If they don't have any, eBay has them.

Looks good.....are they legal?

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

I sat in an E class at the auto show. Very comfy. Great visibility. My son said it was an "old mans car". Considering the 2 people here I know that have one (well, until recently 2), I couldn't argue with him.

I agree with everything you said stick. It is the most comfortable car I have been in, and it has the best visibility I have experienced. If "old man's car" means the most sensible, logical, best handling and easiest to drive car made I would agree. Ask your son what a young person's car would be....a Fit, a Prius, a Camaro, a Scion, a Miata, Corvette........he's absolutely correct, I will take the E.

I take an old man's car to be one that is so expensive that you are an old man by the time you save enough money to buy one.

How come you left Mustang off your young man's list? Though I must admit I usually only see olds coots driving them.

Speaking of which I saw a previous gen. Mustang in the same color as mine with a big wide white stripe down the middle. Hideous! Must have been some kid's car. No old fart would ruin his car like that.

Kind of like this but looked worse:

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

stever said:

abacomike said:

stever said:

Guess my X macro is too close to my V macro (L is reserved for Lincoln so I use X for LeXus). My, ahem, XC90 typo has been edited.

Sorry to raise any wraith.

Wraith or wrath?  Wraith is a ghostlike demon.  Wrath is ire or anger.  I don't think you raised either. 

Mild bit of car humour for the Grey Poupon crowd.

Speaking of "WRAITH", Rolls Royce of Ft. Lauderdale has a two-tone Wraith on display at the Boca Town Center mall.  Hood and most of the sides and trunk is a dark maroon.  Top and front and rear quarter panels are a light gray.  Beautiful RR Coupe - big car!


Kind of like this?