General Car Talk Discussion Thread
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While I love the old R53, MINI just costs way too much for what you get. At least for $30k I can imagine the S1 being a better value, at least before the options get stacked on top.
But damn... quads and quattro
But damn... quads and quattro
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Car reliability drops for first time since 1998
More here: http://www.cnbc.com/id/101408079
Vehicle dependability has fallen for the first time since 1998, according a new study that measures how Americans feel about their 3-year-old cars, trucks and SUVs.
J.D. Power and Associates said the average 2011 model year vehicle has 133 problems per 100 vehicles, a 6 percent increase compared to last year's survey.
"This is a significant shift," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power. "What we're seeing is a growing number of complaints about the quality of vehicles. These are not necessarily problems that will cause a car or truck to break down, but they are issues irritating customers."
The biggest increase in complaints by owners involved engine and transmission problems, Sargent said. In particular, people with vehicles that have 4-cylinder engines complained of problems such as engine hesitation, rough shifting and a lack of power.
"People driving these 2011 models with 4-cylinder engines like the fuel economy they are getting," Sargent said. "What they don't like is how those engines feel when people are driving them."
More than 41,000 owners of 2011 model year vehicles participated in the survey.
In terms of individual brands, Lexus once again took top honors and widened its lead when it comes to dependability.
"The difference between Lexus and the field is dramatic. In terms of the survey, it is a long ways ahead of others," Sargent said. "In fact, six of the top 12 vehicles in the industry are Lexus models."
For the domestic automakers, the survey was a mixed bag. Ram suffered the biggest drop of any brand in the survey, falling 16 spots to 25th out of 31. J.D. power said Ram problems per 100 vehicles increased from 122 to 165.
Ford also fell in the rankings, from 13th to 17th. It's the second year in a row Ford owners reported more problems than the industry average. "The main issue for Ford continues to be the Sync entertainment system," Sargent said.
The bright spot for Detroit was the performance of General Motors. All four of its brands were ranked as having fewer problems than the industry average, with Cadillac jumping from 14th to third.
Sargent was not surprised. "GM's vehicle dependability is improving," he said. "What GM needs to do is work on its consistency."
J.D. Power and Associates said the average 2011 model year vehicle has 133 problems per 100 vehicles, a 6 percent increase compared to last year's survey.
"This is a significant shift," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power. "What we're seeing is a growing number of complaints about the quality of vehicles. These are not necessarily problems that will cause a car or truck to break down, but they are issues irritating customers."
The biggest increase in complaints by owners involved engine and transmission problems, Sargent said. In particular, people with vehicles that have 4-cylinder engines complained of problems such as engine hesitation, rough shifting and a lack of power.
"People driving these 2011 models with 4-cylinder engines like the fuel economy they are getting," Sargent said. "What they don't like is how those engines feel when people are driving them."
More than 41,000 owners of 2011 model year vehicles participated in the survey.
In terms of individual brands, Lexus once again took top honors and widened its lead when it comes to dependability.
"The difference between Lexus and the field is dramatic. In terms of the survey, it is a long ways ahead of others," Sargent said. "In fact, six of the top 12 vehicles in the industry are Lexus models."
For the domestic automakers, the survey was a mixed bag. Ram suffered the biggest drop of any brand in the survey, falling 16 spots to 25th out of 31. J.D. power said Ram problems per 100 vehicles increased from 122 to 165.
Ford also fell in the rankings, from 13th to 17th. It's the second year in a row Ford owners reported more problems than the industry average. "The main issue for Ford continues to be the Sync entertainment system," Sargent said.
The bright spot for Detroit was the performance of General Motors. All four of its brands were ranked as having fewer problems than the industry average, with Cadillac jumping from 14th to third.
Sargent was not surprised. "GM's vehicle dependability is improving," he said. "What GM needs to do is work on its consistency."
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Your Friendly Canadian
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From: Toronto, Ontario
The article seems somewhat vague. If the car was slow and shifting rough because it was designed like that, I don't think that counts. If it's slower and shifting rough because of a problem, then that's a different story.
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From: Maryland
Road & Track really loves the CTS V-Sport ... http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...ac-cts-v-sport
Sounds like a great driver's car. But it's going to be expensive.
Sounds like a great driver's car. But it's going to be expensive.
Road & Track really loves the CTS V-Sport ... http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...ac-cts-v-sport
Sounds like a great driver's car. But it's going to be expensive.
Sounds like a great driver's car. But it's going to be expensive.
First thing I notice about my CTS Premium is the $995 Black Diamond Tricoat paint: it looks like part of the Trailer Trash Package—or at least straight off a Bass Boat.
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"The difference between Lexus and the field is dramatic. In terms of the survey, it is a long ways ahead of others," Sargent said. "In fact, six of the top 12 vehicles in the industry are Lexus models."
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
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From: Waffles, BU
Road & Track really loves the CTS V-Sport ... http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...ac-cts-v-sport
Sounds like a great driver's car. But it's going to be expensive.
Sounds like a great driver's car. But it's going to be expensive.
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I wouldn't be surprised in the least.
GM and Ford have been doing that for decades... they were always capable of performance vehicles, they just struggled with the complete package. New Caddys have surprisingly good road feel according to a lot of reviews.
The G8 GT was toe-to-toe with the 5-series as far as performance went.
GM and Ford have been doing that for decades... they were always capable of performance vehicles, they just struggled with the complete package. New Caddys have surprisingly good road feel according to a lot of reviews.
The G8 GT was toe-to-toe with the 5-series as far as performance went.
Fahrvergnügen'd
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From: Maryland
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Speaking of the C63, you boys watch Chris Harris' recent video of the Porsche GT3 vs. V12 Vantage vs. C63 AMG Black Series...?
Anyhow...posted it in the car video thread if you haven't. I need more $$$$.
Anyhow...posted it in the car video thread if you haven't. I need more $$$$.
Thread Starter
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not sure on the XFR but with options the M5 and RS7 are easily past $100k. The RS7 I saw at the auto show had a $124k sticker on it. A base M5 starts at $100k. A full-optioned M5 Competition is $135k.
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
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money much?
http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/aventa...hing-race-boat
http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/aventa...hing-race-boat
Aventaboat – Lamborghini Aventador owner commissions a matching Race boat
February 13th, 2014
Check out these pictures of a 48′ MTI racing boat customized to match the owners 2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50th Anniversary Roadster. While the Aventador is powered by one 6.5L V12 pushing out 720 horsepower, the matching race boat is powered by not one, but two 1,350 horsepower Mercury engines. If that’s not enough power to bet out the competition, the owner also has a set of 1,650 horsepower engines for the boat on standby.
Check on these insane pictures including matching Aventador headlights, taillights and plenty of amazing interior pieces, including the steering wheel. What an amazing project, we can’t wait to see it on the water racing it’s role model down to the Florida Keys!
The boat and car are on display this weekend at the Miami International Boat Show.
February 13th, 2014
Check out these pictures of a 48′ MTI racing boat customized to match the owners 2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50th Anniversary Roadster. While the Aventador is powered by one 6.5L V12 pushing out 720 horsepower, the matching race boat is powered by not one, but two 1,350 horsepower Mercury engines. If that’s not enough power to bet out the competition, the owner also has a set of 1,650 horsepower engines for the boat on standby.
Check on these insane pictures including matching Aventador headlights, taillights and plenty of amazing interior pieces, including the steering wheel. What an amazing project, we can’t wait to see it on the water racing it’s role model down to the Florida Keys!
The boat and car are on display this weekend at the Miami International Boat Show.