Cars and Other Driving Machines

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I have to disagree. I think that the 2004 SL is amazing. I realize that it is all subjective, but the side grills and the chrome look terrific, in my view. Plus, the technology in that car boggles the mind. Also, they finally gave it a glass rear window. The previous gen SL with it's little plastic rear window was an insult, in my view.

I could use a SL55 AMG with the panorama glass roof as my daily driver. Sure I could. Only $120k...

As to appearance, that's a matter of taste. As to performance, I didn't say it wasn't a GOOD car. Lord, I couldn't say that in a million years.

The cat I buy my rides from tells me that the 600SL is a better ride than the SL55. You can't go wrong with either one, but he claims the 600 is the better ride. Keep that in mind when you're choosing between the two.

They're almost done building the Maybach showroom down the road apiece from me. I plan to wear a monacle, top hat and tails over when it opens and see if they'll give me a test drive.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
I plan to wear a monacle, top hat and tails over when it opens and see if they'll give me a test drive.

Dude. You don't test drive one. You get a test ride. No one who buys a maybach actually drives it. Bring your chauffeur.

As for the MB--it's lacking in one important respect. Slushie only.

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
As to appearance, that's a matter of taste. As to performance, I didn't say it wasn't a GOOD car. Lord, I couldn't say that in a million years.

The cat I buy my rides from tells me that the 600SL is a better ride than the SL55. You can't go wrong with either one, but he claims the 600 is the better ride. Keep that in mind when you're choosing between the two.

They're almost done building the Maybach showroom down the road apiece from me. I plan to wear a monacle, top hat and tails over when it opens and see if they'll give me a test drive.

SL 55 is a sweeet ride.

[Alex_de_Large]

I seem to remember someone here strongly endorsing the BMW Ultimate Experience. I just got my invitation and signed up for Auto-x and a spin in a Z4 with SMG. Can't wait.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I seem to remember someone here strongly endorsing the BMW Ultimate Experience. I just got my invitation and signed up for Auto-x and a spin in a Z4 with SMG. Can't wait.

I was keyed up to do the ultimate drive for breast cancer in a 545 with manual and a 530 with SMG. But some assjack strippied the clutch in the 545 (well, I assume, they just told me it was "taken out of service and unavailable"). I didn't bother to show.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I seem to remember someone here strongly endorsing the BMW Ultimate Experience. I just got my invitation and signed up for Auto-x and a spin in a Z4 with SMG. Can't wait.

If you get the chance to do the Porsche Ultimate Experience - dude you would love it. You get to absolutely thrash a Turbo on a closed track. For free.

But yes - do the BMW - yet another opportunity to thrash a car that you don't have to worry about buying tires/brakes/clutch for.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
If you get the chance to do the Porsche Ultimate Experience - dude you would love it. You get to absolutely thrash a Turbo on a closed track. For free.

But yes - do the BMW - yet another opportunity to thrash a car that you don't have to worry about buying tires/brakes/clutch for.

I am a little bummed that the auto-x is in a X3, but hey, I can thrash that. I assume that it will have the sport pack. I am also really looking forward to the Z4 with SMG. How do they do this, logistically? Does everyone assigned to a specific timeslot wimply wait in line for a turn in the car?

[taxwonk]

Thoughts?

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by taxwonk
Thoughts?

I like the looks, and I like the fact that it is essentially a previous-gen E-Class under the skin, with a Chrysler engine. I reserve my judgment on the interior until I've driven one.

One thing is for sure: DCX is selling a SHITLOAD of them.

Pic to keep things interesting:

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by taxwonk
Thoughts?

(1) It's a Chrysler. Accordingly, I won't be buying one, for the same reason Willie Brown said "no thanks" to a government-issue car when he was elected mayor: "My body would reject a Plymouth." However, there are aspects of Chrysler's styling over the past ten years that I think look kind of cool --- the '30s art deco accents on the grilles of the Seabring, PT Cruiser, and even the minivan. The family looks alike, distinctive, and cool. Whoever is doing their styling is earning his money. I commend them on their boldness. I think Mazda is also doing pretty well in the "meh car, but coolly styled" department.

(2) That said, this particular car looks like a brute --- heavy-looking body, but almost cartoonishly so, like somebody sat on the roof of a Rolls and squished it down. The thing looks like it's heavily armored for something --- the superstructure looks more like a gun turret than anything else.

(3) WTF is a Hemi, and why am I supposed to be impressed? I'm asking seriously.

(4) It's a big car for its entry-level price. I might make a teenager drive one* --- there's no way you could lose a game of chicken in this thing.

*Edit to clarify: I mean a well-used one, when my kids reach their driving years, 15-20 years from now. I wouldn't give a kid a new $25K car, as I find it morally objectionable.

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I am a little bummed that the auto-x is in a X3, but hey, I can thrash that. I assume that it will have the sport pack. I am also really looking forward to the Z4 with SMG. How do they do this, logistically? Does everyone assigned to a specific timeslot wimply wait in line for a turn in the car?

Last time around, I signed up for Z4 SMG, 545 6M and the autocross. Autocross was on a Saturday, and I had to miss it. Z4 and 545 were on a Sunday. 545 (as someone else here mentioned) had been trashed by someone who couldn't drive a stick, and was unavailable. Z4 had an automatic instead of the SMG, which sucked. They give you a predefined course and record your mileage in and out. I imagine you could go somewhere else and just equal the total mileage, but I didn't fuck with them and just did the proscribed course. It was all pretty low speed, too, and I never got above 45 or so.

I asked them if I could do the autocross, and they had space. IT was fun during the driving portion, but the classroom portion was kind of boring. The info might be useful to a first-timer (weight distribution, apex, etc.), but I found it pretty basic. I don't think the X3 had the sport package (it might have had performance, though), but a lot of the cars had upgraded tires. It was a lot of fun. It will make you want to get involved with regular autocross...

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I am a little bummed that the auto-x is in a X3, but hey, I can thrash that. I assume that it will have the sport pack. I am also really looking forward to the Z4 with SMG. How do they do this, logistically? Does everyone assigned to a specific timeslot wimply wait in line for a turn in the car?

Typically they don't invite that many people. So you won't be there with the general public. Second there will be several cars. You won't get to drive too long, but you will get several chances in each car.

And Atticus - we had the hemi discussion a couple of months ago. Please scroll back.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Typically they don't invite that many people. So you won't be there with the general public. Second there will be several cars. You won't get to drive too long, but you will get several chances in each car.

And Atticus - we had the hemi discussion a couple of months ago. Please scroll back.

Cool, thanks for the input, everyone. I will be sure and post reviews with pics, if possible.

[dc_chef]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I like the looks, and I like the fact that it is essentially a previous-gen E-Class under the skin, with a Chrysler engine. I reserve my judgment on the interior until I've driven one.

One thing is for sure: DCX is selling a SHITLOAD of them.

Pic to keep things interesting:

I like the style of it and the fact that it offers a V8. Add in a manual transmission, and I'd be sold.

BTW, I read somewhere that Snoop Dogg called the head of Chrysler to tell him (the Chrysler person) that he wanted one.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by dc_chef
I like the style of it and the fact that it offers a V8. Add in a manual transmission, and I'd be sold.

BTW, I read somewhere that Snoop Dogg called the head of Chrysler to tell him (the Chrysler person) that he wanted one.

Well, that does it. If the Snoop Dogg wants one, then I'm there, baby.