The Car Thread ... !

[44267547]

I hate white or beige leather interiors as they quickly look filthy without constant care.

That’s not true. Let’s be a little bit more realistic here.

Your seats are only as dirty as you are. I mean, if you have dirty children, animals or you work in a dirty environment, of course your leather seats will be compromised.

I ordered the white (Synthetic leather) interior for the Model S that will be here next week. My neighbor has similar seats in his Tesla, and he works in a business environment with no kids, and the seats look brand new. It really depends on how they’re managed and if you actually keep up with basic maintenance.

Now, a steering wheel? That’s a totally different discussion, as the constant contact with your hands make it very difficult to keep clean, especially if it has like micro-suede inserts.

 

[Apple fanboy]

It has to match the car's exterior colour and the car itself, of course.

Very true. I naturally prefer dark colours in what I wear and general taste. Suits my mood most of the time!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

That’s not true. Let’s be a little bit more realistic here.

Your seats are only as dirty as you are. I mean, if you have dirty children, animals or you work in a dirty environment, of course your leather seats will be compromised.

I ordered the white (Synthetic leather) interior for the Model S that will be here next week. My neighbor has similar seats in his Tesla, and he works in a business environment with no kids, and the seats look brand new. It really depends on how they’re managed and if you actually keep up with basic maintenance.

Now, a steering wheel? That’s a totally different discussion, as the constant contact with your hands make it very difficult to keep clean, especially if it has like micro-suede inserts.

I think your situation and those who have kids, work in dirty environments and wear dark jeans are both ‘realistic’ situations. I’ve seen many times how dirty light coloured leather seats get in a short time and they definitely need cleaning more often, not because they are any dirtier than black leather, but because it’s more obvious.

I go to work 90% of the time in clean smart trousers and a shirt, but also have times where I have to wear work wear and have two children that often sit in the back of my car. Beige or white leather wouldn’t be practical for my use and personally I prefer the look of darker leathers. Light leather steering wheels are a nightmare. My mum had a Fiat 500 (dreadful car) and the beige wheel on that was a mix of grey and blue most of the time.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I think your situation and those who have kids, work in dirty environments and wear dark jeans are both ‘realistic’ situations. I’ve seen many times how dirty light coloured leather seats get in a short time and they definitely need cleaning more often, not because they are any dirtier than black leather, but because it’s more obvious.

I go to work 90% of the time in clean smart trousers and a shirt, but also have times where I have to wear work wear and have two children that often sit in the back of my car. Beige or white leather wouldn’t be practical for my use and personally I prefer the look of darker leathers. Light leather steering wheels are a nightmare. My mum had a Fiat 500 (dreadful car) and the beige wheel on that was a mix of grey and blue most of the time.

I agree with this. I have a 2003 e46 325i with beige interior. My brother bought it new, and kept it immaculate. It has dye transfer from clothes. I have cleaned it, oiled it, and it does look better (it does not look like a 20 year old interior), but it is still there.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I think your situation and those who have kids, work in dirty environments and wear dark jeans are both ‘realistic’ situations. I’ve seen many times how dirty light coloured leather seats get in a short time and they definitely need cleaning more often, not because they are any dirtier than black leather, but because it’s more obvious.

I go to work 90% of the time in clean smart trousers and a shirt, but also have times where I have to wear work wear and have two children that often sit in the back of my car. Beige or white leather wouldn’t be practical for my use and personally I prefer the look of darker leathers. Light leather steering wheels are a nightmare. My mum had a Fiat 500 (dreadful car) and the beige wheel on that was a mix of grey and blue most of the time.

Even though I don’t have kids, and like you wear smart clean trousers for work, there are always those times when you are a bit muddy from a walk or got caught in a rain storm etc.

 

[Nütztjanix]

I work with cars, so even though I like these interiors they're absolutely not practical for me.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Speaking of cars, what I want to REALLY see is what Honda will do with the North American version of the 2023 HR-V, which will be unveiled on 4 April 2022. It's probably based on the current European HR-V, but a tad longer for more interior space. Likely engines for the US market will be 158 bhp K20C3 2.0-liter normally aspirated and 175 bhp L15B 1.5-liter turbocharged.

 

[44267547]

I mean….I just can’t even……

Toyota releases the new 2023 GR Corolla Hatch.

- 2 trims: Core and Circuit Edition.

- 1.6L turbo (3) cylinder ->300HP/273Tq

- 6 speed manual Tran.

-AWD

- “The standard setting is a 60:40 front to rear torque distribution, but it can go as rear-wheel biased as 30:70, or put in an even 50:50. However you split it, power feeds to open differentials as standard with an option for front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.”

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Brings The Stuff We Love From the GR Yaris to America

With 300 hp from a revvy turbo three-cylinder and all-wheel drive with adjustable torque split, the GR Corolla is the bonkers Toyota hot hatch we've always wanted.

www.roadandtrack.com

*****************************

My opinion:


The price is unknown, but if I had to wager, I’d say a decent guesstimate this will probably start somewhere around ~$35,000, competing with the Hyundai Sonata N-Line. With Subaru canceling the STI, this now puts this vehicle in the spotlight and probably is one of the greatest hatches to be released with Toyotas branding/quality behind it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It’s undoubtedly a good car although maintains Toyota’s reputation of producing quirkily ugly aesthetics IMO. It’ll go up against the Golf GTI/R, RS3, M140i, Focus ST, A200 AMG etc. The hot hatch category is highly competitive and it’s cool to see a Japanese manufacturer make a challenge once again

 

[Apple fanboy]

So some good news today. BMW now have a confirmed build slot for me in May. So late May early June for my new i3. Can't wait!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I mean….I just can’t even……

Toyota releases the new 2023 GR Corolla Hatch.

Cool car...but what ever happened to painted valve covers? Why the horrible plastic?

 

[jimmy_uk]

I mean….I just can’t even……

Toyota releases the new 2023 GR Corolla Hatch.

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- 2 trims: Core and Circuit Edition.

- 1.6L turbo (3) cylinder ->300HP/273Tq

- 6 speed manual Tran.

-AWD

- “The standard setting is a 60:40 front to rear torque distribution, but it can go as rear-wheel biased as 30:70, or put in an even 50:50. However you split it, power feeds to open differentials as standard with an option for front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.”

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Brings The Stuff We Love From the GR Yaris to America

With 300 hp from a revvy turbo three-cylinder and all-wheel drive with adjustable torque split, the GR Corolla is the bonkers Toyota hot hatch we've always wanted.

www.roadandtrack.com

*****************************

My opinion:


The price is unknown, but if I had to wager, I’d say a decent guesstimate this will probably start somewhere around ~$35,000, competing with the Hyundai Sonata N-Line. With Subaru canceling the STI, this now puts this vehicle in the spotlight and probably is one of the greatest hatches to be released with Toyotas branding/quality behind it.

Damn that a hot looking car with a mean spec! If it was available today I think I'd go for it, ignoring my need for a comfy car (not rigid suspension etc).

 

[44267547]

Damn that a hot looking car with a mean spec! If it was available today I think I'd go for it, ignoring my need for a comfy car (not rigid suspension etc).

Toyota just has absolutely nailed there designs over the last three years. First starting with the Camry and Avalon XSE/Trd models, now the Corrola GR-4, which just looks totally radical.

The higher trim of the GR known as the ‘Core’ includes forged carbon fiber roof, 14” rotors, and both of the GR models, all the breather vents that you see on the vehicle are all fully functional.

I snapped this photos from ‘Matt Maran Motoring’ channel on YT when he had hands on with an actual demo model yesterday. He mentioned some thing interesting, this is a 3-cylinder/300 HP engine as noted above, and that’s 100 hp per cylinder!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Not a fan of the look, far too boy racer (and way are they demoing it in that boring color?)...but mechanically it's a great package and I'm sure a hoot to drive.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Just read the Corrola GR-4 is not coming to the UK or Europe 😡

 

[44267547]

Just read the Corrola GR-4 is not coming to the UK or Europe 😡

Bummer.

I didn’t hear anything about that. Maybe it’s initially certain markets, then eventually will expand to the UK. There are some vehicle manufacturers that have staggered roll outs. However, still waiting for the official pricing to be released.

After my EV car being a daily, its likely I sell my Taurus SHO for a new Corolla GR Core.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Just read the Corrola GR-4 is not coming to the UK or Europe

There’s a lot of competition in that sector though from French, and German manufacturers. There’s also the Civic Type-R, all of which I would say are nicer looking cars. Maybe Toyota will try it in a year or two.

 

[Apple fanboy]

There’s a lot of competition in that sector though from French, and German manufacturers. There’s also the Civic Type-R, all of which I would say are nicer looking cars. Maybe Toyota will try it in a year or two.

In a year or two who will be able to afford the petrol?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

In a year or two who will be able to afford the petrol?

Fewer and fewer people...

Though the last models to go (aside from commercial vehicles) will probably be performance cars and the least expensive budget models.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Fewer and fewer people...

Though the last models to go (aside from commercial vehicles) will probably be performance cars and the least expensive budget models.

True. I’m looking forward to hanging up the petrol pump for good though. May can’t get here soon enough.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

True. I’m looking forward to hanging up the petrol pump for good though. May can’t get here soon enough.

As I said before, I'd love to replace my Fiesta with an EV when the time comes, but I think I'm a few years off yet.

 

[Apple fanboy]

As I said before, I'd love to replace my Fiesta with an EV when the time comes, but I think I'm a few years off yet.

Plenty of options at that size of car. I think the adoption will happen pretty quickly for a lot of people. It’s the fastest growing segment at the moment. The only thing holding quicker adoption back is the chip shortages and cost of purchase.

 

[satcomer]

As I said before, I'd love to replace my Fiesta with an EV when the time comes, but I think I'm a few years off yet.

With gas prices you should be looking now for an EV!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

With gas prices you should be looking now for an EV!

Unfortunately I've got other life expenses to focus on now, and I'm planning to get a home solar installation .

But when this car ages out, I'm going EV.

 

[NT1440]

With gas prices you should be looking now for an EV!

Question from a younger member.

Is it common in the older age brackets to just be able to think about a car purchase on a whim?

I make good money, but I intentionally spent a year saving up and searching for a ~100K Volvo wagon because I knew it would last forever (and I’ve worked on it extensively myself, got a second engine in my garage awaiting time/funds for a rebuild).

Ideally I’ll keep this thing forever and *some day* drop an electric crate motor in it to really keep it running forever.

However, no one in my age bracket (I’m 30) that I know can even conceive of the idea of buying a new car, let alone cover the cost of a new (used) one without a major financial stress in their lives. I keep most of my friends cars alive with repairs and timely oil changes.

I’ve always found it odd how comfortably people in their 50’s+ seem to be able to just pick up an expensive (15K+) car. Is it financing comfortably or is there really that yawning a gap in between the finances of these generations?

Just curious.