What's the car of your dreams?

[ShawnJ]

I would have to pick the following dreamcars:

2005 Brabus Mercedes M-Class (http://www.tuningnews.net/news/050621/brabus-m-class.php)

http://www.tuningnews.net/news/050621/brabus-m-class-01.jpg

2007 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 (http://automobilemag.com/photo_gallery/0505_shelby_gt500/index1.html)

http://img184.echo.cx/img184/4290/finderscreensnapz0013nb.jpg

2006 Ranger Rover Supercharged (http://www.landroverusa.com/us/en/Vehicles/Range_Rover/Supercharged.htm)

http://www.aiada.org/images/news_photos/Land_Rover_Supercharged.jpg

What's yours?

[audiopollution]

Yeah, I'd love that Brabus M-Class, but given a much larger bank balance I would take a gorgeous Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S.

http://www.astonmartins.com/vanquish/vanquish_s.jpg

[MarcUK]

http://www.autohistoriallinenseura.fi/images/helakuvat2004/Hillman-Imp.-1.jpg

[Splinemodel]

Lotus Elise with the following modifications:

1. Unadulterated race shocks.
2. Street-Illegal racing slicks.
3. Engine swap: SpeedSource tweaked 13B-MSPRE with custom built electric turbocharger and variable intake manifold.

Should lighten the car a bit (~1800lbs), and be good for more than 300rwhp. The result is a car with top-class GT handling and with a power-to-weight ratio near that of a liter-bike. . . For less than $100 grand for sure, and it can run on pump gas.

[Powerdoc]

Originally posted by ShawnJ
I would have to pick the following dreamcars:



What's yours?

The Range Rover Sport. Smaller than the regular one, but still very confortable, and enough place for my golf clubs ... :p

[shetline]

An all-wheel drive hybrid sedan that gets 40+ mpg (17+ kpl), or, further into the future, an all-wheel drive fuel cell vehicle using solar-produced hydrogen. Eco-friendly with a really quiet ride.

Since my dream car is going to be nice and quiet, I want it to have a completely user-upgradable audio system where after-market equipment plugs right... Not like, oh, a certain Subaru I recently purchased, where the cheesy, no-input-for-my-iPod built-in audio system is completely intertwined with the HVAC controls, making impossible to remove the factory radio without disabling heating, ventilation, and A/C. :mad:

[curiousuburb]

Either http://www.thegreenhead.com/technology/images/m400-flying-skycar-5.jpg

or maybe the movie version of this... if fully functional. ;)

http://www.moviecars.it/images/auto/delorean_dmc12_big3.jpg

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by shetline
Not like, oh, a certain Subaru I recently purchased, where the cheesy, no-input-for-my-iPod built-in audio system is completely intertwined with the HVAC controls, making impossible to remove the factory radio without disabling heating, ventilation, and A/C. :mad:

What did you recently purchase? I just got a WRX and it came with the "upgrade" sound system with 6 CD in dash changer. I can't recall if the audio is integrated into the temp controls, but there is OF COURSE a way to hook up an iPod.

Right now I'm looking for a clever way to route the Firewire I/O directly into the stereo, track info and all, and also allow full utilization of the control knobs. It will certainly require some embedded hardware skills, but I have those.

[shetline]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
What did you recently purchase? I just got a WRX and it came with the "upgrade" sound system with 6 CD in dash changer. I can't recall if the audio is integrated into the temp controls, but there is OF COURSE a way to hook up an iPod.
My 2005 Legacy came with the so-called upgrade 6 CD in-dash changed too. And yes, there are "ways" to hook-up and iPod -- I have one hooked up now -- but only shitty and/or far, far more complicated and compromised ways of doing so, involving problems which could have been avoided if Subaru wasn't either incredibly stupid about, or actively hostile towards, aftermarket audio.

If your WRX is a 2005 model, not a 2004, you probably face the same issues I do. First of all, the factory head unit has no auxiliary line input. Unlike the 2004 models, even the external link between the CD changer and the radio/amp no longer exists, closing off one popular aftermarket approach for integrating external audio sources.

The only external input is the FM antenna input -- a noisy, low-fi solution at best when compared to a line-level audio connection. Subaru even makes the best form of FM input (direct-wired input) difficult by using non-standard antenna connectors, connectors which don't work with the standard Motorola-style RF connectors typically used for hooking up external RF modulators.

(In the past few weeks has an aftermarket antenna adapter for Subaru radios become available. I lost patience well before that and hacked my own solution: cutting the pigtail antenna connector and inserting an inline male/female pair of standard Motorola connectors -- connectors designed to be solderless, but soldered and gooped down with epoxy for strain relief because they were designed for crimping onto a much thicker gauge of wire than the also-non-standard antenna lead used by Subaru.)

So, what if you'd like to do better than moderately crappy wired-FM solutions (which I'm settling for now), or a really crappy wireless solution, like using an iTrip or AirPlay? Replace the head unit with a better head unit? Like perhaps the really nice Alpine I had in my previous car and had wished to install in my new car? Hah!

The HVAC controls share a single contiguous piece of dashboard plastic with the radio/CD changer controls. At the very least, this arrangement poses mechanical and cosmetic challenges to using an aftermarket head unit.

The problems, however, go deeper than that. Behind the dashboard faceplate is a single, vertically-mounted circuit board to which both sets of controls are mounted. Behind that board is a single metal box housing, as one unit, the HVAC controls, radio, amp, and CD changer.

Short of someone designing a no-doubt very expensive, Subaru-specific replacement unit which duplicates the functionality of Subaru's HVAC system, or a difficult and expensive custom-rebuilding/repackaging of the electronics inside a factory combo HVAC/Audio unit, you're pretty much stuck with the factory sound system staying in your car -- even if you don't want to use it, it's not going anywhere.

What are some of the non-FM solutions?

There's a hack I've found online where you open up your radio, splice into the CD changer cable, and then, with the aid of a CD with nothing but a single track of 80 minutes of silence, fake out your factory unit that your now-direct-wired iPod is a CD playing. You will, of course, have to put up with the audio muting for a couple of seconds every 80 minutes when the fake-out CD audio auto-repeats.

There's also just enough space between the two air vents over the radio that, with a custom modification/rebuild of the vent housing, you can squeeze in a standard DIN-style aftermarket head unit (just barely) between the two vents. No aftermarket wiring harnesses exist for the 2005 Subaru, so you'll have to create your own harnesses or hack into the existing wiring for power, speaker output, etc., all while making sure you don't disable the power or control signals needed for the HVAC unit.

Using a homemade wiring harness and/or hacking into the factory wiring, you might also go the route of using nothing more than an amplifier wired to your speakers -- but you'd have no radio that way, and you'd have to control volume via a volume control on the amp itself (might not be convenient to reach) or via your iPod.

Both of the above approaches mean that your dashboard contains a distracting, useless and essentially dead head unit that you can't get rid of.

Even sticking with their annoying all-in-one HVAC/Audio design, it shouldn't have cost Subaru more than $5 to provide a simple auxiliary line input which could have made life so, so much easier and better not only for millions of iPod users, but satellite radio users as well.

[Splinemodel]

Thanks for the info. I do have a 2005 WRX, and the sound unit is like you said. For those who think they are clever, I am aware that the 2006 WRX has a different "better" engine, but I got the 05 cheap, and since only the American version has the 2.5L, I felt better about getting cheap, quality parts for the venerable EJ20 motor in my 05. ;)

It's weird that a company that's known for turning a blind eye to performance mods has BMW-ed the stereo.

Anyway, I think I will try to go the extra mile and hack the iPod to work with this unit. I will probably do it via the USB linkup, since USB ICs are cheaper and more ubiquitous than Firewire ICs. I will have to make a small PCB to put the chips on (needed to communicate with the iPod, and potentially to decode the MP3/AAC stream), but that should be quite small and easy to stash in one of many places. I will also have to make a few solder connections to the stereo/hvac board. Hopefully not more than a few. ;)

[shetline]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
Anyway, I think I will try to go the extra mile and hack the iPod to work with this unit. I will probably do it via the USB linkup, since USB ICs are cheaper and more ubiquitous than Firewire ICs. I will have to make a small PCB to put the chips on (needed to communicate with the iPod, and potentially to decode the MP3/AAC stream), but that should be quite small and easy to stash in one of many places. I will also have to make a few solder connections to the stereo/hvac board. Hopefully not more than a few. ;)
My current set-up is like this:

I'm working with a Belkin cigarette-lighter power adapter which has a line-level audio output. The output level is adjusted only by a pot on the adapter -- the output level is not affected by the iPod's volume setting.

I also have a wired FM stereo modulator. The modulator and the Belkin adapter are both stashed inside the dashboard behind the radio, taking power off the back of the cigarette lighter.

As mentioned before, the pigtail FM lead which hangs out of the back of the radio has been cut, and a pair of standard Motorola-style connectors inserted.

The modulator is wired up to the new antenna connections. The audio inputs for the modulator are hooked to the audio outputs of the Belkin adapter, with the volume adjusted to the highest level I could reach without obvious distortion or loss of the stereo (it looks like perhaps my modulator drops its stereo subcarrier when overdriven).

I've cut a small slot into the back of the dashboard cubbyhole which is located between the two central air vents. The iPod connector cable comes up through this hole, making it convenient to leave the iPod connected while stashing it away in the cubbyhole. When in use, the iPod is pulled out and hangs from a vent-mounted bracket. The cubbyhole door closed neatly over the cable. A small switch that I've mounted just inside the that door turns power on and off to the FM modulator.

This works reasonably well, and much, much better than a wireless FM adapter. The sound isn't as clean as I'd like. however, certainly not nearly as good as a direct line-level signal would be, so I've been growing dissatisfied.

Now, if you're going to be poking around inside your WRX's radio (I'm guessing it's internally the same as mine) perhaps you can figure this out: Where does the line-level output from the radio run through the circuit board? If you could find this, I'd be reasonably happy using that info to do as follows...

Cut the left and right signal leads for the radio's output, just before whatever point the signal selector for CD/Radio is located. Splice in a DPDP relay switch. In the off position, have the radio signal pass through as normal. In the on position, take the signal from my iPod.

Then, instead of needing to do something as kludged as playing a CD at the same time that I play my iPod -- and still have to worry about drop-outs when the CD runs out and repeats -- all I'd have to do is turn on the radio and flip my bypass switch.

How does that strike you as a somewhat less involved solution?

[Placebo]

http://img252.echo.cx/img252/5508/media1pl.jpg
The 2007 Scorpion.

[a_greer]

http://www.fordvehicles.com/fordgt/images/photo_gallery/ph_GT_thumb_7.jpg
Ford GT Need I say more

[e1618978]

http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2004-Rolls-Royce-100EX-Centenary-Experimental-Car.htm

It will be available next year for about $425,000 (+ gas guzzler tax).

[Gene Clean]

I wouldn't exactly call it the car of my dreams, but it's the one I like

http://img235.echo.cx/img235/9185/minicooperjohncooperworksjcwpt.jpg

[hmurchison]

http://www.lexus.com/2006is_preview/assets/isPreview_img_content3.jpg

The next Lexus IS300 of course. Finally living up to its name with a 3.5litre 6 cyclinder engine. 300+ horsepower and 275lb ft of torque with Lexus opulence. I'm dreaming affordable nowadays folks :P

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by shetline

How does that strike you as a somewhat less involved solution?
I'm sure, in the course of my exploration, i will find the amp input. All stereos have one (or more). I'll be sure to let you know about it.

But I'm more interested in the hack than the actual result. What do you expect from an EE. . .

By the way, congrats, genius, for not resizing that dumb car picture.

[squareback]

1977 Revcon 290 DT motorhome, with the outdoor shower.

[ShawnJ]

Originally posted by a_greer
http://www.fordvehicles.com/fordgt/images/photo_gallery/ph_GT_thumb_7.jpg
Ford GT Need I say more

Ah... yes you may indeed say more. The rumored Corvette SS may attain 600 hp, which is more than the Z06 and the Ford GT...

[Matsu]

Lotsa dead-end designs here. Particularly the Fords. Both nice, neither new. The GT40 redux being particularly dissapointing in the flesh, now that I've had a chance to see a couple up close...

On the Mustang it seems somewhat forgivable, given the price, the icon, and the nostalgia, but I wonder if my reaction isn't just relief that we finally don't have to look at the 80's and 90's variant's of that car.

The Mini too. Very nice, but very conventional interpretation of a classic. I want one, but is any of this really good design?

[maaaaark]

Nissan Skyline GTR-34

http://onek-lmc.skyblog.com/pics/106729451_small.jpg

[skatman]

Limo with hookers in it.

[Anders]

My dream car:

http://www.richard-seaman.com/USA/States/NewJersey/SouthBoundbrook/FloodOf99/FloodedCars/FloodedCarAndRoadSign.jpg

All cars should be like this one

[maaaaark]

How much is the new IS300 going for? I want the Skyline when they come stateside :(

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by maaaaark
How much is the new IS300 going for? I want the Skyline when they come stateside :(

The R34 will never come stateside. The new Skyline is sold here as the Infiniti G35. They can go very fast with some mods, which will cost all together a lot less than will importing an R34.

[tomj]

Enzo

[lws1984]

A Saab 9000 Aero.
I'm Scandanavian. 'Nuff said.
Pictures: http://www.saab9000.com/gallery/index.php

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by lws1984
A Saab 9000 Aero.
I'm Scandanavian. 'Nuff said.
Pictures: http://www.saab9000.com/gallery/index.php

Right now in the US there are some fantastic deals on the 9-3. I'm not sure if that's what you call it in Sweden, but that's the lingo here. My friend just got one, and it's pretty nice, but I like the turbo 2.0L in my WRX a lot more than the one in the Saab. Granted, the Saab engine gets better fuel economy, and it is more suited to American driving habits (turbo comes on at low rpm), I actually prefer turbo-fours that don't pretend to be V6's. That is, I like my turbo to come on strong up high. It's there when I want it, and not there when I just want to drive slowly and save gas.

[trick fall]

I just retired my '93 Aero 9000 for a Subaru Forrester XT. For the price the Subaru can't be beat, but for my next car I'm definitely thinking about the 9-3 with the six cylinder turbo. That thing sounds bitchin.

[bka77]

Not my dream car (I like to stay realistic), but my next want have:

Escudo (http://www.suzuki.co.jp/escudo/)

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by trick fall
I just retired my '93 Aero 9000 for a Subaru Forrester XT. For the price the Subaru can't be beat, but for my next car I'm definitely thinking about the 9-3 with the six cylinder turbo. That thing sounds bitchin.

There's a turbo-six 9-3 in the works? All of the 9-3s right now have 2.0L fours.

[Relic]

http://www.koenigsegg.com/graphics/imagearchive/3_2002_640.jpg
http://www.koenigsegg.com/graphics/imagearchive/6_2002_640.jpg
http://www.koenigsegg.com/graphics/imagearchive/4_2002_640.jpg
http://www.koenigsegg.com/graphics/imagearchive/1_2002_640.jpg



Performance

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0–62 mph) 3.2 seconds
Top speed: 395+ km/h (242+ mph) <-- Top out at 268
Standing quartermile: 9 seconds, end speed 235 km/h (146 mph)
Braking distance: 31 m (100–0 km/h)
Lateral g-force: 1.3 g
Fuel consumption: Highway travel: 13 l/100 km
Combined: 17 l/100 km

Engine (click for more info about the CCR engineering specifics)

Type: V8 cast aluminium, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts. Cam cover of carbonfibre.
Displacement: 4.700 cm3.
Compression: 8.6:1
Weight: 215 kg
Lubrication system: Dry sump with unique oil spray piston cooling. Oil cooler.
Oil: SAE 10W60 fully synthetic racing.
Oil tank capacity: 12 litres (2.64 gallons)
Induction system: Sequential, multipoint fuel injection. Dual Rotrex centrifugal compressors with 1.4 max boost pressure. Intercooler.
Fuel: 98 RON unleaded.
Ignition system: Direct coil on plug. Transistorised.
Power output: 806 bhp at 6.900 rpm. <-- Holy Shitt
Maximum torque: 920 Nm (678 ftlb) at 5.700 rpm.
Maximum rpm: 7.600 rpm.

[audiopollution]

Originally posted by Relic
http://www.koenigsegg.com/graphics/imagearchive/3_2002_640.jpg

Look how deep the dash is on that thing. I'd be losing shit up by the windshield continually. I suppose a quick sprint off the line will bring it all flying back into my face.

I'm surprised that they couldn't have put a hinge on the roof, so that the car looks even more ridiculous with everything open. It's like a Swiss Army Knife. :)

[progmac]

http://images.getauto.ru/thumbs/1B3B/1B3BL18D6KY422468-1t.jpg
shhhhaaaaaaaaaa-wiiiiiiiiiiiiingggg!!!!

this is the stuff baby.

[trick fall]

There's a turbo-six 9-3 in the works? All of the 9-3s right now have 2.0L fours.

Yup, should be out in the Fall I think. Found a small blurg about it here (http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0507_saab_9-3_aero/)

[His Dudeness]

Originally posted by a_greer
http://www.fordvehicles.com/fordgt/images/photo_gallery/ph_GT_thumb_7.jpg
Ford GT Need I say more

That's a GT40.

[His Dudeness]

A 1965 Aston Martin DB-5. Silver, fully restored. :)

[Gon]

My dream cars are not very far out of reach... ordered by price:

BMW 318iS (E30) (http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/low2.jpg)
MR2 Turbo (SW20) (http://www.palmy.net.nz/mr2dog/photos/SW20/trevor-1991-sw20-sunroof-6.jpg)
Impreza GT (http://www.xs4all.nl/~pgroen/Slip/117-1757_IMG.JPG)

[NaplesX]

This was like my first car - almost Identical to this one when I was finished except:

I got an 400 CI motor from a 1969 H/O from a guy that worked at Hurst, and mine was a 1965 Cutlass F-85

http://www.442.com/vcs/1964_1972/jamessmith1.jpg

I plan on purchasing one to restore or if I find a good deal on a finished one, I'll buy it.

Love this car.

I'm with ShawnJ on the mustang also.

[lws1984]

Right now in the US there are some fantastic deals on the 9-3. I'm not sure if that's what you call it in Sweden, but that's the lingo here. My friend just got one, and it's pretty nice, but I like the turbo 2.0L in my WRX a lot more than the one in the Saab. Granted, the Saab engine gets better fuel economy, and it is more suited to American driving habits (turbo comes on at low rpm), I actually prefer turbo-fours that don't pretend to be V6's. That is, I like my turbo to come on strong up high. It's there when I want it, and not there when I just want to drive slowly and save gas.
Actually, I'm American, but I was born in sweden. But the cars have the same names everywhere. But, there are some great deals over here, and i just got back from the dealer in a shiny new Saab 9-3 Aero convertible. But I also saw a '95 9000 for $2000, which i also bought. :)

[a_greer]

Originally posted by His Dudeness
That's a GT40. No, Ford released a 2005 GT, no 40, it is the DOT legal GT 40 ;)

[hardeeharhar]

give me a car that can be driven for 700 miles without filling up for gas costing less than 20 dollars US (the gas not the car)...

[a_greer]

Originally posted by hardeeharhar
give me a car that can be driven for 700 miles without filling up for gas costing less than 20 dollars US (the gas not the car)... Introducing the John Deere Riding lawn mowerr!!!:lol:

[Kishan]

http://content2.us.porsche.com/prod/911/911_common.nsf/Resources/cab_gallery_exterior09/$file/ext_vorschau_09.jpg


http://content2.us.porsche.com/prod/911/911_common.nsf/Resources/cab_gallery_wallpaper05/$file/c2cab_experi_vorschau_w05.jpg



Once they start making turbo versions of the 998... be still my heart. What a beautiful improvement over the 997.

[ShawnJ]

Classy choice, Kishan!

[eggman90]

well this is my dream car..chrysler me-412

http://www.fast-autos.net/chrysler/me412.jpg
http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpapers/Chrysler-ME412/Chrysler-ME412-012.jpg

but.. i know i wont get that... too much $
so this is what im gonna be driving soon.

infiniti g35 coupe
http://www.renn-sport.net/Pics/G35_1.jpg

[e1618978]

Room for four adults, largest retractable hardtop ever produced, 0-60 in 6.5 seconds (not great, but good enough), manual transmission. This is probably my next car:

http://www.swedespeed.com/news/publish/Volvo_News/article_597.html

http://www.swedespeed.com/gallery/generated//FWD%20and%20AWD/C70%20Mk%20II/004__scaled_600.jpg

[mynamehere]

Aston Martin DB9 (http://www.astonmartin.com/thecars/db9)

Not the V12 (litle too big), but this is still good enough for the James Bond feel.

[KingOfSomewhereHot]

see... my problem is, there are 6 of us and I really LIKE taking my family with me!!!

So the only vehicles I have to choose from are mini-vans, Suburbans, and Excursions .... not real creative dreams :)

In reference to someone elses post though, my Excursion CAN go 700+ miles between fill-ups!

[ShawnJ]

Good job messing up the formatting, eggman.

Originally posted by KingOfSomewhereHot
my Excursion CAN go 700+ miles between fill-ups!

You're kidding me! I hate filling up my car at the gas station, but the most my Honda Civic can go is 400 miles between fill-ups. It usually costs me about $25 at most. How much is a full tank of gas in an Excursion?

[KingOfSomewhereHot]

Originally posted by ShawnJ
How much is a full tank of gas in an Excursion?

it approaches $100 if it's empty.
44 gallons and gets 17-18 mpg (or less if I'm in a big hurry :) )

[audiopollution]

Originally posted by ShawnJ
Good job messing up the formatting, eggman.



You're kidding me! I hate filling up my car at the gas station, but the most my Honda Civic can go is 400 miles between fill-ups. It usually costs me about $25 at most. How much is a full tank of gas in an Excursion?

[mynamehere]

Originally posted by KingOfSomewhereHot
see... my problem is, there are 6 of us and I really LIKE taking my family with me!!!

So the only vehicles I have to choose from are mini-vans, Suburbans, and Excursions .... not real creative dreams :)

Buy a Porsche and strap the extra 4 people to the roof or stuff them in the trunk...DUH!!!:D

[quagmire]

Originally posted by KingOfSomewhereHot
see... my problem is, there are 6 of us and I really LIKE taking my family with me!!!

So the only vehicles I have to choose from are mini-vans, Suburbans, and Excursions .... not real creative dreams :)

In reference to someone elses post though, my Excursion CAN go 700+ miles between fill-ups!

BS on the 700 miles thing. RIP Excursion. Ford is killing it. The new GMT-900's are going to be sweet. I have seen the new tahoe and it is sweet. Let see it is going to have a 355 HP and 380 lb torque V8. Anyway my dream car will be the Corvette Stingray oh I mean SS. If a 505 HP LS7 can go 0-60 in 3.7 seconds in 1st gear, then what can a supercharged LS7 to 600 hp do?

[Flick Justice]

lots of nice cars here.
My dream car right now is the Audi S3.
the dream car (http://www.carlone.ch/Neue%20Autos2/Audi%20S3%209%20und%2010x19%20(G-Craft)2.JPG)
ROWR!!
flick.

[His Dudeness]

Originally posted by Flick Justice
lots of nice cars here.
My dream car right now is the Audi S3.
the dream car (http://www.carlone.ch/Neue%20Autos2/Audi%20S3%209%20und%2010x19%20(G-Craft)2.JPG)
ROWR!!
flick.

Pretty cool, but I like the RS-6 mo better, and the E-55 AMG mo mo betta.

[dmz]

http://haloorbit.gamesurf.tiscali.de/images/2/encyclopedia/warthog.jpg

[AquaMac]

Merkur Scoripo 1989 http://www.frontiernet.net/~pdoering/Scorpio/Sizes.jpg
If you never drove one you haven't lived yet. The best car Ford ever built.

[frezal]

An American Motors Gremlin
http://www.avonhill.com/thumbnails/coupe_domestic/1976_AMC_Gremlin.jpeg

A Volkswagon Bus
http://www.avonhill.com/thumbnails/van/1971_VW_bus.jpeg

A Volkswagon Thing
http://www.neinvwclub.com/images/1974_Thing_-_Red_-_H.jpg

[Ke^in]

My dad had a Merkur Scorpio in the late 90s.

Fun car for a family car.

It was the American version however.