Gear heads - Page 10

ZDL · #**181** 04-06-2009, 05:22 PM

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Irish · #**182** 04-06-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDL

Good point. My next question would be: Does porsche see enough cayenne turbos to financially warrant developing competition?

I'm not an auto exec so what do I know? Just seems strange.

ps. The cayenne looks like a hyundai santa-fe.

A reallllly fast Santa Fe

If it's the Turbo S model!

ZDL · #**183** 04-06-2009, 05:30 PM

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m4fun · #**184** 04-06-2009, 06:18 PM

First car - a POS Dodge Dart. Favorite growing up(including adult phases) - cross between a Honda CRX and a Jaguar XJS(originally a v12, but changed up to a Chevy 350 V8 just to keep it affordable for a little longer(affordable is an oximoron with a Jag).

My family car of the day - a 2001 Wrangler Sahara - pretty much totally aftermarket for VA traffic:

Attachment 2228

novtec1 · #**185** 04-06-2009, 06:31 PM

love cars but i own 5 imports....

00 2.5 RS my dd back and forth to work

07 STI my "weekend car"

wifes 03 wrx..

and our his (07 1k) and her(03 600) suzukis....

Army Chief · #**186** 04-07-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDL

My thoughts. It's one thing to drop a big motor in an SUV. It's another to put an SUV in the worlds best engineering department. BMW probably has millions of dollars of math in that thing and I just don't get why? I can't imagine someone deciding on the X6M for M style driving over the rest of the stable. Who knows. I need to get some wheel time to formulate a complete opinion.

Awesome you got to see those places.

I would agree with that. I'm sure that the vehicle itself will be up to the task (I was invited to a driving event later in the year), but I'm left wondering who the prospective buyer for such a vehicle might be -- especially in the US. It isn't a purist's track sled, and on a speed-limited interstate system one isn't likely to really derive much benefit from it, so that leaves who, exactly?

For the money, I think I would actually prefer an M5 touring (station wagon).

AC

ZDL · #**187** 04-07-2009, 01:55 AM

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Army Chief · #**188** 04-07-2009, 03:40 AM

I suppose my interest in the wagon comes from a couple of things, really ...

To begin with, it is impossible to spend as much time in Germany as I have and not be influenced by the prevailing notion that, in a land where Audi, Mercedes and BMW sedans are all commonplace, the Touring/Estate/Avant models are the executive "prestige cars" that just happen to be perfect for 'Bahnstorming. My "other car" is an Audi A6 4.2 Avant (300 hp), so I've got some experience in this arena. You would be surprised by how much of the (very) fast-moving left-lane traffic in Germany consists of Touring/Estate/Avant AMGs, Ms and Ss.

What I like about these sleds is the fact that they don't attract a lot of attention, they offer true sedan handling, comfort and efficiency, and yet they retain great loading capacities. The E60/M5 Touring, for example, has more usable cargo space than an X5. As you know the massive SUVs that predominate at home are poor choices in the tight confines of Europe, so that makes a touring model something of a win-win over here. A well-engined wagon just happens to be a practical choice for the head, as well as the heart. To bring it back to a more relevant topic, when I'm loading up for the range or the hunting area, the M3 stays at home and I take the Audi.

I've no direct experience with the E90/92, though I've obviously seen more than my share of both. In truth, I think the four-door sedan version of the M3 would be hard to beat, though I've obviously stayed with the E46 M3 coupe myself. The new 3 is growing on me, but not to the extent that I really want to own one.

AC

Irish · #**189** 04-07-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDL

Did you see the top gear episode on it?

Just watched it... racing the guy in the squirrel suit

ZDL · #**190** 04-07-2009, 05:36 PM

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Irish · #**191** 04-07-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army Chief

I suppose my interest in the wagon comes from a couple of things, really ...

To begin with, it is impossible to spend as much time in Germany as I have and not be influenced by the prevailing notion that, in a land where Audi, Mercedes and BMW sedans are all commonplace, the Touring/Estate/Avant models are the executive "prestige cars" that just happen to be perfect for 'Bahnstorming. My "other car" is an Audi A6 4.2 Avant (300 hp), so I've got some experience in this arena. You would be surprised by how much of the (very) fast-moving left-lane traffic in Germany consists of Touring/Estate/Avant AMGs, Ms and Ss.

What I like about these sleds is the fact that they don't attract a lot of attention, they offer true sedan handling, comfort and efficiency, and yet they retain great loading capacities. The E60/M5 Touring, for example, has more usable cargo space than an X5. As you know the massive SUVs that predominate at home are poor choices in the tight confines of Europe, so that makes a touring model something of a win-win over here. A well-engined wagon just happens to be a practical choice for the head, as well as the heart. To bring it back to a more relevant topic, when I'm loading up for the range or the hunting area, the M3 stays at home and I take the Audi.

I've no direct experience with the E90/92, though I've obviously seen more than my share of both. In truth, I think the four-door sedan version of the M3 would be hard to beat, though I've obviously stayed with the E46 M3 coupe myself. The new 3 is growing on me, but not to the extent that I really want to own one.

AC

I couldn't agree more. I have a company car now, G35, but the wife needed a new ride. Tried to get her to go with the S4 Avant but the A3 was "cuter"... after driving it quite a bit I think it's a great car and would highly recommend it for someone who needs a little extra space and a great handling car.

Irish · #**192** 04-07-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDL

Didn't they break it? Or he thought he broke it? Just remember a loud noise when he was off roading at 70mph.

Yeah... after hitting large bump or debris "That sounded expensive!"

ZDL · #**193** 04-07-2009, 05:40 PM

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Irish · #**194** 04-07-2009, 05:46 PM

My last GSX-R. 03' 600.

Staind503 · #**195** 04-09-2009, 04:04 AM

Here's a fast car for you.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/V...mph_161374.htm

Info on the car.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2196921

ZDL · #**196** 04-09-2009, 10:43 PM

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decodeddiesel · #**197** 04-09-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novtec1

love cars but i own 5 imports....

00 2.5 RS my dd back and forth to work

07 STI my "weekend car"

wifes 03 wrx..

and our his (07 1k) and her(03 600) suzukis....

Awesome roos bro! I love my STi!

Left Sig · #**198** 04-09-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDL

BMW 335d Stats. VERY interesting. source: Road and Track M
Someone explain to me a LOGICAL reason as to why we aren't pushing diesel technology hard in the USA?

Because the 2007 emissions regulations turned a $5500 diesel engine into a $7500 diesel engine, and the 2010 regulations turned it into a $9000 engine. Diesels were already more expensive to build because they have to withstand much higher compression ratios, and the new regulations have made them even more cost prohibitive.

Then there's the fact that few Americans buy diesel powered cars, the fuel isn't readily available in urban areas, and it's more expensive than gas. Perhaps that will change in the future, but it won't happen quickly.

ZDL · #**199** 04-10-2009, 12:00 AM

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Army Chief · #**200** 04-10-2009, 01:42 AM

I'm not sure that I follow the logic here at all. European diesel technology has advanced light years since the last time we tried to launch any kind of diesel passenger car movement in the US, and the primary reason that we hadn't seen more of these cars prior to now was that our high-sulfur fuels would have forced these companies to make too many costly (and inefficient) modifications.

Now that we're more in-line with the European standard fuel-wise, many of these options -- including the 335d -- are opening up to us. Yes, the initial outlay is a bit higher, but the long term payback is unmistakable. I don't really see a down side here, and a higher acquisition cost seems like a reasonable trade for an iron motor that will deliver truly exceptional performance over a much longer service life.

AC