The Car Thread ... !

[44267547]

Yes, slated for a mid/late 2019 release. There is even a ‘slot form’ you can complete on Porches website to register interest.

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/pro...y-concept-study-70-years-sportscar-15602.html

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Rant time:

Lady Blackadder recently took delivery of a brand new Fiesta ST. Wonderful car to drive - not blindingly fast but plenty quick, superbly balanced and a blast to fizz around at legal speeds.

Of course, Ford is killing the Fiesta (and the ST) in the US after 2019...along with the Focus. Instead, the only ST you'll be able to buy is the new Edge ST (review, review).

This is a perfect illustration why Ford's decision to kill the car sucks, even if they end up being right from a purely business perspective (and I strongly doubt it is, at least in the long term). The Edge ST is taller, fatter, bulkier, substantially less fuel efficient and a LOT more expensive than the hatchbacks it 'replaces'. No manual transmission option either. No matter what the marketing materials say, a crossover is always going to be inferior when it comes to driving dynamics, all else being equal. Also (and this is admittedly subjective on my part), crossovers are far too blobby and egg-shaped to ever be attractive.

Ford's marketing suits then set up a hokey drag race between the Edge ST, a Focus ST and a Fiesta ST. They thus manage to prove that the Edge's bigger twin turbo V6 and AWD are in fact an advantage in a straight line over the 4 cylinder, FWD cars. Who knew? Of course, they don't show what happens when the Edge ST encounters a corner...where the little 1.6 liter Fiesta would probably spank it.

What irks me the most is that the the automotive press are swallowing Ford's line that the Edge ST is a replacement for the Fiesta and Focus ST models...the Edge ST starts at over $43,000...the Focus and Fiesta ST models start at just over $25k and $21k respectively. That is no 'replacement' by any stretch! Automakers say the death of the non-SUV automobile and the manual transmission are drawing ever closer - and those of us shopping on the "affordable" end of the spectrum are losing out first.

Final point? For the money an Edge ST costs, you can buy a Focus RS. Or a brand new Fiesta ST AND a very nice, low-mileage used minivan or crossover. Do you even need to think about that?

 

[Tsuchiya]

Taycan is a terrible name for what I hope will be an incredible vehicle.

On a side note, my Audi still does not have a build date, despite being ordered in May. The lease deal I signed is far better than what I could hope to get today (I guess Audi wanted to just push sales for the A4 at the time), but I can't be without a car over winter.

 

[senseless]

I thought that 2019 models would have all been released by now, but it seems that many are delayed. Audi doesn't have the '19 3, 4 and 5 series up to build on the website yet, even though they're supposed to be at dealers in November.

 

[AustinIllini]

I thought that 2019 models would have all been released by now, but it seems that many are delayed. Audi doesn't have the '19 3, 4 and 5 series up to build on the website yet, even though they're supposed to be at dealers in November.

Audi does this year over year, particularly with models without major changes between model years.

I don't know about BMW's models

 

[0388631]

Taycan sounds like a disease you'd get from microscopic fecal matter on produce. I haven't checked into the usual Porsche sites since last December, but I suspect there's some uproar about it. Just as there was with the Cayenne. Though it seems many 911 owners, and not just GT3 owners, own a Cayenne, and nearly always a Turbo model of that.

Speaking of new cars, has a certain someone decided on what car they need or are they still deciding?

 

[44267547]

Taycan is a terrible name for what I hope will be an incredible vehicle.

In terms of what it’s being reported for performance, the numbers are impressive (0-60=3.5s/600HP), and obviously being electric, it will be efficient. I think Porches branding terminology has always been distinct, but different with Taycan [Which, I believe its pronounced “Tie-Kahn”].

Short video demoing some of the features and capabilities of the interior/exterior, this really shows the attention to detail from Porsche:

 

[Mr Kram]

I’m a Porsche fan boy, but the EV car does nothing for me.

 

[0388631]

Interior is rad, but that front nose is ugly as sin. Next gen will likely look far better. Agree with Mark, though. EV does nothing for me and I fear the future when it becomes the norm. I'm sure some people out there just hate how loud a regular 911, let alone a GT3 sounds, or an RS Audi, M BMW or an AMG. But we don't care about those people's opinions because they're likely very lame individuals with nothing better to do in their lives but bitch about others.

But I do love the fact that even your regular old German car sans VW is louder than they used to be. Gotta have something exciting in your life.

 

[44267547]

Again on the topic of Electric/hybrids: Another mysterious front end of a futuristic Mustang EV ‘Crossover’. I’m thinking 2020/2021, but obviously they are moving forward with an electric ‘Mustang’ (<-May not even be titled a Mustang) variant....[Makes me think of Malibu from the front, but who knows the validity if this is what it will look like.]

 

[quagmire]

Pretty neat idea from Lincoln. Replace annoying chimes with musical reminders.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

When the Cayenne came out I hated it. I hated everything about it: that it was an SUV, that it looked like the 911's morbidly obese cousin (it's a fat 911 nose stuck on an SUV body), that it was very expensive. And worst of all, that Porsche's engineers actually managed to make it handle pretty well - thus further enabling the cancer of the SUV to spread among people who wanted a blobby carry-all vehicle but enjoyed driving.

Now I see that the overall blobby shape of the Cayenne was not an aberration, but the future design language of the entire brand. A depressing thought. In time, the Boxster/Cayman will surely be replaced with a compact crossover, and the 911 itself will disappear - or worse, the name will be applied to some sporty crossover-y thing.

 

[44267547]

Another ‘daily driver’ addition. The ‘Grandpa’ Caddy

The backstory:

A geriatric male passed away, and his immediate family/caretaker has 30 days to claim his property and remedy any fee’s associated to the city I work for, in which case no one couldn’t/didn’t claim his property and pay the remaining balances owed, in which the city possesed his belongings for public auction. I was able to prioritize ‘hands-on’ first with this ‘White diamond’ Cadillac Deville, 48,000 miles, one owner, mint condition. I couldn’t pass this up, and I literally got it for ‘next to nothing’.

A few details:

~4.6 Northstar V8
~FWD
~Heated seats/Bose/Rear parking sensors
~Leather

So those will be perfect for my state, being it’s front wheel drive, the only thing I added were new tires, a coolant flush and new brake pads. Had everything inspected and no issues noted.

Otherwise, the car is perfectly in good running condition and has to be with the most comfortable rides I have been in. To be honest, I think GM *seriously* developed the seats for ‘old guys’ with bad backs who have nothing else to do, but play golf and haul their gear with the massive trunk. The 4.6L Northstar is a strong motor and being this car is over 4000 pounds, it actually feels fairly nimble.

I think the most surprising thing about the car, everything feels solid, no creeks/rattles, everything is well constructed, and the sound deadening inside the cabin blocks out any outside road noise or environment. Fuel efficiency is decent, but I don’t care about that, really I just wanted the V8/one owner Cadillac. (FTR, this is my first Cadillac I have owned, and even though it’s dated in terms of today’s technology, there is not anything I don’t like about it.)

 

[0388631]

The chances of Porsche killing off the 911 are slim to none. There's a greater likelihood of an all electric 911 being the norm than that.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The chances of Porsche killing off the 911 are slim to none. There's a greater likelihood of an all electric 911 being the norm than that.

Killing off is unlikely for the *foreseeable* future, I agree. An all-electric version is certain to appear within the next 10-20 years IMHO. Probably sooner than we think. They'll have to pile all the batteries back behind the rear axle, where the old flat-6 used to go.

One thing I'll miss about ICE engines is the individual characteristics of the different engine configurations. With electric cars we get fake noises piped through the speakers (even ICE-powered cars get it). "Sound enhancement" is the worst thing an automaker has ever done to a car. Kill me now.

 

[senseless]

I have a '12 Audi S4 (manual) cresting 100,000 miles that I've been looking to upgrade. I just test drove an Audi A5SB with intentions to buy, but was disappointed. The A5 was pleasant enough and I loved the virtual cockpit, but it wasn't special enough for the price tag. The 252 hp 4 cylinder engine was ok, but the combination of a 4 cylinder and an automatic just took all the fun out of it for me. I think my car will be a tough act to follow.

 

[0388631]

Killing off is unlikely for the *foreseeable* future, I agree. An all-electric version is certain to appear within the next 10-20 years IMHO. Probably sooner than we think. They'll have to pile all the batteries back behind the rear axle, where the old flat-6 used to go.

One thing I'll miss about ICE engines is the individual characteristics of the different engine configurations. With electric cars we get fake noises piped through the speakers (even ICE-powered cars get it). "Sound enhancement" is the worst thing an automaker has ever done to a car. Kill me now.

Problem with electric cars at the moment and the foreseeable future is how hot the batteries get. I've posted about this once or twice in here, but I drove a Model S P100D around very basic twisties near work and it quickly heated up. The beauty of a well maintained ICE engine is that it won't heat up without considerable heat via weather. FWIW, the day I drove that Model S it was fairly cold for the coastline, about 40-43* F. I cannot fathom what type of temperatures the pack would experience in a typical summer much more inland where it goes well past 100* F. That's a 60 degree difference.

Reason BMW or MBZ pipes sound is better firewall insulation reducing engine noise, overall refinements to reduce NVH, and the use of turbochargers which reduce noise dramatically. Far be it from me to condone this, but in most cases you can introduce a delete somewhere on certain Mercs and BMWs and no one would be the wiser unless you do an emissions test. The next 3 series will be topping out at nearly 390 HP stock, and that's with BMW fudging the engine output. It's going to be higher. Even the current B58 powerplant in the 340 sounds a hell of a lot better than the M3 and M4's S55. The MPPSK should increase output on the upcoming 3ers engine while letting it be louder.

At the end of the day, if you want an electric car that can be repaired easily god forbid you get into an accident or just not have massive flaws, go for the Chevy. I wouldn't recommend a Tesla to anyone. Not now at least. I don't trust Mickey Mouse operations. I'd be willing to bet when and if the Chinese copycat (see: Steal) Tesla's IP, they're going to create a better version all around for less money per unit than Tesla.

And I say that not because I think Elon Musk is a miserable ****, but because Tesla just isn't quality. People need to stop drinking the KoolAid.
[doublepost=1541558000][/doublepost]

I have a '12 Audi S4 (manual) cresting 100,000 miles that I've been looking to upgrade. I just test drove an Audi A5SB with intentions to buy, but was disappointed. The A5 was pleasant enough and I loved the virtual cockpit, but it wasn't special enough for the price tag. The 252 hp 4 cylinder engine was ok, but the combination of a 4 cylinder and an automatic just took all the fun out of it for me. I think my car will be a tough act to follow.

S7 or RS7.

 

[Mr Kram]

I have a '12 Audi S4 (manual) cresting 100,000 miles that I've been looking to upgrade. I just test drove an Audi A5SB with intentions to buy, but was disappointed. The A5 was pleasant enough and I loved the virtual cockpit, but it wasn't special enough for the price tag. The 252 hp 4 cylinder engine was ok, but the combination of a 4 cylinder and an automatic just took all the fun out of it for me. I think my car will be a tough act to follow.

What would you expect coming from an S car? Why not another S4 or S5? My S6 is 5 years old, but has a tick under 50k on it. Thinking I’m keeping it as a daily for at least a couple more years.

 

[senseless]

What would you expect coming from an S car? Why not another S4 or S5? My S6 is 5 years old, but has a tick under 50k on it. Thinking I’m keeping it as a daily for at least a couple more years.

I looked at the 5.7 second 0-60 time and thought it would still feel fast. And it was, but wasn't. it was the way the turbo power came up. It didn't have the punch of the supercharged 3.0. Specs aren't everything, I guess.

S4/5 would be a good choice, but I'm already having buyers remorse just thinking about spending that much on a car. I'll keep my eye open for a good used one though.

 

[Mr Kram]

I looked at the 5.7 second 0-60 time and thought it would still feel fast. And it was, but wasn't. it was the way the turbo power came up. It didn't have the punch of the supercharged 3.0. Specs aren't everything, I guess.

S4/5 would be a good choice, but I'm already having buyers remorse just thinking about spending that much on a car. I'll keep my eye open for a good used one though.

Yup, I previously had an A6 with the 3.0SC. I also had a tune, dual pulley mod and exhaust. That car was a beast, probably faster than my stock S6. You could always do the 2.0T and at least tune it with down pipe. If that’s not enough, APR has a big turbo kit making over 500hp.

Your thought on a gently used example is the ticket though. That’s what I try to do. Of our 4 cars now, only the truck we bought new. Even my wife’s SQ5 is a 2018, but we bought it with 6k miles. Got a significant discount as opposed to new and CPO warranty to boot!

 

[senseless]

Yes, makes you wonder why people trade cars with 15,000 miles on them, but I'm glad they do. I really prefer the S5 sportback over the S4, but there haven't been any local used examples. Not yet, anyway.

 

[Mr Kram]

I rarely see them around. Even in LA. We looked at one before we bought my wife’s car. It was a little too small for us. But it is pretty. Probably best looking model they make.

 

[0388631]

The sportback variant or the S5/A5 in general? I can't say I've seen many of either one. I used to see a lot more Audis years ago. See a lot more R8s nowadays than I care for. They sound brilliant, though. Sportback vehicles tend to look very good. Sadly most Americans would prefer a traditional sedan or crossover.
[doublepost=1541573130][/doublepost]

Yes, makes you wonder why people trade cars with 15,000 miles on them, but I'm glad they do. I really prefer the S5 sportback over the S4, but there haven't been any local used examples. Not yet, anyway.

Sounds like it was a corporate lease. Tend to be driven by company executives or management. They're usually very well taken care off and most of it is smooth driving. It isn't a bad deal if you can't/won't get new but don't really trust private party. 90% of the time the car looks and smells brand new.

The buy or lease crowd make use of a new vehicle off the lot. Buyers want to get that sweet mileage in and not baby it over 5-6 years. And leasers aren't going to pay $500 a month only to drive to work and home with a 10K/year mile plan and matching insurance to boot.
[doublepost=1541573313][/doublepost]

Your thought on a gently used example is the ticket though. That’s what I try to do. Of our 4 cars now, only the truck we bought new. Even my wife’s SQ5 is a 2018, but we bought it with 6k miles. Got a significant discount as opposed to new and CPO warranty to boot!

Speaking of that truck, mod it yet?

 

[44267547]

I have a '12 Audi S4 (manual) cresting 100,000 miles that I've been looking to upgrade. I just test drove an Audi A5SB with intentions to buy, but was disappointed. The A5 was pleasant enough and I loved the virtual cockpit, but it wasn't special enough for the price tag. The 252 hp 4 cylinder engine was ok, but the combination of a 4 cylinder and an automatic just took all the fun out of it for me. I think my car will be a tough act to follow.

I know you posted about Audi considerations in the past, did you ultimately rule out the aforementioned G70?

 

[senseless]

I know you posted about Audi considerations in the past, did you ultimately rule out the aforementioned G70?

There are still no dealers near me that sell Genesis. Those few dealers that have them are unwilling to discount G70s from MSRP, so too close to Audi discounted prices to make a case yet.
[doublepost=1541595474][/doublepost]Sportback design (hatchback, liftback) is as practical as an SUV to me, with none of the negatives. It’s totally overlooked.