OMG Cars are getting nice

Yeah, cars are getting so nice. I can't figure out which one to buy. So far the Audi A4 is in the lead, but I still haven't looked at the new Infiniti G35.

Ooh ooh. A chance for me to plug my iMovie of the <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/sballinger/iMovieTheater2.html" target="_blank">NYC Auto Show.</a>

How could you prefer any of those cars to the new GT40?

<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/previews/2002/february/200202_preview_gt40.xml" target="_blank">YUMMY</a>

Would go for the BMW, it's awesome. But in general, cars are getting really nice these days. Sort of new generation design that maybe started with the Ford Focus, ie, "New Edge" design

That GT40 has two speeds: stop and fast! Nice.

Cadillac CTS. Make mine black, please......................

get the BMW

[quote]Originally posted by Eugene:
<strong>How could you prefer any of those cars to the new GT40?

<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/previews/2002/february/200202_preview_gt40.xml" target="_blank">YUMMY</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

Wow! Freaking Wow!

[quote]Originally posted by Eugene:
<strong>How could you prefer any of those cars to the new GT40?

<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/previews/2002/february/200202_preview_gt40.xml" target="_blank">YUMMY</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

Two words- Ugly. American.

[quote]Originally posted by steve666:

<strong>Cadillac CTS. Make mine black, please......................</strong><hr></blockquote>

I've always liked the <a href="http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/seville/index.jsp?hasFlash=false" target="_blank">Seville STS</a>. Still do.

[quote]Originally posted by roger_ramjet:
<strong>

I've always liked the <a href="http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/seville/index.jsp?hasFlash=false" target="_blank">Seville STS</a>. Still do.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'll take the <a href="http://cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/futuremodels/xlr/index.jsp?hasFlash=true" target="_blank">XLR</a>.

If I was exorbitantly wealthy I would have a GT-40 in my driveway very very quickly.

[quote]Originally posted by KidRed:
<strong>

Two words- Ugly. American.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Two more words after a stoplight: Smoked ya.

Made for speed, not looks my man

[quote]Originally posted by Spart:
<strong>

Two more words after a stoplight: Smoked ya.

Made for speed, not looks my man </strong><hr></blockquote>

I find KidRed's comments very funny since the GT40 was designed in the image of the Ferrari GTO and to beat it at everything. And it did. The original 1964-6 GT40 looks infinitely better than any Ferrari available at the time. The Ferraris out at the time remind me of Datsuns.

AND production will most likely be based in Italy by Pininfarina.

The original GT40 was also built on a Lola chassis in England! Even Carroll Shelby was involved with GT40 design. Sure, Ford is an American brand, but the design is hardly American. It's like calling Jaguar, Volvo, Rover, and Aston Martin American.

Hey, I like import cars more than domestic cars too, but some of the greatest cars are American muscle cars. I love the Dodge Viper and Ford GT40. They have more soul than any of the post Enzo Ferrari cars. The last Ferrari that really turned me on was the F40.

[ 04-12-2002: Message edited by: Eugene ]</p>

The previous Cadillacs were much nicer than the new "edgy" ones. The new Cadillacs just look hideous.

And the only Cadillac that I sorta liked was the Catera...which was really just a rebadged Opel, designed for European drivers.

My dream license plate for the GT-40:
K THX BYE

The Catera got high marks for its ride and handling, but it was boring looking. The CTS, according to a few reviews I read, handles like the BMW 3 series, but is as large and comfortable as the BMW 5 series, and costs about the same as the 3 series.

As for the looks, I kinda like the edgy style but i don't like the way they designed the grill. I like the grill on the XLR better........................

[quote]Originally posted by steve666:
<strong>handles like the BMW 3 series.</strong><hr></blockquote>

hah!

moron!

nothing in the price class handles like a 3 series.


it's a bionic extension of your body, the steering and handling on any bmw.

instead of reading cadillac propoganda, how bout test-driving something?


note: cts LOSES every magazine comparison test to the 3er.

[quote]Originally posted by seb:
<strong>Ooh ooh. A chance for me to plug my iMovie of the <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/sballinger/iMovieTheater2.html" target="_blank">NYC Auto Show.</a> </strong><hr></blockquote>

very cool.. what song was that in the background?

[quote]Originally posted by Jonathan:
<strong>

hah!

moron!

nothing in the price class handles like a 3 series.


it's a bionic extension of your body, the steering and handling on any bmw.

instead of reading cadillac propoganda, how bout test-driving something?


note: cts LOSES every magazine comparison test to the 3er.</strong><hr></blockquote>

It should lose, afterall, they've been making the 3-series for decades. The CTS is an awesome car and beats everything in its class (X-Type, C-Class, etc.) except the 3-Series. It is and EXCELLENT first generation car. It looks better than the boring 3-series sedans (though the 330ci is the shit!). I hate those people that hate a car just cause its American. First of all, that's really shallow. Second, with only a few exceptions, there really isn't such a thing as an American, or a German, or a Japanese anymore. Most cars are some of each.

[quote]Originally posted by Jonathan:
<strong>

hah!

moron!

nothing in the price class handles like a 3 series.


it's a bionic extension of your body, the steering and handling on any bmw.

instead of reading cadillac propoganda, how bout test-driving something?


note: cts LOSES every magazine comparison test to the 3er.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm a moron for mentioning what an auto mag said? Thats kinda harsh.

Where have you read a direct comparison test to the BMW? I scour the mags weekly looking for a comparo test.........................................

[quote]Originally posted by G4Dude:
<strong>

Second, with only a few exceptions, there really isn't such a thing as an American, or a German, or a Japanese anymore. Most cars are some of each.</strong><hr></blockquote>

damn americans are messing up all the decent car companies. sh*t, look at how fords fuc*ing w/ mazda...
im damn glad that american POS companies have stayed away from honda...
the only untainted jap company left...

i know yer prolly gonna flame me fer all this, but sh*t, american cars just suck a**. <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />

[quote]Originally posted by _ alliance _:
<strong>

damn americans are messing up all the decent car companies. sh*t, look at how fords fuc*ing w/ mazda...
im damn glad that american POS companies have stayed away from honda...
the only untainted jap company left...

i know yer prolly gonna flame me fer all this, but sh*t, american cars just suck a**. <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

The difference between Mazda and Honda is that Mazda can actually sit down and make a race car that wins. Anyway, if you ask me, Jap cars were kind of lame until they were tainted. It hasn't been until very recently that any decent Jap sports cars have exisited.

Mark Fields, current CEO of Mazda, (Former Ford guy) just got a new car. It's an Rx-7 Bathurst Ed. Now, he could have gotten the touring model and still maintained good PR, but he got the Bathurst Ed. We're talking Shocks that let you feel every cigarette butt you drive over: and that's a lot when you're in Japan. He's a Rotorite now. 4th Gens in '05. I guarantee it. And I also guarantee that they will redefine what &lt;40k can do on the track.

Skyline. . . . pssssh.

Interestingly enough, my mother's CTS arrives on Monday. It's dark blue (I get the feeling she's trying to copy me ). I'm looking forward to seeing it in a few weeks, next time I go home.

Though if you like the CTS, hold off for a year if you can. The 3.5L Northstar 6 will be standard next year, and it can haul ass. If the handling is sound, it should make the CTS into a machine far more capable than a 530.

[quote]Originally posted by G4Dude:
<strong>

It should lose, afterall, they've been making the 3-series for decades. The CTS is an awesome car and beats everything in its class (X-Type, C-Class, etc.) except the 3-Series. It is and EXCELLENT first generation car. It looks better than the boring 3-series sedans (though the 330ci is the shit!). I hate those people that hate a car just cause its American. First of all, that's really shallow. Second, with only a few exceptions, there really isn't such a thing as an American, or a German, or a Japanese anymore. Most cars are some of each.</strong><hr></blockquote>

The people who put the 3 series and C-Class in the same class as the CTS are retarded. The CTS is 190+ inches long. That's a good foot and change longer than the 3 series cars of the C-Class. In addition, the 3-series are intended to be more sporty than the other generic BMW lines. Hence, they ride a lot worse than the C Class and undoubtedly the CTS. Of course, some of that is speculative, but the Catera had a noticeably smoother ride than the 330/325.

Honda engines have won the FedEx CART Championship from 1996-2001.

Toyota is not tainted by any American company. Toyota is much larger than Honda. Honda does share a bit with GM you know. Isuzu is a GM company. Isuzu's Trooper SUV was the basis for Acura's SLX.

Sure, Toyota and GM have partnered on plants, like NUMMI, but Toyota is by far the least tainted Japanese car manufacturer out there.

[quote]Originally posted by Splinemodel:
<strong>

The people who put the 3 series and C-Class in the same class as the CTS are retarded. The CTS is 190+ inches long. That's a good foot and change longer than the 3 series cars of the C-Class. In addition, the 3-series are intended to be more sporty than the other generic BMW lines. Hence, they ride a lot worse than the C Class and undoubtedly the CTS. Of course, some of that is speculative, but the Catera had a noticeably smoother ride than the 330/325.</strong><hr></blockquote>


ya know, i just don't know what a smooth ride is, i guess...

I mean sure, my car's a bitch in the smooth ride department, but here I thoughtthat the 330ci that I drive every few days... or the 540i... but i guess those aren't smooth riding cars...


[quote]
There's a section of road on our 10Best loop that is heavily crowned and afflicted with a long series of severe bumps on the right side of the lane. Even well above 70 mph, the BMW 540, with its suspension pumping furiously, glided over this jangling stretch as serenely as if it were on freshly rolled pavement.
Yet a mile farther down the road, when the pavement combines a diabolical series of lateral wiggles with a selection of severe dips and humpback rises, the 540 hunkered down, planted its tires, and negotiated the corners securely with no extraneous body movements.
<hr></blockquote>

[quote]
This is the 11th consecutive year that the BMW 3-series car, in one form or another, has made our 10Best list. Clearly, it is the gold standard by which sports sedans are judged.
First, there's the chassis, which provides performance without punishment-extremely responsive handling that satisfies even the most demanding driver without upsetting genteel passengers.
<hr></blockquote>

[ 04-14-2002: Message edited by: Jonathan ]</p>

I still prefer the "Classics"...Big Daddy Roth.



<img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />

[quote]Originally posted by Splinemodel:
<strong>
... Anyway, if you ask me, Jap cars were kind of lame until they were tainted. </strong><hr></blockquote>

What are we talking about when we say tainted? Back in the 70's all the Jap car companies set up design studios in California to better address the tastes of the consumers of their biggest market. Before that, the designs coming out of Japan were usually more than a little eccentric. If this is what we're talking about, I agree with you, Splinemodel. And as for Ford's stewardship of Mazda the only criticism I have is with regards to the current long hibernation of their rotary. Despite relatively low sales volumes (and though high for a sports car, not as high as the Miata) the RX cars distinguished Mazda from other run-of-the-mill car companies.

[quote]<strong>It hasn't been until very recently that any decent Jap sports cars have exisited.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Again, what are we talking about recently? The first 240 Z's were ground breaking, paving the way for the RX-7 a few years later. Nissan, then Datsun, also had a nifty little two seater convertible back in the 60's too. Like the Miata, it was a Jap version of a British roadster. The RX-7 dates to the early to mid 80's. None of these cars comes close to measuring up to the last gen RX's but they still were very nice cars and their prices were a lot more reasonable too.

[ 04-14-2002: Message edited by: roger_ramjet ]</p>

[quote]Originally posted by Eugene:
<strong>Honda engines have won the FedEx CART Championship from 1996-2001.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

The key word here is engines. When Honda builds a raceworthy car, let me know. I know that they do a pretty good job with piston engines

Is this the wrong thread if I don't give a **** about cars?

[quote]Originally posted by fukuhela:
<strong>Is this the wrong thread if I don't give a **** about cars? </strong><hr></blockquote>

Don't give a **** either. Cars are the death of us all.

I think I'm in love. I stopped by Tysinger Mercedes yesterday. Test drove a C-240. I'm in love.

30 minutes prior I drove a Volvo S-60. Very nice, a bit too chincy or plasticy on the interior amenities.

Maybe one day I'll be in the C-240...

[quote]Originally posted by His Dudeness:
<strong>I think I'm in love. I stopped by Tysinger Mercedes yesterday. Test drove a C-240. I'm in love.

30 minutes prior I drove a Volvo S-60. Very nice, a bit too chincy or plasticy on the interior amenities.

Maybe one day I'll be in the C-240... </strong><hr></blockquote>


If you are serious about buying a car in this price range, make sure you at least test drive a BMW 3 series also. A couple minutes of driving could save you many years of regret.

[quote]Originally posted by steve666:
<strong>Cadillac CTS. Make mine black, please......................</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'll wait for the
<a href="http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=4823&sid=173&n=156" target="_blank">CTSi</a> with the engine from the Z06 Corvette in it.

That should be a very pleasant car to drive here in BMW land.

[quote]Originally posted by MasterZeus:
<strong>


If you are serious about buying a car in this price range, make sure you at least test drive a BMW 3 series also. A couple minutes of driving could save you many years of regret.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I have indeed driven a 325i. This is what I would "settle" for in the BMW range. I would rather have a 330i, but 40k is a bit rich for my blood. I have driven probably 15 cars in the past year. I think some are out of my range if bought new, if I could get a one year old 330i or C240 or even and Audi A4 3.0 quattro that's within my range, I'd be driving it. All three of these cars that I just mentioned were outstanding. It would be hard to give the nod to one or the other.

I have ruled out the Acura TL Type S. 34k is too much for a bloody Honda. I ruled out the 300m. While a very nice car, I couldn't sit comfortably in the driver's cockpit. The seat would go back far enough. The Volvo S-60 hasn't been ruled out yet. The Nissan Altima 3.5 SE has been ruled out. Too expensive for an Altima and I didn't like the speed dials and such. A bit too flashy and for the Gen X crowd. I should look at the Maxima a bit more.

This Saturday I will pay a visit to Charles Barker Infiniti in Va Beach. There's a G35 with my name on it for a test drive. Anyone have opinions on Infiniti for me?

Ah, to hell with it. I'm getting a Dodge K Car.

Okay, all kidding aside. I test drove that Infiniti G35 yesterday. Holy. Cow. I now know what I am going to buy when the time comes. This car is 'BAD'. And the base model is only 27k.


*droooool*

Cars are uber nice now. I've got an '85 euro 318i (w/ full Alpina suspension thanks) and I remember back then (I was 14) I thought cars were really nice too. But now, forget it.
I've been looking for a car for my wife and we tested the C class merc, the 325i sportwagon or whatever its called, and the S4 Avant. I think we'll be getting the S4. I know the 3 series sedans and coupes are killer and I've been in BMW's since I was a little little child, but that BMW wagon is just sluggish compared to that S4 Avant. Full time AWD, torsen diff, 250hp, and enough room for my bikes...there's a car. Oh, and I found the GS 300 Sportcross to be very cheaply made (I can't remember if that's what its called, but its the little Lexus wagon).

Now, when I shop for MY car, I'll be beginning at the M3...
Thoth