Cars and Other Driving Machines

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Be careful. I'm not sure that the mid-80s coupe/quattro you posted above compares favorably to that one. :box:

I prefer the quattro design, what can I say? Still, the 2002 is hot, even with that body kit.

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) (Although you're missing the Audi 5000 up there, which was a revolutionary design, subsequently copied and made revolutionary, in a non-accidental-acceleration way, by the Ford Taurus)

I don't much like the sedan:



Though I do like the wagon:

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) At least both Audi and BMW produce something that mercedes does not (in the U.S.): cars with a stick shift. Fuckin' chrysler.:bang:

I believe you can now get the entire C-class with a stick, save for the M32 AMG.

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
May I offer you something in a 2002, perhaps?

My teenage dream car was a 2002 tii. I got to drive one once, sadly, out of my price range. But what a great car....anyone else remember these?

[Seven of Nine]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
May I offer you something in a 2002, perhaps?

Lol. You know, the Borg love boxy vehicles.

But personally, I would choose something like the projected new 'Vette:



You know, 500 HP, two seats, and a convertible top don't leave much to be desired.

Seven

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Seven of Nine

Lol. You know, the Borg love boxy vehicles.

But personally, I would choose something like the projected new 'Vette:
You know, 500 HP, two seats, and a convertible top don't leave much to be desired.

Seven

What good is 500 bhp if the door handles come off in your hand and the car rattles a maraca after 5000 miles?

No thanks. I know the more recent Corvettes are a big step forward for GM, but their build quality still leaves much to be desired.

edit: spelling

[mmm3587]

I believe you can now get the entire C-class with a stick, save for the M32 AMG.

Ah, yes, the "I've got to buy my spoiled kid a Mercedes, because I promised it to him/her if he/she got into Harvard/Northwestern/Tulane law/business/medical school" C class. And what's with the AMG being unavailable in a stick? I like BMW's method of selling M-cars with only stick shifts, although I guess you can get the E46 M3 with the clutchless SMG, but it's still a real manual, I think without a fully automatic mode.

I can't stand the way Mercedes are generally sold/driven/admired by the image oriented. I'll bet most Mercedes drivers don't know anything about their cars except how much they cost and how they turn heads. Pathetic.

I don't really get people buying a $30,000-$35,000 Mercedes/BMW/Jaguar anyway. Just spend the same money and get a nicer car with 10-20,000 miles on it. Of course, buying a nicer car and saving money by letting someone else take the depreciation hit doesn't fit into the "image" sometimes.

[Seven of Nine]

Originally posted by mmm3587

I don't really get people buying a $30,000-$35,000 Mercedes/BMW/Jaguar anyway. Just spend the same money and get a nicer car with 10-20,000 miles on it. Of course, buying a nicer car and saving money by letting someone else take the depreciation hit doesn't fit into the "image" sometimes.

Well, there is a certain value added when you can be certain that a giant executive lard-arse hasn't been pumping your seats with Big Mac grease, starbucks frappe, and his own miasmal butt gas for oh-say 500 to 800 hours (depending on his average speed and mileage).

Tell you what, the next time you go to buy a used car, mimic your dog and sniff the seat before you sit. Then, you'll know why people buy new cars.

Seven

[ms. naughty diplomat]

am i the only one who thinks that the audi tt kind of looks like a squashed new beetle???

and speaking of new beetles, does anyone have an opinion on what would be a better cute little car to run around town in - a new beetle cabriolet or a new mini? looking cute and quality of build are more important to me than performance.

ms. naughty diplomat

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by ms. naughty diplomat
am i the only one who thinks that the audi tt kind of looks like a squashed new beetle???

and speaking of new beetles, does anyone have an opinion on what would be a better cute little car to run around town in - a new beetle cabriolet or a new mini? looking cute and quality of build are more important to me than performance.

ms. naughty diplomat

That is a tough choice. I think that the mini is cuter. However until there is a convertible mini, I would go with the Beetle as being a more fun cruise around car (depending on the climate that you are discussing, of course). Both should have ggod quality of build...

I've been thinking of getting a fun little car (by that I mean fun for weekends, as compared to my "fun" weekday audi A4). It would have to be cheaper than a new car though and it would have to be convertible, as it is purely for entertainment. Has anyone bought a restored classic convertible? I'm thinking along the lines of a VW (beetle/kharmangia) or alfa romeo (circa 1980s).

Probably will never do it, but its nice to think about...

n(almost bought a classic bug convertible in the early 90s, but my VW guru told me that it had been restored for shit, which was kind of funny because the owner who restored it stood there and argued with the guy)cs

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive However until there is a convertible mini...

A convertible Mini...

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
A convertible Mini...

I don't know how they did it, but somehow that looks even smaller than the coupe version.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I don't know how they did it, but somehow that looks even smaller than the coupe version.

Is that really a problem, though? There are scores of small cars available in Europe that I would seriously consider if sold here (the S3 being on the top of that list). I will never understand the "bigger is better" dynamic driving auto sales and design in this country.

I think the drop-top mini looks hot, though I hope it doesn't carry much of a weight penalty.

[greatwhitenorthchick]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I disagree. Although Bangle gets slammed by much of the automotive press (and on many car-related boards) I LOVE his designs. the Z4 and the new 7er are brilliant and daring, and I think the new 5er continues that tradition.

Can't wait to see what he does with the 3er.

edit: fixed code

I never post on this board and know little about cars except what I like to look at and drive, but anyway, we just got a Z4. It's sweet to drive.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
I never post on this board and know little about cars except what I like to look at and drive, but anyway, we just got a Z4. It's sweet to drive.

Which engine? Color (if not outable)? Sweet car, GWINKY.

[greatwhitenorthchick]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Which engine? Color (if not outable)? Sweet car, GWINKY.

I don't think it's outable. It's silver. It's the Z4 3.0i, which I think has the same engine as the 330i sedan. It's six speed manual transmission (and the gears shift as if you were moving a hot knife through butter - it really feels good). We got the sport package, which makes it very responsive - I am still getting used to that.

(we drove a shitbox for a long time, so any upgrade would have been nice, but this one is very nice).

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
I don't think it's outable. It's silver. It's the Z4 3.0i, which I think has the same engine as the 330i sedan. It's six speed manual transmission (and the gears shift as if you were moving a hot knife through butter - it really feels good). We got the sport package, which makes it very responsive - I am still getting used to that.

(we drove a shitbox for a long time, so any upgrade would have been nice, but this one is very nice).

Wow, terrific car. You're right, silver is in no way outable... Enjoy!