The Car Thread ... !

[determined09]

The Tundra is the second to worse full size truck on the market outside of the Titan..... The thing still dates back to 2006. Toyota is good with the mid-size trucks( and the new Tacoma is coming just in time to compete against the Colorado/Canyon). They seem to have thrown in the towel with the full size trucks if the only thing they have done in the past 8 years to compete is give it a slight cosmetic refresh.....

Franky, the Big 3's full size trucks are still the ones to go with.

Thank you for the heads up.
What are the 3 full size trucks?

And are the 2015 camry still a good car ? My current one Is a 2000 Toyota camry and it was made in Japan. The camrys are currently made America and awhile back I saw a forum where some of the people thought that the Japan made camrys were better than the America made camrys.

 

[quagmire]

Thank you for the heads up.
What are the 3 full size trucks?

And are the 2015 camry still a good car ? My current one Is a 2000 Toyota camry and it was made in Japan. The camrys are currently made America and awhile back I saw a forum where some of the people thought that the Japan made camrys were better than the America made camrys.

The Big 3 are a term that normally describes GM, Ford, and Chrysler( back in the day before they got arrogant they dominated the US car market). Personally, I would look into the Silverado/Sierra, F-150, and the Ram.

The Camry is still a good car if you don't mind one of the most boring vehicles on the road. It's a reliable toaster on wheels, but very boring to drive and the looks aren't great either( IMHO).

 

[2298754]

And are the 2015 camry still a good car ? My current one Is a 2000 Toyota camry and it was made in Japan. The camrys are currently made America and awhile back I saw a forum where some of the people thought that the Japan made camrys were better than the America made camrys.

Should be fine. Remember that Toyota is still #1 in overall reliability and resale. It doesn't matter where they are made. Toyota isn't dumb enough to the American ones "worse." The 2015 Camry you want is the XSE trim.

For example, my BMW X5 is made in the US. Not Germany. Has been trouble-free for all these years. Country of origin doesn't mean anything these days.

However, I will say this. I've experienced this first hand. I owned 3 Camry Hybrids in a row. The first one was Jap-made, 2nd and 3rd were US-made. The 2nd one was a POS, for some reason. Third one was built as well as the first. I wouldn't worry about it. I think my second one was one of the first Camry Hybrids made in the US. My father is on his 10th or so Toyota now. They've been a mix of US and Japan made ones. Every single one has been bulletproof.

(But, if you are hellbent on a Japanese Camry, they still make them. A large portion of the Hybrids are Japanese made, VIN starts with J. Not sure about the regular ones though)




I just had a random thought... Toyota and Lexus probably have the best paint quality in the business. There's a pearl white Lexus IS in my garage. Gorgeous paint finish in the sunlight. No orange peel or anything. My Audi's Sepang Blue comes close, but no dice. My BMW has orange peel everywhere.

 

[2298754]

The Big 3 are a term that normally describes GM, Ford, and Chrysler( back in the day before they got arrogant they dominated the US car market). Personally, I would look into the Silverado/Sierra, F-150, and the Ram.

I think the stand-out big 3 product is the new RAM, by far. It's such a nice truck. I don't trust ChryCo quality, but still... it's a solid truck!

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New 2016 Taco

Current Truck

GM Twins

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Also, does this Holden SSV Ute hide a mid-engine 'Vette underneath it?

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/01/08/mid-engine-2017-corvette-c8-spy-shots/

Just saw this. I'll believe it when it's at an auto show. People have been talking about a mid-engined Vette for a long long time. It's a unicorn, like the NSX

 

[smallcoffee]

The NSX is coming. They built the planet in central Ohio.

Link

 

[2298754]

The NSX is coming. They built the planet in central Ohio.

Link

We've been hearing this for ages now. Unless it's on the showroom floor, it doesn't count at this point.

Acura seems to be the king at botching product launches. RLX is the perfect example. It instantly became an also-ran in the segment because they launched the Sport Hybrid model too late. ILX was trash when it launched too.

 

[smallcoffee]

We've been hearing this for ages now. Unless it's on the showroom floor, it doesn't count at this point.

Acura seems to be the king at botching product launches. RLX is the perfect example. It instantly became an also-ran in the segment because they launched the Sport Hybrid model too late. ILX was trash when it launched too.

Except they built the factory and hired people to build the car.

They're building it.

 

[2298754]

Except they built the factory and hired people to build the car.

They're building it.

Let's wait and see... Rumor is that it will FINALLY be unveiled in production form at Detroit.

Hopefully, they're not late to the game because the competition in the NSX's price bracket is heating up. New Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT, 991 facelift soon, new R8 around the corner, rumors of a performance i8 without the electric drive system, F-Type just got AWD and manual transmission, etc

 

[smallcoffee]

Wait to see what? They already built the factory and are building the car. They've hired people who are working in the factory right now.

 

[quagmire]

Tacoma pics

Yeah the new Tacoma isn't bad looking, but it remains to see if the guts are still the same and this being a heavy refresh or if it is an all new truck( frame, engine, etc).

I will take a Canyon with the diesel engine that is coming for the 2016 MY.

Just saw this. I'll believe it when it's at an auto show. People have been talking about a mid-engined Vette for a long long time. It's a unicorn, like the NSX

I know there has been talks of a mid-engine 'Vette for years, but this is actually the first time an actual mule has been spotted that could be it( not including concept car 'Vette's ). Not saying that is actually a mule for a mid-engine 'Vette, but it certainly has odd proportions and one has to wonder what is being tested under that Ute.

 

[macquariumguy]

I know there has been talks of a mid-engine 'Vette for years, but this is actually the first time an actual mule has been spotted that could be it( not including concept car 'Vette's ). Not saying that is actually a mule for a mid-engine 'Vette, but it certainly has odd proportions and one has to wonder what is being tested under that Ute.

You read it here first.

A Mid-Rear Engine Corvette Will Never Happen

Sorry, too many Corvette buyers want to be able to carry a couple bags of clubs.

 

[AustinIllini]

You read it here first.

A Mid-Rear Engine Corvette Will Never Happen

Sorry, too many Corvette buyers want to be able to carry a couple bags of clubs.

False. The Z06 is maxed out. It's happening.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Let's wait and see... Rumor is that it will FINALLY be unveiled in production form at Detroit.

Hopefully, they're not late to the game because the competition in the NSX's price bracket is heating up. New Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT, 991 facelift soon, new R8 around the corner, rumors of a performance i8 without the electric drive system, F-Type just got AWD and manual transmission, etc

Shouldn't matter. The NSX is not competing in price (bracket). While people will make the argument that car A with a petrol engine costs about the same but with better performance, the NSX is not directly competing with those cars, the focus is on the hybrid market where there aren't a lot of cars that don't cost $1 million (the i8, maybe the e-tron R8?).

 

[macquariumguy]

False. The Z06 is maxed out. It's happening.

Wanna bet? I think you'll see a hybrid Corvette with AWD for added performance, but the engine will stay put. Chevy isn't going to alienate the country club golfer guys. They buy way more Vettes than Z06 customers.

 

[silentownage001]

Wanna bet? I think you'll see a hybrid Corvette with AWD for added performance, but the engine will stay put. Chevy isn't going to alienate the country club golfer guys. They buy way more Vettes than Z06 customers.

But the mid-engine version would be priced above the Z06 initially. Then I suppose it would trickle down.

Also the country club golfers are more typically the older demographic that buys Corvettes. GM wants to attract younger buyers which is why they did what they did with the C7.

 

[jca24]

All muscle, no brain. Would rather have the ZL1 or the Z/28.

Of course you would mr. gm.

fyi, caddy is a dying brand, sales way down, thay cannot compete with the German and Japanese cars. To little too late! Already droping option prices to get cost down, next will be dropping the base price to drive sales, it will not work.

 

[AustinIllini]

Wanna bet? I think you'll see a hybrid Corvette with AWD for added performance, but the engine will stay put. Chevy isn't going to alienate the country club golfer guys. They buy way more Vettes than Z06 customers.

You clearly don't get the concept of a halo car.

Most speculation is the C7 will remain with Stingray and Z06 and add the Zora ZR1 with mid-engine.

The test mule is out there. We are pretty sure it's happening. Mid-engine is better for tires and weight distribution. Most cars faster than the Z06 are mid-engined, anyway.

The Zora ZR1 halo car isn't catering to golfers, it's catering to real, supercar owners. The same people who will buy the NSX.

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All muscle, no brain. Would rather have the ZL1 or the Z/28.

I'll take a WRX STI over either. AWD FTW. I don't even care about the power loss.

Of course you would mr. gm.

fyi, caddy is a dying brand, sales way down, thay cannot compete with the German and Japanese cars. To little too late! Already droping option prices to get cost down, next will be dropping the base price to drive sales, it will not work.

That's simply not true. The CTS and ATS are as good as anything else on the market and the V models are incredible.

You can pretend Lexus and Acura are relevant in the performance world, but outside the RC, Lexus is a fail and unless the NSX is a world beater (could be, I suppose), Acura hasn't done anything for over a decade.

Cadillac is great. Buick is Acura level (which is okay for what it is). Chevy is garbage but so are most of the base models (Ford, Toyota, and Honda are all better. Dodge, Chrysler are crap).

 

[quagmire]

Of course you would mr. gm.

fyi, caddy is a dying brand, sales way down, thay cannot compete with the German and Japanese cars. To little too late! Already droping option prices to get cost down, next will be dropping the base price to drive sales, it will not work.

I don't hide the fact that I am a GM fan, but I am not being a fanboy when say I would take the ZL1 or the Z/28 over the hellcat. The Challenger out of the Camaro and Mustang has stuck to its muscle car roots where the other two got more athletic. Don't get me wrong 700 HP is an insane amount, but there is more to a car than having a big motor. If all you want is straight line performance than the Hellcat is the best out of the bunch, but I want something that can handle the corners as well and the ZL1 and Z/28 are the best in that regard( though looking forward to what the GT350 does).

As I said a few pages back, Cadillac's situation is purely GM's fault. They played the value game while they wanted to play in the image/perception crowd. Then they try to fix it and they have to dig themselves out. The current customers they are losing are not to the German and Japanese luxury brands, they are losing them to the mainstream brands which is not a customer Cadillac wants to be associated with. It would be alarming to see them lose customers to the competition, but they are not. The customers are the fringe group trying to be in the luxury game by stretching their means. Once Cadillac would eventually get priced out of their price range, they would have been lost anyway.

The cars are there. The ATS and CTS are outstanding vehicles, the image/perception like with everything in life is lagging behind. It took Audi 20 years to get past the unintended acceleration BS from the 80's. Their marketing also sucks.

 

[D.T.]

I don't hide the fact that I am a GM fan, but I am not being a fanboy when say I would take the ZL1 or the Z/28 over the hellcat. The Challenger out of the Camaro and Mustang has stuck to its muscle car roots where the other two got more athletic. Don't get me wrong 700 HP is an insane amount, but there is more to a car than having a big motor. If all you want is straight line performance than the Hellcat is the best out of the bunch, but I want something that can handle the corners as well and the ZL1 and Z/28 are the best in that regard( though looking forward to what the GT350 does).

Yeah, when I saw the comment about an STi over a ZL1, I thought: there’s more to ownership than just some tech details. Cars like the ZL1 provide _huge_ amounts of “fun factor” for an enthusiast. Now - for example - if I lived up north where AWD might be a factor, yeah, that might take precedence - but the rip snorting blown V8, the outstanding handling and cruising comfort provided by the mag shock system, kicking out the rear on track - that’s what I’m all about.

When I score a new ride later this year, my intent had been a GT500, but after some hands on with a ZL1 convertible, the choice isn’t as easy as I thought. Some of the fun-to-own things about domestic muscle are plentiful in the GT500, but almost a little _too_ plentiful.

Anyway.

I thought this was pretty amazing: apparently GM has some promo with the oldest X cars on lots or something, but some guy on the Corvette Forums just posted that he scored a new Z/28 with that discount some other smaller (5%...?) stacked discount for ~$54K! Wow!

 

[luvmymbpr]

The Camry is still a good car if you don't mind one of the most boring vehicles on the road. It's a reliable toaster on wheels, but very boring to drive and the looks aren't great either( IMHO).

Ever driven the Chevy or GM vehicles in the same class? Talk about boring garbage. The Camry is light years ahead and in the same class as the Altima, Sonata, etc. None of them are performance monsters or thrillers. They are made to be reliable and comfortable family movers. Ford is the only one keeping up with the imports as far as family sedans go.

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Of course you would mr. gm.

fyi, caddy is a dying brand, sales way down, thay cannot compete with the German and Japanese cars. To little too late! Already droping option prices to get cost down, next will be dropping the base price to drive sales, it will not work.

Agree. Cadillac is such garbage. Only old people, rappers, and drug dealers buy Cadillacs. Of course, the entire GM fleet is **** with the exception of some trucks and their sports cars.

 

[quagmire]

Ever driven the Chevy or GM vehicles in the same class? Talk about boring garbage. The Camry is light years ahead and in the same class as the Altima, Sonata, etc. None of them are performance monsters or thrillers. They are made to be reliable and comfortable family movers. Ford is the only one keeping up with the imports as far as family sedans go.

I know they are family sedans, but the Camry is the most boring to drive. I quite like how the Honda Accord handles. My only issue with the Accord( or any Honda/Acura) is how gutless the engine is below 5000 RPM. Other than that issue, the Accord at least is somewhat fun to toss around. Sure it is no BMW, 'Vette, ATS/CTS, etc but it doesn't put me to sleep.

Agree. Cadillac is such garbage. Only old people, rappers, and drug dealers buy Cadillacs. Of course, the entire GM fleet is **** with the exception of some trucks and their sports cars.

Cadillac vehicles are garbage because of who buys them? Guess BMW's are trash because jerks who think they own the road buy them? Or as Jeremy Clarkson has observed maybe Audi's are POS's because those jerks are going over to Audi now.

Frankly, I don't give one crap about who buys them. The ATS and CTS are great vehicles and I would buy them because of the merit of the vehicle, not because of who buys them. Now as I stated above I recognize the luxury market is driven by image/perception and Cadillac needs to fix that. But the vehicles are hardly garbage.

 

[AustinIllini]

I know they are family sedans, but the Camry is the most boring to drive. I quite like how the Honda Accord handles. My only issue with the Accord( or any Honda/Acura) is how gutless the engine is below 5000 RPM. Other than that issue, the Accord at least is somewhat fun to toss around. Sure it is no BMW, 'Vette, ATS/CTS, etc but it doesn't put me to sleep.

Camry is garbage. Marketing tries their best to make it exciting, but it's not at all. It's horrible.

Cadillac vehicles are garbage because of who buys them? Guess BMW's are trash because jerks who think they own the road buy them? Or as Jeremy Clarkson has observed maybe Audi's are POS's because those jerks are going over to Audi now.

Frankly, I don't give one crap about who buys them. The ATS and CTS are great vehicles and I would buy them because of the merit of the vehicle, not because of who buys them. Now as I stated above I recognize the luxury market is driven by image/perception and Cadillac needs to fix that. But the vehicles are hardly garbage.

The ATS and CTS are awesome. You don't have to defend yourself.

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We've been hearing this for ages now. Unless it's on the showroom floor, it doesn't count at this point.

Acura seems to be the king at botching product launches. RLX is the perfect example. It instantly became an also-ran in the segment because they launched the Sport Hybrid model too late. ILX was trash when it launched too.

It will be on the showroom floor. The production model is announced next week.

 

[Jimmy James]

DT, do play RR2?

 

[luvmymbpr]

I know they are family sedans, but the Camry is the most boring to drive. I quite like how the Honda Accord handles.

I won't defend them as far as their fun factor, but they are a really good choice in their class. They're not my favorite, but they've historically been good options and I expect them to continue to be contenders for years to come.

Cadillac vehicles are garbage because of who buys them?

Nah, they're garbage because they look incredibly dated and are so overpriced. I used to be a huge Chevy fan, but GM's continuing business model of building outdated garbage and the bailout from the government severely changed my attitude over the past several years. I'm glad Ford at least stayed on the ball to continue putting out desirable vehicles.

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Camry is garbage. Marketing tries their best to make it exciting, but it's not at all. It's horrible.

You're either extremely liberal with your use of "garbage" here, or you've never actually driven a vehicle that is garbage. The Camry is incredibly far from garbage. It's not the most exciting sedan in its class, but it's pretty good.

 

[D.T.]

DT, do play RR2?

Not at that much. I scored it on sale, fiddled around with the car config, ran a couple of tracks, geeked on some of the tech, and wound up uninstalling it to recover some space.

I used to play GT3 and Forza some when they were initially released.

Funny enough, in one of my new enterprises, we’ve been modeling cars Though nothing car/driving related is on deck for the near term, just using them as prototype content.