WDWFreak53, car discussion

[WDWFREAK53]

But how many people buy 40k chevy CARS? Corvettes - which don't even really count as chevy as the the car gets total white glove handling from the rest of the products.

My point was you take a company like Chevy - with resources out the wahzoo - and they can't come up with a product that is that much better then the no-names?

In Europe there are pure electric cars today - they are quite common in Norway - with cars from Think and the Buddy

Everyone is on about commuting - so why is Chevy building such a big car as if its a regular car, but with only commuting performance? Why take the two different aspects and make a car that doesn't fit either market well?

Small electric-only commuting cars are not new. Everytime someone talks about cost savings - they are always talking about commuting. So why aren't we just taking these small commuting cars and making them better? Why did Chevy go the idea of reinventing the wheel rather then improving it.



Except a hybrid premium is only about 5-7k in many cases... here we are talking a 20k premium.



So you paid 20k dollars to get 4k back. Where can I send you my bank account information... I'll happily help you get that 4k savings today




I'll still take the offer... 7k for me.. sweet!

I don't get it. As stated above, they are trying to get help by the government to keep the cost of the vehicle down for the consumer.

Going all electric in this country is not the way to go. Many commuters don't just use their vehicle for commutes but also for traveling. Not being able to go anywhere on a "whim" because you're charging your car is not really convenient. What they need to do, prior to going all-electric, is come up with a uniformed battery that all manufacturers would use so that if you wanted, you could pull into a station, and they could just plug/play a charged battery into your car. (So you could go on those long road trips and not worry about your car dying on the side of the road).

Until they do this, you will not see "all-electric" take off like the ICE did.

 

[flynnibus]

I don't get it. As stated above, they are trying to get help by the government to keep the cost of the vehicle down for the consumer.

'trying' and even still the numbers being thrown around now (7k) the car still comes at a huge premium.

Going all electric in this country is not the way to go. Many commuters don't just use their vehicle for commutes but also for traveling. Not being able to go anywhere on a "whim" because you're charging your car is not really convenient.

Herein lies the flaw in most American's way of looking at cars. Why do I need one car that does it all? Do you only have one pair of shoes? Or one pair of pants? No you have multiples because the tasks are specialized.

If you built smaller, task oriented cars, it wouldn't be such a big deal to have just a commuter car. Many households have multiple cars already - you don't necessarily use your commuter car to go pickup concrete a home depot.

If the cars are cheap and practical - they can be specialized and justified to be purchased for just that use.

If you just made everyone's commuter car more efficent - just think what that would do to emmissions and gas consumption. Just look at Rush Hour vs the rest of the day. If you made a huge dent in Rush Hour vehicles, you'd be so far ahead.


This is where I see the flaw with the Volt. It has commuter-only range, yet it tries to be trimmed like a multi-purpose car. The multipurpose aspects make it bigger, hurting its actual commuter performance and cost. It's a jack of all trades and master of none!

 

[garyhoov]

Herein lies the flaw in most American's way of looking at cars. Why do I need one car that does it all? Do you only have one pair of shoes? Or one pair of pants? No you have multiples because the tasks are specialized.

Shoes don't cost $30,000 +. Shoes don't require insurance, maintenance, garage space etc. etc. etc.

Americans are wasteful enough without buying multiple cars.

90% of Americans will never consider buying multiple cars just to do different things and 99% of people in other countries won't consider that.

People with enough money and/or true enthusiasts may consider that, but that's always going to be a very small percentage of the buying public.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

'trying' and even still the numbers being thrown around now (7k) the car still comes at a huge premium.



Herein lies the flaw in most American's way of looking at cars. Why do I need one car that does it all? Do you only have one pair of shoes? Or one pair of pants? No you have multiples because the tasks are specialized.

If you built smaller, task oriented cars, it wouldn't be such a big deal to have just a commuter car. Many households have multiple cars already - you don't necessarily use your commuter car to go pickup concrete a home depot.

If the cars are cheap and practical - they can be specialized and justified to be purchased for just that use.

If you just made everyone's commuter car more efficent - just think what that would do to emmissions and gas consumption. Just look at Rush Hour vs the rest of the day. If you made a huge dent in Rush Hour vehicles, you'd be so far ahead.


This is where I see the flaw with the Volt. It has commuter-only range, yet it tries to be trimmed like a multi-purpose car. The multipurpose aspects make it bigger, hurting its actual commuter performance and cost. It's a jack of all trades and master of none!

So now the average household has one truck, two commuter cars, and a car that can go on the road-trips.

How is it more cost-effective to buy 4 vehicles rather than just buying 2?

Like Gary said, $30,000 average per vehicle...+ insurance, + maintenance, + real estate, + registration fees, + taxes, + normal running costs.

Why not have a hybrid vehicle that does it all? My Avalanche is perfect for me, I can go to Home Depot with no problem, it seats 5 very comfortably, it's a smooth ride that I can go on roadtrips with. It only gets 20mpg though. (which is still decent for its size). Why not just improve on this vehicle so the consumer only needs 1 vehicle rather than 3?

EDIT: Sure it may not be a hellion on the track, or be able to go mudbogging with the best of them, or haul 50,000lbs, but those that want to do that will already buy their 2nd or 3rd vehicles...the majority of people don't care about that.

 

[flynnibus]

Shoes don't cost $30,000 +. Shoes don't require insurance, maintenance, garage space etc. etc. etc.

Small specialized vehicles don't have to cost that much. That's the point - don't build a full sized, full priced car if all its going to do it shuttle you back and forth. The cars like the buddy can actually park to the curb like a motorcycle does.

Most people that have motorbikes also have a car or truck. Think of what i'm saying as if it were a motorcycle.

Americans are wasteful enough without buying multiple cars.

90% of Americans will never consider buying multiple cars just to do different things and 99% of people in other countries won't consider that.

So who are the people buying motorcycles in this country? The 1%??

People with enough money and/or true enthusiasts may consider that, but that's always going to be a very small percentage of the buying public.

Most people shelling out for a prius today are buying it as an extra car - certainly everyone I know and have spoken to. So why buy a 25k Prius when you could buy a much cheaper car that did the same task you bought the Prius for?

So now the average household has one truck, two commuter cars, and a car that can go on the road-trips. How is it more cost-effective to buy 4 vehicles rather than just buying 2?

Apply your own rules to yourself. Is the person buying a volt going to replace all their cars with it? No

Like Gary said, $30,000 average per vehicle...+ insurance, + maintenance, + real estate, + registration fees, + taxes, + normal running costs.

I've bought 6 cars in my life. Only 2 have cost more then 20k.

Why not have a hybrid vehicle that does it all? My Avalanche is perfect for me, I can go to Home Depot with no problem, it seats 5 very comfortably, it's a smooth ride that I can go on roadtrips with. It only gets 20mpg though.

Because its not possible to have one type of vehicle that 'does it all'. You must compromise. You've compromised fuel economy and cost to get the things you've wanted in your truck.

If your household already has 2 cars - are you saying you should never buy a motorcycle? or a 'toy' car?

My point is... if you want a commuter car - buy a commuter car.

Reality is America is full of idiots. Like a coworker who moved from 10miles from the office to over 45miles away which is over a 60min commute. Who then proceeded to buy a huge F350-type truck - which he used to drive to work every day. Complete f-ing idiot. After about 18 months he finally sold the truck and bought a Mazda3. Meanwhile he blew through so much money in gas and then ended up upside-down on the truck because he couldn't get any good money on selling it because no one wants a big gas guzzler now.

 

[garyhoov]

The "Ring War" is starting to get interesting. Some of you probably saw the GT-R got some press a couple months ago with a 7:29:

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/gt-r-drops-ring-time-down-to-7-29/

And since then there have been some reports of Acura NSX mules lapping in the 7:30- 7:40 range with the claimed intention to beat the GT-R.

Now the Corvette ZR-1 did it in 7:26:

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/gauntlet-thrown-corvette-zr1-laps-the-ring-in-7-26-4/

It will be interesting to see how ring standards - like Porsche - respond. Will they get into it and try to top the young guns, or will they play it cool.

I expect publicly they'll be playing it cool, but behind the scenes they'll be scrambling to get some top drivers and well prepped machines to "casually" go out and put down some better times.

 

[mkt]

Gary!!


watch these:

http://www.viddler.com/simple/d25fc406/

http://www.viddler.com/simple/7d92736/

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Basically proof that the C7 Corvette is in Transformers.

*drools all over keyboard*

The C7 just skyrocketed to the top of the list for me as far as 'Vettes go.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Also,

Official Camaro Production pictures!!!

Well, come November 2009...I will have a convertible Camaro. (3700lb SS model with 416hp) That's significantly lighter than the 4200lb Challenger!

The V6 will get 296hp. That's just shy of the GT Mustang! (Can you tell I'm excited? :lol: )

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5171

 

[WDWFREAK53]

It's officially official :lol:

http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro/

Now...Inferno Orange or Red Jewel? The tough decisions in life :lol:

(BTW, This is how it should be done...from Concept to Production. Unless you really are nitpicking...you can't notice many significant changes...unlike the Mustang where the entire rear end was changed...as were the headlights.)

 

[TowerOfTerror]

The instrument panel on this car is hideous! :hurl:

Everything else looks great though.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

The instrument panel on this car is hideous! :hurl:

Everything else looks great though.

Do you mean the gauges or the center stack?

I'm not impressed with the center stack...I would've preferred a more "dual-cockpit" design. I do, however, LOVE the gauges and information center.

Oh, I also really like the retro gauges near the shifter.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

SS V8 - 422hp
V6- 300hp

Not too shabby.

 

[TowerOfTerror]

Do you mean the gauges or the center stack?

Definitely the center stack. It seems to be missing the flow of the rest of the interior.

Any quesses on what the prices will run you on this vehicle ?

 

[flynnibus]

where are interior photos of the production model?

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Definitely the center stack. It seems to be missing the flow of the rest of the interior.

Any quesses on what the prices will run you on this vehicle ?

I completely agree with you...they dropped the ball with that stereo design.

They said that prices would be slightly higher than the Mustang. (By slightly, about $1000 per model.)

 

[WDWFREAK53]

where are interior photos of the production model?

There is a video of it...called "Ignition Start."

Yes, it's a CGI rendering...but it's of the production model and it shows off the HUD (Heads Up Display) as well as the cool "ambient" lighting feature.

The first link I posted had shots of the interior as well as the exterior.

 

[DMC-12]

Random rant

Ok..so I was out and about today running a crap ton of errands I needed to run... and out of no where comes this in a smartcar... and he is dead on my @$$... and wont back off.. and he continues to ride my bumper for the next few miles until I make my turn. I thought "Oh.. how cute... they are giving go-carts license plates now, and making them legal to drive on the 'big boy' streets".

Seriously though he got me so mad... I was so tempted to E-Brake the Caddy, or severely downshift at least :lol::lookaroun... and make this jerk eat my bumper/trunk. Word to the wise... if you drive a smartcar... don’t tailgate anyone. I guess that would apply to any vehicle really... but this smartcar just drove me up a wall, and for a split second.. I did not care if he would have eaten my bumper for breakfast. For a guy driving a 'smart'car... he sure was a dumb @$$ :lol::lookaroun

/random rant.

 

[mkt]

So Jer... I shouldn't mention that I put a deposit on a smart?

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Random rant

Ok..so I was out and about today running a crap ton of errands I needed to run... and out of no where comes this in a smartcar... and he is dead on my @$$... and wont back off.. and he continues to ride my bumper for the next few miles until I make my turn. I thought "Oh.. how cute... they are giving go-carts license plates now, and making them legal to drive on the 'big boy' streets".

Seriously though he got me so mad... I was so tempted to E-Brake the Caddy, or severely downshift at least :lol::lookaroun... and make this jerk eat my bumper/trunk. Word to the wise... if you drive a smartcar... don’t tailgate anyone. I guess that would apply to any vehicle really... but this smartcar just drove me up a wall, and for a split second.. I did not care if he would have eaten my bumper for breakfast. For a guy driving a 'smart'car... he sure was a dumb @$$ :lol::lookaroun

/random rant.

Jer, maybe he was drafting :lol: