Cars and Other Driving Machines

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by baltassoc
I did once squeeze into the back "seat" of a partner's 911. It was very unpleasant.

There are some things I simply would not do to make partner.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by pony_trekker
Dude, I fuck in the front seat. I put the chicks who wanna watch in the back. However, I prefer them to be over 11, so nead a real back seat.

Yeah, I forgot the harem needs. Just get a suburban, and the whole posse can watch. Ask Bilmore how it works.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by baltassoc
I did once squeeze into the back "seat" of a partner's 911. It was very unpleasant. Porsche should just drop the pretense, for the health and welfare of young associates and junior vice presidents everywhere.

I've ridden in a older 911 (maybe a 72? 73?) that didn't seem so small, but then again, I wasn't back in the back.

A back seat lowers insurance rates as well, though I am not sure how much lower that actually is in the context of a 911.

[Alex_de_Large]

TopGear reviews the new Lotus Exige. Holy crap. That is seriously some of the most surreal video I've ever seen.



The track time is freaking unbelievable.

spree: videos from from British motoring tv show, nothing offensive.

ETA: I can't stop watching these videos. PURE AUTOMOTIVE PORN.

[Alex_de_Large]

If you liked the Top gear videos, www.sleepy-fish.com has a bunch more. This guy appears to be a TVR fan (he has a nice Tuscan), but under "Other Cars" there are many more non-TVR vids.

Definitely worth a look.

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Finalized everything on the Z4 about two weeks ago, and they called me today to tell me that it arrives around May 20 or so.

Picked it up yesterday. Drove it for about two hours last night learning the SMG better. I love it. It really pulls hard from a roll, and you can really feel the electronic stability systems, traction control and similar systems working in corners if you try to give it hard throttle at the wrong time. The exhaust note is great through Hubbard's Cave.

I can't wait for a little more true summer weather to enjoy it more with the top down.

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Picked it up yesterday. Drove it for about two hours last night learning the SMG better. I love it. It really pulls hard from a roll, and you can really feel the electronic stability systems, traction control and similar systems working in corners if you try to give it hard throttle at the wrong time. The exhaust note is great through Hubbard's Cave.

I can't wait for a little more true summer weather to enjoy it more with the top down.

Must . . . post . . . pictures,

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by pony_trekker
Must . . . post . . . pictures,

Please send your avatar over. She can go for a ride, and then we'll post pictures.

Who is that, by the way?

Anyway, the color scheme is toledo blue, black top, extended black high performance leather, aluminum trim. Looks divine. The navigation works well.

[Atticus Grinch]

Porsche drivers disproportionately prone to infidelity.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Anyway, the color scheme is toledo blue, black top, extended black high performance leather, aluminum trim. Looks divine. The navigation works well.

We got silver one as a loaner the other night with SMG and beat the crap out of it. Had some fun. It seemed to want to downshift 2 gears - but once it did, the slip control kicked in a couple because the car wanted to take off.

One thing to look out for, the nose is very close to the pavement and pulling into our driveway (minimal slope) we scraped the rubber air dam underneath. Most Z4s on the road have scraped noses if you look. So watch the driveways - I don't want to see any scrapes on your new car. And no door dings either - that looks tacky.

Any way - good color choice. You're going to have some fun this summer.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
TopGear reviews the new Lotus Exige. Holy crap. That is seriously some of the most surreal video I've ever seen.



The track time is freaking unbelievable.

spree: videos from from British motoring tv show, nothing offensive.

ETA: I can't stop watching these videos. PURE AUTOMOTIVE PORN.

That ain't a bad ride for $40k. A Lotus for 40g. Nuts. Aston Martin is putting out some $100k ride and Bentley's doing a $120k four door. I wonder if these guys are going to dent BMW/Benz...

They put a fucking Maybach dealership in Devon. Who the fuck buys those monsters around here?

[Alex_de_Large]

The new 5er touring.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
The new 5er touring.

Much less objectionable than the sedan, although I really wish they'd do away with those wraparound headlights.

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
I wonder if [Lotus is] going to dent BMW/Benz...

I doubt it. I would like to drive the Lotus, but the articles and videos suggest it's:

(a) so tiny as to make you seriously consider whether you would ever feel safe in it. It weighs 1900 pounds. That's less than a third, I think, of an H2, and about half of a convertible A4. That's really light. I wholeheartedly subscribe to a licensure, insurance and registration system that better reflects the true costs of people driving massive cars. In such a system, Exige drivers shoule get money back. Either way, it seems scarily small, and it's...

(b) apparently really spartan. Bare sheet metal on the inside of the doors. One of the things I really, really like about my Z4 is how supple the leather is. Even the dash feels great. I can't stop touching it. It reminds me of the first time I was in new Volkswagen (probably A4). I couldn't believe how far the interiors had come over the A3s. Even with great performance, $41k is a lot to pay for a car with 190 hp and a spartan interior. Especially when the competitors in that category are (all with worse power to weight ratios, but whatever) SLK, S2000, Z4 and others with pretty snazzy fit and finish.

I think it will only get boy racers as an only car. It might make a good second car for weekend trackers or real enthusiasts. Maybe there will be a touring edition with a slightly more powerful engine and 300 lbs of amenities...

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by mmm3587
I doubt it. I would like to drive the Lotus, but the articles and videos suggest it's:

(a) so tiny as to make you seriously consider whether you would ever feel safe in it. It weighs 1900 pounds. That's less than a third, I think, of an H2, and about half of a convertible A4. That's really light. I wholeheartedly subscribe to a licensure, insurance and registration system that better reflects the true costs of people driving massive cars. In such a system, Exige drivers shoule get money back. Either way, it seems scarily small, and it's...

(b) apparently really spartan. Bare sheet metal on the inside of the doors. One of the things I really, really like about my Z4 is how supple the leather is. Even the dash feels great. I can't stop touching it. It reminds me of the first time I was in new Volkswagen (probably A4). I couldn't believe how far the interiors had come over the A3s. Even with great performance, $41k is a lot to pay for a car with 190 hp and a spartan interior. Especially when the competitors in that category are (all with worse power to weight ratios, but whatever) SLK, S2000, Z4 and others with pretty snazzy fit and finish.

I think it will only get boy racers as an only car. It might make a good second car for weekend trackers or real enthusiasts. Maybe there will be a touring edition with a slightly more powerful engine and 300 lbs of amenities...

True, I guess that Lotus would be tremendously unsafe on this side of the water.

That said, I'd grab it in a heartbeat over an SLK. Those things look like modified golf cart versions of 90s era 500 SLs. And Benz is beginning to put out shlocky product. I was in a new E class over the weekend and was really unimpressed. Looks like Chrysler is wearing off on Benz. If I should go the German route someday, I will go with the BMW. You're right. They just feel more solid and better made. Of course, the old Benzes did as well.

What was the reason you chose the Z4 over the standard 3 series convertible? The prices are about the same, no? What does a Z do that the standard BMW doesn't, or vice versa? I never fully understood the difference between the lines, other than the fact that one's a roadster and one isn't.