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  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    Seems like those sound generators are widespread (VW, BMW, Ford, etc.) as are the fake exhausts (Audi, Chrysler). Of course, that won't feed your Lexus 'thing'...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I was gonna say the same thing - Lexus wasn't first, they're actually very late to that party.

    DI is great tech but the sound is awful.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    "DI is great tech but the sound is awful. "

    Not at all! Now I can make believe I have the gearhead's ultimate engine - a diesel!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited April 2013
    I was going to say - I like the noise. Reminds me of the clattery I6 in the fintail. If I wanted a real sports sedan, I would get one, not a GS that is now competent thanks to the others becoming soft - faking it is pretty lame.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Tolerable if you dont open the hood.

    Open it, and it's clatter city.

    The exhaust side can sound ok, but intake ... not so much.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I drive with my hood closed :P

    Fake intake noises piped into the car make fake exhausts and skid plates look cool.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Some cars open a passage from the engine bay to the cockpit for sound. Some Miatas for instance (not mine).

    With DI that may end.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I just find it kind of funny in the GS. Then again, it probably attracts a demographic that might like "rims" and "sleekness of the body" and being grounded to the ground :)
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    The M5 uses an exhaust soundtrack that plays back through the speakers. The sound system uses rpm, gear and speed to determine what sound to play.

    This generation of the M5 is so well insulated that the actual exhaust sound can't be heard...
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Does it sound like the actual engine, or something fake? (I think the GS is meant to sound like a V8, which of course it isn't). My E55 was pretty silent too, removing the resonator cured that problem.

    Surely the exhaust note in an M5 isn't drowned out by the turn signals :)
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    A triple black M6 convertible. It needed a car wash.
    Also, a black GTR.
    My wife asked me what it was and when I told her it was a 100k Nissan, she said 'I believe it'.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited April 2013
    Why is that funny on the GS and not on the M5?

    You'd think for all that money they cold tune the exhaust without artificial sounds. It's not even as isolated as a GS is so no excuse.

    Like a kids bike with playing cards in the spokes.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Next to Montgomery Mall, probably on the way to Nordstroms to buy more shoes.

    She actually had the top down, the weather has been ideal for drop tops. Minus the pollen.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    An M5, even though it has performance, is even more about the image of performance. People buy new ones to be seen in rather than drive, at least in my area. It's kind of like the top end Ducati of cars. The noise pads the ego.

    A GS is a heavy mid lux cruiser, virtually invisible for most of its life, pretending to be something that it isn't.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I'm sure she paid for it herself, too.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    "A GS is a heavy mid lux cruiser, virtually invisible for most of its life, pretending to be something that it isn't. "

    It seems to be exactly what it tries to be. And apparently doing better job of it than the 5 series, according to most reviews. Much improved over the prior versions.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The 535 didn't do much for me. Laggy and a bit soft. The V8 was a lot better, though.

    V8s make the best sounds, too, at least naturally.

    V10s not so much.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited April 2013
    It's now trying to be sporty, now that the Germans got into a beige war and softened things up to record levels. Kind of a funny game of chicken - Lexus made soft and bland for eons, had huge sales - the Germans (BMW esp - MB has always been softer, and nobody pretends a non-tuned E class is a sports sedan, trim line names nonwithstanding) saw this and wanted to mimic it a little to also gain sales, then Lexus turns around and tries to add a little edge. Hasn't translated into consistent sales for the GS though.

    Anything would be improved over the previous GS, no doubt.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    The V10 was a funny thing - you could tell it wouldn't last forever. Kind of like the AMG kompressor cars - a few model years and they were gone.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They collided in the middle.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    If anything, maybe BMW got bumped over to the soft side a little more. Even the design is kind of soft.

    Went out and killed some time in the dry weather today - went by the Toyota dealership, packed, no parking spots, kept driving. No spots at the Lexus dealer either, looked busy. Found a spot at Honda, browsed for a minute as I wanted to sit in a new Accord. Saw a base model in the showroom, 20K hangtag on it - seems like a bargain for that money. Nicely assembled and finished car. Place was a zoo too. Should be good sales numbers this month.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited April 2013
    Should be good sales numbers this month.

    That's the prediction.

    Edmunds.com Forecasts Best April Car Sales Since 2007

    Go check out a Genesis - sounds like Hyundai/Kia fallout from the mpg debacle is continuing.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Genesis doesn't hold much attraction for me - simply from a design perspective. Steals of deals to be had on them though no doubt.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Sounds like you'd at least be able to find a parking spot at the dealer.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951
    "Steals of deals to be had on them though no doubt. "

    Practically from the beginning. I had an early 2009 and had no problem getting invoice minus rebate plus a subsidized money factor on the lease.

    Lots of car for the money, and have to admit I was never questioned about a car more than that one. I couldn't park it anywhere without being asked about it.

    Has anyone noticed how much the new Accord looks like a Genesis?

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    " I wanted to sit in a new Accord. Saw a base model in the showroom, 20K hangtag on it - seems like a bargain for that money"

    I'm having a hard time convincing myself that I would need anything more than the new Accord, sport model. Lots of room, no sunroof, decent performance, good price...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sure does, and that lessens the appeal of the Genesis.

    Remember when the J30 was out, and the Altima came and sort of stole its thunder? Same type of thing here.

    Having said that, Genesis and Accord are both cars that feel more premium than their price points. That's not very common nowadays. Usually it's the other way around, questionable material quality for the cost.

    Speak of the Devil, saw a new Accord in the garage just now, with a bra on the front. Had not seen one of those in a while.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951
    Ugh, those bras do more harm then good. If your that concerned with rock chips and bug stains get the 3M film.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, I think they even look silly.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    And with a local high volume dealer still airing screamer ads offering a 44K Genesis for 34K - might give an air of desperation, 25% off right off the bat. Lots of them in rental fleets here, too.

    I see the new Accord as evolutionary from the 08+ style, which seems related to the much tauter 90-93 style. Genesis to me looks something like a parallel universe BMW E60. Not a bad looking car, mind you.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I'd want the EX to at least get a few goodies (I like a sunroof) and would be hard pressed not to go EX-L, but it seems to offer a lot of content for the money either way. Accord, Fusion, and even Altima make the Camry look old.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Oh yeah. But I think they are still selling a bit - noticing more Elantra GTs lately.

    Saw a new Forester on the road this morning, and spotted an E Bluetec parked at Whole Foods - I was thinking prissy princess wouldn't want to deal with diesel, but maybe hubby was sent to pick up that $9 loaf of bread.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited April 2013
    The Elentra has always been one on my radar. Really liked the Touring wagon before they changed it all up "for North American" tastes.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I like the GT model - problem is, loading it up to how I would want it, it would cost like 25K, and it seems I can get a decent Accord for that money.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951
    edited April 2013
    The problem with the Genesis will always be the fact it is a Hyundai. Let's face it, 44K is still premium money and many will run and grab an Inifinti G, Lexus ES, or a base TL for that same coin. I can say that on paper the Genesis is probably a better car than those above (and bigger) but many luxury buyers buy the name and not the car. How else can you explain BMW softening up their cars? All the people who bought them stepping up from Camrys, etc complained about the ride.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I looked at those, even drove one. You can get pano/leather/navi for low $22k range. Strong value proposition.

    The catch is add $750 if you don't finance with Hyundai.

    That'll only get you a base Accord. An EX-L Navi 4 banger would run ~$28k.

    So that's about $5 grand more even if you don't qualify for the Hyundai finance incentive. And a small moonroof instead of pano.

    You can get a better deal on an Altima, especially if you can live without leather. $24.7k for an SV with moonroof and navi, but you get cloth.

    Of those 3 only the GT has the pano roof, though.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited April 2013
    Those complaints weren't without merit - q's Bimmer had 3 damaged rims from the short sidewall/stiff suspension combo.

    Car & Driver's bimmer had wheel and tire problems on 7 different occasions.
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,785
    V10s not so much.

    IMHO, the LFA sounds as good as anything, Ferrari included.

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,617
    Saw an LFA about a week ago... In the company of Ferraris and Lamborghinis, it seems to come up a bit short... Plus, at that price point and shape, it should have been mid-engine, instead of front-engine..

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  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,785
    I'm just talking about the sound the engine makes. Proof that a V10 can sound great.

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I knew someone would bring that up!

    Loved that video where it shatters the wine glass.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951
    Finally saw a Tesla Model S today. Nice looking car.

    Also seeing a fair amount of new Altimas and Fusions.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    New one looks smaller than the old one, and it's not just the spare tire.

    They used to have 2 wheelbase lengths, a shorter one for Europe. Wonder if that's still the case now?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited April 2013
    Saw a Tesla S and a RAV4, what a coincidence. Tesla is so common now here, they aren't too remarkable. Also saw a new Jeep Grand Cherokee with the updated LEDs.

    I have Price is Right on TV right now, just had a 2WD A4 in the showcase.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They had a Ferrari 458 on the show and the contestant was clueless. First digit in the price was a 2, but at one point she tried to put a 6 or an 8 in that position. :lemon:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not in person, but now there's an official YouTube video:

    http://youtu.be/tynfwwjPhME

    I like the profile and the huge pano roof. Tail lights aren't pretty. From the straight back, it reminds me of the W211, though.

    Headlights get the glitter so common today. They're big but the grille is even bigger, I'm sure that'll meet european pedestrian crash standards.

    Let's see what it looks like in person. A flagship should have major presence.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited April 2013
    Official video? It's a 3D cgi from a third party. It does look identical to every image I have seen, but it's not exactly a photo of an actual car.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    2 new Rav4's and an Elantra.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...white Chevrolet Sonic travelling west on Knorr towards Rising Sun in NE Philly.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I just hope the real rear end is better sorted.
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