I see
@A.Goldberg has been administering
@AutoUnion39 with meds again. Went to the market earlier today and parked next to a new Bentayga. Holy smokes is that thing hideous. It looks like a pekingese got
invaded by a well endowed German Shepherd.
I've seen a few over the past few weeks. They definitely look better in darker colors, like midnight blue or BRG.
On the other hand, Maserati Levante? No thanks.
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Alright, alright - don't get too excited. Yes, the Accord is an expensive car for what it is. It's a good Japanese sedan, but it's crazy how a base model Accord (which is a basic, underwhelming vehicle) starts at over $20,000 and goes up to as much as $30k+. That's slightly expensive for what it is.
The average price of a new car these days is right over $30k. In the grand scheme of things, $20k is nothing... especially when you're getting one of the best cars in this segment from an automaker that has a bulletproof quality reputation.
The Accord has (consistently) been the second best selling car in its class. If it was "underwhelming" as you claim, no one would buy them.
As for the weight distribution, it's not surprising that the distribution is off; but what I meant to say is that the frontal weight is *excessively* out of proportion with that of the rear.
Yes, that is how a front-engined car (that is FWD) is usually like. Even RWD BMWs doesn't have 50:50 weight distribution anymore.
I'm okay with the front being a bit heavier. However, in this case, it's drastic enough that it severely affects the car's handling and general driving style - it also affects the way the suspension reacts to the given road conditions. You should have seen what it was like when I was taking the Honda out for a rodeo.
What are you talking about? The Accord is a daily driver for the masses. Not some backroad sportscar to be drifting around on the dirt with. What did you expect? Your expectations are out of touch with reality.
Frankly, I can't take anyone who has taken an Accord to a "rodeo" seriously.
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Still, I am sure that the Honda could work some wonders of its own with RWD. And, again, RWD means far less frontal weight.
That is incorrect...
By saying that Honda should fix that, I'm implying that they should look into RWD options.
Why should Honda look into a RWD platform for a mass-market sedan? That makes no sense. Again, this is a car for the masses.
I know that FWD is economical and simplistic, but certain vehicles shouldn't be FWD vehicles. Toyota's RAV 4, for example, is FWD... which is slightly annoying. I know it's small, but come on.
What the hell is the point of a RWD crossover? RWD is not better than FWD for mass-market cars.
I'm so sick of all these wannabe car enthusiasts that think RWD is the answer to everyone's problems. It isn't. FWD is far more "safe" for the average driver and doesn't have that negative stigma attached to it (especially in snowy climate regions).
Do you know what "economics of scale" is? The RAV4 is based on the Corolla platform. If they made it RWD, the cost of a bespoke platform would be insane... even for a large automaker like Toyota.
New Lincoln Navigator concept car reminds me of a current Range Rover HSE (perhaps LWB version).
Ford used to own JLR when the L405/L494 were designed. This is why you see RR cues all over the current Explorer and this concept.
I'd like to see more RGB LED accents to accompany these. We've seen it in a few brands so far. (A funny one is the Buick Enclave, which has this wrap-around 'limo' lighting.) Of course, it doesn't have the latest dashboard design.
LED Ambient lighting has been around... BMW/Audi/Mercedes-Benz have been doing it for ages.
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P.S. The people buying a Civic or Accord or Camry aren't the folks who care much about weight distribution, racing their car or take their driving seriously.
No, you're wrong! They should be RWD, like my father's Maserati or Crown Vic, so I can go on a rodeo!
I'd like to know members' opinions on electronic power steering, BTW.
It's fine, depending on the OEM. Cadillac does a fine job. Everyone considers Porsche to have the best EPS system on the market now. On the other hand, the BMW F30 is widely considered one of the worst EPS systems on the market. Zero feedback, no confidence.
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I see a lot of use of the word linear, and I can tell you that well executed FI can ramp as linear as most modern mid-displacement 4v/cylinder engines, especially with small turbines, twin scroll, combined with cam-phasing, etc.
Yes, all of this.
Most of these modern FI motors have super flat torque curves that build linearly.
I'd love to see a really hot IS variant (IS350M that's right ... M!
), push the 400HP mark with a TT 6, get the V8 F sedans into the mid-M range via FI. All that while increasing low-mid range TQ, making a better GT, a great cruiser.
Yes please!
