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I recall seeing some guy trying to drive a Miata in deep snow. His car was stuck on Tyson Ave. and stayed there until the snow melted a week later.
Congratulations! Enjoy your new Jetta. That is a car you will get some real enjoyment from driving. Life goes fast (I was at my high school reunion this weekend - saw people I haven't seen in 40 years. In fact, it was so long ago, cheerleaders that wouldn't give me the time of day 40 years ago would actually talk to me now - their looks are gone and they are divorced) and you should enjoy it as much as possible. That is a car you can have some fun with!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
FWD has most weight so it doesn't ride up and tends to plow the snow, slowing you down while you still have weight on the front wheels so you can back out, always protecting the transmission with lots of neutral time to circulate the cool oil.
It's all in the physics.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Actually, I'd tend to have just the OPPOSITE problem! With FWD cars, once you get any real accumulation of snow, my Intrepid would tend to "snowbank" itself, actually taking the weight off the front wheels, so it gets less traction and then gets stuck. A lot of modern FWD cars don't have much ground clearance though, and the Intrepid is very guilty of this, so that might be part of it.
In contrast, the RWD cars would kind of just bash their way through the snow and muck, without getting hung up. Unless it got to the point that the rear wheels were on a slick spot and lost too much traction.
My GOD man! You ARE in a geographical black hole....... :P
I wouldn't give you $18-20K for a used BMW 325 out of warranty. I also don't get how a BMW 3 and 5 are getting compared to a Lucerne :confuse: I also think BMW's are very far from the "ultimate driving machine" and they get their platinum priced grills handed to them when it comes to value. BMW's are a status symbol in my eyes.
Rocky
However they aren't a bad looking car, even though everyone owner I know has had severe electrical problems.
Rocky
P.S. This lady at work claims she gets 65 mpg HWY with her diesel. I've heard this claim by others. Are they doing something to the diesels to get these type of mpg ? per heating the engine or what ? :surprise:
My GOD man! You ARE in a geographical black hole......
I've always been kinda fascinated with Wyoming. I mean, here we have a state that's something like 96,000 square miles, and comprises roughly the population of Washington, DC, a city of 69 square miles. I guess I wouldn't feel over-crowded out there!
But then the last time I drove through it, back in 1995, I remember on the interstate at one point there was something like 68 miles between interchanges. THAT was kinda scary!
If Delphi, is going to close the doors on all those plants and workers, then really why should the UAW bend over backwards to save Delphi ? Delphi isn't going worldwide bankrupt either, just NA from cooking the books. Even lower and middle management is whispering secretly they hope that the UAW can do something to delay the plant closings. Really from a workers perspective what do they have to lose ? Delphi wants to pay them $9.00-$16.50 an hour anyways plus close the plants in a few years. It's not like Delphi has taken the road of "hey guys if you give us wage concessions we will keep the jobs here" approach. I hope americans are paying attention to this. :sick:
Rocky
FWIW, I wouldn't give you $18-20k for a used bimmer either, reliability is a different animal. Nor would I give $18-20k for any used GM, or Ford product almost regardless of model, or condition.
I think I would agree that most people buy BMW for status not realizing the superior driving dynamics being offered. Hence the joke. What does a porcupine and a BMW have in common? They both have a pr#% in them :P
However these results that the way I see it and feel the price range in appropriate. Oh yeah I almost forgot to throw in the IS350 Lexus into the pot. :shades:
Rocky
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Well personally, other than a fun toy to drive around on occasion, I'd probably find an M3 to be utterly useless. It's essentially a 2-seater with a leather-clad upholstery shelf in back. It's not going to get me to work any faster than any other car would, unless it has a way to magically part traffic like Charleton Heston parting the Red Sea. I'd imagine that maintenance and insurance would be horrific on it. Can't comment on ride....I have ridden in a regular 3-series, and was actually impressed at how well such a small car rode. But then it's on a fairly long wheelbase, so it's kinda like a midsized car with no overhang. I'd imagine an M3 would be firmer, but I don't know if it would be unbearable. I also don't live in the friendliest county in the world when it comes to others thinking you have the right to keep what you paid for, so I'd probably be constantly worrying about an M3 getting stolen, or getting jacked. Or keyed.
So whether the BMW really comes out ahead or not, it depends on the needs of the individual buyer. If you want a zippy little car to auto-cross around in, I'm sure an M3 would do that very well. But for my needs, it's nothing more than an overpriced toy.
I have found FWD very good in snow with all season tires. RWD would require winter tires for best traction. Some new homes are less than $200,000.
Rocky
Rocky
No seriously, what do you think in the GM line is competition for BMW?
Possibly for someone who has never owned a foreign auto but was open minded about purchasing one, then they would indeed consider the two as competitors, so for new buyers you may indeed be right. However for the majority of BMW OWNERS, the cadillac was never a consideration.
It is getting compared to a Lucerne based on similar pricing. It sure ain't value, because the M3 will come out ahead in everything except bulk weight and size. Price quoted was $32,000 for a Lucerne, the BMW is probably similar in price. If we are talking used, buy the Lucerne, you will get it at a fraction of the cost.
We know you are a diehard GM fan Rocky. The question is "have you ever tried a European or Asian car" to compare. I was saying I blindly bought many GM's and liked them, until one day I just thought I would test drive a_____________ - and there's no going back.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I guess it depends on what you think this vehicle is. For me there are lots of alternatives that do what this does (4x4, a little bit of room behind the rear seat for light hauling, and decent rear seat, milt towing capabilities) and just about every manufacturer has one
Infinity FX45 (what I bought)
Nissan Murano
VW Toureg
BMW X's 3&5
Volvo's
Lexus GX
Lexus RX
oh well just about any mid sixe SUV is an alternative as well as many of the sport wagons like the Dodge Magnum.
Essentially it is a 5-seater, so it's not great if you want to seat 6 or 7. The rear-most seat is tiny, but good in an emergency for small people.
I'd compare the Volvo XC70; the BMW X5 (less utility than the SRX); The Volvo XC90; the DC wagon or SUV (though both are uglier than the SRX, in my opinion); the BMW 5X-series wagon; the Lexus RX400
or you could go cheaper and buy a loaded Buick Rendezvous!!!
My problem with Caddilac is that I want all the bells and whistles.....and that gets so dang pricey (not like the others are cheap)
At $32,000 for the Lucerne, I think you owe it to yourself to try a 3 Series, and maybe a Camry and Accord Audi A3 etc., just to see how it compares.
Just a few points here in one post;
It is pretty hard to steal the BMW unless you have the key,
and, I see BMW's start at $34,000 Cdn which is about $30,000 U.S.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Right on! The BMW is for the love of driving...the Caddie is for sinking into those big soft seats, getting out your cigar, and showing the world you have made it!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Drive a Tahoe for awhile and then get into a G6 or Accord and you feel claustrophobic. Night and day.
That's pretty much my stance on this issue. I don't really go for the safety aspect so much because with all the SUVs and trucks out there with over-riding bumpers, even the biggest mastodon of a car is going to take a serious hurting if it gets T-boned by one. But I just like to have the stretch-out room. IMO, bigger cars often have better visibility, too. If the doors are bigger, the B-pillar is usually further back, so it doesn't block your side vision as much. And in a bigger car, the A-pillars are further off to the side, and not as much in your line of vision as they are with a smaller car. Bigger cars also tend to have a more stable, controlled feel to them. With the right tires, suspension setting, etc, of course.
In fact, I think a BMW 3-series actually helps MAKE the case for bigger cars. Just look at the dimensions. At first glance, its 176" wheelbase sounds downright subcompact. However, its wheelbase, at 107.3", is firmly midsized. I had a Malibu, Cutlass Supreme, and Monte Carlo that all had a 108.1" wheelbase. The Taurus is on a 108.7" wb, IIRC, while the '86-95 was on a 106" wb. They also make the track on smaller cars these days much wider, more in line with what mid- and even some full-sized cars used to be. So evidently BMW understands the concept of having a large, stable "footprint". And 3200 pounds is awfully heavy for something that's the length of a 1982 Cavalier. Maybe Ford was on to something back in the 70's when they were touting the stability that their "road-hugging weight" provided?
While the EPA, which goes solely on interior volume, would classify the 3-series as a subcompact, I say it's still more like a midsized car with the overhang chopped off and poor space efficiency.
But then it's not designed to be a workhorse family hauler. It's designed to be a fun toy with some status and snob appeal attached to it.
A big factor. How close the dealer is. I liked the SRX at first, but it is styling you do get tired of...not a classic that will great in 10 years. What other dealers are closer. How about a Lexus, Jetta station wagon, Audi A3, VUE hybrid (soon), etc.
Who's got an alternative for a SRX? By the way, that is one I considered but the interior looks like it is out of the 70's.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
$20 should have been the bottom so hopefully you can't do anything but good. I bought Nissan at $20 but sold out at $25 when I had problems with my Z. I figured if they had problems with alignments and front brakes across the line it has to eventually catch up with them. It hasn't yet, but then again maybe it has; staying flat for 2 years is not good for a stock that doubled the 2 years prior.
Seriously???? An M Series BMW vrs a FWD Acura?
Funny you mention that. The CXS with its magnetic ride technology is the most technologically advanced version of this on the planet. It's absolutely amazing that a car this big handles like a midsize car. You don't feel the weight at all. The only cars that drove like this before were the BMWs, Mercedes, and Cadillacs. That it's beginning to filter down to more nmundane brands is fantastic.
I do have to admit didn't think of it but it makes sense that why should the UAW want to work with Delphi when they are going to close 21 of 29 facilities. More proof Miller is just making moves to bust the union and move things offshore. Goodbye quality hello crap-o-la. So long middle-class, hello poverty :sick: :sick:
through its early retirement offer, has started hiring temporary workers at
some North American plants to ease the transition to a smaller workforce.
The temporary workers will be UAW members, but they will be paid lower
wages of $18 to $19 an hour with no benefits. That's the amount GM pays
short-term workers and summer help, GM spokesman Dan Flores said.
It would be safe to say that over the last 30 years, millions of words have
been written discussing the problems of the automotive industry. The most
misleading statistic overused to prove the perpetual and relentless decline
of General Motors has been: "Not so many years ago, GM controlled 50
percent of the American car market, yet today its market share is less than
24 percent."
It's misleading because it makes one think GM sells only half as many cars
and trucks today as it did in 1962. But that's incorrect – and it also
ignores a more important statistic: The automobile market in America has
more than doubled in volume in those 44 years.
People are amazed to learn that GM sold 4.2 million vehicles in 1962, the
year it broke the 50 percent market share mark, and 4.51 million vehicles
in 2005. Yes, it's true: GM is selling just as many vehicles today as it
was at its peak, though its American workforce has shrunk by more than
two-thirds since then.
Best Telematics Navigation Product: OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation – OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation service (TBT), introduced in February 2006, is the first factory-installed, fully-integrated GPS navigation product. With this new service, OnStar brings affordable voice-activated, user-friendly GPS-based routing to the mass market.
Best Technology for Automotive Safety: OnStar – OnStar, winning the award for the fourth consecutive year, was selected for its outstanding ability to use telematics solutions to provide peace of mind to drivers not only in the event of a collision, but also for day-to-day applications such as hands-free calling and voice-activated directions.
The Wall Street Journal article discussed the last few days show what a monumental task GM has to keep existing production going, let alone expanding.
On the one hand, GM's San Antonio plant is among its most productive and profitable. On the other, GM knows the technology exists to make it even better. The problem is that GM has a very valuable asset that it can ill afford to shut down for a year or so in order to complete revamp it. Nor does GM have affordable space near the existing factory to build a new facility.
That means the choice is either make a whole new factory somewhere else and relocate all of the workers, etc. when done, or, do as GM is doing, which is to make do. Making do, unfortunately, means making less profit than it otherwise might - assuming there is an easy way to build an all new factory.
On the other hand, Toyota, taking advantage of a rapidly expanding market, can use capital to make an all new factory outside of San Antonio. The new Toyota factory will be state of the art.
Toyota is bedevilled by these problems in Japan. I expect the problems will bother Toyota in years to come in the US.
GM has the issues now. They are not easily dealt with. The armchair quarterbacks who are quick to castigate GM management do not seem to fully allow for the issues. It is good to see the WSJ does.
At end of April 2005, BMW sold 19,657 3 Series to 19,587 CTSs.
At end of April 2006, BMW sold 31,779 3 Series to 17,913 CTS.
Two points. First, the 3 series includes a coupe and sedan. Second, the 3 series is all new this year, the CTS is in its last year of the current model.
This is the major factor, people want big cars because Americans are used to big...lots of space, big seats, etc. No doubt about it...if it is big that you want, and more metal for the dollar, you are making the best decision...that is the American advantage. If you want the style and engineering and a bit of fun in your driving,and want an Asian or Euro car along with more room, you have to go to an SUV such as Volvo,Toyota, Lexus, Pilot, etc.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
YES. It would be safe to say that.
"The most misleading statistic overused to prove the perpetual and relentless decline of General Motors has been: "Not so many years ago, GM controlled 50 percent of the American car market, yet today its market share is less than 24 percent."
Oh please. What OTHER statistic should be used? If one were to examine the health of Head & Shoulders Shampoo compared to the rest of the industry, why would we give a rat's posterior how many bottles of shampoo they sell? The ONLY meaningful statistic should be what % of the market they have and how does this % change from year to year? If they go from 25% of the market to 10% of the market, THAT'S A PROBLEM.
"It's misleading because it makes one think GM sells only half as many cars and trucks today as it did in 1962."
No, one DOESN'T think that. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand the difference between market share and # of units sold.
Geez, I wonder if CBS News could use this same 'logic' to show the health of their organization
"Here at CBS News, we actually have MORE VIEWERS than we did in 1962".
Yeah, that'd go over real good with the folks at Viacom.....
You have that kind of backward, don't you?
Cadillac was making large front wheel drive sedans and coupes until it came out with the CTS in 2001.
Through the 1990s, BMW, MB and Jaguar owned the front engine, rear wheel drive luxury sport market.
Since its launch, the CTS has proven to be a very viable competitor, selling in numbers equal to the 3 series through this year, when the 3 series came out with a new model.
I expect the 2nd generation CTS will easily reach the new 3 Series numbers.
Nissan Murano
VW Toureg
BMW X's 3&5
Volvo's
Lexus GX
Lexus RX
oh well just about any mid sixe SUV is an alternative as well as many of the sport wagons like the Dodge Magnum.
Good list of alternatives to an SRX. I think I would choose any of these over the SRX and would include Pilot and MDX.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
In all fairness, it's the boomers that want others to think they've made it buying BMW's and those old ones that actually made it that are buying Caddies and Lincolns.
Old money vrs young want to look like money.
My guess is that the caddie owners for the most part are in less overall debt and better off financially than most of the buyers of the 3 series.
It's I'm arriving vrs I've already arrived.
Not all that bad (I've had 3 BMW's, no Caddies)but it's different demographics. They are not competitors no matter what statistic you show on sales. I would own a BMW but I would not own a Caddie. That does not keep the caddie from being the dream car of every hard working American who finally makes it successful or retires with money and want the "Luxury" they feel they have worked so hard to achieve.
Granted, Cadillac while building more sporty cars, actually thinks they are competing with BMW buyers, I just still don't think so.
People looking at BMW's may buy a Caddie but people that buy BMW's don't (seriously)consider the Caddies.
I disagree. Look at my reply and the referenced WSJ article.
It is no easy thing to abandon factories that take 100s of acres of space for state of the art factories elsewhere. It is equally difficult to shut down profitable facilities on the hope that rebuilding them will allow even more profits a few years hence.
Keeping up with the rapid growth in demand would have required capital expenditures at a level that may not have allowed profitable returns.
Large scale manufacturing cannot be compared to commodities such as Head and Shoulders or television companies.
(Although for that matter I would point out that in the modern cable and Imovies era, anyone who faults CBS for not keeping the percentage of viewers would be a little off kilter. Unless you are suggesting CBS should have been legally allowed to buy up all the cable, video, video game cinema, etc. outlets that now compete for our evening entertainment dollars)