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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    Audi is supposed to expand to 60 models, but A4, S4, RS4 is 3 models by how they count. They spend a lot on body styles. Perhaps money will go into new engines because that 2.0T and supercharged V6 have been around forever. Maybe they will role out a new version of MMI and a self driving system for the A8, there was rumor of a new rear drive platform for the A8. Electric drive could consume a lot of dollars, if they make that E-Tron sports car, or a fully electric sedan that could be a big R&D investment.
  2. smk4565
    A diesel is sorely needed, but still 5 years away? He has some lofty ambitions, but Cadillac isn't going to have a 911 fighter or a $250,000 car or any of these niche cars. The money just isn't there. I read the other day that Cadillac is spending $2.5 billion to expand their model line, Audi in spending $30 billion over 5 years on new models. Cadillac will have a hard enough time just keeping the ATS/CTS current, let alone spending big money on low volume niche cars. Part of his job is PR, he has to talk about the bright future to keep investors buying stock in GM. All this same stuff was said back in 2003 when the CTS came out, how they'd have a new crossover SRX, a new rear drive STS to battle the 5-series and E-class, a new converitible to battle the Mercedes SL, and 5 years later GM was bankrupt and half those models were scrapped. We have heard all this optimism before without results. I don't think Johan will have any better result than those that came before him.
  3. smk4565
    That looks like a Range Rover Sport, which is really an LR3, and they probably have bad tires in it. Put mud and snow tires on it and it will out perform almost any other SUV.
  4. smk4565
    A Cadillac sports car or grand tourer would be a nice edition, I just don't think they will make one. Especially not as a stand alone model, like a mid-engine V12 super car. Maybe as a rebadged Corvette, but that experiment failed the first time around. And I still think the Corvette guys don't want Cadillac selling a version of the Corvette that is faster, more luxurious, more refined and all around better car. What Cadillac should have done for the ATS-V is make a 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 based of the 2.0T engines they have already, that would have given them a 500 hp, 500 lb-ft engine that they could have hand built for V-series cars, it would cost more, but it would have had credibility.
  5. smk4565
    The original Maybach though was built on a 90s S-class chassis, and it was also like $400,000 and not many people knew what a Maybach was. The S-class is the king of executive luxury cars, so doing a Maybach trim level or sub brand makes more sense. It is just like doing an AMG S-class, it just makes it more special. There is likely a Maybach GL600 coming to go against the Bentley SUV and the Range Rover Autobiography. I don't think Mercedes wants Land Rover or Bentley having the ultimate SUV, so the Maybach sub brand helps the cause.
  6. smk4565

    Is this it?

    smk4565 replied to ocnblu's topic in Chevrolet

    I work for a bank, 2.74% to 2.99% on new cars loans of 5 years is a good rate. I have seen dealers offering less than 2% in some cases. Assuming you have a decent credit score you should be able to find under 3% for a car loan.
  7. smk4565
    They did for a new interior in back and change the size of the car. That is more differentiation than most others do. And regardless of what it is called it will sell because there is a niche market for this sort of car and very few competitors, 2 at most.
  8. smk4565
    It is a trim level, it isn't a badge-engineered car. I think they can go after the Flying Spur and the Ghost with this, this is a better chauffeur driven car than those 2.
  9. smk4565
    It doesn't matter how many Range Rover drivers take it off road, what matters is that it can do it. The approach and departure angles, max water fording depth, terrain recognition system, adjustable height suspension, hill decent system, locking differential, etc make it an off roader. Most SUVs aren't made like that. I still think it unlikely that Cadillac makes a V-series only sports car, even if they pit it against the F-type and AMG GT and use the Corvette as the basis.
  10. smk4565
    The back seat area is phenomenonal.
  11. smk4565
    The Range Rover would own the Escalade off road though. The Escalade isn't made to be a true off roader. Secondly the Ranger Rover Supercharged has 550 hp and weighs less. Now if they give the Escalade the off road credentials and a 600 horse V-series then it could be game on. The Corvette is a fast car, but compare it to an Aventador or Ferrari 599 or a McLaren and it isn't even close, let alone something like a Koenigsegg or Pagani Huayra. Depends on where Cadillac would want to go, if Aston Martin Vantage and Jaguar F-type is their target, the Corvette performance level would be enough.
  12. smk4565
    I think it would be great if Cadillac made an R8 or Ferrari competitor. Finally then the USA would have a super car, preferably they'd use a V12. But I just can't imagine Cadillac building a low volume $200,000 car that is also a Corvette killer. The Corvette guys egos will get in the way and the bean counters will get in the way.
  13. smk4565
    It is grand, and it is a convertible. There is something to be said about a car like this or the Phantom Drophead that is a 2 door convertible about the size of a Chevy Suburban. It is so ridiculous, but that is the point, it stands out as being unique. The boat decking is sweet too. The downside is the S-class has more technology than what a Rolls or Bentley has, and the S-class has as much power and costs less, and an S-class convertible is on the way too. So if buying the better car or better value, it is S-class all the way, but the Grand Convertible and Phantom Drophead have that over the top ridiculousness that none other can match.
  14. smk4565
    Seems to keep getting uglier. This is basically the same body/chassis they have been selling since 2005. They changed from a 3.5 V6 with a 5 speed to a 3.6 V6 and an 8-speed, and did some front and rear fascia restyles along the way. This car is becoming the new Ford Panther platform.
  15. smk4565
    The spoiler is too big and looks tacky. Not a fan of the hood with the bulge and air intake, it looks like something from a Pontiac. The lower grille is too big, the upper grille too small. I don't get my car makers do that, Cadillac isn't alone there, but why make your grille smaller to show off the crap air damn and stuff below the bumper. Jaguar has done it too on the XFR. The power and performance looks good, more power than the M3, not the horsepower of the RC-F but Cadillac will beat the Lexus on torque, and Lexus doesn't know how to build performance cars anyway. BMW loyalists will still buy the M3 on name alone though. But at least Cadillac put what is basically Corvette level performance into this car. Unless Cadillac gets a V sports car like the AMG GT. Not going to happen for 2 reasons. Development costs too high for a niche product, and can't outshine the Corvette at GM. GM would never let the Corvette be inferior to a Cadillac sports car.
  16. smk4565
    This thing seems pretty sweet, I just wonder if it will be under $50k or have some crazy $60-70,000 price tag to where it is a rip off. For everyday driving, I still think the Ecoboost 310 hp and 22/31 mpg is the Mustang to have.
  17. smk4565
    The Acura RLX is the Honda Legend in Japan. I think Acura is better off with Integra and Legend than crap like ILX and RLX.
  18. smk4565
    I think GL and GLK should keep their names, ML going to GLE makes sense since ML is the odd ball name. But the name changes are minor. I do think e or h might be easier than writing plug in hybrid across the back. The Maybach S600 will be great, the Pullman will be great, none of their competitors have a rival.
  19. smk4565
    They need to trademark everything to cover the bases. But who knows what they actually use or if they use odd and even for coupe and sedan. Wouldn't surprise me if these name plates are around for 10 years or so and they scrap them for a new naming scheme.
  20. smk4565
    The 3.6 TT was the logical choice because it is a Cadillac engine and they don't want to be seen as using a Camaro or Corvette engine. Cadillac could have made a brand new dohc twin turbo V8 for V-series cars only, but we know they don't have that sort if engineering budget. Cadillac has to work out of the parts bin, until they day when they don't have to, they'll probably always lag behind the Germans.
  21. smk4565
    Transparency would go a long way to helping GM's cause. They have always seemed to be so secretive and like they are making back room deals.
  22. smk4565
    I think the F-type looks sweet, especially from the rear 3/4 angle or from behind. Headlights could have been better.
  23. smk4565
    I think the Impala is one of GM's best cars right now. It is quite roomy and I thought the interior was pretty goof for the price, and better than the competition in that segment. The back end looks dull, and almost Hyundai like, but I think the front end of the Impala looks really good. Never drove an Impala, only sat it them at the auto show.
  24. smk4565
    $40k+ for this is almost as bad as $40k+ for a Maxima or Cadenza but at least those are a bit bigger with more room. For $40k you can get a 3-series, or even an Acura TSX or Lincoln MKZ if you want 2nd rate luxury badge.
  25. smk4565
    But word names are bad, so the Escalade should be renamed XT8.
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