Cars That Surprised You

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Old 09-26-2007, 02:15 PM
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I know what you are saying with the 4-cyl comment.

Regarding the gate, it was not the first gated car I had driven (that was a F355) - so I knew what to expect, and I had already come to accept it as a staple of manual-tranny Ferrari motoring. So, I didn't mind it. It is clunky and even squeaky and cumbersome yes. But, I personally believe its a part of the exotic driving experience.

And, I was saying the silver was NOT visible nice choice for your wedding ride!
Old 09-26-2007, 02:55 PM
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^^Thanks! Ya, I didn't expect the metal shifter....it was my first and only time driving a Ferrari so far, so it kinda threw me off that such a detail such that was so clunky in a such a car. Most german cars I've driven and the Hondas that I've driven have had really smooth shifting, so I expected more. Still managed to hit 110 really quick.
Old 09-26-2007, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by CarbonGray Earl
No disrespect Yumchah, but how would you know without driving it? I still stand by my comment....its as smooth and as tractable as a honda 4 cylinder (most of the press said this about the NSX too). I'm not going to sink to the level of pettiness that this could lead down, but I won't change from my impression, since ....well, its my opinion.

Just to elaborate on my opinion, to say that an exotic v8 is as smooth as a Honda 4 cylinder is a compliment. 2x's the cylinders being as smooth as the smoothest 4 cylinders is a compliment. The relative power wasn't downlow; you revved to get it- that's pretty honda 4 cyl like. that's what reminded me of my integra, so....I don't see the problem. I didn't say the power, sound, etc was the same now....its just that it was so smooth and easy going, so tractable. I think Ferrari got the message from Honda that easy driving exotics can be made....and they did it with the 360. Whats so wrong in seeing that?



Srika- the one thing I did hate was the gate style shifter with the 6mt. Did you feel the same? Too much metal on metal touching, clanking.

Otherwise, if you think you we're very visible in a silver Modena, how do you think me and my wife felt on our wedding day... in a Yellow Modena. It was a surprise, since she gave me the task of finding transportation for the day.

My wife had a difficult time fitting her wedding dress in it, but loved it. For me....well, driving a Ferrari, being in a tux, and having people in very nice cars slow down gawk, and give a thumbs up was awesome, and I highly recommend it.
Sorry Earl...and I apologize for snarking. It's just that, I have driven a TSX before and tried out even the new Civic which are both the Honda inline 4 engines. And considering what I've read about a Modena, I just found our assessment so...out there. And again, I apologize for that. And honestly, since I have never sat or experienced a Ferrari, I'm in no position to criticize either.

So...reps for being a good sport and explaining.
Old 09-26-2007, 05:22 PM
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Agree on the A3. The 2.0t + DSG drivetrain combo is a blast to drive even though it doesn't have the full out HP/Torque numbers some of the competition does. The well matched engine and tranny make up for it.

I liked it so much(and I don't need usable back seats) that I went ahead and ordered up a 2008 audi tt in August. Take an A3, cut off 400lbs, add in a nicer interior(and exterior) and there you have it.
Old 09-26-2007, 08:43 PM
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lol...believe it or not..my answer to this question is the Ford Focus. We has one as a rental twice, actually. The damn thing grew on me. What can I say?

I'll never forget the day we got the first Focus. My hubby had gotten it as a rental while the Accord was in the shop. His very first words to me when I walked in the house from work were: "don't get mad." We still use that joke today every time we see a Focus. He thought I'd be mad they gave us a Focus over our brand new Accord. Turned out I grew fond of it after awhile. It didn't suck.
Old 09-27-2007, 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Yumchah
Sorry Earl...and I apologize for snarking. It's just that, I have driven a TSX before and tried out even the new Civic which are both the Honda inline 4 engines. And considering what I've read about a Modena, I just found our assessment so...out there. And again, I apologize for that. And honestly, since I have never sat or experienced a Ferrari, I'm in no position to criticize either.

So...reps for being a good sport and explaining.
Thanks for being a sport as well, I really don't mind the disagreement. If you happen to drive a Ferrari and don't find the same thing, like Srika, that's entirely cool with me.

thanks for the rep points. Right back at you.
Old 09-27-2007, 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by TinkySD
Agree on the A3. The 2.0t + DSG drivetrain combo is a blast to drive even though it doesn't have the full out HP/Torque numbers some of the competition does. The well matched engine and tranny make up for it.

I liked it so much(and I don't need usable back seats) that I went ahead and ordered up a 2008 audi tt in August. Take an A3, cut off 400lbs, add in a nicer interior(and exterior) and there you have it.
teh wifey did the same to replace her 06 a3 2.0t good buy
Old 09-28-2007, 01:38 AM
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1. hyundai sonata 2006. it was good enough that i almost considered buying one 18.7k(v6 with leather without roof). i thought it was much better than more expensive accord 4 banger. it made me feel very proud.

2. 1997 honda prelude- test drove when it first came out. surprisingly boring to drive. i liked the previous gen much better.

3. 2008 honda accord lx- a total let down. test drove last week. it was just a big civic.

4. bmw 330i 2001. totally blew my mind at that time. i wanted to buy one so bad, but it was just too expensive for me.

5. 03 toyota 4runner. test drove when it first came out. a great truck. i loved it so much, so i rented one for 2 weeks few days later.

6. 2008 toyota camry LE- i thought it was much better than accord 4 banger. very quiet and smooth. and i liked the interior even though people seem to hate it.

7. acura tsx- by far my favorite acura(except nsx). surprisingly roomy interior, sexy design, and a great drive. i wanted to buy one so bad.

8. 2007 hyundai veracruz- another great car from hyundai. it was just a perfect combination of value and a great ride.

9. 2006 kia optima- another decent korean car. i expected a shitty ride, but overall it was a great economic package.

10. cadillac CTS- i loved the look when it first came out, but it was a boring drive.

11. audi A4 3.0 quattro- i believe it was 03 model. i was disappointed because my expectation was too high and i thought interior was very boring. i liked bimmer interior much better audi. also it drove ok, but it didn't blew my mind like 330i.

12. G35 sedan- loved the sound, loved the seat. backseat was super comfy. interior didn't do it for me, but i thought it was a total package. i attempted to buy one, but i decided not to.

Last edited by chungkopi; 09-28-2007 at 01:41 AM.
Old 09-28-2007, 01:44 AM
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here are some more.

1994 lincoln towncar.

what a great cushy ride. a true definition of an american luxury car. it was huge and quiet, and i still love the exterior. one of my favorite american car.


1992 prelude
my very first love. everything was perfect and i wanted to have one so bad.
Old 09-28-2007, 12:32 PM
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SRT8 Jeep.


I dropped my car off at my buddies autobody place and he let me take his new SRT8 Cheeroke to work.

Holy moly this thing hauls ass. Very easy to drive as well and lots of fun! His borla exhaust has such a "i can kick your ass" sound
Old 09-28-2007, 12:57 PM
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S60R - I figured it was just another Volvo but when my friend took me for a ride in his new one, I was COMPLETELY blown out of the water at how unbelievably fast it was and how amazing the sound system is. Easily one of the most unreal cars I've been in, to date.
Old 09-28-2007, 01:17 PM
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and they're so purty.

saw a dark grey one the other day with the kit and the grey wheels.
Old 09-28-2007, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
SRT8 Jeep.


I dropped my car off at my buddies autobody place and he let me take his new SRT8 Cheeroke to work.

Holy moly this thing hauls ass. Very easy to drive as well and lots of fun! His borla exhaust has such a "i can kick your ass" sound
AWD launches for the win. I haven't seen too many people with 335xis but I would have to imagine those things are ridiculously faster off the line.... especially if they have a proceed.
Old 09-28-2007, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by TinkySD
AWD launches for the win. I haven't seen too many people with 335xis but I would have to imagine those things are ridiculously faster off the line.... especially if they have a proceed.
"PROcede" fixed
Old 09-28-2007, 06:46 PM
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The 07 G coupe....besides the crap ass interior and fugly front end, it was a blast to drive. And it PULLS.
Old 09-29-2007, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Sclass88
S60R - I figured it was just another Volvo but when my friend took me for a ride in his new one, I was COMPLETELY blown out of the water at how unbelievably fast it was and how amazing the sound system is. Easily one of the most unreal cars I've been in, to date.
one of my dad's friend has a S60R I didn't drive it. and i was like you the T5 engine is "okay" we were out in the country and no one was around. we went to a dead stop. I told him put it to the floor and take it up to 80 mph.(cause he didn't want me to drive it cause he just got it like 2 months ago brand new) That thing surprised me. it's a sleeper and half.
Old 10-01-2007, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Sclass88
S60R - I figured it was just another Volvo but when my friend took me for a ride in his new one, I was COMPLETELY blown out of the water at how unbelievably fast it was and how amazing the sound system is. Easily one of the most unreal cars I've been in, to date.


Very sweet car. I test drove one in 2005, but didn't buy it. Ended up getting an RX8 GT instead. Boy, what a mistake that was. I still shed a tear when I see an S60r flash by
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