Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: 1K3 on November 20, 2007, 12:58:09 AM
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2008 car of the year (Motortrend)
Cadillac CTS:aok :aok :aok
Kudos
http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/112_0801_2008_cadillac_cts
(http://autosfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/2008-cadillac-cts-3.jpg)(http://images.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/112_0801_01z+2008_cadillac_CTS+engine.jpg)
(http://www.cars.com/features/autoshows/2007/detroit/coverage/images/08_Cadillac_CTS_frontang_CAD_430.jpg)
(http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/2008_cadillac_cts_official_image_8.jpg)
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Pretty!
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No cheap plastics or faux wood there as Top Gear pointed out last year.
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So it has good build quality?
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Originally posted by Viking
So it has good build quality?
It's supposed to be quite good...
I like the exterior... and the bulk of the interior too. But for some reason I just don't care for the dash and center console... it seems like its trying too hard. But that's just my $.02
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Originally posted by 1K3
No cheap plastics or faux wood there as Top Gear pointed out last year.
Is there such a thing as expensive plastic?
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If you are a car magazine looking for a way to blow your credibility, look no further than Motor Trend for a fine example of how to do it.
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My Dad didn't care for his 2006 CTS. While he liked the performance, he constantly had problems with the auto-sensing door locks and the one-touch starter. He also didn't like the interior.
He now has a Buick Lucerne which he likes a lot.
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In any case I love the look of the interior. All those gentle curves and accented lines. Very Jaguarish.
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u303/LurkerPatrol/jeremyapprove2.png)
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smurfy
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Car of the year goes to a Cateract? Puh-leaaase... go look at what you can but a 1 year old cateract for, nearly half price.
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As much as I like the CTS, I'd like to point out that we haven't had a single day of 2008 yet.
Perhaps assign the 2008 car of the year at the end of 2008?
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Cadillac must have considerably upped its advertising budget to Motor Trend.
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Originally posted by Airscrew
Is there such a thing as expensive plastic?
Yes.
(http://www.makemeheal.com/news/images/heidi-montag-breast-implants.jpg)
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Ok, but thats silicone, more like rubber, but close enough for arguments sake.
And I'll add, if they did the interior of a caddy like that, then that would be a car to buy....
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That engine cover assembly looks like a vacuum cleaner, with the hose trying to get out of its own way..
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Look at face, she just put on a few pounds.
:rofl
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Originally posted by Airscrew
Ok, but thats silicone, more like rubber, but close enough for arguments sake.
Well, I think they call it plastic surgery and it is expensive. :)
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Originally posted by Toad
Well, I think they call it plastic surgery and it is expensive. :)
Toad 1 - Airscrew 0, man i suc at this game too...:D
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Sorry, but the 2004 Motor Trend Car of the Year is still best car on the market today. Nothing better has come out since.
You can read all about it here on the Motor Trend website:
http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/112_04_coy_win
And my car sure is far more affordable. Especially since Toyota lowered the price of the car last January. My car is very roomy and comfortable ( lots of room for passengers or cargo ), handles and rides like a dream, and gives me 44 mpg in city driving, and 46 mpg on the highway.
Here are some photos I have taken of it:
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/family%20friends/prius_small.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/family%20friends/prius_hatch_small.jpg)
SIG 220
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Originally posted by SIG220
Snip
And I could out accelerate it with a cub cadet.
Originally posted by Skuzzy
If you are a car magazine looking for a way to blow your credibility, look no further than Motor Trend for a fine example of how to do it.
Quoted for truth.
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The Toyota Prius is an abomination ... an insult to motoring. It isn't even economical; you'll get twice that mileage with a small turbo-diesel of similar power.
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Originally posted by Viking
The Toyota Prius is an abomination ... an insult to motoring. It isn't even economical; you'll get twice that mileage with a small turbo-diesel of similar power.
Kills me to agree with you.;)
Well with the abomination/ insult to motoring. Not sure if a TD will get 2x the mileage.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
If you are a car magazine looking for a way to blow your credibility, look no further than Motor Trend for a fine example of how to do it.
Originally posted by Viking
The Toyota Prius is an abomination ... an insult to motoring.
****in' A, bubba.
Just drove to West Texas and back doing 86 mph on I-10 west of Kerrville and still averaged 25 mpg in the Z.
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Originally posted by DYNAMITE
But for some reason I just don't care for the dash and center console... it seems like its trying too hard. But that's just my $.02
Funny, that's the only thing I found anywhere near half attractive. Looks like the whole car was injection-molded from the outside.
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See Rule #5
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See Rule #5
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Hehe, I can't wait to see the rest of this thread evolve...
God help us if lasz wonders in.
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I'll pull 2 plug wires and beat that eggbeater through the 1/4.
Hell I'd have enough time to get out and put the wires back on.
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n277/1bronk1/DSCF0351.jpg)
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See Rule #5
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See Rule #5
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See Rule #5
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Sig220 be a man and save gas on a bike.
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See Rule #5
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Originally posted by john9001
See Rule #5
nope, but being able to safely pass on 2 lane highways is helpful.
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Originally posted by moot
Sig220 be a man and save gas on a bike.
Well, I certainly do not save gas when I go off-road and when I go hunting. For I don't drive my Prius then. My Nissan Pathfinder only gets 17 MPG, and that is only when I put it in 2WD drive!!
I got tired of getting such lousy mileage all the time. Especially since gas has been over $3 a gallon. So now my Nissan is just my recreational vehicle, and not my main transportation anymore.
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/family%20friends/pathside_online.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/family%20friends/two_online.jpg)
So whenever I ever get the urge to feel manly, I go out and take it for a spin.
I love my Pathfinder too, except for the awful gas mileage.
Hopefully I'll be driving it, if I ever get into an accident. My lone and only auto accident that I have ever had was 34 years ago. That is the only issue that worries me about driving my Prius.
What would happen to me if I'm driving my Prius and I have a head-on with a Cadillac Escalade??
SIG 220
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Originally posted by Toad
Well, I think they call it plastic surgery and it is expensive. :)
Yes but from your pictures, an excellent investment.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
If you are a car magazine looking for a way to blow your credibility, look no further than Motor Trend for a fine example of how to do it.
Damn Skuzzy! Beat me to it! It's a well known fact that MT gets greased by manufacturers for good articles about their automobiles.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
If you are a car magazine looking for a way to blow your credibility, look no further than Motor Trend for a fine example of how to do it.
I won't be surprised if MotorTrend gives Nissan GT-R the car of the year award for 2009:)
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Originally posted by 1K3
I won't be surprised if MotorTrend gives Nissan GT-R the car of the year award for 2009:)
Actually, I am surprised that they did not give the 2008 Award to the re-designed Honda Accord. But I guess that would have been the safe and expected choice.
And maybe they wanted to be different this year, since the 2007 Award went to the re-designed Camry.
Actually, am I wrong, or does it not seem that there really are not that many new car models that have been introduced for the 2008 model year???
SIG 220
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Sig, is there a good reason for typing in huge font?
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that's so us old people can read it.
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I suppose Sig220 is looking to give me a reason to ban him from the board. The use of overly large type would be a good way to do it.
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The VW Fox is in the same size category as the Prius, and it comes with a 1.2L or 1.4L turbo diesel (plus an assortment of petrol and multifuel engines). Jeremy Clarkson tested the Fox' predecessor on Top Gear, the VW Lupo, with the 1.4L TDI engine and got 75 miles to the gallon. The 1.4L TDI even got about 20 hp more than the Prius' 1.5L petrol engine. The VW 1.2L TDI got about the same power (55hp), and I expect it to be even more economical. I'm not a VW man myself, but Clarkson was very impressed with the Lupo, which says a lot considering his preferences in cars.
I think the Prius looks a bit better than the Fox though:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Volkswagen_Fox_2007_-_silver.jpg/800px-Volkswagen_Fox_2007_-_silver.jpg)
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John and anyone else wanting bigger fonts, most browsers have commands to vary the size instantly.
Ctrl+mouse wheel scroll is what it's commonly mapped to, I think.
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I don't know Vik, they're both butt-ugly to me. I don't care how much money I'd save driving either of those 2 "thangs", my testosterone would scream bloody murder due to the influx of estrogen those cars would induce. I think lasz would call it, "emasculation brought on by climate change" syndrome.
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/txflood77598/street27.jpg)
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/txflood77598/dsc04504.jpg)
Ahhh, yeah. That's much better.
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Bugatti Veyron
have no pic but search it only so many made and i have see one here in the uk a pro football players girl(Tim Cahill yes a everton player) owns it costs near £1m
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See Rule #5
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
I suppose Sig220 is looking to give me a reason to ban him from the board. The use of overly large type would be a good way to do it.
Beg for forgives before the ban. Ignoring the skuzzinator is bad.
:noid
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See Rule #6
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Originally posted by DYNAMITE
It's supposed to be quite good...
I like the exterior... and the bulk of the interior too. But for some reason I just don't care for the dash and center console... it seems like its trying too hard. But that's just my $.02
The center console looks like a transformers face logo.
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Cars are useless to me... I have trucks...
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Why'd sig's posts get deleted? I was just thinking man that font is a lot easier to read.
Of course, if he was told to quit doing something, then... yea. Or maybe his font looks different on MSIE than whatever browser other people are using.
Anyhow... Just wondering.
:noid
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Originally posted by eagl
Why'd sig's posts get deleted? I was just thinking man that font is a lot easier to read.
Of course, if he was told to quit doing something, then... yea. Or maybe his font looks different on MSIE than whatever browser other people are using.
Anyhow... Just wondering.
:noid
Originally posted by moot
John and anyone else wanting bigger fonts, most browsers have commands to vary the size instantly.
Ctrl+mouse wheel scroll is what it's commonly mapped to, I think.
Edit: Shuff I love my truck.:aok
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
If you are a car magazine looking for a way to blow your credibility, look no further than Motor Trend for a fine example of how to do it.
Exactly! MT are the potatos of the auto world. Its fairly well known that the Car/Truck of the year is for sale to the highest bidder. Automobile and Car & Driver are far better magazines.
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Originally posted by DiabloTX
I don't know Vik, they're both butt-ugly to me. I don't care how much money I'd save driving either of those 2 "thangs", my testosterone would scream bloody murder due to the influx of estrogen those cars would induce. I think lasz would call it, "emasculation brought on by climate change" syndrome.
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/txflood77598/street27.jpg)
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/txflood77598/dsc04504.jpg)
Ahhh, yeah. That's much better.
No it isn't! It's a freakin' doorstop with wheels. The Camaro hasn't looked good since the early '70's.
Shelby has had he formula for years... except for the Chrysler crap he lent his name to in the 80's...
(http://cache.jalopnik.com/cars/assets/resources/2007/06/Mustang-GT500-Super-Snake-07.jpg)\
(http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/large/135100_44723_front_34.jpg)
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you guys have EVO magazine stateside? best mag in europe (well in english anyway), and they've been ****listed a few times by Ferrari and Aston for honest reviews :aok
CTS interior is niice (a bit too much fake alloy on the console though), different rims and colour for the exterior and it could look sweet too. anyone driven one? the last version was suppose to be pretty good.
dont get me started on the Prius ... :rolleyes:
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o yeah Ace > Cobra :p
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Not a car i would choose, but it doesnt look bad at all. Ill never ever buy anything that isnt a stationwagon but for a sedan it looks roomy and comfortable.
Fuel consumption, build quality and rust protection are the 3 top things id like to know about that car, and does it come as a stationwagon?.
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Originally posted by Nilsen
Fuel consumption, build quality and rust protection are the 3 top things id like to know about that car.
i second that. also add ease and low cost of repairs.
you guys can have your high performance cars, i just want something that works.
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Originally posted by clerick
No it isn't! It's a freakin' doorstop with wheels. The Camaro hasn't looked good since the early '70's.
Shelby has had he formula for years... except for the Chrysler crap he lent his name to in the 80's...
(http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/large/135100_44723_front_34.jpg)
Cobra's are ok with me.
You may think the Camaro's may be "doorstops" but they'll never be the purse runners the Pustang's have always been. Nice try though.
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There is a reason the Mustang has remained in production while the Camaro/Firebird went the way of the dodo.. Not the the Camaro concept is a real beauty either. GM's greatest weakness, now that they seem to be getting QC under control, has been their styling. If only GM had J. Mays, they might be able to resurrect their muscle car heritage.
BTW, the "generic" Mustang as you call it is the new 650+ HP Super Snake, supposedly a Z06 killer with better lines.
My favorite car was my '73 Firebird. Lean and powerful with gorgeous lines. Were never the same after that generation
(http://www.auto-classics.net/files/73Firebird.jpg)
GM, please bring this back!
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Originally posted by Nilsen
Not a car i would choose, but it doesnt look bad at all. Ill never ever buy anything that isnt a stationwagon but for a sedan it looks roomy and comfortable.
Fuel consumption, build quality and rust protection are the 3 top things id like to know about that car, and does it come as a stationwagon?.
Here you go nilsen, my personal dream car. Room for my kids, our skis and enough oomph to embarrass almost anything on the road. And quality is excellent.
Behold! The Audi RS6 Avant! (http://www.thetorquereport.com/2007/09/580_horsepower_2008_audi_rs6_a.html)
(http://www.thetorquereport.com/08rs6avant_hir002-thumb.jpg)
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Originally posted by clerick
Here you go nilsen, my personal dream car. Room for my kids, our skis and enough oomph to embarrass almost anything on the road. And quality is excellent.
Behold! The Audi RS6 Avant! (http://www.thetorquereport.com/2007/09/580_horsepower_2008_audi_rs6_a.html)
(http://www.thetorquereport.com/08rs6avant_hir002-thumb.jpg)
Nice car, but abit flashy for my needs :)
My C320 will do just fine for many years to come.
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Originally posted by Nilsen
Nice car, but abit flashy for my needs :)
My C320 will do just fine for many years to come.
At least it's German.... ;)
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Originally posted by Shuffler
Cars are useless to me... I have trucks...
Here you go shuff... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wSesO0UrQCk) Now we're both happy :D
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Originally posted by clerick
There is a reason the Mustang has remained in production while the Camaro/Firebird went the way of the dodo.. Not the the Camaro concept is a real beauty either. GM's greatest weakness, now that they seem to be getting QC under control, has been their styling. If only GM had J. Mays, they might be able to resurrect their muscle car heritage.
BTW, the "generic" Mustang as you call it is the new 650+ HP Super Snake, supposedly a Z06 killer with better lines.
My favorite car was my '73 Firebird. Lean and powerful with gorgeous lines. Were never the same after that generation
(http://www.auto-classics.net/files/73Firebird.jpg)
GM, please bring this back!
Bupkis. The Pustang has been a high-volume seller since day one, more or less. Doesn't mean it's any better or worse that then GM F-bodies. I don't care how much Hp Ford pumps into a Pustang, it's still a Pustang even if it's supposed to be a Z06 killer, not to mention what the price tag of that Pustang would be. You can decry styling all you want, it's a matter of taste personally. I've had multpile f-bodies and would still take any one of them over any so-called "Z06 killer" that Ford could produce. I've seent the "QC" that Ford makes today and no matter how they badge, how much dealer markup they put on it, no matter how they attempt to polish a ****, it's still a ****. As far as the f-bodies being low sellers, I could care less what the general public of this society considers "good". I've been an f-body fan since I was 10. And it was those f-bodies that captured my attention, not the Pustangs. Again, nice try though.
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Originally posted by DiabloTX
I've seent the "QC" that Ford makes today and no matter how they badge, how much dealer markup they put on it, no matter how they attempt to polish a ****, it's still a ****.
The facts don't seem to agree. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19073071/)
But all Ford vs Chevy kidding aside, i do have to agree that it is about what turns your crank, as it were. :D
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Originally posted by DiabloTX
Bupkis. The Pustang has been a high-volume seller since day one, more or less. Doesn't mean it's any better or worse that then GM F-bodies. I don't care how much Hp Ford pumps into a Pustang, it's still a Pustang even if it's supposed to be a Z06 killer, not to mention what the price tag of that Pustang would be. You can decry styling all you want, it's a matter of taste personally. I've had multpile f-bodies and would still take any one of them over any so-called "Z06 killer" that Ford could produce. I've seent the "QC" that Ford makes today and no matter how they badge, how much dealer markup they put on it, no matter how they attempt to polish a ****, it's still a ****. As far as the f-bodies being low sellers, I could care less what the general public of this society considers "good". I've been an f-body fan since I was 10. And it was those f-bodies that captured my attention, not the Pustangs. Again, nice try though.
wow.. major Mustang diss:D
A regular Mustang GT with Roush suspension and brake package will make this car track ready without sacrificing ride quality:aok
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Originally posted by lasersailor184
As much as I like the CTS, I'd like to point out that we haven't had a single day of 2008 yet.
Perhaps assign the 2008 car of the year at the end of 2008?
My thoughts exactly.
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
If you are a car magazine looking for a way to blow your credibility, look no further than Motor Trend for a fine example of how to do it.
Amen!
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Originally posted by clerick
Shelby has had he formula for years... except for the Chrysler crap he lent his name to in the 80's...
Yea to bad that "crap" Omni GLHS smoked a 65 gt 350r around the track and through th 1/4. Wish i still had that copy of Hot Rod .
Carrol Shelby is to blame for all these ricer econo box rockets.:noid
(http://www.shelbyregistry.com/graphics/dave-glhs.jpg)
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(http://www.mnbmx.com/images/cov20050304btexpopeewee.jpg)
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But can it even carry plywood?
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Originally posted by moot
Sig, is there a good reason for typing in huge font?
Yes, I am 55, and have very poor eyesight.
I also did not see any forum rules anywhere saying that it was not allowed.
However, since I now see the the admins disapprove of this, I will naturally not do this anymore. I did not know that earlier.
SIG 220
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(http://www.wiscollectorcar.com/coppermine/cpg132/albums/userpics/10004/68%20Shelby%20GT500KR~0.JPG)
Best car ever. My opinion of course.
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Originally posted by clerick
No it isn't! It's a freakin' doorstop with wheels.
no.
(http://www.britishcarlinks.com/1976%20Triumph%20TR7.jpg)
that is a doorstop with wheels.
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Originally posted by Viking
The VW Fox is in the same size category as the Prius, and it comes with a 1.2L or 1.4L turbo diesel (plus an assortment of petrol and multifuel engines).
Unfortunately, the FOX is not an option for those of us living here in the USA. For some reason, VW is not importing and selling that car here. I wish such diesel autos were available for sale here.
My daughter recently had such a horrific experience with numerous mechanical problems with her VW new Beetle ( it was her 1st car ), that I doubt that anyone in our family will ever consider buying a VW product again. It was purchased used, and no one had checked the Consumer Reports reliability data on that model and year car. And that is something that every savvy consumer should do, when buying a used car.
Many VW cars being sold in North America are now being manufactured in a factory in Puebla, Mexico, and I am rather skeptical of how good the quality of cars coming out of it are.
SIG 220
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
I suppose Sig220 is looking to give me a reason to ban him from the board. The use of overly large type would be a good way to do it.
I certainly do not want any trouble anywhere online, including this forum. I have no desire to break any rules here, or get into any disputes with you or any other administrators.
I had no idea that there was a rule against larger type until I read this post by you here tonight.
As I mentioned to another member who commented about it, I only did so due to the age of my eyes, and the eyestrain I often suffer from when using my PC.
Now that I know about the rule, I will naturally not use a larger font ever again. If you felt that my using the font was some kind of attempt to "shout" on the forum, I want to fully assure you that was not at all my desire or aim.
I'm really sorry about this whole matter, and will do my utmost to prevent any further problems of this or any other nature.
Lance
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Originally posted by SIG220
Unfortunately, the FOX is not an option for those of us living here in the USA. For some reason, VW is not importing and selling that car here. I wish such diesel autos were available for sale here.
My daughter recently had such a horrific experience with numerous mechanical problems with her VW new Beetle ( it was her 1st car ), that I doubt that anyone in our family will ever consider buying a VW product again. It was purchased used, and no one had checked the Consumer Reports reliability data on that model and year car. And that is something that every savvy consumer should do, when buying a used car.
Many VW cars being sold in North America are now being manufactured in a factory in Puebla, Mexico, and I am rather skeptical of how good the quality of cars coming out of it are.
SIG 220
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
My Rabbit was built in Wolfsburg and I love her.
This is what I would get if they imported them. I shall covet one of my neighbors on my next trip home in aprilPolo GTI Cup edition (http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/de3/modelle/polo/ausstattungslinien/gti_cup_edition.html)
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Well, I just read this thread top to bottom in 15 minutes....
And here is what I think...
The CTS looks like it rolled out of a **** factory. It looks like every other pseudo performance sedan GM has tried to push out as a Cadillac in the last ten years. And based on my prior GM experience I wouldn't buy it on a bet.
With regard to the Mileage, and eco-cruiser discussion that Sig started... Well, I cast my vote when I bought my '06 Dodge Charger R/T. I have a five mile commute, economy was not a motivator.
With regard to the Chevy/Ford discussion. You're both wrong :-) The Charger outperforms DiabloTx's old F-body on highway milage and I'm 80% certain I'd get the better slip at the track too. Meanwhile its quieter, and more comfortable than any F-body I've ever met (and I used to sell Pontiac).
Ford... Ford just makes me giggle. Ford is a shadow of what it once was, and I hated what they 'once was'.. They're only worse now. I don't know what kind of voodoo keeps that brand alive. They haven't done anything good since 1968.
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Originally posted by Pooh21
My Rabbit was built in Wolfsburg and I love her.
This is what I would get if they imported them. I shall covet one of my neighbors on my next trip home in aprilPolo GTI Cup edition (http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/de3/modelle/polo/ausstattungslinien/gti_cup_edition.html)
Well, German auto workers make about 10 times the salary of the VW workers in Mexico.
To me, there is something that is just inherently wrong about a VW that is not made in Germany.
However, US automakers are now setting up factories in Mexico too. Everyone is playing follow the leader these days, when it comes to globalization.
SIG 220
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Ford... Ford just makes me giggle. Ford is a shadow of what it once was, and I hated what they 'once was'.. They're only worse now. I don't know what kind of voodoo keeps that brand alive. They haven't done anything good since 1968.
ford u.s threw in the performance towel back in the early 70's when they killed off the only real performance orientated mass produced cheby kill'n small block they had.. the 351 cleveland.
the cleveland is not dead though. the aussies kept stamping them out right up into the 80's. so at least in oz and nz there's still plenty of rebuildable core engines for propelling racers and streeters, and with a healthy aftermarket industry especially in quality heads and intakes (not edelcrap), combined with the current popularity for stroking the clevo to 383, 393 or 408 cubes the cleveland is back to pissing all over chebbies :)
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I thought so Sig, just asking. Like I said in my last post, both MS Windows' whole interface and whatever browser you're using most likely have a way to change their font sizes instantly.
Give it a try..
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You brand X fan bois really make me laugh.
1st I'll state right off I'm a mopar fan. However I can appreciate other brands products.
Lets see ford gave up in the early 70's ehh. So did the other manufacturers, so much so my beloved mopar needed to be bailed out because of it.
However in 82' with the return of the GT mustang performance started a comeback. Say what you want fan bois but this car with a 302 2bbl , killed the Z28 350 4bbl.
Now think about some of the performance stuff ford has built since then. The mustang probably is the cheapest/easiest to get bang for your buck from. How about the mercury marauder, or the lightning. How about any of the svo/svt line up. Hell Ford took the most grandma car going and turned it into (IMHO) one of the nastiest American performance sedans built. The Taurus SHO.
As for the GM brands. They were content making vanilla performance rides until ford woke them up. Hell try and buy an 83 corvette. You can't, sad when your icon of performance is shelved for a year. But fortunately the camaro/firebird started to get some teeth back.
Gm also made some great stuff. The GNX, Impala ss and of course todays Corvette.
Mopar died in 74, it tried to make a comeback in the 80s with the Shelby line.
But hotted out econo boxes weren't so popular back then.
Now mopar has some decent stuff. Well, except for the fact it's all but impossible to get a stick in the top perf models.
I'm a car guy first then a brand guy. They all have made some great stuff and they all have made some true crap.
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Man....the exterior of that Caddy is butt-ugly!
This is what a proper car should look like:
(http://www.planethoustonamx.com/stuff/amc_online/amx%20_photos/68_javelin_tina_frasher_ds_frt.JPG)
...or this:
(http://66.119.66.9:82/addon/img/noticias/9a24f3aseefraep.jpg)
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Cars and of course car makers ebb and flow with time. There are times that one is on top and within a decade they are on the bottom. The be loyal to one brand is foolish, i take a certain twisted pleasure in poking fun at the "brand guys." I think that poopooing a car because it was made by Ford or by Chevy or by, whomever, is short sighted and people that think like that are missing out on some great machines.
To those that say Ford cant produce performance vehicles, you need to look no further then the current Mustangs and the upcoming twin force motors, including the new SHO Taurus. And you can't forget the Ferrari killer GT. There are advantages to owning companies like Aston Martin, Volvo, Mazda Land Rover et.c.
As For GM, they used to be the American performance brand, but they squandered that title years ago. With the exception of the corvette and a few minor projects here and there they haven't really lived up to that, and thats what i don't like about them at the moment, their vision is gone. Looking at current cars and future cars, they have nothing that ignites that spark like they did 30 years ago. They have become reactive to other automakers instead of proactive. Now would be a good time to shake things up. GM controls Saab and Subaru use them!
My stable is extremely diverse. I have fun, practical and luxerious...
Volvo 780. Hand-built in Italy for Volvo. Now with a 350HP 302 under the hood.
(http://www.volvoadventures.com/780Vermant3.jpg)
Audi 4000 Quattro. So much fun i hate having to sell it :cry
(http://www.audiworld.com/model/4000/pix/86-4k.jpg)
Bland but functional and almost 200,000 miles on it.
(http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2002/Ford/100002359/2002.ford.windstar.3813-396x249.jpg)
Fairly diverse.
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what exactly does "Hand-built " mean?
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Originally posted by john9001
what exactly does "Hand-built " mean?
They were designed and hand built by Carrozzeria Bertone, if I'm not mistaken.
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Originally posted by clerick
Now would be a good time to shake things up. GM controls Saab and Subaru, use them!
GM pissed Saab off a few years back over the now produced 9-7x. When Saab was purchased they were told that it would be a similar acquisition as when Ford bought Volvo. Ford did the smart thing for once; "don't fix what isn't broken" and let Volvo do it's own thing. GM on the other hand, did the opposite over this vehicle. Saab wanted a non-GM platform, but GM demanded the TrailBlazer platform (with the hideous coffee can muffler). Saab still isn't thrilled about GM to this day.
Subaru is being bought slowly by Toyota I believe. GM is in worse shape than Ford is, but GM hides it's financial BS better.
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Originally posted by Masherbrum
GM is in worse shape than Ford is, but GM hides it's financial BS better.
Ford's situation is improving, they have had some quarters recently where they have been in the black. If GM continues to piss away their market share they will be worse off then Chrysler, and now that Daimler has dumped them they aren't looking all that good.
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Originally posted by john9001
what exactly does "Hand-built " mean?
Bertone of Italy built them in small numbers, less then 7000 worldwide over 6 years and only 4000 or so made it here. In 1988 when it was new it was a $45,000 car. Hand-stitched leather, automatic climate control, ABS... Fantastic car.
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Originally posted by clerick
Hand-stitched leather, automatic climate control, ABS
is hand stiched leather better than machine stiched leather? You can get automatic climate control and ABS on most assembly line cars.
i still want to know what Hand-built means, did the body man hammer out the fenders with a hammer and dolly from a flat sheet? And why is that better than a stamped fender?
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Originally posted by john9001
is hand stiched leather better than machine stiched leather? You can get automatic climate control and ABS on most assembly line cars.
i still want to know what Hand-built means, did the body man hammer out the fenders with a hammer and dolly from a flat sheet? And why is that better than a stamped fender?
(http://www.dontfeedthetroll.de/images/dftt.gif)
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Originally posted by Masherbrum
(http://www.dontfeedthetroll.de/images/dftt.gif)
:rofl I'm not falling for that. The answer to the craftsman versus machine question is obvious to anyone but a grumpy old troll.
(http://communitiesonline.homestead.com/files/troll_2.jpg)
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I think John meant hand-assembly, not hand-built. I trust the accuracy of CAD/CAM than human eye when it comes to building things.
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Originally posted by 1K3
I think John meant hand-assembly, not hand-built. I trust the accuracy of CAD/CAM than human eye when it comes to building things.
john was trying to hijack the thread. He failed.
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what john was trying to find out was what people mean by "hand built" and exactly why is that a WOW factor as in "my car was hand built so it is better than yours and that's why it costs more".
never mind. back to your regular program.
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Originally posted by john9001
what john was trying to find out was what people mean by "hand built" and exactly why is that a WOW factor as in "my car was hand built so it is better than yours and that's why it costs more".
never mind. back to your regular program.
I apologize, but I thought you were leading into something.
It's like clerick said john: "I have fun, practical and luxurious." The 780 built by Bertone (Fiat, etc) is "luxurious". He didn't seem to be bragging, but merely stated he had a wide range of auto's.
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Originally posted by john9001
"my car was hand built so it is better than yours and that's why it costs more"
Never said nor implied that.
There are, no doubt, members of this BBS who have cars i would love to own and lust after. Part of the reason for the post was to make the point that there is no one brand that is ultimately superior and that there is automotive pleasure to be had from numerous nameplates. I tend to prefer the unique over the mundane. Give me something to be passionate about, get me excited. "Automobile" magazine is better than Playboy to me. Most boring car i ever owned was a Ford Festiva, there was no passion in it so i created it with a little elbow grease and a Mazda transplant. After that and, to this day, it is still one of my favorite cars i have ever owned.
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Ford bemuse me. Generally speaking, its US line up sucks, whereas its European line up is pretty good. For example, new Mondeo in particular has been hailed as better than anything coming out of Germany, let down only by having a blue-oval badge rather than a propeller or three pointed star. How can it build cars generally lauded for their driving dynamics in Europe, and build such dross in the US?
Comparing the diesel VW Fox to the Prius is unfair - the Fox is not the same size as a Prius as stated - it is in fact, smaller than a Yaris. A couple of European manufacturers are getting similar mileage to the Fox out of cars that class. Of course, from a US standpoint, that's interesting but largely irrelevant as it'll be a long time until people consider buying anything that small. That said, I do believe diesels will become more and more prevalent in the US once people over here realize just how good modern diesel engines are (the perception of diesels in the US is largely the same as it was in the UK 10 years ago i.e. they are slow, noisy and smelly). If 50-state emission regulations can be met, expect to see a flood of diesels from European manufacturers.
Finally, here is the real Car of the Year, as awarded by Car magazine:
linky (http://www.fiat500.com/eng/)
Its kind of embarrassing, but I really like it...:o
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I want this diesel. :D
(http://www.allaguida.it/img/audi-r10-788879.jpg)
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Originally posted by 68Wooley
... How can it build cars generally lauded for their driving dynamics in Europe, and build such dross in the US?
They tried in the past and with one exception they all failed to appeal to the American sensibilities. Merkur, Contour and the Focus were all direct imports from Europe. With the exception of the Focus none of the others really caught on, despite being excellent cars. The focus we have now is still the old generation Focus. Europe has had he far better platform since '05 IIRC. The only way to get one here is to buy a Mazda 3 or a Volvo 40 series car.
I agree that Ford has done a poor job of brining its best cars to the American market, but in fairness i would lay a lot of that blame on the American consumer. Try taking the best selling American vehicle to Europe, and it doesn't sell well at all.
BTW, the best selling vehicle, not only in America, but the world.
(http://www.pickuptruckreview.com/includes/images/Ford_F150/FordF150Supercrew.jpg)
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Originally posted by SIG220
Sorry, but the 2004 Motor Trend Car of the Year is still best car on the market today. Nothing better has come out since.
You can read all about it here on the Motor Trend website:
http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/112_04_coy_win
And my car sure is far more affordable. Especially since Toyota lowered the price of the car last January. My car is very roomy and comfortable ( lots of room for passengers or cargo ), handles and rides like a dream, and gives me 44 mpg in city driving, and 46 mpg on the highway.
Here are some photos I have taken of it:
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/family%20friends/prius_small.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/family%20friends/prius_hatch_small.jpg)
SIG 220
So this means your the chick in the post right? :rofl
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Originally posted by GtoRA2
So this means your the chick in the post right? :rofl
No, as I clearly stated in the post, I took the photos. :) :)
Here is a photo of me with her, and her half-sister, at her home:
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/family%20friends/dianne_house.jpg)
She is 14 inches shorter than I am. But I am actually rather tall.
Her sister is a firefighter, and amazingly strong for a woman.
She is unfortunately a widow, as her husband died a horrific slow death from stomach cancer a few years ago. She has boys in the 9th and 6th grades, so she has her hands really full raising them on her own.
She is my dearest relative, and we see each other about 3 times a year. We unfortunately live almost 600 miles away from each other.
And here is a photo of my son taken a year ago at his 21st birthday party that we held at her house ( my son is in the middle of the photo ), with her two sons on each side of him. And the two girls standing behind them are her two step-daughters from her late husband's 1st marriage.
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/family%20friends/tablefamily2small.jpg)
Her husband was a much older man, and a Vietnam war veteran. He served in the Air Force. He met his first wife during the war, and brought her back home to America with him.
SIG 220