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The interesting thing is it can drift!! :surprise:
Regards,
OW
We are all going to be driving Smart cars anyway in a few years. :surprise:
Looks like the glory days of luxury gas guzzlers and driving fun will just be a distant memory....
We can always keep the LL open to reminisce about the glorious Bush days of long ago-when we could drive whatever we wanted to, before radar detectors became obsolete. Looks like the 40 mpg future will have us driving small, boring cars that 90% of us don't want.
Maybe I can get a black market 1969 Mercury Cougar from Cuba. :sick:
Do want you can with the future offerings, but hold onto your ICE as classic. Worst case, you can profit from a movie studio doing a retro film.
My uncle has 6 garages full of restored classics that studios pay premium for.
10 years from now, someone doing a movie about the early 00's may want your Bimmer.
Greeting from the far South....Down here the fast cars are still everywhere, but the economy has slowed ...Around six weeks ago things were starting to pick up , and even though it is now the slow season, I think it is more than slow.....We rented the small car today, and I can warn everyone to really shop around...I usually rent from Hertz---due to the convenience-- but by ridng the `people mover` up five stops, and going to Budget we saved four hundred dollars for the week...less than two hundred vs more than six hundred.....They`l get it somewhere else, but I was disapointed in that Hertz tried to take such advantage..
.I don`t think Obamas fuel strategy will work out, unless Exxon says so , and frankly I don`t drive that much to take a 10 mpg savings into consideration vs comfort and decent driving dynamics ....The airplane was soooo much easier than driving that I probably won`t do the drive but once a year, until the airline strands me somewhere
Actually, I would've thought you would be pleased, at least about the cars coming in the near future, given all of your complaints about the fat, lazy 3 series. If things were to simply continue as they are now with no change, eventually the BMW 3 series would weigh 5,000lbs. and would be 200" long. The 1 series would be 4000lbs. and 195", and there would be a 0.5 series that everyone would be complaining has gotten too fat and too dull.
Instead, new CAFE regulations here and C02 regulations in Europe are finally forcing an end to perpetual weight and feature creep. BMW and Audi are not proposing radically lightened cars because customers have gotten bored and are leaving the brands for Caterhams and Arial Atoms. They are doing it because they have to make more fuel efficient cars - which can be a good thing for enthusiasts.
Weight isn't just the enemy of efficiency, it's the enemy of performance. Imagine how good the S4 could be if instead of 2 tons of steel, it was made out of aluminum and composites and weighed 3000lbs. Power it with the TTS's 265hp four, and it would probably be faster than the current car, a lot more efficient, and loads more fun.
I can't predict what cars will be like 50 years from now when they are all running on electric motors or fuel cells, but I predict that 10-15 years from now, we will be astonished at what pigs people were driving back in the late '00s, and how heavy, dull, and boring they were.
glorious Bush days
I love those! Like "jumbo shrimp" or "celibate Clinton" :shades:
I'm hoping BMW will go back to making small, fun to drive cars, preferably with manual transmissions and 4 cylinder engines.
I have posted many times that I feel BMW has strayed far from what they used to be, in order to appease the yuppy poseurs and that I wish they got back to making small, fun to drive vehicles for the rest of us.
The 3 Series is already the same size as the 5 Series of a few short years ago. Only 100 pounds or so separate a 135i coupe from a 328i sedan. :surprise:
I have posted many times that I feel BMW has strayed far from what they used to be, in order to appease the yuppy poseurs and that I wish they got back to making small, fun to drive vehicles for the rest of us.
Cars peaked in the 90s. I think the E36 M3 was pretty much the pinnacle of automotive evolution and now we are on a race to the bottom. I am not saying there aren't cars today that are faster or more powerful or even get better fuel economy, but most of those vehicles, by any mfg, are fat bloated piggies.
In the 90s, Honda was on the road to domination, the 90-93 Accords were fantastic, only to be followed by the let down 94-97 version. The Civic line was stellar from the 80s through the 90s. The early 90s brought us some great Acura Legends, and the late 90s gave us the tuner's dream Integra. VW lost and found again its Mojo (92 GTI was about it until the 98 Passat and 99.5 Jetta came out). Mazda reminded us small cars could be fun with the Protege. The RX7 was a no compromise sports car. The 300ZX was a slightly more bloated companion. Even the '97+ C5 Corvettes were stellar.
Now we have 6 second 0-60 Camrys where the driver need not be present, and we spend time bench racing based on who has the biggest battery pack. It seems pretty sorry if you ask me.
My first BMW, the E36 325i from 1993 could absolutely run rings around my current E90 328i; absolutely no doubt about it. Of my 4 BMWs, the E36 was the best. Each one after that got progressively bigger and less fun to drive. The current one feels like a freakin' tank!
Blame focus groups. I want more legroom! I want more trunk space! I want more headroom! You can only do so much with clever packaging, eventually you have to make the car bigger to satisfy all of those requirements. Which means it's heavier, which means it needs a bigger engine, which makes it even heavier, etc.
The original Accord would fit in the back seat of the current Accord. Nissan seems to be one of the first to break this mold. The 370Z is much smaller and more focused than the 350Z. Hopefully other car makers will follow suit.
IMO the 3 series is still in the right size, borderline though, please don't make it any bigger...
Hope the weather in Miami is agreeable. We're just coming out of a cold/wet phase that looks to have broken last evening.
I remember you posting that the economy didn't appear to affect tourism in the Charleston area. After doing some digging, the number of visitors isn't far off, but the $$$ spent in the area is way down. Charleston Grill has unadvertized early bird specials these days. Unheard of not too long ago. Still seeing a large number of businesses shutting down. Even port activity is down some 15%.
I haven't purchased very many cars thus far, but the S5 has been wonderful. Barring unforseen problems in the future, I can see myself taking it to 100K easy, despite undoubtably costly maintenance down the road. I'm really worried about what will be out there to replace her when the time comes. Electric, solar-powered cars equipped with sails to harness the wind?
I'll look to replace the wife's car with something fun soon before the options run dry. She likes the Q5, but I may try to influence her into a 335i. At least she's over the SLK...
Where was the focus group input on iDrive, I wonder? I must have been out when BMW Research called me that day. :surprise:
BMW can be stubborn and arrogant. They continue to make the workings of their vehicles less driver-friendly despite all the complaints.
I wouldn't bother driving a 5 Series. Just looking at the sci-fi shifter makes me queasy.
I hope BMW makes the next generation 3 Series a bit lighter and smaller, but I doubt it.
That's part of why I enjoy my '08 TSX so much. It's the Accord sold everywhere outside North America and is significantly smaller.
Bigger is most assuredly not always better.
Some guy has recnetly pictured this spyshot of Equus Limousine in South Korea. This limousine is special version for domestic market. It might be release for Korean market in 2009. This is because Old Equus Limousine have been used for famous company owners in Korea or foreigner VVIP. However 2010 Hyundai Equus Limousine wolud export to China, East asia market.
*Source: Hyundaibuzz.com
I could not agree more.
Uhh.... pardon.... but aren't you the guy who currently drives a gas-guzzling Audi S something or other that one would be lucky to achieve 17 mpg in? Of course, I could be wrong.
I am delighted to say I am getting 25.5 mpg with the 328i even though I regret not going with the 335i. At the time I was in the market, gas mpg was a factor.
I will never get a hybrid. I would rather drive something like a 335d.
For me it's diesel all the way Tony, if offered a mandatory future choice between diesel and hybrid by the Obama-maniac conservationists who don't seem to fret a whit being whisked around in large SUVs and air force jets.
The S6 weighs about 4500lbs. and gets mileage in the high teens. The other car I was considering, the XF SC, weighs 4200lbs. and gets similar mileage. Both are fun, enjoyable cars, but both could and should be lighter.
Obama isn't going to force me to buy a Smart car, which actually isn't all that fuel efficient considering its size. Besides, Smart is a Daimler brand, which no longer has anything to do with Chrysler. If Obama was going to force me to buy anything, it would be a Volt, or a Fusion hybrid, or one of those non-existent Chrysler electric cars.
Cars that I'm going to consider in the near future are the next gen A6 and A7, Infiniti M, and possibly the Jag XJ if it actually turns out to be attractive. I have no intention of giving up the space or luxury features that I currently enjoy in the S6. I just don't need it to have a V10, or weigh 4500lbs. I'd be quite happy with a 3500lb. S6 powered by Audi's supercharged V6.
Actually, I'm much more worried about mandatory E15, E20, or even E30 requirements. Nobody is going to force consumers to choose between diesels and hybrids, but the threat of the "flexfuel" corn lobby forcing more and more corn fed ethanol into gasoline is quite real. E85 is the biggest boondoggle in the world. It needs massive subsidies, its hopelessly impractical, it destroys fuel economy and engine parts, and it needs protection from the EPA that other biofuels don't get because Ethanol's big secret is its just as dirty to burn as gasoline.
One good thing, the guy may be voted out of office before any serious damage is done.
From what I have been reading, the Fusion Hybrid seems to be the best thing Ford has done in recent years.
You know I like the Infiniti M also. If only Infiniti could produce vehicles with better mpg-the only significant negative for the G and M.
10% ethanol seems to be everywhere.
The S6 is a handsome vehicle. Congrats. on that!
If I ever wind up with a Cayman S, I'll race you to Walmart.
I recently was given an Audi A6 as a loaner while my Cayenne was in for service (yet another reason why the Cayenne is better than an X5 is that most Porsche stores are paired with Audi stores and if you can't get a free Porsche loaner they will at least give you a free Audi.). It was fantastic. Serius satellite radio, a conventional gear shift lever on the center console, no complicated bi-fold glasses required "command" systems, the radio volume control knob (yes, knob) was in the center console and postioned right at the outer edge of where one's right hand would rest, etc. Great car, great ergonomics. About as unlike a Bimmer 5 Series as one could get.
Who says that Germans can't build a user-friendly car?
One Porsche dealer I visited was affiliated with VW next door. I got to sit in a very nice, loaded GTI after the guy unsuccessfully tried his hardest to put me in a 911.
The other Porsche dealer I visited was much more high-end having Maserati and Ferrari stores adjacent, as well as a BMW store for the "less-fortunate".
Glad to hear Audis are not complicated. I have never driven an Audi.
My 3 Series is not complicated. The 5 Series, as you know is another story. Have you ever seen a crazier looking shifter? Totally whacko!
BMW: WHY???
Indeed. The fuel economy of the M45x is no better than my car, and at least I have the excuse of a 435hp V10. Their new 7-speed is a good start, but they still have more work to do to match the efficiency of the A6 3.0T or the GS350.
I try to avoid E10 wherever possible. I'm not really worried about it corroding my engine, but even 10% hurts fuel economy, and I don't exactly have a lot to spare. From what I've heard, E10 makes life miserable for boat and classic car owners. I hope it follows methanol down the tube of dumb ideas, sooner rather than later.
You should take an A6 3.0T for a spin (make sure it's a Sport) - it's probably the best overall car Audi currently makes short of the R8. The S4 should be absolutely superb, but finding one for a test drive probably wont be easy.
I'm glad that Audi has chosen to not follow MB and BMW down the wacko ergonomics path. I don't know who thought it would be a good idea to press a button to engage park.
Prior to the introduction of MMI in the A8, Audi's NAV interfaces were absolutely horrendous - stone age technology, worse even than BMW's pre-iDrive systems. Their latest generation hard drive based MMI system that will find its way into the 2010 cars though is absolutely state of the art, IMO better than anything the Japanese have.
Yikes! a V10! Scratch what I said about racing you to Walmart! :surprise:
If you could have only one would you choose the Audi A6 3.0T or Infiniti M45?
It seems like consumers have already decided on their own that voluntarily buying less gas at the pump can be in their own self-interest, and are now driving the same number of miles as they were five years ago, even with more cars and more drivers. Without stricter CAFE standards, consumers on their own have been driving less, have been buying less gas at the pump, and in the process have reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Seems like this is happening at the auto dealerships as well. Will pricing fluctuate?
Regards,
OW
Filling station?? :surprise: Wow! I didn't know you were that old, hpowders! :P
Then again, I'm totally familiar w/ the term, so what does that say about me? :sick:
I'll meet you down by the ol' Esso fillin' station and we'll shoot the breeze a bit-the one on the dirt road leading out of town. Bring your wallet. I hear they raised the price again to 13 7/8 cents. :shades:
It says you are well-qualified to hang out here.
Regards,
OW
Less than 29 cents for ethanol-free regular. I can deal with that! Those lucky rich folk who could afford almost 35 cents a gallon.
Brings back some great memories of a different, if not better time. When I was a kid, recalling the wonderful Sunday drives with my dad, I used to count the Esso signs. They were all over the place.
Thank you for the great photo!
Regards,
OW
Good question. While I like the Infiniti's hard drive for music storage, the A6 3.0T Sport is IMO better at everything else, and better looking. The M45 is just too compromised with the 5-speed. The A6 should get the next gen MMI system for 2010, which makes the choice that much easier. When the next gen cars show up in 2011 or 2012, who knows? I'm sure the C7 car is going to be very good, but the M37 should be excellent as well.
Here's a good (if somewhat unusual) look at the 3.0T.
A6 3.0T lobster test
Wow, a whole straw penny? Did you manage to catch the latest serialized Fitzgerald in Colliers? I just got back from the cobbler, now I'm on my way to the apothecary, and then on to the haberdasher. Bully!
Will you kindly tell me how those folks from across the tracks can pay 21 7/8 cents?
Oh well, I really should be thankful, having the brand-new Philco radio and all from the latest Sears Roebuck catalog.
I'm really confident this is as good as it gets!
May I be the first to wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous 1929! :shades:
Yes, I'm sure we're all going to keep on roaring into the '30s with Hoover in charge. There's no possible way he could destroy the Republican party for half a century. Time to buy more stocks!
What's going on here?... I thought Len had all this oil pricing under control!!
TM
That Esso station may have had one of those chests inside.
Thanks for the memory!
Champion Porsche was fond of telling everyone that they are (were?) the largest Porsche dealer in the world. This was more than bragging. Porsche gives dealers cars based on detailed "allocations" ("OK, you get one C4S in October and the right to order 3 C4 cabs in November,,"). A dealerships "allocations" are based on its previous sales history. So, he who has the allocations gets to rule the market. Want a GT3 right now? Your local dealer in East Podunk probably wouldn't have an "allocation" for one for 9 months. Dealers like Champion would have ability to order one for you when others couldn't.
Gee, if an apparently well run Porsche/Audi dealer can't manage its way through this crisis.....
Champion Porsche is still listed on Porsche USA's website as a Florida dealer which unfortunately means nothing. The Porsche website also lists CPO vehicles for sale that have already been sold.
Except for Wilde Lexus in Sarasota, I have nothing good to say about upscale Florida car dealerships, whether it be BMW, Porsche, Acura or Infiniti.
Do you mean upscale authorized dealers or, more likely, the independent guys you see in the Dupont Report trying to sell used Lambos and RR Phamtons from what my father's generation would have said "a phone booth"?
I went to Sun Coast Porsche and Reeves Porsche and in both stores, the attitude was unfriendly and non-aggressive.
Both sales guys acted like they needed to take anti-depressants.
I would have expected them to be a bit more enthusiastic when they saw me pull up in a BMW with my Esso-remembering demeanor. I could have been one of their few "live ones."
Who knows, maybe they received layoff notices. That would certainly have curbed my enthusiasm.
There are currently 13 franchised Porsche dealers in Florida. I have a feeling Champion won't be the only one to declare Chapter 11 before the end of this year.