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The Car Thread ... !
- Thread starter D.T.
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How's the car been treating you? Did you get the NAV and Mark Levinson audio?Thank you!
Black interior color. I really like this car and I'm just getting use to all of the technology that is being used inside this car.
Took the spare car, the IS350 to the dealer today for an interval tuneup. They offered to buy it back. Pristine condition and very low miles. I've spent years wondering why I even bought the damn thing because we drive it less than 4-6K miles a year. 18K for a late model 09.
Can't see myself doing it. One, because it's loaded and I negotiated down. Two, it looks brilliant compared to the gaping mess the current generation are. Three, it's a Lexus/Toyota, it's hardly going to suffer catastrophic failure or be a money pit, like an E39 generation 5 series. I did catch a video of some new Lexus coming out later this year. Wonderful exhaust note.
Can't see myself doing it. One, because it's loaded and I negotiated down. Two, it looks brilliant compared to the gaping mess the current generation are. Three, it's a Lexus/Toyota, it's hardly going to suffer catastrophic failure or be a money pit, like an E39 generation 5 series. I did catch a video of some new Lexus coming out later this year. Wonderful exhaust note.
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"I'm back."
"You were gone?"
Anyway ...
I don't see Honda de-contenting the car like the last iteration, and making it a touch larger (than the previous gen, and a good bit bigger than the Miata). More of a Honda Boxster (the Porsche is in the 2800-2900# range). I don't even see why they'd want "de-tune" the new Type R motor, keep it at 306HP (OK, fine, detune it to 300 even
)A modernized S2K with all the attributes that made it such a great ride: looks, handling, seats, shifter, high winding, glorious I-4), plus a nice tech stack, another 70-ish HP and loads more torque, keep it under $40K, I think they'd have a hit on their hands. A Boxster for 1/2 the price, $10K-30K less than a domestic convertible, Honda build quality, unique character and style.
Yes please
Good!
I'm very happy with it. I only have NAV. No mark levinson audio. I only drive it on he weekend and I drive my Camry to work during the week.Happy to hear that! How's the NAV system? Do you like the mouse controller thing?Good!
The NAV system is good in my opinion. Yes, I like the mouse controller thing. I just need to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse controller.
ETA: I usually still us the google maps in my iPhone or the WAZE app that I just discovered.
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Mark Levinson Audio System
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Waze is my go-to because it shows police and road hazards, but its routing is not always as good as Google Maps. Really weird.
[doublepost=1464016693][/doublepost]
What are you talking about?
I must say the 4th gen Tarsuses with the Vuclan V6 were exceptionally powerful. Fire up the engine, reach up for that sporty on-the-column gear shifter, and throw this bad boy into "D". Drivers who pounded on the accelerator would scream "hold onto your hats" as the engine thundered and speedometer needle raced to highway speeds in a blink of an eye, passengers heart pounding... clocking 0-60 in an impressive 10.6 seconds. Handling was superb with maximum body roll. Steering was heavy and slow with plentiful feedback from bumps and uneven gravel. Road noise was abundant with a crescendo of squeaks and rattles, but this orchestra conveniently muffled the sound of the Vulcan V6, which sounded like the sweet honking of a dying goose. The driver's seat, conveniently a bench seat, was among the most comfortable of all cars for the year... Specifically tailored to accomodate drivers with thunder thighs. The bench seat configuration is a rare find and provide the driver the ability to lean over to his right to avoid being seen in such an embarrassing car... But this is a Taurus, so you don't have to worry about that.
It's basically a budget Jaguar!
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Sans the cost of the Jaguar XJ during that time frame. Hah. Considering it costs a small fortune to bring one up if it needs repairs. Spotted a post over the weekend on another site about one chap sinking in around 20K in repairs over 4 years on a 98 XJR. Wonderfully quick car and an engine by Mercedes, IIRC, but what a headache.
The price of maintaining an 18 year old British car, manufactured in the prime of JLR's worst reliability and quality in at least somewhat recent history. The new JLR vehicles are a whole different beast. Still not as reliable vs much of the competition, but light years ahead of where they were.
Jaguar has issues with its computer system these days. But even then, the XJRs has problems off the line. I'd say the best quality Euro brand would be MBZ, then BMW, then VW and then Audi. VW doesn't help out Audi much. Merc and BMW are at the forefront of car tech. It's rather amazing.
Then you have other companies like Lexus attempting to emulate these companies but do everything okay, never anything exceptionally well. Yes, Lexus and most other Japanese brands are more reliable on paper, but they don't have as tight tolerances as the Germans do. Aside from that, Lexus still aims for the big engines and adding so much padding here and there to minimize road noise. What you get is a very heavy couple or sedan, with a large NA engine that's pushing close to 500 HP, but still has naught to sixty of 4.7 seconds or more.
My 2007 Saturn Aura XR will be 10 years old this November. As a car guy, I am getting the itch to replace it. I'm currently thinking a Chevy Camaro SS with the 8 speed auto, MRC, and the dual mode exhaust. Though this will be 2-3 years down the road..... Will be torture.... haha
Excuse me? (I'm referring to only Lexus here. Acura and Infiniti are still dead in the water).
Lexus doesn't have tight tolerances? How could you possibly come to that conclusion? Lexus has consistently been at the top of nearly every dependability and initial quality survey for over a decade.
The "tolerances" of a Lexus are every bit as good as any top tier German luxury brand. Possibly even better.
Lexus paint quality is borderline impeccable. Every single one of their plants have been acclaimed for their quality, especially Tahara, TMMC (Ontario), and TMK (Kyushu.)
Build quality and fit/finish were never Lexus' issues.
Not really... Even Lexus is starting to downsize.
The IS went from the base 4GR-FSE to the 8AR-FTS (2.0t)
Heavy? The Lexus GS has been acclaimed for its driving dynamics and lightness over the A6/5/E. The Lexus IS also feels light on its feet.
500hp? What? Lexus literally has one engine that even gets close to that, which is the 2UR-FSE in the IS/GS/RC-F.
The most common complaint about Lexus is their overuse of the 2GR-FSE. It's time to replace it with a turbo-6.
I'm beginning to doubt that you've ever been in a luxury car before. The more you say... The more you're showing everyone you don't know what you're talking about.
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I have a distaste with the latest movement of forced induction. They have their place, but manufactures don't have to go from a NA V8 to a FI V6 just to keep up.
Another thing is AWD..... Before the Germans did it, it wasn't necessary. Now that they are adding AWD options, all of a sudden if you don't have AWD as an option, you suck.
Why I am interested in the Camaro SS. It's pretty much the ATS-V with a nice Small Block V8 instead of a more complex( ie: more costly to repair) Twin Turbo V6. I am sure it is a great engine and I am not of the opinion of the media has that the ATS-V should lose comparisons because the TT V6 doesn't sound like the Small Block V8. But I would rather have a NA V8 over a FI V6. Manufactures shouldn't feel like they have to do FI engines just because the Germans do it.
2GR-FSE is the 3.5 NA V6. It was a great engine... a decade ago (been out since 2005). Now everyone else is making far more power with better fuel economy.
On the topic of downsizing, it has to happen due to displacement taxes in Europe & China. That is why everyone has a 2 liter turbo-4 in their lineup now. This is also the reason why Porsche dropped their NA flat-6s in the Carrera/S in favor of smaller displacement twin-turbo flat 6s.
AWD = more sales. Here in Boston, you can't walk more than 5 feet without seeing some sort of Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Porsche.
AWD is important to the German brands, which is why they have high market concentrations in areas like the Northeast, Midwest, and Colorado.
It's not a big deal for us in America, but everywhere else? It is.
Hyundai/Kia and Toyota/Lexus has also started downsizing.
I don't think it's outlandish to claim that the German brands basically dictate the high-performance market these days. If you don't follow and/or one-up them, you will be irrelevant.
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Just made one little tweak for accuracy
Heck, if you're talking down-the-road new, then by MY18+, I wouldn't be surprised if the 10-speed auto (from the ZL-1) wasn't in the SS as well.
I'm having a blast with my manual 6-speed, but I've got to say, I might seriously shop an auto next go around (certainly a DCT). There's [reliable] talk that 10-speed from the ZL-1, that's also used in the upcoming F150, will also make it into the Mustang - it's actually some kind of joint Ford engineered product anyway.
If some of the other rumors are true, that "next go around" might be a GT500 Twin Turbo with a 10-speed auto
Just made one little tweak for accuracy
Heck, if you're talking down-the-road new, then by MY18+, I wouldn't be surprised if the 10-speed auto (from the ZL-1) wasn't in the SS as well.
I'm having a blast with my manual 6-speed, but I've got to say, I might seriously shop an auto next go around (certainly a DCT). There's [reliable] talk that 10-speed from the ZL-1, that's also used in the upcoming F150, will also make it into the Mustang - it's actually some kind of joint Ford engineered product anyway.
If some of the other rumors are true, that "next go around" might be a GT500 Twin Turbo with a 10-speed auto
I'm a car guy. When it comes time to buy, I'll check out the Mustang GT to give it a fair look. From watching videos, reviews, and my own experience with an Alpha platform vehicle, I definitely think I prefer the Camaro over the Mustang, but I will give it a look.
As I told my mom, not would I only be able to save $1800 off the price of the car by going for the 6 speed manual, I'll get a pretty good anti-theft device since only like .0000001% of Americans know how to drive a stick. So if the thief can't drive a stick, he won't be stealing my car.
But, what prevents me from doing it is the fact the 8 speed auto gets 3 MPG better on the highway, it does perform better than a stick, and stop and go traffic.[doublepost=1464206534][/doublepost]
Ah gotcha... Not too keen on Toyota's engine codes and since you were talking about the GS-F with its V8, thought that was what you were talking about.
Oh I get the AWD wanting from people who live in the states that have with snow. But from the BMW forums I lurk on, people who live in Texas or the states that don't get snow are getting on the AWD bandwagon. Thinking it is the secret answer for performance, etc.
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I'm a car guy. When it comes time to buy, I'll check out the Mustang GT to give it a fair look. From watching videos, reviews, and my own experience with an Alpha platform vehicle, I definitely think I prefer the Camaro over the Mustang, but I will give it a look.
As I told my mom, not would I only be able to save $1800 off the price of the car by going for the 6 speed manual, I'll get a pretty good anti-theft device since only like .0000001% of Americans know how to drive a stick. So if the thief can't drive a stick, he won't be stealing my car.
In 2-3-[?] years, things will definitely be quite a bit different at the rate companies are development new products. The new SS is a slightly better performing car, lighter, more HP, the 8-speed is better than the current 6-speed auto, I just WAY prefer the styling of the Mustang, both the exterior and interior. That isn't ownership bias, seriously, could/would swap my GT for an SS tomorrow if I really liked the latter better - **I don't plan on being stock much longer anyway
That's funny about the integrated theft deterrent of a manual
If I had any kind of commute and/or this was a daily driver, I would've considered an auto - in which case, I would not have considered the GT since I couldn't get the Performance Package with an auto, and in my mind, that's such a significant change to the character of the car, it would've been a deal breaker. I would probably have wound up with an E9x M3 Cab with DCT.** Nobody asked, but the first pass:
BMR linear springs
BMR cradle lockouts
20/23mm spacers
Tune (Lund/Steeda)
Intake (Steeda)
Pro Solo Mach (street) Exhaust
= Lower, wider, faster and louder
[doublepost=1464208554][/doublepost]My 6-month Sirius trial ended (from the new car purchase), I was contacted several thousand times to renew, maybe for < $5/month, never pursued it. When (assuming that's not if) Ford updates the Sync 3 system to Car Play, I'll just use Spotify if want streaming (and I usually just play music from my iPhone or a USB stick).
So the other day, just for no reason, I switched to Sirius, got music. What? There was no display message about subscribing like when it expired a few weeks ago. I change to a few different stations, all working ...
So just now I logged into my online Sirius account:
Infotainment:
Complimentary 5-Year Trial – SiriusXM Travel Link®
Complimentary 5-Year Trial – SiriusXM Traffic
Trial Ends: 10/28/2020
It looks like a 5 complimentary service for traffic, but I'm getting every station. I'm assuming a mistake in how the account is setup, and/or how the receiver handles it, but wow, OK, I guess I'll enjoy it while it lasts
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That's funny about the integrated theft deterrent of a manual
The track package for the Mustang is only available with the stick? That might actually seal the deal for me with the Camaro. It was the track package that brought the Mustang even close to what the Camaro can do performance wise. I would have to test drive it, but the Camaro stock is already a better performer than the Mustang GT with the track pack. Wonder how it drives without it..... Who knows because maybe you can't tell when driving on the back roads and can only see the difference on the track.
As of 2016, it's only available with the 6-speed on the GT, though it is available on the EB with an auto (it's not quite the same package), and apparently in some kind of variation outside of the US. The 2017s don't seem to be offering it on an auto either, but the full details I don't believe are available yet - I expect 2017 to be the same though, and Ford is selling the heck of out Mustangs (seriously blowing Chevrolet and Dodge in the weeds in that market segment). MY17 they added the standard update package to the GT350, Car Play will be standard, but the word is MY16 cars will get it via an update.
I think MY18 is going to be a notable change for the Mustang. It'll be the second gen S550, and I expect a facelift, some material changes, and quite possible some additional equipment variations.
This is what I think is going to happen with the lineup in MY18/19 (only considering GT and up):
- GT350 leaves the lineup (that was always Ford's intent)
- Across the board weight drop, revised front/rear fascia
- GT, 455 - 465 HP 5.0L, possibly DI
- Mach I, 485-500 HP 5.2 COC engine, possibly DI (not FPC), Mag suspension and other items from the departed GT350
- Perf Package available on all tranmissions
- New "Track package" manual only, gets the better GT350 tranny
- 10-speed auto introduced
- The new GT500, 728 HP, Twin Turbo 5.2 COC, first time available in the auto (rumors of a much stouter version than is being used in the ZL1)
*boom*
I think MY18 is going to be a notable change for the Mustang. It'll be the second gen S550, and I expect a facelift, some material changes, and quite possible some additional equipment variations.
This is what I think is going to happen with the lineup in MY18/19 (only considering GT and up):
- GT350 leaves the lineup (that was always Ford's intent)
- Across the board weight drop, revised front/rear fascia
- GT, 455 - 465 HP 5.0L, possibly DI
- Mach I, 485-500 HP 5.2 COC engine, possibly DI (not FPC), Mag suspension and other items from the departed GT350
- Perf Package available on all tranmissions
- New "Track package" manual only, gets the better GT350 tranny
- 10-speed auto introduced
- The new GT500, 728 HP, Twin Turbo 5.2 COC, first time available in the auto (rumors of a much stouter version than is being used in the ZL1)
*boom*
Your comprehension needs work. Not as tight tolerances is not the same as saying "doesn't have tight tolerances." While dependability is exceptional in Lexus, they're not immune from issues. Fellow Lexus owners on Club Lexus will say the same thing. From slow transmission issues popping up, to valve problems to anything here and there. Not common, but it does happen. I'm not sure why you brought up paint as an example. That isn't what I was talking about.
Yes, but it's not enough in terms of downsizing an engine. They're still large. Having driven the GS-F, it's quite fast for its size. The GS 350 is quick on its feet, but its size shows when taking corners at higher speeds. Again, you show your inability to read. The same engine is used in all those models and is pushing quite close to 500 HP. Don't even get me started on their eCVT BS for their hybrid models. Again you extrapolate a comment I made into something else.
You can feel that way but I've owned several luxury cars. But if you want to go with ad hominem attacks, then be my guest. That says a lot about your moral character. I feel you're behaving this way all because I made a comment on Audi cars months ago. You'll often seek my posts out to criticize them just because I pissed on your precious view of Audi. And I'll say it again. The seats are never comfortable, they don't drive as well as I'd like them to, they're more problematic than BMW or MBZ combined. Plus, the general profile of Audis hasn't changed much in the last 20 years. More sculpting, but still the same body lines. Hopefully that doesn't offend you more than my previous comments about Audis did. Though the TT is something special. It's different. I like it.
My Lexus, for the most part, has been reliable except for a minor suspension issue and changing out some sensors, the latter of which wasn't covered by warranty and ended up being around $600 including labor. The suspension issue was, otherwise it would have set me back a few thousand. This was within 2 years of owning the car and it having less than 20K miles. Other IS owners have complained of valve issues, suspension problems and recently came across one where the in dash unit died and Lexus wanted 1,800 for the unit + 200 labor. Lexus apparently charges the same to fix digitizer issues. While these issues are few and far in between, they're not all that rare. Lexus isn't the savior to car problems in luxury autos. And I'd hardly say they're at the forefront of automotive technology. The Germans have them beat on that. I quite like what BMW is doing with Laserlight and their new driver assistance software and sensors. It's difficult for me to get excited over a Lexus like you or some here do. To me, they're a decent luxury car from Japan. Some things could be better. Personally, I'm waiting for this Lexus. Will probably purchase one in its third year and get rid of the IS then. I thought the new TT S and upcoming RS version and the M4 were quite spiffy on the design and tech front, but this is lovely.
Here's where I'll agree with you on Lexus being better than the Germans in terms of Luxury (with the exception of the LS class, because that's always been flagship).
Anyway, not a single piece of cheap plastic. Metal in tasteful amounts, soft leather, nice stitching and borrowing from interior designs of rivals. Bit of Porsche, bit of Jaguar XK, some BMW and Merc. All the other brands have some minor drawbacks. Even our CLS has some plastic bits here and there which make creaky noises during cold weather periods. It's not old either. The car before it was an E550 which was solid, except the driver and main passenger seat seemed to have deflated by the time we traded it in. Though I'll admit I hate the steel/aluminum/titanium trim in cars. Also dislike carbon fiber trim, unless it's a super or hyper car, it looks strange in an average car. This is the only, as I said earlier, Lexus I'd consider buying now. The GS-F is tempting, especially because local dealers are offering up to 10K off to sell them, I'd be inclined to go with the 550i and option it out. Plus, the 550i is more pleasant to look at than the GS-F.
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The new Mustangs are reliable and quite fun to drive. The only issue I've read or heard of the new Mustang was that they look too "European" by certain people, but the only real issue was interior creaking of plastics but the dealers would make good on that issue. Honestly, if I didn't have kids and was going through another mid-life issue, the GT350 would be a daily driver. The noise from the flat plane crank engine is heavenly. Plus it's got better MPG than my GL, except I have a lead foot so that may be why. I haven't seen many Chargers on the road. I used to see a lot of them several years ago when the new redesign came out. I see a lot of Camaros in the 1LE trim for the SS V8. Except Chevy is alienating their Camaro owners with warranty voids. One is in regard to a catch trap issue that allows Chevy to simply void the warranty on the cars.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451361
And track ready cars are also voided on the account of being driven too hard. While this one is iffy, it still shows the lengths an automaker can go to, to void a warranty.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391680
Though issues like the latter make me wonder if MBZ would void my GL550's warranty if I took it light off roading. Which I have. I'll admit to being overly cautious and spraying/washing down the bottom side of the SUV after a trip. I bought the car and I bought the extended warranty. I haven't done anything wrong, but I also don't want to give the dealership and excuse not to undertake costly issues on their dime. Nothing serious like the Rubicon, mostly because it'll get stuck in the first 20 feet and destroy the underside, but light off roading maybe into mud or sandy environments. Would MBZ find a loophole to void my warranty then? I'm not too well versed on car GPS systems of modern times (mine is a 2010), but I imagine that the car records coordinates and once it hits a set amount of max writes, it deletes the oldest coordinate. You can delete the trips or data it's recorded but is it recorded elsewhere as well that isn't easily deleted by the owner?
In the end, it's dealer dependent as I'm lead to believe. The Lexus dealer I bought my IS350 from isn't modification friendly. A lot of their clientele apparently bought various ISs and GSs back then and modded them. I can't think of why anyone would tamper with Lexus ride quality... I didn't even know Lexus had a modifying community back then. The MBZ dealer I bought my GL from is eh-eh with modding as long as they install it and check to see that it won't void the warranty. Porsche dealers don't seem to care, and only care if the mod was the reason a fault occurred, such as different springs. PASM out of warranty costs 5-7K, I believe.
Anyway, while it would be fun to own a high powered muscle car and take it to a track a few times a year, I wouldn't like a company voiding my warranty based on what they "observed" especially if it's explicitly marketed as a track ready car.
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Looks like the new S90 from Volvo incorporates a couple of the tech rollouts BMW revealed at last year's CES. The new Volvo looks quite good on the outside. The rear end needs evolving. The seats look comfortable. Everything is neat and orderly. Not too hot on the car's controls being on one giant screen. Unless that steering controls can work with it and the console dial knob can as well.
http://www.volvocars.com/us/cars/new-models/s90
Bonus shot from the V90. No front seat shot, but a back seat shot. Looks like they're using touch controls for the rear AC/heat. Something I saw in the new 7 series and somewhat in a few new select Audis.
And a shot from the XC90 Excellence trim. Starts at around 104K.
The big issue is that if you want a new Volvo with the best engine trim, which is the T6 Inscription, your costs go way up. At which point you wonder whether it's a smart purchase. Because you could get a better equipped car/SUV than the Volvo. The X5 and Q5 spring to mind, or even the GX460 Luxury variant. I'd pick the X5 in this case. Hell, even the diesel variant.
http://www.volvocars.com/us/cars/new-models/s90
Bonus shot from the V90. No front seat shot, but a back seat shot. Looks like they're using touch controls for the rear AC/heat. Something I saw in the new 7 series and somewhat in a few new select Audis.
And a shot from the XC90 Excellence trim. Starts at around 104K.
The big issue is that if you want a new Volvo with the best engine trim, which is the T6 Inscription, your costs go way up. At which point you wonder whether it's a smart purchase. Because you could get a better equipped car/SUV than the Volvo. The X5 and Q5 spring to mind, or even the GX460 Luxury variant. I'd pick the X5 in this case. Hell, even the diesel variant.
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Battle of the fastest SUV. Not going to have spoilers to those who wants to watch it, but I love the Model X vs 4C drag race.