Everything posted by balthazar
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Industry News: Collision Warning Systems Get Thumbs Up With Consumers, With A Catch
^ That certainly doesn't stop the practice (tho it may cut down on it).
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Cadillac News: XTS Hybrid? Don't Count On It
>>"It was the retail price with the value added tax..."<< Right; they are NOT selling 250K fleet vehicles at full retail. >>"...it would be nice if it was a rear driver at least. Or at least have Cadillac call it what it is and compare it to the MKS and smaller ES350, and not make comparisons to the A6 or E350 on the Cadillac website. How is a mid-size rear drive sedan a direct competitor for a FWD large car?"<< These minor things just don't matter to the average consumer OR the livery segment. A6 & e350 buyers don't care what wheels drive the car, and don't know, either. Size differences, for the vast majority of buyers, are not prime criteria here, because they're too close, IMO. >>"And once the CTS has every bell and whistle from the XTS, a better chassis, better transmission, better engine, better steering and handling, what is the point of the XTS? "<< I dunno; I asked the same question about the s-class/maybach; melted sheet metal, bad 1970's 2-tone paint, worse handling, worse steering, worse braking, worse performance, a 5-speed !! auto vs. the s-class's 7... Seriously, different cars to appeal to different buyers I assume is the thinking- the same as just about all other makes out there. Look at audi. Doesn't always work, but it usually does. XTS has no relation to the abandoned STS. Cadillac doesn't have a flagship, but mercedees just KILLED their's off. Now THAT'S frustrating.
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Chevrolet News:Spying: Chevrolet SS
If this is the 'new GM', we had best not see the same sort of mistakes repeated with this car. Chevy should NOT be getting a LWB version here. In a non-Camaro or Corvette, no way should Chevy be building a 600 or 700 hp sedan. Get it straight, GM, and work these divisions together. BTW- I find the render a combo of 'quite lumpy' and 'too generic'.
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Cadillac News: XTS Hybrid? Don't Count On It
^ are those retail prices, or fleet prices? Mercedees moves so many thousands upon thousands of fleet vehicles, undoubtedly they discount them heavily. The puzzle is, why even go after the livery market unless you are chasing sales marks? At least when Cadillac traditionally sold to the livery market, it was only a few thousand units/yr, not 100,000 or more.
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So what is your next automotive milestone...or millstone....
My next goal(s) are my last goals. In other words, finish what I started.
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Driving the Range Rover Evoque Coupe!
I like it's overall shape/lines, except for the really unusual 'extension' thru the front fender flare. Looks like a mistake. That said- it & the Ford trucks are bearing strong similarities in front end cues. Not sure which way that falls for which brand. How many times did something break on you during your fling?
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Industry News: Full Size Cars Becoming An Endangered Species
I hate generalizations, especially demonizing ones. I'm Gen X, but I fully acknowledge I fall 'off the charts' as far as 'normal' goes. I like cars built before I was born (my current Average Year Owned is older than I am, over 21 vehicles) and real full-size ones at that.
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Concerning Cort
The internet is a colossal time waster, so getting away from it on occasion is probably good practice for everyone. 'Good vibes' to Cort on working thru his business.
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Cheers or Jeers: 12,000 Mile 1986 Buick Riviera
These could all disappear and I really wouldn't be sad about it.
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Industry News: Full Size Cars Becoming An Endangered Species
Was taking some band pics yesterday, and I piled them into the '60 Bonneville I have out back. You should've heard them (5 of them) raving about how comfortable it was inside. One of them offered to pay me to get it back running so he could drive it (not remotely financially practical). True full-size, not marketing spin from rental companies or head-up-its-arse Gov't agencies.
- Land Rover News: Spying: Range Rover
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Emotional Rollercoaster/Livelihood
You seem to have the personality/devotion to make it happen. Keep us posted, B, and good fortune to you.
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Lexus News: Spying: Lexus LS
You're not incorrect, friend. I see lots of folk calling it a 'spindle' grille..., waiting for 'hourglass' to pop up too. toyota has no design sense whatsoever.... UNLESS they have an option for the car to turn invisible like the movie villian. ;P
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Industry News: Full Size Cars Becoming An Endangered Species
I'm holding out hope that the talked about 'footprint' thing results in some actual full-size cars for a change. I miss 'em.
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Lexus News: Spying: Lexus LS
I find it amusing how people try to give it (the grille) a name, like there was any sort of concept behind it.
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Metallica Must Keep Touring to Make Ends Meet
I've learned one of the few absolute truths of life from direct observation; the statement 'money is a little tight right now' (or the like) is ALWAYS relative.
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Cheers or Jeers: 22,000 Mile 1963 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
Rare car, VG unrestored shape, price is not out of line. I prefer the lines & open RR wheelwells of the '64 tho.
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Moar internet lust....local even...
^ Correct; it was an 'Endura delete' option.
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Garage spring clean
I cannot get a car into my 2-car attached garage. Too neat, and I don't mean that to be a compliment, buddy.
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BMW News: Rumorpile: BMW 1-Series Sedan
>>"BMW is working on a new FWD platform"<<
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What Are You Listening To?
2 days ago it was the possible rebirth of Gorematory, in my basement, thru the floor. I dunno, man. Still injesting Rollins rage otherwise.
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Cheers or Jeers: 50,000 Mile 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 Diesel
^ I would agree; stylistically, the 190 is circa 53-54 (everything mainstream had integrated rear fenders by '55), but the 300 stylistically is much older. It still has vestigial running boards, something Cadillac started to minimize in '38 and eliminated entirely by '48. Mercedes was still clinging to them in 60. Here's a '42 Buick; note the similar fender integration, more cohesive body hardware, the break away to the integrated horizontal grille, smooth surface transitions. Much older, yet still ahead of the 300. Mercedes 300 is somewhere around '42-46 by design cues.
- 1970 Mercedes 600
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Cheers or Jeers: 50,000 Mile 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 Diesel
Disagree; much more cohesive design, better hardware. Look for example how the holes the 190's horn ring is attached thru are so openly exposed. Mostly to the point- how similar it is to the 190.
- 1970 Mercedes 600