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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    And when you add all the goodies to the other cars, the weight rises there too... what's your point? A 550i xDrive loaded with options weighs more than a 528i base. Getting the base chassis down in weight is important. It does allow for a lower power engine to achieve the same performance and it allows the higher power engines to achieve better performance. All the coming TTV8 from Cadillac has to do is match the S-Class 4.7TT and it will have a significant advantage over the Benz due to the S-Class' crushing curb weight. In fact, Benz may find themselves in a bit of a pinch perception wise if the CT6 and 7-series hit their weight goals. Both of those cars would be much faster than the S-Class with the same or possibly less horsepower.
  2. Drew Dowdell
    64 lbs lighter than a CTS 2.0T RWD. So, by the book - 3556 BMW is dropping from 7-series weight to 5-series weight, but the CT6 is ATS AWD weight.... it dropped two size classes. A fact that a BMW owner looking to trade in and upgrade really wouldn't care about. As for Cadillac, good on them. But you are comparing a AWD ATS to a RWD CT6. Not exactly matching. It would be exactly two segments lower if it was a AWD CT6 weight quoted above. I imagine 34 speakers isn't included in that number. Well if you prefer to look at it that way, the CT6 only weighs about 183lbs more than an ATS 2.0T RWD (3373lbs)... a car that is already one of the lightest in it's class. The difference in weight between an ATS and a CT6 is..... me.... after a generous helping of chocolate cake.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    Magic body control is the S-class suspension that scans the road ahead to adjust the suspension before hitting a bump. That is where the real magic is. I wonder how fast that S-Class can scan and adjust properly on Montreal roads in the spring time...Im willing to bet...not so fast...Im willing to bet...that the S-Class drops the ball on that... it's actually pretty good at it... but it is completely geared towards being soft rather than performance.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    64 lbs lighter than a CTS 2.0T RWD. So, by the book - 3556 BMW is dropping from 7-series weight to 5-series weight, but the CT6 is ATS AWD weight.... it dropped two size classes.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    I drove an ATS-V back to back with an M4 Convertible at the same event Horatiu was at. The best way I could describe them is "different". The ATS-V is much more frantic in it's top sport setting. The M didn't feel as fast as the ATS-V, but it's not exactly fair to compare a convertible to a hard top 400lbs lighter, so I don't put too much weight into that. Yet even accounting for engine output underrating by BMW, they're going to match Cadillac's stated output at most. I give the nod to the M on the interior quality of materials. I like that the steering, suspension, and throttle response can each be adjusted independently on the M where as the ATS-V adjusts all 3 at the same time. The ATS-V launch control and rev-matching is awesome once you get the hang of it. I got some very impressive fuel economy out of the ATS-V when driving conservatively on a long haul. I didn't get a similar drive in the M. For hard driving, the ATS-V would probably be my preference, but the M is probably the more comfortable and livable "everyday car".
  6. Drew Dowdell
    Oh they're here...
  7. Drew Dowdell
    The reason people are talking about it is because of all the moaning and complaining from the German-Car humpers that the Cadillac CT6 will come in 2.0T base. It's just more of the double standards that the German fanbois play. The CT6 is the size of a 740i but weighs the same as a 335i xDrive. So even though the 7-Series dropped weight, the CT6 still weighs less.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    One wonders why they didn't just use the 2.7EB... it's not like anyone would have known the 0.3 liters were missing
  9. Drew Dowdell
    That's like saying a 2WD Silverado is every bit the RWD system as what's in a 458 Italia. And it's simply untrue. The SRX, like other GM vehicles, uses the Gen 4 Haldex system. It is FWD biased, and does not have the same ability or feel as some other AWD systems, like some of those found in Audis. Most Audis (everything larger than A3/Q3) use traditional mechanical AWD systems with center torsen diffs. These have numerous advantages over systems like Haldex's. I was specifically referring to an XTS-V. While it was unquestionably more competent than the last SHO I drove, track ready it was not. I did say "almost". It needs bigger brakes and the more aggressive MRC programming available in the ATS-V and CTS-V.... The XTS-V starts at $63,000 and runs into the high $70k range. What, if anything, at BMW, Mercedes, or Audi will get you XTS-V performance in the same size package at that price? You can't do it. There is no more E550. A CLS550 will get you close on performance but doesn't have the room. An S550 may have the room and performance, but also costs and entire Chevrolet Malibu more. The story repeats at BMW where you can get a 550i but sacrifice the space or get the 750i and spend $20k more.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    https://youtu.be/5UwOBKSHl-c?t=3m51s
  11. Drew Dowdell
    How many times can you change the handle of a broom and the head of the broom and it still be the same broom? If over the years the block has been changed, and the heads have been changed, and the intake has been changed, and the pistons have been changed, and the valves have been changed, and the valve train has been changed..... and every other component has been changed.... how is it not a new engine? The LY7 is only a distant relation to the LFX... sharing basically only the displacement. I'm looking forward to the Pentastar adding Direct injection, that should make that engine even greater.
  12. Drew Dowdell
    Both the SRX and XTS use a Haldex AWD system that can send 90% of the torque to the rear wheels as needed. It is every bit an AWD system as Audi's Quattro. The XTS and XTS V-Sport are very different beasts on the road that you almost cannot compare the two in any meaningful way besides the size. The regular XTS is soft on torque and uses air springs for a soft ride. The XTS V-Sport has the 410hp Twin Turbo V6 with 369 lb-ft from 1900 rpm all the way to 5600 rpm. It also sports Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control (or Magic Ride Control as I like to call it) that takes those air springs and firms everything up to make the big girl dance. What it really needs is some better brakes.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    This post just shows you have no knowledge about the company.............. at all............ The current 3.6, the LFX, came out in 2012 Model year. We're currently in 2015 Model year. 2015 - 2013 = 2 years old. It is a redesign of the LLT with new cylinder heads, an integrated exhaust manifold (meaning basically a completely redesigned block), new intake manifolds, fuel injectors, intake valves, and more. I really really like the Pentastar and I feel it is one of the best V6es on the market today... but lets keep it real about the GM 3.6 shall we?
  14. Drew Dowdell
    7) I'm not bashing the X1 for being FWD... I'm bashing the German-Car humpers for being hypocrites.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    Wrong - Above 275hp, you need Hi-Per strut.. maybe. And that argument negates the entire Audi lineup if it were true. The XTS V-Sport is very nearly track ready and it is FWD based. The SRX sux so bad that it outsells its competitors, the GLK, X3, and Q5, regularly.... even at the tail end of its production run. Put an XTS V-sport on a track against a CTS V-sport and who wins? The SRX is bigger than those 3 Germans, and I think the Lexus RX and SRX both benefit from a lot of people liking Toyota or Chevy crossovers (or fwd crossovers in general) and it is a logical move up. But with the Q3, GLA, and X1 in place it allows the GLC, X3, Q5 to grow a little, add more content, more power etc. The Germans over time have a way of wearing down the market and winning people over. XTS-V Sport - AWD CTS V-Sport - RWD In the end it will come down to driver skill and track conditions. We've been over this with you 1,00000000000,0000000,0000000 times. The SRX, GLK, and X3 are the same dimensions internally to within less than an inch of each other. They have the same base prices, and are generally a match in price as you climb up the options ladder. Just because the SRX is larger on the outside does not mean it is in the X5's size class. NO ONE shops cars with a tape measure... if the interior space of the GLK is suitable to a buyer, the interior space of the SRX will be too.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    Wrong - Above 275hp, you need Hi-Per strut.. maybe. And that argument negates the entire Audi lineup if it were true. The XTS V-Sport is very nearly track ready and it is FWD based. The SRX sux so bad that it outsells its competitors, the GLK, X3, and Q5, regularly.... even at the tail end of its production run. Audi's CUV's are not FWD, nor is their AWD system FWD-based. This is a fallacy that needs to die. Their AWD systems are dedicated AWD systems and designed as such. Hence their engines being longitudinally mounted. The XTS is not most certainly not track ready. Maybe slightly curvy back road ready. Sales are not indicative to whether or not something sucks. We all know this. It's a tired argument. In the same vein, McDonald's must have the best burgers in the world..... If Audi's CUVs are not FWD nor using FWD based AWD system, you better notify Audi, because they have some serious errors on their Audi.de website. My 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado has it's engine mounted longitudinally and so does Dodgefan's Dodge Intrepid. That doesn't make them RWD cars. I've actually had the XTS V-Sport on a track.... Have you? No, it's not a Z-06, but it will out handle a Mercedes Benz E550 Floatmatic. McDonald's burgers are cheap junk and McDonalds sales are way down while Wendy's and Burger King (the two who sell at the same price point) are expanding. The SRX sells at the same price point as the X3 and GLK and sometimes outsells them both combined. Now, I'm not the greatest fan of the SRX... but I wouldn't not buy it just because of the way the engine was situated.. and I certainly wouldn't pick the MB or BMW just because their engine is facing the other way....
  17. Drew Dowdell
    Wrong - Above 275hp, you need Hi-Per strut.. maybe. And that argument negates the entire Audi lineup if it were true. The XTS V-Sport is very nearly track ready and it is FWD based. The SRX sux so bad that it outsells its competitors, the GLK, X3, and Q5, regularly.... even at the tail end of its production run.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    You should keep it up to date with your new ones!
  19. Drew Dowdell
    The new Miata is all kinda good. I prefer cars that can dance over raw speed.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    The bad part for me is, my other half will love it....
  21. Drew Dowdell
    Well the rwd 8 speeds are really good. There are pentastar v6 changes in the works, what they really need is a new 4 cylinder family. Zf can keep working on the 9 speed. Platforms they're actually Okay also.. What else do they need platform wise? Maybe a small/mid truck, but that's about it. The new minivans will be here shortly
  22. Drew Dowdell
    Maybe I need to go make an account.....
  23. Drew Dowdell
    How do you think it is Cherokee related?
  24. Drew Dowdell
    The Ram 1500 and Wrangler are both still doing so well that is makes sense to delay them. The rest are a bit worrying.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    SMK has issues with anything and everything Cadillac does. Cadillac could sneak an S-Class off a Benz lot and swap the badges out and he would suddenly have all sorts of complaints about the shape of the radio knobs to the feel of the ash tray liner, to the type of screws used to hold the radiator in place. He'll complain about the SRX Being FWD while extolling the virtues of the CLA and looking the other way when Audi comes up. When Mercedes models sell poorly, they're "exclusive". When Cadillac models sell poorly, "Is this the end for Cadillac?!?" The SRX outsold the X3 and GLK (sometimes combined) for years, but the SRX "sux" beause it is front wheel drive and is slightly larger outside while having the same interior room. The Escalade is "just a Chevy" while the G-Class is "best evar!!" exposed screwheads and all. If you're looking for a laugh, wander over to the Benz forum and find the thread on G-Class quality. I took pictures at the auto show just for SMK.
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