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PowerMac G4 MDD

macrumors 68000
Jul 13, 2014
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FWIW, I couldn't find anything confirming any sort of performance/engine changes to the Neiman Marcus edition. It appears to be the same F136 S 4.2L that was in use for that generation. All the discussion of the car is around the aesthetic changes, unique materials, custom badging, etc.

I thought there was slightly more horsepower... well, anyway, it handles like a dream. While unreliable (and some infuriating issues w/ the interior), I commend it for looking great and feeling great to drive.

As for the badge with the number out of 60, does anyone want to guess this specific model's number?
 

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,353
6,496
Kentucky
I'm afraid that I've become a bit of a hopeless MG addict.

After buying mine, I started craving more power...which lead me on the hunt for an MGC(since V8s weren't officially imported to the US). The MGC is a bit of a quirky model within the MG range-it's more or less a B body, but has the BMC "C" series engine. The "C" engine is a "B" engine with two extra cylinders on the front :) . The MGC was sort of intended as a replacement for the Austin-Healey 3000, but it never quite caught on. They don't have the go-kart handling of an MGB thanks to the extra weight over the front, but do make up for the power that the B lacks. They also have a raised area at the front of the bonnet to clear the radiator, and a weird little bulge further up off center to clear one of the carburetors. The Cs have 15" wires(compared to the 14" wheels-either steel or wire-on the B) which opens up tire selection a whole lot.

In any case, there were 9000 MGCs made(compared to over 500,000 Bs) so they're a fair bit more scarce.

I'm "courting" one at the moment that has several things going for it. For one thing, it's a GT, which makes it a bit more practical for the cooler months that my B Tourer. It also has the rare automatic transmission, which was fitted to about 15% of MGCs. Part of me is deterred by this, but I like the scarcity of the auto. I've also been advised by other C owners that an auto in a GT is really a nice combination as it makes for a great "touring" car. I'm still mixed on it, but the owner has offered to throw in a spare manual overdrive transmission with the car so I could fit it if I really decided I disliked the auto.

In any case, I'm afraid it's truly a disease.
 
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D.T.

macrumors G4
Original poster
Sep 15, 2011
11,050
12,467
Vilano Beach, FL
I thought there was slightly more horsepower... well, anyway, it handles like a dream. While unreliable (and some infuriating issues w/ the interior), I commend it for looking great and feeling great to drive.

As for the badge with the number out of 60, does anyone want to guess this specific model's number?

No biggie, you mentioned it, and I was curious. Neiman is doing a [hideous] current gen Mustang, and in addition to the aesthetic changes, it has some suspension work and a 2.3L TVS supercharger (~700HP).

I'll play! How about number 26?

I'm afraid that I've become a bit of a hopeless MG addict.

A buddy of mine used to be pretty hardcode into MGs, owned several, went to events, active online buying/selling parts/cars.

Funny enough, he just sold a '03 Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa.
 

PowerMac G4 MDD

macrumors 68000
Jul 13, 2014
1,900
277
Nope, not #26! You're welcome to guess again. I'll narrow things down: It's BELOW #26.
[doublepost=1455213669][/doublepost]
I'm afraid that I've become a bit of a hopeless MG addict.

After buying mine, I started craving more power...which lead me on the hunt for an MGC(since V8s weren't officially imported to the US). The MGC is a bit of a quirky model within the MG range-it's more or less a B body, but has the BMC "C" series engine. The "C" engine is a "B" engine with two extra cylinders on the front :) . The MGC was sort of intended as a replacement for the Austin-Healey 3000, but it never quite caught on. They don't have the go-kart handling of an MGB thanks to the extra weight over the front, but do make up for the power that the B lacks. They also have a raised area at the front of the bonnet to clear the radiator, and a weird little bulge further up off center to clear one of the carburetors. The Cs have 15" wires(compared to the 14" wheels-either steel or wire-on the B) which opens up tire selection a whole lot.

In any case, there were 9000 MGCs made(compared to over 500,000 Bs) so they're a fair bit more scarce.

I'm "courting" one at the moment that has several things going for it. For one thing, it's a GT, which makes it a bit more practical for the cooler months that my B Tourer. It also has the rare automatic transmission, which was fitted to about 15% of MGCs. Part of me is deterred by this, but I like the scarcity of the auto. I've also been advised by other C owners that an auto in a GT is really a nice combination as it makes for a great "touring" car. I'm still mixed on it, but the owner has offered to throw in a spare manual overdrive transmission with the car so I could fit it if I really decided I disliked the auto.

In any case, I'm afraid it's truly a disease.


Hey, nice to see you again! My 95 (or so) year-old neighbor had (has?) an MG in his garage. It looked like it hadn't been driven in years; however, I don't think it's there anymore. Never asked him about it either.
 
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A.Goldberg

macrumors 68030
Jan 31, 2015
2,549
9,715
Boston
In any case, I'm afraid it's truly a disease.

I told you to be careful... Testing the waters puts you risks, and it sounds like you'll soon be in over your head. Your PowerPC collection should have been a glaring indicator this would have been a problem. Addiction is indeed a disease...
 

PowerMac G4 MDD

macrumors 68000
Jul 13, 2014
1,900
277
I told you to be careful... Testing the waters puts you risks, and it sounds like you'll soon be in over your head. Your PowerPC collection should have been a glaring indicator this would have been a problem. Addiction is indeed a disease...

Yep - Bunn even surpassed people like myself, in terms of PowerPC Mac ownership. At the time, my 35-ish PPC Macs was the amount to beat. In fact, he has more computers in general than I do. I own almost 90, but I think he's gone past 100! If I had the accommodations, I'd have more machines, but I left the PPC craze in order to focus on upcoming college stuff and my realistic career interests (which do not involve computers).

By the time I'm out in the world, I'm assuming that every schmuck and his brother will be selling "rare" iMac G3s for $300, but if I could still get cheap PPC Macs by then, maybe I'd stockpile or something xD. But, my rule is success before indulgence. I'm not trying to blur my goals with PPC Mac fun. Didn't want to outright say that, but that's one of the reasons I left the PPC forums.

Bunn, however, is out in the world already. I could imagine the freedom he has in choosing what he wants. Meanwhile, I worry about school, space, and what my parents think. Career first, computers on the side. I figure that if the desire is REALLY needed, I can play with my Macs off to the side of whatever career I have. No sense in squandering my abilities with a sub-standard job. I'm glad for Bunn that he has other things on the side. Is it realistic to be worried at his intake of PPC Macs? xD Yes, Bunn. You're catchin' 'em all! However, if hoarding PPC Macs WAS his career, I'd be more worried myself. If one can balance hobbies and a career, that's just fine. I personally have already walked away from buying a bunch of PPC Macs, but shall I return to my hobby at full-force, it shall be after I have started a career.

Good lesson, indeed, for anyone my age who might be distracted with their hobbies. I am not anymore, but others are. Hobbies can become a crutch and sound more appealing than doing what one is actually passionate about. I'm passionate about design, so I'm pursuing that field, even though I have a passion for computers. Gotta set that stuff aside. I still can't understand WHY I like computers (which is kinda scary... I literally don't know why I get a sudden surge to have a classic Mac when I see one - even though this surge has been quelled a bit since my pushing the hobby aside and not making purchases), but I just do. Well, good thing the hobby will always be there for later on. Ruining the chances of having a career can be detrimental, and, as such, the chance likely cannot be re-obtained.

Hope someone maybe enjoyed my slight ramble here, from an 18 year-old mind - at 12:40 at night.
 
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A.Goldberg

macrumors 68030
Jan 31, 2015
2,549
9,715
Boston
Yep - Bunn even surpassed people like myself, in terms of PowerPC Mac ownership. At the time, my 35-ish PPC Macs was the amount to beat. In fact, he has more computers in general than I do. I own almost 90, but I think he's gone past 100!

Sadly for people like you and @bunnspecial I don't think rehab for cars or macs exist. Maybe this is a business opportunity for me.
 

PowerMac G4 MDD

macrumors 68000
Jul 13, 2014
1,900
277
Sadly for people like you and @bunnspecial I don't think rehab for cars or macs exist. Maybe this is a business opportunity for me.

I edited that post, so please read my little ramble of text I left xD. I've provided some of my insight on the subject, including why I DON'T need rehab and why I've actually cast my collecting to the side, even if I still like tinkering with machines. My view may also be somewhat different, considering I'm not a fully-grown adult; I'm a senior in high school.

Rehab for Macs? Well, obsessive hoarding has its rehabilitation methods, so I'm assuming that the same would apply to one who 'hoards' PowerPC Macs ;).
 

A.Goldberg

macrumors 68030
Jan 31, 2015
2,549
9,715
Boston
I edited that post, so please read my little ramble of text I left xD. I've provided some of my insight on the subject, including why I DON'T need rehab and why I've actually cast my collecting to the side, even if I still like tinkering with machines. My view may also be somewhat different, considering I'm not a fully-grown adult; I'm a senior in high school.

Rehab for Macs? Well, obsessive hoarding has its rehabilitation methods, so I'm assuming that the same would apply to one who 'hoards' PowerPC Macs ;).

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. You lengthy post sounds awfully defensive...

I was just being facetious though ;)

(Actually the psych hospital I work for offers a number of hording-specific workshops and groups of course on addition to OCD impatient programs.)
 

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,353
6,496
Kentucky
I don't have a problem. Really, I can stop any time I want. Honest to goodness, I could quit now.
[doublepost=1455290309][/doublepost]In all seriousness, I'm a collector by nature, although I realize that there can be a fine line between collecting and hoarding.

Unfortunately, the more you study, the more you find as "variations" that you want as part of your collection.

For example, I bought four Macs last weekend. Someone who is not familiar with them might look at my collection and say three of them were duplicates, but in actuality I had a reason for buying them. Even though I have several iMac G3s, one of the ones I bought was a "Rev B" Bondi Blue-I have a Rev. A(which isn't enough different to justify necessarily having both) but my Rev A doesn't work. As truly the first iMacs, these have an important place in a Macintosh collection. Similarly, I bought a Quicksilver and a Cube, but both were bought because they had high end processor upgrades(something that interests me as a collector). I am in fact getting ready to sell one of my other Cubes as the one I bought last weekend(1.8ghz Sonnet) effectively replaces the 1.5ghz one.

My watch collection looks even crazier even to some watch collectors, as I have over forty examples of one particular model and grade of Waltham. They are all different, though, and honestly at this point I'd probably be more excited about finding one the same as what I already have :) .

And, with the MG I'm now looking at, is is actually quite a dramatically different car from the one I already have-as I listed above. Fortunately or unfortunately, like PPC Macs, MGs are still relatively inexpensive compared to other classic cars and contemporary British sports cars in particular. The MGC-as a whole-is frankly a bargain considering its relative scarcity and what comparable models from other makes cost.
 
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PowerMac G4 MDD

macrumors 68000
Jul 13, 2014
1,900
277
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. You lengthy post sounds awfully defensive...

I was just being facetious though ;)

(Actually the psych hospital I work for offers a number of hording-specific workshops and groups of course on addition to OCD impatient programs.)

My post wasn't defensive; I was just giving my insight and advice for anyone suffering with "hording" PowerPC Macs. I was simply explaining how I was able to cast aside my purchasing of older Macs in order to pursue my realistic career interests. If one has no other direction besides collecting the machines, that's the real problem. However, if one can do this stuff on the SIDE and keep it a controlled hobby, that's fine.
[doublepost=1455306172][/doublepost]Not that I would personally do this myself, but one can actually have a career based upon collecting things. However, as far as Macs go, they aren't worth enough yet to support a person to a fuller extent. However, things like watch and coin collecting do. In fact, my uncle actually became successful as a coin investor, which is quite impressive.

The greatest form of collecting, though, has to be wine collecting. One bottle of Romanee Conti (esp. of the correct vintage), and you have yourself a 20,000-dollar bottle of wine. One would have purchased those about 10 years ago for maybe $500(?) each. One could argue that literally consuming your collection pieces is a bonus, and the art of wine in the first place is something to appreciate.
[doublepost=1455306251][/doublepost]
No biggie, you mentioned it, and I was curious. Neiman is doing a [hideous] current gen Mustang, and in addition to the aesthetic changes, it has some suspension work and a 2.3L TVS supercharger (~700HP).

I'll play! How about number 26?



A buddy of mine used to be pretty hardcode into MGs, owned several, went to events, active online buying/selling parts/cars.

Funny enough, he just sold a '03 Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa.


Tempted to reveal the answer soon, unless you've got another guess! ;)
 

puma1552

Suspended
Nov 20, 2008
5,559
1,947
so a couple months back i had a CEL pop on and stay on for a couple days and turn itself off on two occasions. both times the car deove fine so i figured is just wait til me next oil change and have it looked at then.

so i had an appt for tomorrow morning.

today i was driving to the geocery store and all of a sudden heard a super loud noise like i was dragging a plastic milk jug or something, but i knew i didnt hit anything.

i nearly panicked and pulled over to find all the fasteners for the front side of the oil pan plastic shield missing and the shield dragging on the ground like a shovel. wtf??? nobodys been under the car since the last oil change 6 months ago so definitely some freak stuff i guess.

thank GOD i was literally 2 minutes from the dealer and could drive it right over so they are ordering a new shield and while in here doing the oil change and checking the CEL so i dont have to come back again tomorrow thankfully. unfortunately they also recommended cabin/air filters (yea yea i know but the car is here and its cheap enough so whatever) and an unfortunate $150 injector flush, which i guess ford recommends every 15k miles as the car has no fuel filter. i have 25k on the car and hadnt done that as the owners manual actually has no maintenance schedule and i was kind of assuming just oil changes til 30k and then maybe a coolant flush or something.

so all in all:

-CEL check
-new plastic shield (had to order, ugh)
-oil change/rotation
-air/cabin filters
-injector flush

-probably $250-$275 all in compared to the $40 i was expecting to spend tomorrow

but car should be like brand new after this

EDIT: the guy actually just came to apologize and say the injectors are actually every 30k, not 15k and asked if i still wanted to do it, so i just went ahead and said yea do it, close enough at 25k miles
 
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D.T.

macrumors G4
Original poster
Sep 15, 2011
11,050
12,467
Vilano Beach, FL
Tempted to reveal the answer soon, unless you've got another guess! ;)

Nah, I figure one guess per person :D I'd _assume_ with the excitement I'm reading between the lines it's a very low/early number, or the last one :)

-probably $250-$275 all in compared to the $40 i was expecting to spend tomorrow

but car should be like brand new after this

EDIT: the guy actually just came to apologize and say the injectors are actually every 30k, not 15k and asked if i still wanted to do it, so i just went ahead and said yea do it, close enough at 25k miles

I love those service trips. A nearly unnoticeable sound turns into a $1300 belt/tensioner/WP service :D

I finally went up and STS with the local Ford service center, I was actually getting (wound up ordering) some touch up paint, but they're an authorized Roush dealer, they were pitching me on a supercharger install :D
 

puma1552

Suspended
Nov 20, 2008
5,559
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welp back at the dealer, checked the oil level when i woke up and it was nearly a centimeter below the bottom of the crosshatch pattern on the disptick, wtf?

always always ALWAYS check your oil level yourself afterwards kiddies...
 

iLog.Genius

macrumors 601
Feb 24, 2009
4,925
479
Toronto, Ontario
welp back at the dealer, checked the oil level when i woke up and it was nearly a centimeter below the bottom of the crosshatch pattern on the disptick, wtf?

always always ALWAYS check your oil level yourself afterwards kiddies...

So you had an oil changed performed and they failed to do it properly? Wow. It's a wonder why people hate dealerships so much.
 

puma1552

Suspended
Nov 20, 2008
5,559
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So you had an oil changed performed and they failed to do it properly? Wow. It's a wonder why people hate dealerships so much.

Yeah, this is what the dipstick looked like when checking it with the engine completely cold this morning:

24634958899_15316d0eca_b.jpg


The dealer was cool about it this morning and got me in and out in about 20 minutes, they said they added just 1.1 quarts to get it to the top of the crosshatch, seems like it would take more but I don't know. I have the car in the garage and I'll check it again when the engine is fully cold and see. If it's still low, I'll just go buy a quart and add it myself.
 

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,353
6,496
Kentucky
Yeah, this is what the dipstick looked like when checking it with the engine completely cold this morning:

24634958899_15316d0eca_b.jpg


The dealer was cool about it this morning and got me in and out in about 20 minutes, they said they added just 1.1 quarts to get it to the top of the crosshatch, seems like it would take more but I don't know. I have the car in the garage and I'll check it again when the engine is fully cold and see. If it's still low, I'll just go buy a quart and add it myself.

My LS is 1/2 quart between the crosshatches. It actually caught me off guard the first time I added oil to it for that very reason.

If other FoMoCo products have gone to using the same thing, I'm not surprised that 1.1 quarts would take it from off the stick to between the lines.

Truthfully, with 1 quart having been the "known" distance between the two lines for so long, I don't know why my car(and perhaps other FoMoCo products) have reduced it. Even though I've had my LS now for 7 years, I still have to be careful when adding oil to avoid overfilling. In fact, the stated sump capacity(with a filter change) is 6.5 quarts, but when I change it I always add in 5 and then go slowly(and check frequently) over the next 1-2 quarts.
 

puma1552

Suspended
Nov 20, 2008
5,559
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My LS is 1/2 quart between the crosshatches. It actually caught me off guard the first time I added oil to it for that very reason.

If other FoMoCo products have gone to using the same thing, I'm not surprised that 1.1 quarts would take it from off the stick to between the lines.

Truthfully, with 1 quart having been the "known" distance between the two lines for so long, I don't know why my car(and perhaps other FoMoCo products) have reduced it. Even though I've had my LS now for 7 years, I still have to be careful when adding oil to avoid overfilling. In fact, the stated sump capacity(with a filter change) is 6.5 quarts, but when I change it I always add in 5 and then go slowly(and check frequently) over the next 1-2 quarts.

Good to know, I actually didn't even realize the hatches were typically a difference of 1 qt bottom to top.

In any regards, I checked the level again this afternoon when the car was cold and it's right to the top of the crosshatch, right on point so I should be good to go now.
 

PowerMac G4 MDD

macrumors 68000
Jul 13, 2014
1,900
277
Alright, alright - I'll just say it. I may have sounded a bit enthusiastic because I find it very cool: it's #1 out of 60.

This just got serviced at the dealer, which is now under new management. We caught the manager lying to us about the repairs our car 'needed.' If I had been there, I'd have started an argument... not sure it was let alone.

So much went wrong with it in the past, though - especially considering that it only has 24k miles on it, and that it still has its new car smell. I guess it's the kinda' car one should NOT leave sitting for months on end. However, I cannot imagine how it would have looked if we had driven it every day.

Otherwise, it's fine, but it DOES suffer from the common issue of sticky dashboard buttons. The dealership said they would "look" at it, but they forgot(?) I noticed that the buttons had been touched but not fixed (and such touching looks as though it made a few of 'em worse), so I'm just gonna have to order the special solution used to cure this and do it the heck myself.

So far, its interior issues have been the following: Broken passenger visor; leather flap behind (underneath) driver seat loose/undone; rear cupholder tray refusing to stay closed; front passenger door panel cracked from within (causing door to not open from inside); leather on corners of rear console torn; sticky dashboard buttons (but not as bad as others have had it). Most of these have been fixed. I myself found out that the loose leather flap had previously been held on by rubber bands... attached to PLASTIC pegs... which were THEN attached to the underside of the seat. God only knows why. I used twist ties and string to secure it back on. The cupholder issue miraculously fixed itself. I simply held it closed and then folded up the armrest and left it there, which caused it to finally stay shut after I put the armrest back down some months later. The visor and door were both fixed by the dealer. As for the sticky buttons, it looks like I will soon be fixing that.

The car may seem like a piece of crap in certain aspects, but I drove it the other day, and it's the greatest driving experience I've had (esp. given the fact that it's a large sedan). It handles like a dream, accelerates before your eyes, and has the most satisfying, manual paddle-shifting. I hope to inherit this wonderful machine someday and put it in a car show or something. Nobody cares much for them now, but it will definitely look like something a good 40 years from now.
 
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2298754

Cancelled
Jun 21, 2010
4,890
941
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/02/18/lexus-lc-500h-four-speed-auto/

Lexus is sharing some powertrain details on the LC 500h ahead of the big hybrid coupe's debut in Geneva. Its new gas-electric setup strays from Toyota's tried-and-true system found in everything from the Priusto the Lexus GS. It's called the Multi Stage Hybrid System that's designed for performance vehicles, and it has an antiquated-sounding piece of equipment buried deep inside that's supposed to make it more enjoyable to drive.

The basics: In the LC 500h, its first application, the Multi Stage Hybrid System will consist of a 3.5-liter V6, a hybrid transmission, and a lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid transmission has an electric motor for motivation (and we're guessing a second for charging) and a four-speed automatic mounted to its rear, which either means inside or aft and in series. Why add ancient tech to a new hybrid system? Lexus says it preserves the connection between throttle input and engine speed that gets lost in a CVT. And while four seems like an insignificant sum in the face of nine- and 10-speed autos, remember that it is an infinite increase in gear count compared to CVT-packing hybrids.

Toyota has been using versions of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system since the first Prius debuted in 1997, and the same system is sold under the Lexus Hybrid Drive banner in most of the luxury brand's offerings. These systems use what Toyota calls an e-CVT – two electric motors paired with a planetary gearset. This lets the engine and electric motors share the job of propelling the car – one motor handles charging of the battery and the other is primarily used to drive the wheels but can also recoup energy through regen. Like a conventional CVT, the planetary gearset arrangement allows the gas engine to run at its optimal engine speed when called upon for motivation and/or charging.

The LC 500h's V6 makes 295 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque; with the electric motor added, in the system is rated at 354 hp. Lexus is forecasting a sub-5.0-second 0–60 time for the big hybrid coupe. The V8-powered LC 500 is said to hit the same speed in under 4.5 seconds. As in the V8 car, the LC 500h's powertrain is mounted aft of the front axle, giving it a front-mid configuration. it also gets the same weight-saving touches, like aluminum for the hood and fenders, carbon-fiber door structures with aluminum skins, aluminum front suspension towers, and an available carbon-fiber roof.

2018-lexus-lc-500h-02-1.jpg


2018-lexus-lc-500h-27.jpg


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2018-lexus-lc-500h-22-1.jpg
 
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A.Goldberg

macrumors 68030
Jan 31, 2015
2,549
9,715
Boston
Alright, alright - I'll just say it. I may have sounded a bit enthusiastic because I find it very cool: it's #1 out of 60.

This just got serviced at the dealer, which is now under new management. We caught the manager lying to us about the repairs our car 'needed.' If I had been there, I'd have started an argument... not sure it was let alone.

So much went wrong with it in the past, though - especially considering that it only has 24k miles on it, and that it still has its new car smell. I guess it's the kinda' car one should NOT leave sitting for months on end. However, I cannot imagine how it would have looked if we had driven it every day.

Otherwise, it's fine, but it DOES suffer from the common issue of sticky dashboard buttons. The dealership said they would "look" at it, but they forgot(?) I noticed that the buttons had been touched but not fixed (and such touching looks as though it made a few of 'em worse), so I'm just gonna have to order the special solution used to cure this and do it the heck myself.

So far, its interior issues have been the following: Broken passenger visor; leather flap behind (underneath) driver seat loose/undone; rear cupholder tray refusing to stay closed; front passenger door panel cracked from within (causing door to not open from inside); leather on corners of rear console torn; sticky dashboard buttons (but not as bad as others have had it). Most of these have been fixed. I myself found out that the loose leather flap had previously been held on by rubber bands... attached to PLASTIC pegs... which were THEN attached to the underside of the seat. God only knows why. I used twist ties and string to secure it back on. The cupholder issue miraculously fixed itself. I simply held it closed and then folded up the armrest and left it there, which caused it to finally stay shut after I put the armrest back down some months later. The visor and door were both fixed by the dealer. As for the sticky buttons, it looks like I will soon be fixing that.

The car may seem like a piece of crap in certain aspects, but I drove it the other day, and it's the greatest driving experience I've had (esp. given the fact that it's a large sedan). It handles like a dream, accelerates before your eyes, and has the most satisfying, manual paddle-shifting. I hope to inherit this wonderful machine someday and put it in a car show or something. Nobody cares much for them now, but it will definitely look like something a good 40 years from now.

Wow. #1/60 is pretty sweet. I do think the QP is one of the best looking cars on the road, even being a decade old. I'm can't imagine the Neiman Marcus package adds too much resale now, but in the future it could make it much more valuable. The flip side of that is availability of replacement interior parts (I.e. If the leather or trim they used was unique only to the NM edition) is going to a lot more difficult to deal with. My mom is clothes snob and big NM fan, if she knew one of these existed she'd probably snatch it up... Except it would have to come in a station wagon form. I guess the Audi Allroad will have to work for now.

It sounds like you've been introduced to the wonder of owning a niche-market/exotic car. Tons of little issues that will drive you nuts!


I'm not sure why you're so attracted to this Lexus. A quick, or even momentary glance instantly registers in my mind as an Infiniti G-coupe/Q60? (Who knows these days what they call their cars). Infact, the profile view looks straight out of the Infiniti playbook of the past 10 or so years.

But to each his own. I can't wait until you buy one and I can tell you "nice Infiniti"- your true dream car.

I will give you the back end is cute.
 
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