WDWFreak53, car discussion

[WDWFREAK53]

There's definitely one in the works, and I think they've confirmed they'll use a BMW engine (not sure which one, but probably the on from the new M3). I've seen spy photos but they've been HEAVILY camoed.



I don't know of many being sold now, but if we can go back a few years and use a liberal definition of "convertible", I'd have to go with the Del Sol:

What models are on the market now? Miata, Z4, Boxster, Solstice (Sky), Crossfire (discontinued), S2000 (discontinued?), 350Z . . .

Am I missing any? I'd take any one of those. I'm not real thrilled with the latest styling of the Miata, but it would still be a fun car to buzz around in.

Chevy: Corvette
Chevy: SSR (discontinued?)
Dodge: Viper
Saturn: Sky
Cadillac: XLR
Pontiac: Solstice
Toyota: MR2 Spyder (discontinued?)
Lexus: SC
Honda: S2000
BMW: Z4
Chrysler: Crossfire
Nissan: 350Z
Porsche: Boxster
Mazda: Miata
Lotus: Elise
Mercedes: SLK
Audi: TT
Smart: Fortwo

 

[garyhoov]

Chevy: Corvette
Chevy: SSR (discontinued?)
Dodge: Viper
Saturn: Sky
Cadillac: XLR
Pontiac: Solstice
Toyota: MR2 Spyder (discontinued?)
Lexus: SC
Honda: S2000
BMW: Z4
Chrysler: Crossfire
Nissan: 350Z
Porsche: Boxster
Mazda: Miata
Lotus: Elise
Mercedes: SLK
Audi: TT
Smart: Fortwo

Ahhh, good list. I did think of some of the more upscale possibilities (F430 Spyder), but didn't know if that should go on the list.

From that list, the two that annoy me most would be the SLK and Lexus - both overweight and overpriced.

I'd have fun with just about anything else on the list (though the smart and the SSR would both have limited usefulness).

I think you're showing your age a bit, because I think the MR2 has been out of production for 3 or 4 years.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Ahhh, good list. I did think of some of the more upscale possibilities (F430 Spyder), but didn't know if that should go on the list.

From that list, the two that annoy me most would be the SLK and Lexus - both overweight and overpriced.

I'd have fun with just about anything else on the list (though the smart and the SSR would both have limited usefulness).

I think you're showing your age a bit, because I don't think the MR2 has been out of production for 3 or 4 years.

:lol: Wow...really? Yeah, I guess so

Of that list I'd pick the Lexus too...that thing is not only heavy, and expensive...but it also reminds me of a Jell-O mold. ICK :lol:

For different reasons I'd go with the

Vette, Sky, Elise, 350Z, and S2000.

I'd buy another Z in a heartbeat. (especially since they just added 20hp)

 

[mkt]

Bri... 6-7 years ago I traded the salesman at Toyota of Orlando a stack of WDW and Universal Comp passes for 24 hours with an MR2.. cause I was curious.

It is underpowered, but it had a great little chassis that made it fun to drive.

now, to push the line even further.

Gary, what about a Cooper S convertible?

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Bri... 6-7 years ago I traded the salesman at Toyota of Orlando a stack of WDW and Universal Comp passes for 24 hours with an MR2.. cause I was curious.

It is underpowered, but it had a great little chassis that made it fun to drive.

now, to push the line even further.

Gary, what about a Cooper S convertible?

I actually really like the Cooper S Ragtop.

I saw one the other day that had the badging rearranged.

Instead of "COOPER S"

It said "OOP S" :lol:

I didn't include it in the list due to the fact that it's not a 2-seater.

 

[garyhoov]

I actually really like the Cooper S Ragtop.

I saw one the other day that had the badging rearranged.

Instead of "COOPER S"

It said "OOP S" :lol:

I didn't include it in the list due to the fact that it's not a 2-seater.

That's what I was thinking. I'm pretty sure the convertible version keeps the back seat.

My BMW dealer told me that they were going to be selling Minis when they moved into their new building, but they've been there for about 6 months and I haven't seen any yet. I'd like to drive one sometime, but I wish they were rear-wheel drive. Wasn't the original rear-wheel drive?

I've been hearing that it's nearly confirmed that we'll be getting the BMW 1-series coupe with the twin-turbo 335 engine. That may be something to check out.

 

[garyhoov]

. . . in fact, this is about as hot-off-the press as possible. This just popped up on the UK BMW site:

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/about/news/0,,1156___,00.html

 

[DMC-12]

As you requested - the Lotus Esprit:

The Mustang I mentioned yesterday is to the right

Niiiiiceeeee..... *humps it* :sohappy:

What? :veryconfu :lookaroun

Great condition... well taken care of. The tan interior still looks like new. Yum! :slurp: *drool*

Hmmmm its got Illinois tags.... so it must be close. Does he care to sell? :slurp:

 

[garyhoov]

Niiiiiceeeee..... *humps it* :sohappy:

What? :veryconfu :lookaroun

There goes the re-sale value.:lookaroun

 

[mkt]

Gary,

If Dodge were to release the Demon, would you consider it...

now, as for 2 seat verts, another option (laugh all you want), Smart Fortwo Cabrio :lookaroun

 

[WDWFREAK53]

now, as for 2 seat verts, another option (laugh all you want), Smart Fortwo Cabrio :lookaroun

It's on the list

Actually, now that you bring up the Cooper S...I think I'd consider a Cooper S Ragtop over the Sky or Solstice.

 

[garyhoov]

Gary,

If Dodge were to release the Demon, would you consider it...

I don't know . . .

My philosophy used to be "smaller is better", and while I still prefer low weight as the best way to improve performance - as opposed to pumping up the power and making everything larger - I have come to the realization that there is such a thing as "too small" (could be related to getting older and getting a fatter butt:lookaroun ).

In fact, now that I have a car that would give me the freedom to buy the Lotus Elise I've always wanted, I find myself leaning more toward the Porsche Cayman as being a little more practical option for the money.

To me, I think the Demon and Miata fall into the "too small" catagory. I'm still very interested and hope they produce it . . . and depending on engine choices and other details, I still might consider it . . . but I think I would prefer something a little larger like the Solstice or Sky.

On a related topic, I'm also watching BMW very closely because there are rumors that they will discontinue the Z4 and produce a smaller "Z2" and a larger "Z9". A few years ago, I would have been thrilled by the idea of a Z2, but I'm starting to think the Z4 is really closer to my ideal size.

I like the Z4 coupe, and if it is going to be discontinued, I may snap one up while they're still available.

 

[garyhoov]

For those who may not be familiar with the Demon:

 

[garyhoov]

You know, one thing that always bugged me about the Z4 is the line that runs from the door up to the edge of the front fender. That rising line gives the illusion of the car being "front-heavy", and that has always bothered me.

I like the look of the old 70's muscle cars with huge, powerful rears and relatively small front ends, and I've often thought that if they took off that line - or sloped it down instead of up - it would do wonders for the look of the car (in fact the larger back end of the coupe balances it out and looks much better).

But it's interesting that the Demon seems to have a similar line. Damn Chris Bangle! Damn Chris Bangle to hell!:fork:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I see exactly what you mean!!!

(Although, dare I say it...but the Demon pulls it off much better than the Z4...actually, I love the Z4...and that Dodge Demon blows it out of the water as far as looks go!)

 

[garyhoov]

I see exactly what you mean!!!

(Although, dare I say it...but the Demon pulls it off much better than the Z4...actually, I love the Z4...and that Dodge Demon blows it out of the water as far as looks go!)

I'd agree. Purely from a styling point of view, I'd give the Z4 a 6 out of 10 and the Demon an 8 out of 10.

My biggest problems with the Demon:

1. The back end looks too . . . Japanese.

2. The wheels are HIDEOUS (But they would be one thing likely to change for production and if not . . . there's always aftermarket - The Sky has great original equipment wheels in my opinion).

 

[garyhoov]

I just found a shot of this custom V-Rod.

I'm not a fan of cruisers, but . . .



. . . damn!

 

[garyhoov]

300 HP twin-turbo 0-62 in 5.3 seconds:

. . . but most importantly, is this a return to the idea the idea of a small, tight car that made BMW's so special in years past before they grew into oversized "luxury cars"?

 

[mkt]

It's like a new 2002

 

[garyhoov]

It's like a new 2002

That's what I was thinking. I remember a time when BMWs had a very unique personality. American cars were big and heavy with soft suspensions and big engines. Japanese cars were small and well put together, but more focused on practicality than enthusiastic driving.

BMW's were built by and for enthusiasts. They were small and simple, but with tight suspensions and responsive (though not oversized) engines and transmissions.

Now with all the in-breeding, mergers, shared suppliers, world-wide manufacturing and distribution systems, those lines seem to be blurred.

BMW has certainly done well with the direction they've gone, but they don't really remind me of the cars I fell in love with all those years ago.

My 3 series is fine car . . . I suppose. It generally goes where I point it, but I've really grown to hate the size of it and the sense of isolation from the road I get in it. It's actually the largest, softest, quietest car I've ever owned.

It'll be interesting to see how this car will be recieved. To me, it's the perfect car to re-capture some of BMW's heritage. . . though I wonder if people will miss all that and just see it as a "cheap" BMW for people who "can't afford a real BMW". Unfortunately, I think there may be a lot of that.