The Automotive Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Zyzyxxz
- Start date
- Status
Spaceman Spiff
Member
Shogmaster said:
Acura themselves were the douches in question; after 1995, the targa was the only NSX body style available in the US, except for the Zanardi coupe in 1999.
Shortt Sirket
Member
I really think the NSX is the perfect car. The styling is amazing and iconic. It is actually cheap enough now to be bought by normal people. The performance and handling is top tier and yet you can drive it every day. I am not sure the car even has a downside.
So in that vein, what do you guys consider the perfect car? My friend and I had a long debate on this and we figured there were some specific criteria.
Price - It has to be able to be bought by a good portion of the population and the cost of ownership cannot be sky high.
Looks - It has to both look great and have a timeless/iconic design to it.
Reliability - It has to be able to be driven daily and be fairly dependable as a mode of transportation.
Performance - It has to be fast, have excellent control and generally be in the top percentage of performance.
Rarity - It cannot be so rare that it cannot be driven without constant fear, and yet not so common that everyone will have one.
Drivability - It has to be as brilliant on the road as it is on the race track and has to be a legit option as a daily driver.
Now these are just the criteria we came up with, so feel free to change it, add to it, or just generally tell me I am wrong. At the end of the day, I still feel that the NSX is the perfect car. (Plus Senna helped with the development, so that should be an auto-win)
So in that vein, what do you guys consider the perfect car? My friend and I had a long debate on this and we figured there were some specific criteria.
Price - It has to be able to be bought by a good portion of the population and the cost of ownership cannot be sky high.
Looks - It has to both look great and have a timeless/iconic design to it.
Reliability - It has to be able to be driven daily and be fairly dependable as a mode of transportation.
Performance - It has to be fast, have excellent control and generally be in the top percentage of performance.
Rarity - It cannot be so rare that it cannot be driven without constant fear, and yet not so common that everyone will have one.
Drivability - It has to be as brilliant on the road as it is on the race track and has to be a legit option as a daily driver.
Now these are just the criteria we came up with, so feel free to change it, add to it, or just generally tell me I am wrong. At the end of the day, I still feel that the NSX is the perfect car. (Plus Senna helped with the development, so that should be an auto-win)
Shogmaster
Member
Wha? That can't be right! Factory mandated tragedy...Spaceman Spiff said:
Spaceman Spiff
Member
Shortt Sirket said:
Rapid OEM tire wear was an issue, as was repairing the aluminum bodywork should it get dinged, but overall, I agree with you. When I'm in the market for a more substantial car, the NSX is going to be at the very top of my list.
Shogmaster said:
Sad but true. You could special-order a coupe from the factory, but very few did so. After the 2002 facelift, I don't think coupes were even available as an option. Lame.
YuriLowell said:
I'm just very impressed with the car. Specifically the Boss. I couldn't find any around me to test drive, most were sold out already and picked up on day one. But luck maybe going my way as they're doing some cosmetic upgrades, new options (HIDs on the Boss), and fantastic new colors and schemes for the next year. It's supposed to relive the 1970 Boss, which maybe my favorite muscle car of all time (or close to it).
The NSX is one of my favourite cars of all time period. And on my daily commute I go by a dealership with a hot red one, just sitting there.. never to be bought.Spaceman Spiff said:
I secretly hope it never doesn't ever get bought so I can buy it myself one day ;_;
Dreams-Visions
Member
I wish I could get around to liking the Mustang look.J-Rzez said:
It's just never appealed to me. Perhaps a consequence of growing up in Ohio where every 3rd car on the road was a Mustang. They've just never been attractive to me. I tried really hard to like the Shelby (dat engine note), but it was still a Mustang and didn't really perform any better than the 5.0. and now the Boss eats its lunch for $10k less.
YuriLowell
Member
Shortt Sirket said:
Any m3.
There really isn't a car here in the Netherlands that would fit all those criteria, an M3 Coupe, which would fit the criteria in the US I figure, starts at 113,915 euro, and it's not much better for other performance cars, because the tax on new cars is largely based on emissions these days. You'd really have to either eliminate price or performance from the checklist, unless there's some car I'm forgetting.Shortt Sirket said:
Oh, and that Jag concept looks amazing.
Shortt Sirket said:
Mostly Japanese cars come to mind due to price, reliability, and drivability. Off the top of my head...
- Honda S2000 (I drive an AP1 and love it to pieces)
- Nissan Z (240, 300, 350, 370)
- Mazda RX-7
- Jaguar E-Type (back in the day)
- Porsche Cayman/Boxster
- Mitsu Lancer Evolutions
Shortt Sirket
Member
FallenCow said:
I have an M3 and I agree it might fit, but I think the looks might hold it back. I mean, I love how they look but the new ones don't strike me as iconic or timeless.
And that list, I would disagree with the Lancer, the Zs and Porsche. Some for the rarity, some for the performance and some for the looks. But again, what makes this great is that it is all up to each person to really argue for their choices.
YuriLowell
Member
Shortt Sirket said:
The e30 m3 is the real m3. No compromises.
Shortt Sirket
Member
YuriLowell said:
This man speaks the truth! I love my E36, but I would kill to own an E30. From the E46 on, they just got too big and heavy for my tastes. The new M3 is practically the same size as an E39 M5.
Shortt Sirket said:
Rarity is relative. According to Wiki there were only ~10K 370zs sold in 2010. That's rare enough for a car that's affordable, i.e. <$50k.
Looks are even more subjective, so I don't know if there's a point in arguing that, but suffice it to say that more people find these vehicles attractive than not.
YuriLowell
Member
Shortt Sirket said:
I was going to get an e46 m3, but I realized I can get an e30 m3 for the same price.
That and the seller wouldn't move off his damn price. 24k for an 04 with 70k miles is high.
Sorry mods don't magically add to your resale value.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
FallenCow said:
I'll take a 370Z of all those.
Wait, I already did
I love my 370, though. Drove virtually everything under the sun in the 35-60K range, and only the Z had the perfect balance of every aspect, and excelling in some crucial areas (interior aesthetics, interior quality, handling, looks, reliability, rarity). It may not have a force inducted motor, but seeing how unreliable a lot of factory FI systems are, I'm happy it has a powerful N/A V6, lightweight, and very responsive to the general bolt-ons.
YuriLowell
Member
The z's are nice cars, but the interior doesn't do it for me.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Reading about the Aston Martin's @ 6speed....
looking like people are averaging $1300-$1500/year in maintenance, despite extremely low mileage.
This does not make me happy. Not happy at all. I don't like reading that a car has low mileage (<30,000 miles) and has all kinds of little issues. None of my other cars have had any leaks or little problems, so it makes me worry.
Like I said, this car is going to be another daily driver. If Aston can't be expected to be reliable for 60,000 miles without it falling apart, I'll just focus on Porsche. idk.
looking like people are averaging $1300-$1500/year in maintenance, despite extremely low mileage.
This does not make me happy. Not happy at all. I don't like reading that a car has low mileage (<30,000 miles) and has all kinds of little issues. None of my other cars have had any leaks or little problems, so it makes me worry.
Like I said, this car is going to be another daily driver. If Aston can't be expected to be reliable for 60,000 miles without it falling apart, I'll just focus on Porsche. idk.
Lagspike_exe
Member
Dreams-Visions said:
Stop taking other people's suggestions and go with what you think is the best. Aston Martin is trash in reliability and it always was trash in reliability. Get the Porsche, there's no way you'll get a better car in that price range. Not even close.
YuriLowell
Member
pffff just buy a swapped turbo e30. the only porsche that will touch it is a a 911 turbo.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
YuriLowell said:
I love it (though I have black leather).
A monumental step up over my ugly 350Z's.
MWS Natural
Member
Saw an XK Jag the other day for the first time...holy shit that is a sexy ass car.
YuriLowell
Member
just not a fan of the gauges.
also thats not a flattering color.
I do agree its better then the 350z.
I still need to get out and test drive one but my Nissan dealer never orders any.
also thats not a flattering color.
I do agree its better then the 350z.
I still need to get out and test drive one but my Nissan dealer never orders any.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
Dreams-Visions said:
Yeah, like I said some of them had some pretty stupid issues. Anything after 2008 is significantly improved, though. I do highly suggest a warranty with the purchase of the car from Aston Martin.
Same goes if you buy a Porsche - highly suggest a warranty.
Though 1300 in maintenance is not a lot at all for a car like that. I spent around that much on my Audi A6 last year. Just 3 oil changes alone are $600 altogether. Front brakes were $300 total. Air filter was $55. Cabin filter was $30. Spark plugs were $350. Labor included in all prices, btw.
Right now, I've got an electrical gremlin in my A6...and I don't know if I want to fix it ($1400) on top of that I also need to do the transmission fluid ($550) since the car has 70K miles on it. Audi's ATF is ludicrously expensive at $44 a quart, and the Tiptronic transmission takes a glorious 10 quarts of it, thus the price. At this point, I'm shopping for either a loaded Infiniti FX35 or 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD 3.7L.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Word.AlphaSnake said:
I'll run some numbers. I'm hoping to run into someone that has 50k mi on their AM...just to get an idea of their maintenance experience. I don't mind regular maintenance (of course), but I worry when leather is "pulling away" on the dash, or the gas lid won't open...or when the doors lock themselves. I don't want to buy a high-end car and receive Kia reliability, you know? That's just not my thing.
I'll probably call my insurance providers and ask them about Aston's and get some quotes.
Bad_Boy said:Here we are...
My baby.
Wow, just wow... what engine is in that? please tell me it's the amazon TD 4.2...
That engine is my absolutely favorite in the world. Gotta be the strongest engine ever. keep your ferrari, lamborghinis, etc. I have one with over 250k miles on it. Doesn't miss a beat and it sounds just awesome. Pure diesel power.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
reilo said:
-_-Zzzz
Jalopnik thinks that Tony Stark's car in The Avengers is actually an NSX concept. I'm skeptical, but I do think that a reveal of the sort is completely possible. Thoughts? Do you think it's legit?
The shape fits the bill. Not a fan of current Acura styling though. And by not a fan I mean I fucking hate it.
The shape fits the bill. Not a fan of current Acura styling though. And by not a fan I mean I fucking hate it.
Liquidsnake
Banned
Can I get some of your guys opinion. My lease will be up mid 2012 on my 370z. What should I look into? I want to lease something in the 400-460 range. I was thinking, you tell me if its possible.
Mustang GT
Another 370z (Nissan would have to work with me, I am not paying $500 like I am now for another Z. I got it the 1st qtr the car came out so I got kind of FUBARD)
I dont' think a 335 would be possible, what about a Z4? does the 328 come in turbo form?
G37????? ( I hate the ass of this car, its the sole reason I picked the 370z, I thought it was much nicer)
I was also thinking about the Scion (Toyota FT86)
I don't know. Everyone I talk to says Mustang.
This will be a lease not a buy. Please no lectures on leasing. Thanks I appreciate your opinions.
Mustang GT
Another 370z (Nissan would have to work with me, I am not paying $500 like I am now for another Z. I got it the 1st qtr the car came out so I got kind of FUBARD)
I dont' think a 335 would be possible, what about a Z4? does the 328 come in turbo form?
G37????? ( I hate the ass of this car, its the sole reason I picked the 370z, I thought it was much nicer)
I was also thinking about the Scion (Toyota FT86)
I don't know. Everyone I talk to says Mustang.
This will be a lease not a buy. Please no lectures on leasing. Thanks I appreciate your opinions.
Liquidsnake
Banned
Pterion said:
Thats what everyone seems to be saying. Did you see the motor trend face off with the M3?
Thats what really got me interested in the GT.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
Liquidsnake said:
Eh...drive it first, see how it feels around a corner, over a bump on a curve, the interior, etc. I personally don't like the car for anything but its power. I think it's a rather bland and boring car, overall.
The 328i next year will have a turbo-4, 240HP/260TQ.
But I am a huge 335i fan, got my GF to buy herself one. Woot.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
reilo said:
Not even the slightest bit. Their only similarity is a steering wheel present in front of the driver.
The circular door openers? The circular gear-shift holder? The bulging pillars near the HVAC? The asymmetrical steering wheel and flares?AlphaSnake said:
I was literally in a Mini Cooper earlier today, and a lot of the 370z interior reminded my stylistically of it. That's not a bad thing. The influence in style is definitely there, but it's more subdued.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
reilo said:
350Zs have had those openers since 2002. And the pillars, really? Tons of cars have those, even an Aston Martin, albeit with a bit more swoop. The asymmetrical steering wheel has been found on tons of other cars in the past, once again Aston Martin included (though searching for pics of the Mini's interior shows me no such wheel that looks like the 370Z's oval-esque shape). You're grasping at straws here like there's no tomorrow. That's some pretty radical nit-picking right there.
The 370Z's interior is pretty much the G37's interior without the polished aluminum: Identical navi unit and similar AC unit, minus the trim and analog clock made to stack a bit shorter.
Look at those MINI influences....
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
The 370Z borrows its influences from one car...the 240Z:
GamePnoy74
Member
A future NSX design from mid to late 00s that was planned for production was scrapped but Honda salvaged the design to exclusively make it a race car instead, which became the HSV-010 that is currently used in the Super GT, 500GT class.enzo_gt said:Jalopnik thinks that Tony Stark's car in The Avengers is actually an NSX concept. I'm skeptical, but I do think that a reveal of the sort is completely possible. Thoughts? Do you think it's legit?
The shape fits the bill. Not a fan of current Acura styling though. And by not a fan I mean I fucking hate it.
Why they scrapped the production model is beyond me... =/
- Status