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Comments
TM
Excellent! LG, your knowledge and attention to the important details sets you apart.
One of my favorite cars of all time, yet I have no plans to own one. Better for me to have an imaginery relationship with a car like that.
TM
Tony, Miami is indeed filled w/ those empty buildings, Phoenix as well. The Building Boom is gonna end up as Building Doom soon...
1) The best wheels, 19" (or is it 20??) 5-spoke, non-chrome, is only available on the LWB, they said.
2) The Leaper has gotta go, but how do I do that? I asked the salesman and he just gave me a blank stare.
3) Due to previous use, the seats seem to need reconditioning. Can anyone recommend good leather treatment? One that can return the shine and smell of fresh leather
bmlexus, the thing is it's been so slow with MB its limelight is stolen by BMW and Audi.
MB's leap forward in S-class' design is noticeable, I dare say that. However as much as interested I am with the S-class, the price is still out of reach. Price is the main reasn I havent looked at MB again lately. Its too bad, as I can live with the perceived image. Honestly I never care for the uncomfortable stares, you buy it because you like it and can afford it, period. However I must admit that the CLS is my favorite. I wonder if bargains exist for that model....
C-class, new, yes, but bland and offers nothing new. Well, except the outstanding stereo that is.
Also, as a Lambo fan, I must say I'm highly disappointed by the concept. Rear end looks pretty cool, but front end looks like a combination between a 90s Camaro and Reventon. A poor mix, I;m expecting a 4-door Gallardo style wedge, instead I'm looking at an Italian Challenger. The S4 looks good though, however as Audi decides not to make A4 convertibles anymore, I guess this means A5/S5 convertible instead. Audi, I'm waiting
G37 convertible, yum.... IS convertible, yuck... :P :P
"They did have an S8 but I was certain that the $114K sticker price would have put my wife over the edge."
Nah, she'll have her divorce lawyer on the phone in approximately 1 second :P
I live in a town filled with M3s, H1s and ferraris and I've seen only 1 R8 so far.
What financial crisis? Ferrari is expecting record sales in 2008 and at its Ferrari California debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show today, the Italian automaker said it has sold out of the convertible until 2011. Ferrari has sold the entire 2009 and 2010 production of the $246,724 hard-top California.
According to Ferrari’s boss Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, 60 percent of buyers who have ordered the car have never bought a Ferrari. Montezemolo said that Ferrari will not be increasing production to meet demand and will continue with the 2,800 units planned for 2009 and the 3,000 planned for 2010.
Refresher: Power comes from a 4.3L V8 producing 460 horsepower engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. 0-60 comes in just under 4 seconds with a top speed of 193mph
more pics.
link title
I though it is already doom? Now only if Fl does not have the unfair property tax treatment of non-residents, I think a lot of Canadian, including myself, would be glad to buy up some of the empty units there.
Agreed. I also love the E-type, but I don't plan to ever buy one. I would buy an XK150 first. If I were to win the lottery, the first car I would buy would be one of those pre-wars, just so I could stare at it without having to go to Pebble Beach.
I'm sure it will be basically identical to the coupe. The G's interior is competitive, which can't really be said of the old car, but its not up to the best yet. Based on what they've shown they can do with the EX35, the next G could be right up there with the A4. The FX on the other hand is just kind of weird looking on the inside, so who knows.
I don't care if it is high for every home owners, but they seem to nail only the non res pretty good. Everyone seems to think the bottom is around 2009...
Btw, I saw the DRL LEDs on a A3 yesterday on the road and I don't care too much for them. I've seen those on the A4 and A5 in pictures, and they don't look that nice either. On the other hand, those on the R8 are the best.
I have a mixed reaction to them. This is because I see a Vegas-style bling factor going on. I think that's the eye-candy that initially is grabbing our oohs and aahs, and they are certainly attention grabbers. But ultimately Vegas bling "rope lighting" tends to turn me off after a while.
TM
I emailed my local dealer about the 2009 A4. Salesman said no unit available yet, not even for display. So far the reviews have been good, however theres one total shocker that will make me turn away from it: pricing. The dealer refuse to come up with any deals until the cars arrive, but he quoted MSRP for a fully loaded A4 2.0T for..... brace yourselves.... $46,550 + tax/fees!!!!!! :surprise: :surprise:
Here's more numbers, a loaded A4 3.2 will have MSRP of about $51,000. RIDICULOUS!!!! I can get a fully loaded 335i sedan for that price, or even a decently loaded A6 3.2. Also, considering that the old 3.2Q can be had for about $46k fully equipped, then it becomes totally ridiculous. $5000 increase? What the hell is Audi thinking???
Worse yet, from the pics I see on websites, it seems that Audi has forgotten its own tradition in detailing. The plastic bumper part looks cheaper now, and where's the chrome exhaust tip? Why move the exhaust tips to the same side when it makes the car look less sporty? The interior used to amaze me, but now the shifter's surroundings just plain black plastic. The grey interior, which used to be "platinum", is now just grey, less classy than the old. Dour, to be exact.
Dealer said my complaints are spicific to only the 2.0T, saying the 3.2 fix all my complaints totally. But the old 2.0T doesnt compromise, so why does it now??
If this is the case, I'm totally disappointed, and unless I see changes, the A4 is off my shopping list.
Regards,
Jose
Not the best-looking Maserati shilouette in my opinion. Though it recalls the C12 lines, in the Coupe they have become too common, I dare say.
Now I will post some pics of the Costa Brava just to remember a nice autumnal September.
Regards,
Jose
Audi has not been afraid to maintain higher price points lately which will come at the risk of unit sales, if the USD continues to gain back a little strength against the Euro it may ease some of the price increases that we've seen from many carmakers.
Man you are a `breath of fresh air`...What a beautiful country....Looks like no body has a problem in the world....You in particular
I dropped by the Audi dealer recently and sat in the new A4 for a minute. I believe it was a 3.2, but I'm not positive. The interior was tan, and it felt warmer and more inviting than a 3 or C class. Because there's a lot more black plastic than before though, it does seem colder in gray and especially in black.
One thing that surprised me was that the seat wasn't all that comfortable. It was hard and the headrest felt like a rock. I still think the S4 is going to be awesome, but I wasn't blown away by the standard car.
According to Edmunds, for roughly 40K you could buy yourself a 2006 S500 or a 750il of your choice.
If 40K is too much for you in today's economy, for less the 30K you could buy a 2006 E350. Gee. thats the price of a decent pickup!
For the patient consumer, living in a throw-away culture is a pleasure!
I saw my first "regular" ol' Bentley Continental the other day. Usually I spot a few Continental GTs, but when I saw those extra doors, I had to do a double take!
Probably because it's more believable, Nissan!
The dollar has been gaining against the euro?? :surprise: There's a shocker, especially considering the beating our economy is taking right now!
Gray, tagman...
And speaking of the stock market:
Gordon Gekko was wrong, greed is not working for me... A lesson I've yet to learn. Look out below! My socio-economic well being is plunging!!!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The dollar has been gaining against the euro?? There's a shocker, especially considering the beating our economy is taking right now!
It may seem strange but the dollar has actually gained almost 15% from earlier this year when it was almost $1.60 to 1, it is around $1.36 to 1 now.
This will cause earnings of U.S. based multinational companies to suffer a bit moving forward as comparisons will have a tougher baseline. But it will take some of the recent pressure off European companies that did business in the U.S. and were facing profit declines to to currency exchange.
Overall a stronger dollar is only one small step in the right direction for our economy. The best thing that can happen is for jobs to stabilize so workers at all ends of the economic spectrum can feel better about the future for their families.
This craziness could now be a good thing known as market capitulation. A market bottom is necessary to start moving forward again. Hopefully, this will be the market bottom, or at least part of the formation of one.
But, it is extremely painful, and in a few years from now, we will likely be ahead again. So, I'm going to ride it out and hang in there! IMO, better times lie ahead.
TM
Problems are everywhere these days. Over here unemployment is rising high because of the building crisis; stock market assets are falling down to hell you know why. Yet Banks are still solid due to rigorous regulation made by the Spanish Central Bank in past recent years. As a consequence, Banco de Santander, Banco Bilbao-Vizcaya and the rest mostly have their business in everyday banking but not in risky investments, or so appears. By now people are still able to repay their hypos or debts. But if the crisis proceeds further enough, who knows what will occur.
My wife and I, both, we are MDs and full Professors with tenure at a Medical School. Thus, we are escaping from the crisis relatively well to date. Problems might start at our retirement time, as our assets to complement the retirement have dropped by 30% this year. Retirement is 5 to 10 years from now, so I am still confident the crisis may resolve before it. Meanwhile, we control our family spending more rigidly but even so we enjoy life as much as possible. The way I see it is not to be lavish but at the same time try to get the money going around to avoid crisis growing even deeper. Seriously, I believe this behavior is better for all of us than putting all the money we could either in the socket or in dangerous business.
Regards,
Jose
And here I thought it was only Tag and me....As I understand it we (the USA) have lost five trillion dollars of market value, out of fifteen trillion, That comes from Doug Kass, but I thought maybe there was more than fifteen trillion $ ....I hope the Spanish gov. managed your banking situation better than our gov....I feel as though things are out of control--which is not a good feeling...Tony
Luckily, I don't "need" my investment $ at the moment. But, no Jag or S5 in my near future...
Actually, the Evil Wife was rather prescient regarding this turn of events. When the Dow hit 14,000, she decided bad things were on the horizon, so she moved her 401k $ out of the assorted funds she had chosen and "parked" 'em in stable value funds. Great move! In the time my (and most everyone else) retriement funds have dropped like a stone, she has maintained and somewhat increased her holdings. She's started getting back in slowly, to dollar cost average, hopefully bottom feed. Smart woman financially with terrible taste in men!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
TM
Thats what every1 says, including many of my family members, but when the market goes up they invest, then when it falls they
I wish I had some more time to be a regular participant here but right now these financial markets has made my job very busy.
I am still buying stocks hand over fist especially these past two months like never before. My clients and my own personal equity exposure has never been this high.
Miraculously I haven't received any death threats from any clients at least not yet. :surprise:
My portfolios have suffered lately but I have never been this confident in my whole life in terms of the "Great Buys" out there.
So some have said that things appear to be out of control?
Almost a year ago I had posted the following
POST 8487 Dated Dec 4th 2008
This is not a typical kind of situation since for the first time there is a risk that a few big derivative contract counterparties may not be able to live up to their commitments.( there are dozens of trillions of dollars of those contracts out there whose value is based on a counterparties ability to deliver) . If major financial instituions whom are counterparties of trillions of dollars of these contracts get financially squeezed then this whole world will be fried.
Yup fried is the word. The Gates of Hell has opened because of the lack of transparency involved with rillions of dollars of derivative contracts out there and fears that these contracts cannot be fulfilled.
That was my outlook over a year ago. Unfortunately I did not listen to my own opinion and bought quite a few equities prematurely.
Oh well now for something more cheerful:
I read somewhere that the new Lexus Prius will be a plug-in. Now that is music to my years.
Take care and as things become less hectic I will back again with my regular visitations. I really do miss this place
:surprise: Gee, I haven't posted about the 135i in quite some time now... at least a couple of hours.
bmlexus, I've been in the stock market a long time, and it's just that I'm at the point where I don't want to take the time any more to see a long recovery process through. I'll probably start increasing the portfolio's percentage to bonds, even though I'm sure there are some seriously good buys out there.
Clembo, as far as stocks go, financials are likely a good investment right now, as they are so battered, the strong institutions should bounce back nicely. I think you've made a good move.
TM
Tagman, Jose, Laurasdada, Clembo and for all those concerned:
“Buy when there’s blood in the streets” (Baron Rothschild in 1871)
Hang in there.
Damn, I'm so glad to see your post. Honestly glad.
Thanks for the advice!!
Please don't be absent so long in the future. And, I am totally on the same page with you regarding hybrids and plug-ins.
TM
Thanks!
The book gets even thicker. Make that three pages instead of one.
Page One:BMW
Page Two: Plug Ins
Page Three: Royal Kona Coffee
At least on the few stocks I own that pay dividends, the yields are looking great! There, the piggy bank is half full! Of course it used to be 4/5ths full...
I'm thinking of buying (do not tell the EW!) a few companies in a few weeks. Sell in May and stay away, but I believe late October, historically if one is trying to buy low, is the time to buy?
Bill Miller, Will Danoff, Ken Heebner et al, I'm hangin' with ya!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Page One:BMW
Page Two: Plug Ins
Page Three: Royal Kona Coffee
Yes, indeed.
Thanks again for the "tranquilizer", err, words of wisdom regarding the markets.
TM
The terrorists have threatened to destroy our economy... well, it looks like they might have to wait until Washington and Wall Street destroy it first. :surprise:
TM
Mission accomplished.
There was a great line in Bill Maher's show recently: "Maybe they are trying to get Bin Laden to die laughing."
Dollar's been gaining
LG, if the prices really hold up, then the A4 really goes bye-bye. On the other hand, hello 2006 E-class and 750i
Has anyone else felt the same? I walked past a previous gen S-class last in front of a restaurant, I imagined being in one and suddenly I felt.... old..... oddly enough I felt much younger when I imagined driving an XJ... all this despite my previous rambling about S-class
I had the touchscreen navigation going and the Bluetooth phone connection, and everything just performed wonderfully. I was so comfortable after a long drive, I never felt stiff. The seats in the car are spectacular.
I really connected to the Jag again.
Think I might keep it for a while longer. I got a great deal on it originally, and it's still under warranty. When I bought it almost three years ago, I received a warranty for 7 years/85,000 miles. I'd have to check, but I think it now has only 12K miles on it. It still looks absolutely brand new like a showroom car. To some the XJ is old, but to me it's more like a classic.
I really think it would be damned foolish to get rid of it. I got around 23 mpg on this last trip. Not my best, but still very good, IMO, for such a huge vehicle. And the Jag's 300 horses and pounds of torque felt more like 400. Ahh, the wonders of an aluminum car!
And... somehow I felt plenty young driving the long sleek Jag.
TM