oldshurst442

Nice ride, Frisky. And its true, we do know each other for along time. I think I deserve a test drive of your car. Ill take good care of her Frisky. I wont make the tires squeal too many times.

@ Mr. DFELT, CASA, CCAP, FordCosworth, BLU and DREW. Thank you all for your support. Im actually quite good. Im at peace with her death and Im at peace with myself. I was very close to her and so was my wife and her 2 grand kids. Ive cried, and laughed thinking about her. We only have 1 mommy after all. The Wake is tomorrow and the funeral is Thursday. The security guard at the hospital, a black guy from the Congo told me one thing when I came to pick up her belongings. He told me, because he noticed I was fighting off the tears: "Cry my dear boy. Cry now, for when is time to bury her, STAND TALL AND BE PROUD OF YOUR MOMMA!" And THAT is what Ill do! Two songs for her that will be played in my head. Greek English The words to this one...some of them, hit close to home. A little tribute song to GMPartsGirl as this is her thread, I dont want to hijack her thread to end this post.

Wow! I wasnt gonna post anything for a couple of days or so..maybe as much as a week or two, until I saw this post. First of all, it is quite sad for anybody to leave this earth to go on to greener pastures. So...my condolences to GMPartsGirl's family and friends whoever and wherever they are and may she Rest In Peace. Secondly, and the reason why I wanted to take a small sabbatical from posting... I lost my momma yesterday. It was quite sudden, but very preventable. So...now that I posted this, I might take a week sabbatical or I might not. Im at peace with everything...so Ill just leave you folk with that and Ill talk to you guys soon.

You may have a point here... But I cant give you a decent rebuttal as my brain tonight aint working properly on a product planning level... Part of me wants to say that BMW SHOULD NOT be chasing Mercedes-Benz in all AMG trims in all kinds of niches...the "M" badge should not be diluted with non-sense...that would include the X6 and the M7... Yet...they do need the volume...they do need to move metal some how. Which makes me think of another thing...but my mind is all over the place tonight with product planning that I may not be thinking this out logically...here goes: Is it possible that the AMG line has become more in tune with what M-B wants it to be than BMW with the "M" line and because M-B is more focused with what the AMG line is and BMW has muddled its "M" line that the new benchmark is the AMG line? I mean...AMG driving dynamics remains constant in whatever model range its present but the "M" badge totally differs between its model range... I see confusion in BMW product planning as where I see laser focus with M-B. Aside from the fact that BMW, M-B and Audi want to infiltrate all possible niches, real or imagined...M-B's focus on every niche they are in...is very dialed in... Exemptions are the Smart division and the B Series... Even the Sprinter is honed in and where it has become, in my eyes, the best Euro van on the market. Yet...they need to offer a M7 as Cadillac will be offering a 4.2 liter V8 in the CT6... They need the X6M...as M-B's SUVs are kicking ass...and Cadillac will soon be working on its own V Series CUV.... Sure BMW will offer a fullsized SUV...but Cadillac mentioned that the Escalade will grow in luxury and sophistication.. Which makes BMW's life miserable as the M2 and M4 are totally different "M" animals than the X6M, X5M and M7. Even the M5 and M6 dont even know what direction they need to go... Do they go the AMG and V Series way? Or do they stick to their tried and true formula... Which leads us back to what you were saying before...about V8s and V12s. In which I agreed that the M5 needs to lose weight in order to dance better rather than just to push its way around the track...like a German muscle car...because BMW aint at all like a Muscle Car...but M-B and AMG sure are! Did I confuse you? Because Im sure as hell confused!

Therein lies the problem with the M5, SMK... 4400lbs... which you yourself, found a more viable solution for BMW rather than just dump a V8 under the hood like you originally suggested... Safety features and sensors aside, which is also mandated by governments...BMW also thinks that dumb technology is what makes BMW...like that stupid hand gesture recognition shyte they introduced in the 7 Series...which adds unnecessary weight to their cars... Hand gesture recognition shyte: in the air, make a gesture that resembles lowering the volume on the radio or temperature and the computer sensors will recognize it and do it for you! HOW STUPID IS THAT???!!! JUST PHYSICALLY DO IT YOURSELF!!!! YOU ARE ALREADY DOING THE DAMNED GESTURE BURNING THE DAMNED CALORIES ANYWAY!!! WHY THE NEED FOR THE COMPUTER GESTURING RECOGNITION SENSORS THEN???!!! JUST BRING BACK THE PHYSICAL BUTTONS...ITS EASIER TO ADJUST SHYTE THIS WAY, SAFER AND FASTER AND FORGET ABOUT THE IPHONE CRAP!!! Yes, I did say safer... Because as we all know, computers sometimes dont always recognize the inputs we input in them, an we rinse repeat all the time...FRUSTRATING the SHYTE out of us...and while we drive and this shyte happens, we not only get mad unnecessarily at the computer, then we put all our attention to it rather than focus are attention on the road...just to change a setting... With physical buttons, especially when its our car that has been in our possession for months and years, its a 2 second affair over and done with...if that.

And now...Im back in being one confused hombre again. But not really, because... Point very well understood, Suave. And Im swinging back to your side of the fence.

I read CP's post and I was like...DAMN RIGHT, CP!!! Bring on the Avista 4 door coupe!!!! Then I read Suave's post. and I was like...DAMNED RIGHT Suave! The Avista is not needed! But then I was like...Hey! Wait a minute! Didnt I just contradict myself???!!! So...right now, Im one confused hombre. Then I got the little light bulb working... Buick actually needs both. They need a flashy car. Because flashy cars always have somebody talk about the brand...whether it sells or not is not important. Flash gets you noticed. Its good to be noticed because you dont want to fall by the way side. But Buick also needs to vehicles that people actually buy and want to buy, because after all, what good does the flash do, get talked about, but have no desirable yet feasible and ATTAINABLE cars in the showroom for people to actually buy? SUVs/CUVs sell at this point in time. But everybody gots those in their showrooms. How does a brand distinguish these bland appliances from the next guy? BMW calls them SAVs, but they also have all sorts of other flashy cars in the show room that garner desirability which in turn garners the plebeian SUV called SAV desirable... How does Buick do that? Yes, by having a pretty face does not do any harm, but, Hyundai and Lincoln and Audi and everybody else also have SUVs with pretty mugs... There comes a time when Buick's pretty face does get lost in the crowd... So...a flashy car that instills lust in the brand helps people get their lazy asses in the Buick showroom. And if the right product is there for people to buy when they see the flashy car in person, they drive off in a brand new shiny Buick just the same, even if it aint the flashy car but the plebeian appliance SUV with that has the pretty face!

Isnt that the irony though, Suave? That the ones that like to instruct us about the injustices of others are them themselves not capable of seeing further than their nose...

It will be interesting to see how long they live considering that Europe after this diesel scandal is now considering raising the emissions hurdle. I could not find anything other than stories about discussions. Yet if they get their way, the life of the V8 and V12 could be shorter than it has been in the past. I will agree to the sentiment that V8s and certainly V12s have a limited life span going forward...but I did not want to discuss that. I wanna discuss BMW's I6. SMK...not only are V8s and V12s gonna be limited... BMWs...especially the 3 Series...and now the 2 Series and 4 Series...and the 5 Series...including the "M" versions of these...are known for the inline 6.... Why? You said it yourself SMK...BMW's I6...I6s in general, are smooth and well balanced. BMWs...whether regular or "M" version, are known to be very well balanced sportds sedans. Enough power, not over-whelming, mixed with just the right amount slalom handling and steering. The perfect balance. Engine, suspension and steering. Smooth and not over-powerful. Like an American muscle car or M-B AMG trim. The E39 M5 did indeed have a V8...but it was far from being a torque monster muscle car. It was smooth and well balanced. Have you noticed that every M5 since has not exactly been a purists favorite? The way you have philosophized this is BMW should "AMG", "SRT8", or "SS" itself with V8s in their "M" cars...but if they do that, then BMW truly has lost the war with its competition as THAT is NOT what BMW is all about. BMW, especially now that V8s are gonna be in limited use, should just continue in being what BMW always was...inline 6s and all... BMW kept up with the horsepower wars introducing twin turbos to their I6s without going to a V8... If anything, BMW has lost its way when they have introduced V8s, V10s and SAVs in their line-up. I feel that when BMW engineers introduced twin turbos to their I6s, the little light bulb went on again and they realized the wrong path they took when they decided to chase M-B in the horsepower, cylinder count war.

Nope. No Im not joking! And dont call me "Surely"!

If road-tripping at the absolute drop of a hat is a priority, maybe Tesla's not for you. Otherwise if you can spare five minutes out of your busy schedule on Google Maps and Tesla's website, you can plot out supercharger locations as well as nearby businesses and eateries that'd appreciate your half hour of patronage. But based on your 'road trip arguments,' you appear to always be in a super rush and your time is super-duper important and you haven't a moment at all to spare and your destination expects you immediately and your schedule is incredibly time sensitive. So Tesla isn't for a road warrin', wheelin'-dealin', pedal-to-the-metal, workin' overtime'n, string-pullin', mover-and-shaker like yourself. That was beautifully said! Thanks, Olds! Dont mention it. No really. Please dont mention it as I wasnt referring to you!

fan-faux-king-tastic electric rides a-drag racin' Mr. DFELT!

If road-tripping at the absolute drop of a hat is a priority, maybe Tesla's not for you. Otherwise if you can spare five minutes out of your busy schedule on Google Maps and Tesla's website, you can plot out supercharger locations as well as nearby businesses and eateries that'd appreciate your half hour of patronage. But based on your 'road trip arguments,' you appear to always be in a super rush and your time is super-duper important and you haven't a moment at all to spare and your destination expects you immediately and your schedule is incredibly time sensitive. So Tesla isn't for a road warrin', wheelin'-dealin', pedal-to-the-metal, workin' overtime'n, string-pullin', mover-and-shaker like yourself. That was beautifully said!

Its too intelligent for us to comprehend, Suave.

Fear mongering in this thread made it into a range anxiety thing...even a reliability thing...FAP TURBO has got the right idea... But..when humanity has no knowledge of something, humanity fears it, ridicules it and is biased against it. And yes SMK...when people are pressed for time, and in today's society, it seems that they are always pressed for time...people hardly drive long distances anymore, the take the airplane... And if they must drive for whatever reason, people actually rent cars...in other words, people hardly ever use their personal vehicles for long distance traveling anymore...but...it makes for a more interesting thread to whine and complain... This is the latest whine fest at Cheers and Gears....be sure to turn in tomorrow...as these are the days of our lives at Cheers and Gears. That is how the world turns, at Cheers and Gears.

Beat me to it!!! Does the tow truck driver bring out a latte too? http://i.huffpost.com/gen/4008646/thumbs/o-TESLA-KIDS-CAR-570.jpg?16 Is this the loaner car you get? Good one... I wonder if GM gave its Z06 owners this as a loaner when they tracked their car when the Z06 experienced heat soak issues...

You know what is a funnier joke? The Model S is closing in on 200 000 units sold...

There would definitely be range anxiety for me still. Check the maps above for how close I am to stations. Yes, it would be VERY seldom that I'm driving more than 200 miles in one day but outside of the STL area, it gets pretty sparse... I could travel to Chicago from where I'm at though! I saw that. When I posted that, I was thinking of you.

Im really pissed at Sergio... Im seriously afraid of the future of Mopar. Im excited for Tesla as an EV company. I want them to succeed. Ive got long term excitement for EVs. Ill eventually buy one. In the short term, Im afraid no EV will get my business just yet. The Bolt and Volt are too small for my business and family needs. The Tesla Model S is just too much money for me to fork over just for an automobile. I could afford one, Im not sure I want to spend it all on a car. Ive got too many projects that I want to complete before I start buying 100 000 dollar cars. I dont think Ill ever buy a 100 000 dollar car. Even my dream of restomodding a 1970 Olds 442 might not come to fruition. So...Model S is a no go for me. I want a Model S sized car...like my current 2012 Acura TL if you will...that has the Model S's range....but at the $40 000 - $50 000 CDN price range....Ill take a 100% EV car the size of the Fusion/Malibu...at Ford/Chevy prices with a tad less range...but we are not there yet. What we do have is a Chevy Volt...which is a Chevy Cruze size vehicle at Impala/Malibu price tag and still uses gasoline to a degree. Too small, too high a price tag and Im not completely off of oil and engine fluids... for me to consider it viable. For it to make financial sense. Another 10 years and we will probably be there. So Im might as well continue enjoying V6 engines while they last. V8s are too expensive in Quebec for their up keep.

I thought...Casa, that American car companies tickled your fancy? Silicon Valley headquartered or not, Tesla is still American! And when did something that was offered for free was a bad thing?

My partner owns his Model S P85D for about 3 months now....and no probs... OK...its still a new car. The only thing he had was a little braking snafu...a software issue regarding regenerative braking and snow/ice/moisture collection on the brake pads and the car not reacting to slow down fast enough...since then, he chooses the days he wants regenerative braking engaged or not. And...range anxiety in 2016 is all but diminished... But then again, it depends on what part of the country/continent one is from. Im assuming in the North East...not much of a problem. Im assuming in California, not much of an issue either... But like I posted above...the gap where gas stations dont exist will fill up soon enough... Like I said above...EVs are still in the early adopters stage... As far as Tesla's reliability is concerned....at the very worst, just as reliable as the mainstream players...

The EV is still at the early adopters stage. But that stage is slowly coming to an end as EVs are gaining more ground by the month. Tesla is closing in on 200 000 sales. http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a28165/if-you-want-a-tesla-model-s-with-ev-incentives/ And when the Bolt comes along with the Tesla Model 3, the pendulum will quickly swing from there. And if the EPA succeeds in punishing VW with forcing them to build charge stations. http://www.cheersandgears.com/_/news/volkswagen/as-the-diesel-emits-epa-could-make-volkswagen-build-evs-in-the-us-r3371 And if Provincial and State Governments also pitch in for EV infrastructure like Quebec is doing...and Im sure others will follow suit as soon as the Bolt and Tesla Model 3 will explode in popularity... Quebec, Ontario and California joint effort. http://www.21stcentech.com/quebec-ontario-invest-ev-charging-infrastructure/ Quebec re-investing in its own Province with Nissan as a Partner... http://montrealgazette.com/business/local-business/quebecs-ev-charging-network-gets-a-major-boost Im sure the EV charging stations to automobile fossil fuel refueling stations ratio will almost become equal in no time... And no...aint no way Im buying a CT6 Hybrid... A Chevrolet Volt...definitely... A CT6 Hybrid...NEVER! Why? Why would I spend almost at the 100 000 dollar barrier on a 4 cylinder? If Im spending that much coin on an EV...Id rather have one that gets me off of gasoline completely 100%. Tesla it is at that price point, a very powerful EV. A vehicle that gets the range and the speed. And the mojo. Why settle for anything less? The CT6 that Id buy is the one that drinks the fossil fuels... Either the TTV6 or most probably, the 4.2 liter V8. Its up top me to decide what it is I wanna do. Get off of oil 100%, or just say phoque it, V8 burble is too precious for me to forget about so easily.

This rendering is just a BMW 6 Series in rendering form... Larger and a roof line and green house not as sporty...so...that 8 Series rendering is...an uglier version of the 6 Series.

For better or worse...much much worse...I HATE marketing that relies peddling stuff with focus groups on tap... Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not...if the sales are there, then I guess it works...right? My dad used to tell me about an old Canadian Army adage...he was donning a Canadian uniform as a soldier during WW2, and an American one during the Korean war... DAZZLE them with brilliance, and if that dont work...BAFFLE them with bullshyte... Interesting read that Camaro link...again, nothing that impressed me with. But Im on your side with this 4 door coupe Hyper...if that means anything to you....or anybody else. THIS...THIS is all HE had to say....because in reality....THAT is true for ANY car...for ANYTHING actually...FAMILIARITY is NOT an UNCOMMON factor...or idea...focus group and focus group talk is someone baffling them with bullshyte... FAMILIARITY is the REAL DEAL...so why even sugar coat it with such BS? Because we have come accustomed to having marketing "geniuses" lie to us...its so bad that even engineers are unto the marketing spiel bandwagon...