The Car Thread ... !

[D.T.]

Personally, I think the Z4 is severely underrated in terms of cars in this segment. Everyone picks the Boxster by default (justified) but the only thing worse than a BMW option list, is a Porsche option list. I wouldn't consider the TT or SLK.

Honestly, I'd pick the Z4 over the Boxster. I know that's heresy, and blah blah driving dynamics blah bah ... but I find the Z4 design much better looking, love the hardtop, ~LOVE~ the turbo 6.

I got real interested in replacing the S2K with a Z4 - I was trying to decide if having something the wife could drive would make our car logistics better (I'd get it with DCT), but ultimately that's not what limits us the most, it's the lack of back seats (so going to back to my love of muscle cars + back seats == Mustang)

It's also hard to beat the unfortunate reality that it's not fun to HAVE to wind it out to 9000 RPM to pull away from every stoplight, every time.

It's great an "extra" car, one you take out to wring out The 2nd gen cars (AP2, like above) have a little better midrange (lower redline), and with the super short gearing they wind up pretty fast - I think it's terrific for the market segment of minimal, weekend roadster, not as a DD (I don't DD ) The sound dampening is minimal, electronics very basic, it's low, small, slightly harsh, there's no polish to the boot/top (though there is a manual get-out-of-the-car cover). When you're in the right place, right time - like The Dragon - the car is brilliant.

 

[determined09]

The NX has recieved very mixed reviews. Some reviews rave about its beautiful, well built interior, while others like CR knock it. I think overall most agree the performance is pretty underwhelming. Typically I trust CR the least when it comes to reviews*. I wouldn't rule it out based on one opinion.

I haven't been in an NX, but I'd be surprised for it to be one of the top 5 worst cars of this year. I don't think it's a great value looking at the competition, but that's probably the most important metric CR is basing their decision off of, since that's what they like to do. I see plenty of NX's already and they haven't been out too long.

5 years is a little long IMO. Most manufactures have moved on to a new vehicle at that point. I think a year or two is reasonable. It depends on how long you expect to keep the car too- within the few years of the warranty, or for the next 10 years.

*(As a PharmD I love CR's medication comparisons and you might appreciate this as well given your training. Consumer Reports reviews medication and while making disclaimers about side effects, solely bases their decision on average monthly cost. Side effects, efficacy/outcomes, tolerabilty, opportunity cost, etc are not considered. For example, diphenhydramine/Benadryl is usually cheapest antihistamine you can buy. For most people though, it will put them to sleep for 10hrs so it's not a great choice. They also like to include OTC and Rx drugs together, which is pointless as many people have insurance and they don't factor in the doctor's appoint cost/copay. Clarinex might cost $200/month but cheaper than then the $25 OTC Allegra since my copay is $10 for 3 months. There is a whole complex field called pharmacoeconomics devoted to assessing the best treatments, CR's analysis basically looking at the price per unit which is not meaningful)

I have looked at the CR medication comparisons but not at length. I can see your point about the way the CR's conducts it's review of drugs and how that can be misleading. Plus my teacher would plead with the class not to give their children any Benadry just for that reason you stated.


But here's are some other articles that I ran across about the NX 200 from CR. I can see your point that I shouldn't consider the NX due to one bad review.


I heard that sells for the NX are strong. It seems like consumers in the public are really liking their NXs.

Infotainment system failure sends Consumer Reports' 2015 Lexus NX 200t back to dealer:The system failed the day after we bought the brand-new car
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...s-on-consumer-reports-2015-lexus-nx/index.htm

Here's a review from Motor-trend.( A positive review)
The Big Test: Luxury Crossovers - BMW, Range Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Volvo

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...compact_crossovers/viewall.html#ixzz3kv1qiMlh
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...pact_crossovers/conclusion.html#ixzz3UZaDeEs9

 

[2298754]

At Lime Rock Concours right now. Some interesting cars so far

 

[2298754]

 

[determined09]

Deleted post

 

[2298754]

Went to Lime Rock Concours yesterday

Entire album: http://imgur.com/a/BJVcK#0

Some highlights

 

[bunnspecial]

To not be a Mercedes guy, it's scary how excited I get when I see a 300SL even in photos.

Thanks for all the photos.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Went to Lime Rock Concours yesterday

Lime Rock, as in Connecticut? That must be a decent ride- 3 hours? Litchfield County is certainly an interesting place.

To not be a Mercedes guy, it's scary how excited I get when I see a 300SL even in photos.

Tell me about it, that car is gorgeous.

The DB4 though... OMG.

Edit: Michael Schudroff is the owner of the 300SL? Isn't that the guy who owned the Rolls Royce dealer in NY. He now has the the Carriage House in Greenwich?

 

[overlyunderme]

After owning trucks for the last couple of years, I decided to get a Chevrolet SS while they were still available. Found one a few hours from me in 6 speed manual, so I had to grab it quick since there are only a limited number of these cars available in the U.S. In the next few years, I'll slowly mod it with some sort of intake/headers/exhaust/tune then possibly a very mild cam.

 

[bunnspecial]

Great call on the SS-I've looked at and admired those for a while now. If I could afford one, I'd visit the Chevy dealer up the street and order one exactly to my specs(6 speed/green/no sunroof)

Lime Rock, as in Connecticut? That must be a decent ride- 3 hours? Litchfield County is certainly an interesting place.


Tell me about it, that car is gorgeous.

The DB4 though... OMG.

Edit: Michael Schudroff is the owner of the 300SL? Isn't that the guy who owned the Rolls Royce dealer in NY. He now has the the Carriage House in Greenwich?

Yep, I had to wipe off my keyboard after looking at the DB4, too. It makes me want to drop my search for an MG and just go right to the top

 

[A.Goldberg]

Yep, I had to wipe off my keyboard after looking at the DB4, too. It makes me want to drop my search for an MG and just go right to the top

Yeah, I feel the same way. I just need to procure... What do those guys cost these days? $300,000 and up?

 

[bunnspecial]

Yeah, I feel the same way. I just need to procure... What do those guys cost these days? $300,000 and up?

Well, who needs an Aston Martin anyway these days when Ford basically lifted the grille off the DB4 for the current Fusion. Just buy one of those and be happy

 

[determined09]

i saw the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris on the highway the other day. They are really too small for my needs just like the Corolla when be too small too.


I had almost hint my head I the door opening of the Lexus NX When I was getting to that car.but that didn't happen when I sat in the Rx. The sales guy said that the Es 350 rides better then the NX whichs makes sense.

My mom has the Es 350 since February. She couldn't use the remote start function. Her is low for some reason.

 

[2298754]

To not be a Mercedes guy, it's scary how excited I get when I see a 300SL even in photos.

Thanks for all the photos.

No problem! Love the 300SL. Gorgeous cars.

To top it off, I got to see Sterling Moss quite briefly.

Lime Rock, as in Connecticut? That must be a decent ride- 3 hours? Litchfield County is certainly an interesting place.

Edit: Michael Schudroff is the owner of the 300SL? Isn't that the guy who owned the Rolls Royce dealer in NY. He now has the the Carriage House in Greenwich?

Yup, in CT. Quite an interesting drive. Really in the middle of no where.

I think it's the same guy!

 

[bunnspecial]

No problem! Love the 300SL. Gorgeous cars.

To top it off, I got to see Sterling Moss quite briefly.

I need to quit looking at the above photos. I had missed the XKE on the first pass-through and it made me have to take the towel to my keyboard again.

 

[S.B.G]

I love that Ferrari F40 up there!

 

[A.Goldberg]

No problem! Love the 300SL. Gorgeous cars.

To top it off, I got to see Sterling Moss quite briefly.



Yup, in CT. Quite an interesting drive. Really in the middle of no where.

I think it's the same guy!

Lime Rock is part of Lakeville. I'd recommend The Woodland and The Boathouse if you're ever looking for food. Not too much going on out there. Great Barrington is always fun.

 

[determined09]

Went to Lime Rock Concours yesterday

Entire album: http://imgur.com/a/BJVcK#0

Some highlights

Nice photos. Thanks for posting

 

[determined09]

Didn't expect to see this at 6am

What kind of car is this?thank you

 

[2298754]

What kind of car is this?thank you

McLaren 650S Spider

 

[puma1552]

thoughts on tiguans? i think for a small SUV the R-line is sex on wheels, reliabilitty be damned. however i just realized on friday that VW shuffled the trim lines bigtime for '16. for '15 the r-line is the top of the line, with all the sporty r-line bits and all the features. but for '16, the r-line gets demoted to the second ********* trim and decontented and the SEL becomes top of the line. problem is, the now top of the line SEL has all the features, but lacks all the sporty r-line bits, namely painted lower valences, aluminum pedals, black headliner, and a waaay nicer steering wheel. the wheels changed a little bit but both te rline and sel wheels are equally sexy.

as of friday there were four left in town. by yesterday there were two. i was getting a quote for one online and it sold in the meantime, so now there's one, but an after hours examination at the dealer showed a scratch in the clearcoat behind the drivers side front wheel. easily buffed out but i hate removing clear coat on a brand new car, and hate having uneven clear levels afterwards for a spot buff. so this ones kind of on ice. im not sure i like the idea of being on the hook for one pulled in from another dealer out of state in case it has petty cosmetic issues like the one thats left in town, but maybe its time to **** or get off the pot?

thoughts? perfect size for being a new homeowner, and still somewhat sporty.

'15 r-line:

'16 r-line looks the same but loses the xenon headlights/LEDs and lots of features inside

'16 SEL:

 

[determined09]

The 2016 RX Lexus is very looking good .

 

[AustinIllini]

thoughts on tiguans? i think for a small SUV the R-line is sex on wheels, reliabilitty be damned. however i just realized on friday that VW shuffled the trim lines bigtime for '16. for '15 the r-line is the top of the line, with all the sporty r-line bits and all the features. but for '16, the r-line gets demoted to the second ********* trim and decontented and the SEL becomes top of the line. problem is, the now top of the line SEL has all the features, but lacks all the sporty r-line bits, namely painted lower valences, aluminum pedals, black headliner, and a waaay nicer steering wheel. the wheels changed a little bit but both te rline and sel wheels are equally sexy.

as of friday there were four left in town. by yesterday there were two. i was getting a quote for one online and it sold in the meantime, so now there's one, but an after hours examination at the dealer showed a scratch in the clearcoat behind the drivers side front wheel. easily buffed out but i hate removing clear coat on a brand new car, and hate having uneven clear levels afterwards for a spot buff. so this ones kind of on ice. im not sure i like the idea of being on the hook for one pulled in from another dealer out of state in case it has petty cosmetic issues like the one thats left in town, but maybe its time to **** or get off the pot?

thoughts? perfect size for being a new homeowner, and still somewhat sporty.

'15 r-line:

'16 r-line looks the same but loses the xenon headlights/LEDs and lots of features inside

'16 SEL:

Easily my favorite rental car, but shop around in that class if you are interested in keeping the vehicle for a long term.

 

[A.Goldberg]

thoughts on tiguans? i think for a small SUV the R-line is sex on wheels, reliabilitty be damned. however i just realized on friday that VW shuffled the trim lines bigtime for '16. for '15 the r-line is the top of the line, with all the sporty r-line bits and all the features. but for '16, the r-line gets demoted to the second ********* trim and decontented and the SEL becomes top of the line. problem is, the now top of the line SEL has all the features, but lacks all the sporty r-line bits, namely painted lower valences, aluminum pedals, black headliner, and a waaay nicer steering wheel. the wheels changed a little bit but both te rline and sel wheels are equally sexy.

as of friday there were four left in town. by yesterday there were two. i was getting a quote for one online and it sold in the meantime, so now there's one, but an after hours examination at the dealer showed a scratch in the clearcoat behind the drivers side front wheel. easily buffed out but i hate removing clear coat on a brand new car, and hate having uneven clear levels afterwards for a spot buff. so this ones kind of on ice. im not sure i like the idea of being on the hook for one pulled in from another dealer out of state in case it has petty cosmetic issues like the one thats left in town, but maybe its time to **** or get off the pot?

thoughts? perfect size for being a new homeowner, and still somewhat sporty.

'15 r-line:

'16 r-line looks the same but loses the xenon headlights/LEDs and lots of features inside

'16 SEL:

It's definitely a good looking car. I always thought the interiors were aesthetically a little odd... Too utilitarian looking maybe? I've been going back and forth on a Touareg TDI, though I often conclude that idea is heavily influenced by the 1st generation Treg. The Tiguan is too small for me.

What I really like about VW is they seem to (well, more so in the past) offer a car with quality characteristics and styling without the badge and high price tag.

Like any VW product, I'd be very concerned about the reliability/repair costs. VW hasn't done so well in past despite selling a lot of Jettas and Passats.

My mom just bought a '15 A4 Allroad after buying a dud 2015 XC70 optimistic this experience will be better than her '01 A6 Allroad. Audi seems to be doing much better with reliability, placing near the top of luxury cars. VW remains towards the bottom overall.

If you like the car and dont mind shelling out a bunch of money after the warranty ends to keep it running, don't plan on keeping far past the warranty, and/or don't mind unscheduled trips to the dealer, then it's a nonissue.

 

[determined09]

Is the Lincoln MKC a good SUV? Thank you