The Car Thread ... !

[Muscle Master]

^^^hideous, as expected.

C-pillars aren't design experiments, someone needs to tell Nissan that too.

This car just has angles for the sake of having angles.

Interior looks really stuffy/stale like a waiting room from the 1970s. Might look better in black rather than peanut butter barf.

I wonder how many more cars Lexus would sell if they simply weren't hideous?

Uhhh... I agree and disagree, I'm not a fan of Lexus.. The exterior has some growing to do for me but that interior is drop dead gorgeous.. I feel like I can drive from Philly to LA no problem with pure bliss. But I can see what everyone is saying about the heavy leather... Would love to see a comparison with the S550 coupe

 

[D.T.]

From the DAS, the new 911 Turbo/Turbo S. You know, I realize Porsche is more common (and they make SUVs...), that companies like Ferrari are less encumbered by production concerns and more interested in creating rolling art, but there's something about the ultimate 911 expression (the Turbo S), that does it for me more (*gasp*) than an F-car, it's understated, yet conspicuous (especially to those ITK).

 

[Blaze4G]

Correlation does not imply causality. Let's be clear about one thing, there are a number of reasons Lexus's are better than they were 4 or 5 years ago. The spindle grille is not one of those things.

Could you tell me what you think makes Lexus better today than they were 5 years ago?

 

[AustinIllini]

Could you tell me what you think makes Lexus better today than they were 5 years ago?

Driving dynamics, technology, and interior design.

The spindle grille is a huge disappointment.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Uhhh... I agree and disagree, I'm not a fan of Lexus.. The exterior has some growing to do for me but that interior is drop dead gorgeous.. I feel like I can drive from Philly to LA no problem with pure bliss. But I can see what everyone is saying about the heavy leather... Would love to see a comparison with the S550 coupe

The difference between the Lexus and any equivalent German is that German design tends to keep it extremely clean. The Lexus interior has panels and surfaces pushed towards the driver/passenger. In contrast, the S550 has a relatively flat dash and looks a lot more spacious because of this.

 

[puma1552]

the lexus just looks gaudy.

and to AutoUnion's comment about the interior needing contrast, absolutely. peanut butter colored carpet? I thought we left that WHOLE INTERIOR ONE COLOR crap in the '80s (I realize Porsche still offers this though...).

Only the seats/door panel inserts, and maybe the lower dash should be brown, the rest should be black. Anytime I see a car where the entire interior is one color that isn't black, I just think ewwww and am reminded of my high school days riding around in friends' '80s or early '90s beaters.

 

[Blaze4G]

Driving dynamics, technology, and interior design.

The spindle grille is a huge disappointment.

In my opinion majority of customers won't buy cars they think are ugly on the outside. Hence I don't think any of those reasons is why Lexus sales has increased.
If you don't like the look of the new lexuses I get it. Not everyone will because they are 'bold' for lack of a better word.

In other words, I have never heard someone said "wow that car drives so good but it looks ugly, I want it!"
Or
"Wow the interior is amazing, so comfortable. I hate how it looks but I still want it because of the interior!"

I see many persons make sacrifices to driving dynamics, interior design, reliability, etc just because of how a car looks. I rarely here persons make sacrifices on the car looks because of a nice interior or driving dynamics.

 

[2298754]

Benchmarking the BMW 6 and Porsche 911... Serious competition

 

[AustinIllini]

From the DAS, the new 911 Turbo/Turbo S. You know, I realize Porsche is more common (and they make SUVs...), that companies like Ferrari are less encumbered by production concerns and more interested in creating rolling art, but there's something about the ultimate 911 expression (the Turbo S), that does it for me more (*gasp*) than an F-car, it's understated, yet conspicuous (especially to those ITK).

HAHAHAHAHAHA

...Oh, you're serious

 

[Blaze4G]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

...Oh, you're serious

Hey man, everyone has different taste and opinions. Just because you love ferarri doesn't mean everyone should love it.

 

[lowendlinux]

Is it just me or have other enthusiasts lost interest in cars that aren't technologically-advanced? Lexus interior design is a nice step above Tesla, but I find myself craving a Model S. I'm even beginning to lose my Cadillac enthusiasm.

It just the new generation of car enthusiast they grew up with the tech and they want it everywhere. I haven't seen a car I actually like in 15ish years there's to much of everything in them. When I was young nobody took compacts and 4 cylinders seriously but the world changed, I don't like big, ugly, heavy, fat cars laden with tech but the world changed.

 

[D.T.]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

...Oh, you're serious

Yep, I've even been up close and personal with a 488GTB at the Orlando dealer, I've driven Challenge model 360s and [non-challenge] 458s on track, I had a friend with both a 355 and later a 360 that I've driven/ridden in a number of times, and there's something about Porsche - particularly the 911 TT models - that I love, in some cases as much, or more than Ferrari (which is also beautiful piece of automative design).

Pretty simple.

 

[2298754]

Yep, I've even been up close and personal with a 488GTB at the Orlando dealer, I've driven Challenge model 360s and [non-challenge] 458s on track, I had a friend with both a 355 and later a 360 that I've driven/ridden in a number of times, and there's something about Porsche - particularly the 911 TT models - that I love, in some cases as much, or more than Ferrari (which is also beautiful piece of automative design).

Pretty simple.

I'm with you on this. I'd rather own a 911TT or GT3/GT3RS over a 458/488 GTB. There's just something about the whole Porsche experience that resonates well with me.

Audi R8 V10 Plus is right under that on my "want" list.

 

[AustinIllini]

I don't hate this. No beak!

 

[AustinIllini]

In other news, Volkswagen's most recent proposal for their diesel engine disaster has been rejected.

VW continues to be the laughing stock of the automotive industry. Best spin Audi off now.

 

[2298754]

I don't hate this. No beak!

Not terrible. Finally no beak!

But it's kind of annoying that the NSX will basically have outdated styling before it's even launched.

No other OEM really does that. When the original R8 came out in 2006ish, it previewed Audi's styling direction for the next few years.

Could you tell me what you think makes Lexus better today than they were 5 years ago?

This is a valid line of questioning IMO.

Even 5 years ago, Lexus was the benchmark for reliability, fit/finish, customer service, and resale.

None of that has changed today. The only difference is that they have improved driving dynamics. The traditional "old" Lexus buyers are still buying their cars, but now they're starting to get on the radar of BMW/Audi/Porsche/Benz buyers.

Can't wait to see the LC500. But if Lexus wants to play with the big boys at the $100k price point, it needs more power and an AWD option.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

VW continues to be the laughing stock of the automotive industry. Best spin Audi off now.

I wouldn't be so quick to single them out. What makes you think they are the only automaker up to no good? They just got caught...don't forget the GM ignition issues or Toyota throttle affair - people died.

 

[Blaze4G]

I wouldn't be so quick to single them out. What makes you think they are the only automaker up to no good? They just got caught...don't forget the GM ignition issues or Toyota throttle affair - people died.

Just saying, toyota throttle problems was proven to be false and was due to incompetent drivers. Only one driver had a stuck accelerator and that was because the dealer installed the incorrect mat. This resulted in the pedal getting stuck on the mat.

 

[quagmire]

Just saying, toyota throttle problems was proven to be false and was due to incompetent drivers. Only one driver had a stuck accelerator and that was because the dealer installed the incorrect mat. This resulted in the pedal getting stuck on the mat.

Floor mats and defective gas pedal assemblies( two separate issues that Toyota like Ford and GM knew about and didn't do a recall due to the costs). What was proven false was the computers software malfunctioning and going WOT without any input from the gas pedal.

 

[Blaze4G]

Floor mats and defective gas pedal assemblies. What was proven false was the computers software malfunctioning and going WOT without any input from the gas pedal.

Thanks for the correction. Yep, most persons who were claiming they got in an accident and claimed it was because of stuck accelerator was lying for monetary gains.

 

[0388631]

Not a fan of Ferrari's current lineup save for the F12. I have an IS350 I bought years ago and keep it in the garage as a spare car/town commuter. Cadillac's new CTS-V looks alright, but the power is amazing. Just wish they'd up the ante on the interior, because it looks awful. Generally prefer Mercs and that's what I purchase. BMW is nice an all, but their interior is dated. Never had issues with Mercs. Wouldn't touch an Audi with a barge pole.

Apart from the Lexus, I've only owned two other Japanese cars, both of which were nice, albeit not up to par on Lexus QC.

 

[yg17]

Even if the car does go WOT on its own, poor driver training is still partially to blame. No one thought to put it in neutral and brake to a stop? Does the average driver, who's never driven a manual, even know what neutral is on a car? Yes, the throttle shouldn't stick, and that's a huge fault, but drivers should know what to do when the unexpected happens.

Anyhow, I'm going to the Detroit auto show this weekend, can't wait. The one they have back home in STL is underwhelming.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Thanks for the correction. Yep, most persons who were claiming they got in an accident and claimed it was because of stuck accelerator was lying for monetary gains.

In all cases, the automakers knowingly sold defective and potentially dangerous products and subsequently lied about the severity of the problem. That is a far more serious issue than a few false claims.

The point being, I don't trust any automakers to tell the truth. I have owned a few Subarus (for example) and there are a number of known, substantial issues with their EJ series 2.5L that have never been subject to recall.

Automakers don't fix things unless they cannot get away with ignoring the problem (and then they sometimes continue to try).

 

[macquariumguy]

Not terrible. Finally no beak!

No beak, which is good, but OMG XBOX HUGE Acura emblem instead is not so good. At least that can (hopefully) come off.

 

[Muscle Master]

Not a fan of Ferrari's current lineup save for the F12. I have an IS350 I bought years ago and keep it in the garage as a spare car/town commuter. Cadillac's new CTS-V looks alright, but the power is amazing. Just wish they'd up the ante on the interior, because it looks awful. Generally prefer Mercs and that's what I purchase. BMW is nice an all, but their interior is dated. Never had issues with Mercs. Wouldn't touch an Audi with a barge pole.

Apart from the Lexus, I've only owned two other Japanese cars, both of which were nice, albeit not up to par on Lexus QC.

For what you get... What you pay for, the CTS-V is an awesome

This would be more reliable than the M5 and E63 AMG so if they had to take a little cash from the interior budget to make sure the Powertrain is reliable.. And to make it AFFORDABLE I'm all for it. I'm in love with Mercedes new interiors but CTS-V is at the top of the list if I was in the market