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Comments
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I don't get it.
Also had the wife at the dealer to test drive the new A4, both the 2.0 TFSI & 3.2. She liked the off the line grunt of the 2.0, but prefers the 3.2's split exhaust, & would choose that one based on that. Go figure. Next up for her will be the 3 series...
On the subject of seats, the A4 standard seats were not comfy (echoing LG's earlier post). Wife summed it up perfectly, was like sitting on a bench. They had one A4 with sport seats, whole other ballgame. Very comfy & had the pull out thigh support a la BMW. Should she choose Audi, these seats have to be there.
Another thing to be aware of for any A4 shoppers out there, both models had EXCESSIVE wind noise with the sunroof fully open. I would hope that would be one item on the hot list to fix for next year.
One final note, I've said it before, MO hasn't changed, the new TL is just as ugly in person as in pics. (dealer is Audi & Acura). Even in black the car was ugly in front & back. My wife was horrified to what's become of her car...
We've found something to agree on!
It's really too bad that they blew the design so badly, as from what I've read mechanically at least it's a very impressive effort that can challenge some of the segments best players, which the old one ultimately could not. I can stand to look at the old one though.
As for the A4, the sport seats are part of the sport package, available on the 3.2 "Premium Plus" with 18" wheels, or on the "Prestige" with 19" wheels. In the A4, the S-line package gives you black Alcantara leather and aluminum trim. To get ADS, you'll need to get the Prestige version.
How would you like to be out for a walk some evening, when one of those white beasts suddenly approaches you from post # 15759? I know I'd be running! :surprise:
Anyways, whats happening here? I was gone for a week and now politics creep up like ebola? :surprise:
Uh, you mean the upcoming 7 or the current 7? I never heard of a turbo 6-cyl in current 7, and he did say a revised turbo is coming for 2009 models. 2009 335i is expected to get this turbo as well. The problem here is the old turbo being forced to pull the current X6's weight, a job its not meant to do from the start. The new turbo is designed to fix that imo.
"Mazda still has too many rebadged Fords, the turbo four doesn't really work in the CX-7, and the V6 6 has woeful fuel economy."
Uh, LG you got it backwards. Ford got too many rebadged Mazdas. The turbo 4 is a disaster, that I agree, along with the oil muncher rotary. Subaru isnt killing itself, Toyota is killing it, the new Impreza sedan is so bland its even uglier than the car it replaced, though I have to say the wagon got better rear end treatment.
(regardng Honda's new interior) Thank you LG, now I can go to Dr. Honda and tell him that I dont have Button-itis nor Knob-ophobia. Its the cars, Dr, not me.
"Honda luck resembles the luck of Suzuki in terms of having offerings that are biased towards fuel efficient vehicles. "
Really? Well, like Don King said: only in America. Dewey you might not know this but Suzuki is a huge player across the globe for small, fuel efficient cars. There's no luck in that, its like the 70s all over again, only this time Suzuki gets the limelight instead of Toyota. Btw, why does everyone insist on comparing this mess with the great depression??? I just dont get it.
The Germans are in the wrong market segment? Don King again. They have all the tiny cars out there, A2-A3, 1-series, A and B-class, not to mention Smart. They just dont bring most of them to the US because they established themselves as only luxury player in US market. Even with those entries worldwide, theyre all still suffering, as indicated by BMW's cutting production because their September sales dropped by "ahem..." 82% worldwide.
TM, you are seriously underestimating the demon lurking in the Escape's brakes (based on experience). No matter what MY it is, not sure about 09, they squeal, they leave a dumpsterful of brake dust, and they get noisy after 5000 miles or so. You tried to press them hard twice or so, try it after 3000 miles. I dont know about the 09, but I used to drive an 03 Escape (and all pre-09s are just refresh), and I heard the 09 isnt that much of a progress anyway.
Btw, has anyone noticed that laurasdada's been missing for a while??????
Fortunately, Ford changed the brake system for '09, although they did so at the sacrifice of the rear discs, and went to front disc, rear drum. The hybrid version, which is the one we have, also has the regenerative braking system. So, I think the brakes will most likely be fine for the '09, but thanks for the heads-up.
TM
Indeed, it will be interesting to see how the TL sells over the next few years. Acura is extremely dependent on that car, so if the styling kills it, they could be in serious trouble, if they aren't already. I thought that they actually had something going for the first time in the history of the brand style wise with the previous TSX and TL. I figured the RL would continue along those lines, and if it had, perhaps they might be selling more than 300 a month. Instead, they produced an immediately forgettable super Accord, and then uglified it with the refresh. Now most reports are saying their new electric steering system has removed any sense of feedback and road feel from their cars. It's a big pile of not good.
You aren't the only one that thought that. That was my impression as well. There was enough reason to believe that the RL would follow down that path, but instead Acura dropped a bomb... no, make that numerous bombs.
They are now almost hopelessly messed up.
TM
Since you asked I'll post a 6-Month mini review. My car is a 335 Cab with Stick Shift, Premium, Sport, and most options.
Likes - The engine is great! Terrific power accross all RPM's, smooth, actually decent fuel milage, and just a joy when you want it to kick in. The folding hard top works great, is relatively quiet when up and goes down in about 20 seconds. The car has typical BMW solid feel and good handling which many convertibles lack. The I-Pod interface does work very well. Also BMW finally has put nice thick steering wheels in these cars which are great.
Dislikes - The I-Drive is not as good as Audi's, it takes too many clicks to do simple things. The run-flat tires are weak - it seems that the trade off in ride comfort is a big sacrifice for the space savings (and BMW's cost savings).
Overall I would pick the 335 again, if someone wants the fun of a convertible with some level of practicality offered by the hard top it is hard to beat. It is truly a joy to drive as the engine and transmission work in harmony and deliver fun to the driver.
Thanks Jim, for answering my question about your 335i convertible. It is obviously a terrific car. Your primary complaint should be improved with the upgraded iDrive for '09... although that's little help for you and I with our '08 interface.
I hope that the N/A engine (328i) is adequate for my wife, as the rest of the car could be similarly equipped. I strongly suspect she is going to compare the 328i convertible to the Mercedes CLK convertible, and I really don't know what other cars. She is being tight-lipped about it. Could be she will trade in our Porsche for another Porsche, but with the new PDK transmission. I really have barely a clue.
She has asked me to give her some "space" with her car-shopping. She knows that I'll have my opinions, and she doesn't want to be influenced too much until she's ready to make her decision. Then, she says, she might request my feedback on what she has come up with at the end of her search. I've agreed.
Once in a while I wonder if I should have gone for the 335i, or even an M3, instead of the 1-Series, but overall I really love my 135i.
Thanks again.
TM
The CLK is a pretty old dog at this point, and that old COMAND system really stinks. I would definitely recommend the 3 over that. If it's a 911 with PDK, I've been reading that you really want to get the Sport Chrono pack. Apparently, the standard setup for the PDK is like a lot of recent automatics, it dives for top gear the second you start moving in a desperate attempt to improve fuel economy. No fun. The "sport" button for the transmission is only available with the Sport Chrono clock thing, and that makes the transmission behave like it should in a proper sports car.
My A8L is my first German car, so I cannot compare the seats to other German makes, but I can say without a doubt that they are much more comfortable than the seats in Lexus. I drove my GS400 for 8 years and always hated the seats. Lexus seats have a very short bottom cushion that just does not support the leg in anyone taller than 5' &7". I am 6 feet even, long legs, and would have to put my wallet under my right leg to try to help. 3 months of driving the A8 and I am in heaven on long drives. I will be very critical when I buy my next car to make sure that the seat is at least as comfortable.
It's actually scheduled for a replacement, if I understand correctly, and I would not be thrilled to see the wife want to get the last year of the old CLK. The Coupe will show up first, and then there will be no convertible for another year or so afterwards.
My bet is that the new CLK will sport a retractable hardtop, although local Mercedes sales guys say no. I don't think they know, frankly... and I'm betting on a retractable hardtop in spite of what they say.
TM
I have two words on why folks should vote for McCain/Palin: Tina Fey!
And now for something completely different:
It was seventeen years ago today, a day of eerily similar New England fall weather. Trees rapidly shedding their multi-hued leaves, a bright sun and a temperature just warm enough to remind us of what we shan't be feeling again for the next six months or so.
Until October 26, 1991 I had never ridden in a limousine. No, not even to proms as from the day I received my license I became an uncomfortable, fidgety passenger. I needed the busy box known as the steering wheel in my hands and the three pedals to manipulate on the floor. I drive! But, on this day, I would gladly step into this chauffeur driven, long, black, monstrosity of a conveyance.
The beast pulled up to the curb where I was standing among a crowd of finely dressed folks, it's blackness contrasted by the bright yellows, reds and oranges of the leaves both on the trees, on the ground and gently dancing across the sky with each gust of warm wind.
The driver popped out of his door, strolled around the car and opened the rear passenger door. He looked at me and said, "The lovely young woman inside would like you to accompany her to a small party." For a brutally shy young man, this was an offer not to be refused. I looked inside and, indeed, there was quite a lovely young woman. Elegant, resplendent in a long, beautifully detailed white gown. While shy, I was not unintelligent enough to refuse the lady her request that day.
I entered the limo and nervously, somewhat gingerly, slid in along the leather seat to get close to this vision that completely filled my eyes, my heart and my soul. The door was closed, the driver got behind the wheel and the limo headed out to sea... I, feeling oh so bold, finished that long slide across the seat and kissed this woman. This woman, so lovely, so bright and with such bad taste in men!
Shortly after departing, we arrived at the destination, our wedding reception, where would begin of me a never ending query from friends, relatives and strangers: "She married YOU? Really?" Really, indeed. Lucky me.
Seventeen years, two children, two houses, one dog (and six cars) and thousands of "Yes, really!" replies later, she still fills my eyes, my heart and my soul with joy and the reminder of what is right about this world.
Happy Seventeenth anniversary to, she who is known to all as, the Evil Wife!
'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...)
We'll still be here tomorrow!!
TM
My better half is my best friend and my reminder of the good things that we call miracles.
My best to you and the EW...the evil part we all really need!
Regards,
OW
Congratulations!
Would that we all felt as you do.
You can always trade, Btw, did you test the 335i or the M3 before getting the 135i?
Yes, as surprising as it seems, we are now the proud owners of a Hybrid vehicle.
Btw, did you test the 335i or the M3 before getting the 135i?
Yes, I drove the 335i. I have not driven the M3, however, and I know if I were to do so, I would probably want one... so it's probably better that I don't drive it!... LOL.
TM
You don't have to write a romantic novel to get congratulations here... But it doesn't hurt!!
Congratulations!
TM
Regards,
Jose
My wife is even more of a Democrat than I am, and she loves Fey's Palin. I've been watching SNL these past several weeks for the first time in a long time just to see the opening sketches, they've been hilarious, and it was great to have Ferrell back as Bush on Thursday.
Congratulations on your Anniversary. Start planning now for number 20, you better make it a big one. :shades:
I believe I had indicated a couple years ago that I am also from southern New England (transplanted in the Midwest many years ago), but I really do miss the fall colors there. There is nothing like it in the world.
BTW, for you and Clembo, the Patriots look rather solid all of a sudden. Cassel is improving with each game and the defense seems to have gotten its act together. It is obviously the GENIUS of Belichick that is responsible for the resurrection. Watch them reach the Super Bowl again. Too bad about the Sox. They almost made another miracle comeback against the young Rays. The Series would have had a lot more national appeal with the Red Sox in it. As it stands now, the TV ratings are rather atrocious. I do feel confident that the Red Sox will be contenders every year now. Everything changed since 2004.
BTW, McCain's military accomplishments and experience weren't exactly successful... he failed and was captured... and his experience was one of torture, which certainly impacted his mind. Unless he's been through a lot of therapy and anger management, and treatment for PTSD, I wouldn't trust his emotional nature to have his finger on the "red button".
You saw him during the debates, clenching his jaw... He is a ticking time bomb. No thanks.
TM
Sorry to join this particular conversation late, but you hit the nail dead-center and square on the head with that one, tagman! I'm absolutely horrified at the thought that some grumpy old man with a chip on his shoulder could be the next president. We already had that with Bush Sr. We don't need it again. :sick: Not only will nothing be done for the economy, but also we'll be dragged through so many wars/skermishes that the U.S. will be gauranteed to fall.
Is 20 a big one? I thought that after 10, 25 and 50 were the big ones. :confuse:
TM
Obama: You'll be a really good vice-presidential candidate this time around but you lack any, as I repeat, ANY executive experience to run the country. Not to mention the most powerful and influential country in the world. I would vote for Biden/Obama in a heart beat but Obama/Biden? Sorry...
Change? Please stop with that crap... Maybe you can fool some desperate and ill-educated voters but you ain't gonna fool the smart ones. We all know that it's going to be business as usual after Obama gets elected. If my life gets better and I see that you are leading the country into prosperity in the next 4 years then I'll admit that I was wrong and cast a vote for Mr. Obama in the 2012 election.
McCain: Really like him for the tough character and based on his experience both as a politician and military COMMANDER I have no doubt that he can provide a steady force in a time of turmoil. However, I can't see myself voting for him based on Bush's performance in the past 4 years. I know I am punishing him for the wrong reason but he is representing the Republican party in this election and that party needs to be punished for what it has done.
Don't get me wrong, I was not against invading Iraq, as matter of fact I still support that decision today (That's why I voted for Bush back in 2004 and I am not proud of it...). What I am against is what we did AFTER the invasion. If all you want is to get rid of Hussein then mission accomplished, let's get them boys home. If all you want is the oil then let's grab them, at this time I don't give a rat's a** on what other countries would say (we told you to side with us at the beginning so now shut up) all I want is cheap gas for the Americans so OPEC couldn't hold us as hostages. Instead of either of the two scenarios we are now losing American lives over there for nothing while back home the gas is still over $3 a gallon. Bush, you effed up! Pure and simple.
Am I going to vote this time? Probably not. Why? One, because California is a blue state anyways so it really doesn't matter. Two, I have reasons good enough to make me NOT voting for both candidates.
Just my two cents.
Lot's of action and opinion over there..
Bill Maher had a great line on Friday, John Kennedy was tested in an international crisis and he won that crisis because he was smart, and level headed. If John McCain had been president during those 13 days in 1962, none of us would be here because he would've bombed the missile sites in Cuba, and that would be the end of everything.
People also seem to forget that John McCain would be the oldest president ever elected, and the percentage of VPs having to take over in this country is something like 1 in 4. Sarah Palin isn't qualified to manage a Wal-mart.
Barack has shown over the last two years that he's qualified, and has the judgement and temperment to be President. Barack knew that the war in Iraq would be a needless disaster, while McCain was on an aircraft carrier weeks after September 11th shouting "Next Stop, Baghdad!" Barack's campaign has been BY FAR the best run this time, of both parties. His campaign beat the Clintons, and John McCain's campaign has been an utter disaster. Captain "suspend my campaign" to race back to Washington said absolutely nothing in the meeting he had to be back there for. He sat there and said nothing because he knows nothing about the economy. We can't afford that in this climate.
The biggest executive decision a candidate makes is their choice of VP. I'd like for the McCain supporters to tell me that the choice of Sarah Palin was a good one, not some last second, Bush style "gut move" because Rove told him he couldn't have Joe Lieberman. Tell me she's qualified to take over the toughest job in the world.
All I know is my wife said you better come up with something special for number 20, so I did. The rules are her's
Ha-ha-a, that depends a lot on the celebrants!
My wife and I are quite eccentric in this respect.
We have never celebrated round big wedding anniversaries or, by the same token, St. Valentine's or Father's/Mother's Days. We do celebrate wedding anniversaries every year but specially if the year is linked with other significant mark to our lives.
So for instance, this year has been our 34 wedding anniversary and wife's birthday 60th anniversary. Big private celebration as a result, since it has been nice getting 60 still together after a long while from the wedding. My bonus being that my wife is still incredibly well fitted and good looking at her age.
Trying to escape from routine, I believe.
Regards,
Jose
The 335 is great. The performance is flawless. The build quality lags behind Audi by leaps and bounds. The performance of the Audi is behind the bimmer to be fair.
For 2009, Audi has switched from a more supportive German seat, to a seat more geared to the American market. Agreeing with another poster, the new seats are fantastic in S-line guise, and so-so in standard spec.
I love the crisp turn in, great steering, and balanced nature of the BMW. I hate the lousy cup holders, all the squeaks, and rattles that have come up in just a few short months, and the radio working when it feels like it. Service is crappy at the dealership.
The wife is getting a new ML320 CDI this week. [unless she changes her mind again for the inth time] I will post a review after a few weeks of ownership.
Politics
I'm ready for both sides to go away. We need an independent party. All both parties care about is keeping their party in power.
Sorry if your a CPA but we need a flat tax as well.
End of rant
Amen, brother.
I've ALWAYS supported that idea no matter who has said it!
Ideally, success shouldn't be punished, and making more money shouldn't be penalized. On the other hand, it shouldn't be unfairly and exclusively rewarded, either.
TM
With these markets as they are my son and daughter will have the scariest Halloween outfits possible. My son will dress up as Gordon Gecko and my daughter will dress up as a financial planner soliciting early retirement equity plans. They will definitely scare the hell out of everyone and hopefully they will still get some treats before the door slams.
Remember the Sony Walkman? Remember the Pacman? Yup stockmarkets in Japan are back to where they were in 1982 and are over 70 percent lower than their peak almost 20 years ago. My 83 MB300D did not depreciate that much during those years as Japanese equities. As Maynard Keynes said about long term investors: In the long term we are all dead.
Call me a masochist but I am still putting my head against the plank by buying equities today for my clients and myself. A long term investor I remain despite Maynard Keynes who happens to be dead himself :P
TM
You 18 years.
Circlew and Laurasdada 17 years
And myself 14 years :surprise: Miraculous indeed at least for my 14 years!
During a "honeymoon vacation from hell " we both spent time in a Slovakian prison because we didn't have the proper visa documentations and because I refused to give a bribe to an official. A few days later we moved on to Prague, Czech and our hotel over there caught on fire and killed 11 tourists. After endless stresses and arguments with my new bride we had decided to visit a divorce court as soon as we arrived home from our honeymoon. Fourteen years later we both found out that "opposites do actually attract" and we are blessed with two wonderful children.
I, too, am lucky my wife did not dump me back then! Two weeks before the wedding, I had emergency surgery to remove scar tissue from a previous operation that was causing unbearable pain. Needless to say, she did not need to worry about fitting into her dress as she lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks on sheer worry and anxiety. I owe her big time.
She still likes me (my miracle)! You can't say that about my BMW that has been duly thrashed for 3 years!
Regards,
OW
Keep the change.
If she wants a 1er, fine, but then I guess I'll have to look at the M3 for myself. Things have gotten more complicated than I expected. :surprise:
TM