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I can agree on the exotics to an extent...review after review of Ferraris and Lambos doesn't do much for me.
The ads for floor mats and window vent shades are a significant part of the bulk of some domestic issues. Has to be a tough business in this day and age.
So true...looks at old reviews from when the [insert your least favorite compact car] came out, they're always pro-advertiser due to the $$$.
Problem is, how can you budget a mag without ads? It's hard enough even with ads.
I've taken to reading "Octane" for the pure enjoyment of "proper" motoring articles well written and sometimes quirky.
Maybe I'm just getting old(er).
I also like a few German rags (impossible to get stateside), they will blatantly say a car drives terribly or is ugly.
And then they'll complain about tire costs.
Check out a snowboarding magazine sometime. I've read a dozen and have yet to find any editorial content in any of them. Even the ads don't make sense and they never put any specs on the stuff they are trying to sell.
It's pretty amusing to flip to the back of the car mags where all the performance chips and headers and air filter ads are and see the male performance ads. Must be a connection there. :shades: Amsoil sells performance stuff and multivitamins too, so maybe there is a connection.
In subcompact news (talk about little tires), Tata Nano Seeks Footing as World's Cheapest Car (AutoObserver)
And yeah, there's a fire sale joke in there somewhere.
Anything to look cool...
But I'll still take it over that wheelbarrow-wheeled Nano.
You may be right about the inverse correlation between performance and, uhh, performance. Would that mean that Tata Nano's aren't only about price?
I'm even going to ask the tire store if they can fit taller tires, since there's so much extra room in the wheel well (the gap is ridiculous actually).
I know some Miata owners that went with taller sidewalls and they fit.
Mine has 205/45 R17s. 205/50 may be too tall, but I could maybe go with 215/45, small difference I know. 6mm more sidewall.
Also, these summer gumballs are hard as a rock when it's cold. I may choose some performance all seasons next time.
They are all seasons...so ok in the rain and dry, a little iffy in the snow, but the car seems to be capable most of the time.
I can't imagine the cost of the 19"-21" that you see on a lot of cars, nowaday... factory fitments, too....
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Shame you don't see "Octane" more regularly. How about "Motor Sport" ? Does that travel west across the waves ? Have you tried "Autocar" online ? They're generally pretty straight.
Germans like Jaguars for some reason. They don't seem to be as nationalistic as one might blindly assume - they will give credit where it is due.
Motor Sport is available at the same places who stock Car and Top Gear. I have seen Autocar , it generally isn't available as widely as others, but when I know someone is traveling, I try to have them bring me back reading material. I also have a 10-20 or so early 60s vintage issues.
Until mid-2009, Alfa contemplated bringing the Giulietta to North America after the face-lift in spring 2014, but this plan is currently being revised. The latest word is that Alfa will now prioritize the all-new Giulia that replaces the 159 (in 2012), the five-door MiTo subcompact (in 2013), a BMW-X1-sized crossover based on the C-platform (also 2013), a bigger SUV derived from the C/D components set (in 2014), and a new rear-wheel-drive roadster and coupe designed along the lines of the iconic Duetto and the first-generation GTV. Also on its way is a modular plug-in hybrid system that will be introduced top-down, starting with the next-generation Maseratis. The only new Alfas that may not cross the Atlantic are the Giulia Sportwagon and the Giulietta replacement. All U.S.-bound platforms are being developed in Europe.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1103_alfa_romeo_giulietta/index.html- - - - -
Alfa Romeo is interested in building a flagship RWD sportscar in 2013, after thinking it over longer and harder how they will build the car to make the biggest impact and bring the most value and racecar ability to the table.
2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo
And so the saga continues. Since I'm right here in Kellogg, ID, home of Dave Smith Motors, the dealership that sells more Mopar product than any other dealer in the world, I might as well take a long look at Chrysler's version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Chrysler is working on the car now and will run it down the production line at their Belvidere, IL, plant just as soon as the L.A. Lakers figure out how to win again....I...I mean Chrysler is working on this car now as I type this out! This news may mean that Chrysler's new Fiat/Alfa-derived subcompact is being revised as well. So I'll wait and see. I'm not in the market until sometime in 2013 at the earliest.
Can't wait ta see this pup...Chrysler...in their fine tradition of selling more affordable small cars, will probably sell their version of MiTo/Giulietta/lopscause for something much more in the range of $14,999 to about $21,000 fully loaded. And I can walk down the hill to pick my Dodge up!
Such a deal! When you drive down Cameron Ave. in Kellogg, ID, the salespeople expect you ta stop on a dime for them, they walk out in to the street with their backs to you and you betta not hit them...they're special Dave Smith agents.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Not looking forward to seeing the bill for 17"s this time. And I bet they don't last as many miles, as mentioned above.
The trade-off comes in handling and traction and good looks. I noticed the '12 Ford Focus I clipped a picture of online earlier this morning had 18" Michelin Pilots. Those would run just as much or more as my Pirelli's would.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I ran the last set down til the rears were pretty much bald.
2012 Ford Focus Titanium
Only thing is is you can only get an automatic tranny with the Titanium series. DSG "double-clutch" automatic transmission. I absolutely love this gold color, though, and if I bought an SE with a 5-speed stick and saved with the manual tranny I would still need to deliver about $430 bucks for the "Goldfinger" color. Which I would wait for Lake City Ford of Coeur D' Alene to get in stock for me before buying. Next color choice down would be their red.
That gold has me hook, line and sinker!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
But anyway, cool car yes, so much better than the current model. The 5 door was always the best model too.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
My NA Miata had 14" wheels. Replacement tires were dirt cheap, loved it. I didn't even have to care much about tread life. I think I replaced them twice, but again, it cost next to nothing.
Not looking forward to seeing the bill for 17"s this time. And I bet they don't last as many miles, as mentioned above.
Just go with 16" tires and you'll save a bundle. Plus you'll be able to get the 5-speed tranny and the "Goldfinger" color, too.
Bingo!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Dave Smith has lots all over this little town. And they are looking to grow even more!
They go right over the clinic I'm working in. A few of the poles holding it up are in the parking lot I park in. In this picture you see the gondola just starting out. They have re-designed the outgoing buildings a lot-it is now a world-class resort. And they've overbuilt. One can buy a brand-new beautiful condo for only $40,000 right now. The realtors will be all over you like John Stockton on Gary Payton in the NBA playoffs if you call them now. They're hungry as Idaho Grizzly bears right now.
This little piece of Idaho is the shiz-nit, steve. And Coeur d' Alene is an easy hop over to go to Hasting's and read the latest car magazines. A match made in heaven for me.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
DUBS, sponsored by Bridgestone!
Hope my tires don't cost a grand. Ouch.
Ohh-oh. Ouch!
That settles that. The 2013 Ford Focus SE hatchback in 5-speeds, "Goldfinger" color, and inexpensive 16" radials.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Eventually the 13" donuts on the old car are going to need replacement, I am thinking of finally getting correct wide whites. Even those will be a lot cheaper than the big rubber.
I'll search in detail later. I've only got 11k miles on mine, and my pace is very slow since I split my miles among two vehicles.
For modern cars I tend not to cheap out on tires...most MB enthusiasts seem to say Michelin are best, and they have been OEM on many models, so that's where I go.
Old car has a set of Les Schwab brand on it from back when I was in school and not looking to spend. They've held up fine, but the car is garaged and maintained.
I used to be able to break the old NA Miata loose once in a while.
Not this one, not on public roads anyway.
The old car can't even break traction on dry pavement
Ever played with the alignment specs? If it's mostly a highway cruiser, you could probably trade some handling ability for reduced tire wear.
Is there any reason a Camcord or Civrolla needs anything more than 15s?
Other than for looks, no.
Of the three vehicles in our household, two of them have 15's (MINI and ION), the other has 17's (VUE).
In fact, I just put these on the ION earlier today:
Stock size - 15x7
EDIT - sorry about the large picture -- who knew they would display at actual size?
I remember looking at a new Rolls back around 1999-2000, and it had 19" wheels - which seemed HUGE. Now, it's nothing special.
I have 3 Hondas (well, 2 plus an Acura). All have 16" wheels. The 2000 TL and 2005 Accord even have the same size tires (205/60-16).
60 series? My lord, surprised the car doesn't just roll right over on the roof every time I hit an off ramp!
The odyssey is even taller. 235/65-16. Look like the tires on the Frieghtliner I drive sometimes.
but man, with the hideous road conditions now (pothole central) in this area, I want all the sidewall height I can get.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Actually, the stock wheels were steelies with wheel covers on them.
What's funny is that when we bought the ION, we were all set to get a silver one that had aluminum wheels on it - but discovered is was an '07 and didn't qualify for all the rebates. We found the gray '06 tucked in a back corner of the lot, equipped the way we wanted (and the preferred color), but it had the stock wheels.
Since the car was originally for our daughter, it wasn't that big of a deal. However, since it's now my DD, I wanted to bling it up just a bit. But, didn't want to go +1 since I had just gotten new tires a few months ago.