oldshurst442

18 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

So there will be a Porsche EV/Hybrid that is NOT a 911.  OK.  GM probably should consider a Camaro-based EV to deal with any high performance EVs out there soon.

Corvette is the big dog.

The NSX is EV/Hybrid.

Mclaren P1 is EV/Hybrid.

Ferrari LaFerrari is EV/Hybrid. And Ferrari has hinted that all Ferraris in the future will be EV/Hybrid. If that hasnt  changed yet...

The Porsche 918 is EV/Hybrid.

All these are Corvette's competition. The Z06 (&Z07 package) and ZR-1 were engineered to do battle with these....and the C8 is said to be mid-engined to BETTER compete (to actually win) the performance metrics!

If you dont think that the Corvette belongs in this category, the Camaro belongs even less in this field with these cars...

So THAT is why the Corvette NEEDS to go EV/Hybrid! Especially if the next gen is to be mid-engined!

And if you say no to that....then the Corvette brand needs to be a brand by itself...because the Corvette cannot simply  continue being a Jack-of-all-trades sports  car....it will cease to dominate and Corvettes are KNOWN to DOMINATE....THAT is what the REAL essence of Corvette is all about!

The 911 DOMINATES!

It has MANY variants to be able to do so....

The  Corvette does not have that.

The 911 is Porsche and Porsche is 911.

With that being said, Porsche also has the Boxster, Cayman, 918 that represent Porsche quite well!

All all cars seem to dominate helping the Porsche brand excel.

In turn, helping to continue the LEGEND of the 911!

Well...

The 911 really does not need to go EV or hybrid (for Porsche) just yet.

1. The 911 has sold 1 million copies

2. Porsche has got the 918 right now

3. Porsche has got other EVs in the pipeline

4. Because of all that, the 911 (and Porsche) has no need to re-define itself...especially if the 911's traditional driving dynamics were to be compromised....the traditional 911 buyer continues on with his purchase of the 911 as is and if a newbie wants an EV from the Porsche brand, he has the 918 and other models to choose from soon.

5. When the time will come when the traditional 911 buyer will demand an EV version, Porsche will be ready for one as Porsche by then, will have the tech, experience and money to do an EV 911 as close to a traditional 911 as possible.

Without derailing this thread and talking about a Corvette and Corvette branding.

But this is why Corvette/Chevy/GM is in a pickle if Corvette does not go hybrid soon....

Porsche has got other models such as the 918 that does the EV/Hybrid thing...there is no immediate need for the 911 to go that route...

Porsche....as a BRAND, could build and sell other project specialty cars or outright volume models to satisfy the EV/Hybrid market. And that is EΧACTLY what they will do as THAT is EΧΑCTLY what they said they will do!

Corvette as it stands, needs to do battle with the 911 and ALL its variants, the convertible 911, the Boxster, the Cayman, the 918...

Chevy or Cadillac as in GM as a whole does NOT have an EV/Hybrid to do battle with ANY sports car that is EV/Hybrid and Chevy has not mentioned ANY word on the next C8...let us not forget that even Acura has gone the EV/Hybrid route with the NSΧ...

The next C8 might be mid-engined, might not be....and its less  clear if a hybrid powertrain will be offered....and THAT to me is more of an issue for Corvette and GM going forward rather than the 911 not going EV/Hybrid.

28 minutes ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

The Corgi Dual-Ghia I have is 1:43rd.   It's an oldie.. somewhere boxed up in my latest shipping Pod w/ a bunch of other '60s Corgis and Dinkys.  

I had about 100 of these....

I started out with 2, a red 1973 Pontiac Trans Am and a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. (there goes the # 69 again! )

(I recently bought a Duesenberg SJ to round off my 1930s luxury)

When we first opened up our restaurant, an employee that we hired gave me and my partner a  'restaurant warming' gift and that is what he gave me...

It all started from there....

I had about 100 of them when I realized, through these very same dream garage threads that @Frisky Dingo started waaaaay back when over at Motor Trend and the participants...that a smaller, more focused and a tad more diverse collection, makes for a nicer, more complete collection.

So I got rid of some redundant doubles I had....some I sold away, some I gave away to others that wanted to start off their own collection.

@Frisky Dingo Thanx Frisky!  

True about the Z8. At least not yet is right. I say in another decade and the Z8 will command big bucks.

I LOOOOVE the Z8. I did not want to include the Jensen as I never liked it and I had a hard time deciding whether the Z8 should be on the list because of the value criteria.

I wanted the list to be ENTIRELY made up of European bodies and American Muscle but the 5th choice eluded me. I could have went with a couple of Italian massaged Cadillacs but I really wanted to have a Muscle Car feel and not a luxo cruiser feel in my temperature controlled dream garage . The the Pantera came to mind, but the Pantera is not a $500 000 car either and I do prefer the Z8 over the Pantera.... so the Bimmer won out!

@Cubical-aka-Moltar  Thanx Mr. Cubical!

I bet these  cars are breathtaking in person! I never saw these in person myself. I know about them through various documentaries as far removed from automobilia as one could get....example: documentaries on the lives of pop figures like The Rat Pack....or Elvis...and the story leads up to these peoples' cars....

I never liked the Jensen...nobody is perfect.

OH...about that Corgi Dual-Ghia model...

What scale is it?

I have 69....yes 69!

I have 69 scale 1:18 die cast model cars!

3 hours ago, lengnert said:

It can be unsafe if there is frame damage and/or repairs are not done well.

But, it sometimes takes relatively little damage (that does not necessarily have to involve damage to the frame), there are many times you can buy and fix a car that has been totaled, do so very economically and have a safe car too.

So true!

But, it takes a buyer that knows what it is he is looking at (the wrecked car) in that it takes a connaisseur, a veritable car guy, to accurately identify what is reparable with safety in mind and cost effectiveness and a repair guy that knows how to repair and is honest enough to repair correctly without cutting corners putting future owners in danger.

Snooty park 

(One way or other....I dont deprive myself from American Muscle!!!)

1. 1962-1964 Facel Vega ii

383 cu.in. and 413 cu.in Chrysler powered on a French body.

2. 1963-1974 Iso Grifo

Italian body and American Muscle

327, 427, 454 Corvette powered as well as 351 Cleveland powered some years

3. 1965-1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada

Italian body and American Muscle

327 Corvette powered.

4. 1956-1958 Dual-Ghia 16.4

The idea for Dual-Ghia came from Eugene Casaroll, who formed Dual Motors in Detroit, Michigan to build an exclusive car at a moderate price.

The design was based on four 1954 and 1955 Chrysler concept cars, named the Firearrow II, III, and IV and the Firebomb, which had all been designed by Virgil Exner. The Dual-Ghia car was designed by Chrysler. The design was fairly conservative with single headlamps and slab-sided features, small conservative fins and no styling gimmicks. A four-place convertible was the only offering.

A Dodge frame and drive-train was transported to Italy, where the bodywork and interior was fabricated by the Italian Coachbuilder Ghia. Performance was excellent, due to the cars being powered by the small 315 cu in (5.2 L) Dodge hemispherical-head short-stroke V-8 engine.

5. 1999-2003 BMW Z8

4.9 liter BMW V8 from the E39 M5.

This has Italian body language with American hear t and soul from a German point of view. It fits in PERFECTLY with the list I just made!

Trailer park

1. 1974 Impala coupe-leave alone except for cosmetics

sentimental value

2. 1979 Chevrolet Impala coupe- leave alone except for cosmetics

sentimental value

Yeah...I know...you said 4 doors....well, these aint exactly sought after classic 2 door Impalas either like a '58 or '64....and the 1979 I chose had a 305 catalytic converter disaster under the hood!

3. 1965 or 1966 Opel Diplomat- Id swap the engine (these did come with V8s) for GM's 2.0T 4 cylinder and modernize the suspension and brakes and the car needs to be in silver.

Sentimental Value

4. 1970 Pontiac Catalina sedan

Id leave it as a junker...

Why? Sentimental value. 

I grew up in a neighborhood where a neighbor had one in his front yard. While the car was new then and in good condition, his front yard was a big mess and had another junkyard car laying around. Old tires everywhere....I cant envision what the other car was as I was too young to remember it so it might as well be the Catalina that gets the junked treatment of my memoirs. It will be driveable, but it be dented and the rust would be left alone and clearcoated. Its weird how I remember the  Catalina though!

5. 1990-1992 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo T-Top

As is except for cosmetics

Ill do another one....right out of @A Horse With No Name page book in that this list will be with cars that I could afford.

Japan- SUV off road

Suzuki Sidekick

Seeing that parts of Montreal and its surroundings are flooded, (yes in my area too, but thankfully not my restaurant nor my home), I could use this little guy!

Remark that there is a snorkel...and that is how Id fix him up as well.

Germany- Family Car

used 2014-2015 Audi A6 3.0T

Sweden-Daily Driver

Used 2006 Saab 9-2X

I figured I could daily drive it as its a Subaru underneath so the mechanicals are pretty durable and I could easily bring it to Subaru to maintain it! Its fast and fun and good enough for me to enjoy day in day out!

UK- Track Car

I heard that these handle like go-carts!

2005 Mini Cooper S

Italy-week end fun car

Fiat Sport Spyder-It doesnt cost much to run these and they are fairly easy to maintain and repair

USA- Cruiser

Im finally in the mood for a '55 Chevy!

When the Bangle Butt 7Series first came out I was all over it. Drooling!

My partner's brother bought one a year after they came out. It was a used one. The previous owner got tired of having it always in the shop for computer gremlins.

This is where my partner's brother comes in. He saw it at the dealership at an incredible price (85 000 CDN). It only had 20 000-25000 KM on it. It was a 740il at a time when these were going 110 000-120 000 CDN new.  The dealer was up front about it saying this particular car had its computer replaced but the previous owner was fed up of it.

Needless to say, it served him quite good as he still has it!!! Its a beater nowadays, but its still running!

Over the years though, like everyone else...I ended up not liking the Bangle Butt...

I view VW fans in the US the same way  I view hockey fans in the US

• There are a few of them. Not as many as the more popular sports like football or baseball or basketball. (GM, Ford, Toyota)
• But the loyal fans are freakin' loyal. No NHL lock-out or strike will keep them away (No emissions scandal will keep them away)
• In some cities, hockey is THE sport in winter such as in Boston or Minneapolis...(just like VW's diesel engine....nothing else will do for these folks but VW's trusty TDI)

GREECE

I dont know how to qualify this one....ok it will be off-road

So Greece- off road and SUV?

7 liters of Corvette greatness....yes yes....its the LS7 under that hood!

I KNEW IT ALL ALONG!!!

THE GREEK GODS LOVE AMERICAN MUSCLE!!!

ITALY-Track Car.

Im not a track car kinda guy...but since we are doing this...I am choosing a Ferrari!

F355 GTS F1 (I could choose the F355 Challenge that was specially meant for track use, but I dont like rear wing spoilers on my Ferraris!)

A nightmare in terms of maintenance, but a dream everywhere else...

And if all else fails....LS SWAP!!!

Maybe that 512BB in that video should be my choice....HMMMMM

Cant go wrong with either choice!

UK- GT car

Aston Martin DB11

JAPAN - Week-end fun car since its a week-end car and a Skyline is RHD

Nissan Skyline GTR R33 (tuned for optimal pleasure of course)

AMERICA-Phoque yeah! Daily Driver

Tesla Model S P100D

GERMANY-family car

BMW M6 Grand Coupe

On 2017-05-04 at 8:28 PM, balthazar said:

I want to know why I haven't heard complaints about the Model S's door handles- the metal face of them is usually quite wavy and being chrome; quite noticeable.

On 2017-05-04 at 8:38 PM, oldshurst442 said:

I will take a look at my partner's Model S to see if this phenomenon is present on his car. I will report on Saturday or Sunday.

I never noticed anything and he never told me about it.

I took a look at the door handles today and no such waving or warping or whatever on his P85D.

I asked him about it and the only anomaly he had on them was a recall.

He told me that on some Model S' they wouldnt slide open....not on his though!

I was never a fan of the 7 Series. Any generation.

Only the Bangle Butt 1st year gets a slight pass from me.

On second thought..NO THANX!

9 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Telsa does running upgrades on their models over time.  I don't see a need for a full Model-S replacement, but they could do a refresh on it... give it a new interior that sort of thing.  

Yes. Upgrades happen frequently. Its awesome how this is a thing!

But, Im almost certain that others will follow that same path and copy Tesla with the internet/WI-FI/Windows style computer upgrades.

So...

The Model S is still a sexy car and the refresh they did on it last year to bring it to the new face of Tesla styling ala  Model X and 3 just makes the car sexier and keeps it fresh and relevant!

But like an iPhone, they may need a complete overhaul of the bodyshell to be able to stay current!

Henri Ford reluctantly changed his Model T after 2 decades and he needed to, somehow 2017 is not like 1917....we are a fickle society today where we need change often in regards to our toys because eventually, all cars will upgrade themselves via Wi-Fi and its back to square 1...

The newest, shiniest toy gets the praises and the sales!

1 minute ago, smk4565 said:

100% correct.  When Audi and Mercedes are selling EV's and get them to production quicker than Tesla, and have better interiors than Tesla, then Tesla has a fight on their hands.  So it will be interesting to see how they respond to direct competition.

well, what is worrying me is that Musk did say that a Model S replacement is not in the works.

But he did go on record saying that an urban pick-up truck is on its way.

And he did say that Model 3 suitors are confusing the model as a Model S upgrade...

Whether that last part is true or what Balthy and Fappy suggested is more on point, the end result does NOT bode well for the Model S as I fear it will be left to rot on the vine...

Rumor is the front-engine RWD Vette C7 will be sold alongside the mid-engined Vette for a couple of years? 

I think this is still true.

After what happens next is anybody's guess...will Chevy keep a front-engined RWD Vette around as a base car?

Rumor also had it that the C8 platform would have been able to support and adapt the two drive-train styles. How true this rumor is/was is unclear to me.

I personally dont mind Vette becoming its own brand.  It kinda is/was if you think about it.

The Vette logo ALWAYS suggested this.

The 2 flags and the Fleur De Lys = Corvette winning races

The Bow-Tie =  Chevy

The entire logo = Corvette (front and center) by Chevrolet

To expand its portfolio may very well be the next way up.

I stated the reasons why many times over...

The Vette, to be a destroyer of its competition needs to stop being a Jack-Of-All-Trades sports car.

The Porsche 911 has a million and one variants, that the Vette just cant keep up with, partly because Porsche now also sells SUVs and CUVs by the boatload, but Porsche also has HYPERCARS with GEEWHIZ electric motor technology that the Corvette only dreams it could have....

And whether we want to admit it or not or see it at all, the Corvette NEEDS to conquer this area as well, and as is, even as the new ZR1 is coming soon, it wont be able to conquer...

Oh...it WILL compete, and at  a much much much lower price point than the 918, but it NEEDS to CONQUER IT!!! NOT JUST COMPETE....

VETTES ALWAYS WIN!!!

The Vette as a base car...could keep its heritage intact....by offering a TTV6 or a sub 400HP V8 front-engined entry level model....

But that poses a problem at Chevrolet as the Camaro is already in that position...

Hence why Vette may need to become its own brand?

So Chevy could continue to develop the Camaro into a global sporty coupe like BMWs in the 2 Series and 4 Series variety and the Corvette could tackle the likes of Porsche...

Remember,  Porsche also has not only the entry level 911 that the Vette does battle with, but Porsche also has the Cayman and the Boxster that the Vette currently has no answer for....

And for Corvette to continue to develop, maybe expanding into other niches might do the trick...

Corvette tuned SUVs and CUVs sold in Corvette showrooms just outside a Chevrolet showroom (with specially trained representatives selling you the vehicles) certainly has a chance to succeed. Especially in Europe where the Corvette is finally getting the respect it deserves and GM/Chevy is nowhere near to be represented anymore through the sale of Opel through its decades long winning (2 decades since 2000) at the 24 hours of Lemans...crushing Porsche, BMW, Ferrari and Aston Martin, not to forget Viper who the Europeans also admired and Viper took those races by storm in the late 1990s...

Maybe GM's re-entry to Europe is through Corvette showrooms....

38 minutes ago, lengnert said:

I would need to do some 'work' on the Lincoln, but it is the easy choice here.  There is so much to be done to the engine (and a lot of parts availability to do it with).  Maybe a modern air suspension and some better front seats...?  But other than that, the Town Car is spot on and as (or more) reliable as anything else of that era.

If the choice were between that TC and a mid-80's 7 Series?  I would easily choose the 7 Series then....  Much simpler and very classy vehicle were those 7 Series', and they drove so well!

 

And I really like threads like these, so kudos olds....

On another forum, I used to put up a 'poll' to choose between the same model of car, but different generations.

However, this was an especially good one as I too have always liked that movie... and had thought something similar as I have watched it each time.

Thanx,

And there is a poll feature in these forums too if you like to do something similar.

I got more pairings in my mind, so Ill be doing them..just slowly as I dont want to over saturate...

But, please, by all means, give us some threads like these too.

I LOVE this kinda stuff as well. The more fun things to talk about, the better!

5 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Compared to other $50 - $70k vehicles, I think the Continental is very strong. I don't want to be like @smk4565 who tries to compare every freaking vehicle to a $150lk S56 SMG Designo Edition and expect vehicles 1/3 of the price to match it. 

Like you, that wasnt my goal either.

Further down in the thread after that post you quoted, you get a glimpse of my thought process. And yes, I do think the Continental's interior is fine in its price range...

Why I am whining?

Its because I kinda wished Lincoln (and Cadillac) dont only give us "just fine for their price range", I want Lincoln (and Cadillac) to punch ABOVE their price  range to REALLY WOO badge snobs...or at least match Audi because Audi, in my opinion, are the industry leaders in their interiors no matter what price range we are talking about. And the Continental does not match up to a comparable Audi.

As for Tesla, high tech wizardry gives them a pass in that regard.

HOWEVER, soon, as other brands delve into EVs, Tesla better start investing in their interiors as many would not be as forgivable  as they are now concerning the interiors as their tech advantage wont longer be.

Another one that I LOVE

On the next commercial:

I must admit, I liked it then, I HATE it now!

Why?

Corporate lies and deceit fueled by greed!

I still love the song though....well, the original....by Cheap Trick!

11 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Let's put it this way; from pics, it looks more upscale & luxurious by far than than the Model S.

[Disclaimer: I have not sat in either.]

Id say the Continental's interior is more refined than the Model S.

But then again, it ought to be.

The Continental's PRIMARY role is quiet luxury, the Model S is fast, state of the art efficient electric car. But... the Model S has it beat on the quiet part.

Im disappoint with the Lincoln as it might have Tesla beat and the Continental is a 60K car and we just said that the Tesla's interior is worthy of a 60K car, so what gives?

Because THIS is where I believe Lincoln should have given us an interior worthy of a 100K car in a 60K car...

The opposite of what we are whining about Tesla....

(My disclaimer: I dont know about Lincoln's Black Label, so maybe my nonsense whining may be addressed with the Black Label trim?)

A couple that I love. These are recent.

TV commercials....what else would I post?

As you folk know by now, posting vids is kinda my thing...

And a couple that I CANT STAND!

Knowing that Chevy trucks now are kinda like Fords...

Any phoquing Mazda Zoom Zoom commercial!

1 minute ago, balthazar said:

Continental certainly is not "weak" inside.

That is debatable.

The interior of a Model S...

This discussion reminds me of how many whined about the Corvette's interior all these decades.

Like Balthy said....its a nice enough interior for a 60K car..not for a 100K+ car...

The thing is, like the Vettes of the past, true believers look past that because the real meat of the matter resides what is underneath the body shell....

Nobody buys the Vette for its fine Italian leather appointments...

Nobody buys the Tesla Model S for the pampered Grey Poupon amenities...

Its fine just how it is.

It is personalized and it does have the option of opting for a slightly higher quality interior....

I dont know how better it is than the lowest level one as my partner chose the very lowest possible interior option on his P85D and that is the only experience I have with a Model S but to tell you the truth...

Like a C5 or C6 Vette or a Zeta Camaro, it aint as bad as some of us are portraying it to be.

Its OK....nothing special.

But it aint a deal breaker as the tech involved with the Model S more than makes up for the lack of Grey Poupon...

Like a C5 or C6 Vette, its the hardware that makes the car...and that is where the 100K price tag comes in....

Im sure that Tesla could have gone the Pagani or Spyker route and given us handcrafted interiors, but that would also have raised the price tag but about 150%.

1 hour ago, FAPTurbo said:

no one ordering the model 3 is confused...

buyers are just making the sensible connections that a) a decked out 3 is probably more satisfactory than a 'base' S, b) it's new and cool, and c) tesla's going to put everything they've learned from the S and X into the 3...

Logical.

2 hours ago, balthazar said:

I am suspicious the real reason is 'buyer confusion', as Musk claims. I tend to think Tesla buyers are solidly on the high side of average consumer knowledge- anything markedly different (as Tesla is WRT being an EV) fairly begs a high level of involvement.

What I do believe is more likely is that the Model 3 is cannibalizing the S already, because it's on the threshold of passing from vaporware to reality. ESPECIALLY if a vast swath of buyers are indicating they'll spend $45-55K for a "$35K" car... no doubt some potential S buyers are deciding they can live just fine with a 12-in shorter 'Model S Mini'.

My prediction is that the S is going to fall farther once the 3 is on the dealership floor... to the point that the assumed sales addition of the 3 is going to be a net lower. Couple that with the inevitable production delays of the 3 and Tesla will be way off their claim of 500K units in 2018.

- - - - -

However, if Tesla can get the bulk of 3 buyers in at $50K, perhaps the volume will provide economies of scale and a profit.
Next; probably should fast-track the next gen Model S, then worry about the Model Y after that.

Logical once more.

6 minutes ago, balthazar said:

I want to know why I haven't heard complaints about the Model S's door handles- the metal face of them is usually quite wavy and being chrome; quite noticeable.

I will take a look at my partner's Model S to see if this phenomenon is present on his car. I will report on Saturday or Sunday.

I never noticed anything and he never told me about it.