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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    I don't really see the point when it will still have over 60% of the weight on the front axle. Power doesn't fix FWD weight distribution. Although there are probably some old guys reliving the muscle car era that will pay the price premium for more power and like how it is fast in a straight line. So from a money making standpoint, it makes sense.
  2. smk4565
    Cars are expensive. But $40k for an Impala is a lot. I don't really think the Maxima, Taurus, Avalon or Impala are worth that, but if you load them up that is what they cost. The Azera I think has the best value in that segment, and it is roomy on the inside without being huge on the outside. To me the Genesis/Charger/300 are the way to go here because of the RWD. At least you get the RWD benefits at the $35-40k price point.
  3. smk4565
    Sounds like the Vortec V6 is now the Ecotec V6. I wonder how Eco it really is, the Ram gets 25 mpg, and if an automaker got smart and cut the weight and put a 3.0 liter turbo diesel in a pick up they could get 30 mpg highway or close to it. I wonder if this 4.3 L has better NVH characteristics than the Pentastar 3.6 or Ford's 3.7 liter, my guess is no,
  4. smk4565
    If they go after the S-class, they'll fail. The best option for Infiniti is probably a 4-seat coupe based on the GT-R but longer, and not as race track inspired. The GT-R is already developed and they could basically put an M56 interior in it and have a halo car. They could go more after the BMW 6-series and Gran Coupe or Audi A7. But that may not sell either, but at least it would have a chance.
  5. smk4565
    If they price the CTS above the XTS then that will hold true. But right now the XTS is the most expensive Cadillac sedan going off base price. I sort of think they will price the CTS the same as the XTS, like they did in 2006 with the STS/DTS.
  6. smk4565
    The top end Cadillac is. Maybe the top Buick can be a Riviera coupe on Delta II and they can get really crazy and combine the 2.0T with eAssist! I don't know if they need "special," they tried sporty with the Regal and it is their worst seller. Their top selling car is their version of the Toyota Avalon, and they've had success with SUVs because women buy them. The demise of Mercury and downfall of Lincoln and Chrysler only offering a gangster looking sedan have helped Buick. I will say though that GM lacks convertibles big time, Buick and Cadillac don't have one. GM does need a luxury convertible, and as a Buick it could be more like a $40,000 car and appeal to the baby-boomers and empty nesters of the 55-70 crowd that don't want a Camaro, but don't have Mercedes E-class cabriolet money. Chrysler sells those miserable 200 convertibles because there is no where else for people to go with the Solara dead and VW Eos is tiny.
  7. smk4565
    This car isn't worth waiting 90 days for. I guess some buyers that need a car if they want it can put the order in and wait, but then what if they change their mind and don't want it? If a big deposit is required people may be hesitant to order it. Then you also have to buy a car you've never driven, when you can go test drive a 300C, Charger, Genesis or other big sedan and take it home the same day.
  8. smk4565
    The youth are driving, but they are buying Kias and Hyundais, not Toyotas.
  9. smk4565
    I bet the coupe does not have the 2.5 liter, and uses the 2.0T as the base, and the V6 optional. Really that 2.5 should be dropped from the sedan also. I am curious if the Escalade interior will be another dressed up Tahoe or if they will do something with it to justify the price tag. The Mercedes GL is the #1 selling SUV in that segment now, the Navigator and Lexus LX570 seem dead in the water, so it is basically a Cadillac vs Mercedes race at this point.
  10. smk4565
    There will be a Koup version, it is on Kia's website as a 2014 coming soon vehicle. They also offer a 201 hp turbo 4, most in this segment don't offer that kind of power in a coupe either. You have to spend more on a Golf GTI or Focus ST and those aren't coupes.
  11. smk4565
    The Forte has an optional cooled driver's seat as well. I think that is a great feature because no one wants to stick to hot leather in the summer, and most cars under $30k don't offer that.
  12. smk4565
    Looks better than the CTS coupe, looks pretty good.
  13. smk4565
    Not sure about the tail lights that go to the roof. Sounds like the early 90s Chevy Lumina MPV or Pontiac Trans Sport. The interior does need to get better and not remind of a Tahoe. The Mercedes GL is the #1 seller in this segment now, the Lexus LX and Lincoln Navigator are nearly extinct, you sort of have to get it right or face elimination.
  14. smk4565
    That is a rather depressing figure to all car fans and gear heads. A bit misleading though if they using depreciation on a new car which is obviously a lot. 1/3 of their cost is depreciation.
  15. smk4565
    The diesel could be there at launch, that engine already exists and will be on sale here this summer in the E-class and GLK. They will have to move on the coupe and convertible, if the sedan comes out in the fall, the 2-doors could come in the spring. Mercedes is chasing BMW in this segment and they know they can't go a 1 or 2 years with no coupe, when the BMW has one.
  16. smk4565
    Excellent fuel economy. The only downside is it starts above $25k rather than below $25k. They need a more powerful version of this engine (maybe 30-40 more hp and lb-ft) for Cadillac. Even with a power boost they should still be able to get 40 mpg out of an ATS.
  17. smk4565
    The interior gives me a BMW vibe, compared to the current car's S-class looking center stack. I wish they'd come up with their own look, hopefully the exterior looks like a Hyundai and not just like a blend of other cars. I like the current Genesis a lot, but it is just too boring looking, and doesn't have enough unique styling cues. I hope this car is good, and the 5.0 V8 carries over, because getting a 430 hp rear drive luxury sedan for $45k is great value.
  18. smk4565
    The diesel is needed, they could get the C-class over 40 mpg with it. This is where the diverse engine lineups of BMW and Mercedes give them strength. You can't get a diesel from the Japanese or American luxury brands, and the IS, G37, and ATS don't have a hybrid either. Body styles is another strength, this is how they hit a big spectrum of the market.
  19. smk4565
    That is what is coming, it used to be V8 with a 4-speed automatic, now it will be 4-cylinder with a 8 speed automatic, and in time, 3 cylinder with a 10 speed automatic. The Mercedes 9-speed transmission should be on sale in 2014, the rest will follow.
  20. smk4565
    Doesn't make any sense for hybrid or diesel AMG cars. Diesels and hybrids make sense for the mainstream vehicles. I've never been a fan of this "performance hybrid" movement that other cars have tried to do, they aren't all that fuel efficient and they just add loads of weight and don't give great performance.
  21. smk4565
    Major car companies, i.e. Toyota, Honda, Ford, and GM love that sort of vehicle.
  22. smk4565
    4.3L V6, what is this a 1984 Astro van?
  23. smk4565
    The front looks pretty bad ass, but I don't think will make any serious threat to the Germans. Probably will just take away sales from the Quattroporte, since this is cheaper and not so huge.
  24. smk4565
    I am surprised it took this long. Toyota will take any model, add leather, wood and a better stereo and call it a Lexus. And if they add 5 horsepower and 19 inch wheels they can call it F-sport!
  25. smk4565
    ATS and CTS need sedan and coupe body styles. BMW and Mercedes do a mid-size coupe. ATS is a given since the Lexus, Infiniti and Audi have coupes, you can't be sedan only, otherwise you're Lincoln or Acura.
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