WDWFreak53, car discussion

[garyhoov]

I'm still waiting to hear some stats on what the new engine plus chassis mods results in the 370z.

I am underwelmed with the new body styling. I think the fingers in the lights are ugly.. and the curved front looks like a tiberon to me. I think the GTR window and roof line look decent, but I'm not really wowed.

I'm disappointed that the 'hundreds of pounds' of weight drop really look to be about 100-150lbs. Tho I wasn''t expecting much given the car's price point. Lightweight doesn't tend to be cheap.

I am glad they fought the luxury bloat and the car remains a good balance. The new door treatments should help with some of the interior complaints.

Tho this claim of dynamic weight balence perplexes me as an engineer. How can your weight balance change in a turn when the weight distribution we are talking about is front to back... and its a function of mass..

I prefer the looks to the outgoing model, but I am disappointed with the lack of any real weight loss and the "more power" approach.

I would rather sacrifice some of the power for weight savings and get the thing under 3000 lbs. I just can't see any justification for calling any car over 3000 lbs a "Sports Car" . . . but, unfortunately, our options for true sports cars are becoming more and more limited as the weights of cars seem to continue to grow with each new model release.

Maybe that's the real point of the Z - not that they were able to lose any substantial weight, but at least they avoided adding another 300 lbs.:shrug:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Gary,

It has to do with the safety regulations. Years ago, the safety regulations weren't nearly as strict as they are now. Safety = Weight.

Don't blame the manufacturers/designers...blame the governments for the regulations placed on the vehicles.

 

[DMC-12]

New England International Auto Show is this weekend.

Anybody want pics of anything special?

I'm pretty sure the 370Z will be there. (I'm hoping the Camaro is :slurp: and the G37 Convertible)

CTS coupe... if its there. :wave:

CTS Wagon maybe to....lol

 

[garyhoov]

Gary,

It has to do with the safety regulations. Years ago, the safety regulations weren't nearly as strict as they are now. Safety = Weight.

Don't blame the manufacturers/designers...blame the governments for the regulations placed on the vehicles.

Yeah, I'm sure that's part of it, but are the safety regulations really that different now than they were for the original 350Z?:shrug:

I mean couldn't they find some way to knock some weight off and still meet all the safety requirements?

I think part of the problem with the 370Z is that all the buzz was about them reducing weight and it clearly is a physically smaller car yet the weight is almost identical to the 350Z.

If GM is still around by the time I'm seriously looking, I may have to go with the Solstice Coupe.

. . . My Porsche dealer has some really good deals on the '08's . . . I just feel guilty with that sort of conspicuous consumption these days.:shrug:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Yeah, I'm sure that's part of it, but are the safety regulations really that different now than they were for the original 350Z?:shrug:

I mean couldn't they find some way to knock some weight off and still meet all the safety requirements?

I think part of the problem with the 370Z is that all the buzz was about them reducing weight and it clearly is a physically smaller car yet the weight is almost identical to the 350Z.

If GM is still around by the time I'm seriously looking, I may have to go with the Solstice Coupe.

. . . My Porsche dealer has some really good deals on the '08's . . . I just feel guilty with that sort of conspicuous consumption these days.:shrug:

No, the safety regulations were basically the same...which is why the 350 was a little heavy too.

Don't forget that those precious amenities add weight too. (Radio, leather power heated seats, nav systems, power everything, AC, etc.) If you remove all of that...and want a bare-bones minimum car...it could probably get down to the weight of "yesteryear." (But, now to get rid of the steel reinforcing in the doors :lol: )

You could go "Z06" and pull and all aluminum system with no steel and it would DEFINITELY lose the weight...but then your price would skyrocket. There is a happy medium that is being met.

Nobody is happy, but nobody thinks any of it is unacceptable either :lol:

A little lighter (most likely, the best they could do)...with a touch more power...and the price is very competitive.

 

[garyhoov]

No, the safety regulations were basically the same...which is why the 350 was a little heavy too.

Don't forget that those precious amenities add weight too. (Radio, leather power heated seats, nav systems, power everything, AC, etc.) If you remove all of that...and want a bare-bones minimum car...it could probably get down to the weight of "yesteryear." (But, now to get rid of the steel reinforcing in the doors :lol: )

You could go "Z06" and pull and all aluminum system with no steel and it would DEFINITELY lose the weight...but then your price would skyrocket. There is a happy medium that is being met.

Nobody is happy, but nobody thinks any of it is unacceptable either :lol:

A little lighter (most likely, the best they could do)...with a touch more power...and the price is very competitive.

Bang for the buck looks very good. It'll be interesting to see how it matches up with a Cayman. I'd say on the tightest tracks, the Cayman will be able to beat it, but on tracks with some longer straights, the Z should be able to take advantage of its better power.

I can't think of many (if any) other cars that should be able to hit the Z's performance/price ratio.

 

[DMC-12]

Now that I've looked at this pic a few times...

*curls nose*

I dont like it.... it looks like a squished, rebadged Hyundai Tiburon. :lol: :shrug: IMO.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Now that I've looked at this pic a few times...

*curls nose*

I dont like it.... it looks like a squished, rebadged Hyundai Tiburon. :lol: :shrug: IMO.

It's because it's the Nismo edition. The ground effects package does nothing for the sleekness of it.

 

[DMC-12]

It's because it's the Nismo edition. The ground effects package does nothing for the sleekness of it.

Ah... gotcha! That would explain a LOT then :lol:

Thanks, Bri :wave:

 

[garyhoov]

Now that I've looked at this pic a few times...

*curls nose*

I dont like it.... it looks like a squished, rebadged Hyundai Tiburon. :lol: :shrug: IMO.

Well considering you only like cars that are made with all straight lines - like a frist grader would draw - I'm not sure if the fact that you don't like it is a problem.:lol:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Well considering you only like cars that are made with all straight lines - like a frist grader would draw - I'm not sure if the fact that you don't like it is a problem.:lol:

ZZZZING! :lol:

What do you mean? Look at all of those secksay curves on the CTS... Actually, the only rounded areas of those cars are the rims and tires :lol:

You're right though...the CTS, Delorean, Lotus Esprit...

Wait! He likes the Mercedes Gullwing!!!! There is hope afterall!

 

[DMC-12]

Well considering you only like cars that are made with all straight lines - like a frist grader would draw - I'm not sure if the fact that you don't like it is a problem.:lol:

@$$hat :lol:
Feh... I like curves... I just dont like bubble shaped look-a-like pieces of crap. ...lol :lol: :shrug:

 

[garyhoov]

@$$hat :lol:
Feh... I like curves... I just dont like bubble shaped look-a-like pieces of crap. ...lol :lol: :shrug:

So which curves do you like better, the ones on this:

Or this:

Or how about this:

:lol:

 

[DMC-12]

So which curves do you like better, the ones on this:

Or this:

Or how about this:

:lol:

Crap! you guys know me too well... ya got me. :lol: :ROFLOL:

BTW.. I like the curves on all of those. :lol: :lookaroun

 

[DMC-12]

BTW... I also like Aston Martin... and they have actual curves...lol :lol:


And I do like this gem!

http://jalopnik.com/5100969/fisker-karma-previewed-ahead-of-detroit-reveal

See... that has curves. :lol:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I'm stoked...I just got official word that the 370Z, new Mustang, and new Camaro are all at the show!

I'm not that excited about the 'Stang but maybe once I see it in person that will change.

 

[garyhoov]

BTW... I also like Aston Martin... and they have actual curves...lol





And I do like this gem!



http://jalopnik.com/5100969/fisker-karma-previewed-ahead-of-detroit-reveal



See... that has curves.

Mmmm, Aston Martin.:slurp:

I like the design of the Fisker, but I would have liked to see it as a smaller two-door.

I guess they wanted to set themselves apart from Tesla.:shrug:

I'm not that excited about the 'Stang but maybe once I see it in person that will change.

It's almost comical to read the press release for the 2010 and see how absolutely giddy they are about all the great improvements they made. . .

. . . but they don't really talk much about the fact that they're using the same crappy rear-axle design.:lookaroun

It'll be interesting to see what you think in person because it sure doesn't look different enough from the current model to really get many people excited compared to the much fresher Challenger and Camaro.

Ford had a tough task to stay competitive, and it doesn't look like they really rose to the task.:shrug:

I'm also very curious about your opinion of the 370Z in the flesh. I have a feeling it may be one of those "looks a lot better in person" cars. I think that's definitely true of the 350Z.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

It's almost comical to read the press release for the 2010 and see how absolutely giddy they are about all the great improvements they made. . .

. . . but they don't really talk much about the fact that they're using the same crappy rear-axle design.:lookaroun

In Ford's eyes...the solid rear axle is better in a muscle car. (I still don't understand the logic).

What improvements? So they added some leather and aluminum accent pieces to the dash...and changed the front and rear fascias. Oh yeah...and a heavy glass roof.

Oh and I forgot to mention the increase in power (which is still about 100hp less than its direct competition).

 

[WDWFREAK53]

For Jerry:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

For Gary: