picture of your car

[dpaanlka]

Nah its the regular SLS. Only 275 as opposed to 300 hp. From what I hear the ride is smoother though so I'm ok with it. Its still pretty fast. I've left several 'pimped' eclipses and civics in the dust They get mad they just got beat by a 'grandma' car.

I think it was the torque that really set the STS apart.

 

[quagmire]

This is true. I doubt it though the 9-3 is already small enough.

BTW, it was slated for cancellation before GM sold Subaru to Toyota... due to absolutley horrendous sales. That car didn't fool anybody.

Well if the 9-2 does come back it will be under the Delta platform which underpins the Cobalt, HHR, and Ion(slated for death by next year to be replaced by an Opel Astra rebadge most likely). I really do love the Saab Aero-X Concept. That thing is hot. Rumors say it is slated for production under the Kappa platform that underpins the Solstice and Sky. Too bad that canopy won't make it for the production version. Saab just lost a sale since it doesn't have it.

 

[dpaanlka]

It would be great for SAAB if they brought back the Sonnet name.

 

[Platform]

soon to be replced with an RS4

Replacing the M3 for an RS4

You must be ......I don't know......

 

[radiantm3]

Replacing the M3 for an RS4

You must be ......I don't know......

Probably because it's faster in a straight line. Where I live, everyone owns a bmw and M3's are almost a dime a dozen. If I were to choose between the 2, I'd probably strongly consider an RS4 as well just to be different.

 

[sonictruth]

Saab 9-2x vs Subaru WRX

While I would take the design of any Saab any day, I have nothing but absolute respect for Subaru's value/performance/safety compared to almost any other car mfr. I bought a new car this past September (2006 Impreza Outback Sport), and even though every prior car I've purchased was a Subaru, I've never particularly liked any of their appearances, other than my very first one (1982 GL wagon). Subaru cannot design - it's that simple. The new Outbacks (2005 model +) are the best shot they've taken, and that's not great.

Enough background; to the point. When shopping, I wanted to buy the Saabaru 9-2x given its slightly better design, sound dampening, and (a few) better interior materials. Totally sold out. Everywhere. Couldn't get a manual transmission from any dealership between Maine and North Carolina (live in Pennsylvania). They weren't poor sellers - they just didn't produce enough of them.

Even better, since the 2006's are now available, try to buy one with GM's hyper-deep discounting. You get a higher-end Saabaru WRX for less than the actual Subaru WRX costs.

A Subaru will never be my dream car, but I firmly believe that AWD is the best safety feature of all, and with Subarus, you can tell when driving/cornering/etc. (It's not just a 'add traction to the rear when the car's slipping.' It's more like the traction is always spread where it's functional.) Kicks VW 4motion/Audi quattro, any SUV, any american AWD/4WD into last decade. Ugly cars, but I still gush.

 

[dpaanlka]

You're right... they're only making a very few, because very few want them.

Check the sales numbers on those 9-2s. People who buy SAABs generally want a SAAB, and can tell right away that the 9-2 is not.

You're possibly the first person I've ever heard of that actually wants one. Talk to any dealership manager and they'll tell you how few they want on their lots because they know they wont sell.

 

[Jay42]

Replacing the M3 for an RS4

You must be ......I don't know......

Must be what? Car and Driver liked the Audi better. There was an article a while back entitle "righteous RS4," I don't recall the issue date. Now arguing the price difference is one thing, but it would be hard to convince me the BMW performs better.

By the way, West LA, nice choice. I've only driven the car once but the sound when you open up the exhaust was purely addictive.

 

[radiantm3]

Must be what? Car and Driver liked the Audi better. There was an article a while back entitle "righteous RS4," I don't recall the issue date. Now arguing the price difference is one thing, but it would be hard to convince me the BMW performs better.

By the way, West LA, nice choice. I've only driven the car once but the sound when you open up the exhaust was purely addictive.

I personally don't trust reviews in american automobile publications. For example, Chrysler has won many car of the year awards for their last few cars while the European auto magazines gave them all mediocre reviews. To generalize, americans tend to like long straight roads, while europeans like tight curvy roads. And automobile magazine reviews tend to reflect that notion.

My favorite show is Top Gear (from BBC) and I tend to see their point of view when it comes to american cars.

BTW, the latest episode of Fifth Gear had a head to head competition between the M3 CSL and the RS4. I believe the RS4 was faster around the track, but the M3 was much more fun to drive (RWD is always more fun than AWD).

 

[Platform]

Must be what? Car and Driver liked the Audi better. There was an article a while back entitle "righteous RS4," I don't recall the issue date. Now arguing the price difference is one thing, but it would be hard to convince me the BMW performs better.

By the way, West LA, nice choice. I've only driven the car once but the sound when you open up the exhaust was purely addictive.

Not just thinking about performance, but the experience of the car, yes the Audi has great performance etc. But where is the history, spirit ?

Also the Audi uses turbos...the BMW breathes naturally...

Well anyway that just my opinion

 

[rickvanr]

Not just thinking about performance, but the experience of the car, yes the Audi has great performance etc. But where is the history, spirit ?

Also the Audi uses turbos...the BMW breathes naturally...

Well anyway that just my opinion

Audi has a very long history with Quattro, which is what the RS4 is based on. Rally spirit. It just depends what crowd you're with. I give respect where respect is due, BMW makes an awesome car, but I'd take an Audi first.

 

[Afro1989]

My 1987 Buick Grand National.

Click

 

[mpw]

...But where is the history, spirit ?...

Audi automotive history can be traced back far further than BMW's, and using turbos isn't necessarily a bad thing BMW will use turbos in the next gen M3.

 

[spinne1]

My 1987 Buick Grand National.

Click

Those were an awesome car, especially the rare GTX. My best friend had a 1986 T-type (basically the same car as the Grand National without the all-black) that I drove a few times. It was a sweet car to drive.

 

[Dr_Maybe]

Not just thinking about performance, but the experience of the car, yes the Audi has great performance etc. But where is the history, spirit ?

Here's some history http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_Union
http://www.audi.com/audi/com/en1/company/history/motorsport_highlights.html

I think both Audi and BMW make some nice cars. The M5 and Audi RS4, RS6 for instance. But for the racing spirit, design and sound i would go to italian brands like Alfa and Ferrari.

And for the US cars vs European cars*. European cars are better, there's not much reason to discuss that. But US cars are often cheaper. You get a lot of bang for the buck. For intance, the Chrysler 300M looks a bit like the new Bentleys. Of course the Bentley is alot more expensive.

In the Corvette you get a lot of horse power for the price. But they are using leaf springs for supensions. The same tech used in horse carriages since the middle ages. The body is made of plastic. I'd rather have a Porsche or Ferrari, but of course those are more expensive.

Cadillac are openly striving to be up to par with Audi for interior quality.

*) I also consider a car like the Ford Focus sold in a "European" car. It was made for Europe and sold in Europe first, has italian styling. The ones sold in the US are different from those sold in Europe.

 

[dpaanlka]

Cadillac are openly striving to be up to par with Audi for interior quality.

I would have said BMW. Most people think of BMW first, not Audi.

Audi has one glaring problem IMHO... their cars are rather boring looking compared to BMW. They all just look like expensive Volkswagens. Wait, thats because they are.

 

[Airforce]

I would have said BMW. Most people think of BMW first, not Audi.

Audi has one glaring problem IMHO... their cars are rather boring looking compared to BMW. They all just look like expensive Volkswagens. Wait, thats because they are.

I have the exact opposite thinking on what you just said. I've never really liked the style of BMWs. It might be because everyone and their mother has one, but they just don't appeal to me.

 

[Dr_Maybe]

I would have said BMW. Most people think of BMW first, not Audi.

Audi has one glaring problem IMHO... their cars are rather boring looking compared to BMW. They all just look like expensive Volkswagens. Wait, thats because they are.

This article says that a VP in GM made the Escalade design team sit in a 2002 Audi A6 and experience the interior. That was what I was referring to.
http://www.forbes.com/vehicles/2006/03/24/cadillac-escalade-gm-cx_dl_0327feat.html

Yeah, Audi's look subtle, but I like that. For instance, I think the RS6 is awesome because the subtle looks make it a sleeper.

Bentleys are expensive VWs. Lamborghinis are expensive Audis. That's the way it is. Engines and platforms are shared, but the cars are still different.

 

[dpaanlka]

Bentleys are expensive VWs. Lamborghinis are expensive Audis. That's the way it is. Engines and platforms are shared, but the cars are still different.

But Audi takes it a step further.

Audis look literally identical to Volkswagens. Many of them are quite literally Volkswagens with Audi logos on them.

A BMW may look tiring after seeing it all over the place, that's why I bought a Saab. But a BMW still looks better than an Audi.

A Saab 9-5, Cadillac STS, Buick Lucerne, BMW 750, Mercedes S500, and Volvo S60 do not look visually the same as any other car on the road.

 

[xper]

Audis look literally identical to Volkswagens. Many of them are quite literally Volkswagens with Audi logos on them.

Maybe you should invest in a pair of glasses?
But anyway, why do you blame Audi? Why dont you blame VW for rippin of Audi instead?

 

[mfacey]

You're right... they're only making a very few, because very few want them.

Check the sales numbers on those 9-2s. People who buy SAABs generally want a SAAB, and can tell right away that the 9-2 is not.

You're possibly the first person I've ever heard of that actually wants one. Talk to any dealership manager and they'll tell you how few they want on their lots because they know they wont sell.

My dad got a Saab 92x Aero quite soon after it came out in 2005 ( I believe). As far as I know he's quite pleased with it. THe exterior is more appealing than the equivilant Subaru Impreza WRX, but the performance is on par. What's also great is that almost all the aftermarket turning equipment for the WRX also fits the 92x Aero. So needless to say, my dad's saab is pretty darn quick
I can imagine its not a car that's going to last long. You don't see a lot. It's really a niche car. Even so. It's rare, so that makes it even more fun!

 

[fowler.]

old picture, back in my rice rocket days..

 

[rickvanr]

Maybe you should invest in a pair of glasses?
But anyway, why do you blame Audi? Why dont you blame VW for rippin of Audi instead?

VW - Audi - Porsche

They're all one company, but NO they are not simply re-badged. You're thinking Toyota - Lexus, Honda - Acura, etc.

 

[mad jew]

Pretty sure Porsche is independent.

I could be wrong but the Volkswagen Group shares its platforms among Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, SEAT, Skoda, VW and Audi (not so much the first two, although they are part of VW Group) although this isn't quite the same as re-badging. Nevertheless, a lot of their cars share a large proportion of their parts.

 

[rickvanr]

Pretty sure Porsche is independent.

I could be wrong but the Volkswagen Group shares its platforms among Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, SEAT, Skoda, VW and Audi (not so much the first two, although they are part of VW Group) although this isn't quite the same as re-badging. Nevertheless, a lot of their cars share a large proportion of their parts.

Received a trunk lock assembly for a VW Golf the other week, and it had Audi - VW - Seat - Skoda on the box, you're right there.

I always assumed Porsche was part of the VW group because they sell all three brands at some dealerships, and the VW Toureg and the Porsche Cayenne are based on the same platform.