The Car Thread ... !

[D.T.]

My neighbors Explorer Sport is tuned...... It's quick. Years ago I knew someone with a 2nd Gen Explorer with a 347 and supercharger and was daily driven.....that was one very fast truck haha, would trap 120 in the 1/4

If your looking at new ones though, wait till they get Sync 3.

The current Explorer Sport with the 365HP TT V6 is really quick, and easily tuned to ~430-440HP (a buddy of mine who's pretty well known in Ford circles tunes them). Even the suspension is pretty nicely sorted out.

The '17s are available to order, and they do now include Sync 3 (the base price went up, but it includes a major feature/convenience package that every one I've ever seen is optioned with anyway)

 

[0388631]

In the early 90s I wanted a Typhoon so much.

 

[bunnspecial]

I went out for a dive on this nice evening.

BTW, I would normally obscure the license tag but there is an interesting stipulation in Kentucky law that makes me not see the need for it necessarily.

Many states have provisions for "year of mileage" plates for classic/historic motor vehicles where the vehicle can be legally registered under a "year of manufacture" license tag. Basically, in those states, you supply the tag(almost always required to be from the model year of the vehicle), the DMV makes sure the number isn't in use on another current tag, and then registers that as the legal tag for the vehicle.

Kentucky handles things a bit differently. My MG is registered with an "historic motor vehicle" tag(available for any recreational/collectible non daily driver vehicle over 25 years old). When I titled the car, I was actually given two matching plates(KY is a one-plate state) which will stay with the vehicle as long as it retains a Kentucky title.

Rather than maintain YOM laws, Kentucky simply says that any vehicle with HMV tags can display any Kentucky plate provided that the plate is 25 or more years old. When doing this, the "real" plate simply has to be kept in the car and presented on request. Most folks I know who do this keep a YOM plate on the car, but again the only requirement is that it be over 25 years old(and legible).

Since I do like the whole YOM thing, though, I'm glad my car was made in an even numbered year. Like most states, up until we adopted renewal stickers, one would get a new plate each year. The even years are blue letters on a white background, while the odd years are reversed. I like the look of even year plates better

 

[D.T.]

Wow, nice photos!

The pretty much looks brand new with the new top.

My exhaust came in on Friday, hopefully I'll get it installed tomorrow

 

[0388631]

Groovy pics. I believe California has special plated for vintage cars. I don't recall the year requirement myself and our DMV site is as slow as a snail at the moment. In California, you can get standard issue white plates or classic black with yellow lettering. And even the legacy plates before we switched over to the white ones. Legacy was a dark blue. I'm quite chuffed about it as I plan to get black and yellow plates for the next car I get, the E Wagon provided the new ones are easily available in a good trim level next year. And provided I can get my airbags fixed!!!

@bunnspecial Have to ask as I've only just noticed it, but your username isn't a reference to Bunn coffee makers, is it?

I recall a time in the early 90s where California's renewal stickers were sometimes stolen. I never figured out how they did it, but the DMV switched the glue formula from what I recall and it trashed the sticker if removed. I recall scoring my plates back then and using an acid etching solution on a workbench to provide a rough surface for the sticker to adhere to.

Sorry for the rant!

 

[bunnspecial]

Wow, nice photos!

The pretty much looks brand new with the new top.

My exhaust came in on Friday, hopefully I'll get it installed tomorrow

Thanks-and please let us know how it goes(and sounds!) with the exhaust!

@Zenithal

My name is in reference to the Bunn Special grade of Watches by the Illinois Watch Company of Springfield.

I think that Jacob Bunn-one of the founders, the president for many years, and the person after whom the grade was name-was in some way related to the same Bunn that later founded the Bunn Coffee Maker company in Springfield. BTW, Jacob Bunn was also a law partner of Abraham Lincoln-another long lived Illinois grade was the A.Lincoln for that very reason.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Such a shame the roadster segment is pretty much dead. Cars like the Z4, SLK/SLC, TT and even the Boxster don't exactly have the same feeling as roadsters of old.

 

[Alphazoid]

Probably because people became badge snubs. Also most roadsters are sadly seen as 'chick' cars by people who like to bring labels to everything. So most guys avoided them to keep their so-called 'man card', thus reducing sales and incentives for manufacturers.

Every TT, SLK, Z4 and MX5/Miata in my neighbourhood is owned and driven by women.

 

[macquariumguy]

Never drove a Z4, but looks-wise it's pretty much a textbook definition of a roadster. Long hood, 2 seats right in front of the rear tires, drop top, short butt. Screams roadster.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Never drove a Z4, but looks-wise it's pretty much a textbook definition of a roadster. Long hood, 2 seats right in front of the rear tires, drop top, short butt. Screams roadster.

Aesthetically, BMW nailed the Z4 design; it was a lot better than the TT and SLK. Too bad BMW neglected it. Price was too high for what you got and it never got the same attention like other BMW's did throughout its lifecycle.

Hopefully BMW's partnership with Toyota gives us something that provides better value than the Z4.

 

[bunnspecial]

Never drove a Z4, but looks-wise it's pretty much a textbook definition of a roadster. Long hood, 2 seats right in front of the rear tires, drop top, short butt. Screams roadster.

Although my Roadster interest has always been English(and particularly MGs), I did toy with the idea of a couple of other options. Miatas were off just...because...but I did look at a couple of Z3s and Z4s. I was impressed, aside from the fact that I never managed to find one with a manual transmission....

 

[Suture]

Personally I've always liked Miatas. Had an NA with a Greddy turbo kit a long time ago. Keep looking at the new ND. But not sure I can justify having two fun cars. Part of me wants a pickup truck instead. Also had a TT S-Line (3.2L) and it sounded good, but the driving dynamics were lacking. I still love the look of the first gen TT.

 

[0388631]

Most Miata owners I've come across have been women. I don't see a lot of Z4s though. I don't believe they sell too well here compared to the the 3 series or 5 series. I'm a fan of the old clownshoes.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Never drove a Z4, but looks-wise it's pretty much a textbook definition of a roadster. Long hood, 2 seats right in front of the rear tires, drop top, short butt. Screams roadster.

Most Miata owners I've come across have been women. I don't see a lot of Z4s though. I don't believe they sell too well here compared to the the 3 series or 5 series. I'm a fan of the old clownshoes.

Given the base price of a Z4 is now $50,000 for the 28i and like $60,000 for the 35i, not surprisingly it's not exactly flying off the dealer lots. Seems like a lot of money for something that is a seasonal car... At least here in New England.

The z3 earlier z4 models were far more popular. I'm guessing they were a bit more affordable too. The new ones are all power hardtops which I imagine have upper the sticker price. The base sticker price is just wayyyyy too much for a 4-banger.
[doublepost=1468919002][/doublepost]My friends dad has one the last Z4 coupes they made. IMO one of the best looking cars BMW or anyone has put out in recent history.

 

[D.T.]

My exhaust came in on Friday, hopefully I'll get it installed tomorrow

Well, I seriously f*** that up Hahaha, the solution will come later, have to resolve the mistake first.

On different note: we are temporarily are driving a '16 Explorer Limited, very loaded (even one of my favorite colors). I like it with the exception of needing more power and the chrome trim which are both resolved with the Sport model. I'll see what the wife thinks after a few days, but this might be pretty accurate foreshadowing of our future vehicle

 

[Suture]

About to order a short shifter kit for my Golf R. Tempted to go with some VWR springs as well while I'm at it.

 

[bunnspecial]

Given the base price of a Z4 is now $50,000 for the 28i and like $60,000 for the 35i, not surprisingly it's not exactly flying off the dealer lots. Seems like a lot of money for something that is a seasonal car... At least here in New England.

The z3 earlier z4 models were far more popular. I'm guessing they were a bit more affordable too. The new ones are all power hardtops which I imagine have upper the sticker price. The base sticker price is just wayyyyy too much for a 4-banger.
[doublepost=1468919002][/doublepost]My friends dad has one the last Z4 coupes they made. IMO one of the best looking cars BMW or anyone has put out in recent history.

View attachment 640847

Proportion wise, the Z4 reminds me a lot of another Roadster currently on the market...

And, again, in terms of roadsters, the relative bonnet length and seat position are pretty darn similar to another classic

Or, if we need more evidence, there's this one. To be fair on this, though, it is a 2+2 and I think is generally placed more in the GT class than the true sportscar class. Still, the proportions are there.

I'll spare the gratuitous MGB photo...

Needless to say, though, I think that the Z3 and Z4 come by their roadster credentials honestly

 

[0388631]

Always fancied owning an original, restored XK 140 convertible. They're quite affordable at around $95K in terms of classic car values. Maybe when the kids are older. I recall and incident with a classic Porsche my older sibling owned at the time and his oldest son, then 4, washing the car with gravel from the backyard walkways.

@A.Goldberg Fantastic. I mentioned ages ago I almost bought one in 2006 or 2007 as a wild gift to myself AKA a mid life crisis, or rather one of many to follow.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I went out for a dive on this nice evening.

View attachment 640635 View attachment 640636

BTW, I would normally obscure the license tag but there is an interesting stipulation in Kentucky law that makes me not see the need for it necessarily.

Many states have provisions for "year of mileage" plates for classic/historic motor vehicles where the vehicle can be legally registered under a "year of manufacture" license tag. Basically, in those states, you supply the tag(almost always required to be from the model year of the vehicle), the DMV makes sure the number isn't in use on another current tag, and then registers that as the legal tag for the vehicle.

Kentucky handles things a bit differently. My MG is registered with an "historic motor vehicle" tag(available for any recreational/collectible non daily driver vehicle over 25 years old). When I titled the car, I was actually given two matching plates(KY is a one-plate state) which will stay with the vehicle as long as it retains a Kentucky title.

Rather than maintain YOM laws, Kentucky simply says that any vehicle with HMV tags can display any Kentucky plate provided that the plate is 25 or more years old. When doing this, the "real" plate simply has to be kept in the car and presented on request. Most folks I know who do this keep a YOM plate on the car, but again the only requirement is that it be over 25 years old(and legible).

Since I do like the whole YOM thing, though, I'm glad my car was made in an even numbered year. Like most states, up until we adopted renewal stickers, one would get a new plate each year. The even years are blue letters on a white background, while the odd years are reversed. I like the look of even year plates better

Nice car.
An old neighbour of mine had 6 of these rotting in his garden about 15 years ago. It was very sad to see.

Nice to see yours well looked after!

 

[Suture]

This thread isn't going to help my wallet. I want a roadster again...

 

[Alphazoid]

Just came across this tbt S2000 review. I remember wanting this car so bad when it came out, and i played all the giveaway competitions from review companies at the time hoping to win one. One of the best cars to come from Honda.

 

[D.T.]

Given the base price of a Z4 is now $50,000 for the 28i and like $60,000 for the 35i, not surprisingly it's not exactly flying off the dealer lots. Seems like a lot of money for something that is a seasonal car... At least here in New England.

The z3 earlier z4 models were far more popular. I'm guessing they were a bit more affordable too. The new ones are all power hardtops which I imagine have upper the sticker price. The base sticker price is just wayyyyy too much for a 4-banger.
[doublepost=1468919002][/doublepost]My friends dad has one the last Z4 coupes they made. IMO one of the best looking cars BMW or anyone has put out in recent history.

View attachment 640847

I semi-seriously cross shopped the Z4 35i/35is, the second gen with the power top. It looks pretty fantastic, almost better with the top up (which you can't say for many convertibles), the 7-speed DCT is superb (would've been a nice perk so the wife could drive it), and the 3L TT motors are pretty swell (HPFP issues not withstanding), and easily tuned to high 3xx/low 4xx

Ultimately though, like you said, I felt it was overprice with everything factored in (and I'm pretty neutral in regards to the brand equity), I actually decided to go low frills, more of a pure roadster experience with the S2K which turned out to be pretty fantastic - plus I was able to own a car for several years for basically "free".
[doublepost=1469025114][/doublepost]

Just came across this tbt S2000 review. I remember wanting this car so bad when it came out, and i played all the giveaway competitions from review companies at the time hoping to win one. One of the best cars to come from Honda.

If you ever get a chance to drive one, do it, just a really fantastic modern execution of the "classic roadster". It doesn't scrimp on basic conveniences like AC, power top/windows, but it's still pretty minimal, and it's super driver focused.

I still think years from now it will look like a fairly recent design, Honda really knocked it out of the park.

 

[D.T.]

Most Miata owners I've come across have been women.

Around here where there are quite a few Miatas, the majority of drivers are men. I mean, just today, while out and about for a drop off, a supply run, and a pickup, I saw _three_ Miatas, all of them driven by men.

 

[bunnspecial]

Around here where there are quite a few Miatas, the majority of drivers are men. I mean, just today, while out and about for a drop off, a supply run, and a pickup, I saw _three_ Miatas, all of them driven by men.

There are a lot of men around here who drive them also.

Let's face it, it's probably one of the best "bang for buck" cars in terms of fun driving that's on the market now.

I do find it amusing, though, when I hear Miata owners complain about how difficult the top is to put up and down. Come help me with the MG and then you can complain. I put a Miata top down for someone at work the other day-it's literally just undo two latches and push.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Here's a special treat! This is a picture I took of a 2005 Maserati Quattroporte Neiman Marcus edition. I did a whole photoshoot of this beautiful machine, but I went to further lengths with this specific photo, in that I edited it quite a bit in Photoshop. Some may not agree with the styling choice, but I wanted to make the car pop and also look good on a computer screen. Here you are! Note that it's a protected image, so please ask permission if you would like to use it for whatever reason. It may not be distributed without my consent and without credit towards myself. View attachment 615135

I wonder how the 2005 Maserati Quattroporte Neimam Marcus Edition #11 is holding up.

I was on the phone with my father today. He said his friend who bought a Ghibli SQ4 last summer has nothing good to say about it at this point. Apparently it's been been a realibility disaster beyond any reasonable expectations of a niche market vehicle.
[doublepost=1469076867][/doublepost]

Around here where there are quite a few Miatas, the majority of drivers are men. I mean, just today, while out and about for a drop off, a supply run, and a pickup, I saw _three_ Miatas, all of them driven by men.

I saw a Miata in New Hampshire once. It had a decal across the rear bumper something to the effect of "I'm not gay but my car is".

Idk about you guys but if I were in the market for a cheap car, buying a Mazda would never even cross my mind. They do seem to be a pretty good value for the price and I love how they've ripped off BMW's tablet interiors.