Car Thread

[Hoser]

Oh, I figured this was a update of the articles written on this a year or so ago

[TylerDurden]

there's newer news than this, but here you go (http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-mercedes-refuses-to-supply-engine-for-new-mclaren-supercar.html). it's about six months old, but until i find the article i just read the other day this'll have to suffice.

the article i read the other day (from either f1technical.net, autosport.com, or wired.com) reiterated the same shit: mercedes/amg is not letting mclaren root around in its parts bins for this new car.

[Trident]

That article is a few months older than the one I posted.... but....

...Well, the F1 pwned all with a BMW engine. It would seem strange that Mercedes would not be at all interested, but they may well be frustrated that the sales of the SLR have not gone as well as they hoped - personally I think that car is fugly. The new Mclaren, should it ever happen, will be an amazing car.

[Hoser]

I WANT NOW!!!!!!!!!!

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Aston_Martin_V12_Vantage.jpg
Here it is, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, and it's coming to Geneva to bring the Vantage RS Concept to life. Thanks to the good folks at Drivers-Republic, we've got an exclusive first-hand look below.

But the heart of this more muscular Vantage is the 6-liter V12 engine. We'll let Driver's Republic take over from here:

It lives! Just 11-months since a select few journalists were allowed to drive the wild Vantage RS Concept at the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France, Aston Martin has revealed images and details of the finished production car.

Better still Aston invited us to a photographic studio so that we could pore over the actual show car that will make its world debut in just a month’s time at the Geneva Auto Salon.

Sadly we weren’t able to sneak a drive. We seriously thought about locking Aston’s PR representative in the toilet and going for a blast, but thought better of it when we saw how much snow was falling outside. However, we were able to shoot our own video, which you can now see below.

Suffice to say if you want to pore over every detail of the car and hear the raw fury of this extraordinary machine then this 'exclusive' DR video is a must-see…



DR’s audience with the V12 Vantage is the first time I’ve been in the presence of Aston’s brutal baby since I drove the RS Concept at Paul Ricard (so the group wasn’t that select? JB). Like everyone present at that track test I feared it would lose too much of its animalistic appeal in the translation from one-off engineering fantasy to line-built, limited production reality. So when the covers come off and the V12 is revealed in the softly lit, cave-like confines of the studio I’m relieved and not a little excited to confirm it still has an abundance of attitude.

Of course the knowledge that beneath the heavily louvered bonnet lurks a 6-litre V12 lends it a powerful aura beyond anything sheet metal can create, no matter how muscular and seductively contoured the skin may be. Many of the V12 Vantage’s panels are new – the front and rear bumpers, front splitter, sills, rear diffuser, bonnet and bootlid - yet the roof, doors and front wings are carried over from the V8.

This combination is key to the success of the V12, for while it had to visually distinguish itself from the V8 it also had to retain enough of the V8’s look to make the fact it’s packing a V12 all the more audacious. It scores on both counts.

The splitter and bonnet vents are the most obvious and aggressive additions. Finished in exposed carbon fibre, they transform the Vantage’s face from clean-cut to mean. The RS Concept’s bonnet was made entirely from carbon, but this has now been changed to aluminium with carbon louvre inserts. They are still functional in aiding both low and high-speed cooling, but the resulting look won’t be to everyone’s taste. .

Aston plans to reveal pricing details at Geneva, although we’re expecting it to be in the region of £140,000, neatly positioning it beneath the range-topping DBS and standing it toe-to-toe with the Ferrari F430 and Gallardo LP560. Head on over to find the rest at Driver's Republic.

Click the link and watch the video, but be ready to change your pants
http://jalopnik.com/5145876/aston-martin-v12-vantage-four-more-cylinders

Read more in here (http://www.drivers-republic.com/first_look/news/details.cfm?articleid=73bdb48e6f4e408e9d15d8346ad2 f41a&page=2)

[TylerDurden]

good-lookin' car. if i had the flow i'd pick one up (right after the new m3).

[Hoser]

AFTER AN M3??????????????

[Archangel]

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. That's like saying you'd fuck Eva Green, right after you fucked that cute chick from the bar down the street.

[TylerDurden]

AFTER AN M3??????????????

maybe it's just me, but i've always heard that aston martin's reliability isn't all that great.

that said, i know that bmw takes care of its people. aside from that the ///m gets better fuel efficiency than the prius (http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/24/2445.asp).

[TylerDurden]

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. That's like saying you'd fuck Eva Green, right after you fucked that cute chick from the bar down the street.

you don't fuck eva green... she fucks you, although i'd love to have a go at wrecking that chick.

[Hoser]

You know these cars aren't bought to be reliable DD's with great gas mileage.

Although being reliable would be nice, these cars aren't going to have 100,xxx miles put on them.

[TylerDurden]

You know these cars aren't bought to be reliable DD's with great gas mileage.

gas mileage aside i don't want to find myself on a track flogging that aston when it decides to jump the shark half-way through a twisty.

Although being reliable would be nice, these cars aren't going to have 100,xxx miles put on them.

with rare exception i tend to use the vehicles i own for whatever purposes that i originally bought them for. i wouldn't buy that aston to let sit and look pretty, although it IS pretty. i'd flog the fuck out of it.

[Trident]

maybe it's just me, but i've always heard that aston martin's reliability isn't all that great.

that said, i know that bmw takes care of its people. aside from that the ///m gets better fuel efficiency than the prius (http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/24/2445.asp).


Whilst I hate the Prius, London driving rarely - if ever involves fast driving. Lots of stop-start, 30mph speed limits with the odd bit of motorway but I think the average speed in London is something like 7mph, at which point th e Prius does whoop the BMW - however, for extra-urban driving it's dreadful. A decent diesel is a much better compromise. Of course, there is the other issue of emissions too. The point of the charge is to reduce the emissions of vehicles, rather than to have better mpg.

[TylerDurden]

Whilst I hate the Prius, London driving rarely - if ever involves fast driving. Lots of stop-start, 30mph speed limits with the odd bit of motorway but I think the average speed in London is something like 7mph, at which point th e Prius does whoop the BMW - however, for extra-urban driving it's dreadful. A decent diesel is a much better compromise. Of course, there is the other issue of emissions too. The point of the charge is to reduce the emissions of vehicles, rather than to have better mpg.

indeed. the mention of the fuel efficiency was more just a funny anecdote that i saw on top gear.

like i said, that aston is a beautiful car. it just wouldn't be my first choice.

[Archangel]

Compromise.


BMW 335d Coupé. 286hp (hey, reminds me of something...), 28mpg combined.

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/edit2-15.jpg

[Hoser]

gas mileage aside i don't want to find myself on a track flogging that aston when it decides to jump the shark half-way through a twisty.



with rare exception i tend to use the vehicles i own for whatever purposes that i originally bought them for. i wouldn't buy that aston to let sit and look pretty, although it IS pretty. i'd flog the fuck out of it.

I doubt these are breaking left right and center, they probably just need to be maintained relaly well to become higher mileage cars.

See if I was buying this car I would also have some others as well, so it wouldnt be used every day, or for super long trips. Something nice and cushy would be used for those.

[Archangel]

Isn't the whole sense of a GT like the Aston to get from Hamburg to Munich in 3 hours on the motorway?

[IdiotBrain]

I have no clue what reminded me of this, but does anyone remember the bit they did on Top Gear about the Mitsubishi EVO that outperformed the Lamborghini on the track, but unless you really laid on the thing it pretty much died every time you tried to get it rolling because without the turbo the engine was so underpowered?

[Hoser]

Isn't the whole sense of a GT like the Aston to get from Hamburg to Munich in 3 hours on the motorway?

Yes, but they are a very high performance engine with very little tolerance, so things can go wrong much easier. They will require a more regular maintenance and care then a 95' F150. But it isn't like they are being re built on a regular basis.

[Hoser]

I have no clue what reminded me of this, but does anyone remember the bit they did on Top Gear about the Mitsubishi EVO that outperformed the Lamborghini on the track, but unless you really laid on the thing it pretty much died every time you tried to get it rolling because without the turbo the engine was so underpowered?

Um, yeah that is kind of the point of the turbo, to take an engine that isn't performing and make it perform. But it isn't like they have a 70mm turbo and have to be at 7000rpm to get any boost. There is not much lag in a stock Evo.

Evos (forget which gen, I think VIII and IX) have been known to have their knock sensor cut the engine to when next to a really loud car, but they won't shut down due to lack of power before the turbo starts to produce.

[IdiotBrain]

Right but this was a special edition released in Europe, limited run and all that goodness.

It would only run on 93+ octane and got something in the ballpark of 12mpg.

[IdiotBrain]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LU4jzAqvQK0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LU4jzAqvQK0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Archangel]

Right but this was a special edition released in Europe, limited run and all that goodness.

It would only run on 93+ octane and got something in the ballpark of 12mpg.

Ah, the Evo VIII/IX FQ. Came out as the FQ-300, 320. 340 and the utterly mental FQ-400 (360 with the Evo IX).


Three guesses what "FQ" stands for.

[IdiotBrain]

"fucking quick"?

[Archangel]

Ding ding ding.


They actually wanted to call the faster versions VFQ, SFQ, and MFQ.

[Trident]

Reminds me of the terminals at Dhaka Airport where they not only had the VIP terminal, but also the VVIP terminal. Nothing like that government spending their little resources on the right things. Back to cars now.

[TylerDurden]

Ding ding ding.


They actually wanted to call the faster versions VFQ, SFQ, and MFQ.

very, super, and mega fucking quick?

[Archangel]

Very, seriously, and mentally.

[Hoser]

So yeah it was the FQ400, which isn't a normal EVO. It has a much larger turbo, which caused a lot of lag, it has, I believe a 6 puck clutch. SO it was a super hard clutch to drive that caused the stalls, not the engine. And since it has a monster turbo it has a lot of lag. But this isn't really a street car. it is made for the track where you don't have to do standing starts and you are always in boost and in your power band.

You have to compromise a lot to make an EVO be just as fast if not faster then a Lambo.

[Claydon]

My insurance company agreed that the transmission was damaged when those ass fucks stole my tire/rim a couple months ago and have agreed to pay for the rebuild.......minus my 500 deductible.










FUCK YAH!

[Hoser]

How did they come to that conclusion> Was the car dropped on the ground??

[Claydon]

How did they come to that conclusion> Was the car dropped on the ground??


Yes it was and dragged.

[Hoser]

That may just do it.

[Claydon]

That may just do it.

[Claydon]

That may just do it.


Honestly I don't care because they will cut me a check for $1800!!

[Hoser]

Tears of joy or tears of sadness??
As the finale in the Zonda line, the Pagani Zonda R brings the heat with a 739 HP 6.0-liter V12, weight chopped down to 2,360 pounds and a 0-to-60 time of three seconds.
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Pagani_Zonda_R.jpg

It's been a good run, the Pagani Zonda has stoked many a supercar fantasy and plasters the walls of garages and bedrooms everywhere, but all good things must come to an end. The Zonda R is that end and the Zonda is not fading quietly into history. Everything gets turned up to eleven with this final model, 739 HP 6.0-liter V12, 0-to-60 times of three seconds, and a blistering top speed of 233 MPH.
The car also spares no expense, wearing top shelf parts made of titanium and carbon fiber, and the price shows. Only 15 Zonda R's will be available to the public for a mind-blowing $1.8 million, and they're building one extra to keep at the factory. Guess if you're going to go out, you go out big.
More pictures in here (http://jalopnik.com/5147223/pagani-zonda-r-a-18-million-farewell-party?skyline=true&s=i)


Nissan GT-R With Updated Launch Control Still Fast

Owners of Nissan GT-Rs with updated launch control are starting to file their first impressions. So far, they're almost universally positive.

After the whole warranty-voiding Nissan GT-R launch control scandal, Nissan issued a software update purported to correct the problem. It affects launch control in two ways: by increasing the maximum RPM at launch with VDC on from 2,000 to 3,000 RPM and by decreasing the RPM at launch with VDC off from 4,500 to between 3,000 and 3,500 RPM.

The owner of this red GT-R, who we're sadly assuming isn't the hot chick, but the hot chick's less hot boyfriend, is reporting a 1/4 mile time of 11.347 at 120.85 MPH. That's on stock Dunlops, a stock car, stock fuel and the ECU update. He also reported that the conditions were extremely cold, which is good for power, but bad for traction.
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/GTR_update.jpg

That's a little faster than the professional drivers over at Edmunds managed in a non-updated stock GT-R during their official road test. Their Time: 11.6 seconds.

Apparently, the update, instead of slowing the vehicle down, simply leads to less wheel spin and wheel hop off the line, leading not only to smoother launches and less strain on the drivetrain, but also competitive acceleration figures. Sounds good to us, but we'll stick doing it ourselves without computer aid.
http://jalopnik.com/5147046/nissan-gt+r-with-updated-launch-control-still-fast

Sounds good, well for everyone but the GT-R haters.

[IdiotBrain]

So, I sold my old '92 Ford Ranger for almost double the KBB price. Score.

Right now I am in between vehicles, and driving a
http://www.electroguard.com/trio/DSC09913.JPG
1984 Ford F-350 Dually [single cab, short bed though] with a naturally aspirated 6.9l diesel. The engine is strong as fuck, but the truck is made for pulling, and only gets about 7 mpg [puke].

Soon, I should be getting a:
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/1990-94-Chevrolet-S10-Blazer-93124161990107.jpg

1993 Chevy Blazer-Tahoe-s10. 4.3l vortec, automatic, 2wd. It's nothing special but it's very well kept, low miles [under 100k] and the little vortec has some nice pep to it while still getting decent gas mileage. [23 hwy]

I'm going to be doing a few things to it ASAP when I get it, beginning with new motor mounts [the god damn motor twists so hard when you floor it that the AC line disconnects]. Second on the list will be to reduce the body roll, likely by adding front and rear sway bars and stiffening the suspension a bit. It's the same paint job as the one shown above, but a bit faded, so I'll likely be painting it as well. It's sitting on 31's and they're a titty bit too big for it at stock height... but they're excellent quality and Michelin A/T's and have about 90% tread all the way around.

Any suggestions of other little tweaks I might consider doing to it? Obviously beyond adding a 10" woofer and upgrading the sound a little.

[Archangel]

Who hates GT-R's? I want one... Unlike a Gallardo or a Vantage, I might realistically be able to afford that fucker at some point...

[IdiotBrain]

I'd rather have an EVO than a GT-R, personally... but I don't hate the GT-Rs....

[}{arlequin]

i dislike many cars but i only hate them when i'm forced to drive them

[Archangel]

Yeah, but you're paid. Nobody's forcing you to drive a Micra.

[Hoser]

Mostly Corvette drivers and band wagoners.

I don't get it, but there are a lot of people out there who bash the GT-R.

}{ You have had some bad things to say about the GT-R now and again.

[Smashing]

So, I sold my old '92 Ford Ranger for almost double the KBB price. Score.

Right now I am in between vehicles, and driving a
http://www.electroguard.com/trio/DSC09913.JPG
1984 Ford F-350 Dually [single cab, short bed though] with a naturally aspirated 6.9l diesel. The engine is strong as fuck, but the truck is made for pulling, and only gets about 7 mpg [puke].

Soon, I should be getting a:
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/1990-94-Chevrolet-S10-Blazer-93124161990107.jpg

1993 Chevy Blazer-Tahoe-s10. 4.3l vortec, automatic, 2wd. It's nothing special but it's very well kept, low miles [under 100k] and the little vortec has some nice pep to it while still getting decent gas mileage. [23 hwy]

I'm going to be doing a few things to it ASAP when I get it, beginning with new motor mounts [the god damn motor twists so hard when you floor it that the AC line disconnects]. Second on the list will be to reduce the body roll, likely by adding front and rear sway bars and stiffening the suspension a bit. It's the same paint job as the one shown above, but a bit faded, so I'll likely be painting it as well. It's sitting on 31's and they're a titty bit too big for it at stock height... but they're excellent quality and Michelin A/T's and have about 90% tread all the way around.

Any suggestions of other little tweaks I might consider doing to it? Obviously beyond adding a 10" woofer and upgrading the sound a little.

The 4.3 is basically or actually a 350 cut down. There is plenty you can do to it. Easy, fast mods are roller rockers(just torque to spec and roll - no adjustments needed), underdrive pulleys and E-fan.

[}{arlequin]

Yeah, but you're paid. Nobody's forcing you to drive a Micra.
i've owned shitty cars in my past. also, at times i drove rentals or friends' cars for various reasons. when i'm not involved, a shitty car doesn't bother me. once i have to interact w/ it personally, i hate it.

}{ You have had some bad things to say about the GT-R now and again.
well, i just don't think it's a sports car. yeah, it has two doors and lots of power but that's about it as far as i'm concerned. theoretically, a two-door amg car is closer to the gtr than a gtr is to a sports car.

it certainly is fast, but is that the only criteria? b/c if that's the case, i have a minivan that makes a better argument. the espace. (euros will know which one).

[IdiotBrain]

I've heard putting a turbocharger on it will make it run like a "scalded dog", but I'd put higher flow injectors and a few other things on it before i dropped 2k on a turbo.

Once the tires wear out I plan on buying a set of rims better suited to slightly lower profile tires, and dropping the thing and inch or two. My thoughts are that would increase overall stability while turning a great deal, especially when coupled with a stiffer suspension and sway bars.

[Hoser]

well, i just don't think it's a sports car. yeah, it has two doors and lots of power but that's about it as far as i'm concerned. theoretically, a two-door amg car is closer to the gtr than a gtr is to a sports car.

it certainly is fast, but is that the only criteria? b/c if that's the case, i have a minivan that makes a better argument. the espace. (euros will know which one).

Who said it is a sports car? It is a GT, hell it is right there in the name. If you are comparing it to sports cars, it might not be quite there, but it is still defiantly and undeniably fast around a race track.

The only thing that would keep it from being a sports car is the weight, but now there are very few cars that are coming in light weight, unless they are pure track cars.

Is the minivan the 80's turbo Caravan?

[Gary_Busey]

I'm not super keen on it's styling, but I'd drive a GT-R in a heart beat and I'd definitely consider getting one if I were in the market to buy something like that.

[ShitBreak]

Car question:

How much will it cost me to get my front end aligned? Been needing to do it, and it's gotten worse. I've stuffed my car into too many curbs.

[Smashing]

i've owned shitty cars in my past. also, at times i drove rentals or friends' cars for various reasons. when i'm not involved, a shitty car doesn't bother me. once i have to interact w/ it personally, i hate it.

well, i just don't think it's a sports car. yeah, it has two doors and lots of power but that's about it as far as i'm concerned. theoretically, a two-door amg car is closer to the gtr than a gtr is to a sports car.

it certainly is fast, but is that the only criteria? b/c if that's the case, i have a minivan that makes a better argument. the espace. (euros will know which one).

Who said it is a sports car? It is a GT, hell it is right there in the name. If you are comparing it to sports cars, it might not be quite there, but it is still defiantly and undeniably fast around a race track.

The only thing that would keep it from being a sports car is the weight, but now there are very few cars that are coming in light weight, unless they are pure track cars.

Is the minivan the 80's turbo Caravan?

http://thewallpapers.narod.ru/archive11/free-desktop-wallpaper-1024x768-Renault-Espace-1024x768-08.jpg

[Hoser]

^^^What engine comes in that


Mike learn to drive

[IdiotBrain]

Stop driving like a fucking woman on a cell phone.

<$100

[Smashing]

Car question:

How much will it cost me to get my front end aligned? Been needing to do it, and it's gotten worse. I've stuffed my car into too many curbs.

4 wheel alignments run about $80 here in NY

[}{arlequin]

Who said it is a sports car?

Is the minivan the 80's turbo Caravan?
i guess it's my fault for making the assumption that it's a sports car. w/ the marketing and exposure it is getting, it never occurred to me otherwise

although i know which one you mean, it's a different minivan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEDwfk8EYR0


to osu: if 2 wheels are out of alignment, chances are so are the other two. it's like buying 2 tires at a time

[ShitBreak]

I think it's just the front end. It's front wheel drive, and that's the side I always ram curbs with. I should stop using curbs as my guide point when I'm drunk.

I'm thinking I can get it done for 50 bucks here.

[Hoser]

If you are going to do it, do it right and get all 4 done.

[ShitBreak]

Fuck that. My POS car is lucky she's getting a front-end alignment ANd gets an oil change every 3k.

[}{arlequin]

Car question:

How much will it cost me to get my front end aligned? Been needing to do it, and it's gotten worse. I've stuffed my car into too many curbs.


I'm thinking I can get it done for 50 bucks here.
then wtf are you asking this question for?? clearly no one knows oklahomo pricing like you do

[IdiotBrain]

Chokelahomo where the wind goes blowing through their ears.....

[Hoser]

Fuck that. My POS car is lucky she's getting a front-end alignment ANd gets an oil change every 3k.

It has nothing to do with the car being lucky. If your car is out of alignment it is just going to cost you more money.

[IdiotBrain]

He apparently knows as much concerning vehicles as he does women and fitness.

[Hoser]

It amazes me how much money people waste because of lack of knowledge. They try at save a little now and end up costing themselves more in the future.

[}{arlequin]

It amazes me how much money people waste because of lack of knowledge. They try at save a little now and end up costing themselves more in the future.
haha so true. meanwhile those same people run de-frag and virus scan on the computers religiously.

[Hoser]

wait, people don't set automatic timers for those??

[}{arlequin]

i just don't do it period. but every computer i've owned has only lasted two years, whether i did the maintenance or not. so i stopped bothering w/ it.

[Hoser]

I just set it to do it once a month, always at 3am, so there is no chance I am on it.

But I damn sure take much better care of my cars.

[Smashing]

Fuck that. My POS car is lucky she's getting a front-end alignment ANd gets an oil change every 3k.


Next you'll be bitching that your tires are fucked from being draged sideways and how much will that cost.

[ShitBreak]

Did I say "I think my whole car is out of alignment. I've never had it checked out, so I don't know jack shit about my car".

No. I didn't. So shut the fuck up. I've had it looked at, and I just need the fucking front end aligned. The back end is fine.

[Hoser]

No you said you "think" it is just the front, since that is what your dumb ass hits on the curbs. At no point did you say you had it checked out. Now drop the Dorito, hit the gym and stop being a whiny pussy.

I think it's just the front end. It's front wheel drive, and that's the side I always ram curbs with. I should stop using curbs as my guide point when I'm drunk.

I'm thinking I can get it done for 50 bucks here.

Also if you had it checked out they would have told you how much it is, and if they didn't a normal person without downs would have asked.

So which is it? Are you a lying sack or shit, or do you have downs?

[ShitBreak]

Well my dad, who was a mechanic for a shitload of years said "he thinks" the back end is fine. He said if it's off, it's not off enough to pay a shitload to get it aligned.

And I had no doritos this week. At all, in fact. I rule.

[Hoser]

Unless he hooked it up to the lasers he would not know, unless he checked out the tread wear or the wheel was sideways. Also you never said you dad who was a mechanic "thinks". You said you think. Also when did $50 become a shit load to save on gas and tires??


Ok, change Dorito for some other food that will continue to increase you waste line, still covers the point just as well.


BTW your dad eying it is not having it checked out. And if you take after him I defiantly wouldn't be taking his word for anything, but I cannot imagine there being more then one person like you out there.

[ShitBreak]

My dad did check the tread. Back tires are fine.

50 bucks is 50 bucks. I'm a penny pincher. The change from 50 bucks to over 100 bucks is too much for me to do for something that probably isn't necessary. It's a totalled out 91 toyota camry....I'm not looking to make it run like a fucking new car.

[Hoser]

Ok then back to }{'s point. If you knew the cost, why ask?

[ShitBreak]

I didn't know the cost. That's why I asked. When he said it could be done for 80 bucks in NY, I just assumed it'd be about half that here.

[TylerDurden]

My dad did check the tread. Back tires are fine.

50 bucks is 50 bucks. I'm a penny pincher. The change from 50 bucks to over 100 bucks is too much for me to do for something that probably isn't necessary. It's a totalled out 91 toyota camry....I'm not looking to make it run like a fucking new car.

you came in here, asked people whom you obviously thought knew more than you for advice, and now you're going to piss on the advice they gave you? fucking christ.

doing a two-wheel alignment should only be reserved for per-instance incidents. if, for example, you've had your annual alignment done and on your way out of the parking lot accidentally smack a curb with your passenger-side front tire then a two-wheel alignment is applicable.

if, however, this is your annual alignment (or whenever it is that you decide to take care of your shit) then you do not need to be penny-pinching. aside from saving your fucking life and increasing predictable behavior in your vehicle's operations a proper alignment reduces tire wear and increases fuel efficiency.

the fact that you don't want to pay and extra $30-50 right now is simply going to cost you $300+ when you have to replace your tires, spindles, etc. furthermore, the longer you hold off on doing a full alignment, the more likely it will be that they won't be able to correctly align it because it will seize from friction (physics lesson: rubbing two objects together causes friction; your suspension, hubs, rims are not stationary objects).

it doesn't fucking matter if you own a brand-fucking-new bmw or an old-as-fucking dirt piece-of-shit chevy celebrity... as a responsible car owner you do the fucking maintenance correctly.

srsly, failure to heed this advice (from everyone) will result in no one wanting to help you with shit later after you severely fuck your car off. man the fuck up and do the right preventative maintenance. i suppose next you'll tell me your old man said it was cool to change one brake pad at a time, right?

[ShitBreak]

Is alignment really that big of a deal? Shit.

I've not had my car's alignment done since the transmission dropped out over 5 years ago.

[Hoser]

I didn't know the cost. That's why I asked. When he said it could be done for 80 bucks in NY, I just assumed it'd be about half that here.

So you suck at math too??

80/2 = 40, not 50.

[Hoser]

Is alignment really that big of a deal? Shit.

I've not had my car's alignment done since the transmission dropped out over 5 years ago.

Yes it is. I pray to God you never own a newer car, because someone is going to get screwed when you sell it.

Also you seem like the kind of guy who will end up having his tie-rod's break.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1245/584996969_8ef50ffdb4.jpg?v=0


I will Lulz

[TylerDurden]

Is alignment really that big of a deal? Shit.

yes. it's what enables your car to continue driving in a straight line when you take your hands off the wheel to snatch up another big mac from the passenger seat.

[Hoser]

50 bucks is 50 bucks. I'm a penny pincher.

So being this penny pincher you should know that $100 spent now is better then 3-400 spent a year from now. Also include the extra gas you will be using.

Preventative maintenance is always cheaper. Never forget that.

[ShitBreak]

yes. it's what enables your car to continue driving in a straight line when you take your hands off the wheel to snatch up another big mac from the passenger seat.

OH SNAP.

Yeah...to drive straight with one hand (let's say on a normal car your hand is at 12)....yeah, on my car it's at 1. A full hour later!!!

Ok, I'll at the very least get the back tested/checked out. If it doesn't need it, it's better to know than to not know.

[Hoser]

Remember you came to us, people who know that they are talking about. It is pretty easy to see we know far more on the subject then an average person.

You take our advice on this, and we'll take your's on how to not get laid and become fat. Deal?

[ShitBreak]

Remember you came to us, people who know that they are talking about. It is pretty easy to see we know far more on the subject then an average person.

You take our advice on this, and we'll take your's on how to not get laid and become fat. Deal?

Completely false. I got laid more last year than probably most the members on here.

But becoming fat and lazy? Yes...I could totally teach that.

[TylerDurden]

Completely false. I got laid more last year than probably most the members on here.

i would rather lube up and fuck a nerf football than stick my cock in some of the sewer pipes you call women.

[ShitBreak]

i would rather lube up and fuck a nerf football than stick my cock in some of the sewer pipes you call women.

I would too, looking back on it.

[Hoser]

Completely false. I got laid more last year than probably most the members on here.

But becoming fat and lazy? Yes...I could totally teach that.

I was defiantly not one of the ones you had more sex than.

Also you say it like it is an accomplishment. WOOOO You got laid more then FACE. Want a cookie.

Also what Tyler said.

I'll avoid your other lessons though, but thanks for the offer.

[ShitBreak]

I can show you have to throw a mean circle change-up.

That's about all the expertise I have.

[Smashing]

Yup, TD hit all the nail heads. You asked, we told. If your old man can eyeball an alignment then I should be watching his show on TV this weekend. I suppose you can turn shit to gold?

Or

Park the piece of shit and take the bus.

[Hoser]

I can show you have to throw a mean circle change-up.

That's about all the expertise I have.

Yeah baseball is something I do at the cottage in the summer when drunk. Not something I take seriously.

[Claydon]

yes. it's what enables your car to continue driving in a straight line when you take your hands off the wheel to snatch up another big mac from the passenger seat.


It never ceases to amaze me how different the vehicle feels after I get the alignment done. I get it done about every 8000 miles and it awalys feels amazing to me.


OSUmike, don't be a cheap fat ass, and pay the hundy for the alignment. You're car will thank you, and you will be stimulating the economy.

[Gary_Busey]

I help my girlfriend change her headlight on her '92 Accord. That was a fucking hassle.

[Claydon]

I help my girlfriend change her headlight on her '92 Accord. That was a fucking hassle.


I use to do it on my 87 camry, what a fucking nightmare. Something so simple made OVERLY complex.

[Hoser]

I had an 86 Camry for a bit, and it was easy as shit. I have yet to find one that is a hassle.

[Gary_Busey]

Well, the idea was simple, but it's cramped quarters behind the headlight. I couldn't get my hand down there to unscrew the fastener that held the bulb in. Finally got a screw driver, stuck the bit in one of the grooves of the fastener, and tapped it loose.

[Gary_Busey]

I had an 86 Camry for a bit, and it was easy as shit. I have yet to find one that is a hassle.
Tiny girly Canadian hands fit down in those small spaces easier.

[}{arlequin]

'96 integra's lights were also a bitch. very cramped and no easy access to screws/latches/clips etc

[Hoser]

Tiny girly Canadian hands fit down in those small spaces easier.

Sorry, I'll start my 3 big macs a day to catch up to the fat American hands.


BTW my hands would crush you little hobbit body in no time flat.

[Gary_Busey]

Sorry, I'll start my 3 big macs a day to catch up to the fat American hands.


BTW my hands would crush you little hobbit body in no time flat.
That chip on your should is so easy to pick at.

[Blue]

I use to do it on my 87 camry, what a fucking nightmare. Something so simple made OVERLY complex.

But it took you 5 hours to change a faucet.
Give up being a man, some people aren't mechanically minded.

[Hoser]

Nope, I am good.

Whats the fun in saying nothing? This is a message board after all. You know a place to post messages. But whatever floats your boat.

[Gary_Busey]

IS THAT WHAT THIS IS?!? I've been confused for so long.

[POO POO CANNON]

So, I'm doing all city driving. With my best gas-saving efforts, I'm using 30L/100km, or roughly 8mpg.

Awesome.

[Thewellz]

I would love to get a Nissan 350 Z...i used to own a 240 Z, but had to sell it. I was so sad that day, like losing a member of my family.

[Claydon]

But it took you 5 hours to change a faucet.
Give up being a man, some people aren't mechanically minded.

sorry were you speaking? i couldn't understand you because of that peen you were sucking on.

the faucet was fucking fused into the sink from 3 years of lime build up.... wait...what i that i hear in the wind.... oh yah....something about go fuck yourself.

[Blue]

Tosser. You can't even insult like a man.

[willydong]

...ugh...

[mongo]

...ugh...

L.O.L!

[willydong]

holy bricks of bantha poo-doo, batman, i may have posted on the wrong thread...

[willydong]

the car thread is cool! i like cars.. with wheels and.. brakes...

[}{arlequin]

lulz
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/1015000569.html

[Archangel]

More like: "Wanna be a woman? Buy this car"...

[Hoser]

So thats what it takes to get women?? Man I have been doing it wrong all these years.

[TylerDurden]

More like: "Wanna be a woman? Buy this car"...

more like the porsche dealership is tired of being inundated with middle america coming out to buy their equivalent of the six-cylinder mustang.

[fuglystick]

I drive shit, but I've done some work restoring my old man's '67 Fairlane.http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/slagmonkey/pinup/fairlane/DSC05241.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/slagmonkey/pinup/fairlane/YellerCasper022.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/slagmonkey/pinup/fairlane/67Fairlane.jpg

[IdiotBrain]

Fun times. As terrible as that car is on gas, and turning.... I still wouldn't mind owning one for cruising the strip on weekends.

[Hoser]

Very nice engine bay. I just have a hard time getting into cars like that.

[}{arlequin]

More like: "Wanna be a woman? Buy this car"...
So thats what it takes to get women?? Man I have been doing it wrong all these years.
the lesson here seems clear: buy a chickster to pick up chicks; meet chicks; impregnate one; and then have to sell chickster. strategy fail

[Gary_Busey]

Fun times. As terrible as that car is on gas, and turning.... I still wouldn't mind owning one for cruising the strip on weekends.
Yeah, I'd like to own an old muscle car with a massive and overly loud engine just for cruising to the beach or around town.

[Ghostrider]

I am considering buying a used one of these Legends/dwarf race cars and making it street legal for commuting, looks fun to me!

http://static.racingjunk.com/63/ui/2/05/1096084461809-quot37-Ford-Legends-Roller.jpg
http://static.racingjunk.com/63/ui/2/46/6112523210910-1934-Ford-Legends.jpg
They run four cylinder crotch rocket motors, weigh around 1300 pounds and get around 30-40 MPG depending on your final drive ratio and the motor you use. I actually would like to try a 1200 CC V Max motor with 2:90 gears

Here is one on the streets.
http://thekneeslider.com/images/legendracer.jpg

[fuglystick]

Yeah, I'd like to own an old muscle car with a massive and overly loud engine just for cruising to the beach or around town.

it's not a daily driver, that's for sure, but it is impressive from stop light to stop light.

[}{arlequin]

I am considering buying a used one of these Legends/dwarf race cars and making it street legal for commuting, looks fun to me!
make sure you check it out in person, if you haven't already. they are deceptively small and cramped inside. doubt you'll have room for more than yourself inside it. also, when you stand next to these, they are around waist high. not very convenient for dd duty

[The Dude]

I'm so confused:

http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2009/02/wiesmann-gt-mf4.jpg

[NOTKyle]

If that's not a penis car I don't know what is.

[Archangel]

The guy who'd rented our house while we lived abroad drove a Wiesmann Roadster.

That thing looks like sex and goes like stink.

[TylerDurden]

I'm so confused:

http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2009/02/wiesmann-gt-mf4.jpg

not sure about the confusion... do you dislike? on the fence?
to be honest i kinda like it. they're just sexy cars. a mix of the old-skool with the new.

[}{arlequin]

Kinda like Bristol, but more fun

[The Dude]

not sure about the confusion... do you dislike? on the fence?
to be honest i kinda like it. they're just sexy cars. a mix of the old-skool with the new.


i was being slightly sarcastic about the mix of new school i dunno..."stuff" with oldschool roadster lines.

i'm not quite sure how i feel about it yet, i think it looks decent, but if (as arch said) it sucks performance-wise, then no-go

[Archangel]

i was being slightly sarcastic about the mix of new school i dunno..."stuff" with oldschool roadster lines.

i'm not quite sure how i feel about it yet, i think it looks decent, but if (as arch said) it sucks performance-wise, then no-go

Um, with "goes like stink", I meant that the M3 engine in that super lightweight body makes that thing fucking fly. That thing is quick.

[The Dude]

oh, well then, i'll take two

[Archangel]

Lucky mother fucker. The GT will set you back about €110,000.

[}{arlequin]

Weisman is nice but I'd rather have the modern Morgan/bmw combo. The lines seem more coherent

[Hoser]

My new favorite affordable domestic

http://jalopnik.com/5151498/2010-ford-taurus-sho-live-and-with-a-ridiculous-torque-curve?skyline=true&s=i

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/2010-Ford_Taurus_SHO.jpg
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/2010_Ford_Taurus_SHO_EcoBoost_Power-Curve.jpg

We showed you the reborn 2010 Ford Taurus SHO early this morning. Now it's debuted here in Chicago. Also, the power chart has debuted. Consider our fragile little minds blown.

The new SHO gets a 365 HP, 350 lb-ft twin turbocharged V6, all-wheel-drive, a slick, rev-matching, gear-holding paddle-shifted automatic transmission and very subtle visual modifications. In fact, you can read all the details in our earlier Taurus SHO post.

What we didn't have at the time was the above horsepower and torque curves for the EcoBoost in the Taurus SHO. The phrase "a flat torque curve" is very often tossed around willy-nilly, but the graph Ford has provided us is so ridiculous it practically defies reason.

[Archangel]

Not too shabby. How much?

[Trident]

$37,995, according to the website.

[Claydon]

so that is the new ford taurus... intersting.

nice to see a US company trying to put out a decent sedan. question is, will they pull a GM and fuck up the interior like they have done so BEAUTIFULLY on the new Buick Lacrosse.

and after 1 year of driving will the whole fucking thing shake and rattle and will you get 1-2 inches of play in the wheel?

[Trident]

Does it have paddle shift as well? I cannot tell from the vague Ford website.

[Trident]

http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/02/medium_3270694016_9a9c7a5e72_o.jpg
http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/02/medium_3269871595_01f5f2b152_o.jpg

Still not up to scrutiny, but looks wise it's ok. Seems to be some European influence. Useful considering how good Ford Europe is.

[Archangel]

$37,995, according to the website.

Wow, that's like €29k... The price of a well equipped VW Golf around these parts...

[Claydon]

http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/02/medium_3270694016_9a9c7a5e72_o.jpg

BUUUULLLLLLLLSHIT


that has to be a fake...no fucking way ford would produce something like that.

they will fuck it up, trust me.... motorcraft loves to produce the same looking interior for ALL of their vehicles from f150s, econoline vans, to their various cars.

[Archangel]

That looks a bit like the interior from the top-level Mondeos (http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/mondeo10.jpg)...

[Claydon]

where is the soft corinthian leather?

[Pax Britannia]

Mondeo's always surprise me when I drive them. Sure their everywhere but it's a good car.

[Archangel]

Mondeo's always surprise me when I drive them. Sure their everywhere but it's a good car.

Hell, it beat the Passat, the A4, and the C-Class, and is neck and neck with the 3-Series...

[Trident]

*they're

But yes, I've driven a few new Mondeos as hire cars from work, normally the 2.0d (I think) and it shifts, with a very good ride. It makes sense Ford America takes some advice from their European workmates.

[Claydon]

if ford can actually produce this, and NOT fuck it up and make me embarrassed to be an american when it is reviewed on UK and EU television.....then I may change my opinion about detroit.

[Claydon]

*they're

But yes, I've driven a few new Mondeos as hire cars from work, normally the 2.0d (I think) and it shifts, with a very good ride. It makes sense Ford America takes some advice from their European workmates.

what is a hire car?

[Archangel]

*they're

But yes, I've driven a few new Mondeos as hire cars from work, normally the 2.0d (I think) and it shifts, with a very good ride. It makes sense Ford America takes some advice from their European workmates.
After one side has produced some of the best cars in the world in the past 15 years, while the other has had a pretty good handle on building utter shit.

[Archangel]

if ford can actually produce this, and NOT fuck it up and make me embarrassed to be an american when it is reviewed on UK and EU television.....then I may change my opinion about detroit.

It probably won't be, since the Taurus isn't sold here.

[Pax Britannia]

*they're

But yes, I've driven a few new Mondeos as hire cars from work, normally the 2.0d (I think) and it shifts, with a very good ride. It makes sense Ford America takes some advice from their European workmates.

I drove a 1.9 Focus TDI Diesel recently that my dad had from the company he's working for and it had a fair amount of shift in it for a Diesel car. Maybe they just dropped their transit van engine into a Focus body!

[Trident]

what is a hire car?

A car which my work rents from a car renter for me to drive when I go away somewhere as I don't want to drive my personal car for work.

[Claydon]

A car which my work rents from a car renter for me to drive when I go away somewhere as I don't want to drive my personal car for work.

oh...a rental

[Claydon]

It probably won't be, since the Taurus isn't sold here.

neither are f150s but it was reviewed on top gear....and i was ashamed to be an american after they ass raping (although deserved) it was given.

[Trident]

I drove a 1.9 Focus TDI Diesel recently that my dad had from the company he's working for and it had a fair amount of shift in it for a Diesel car. Maybe they just dropped their transit van engine into a Focus body!

It must have been either the 1.8 or 2.0 as they don't do a 1.9. I'd go for the 2.0 though with a Focus, Zetec S. Nice cars.

[Trident]

neither are f150s but it was reviewed on top gear....and i was ashamed to be an american after they ass raping (although deserved) it was given.

You can import them. I've seen a few on the roads here. Usually straight roads.

[Claydon]

You can import them. I've seen a few on the roads here. Usually straight roads.

he said something like "the worse vehicle i have ever driven was a russian troop truck in vietnam....the key word being was...."


i sobbed

[Trident]

he said something like "the worse vehicle i have ever driven was a russian troop truck in vietnam....the key word being was...."


i sobbed

Why? Did it come as a surprise that many US-made cars are shite?

[Archangel]

neither are f150s but it was reviewed on top gear....and i was ashamed to be an american after they ass raping (although deserved) it was given.

Yeah, but it was reviewed because Euros don't understand pick-ups, let alone why everybody in America buys them. The fact that it sucked righteous cock just made for some great entertainment.

Regular saloon cars are less interesting.

[Pax Britannia]

It must have been either the 1.8 or 2.0 as they don't do a 1.9. I'd go for the 2.0 though with a Focus, Zetec S. Nice cars.

I saw a guy in a bright orange Focus ST being talked to by the Police by the side of the road and I thought "thats why they call those cars licence eaters".

[Archangel]

Why? Did it come as a surprise that many US-made cars are shite?

There's a difference between somehow knowing that your team is shit, and being dismantled 13-0 in a match.

[Claydon]

Yeah, but it was reviewed because Euros don't understand pick-ups, let alone why everybody in America buys them. The fact that it sucked righteous cock just made for some great entertainment.

Regular saloon cars are less interesting.

pick ups are INTENDED to be for business, work, construction etc.....


NOT for taking johnny and janey to soccer, and karate in downtown los angeles.

[Archangel]

Yeah, but the G-Wagen is intended to get soldiers and forest rangers, and their equipment, into the woods, as well.

Guess what, it does not suck.

[Archangel]

But then, it costs about 8 times as much as an F-150.

[Claydon]

Why? Did it come as a surprise that many US-made cars are shite?

no..... but i had hoped that the f150 could stand up to some quality, but even those have taken a nose dive over the last few years.

the last f350 my dad owned was bullet proof.... 450,000 miles before the transmission died and he junked it.

[Pax Britannia]

Thats the most mileage i've ever heard of in my life. And my dads a national sales rep.

[Claydon]

Thats the most mileage i've ever heard of in my life. And my dads a national sales rep.

well, he drives ALL OVER southern california, and isn't so cal like bigger than all of the UK?

[Pax Britannia]

well, he drives ALL OVER southern california, and isn't so cal like bigger than all of the UK?

I guess, how long did he keep the car for?

[Claydon]

I guess, how long did he keep the car for?

6 years, the cargo bed was so fucking trashed from hauling rebar, and various other construction what nots.

[Archangel]

Old Benz diesels do that stuff on the regular. There are still millions of those late-'70s/early-'80s fuckers in East Europe, the Middle East etc, still being used as minicabs after 30 years.

[Claydon]

Old Benz diesels do that stuff on the regular. There are still millions of those late-'70s/early-'80s fuckers in East Europe, the Middle East etc, still being used as minicabs after 30 years.

those old bastards are still on the road here in the US.

disgusting, dirty, ugly fuckers.

but bullet proof!

[Claydon]

i think he did get a new radiator, and had the head gasket replaced, a valve job, and the head re milled at like 280,000 if memory serves.

[Archangel]

those old bastards are still on the road here in the US.

disgusting, dirty, ugly fuckers.

but bullet proof!

Ugly? Fuck you.

http://www.youngtimer-portal.de/w123_2.jpg

We used to have one of these.

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Pines/6633/gallery/w123_280_silver1.jpg

[Claydon]

Ugly? Fuck you.

http://www.youngtimer-portal.de/w123_2.jpg

We used to have one of those.

yah ugly.... no if you go back further into the 70s when they had those really square bodies.... i love that look.

the icteric yellow is the most common color i see over here..... that color is just NASTY.

[Pax Britannia]

Looks like one of the crappy cars you get in the poor neighbourhoods of GTA.

[Claydon]

Looks like one of the crappy cars you get in the poor neighbourhoods of GTA.

qft

[Archangel]

Those were the heady days when Germany's car makers were run by 55-year-old fat grease monkey engineers who had forgotten more about building an engine than those smug pinstriped MBA arseholes running shit today could learn in five lifetimes.

[Claydon]

Those were the heady days when Germany's car makers were run by 55-year-old fat grease monkey engineers who had forgotten more about building an engine than those smug pinstriped MBA arseholes running shit today could learn in five lifetimes.

back in the days when you could hire hot secretaries and tell them " i can teach you to type, but I cant teach you to grow tits."




eh? EH?




i got nothing here folks

[Archangel]

Looks like one of the crappy cars you get in the poor neighbourhoods of GTA.

Actually, it appears in Vice City and San Andreas as the Admiral, and is one of the better and more expensive saloon cars in the game, you bastards.

http://etudiant.univ-mlv.fr/~mrembes/admiral.jpg

[Pax Britannia]

i got nothing here folks

We know.

[Pax Britannia]

Actually, it appears in Vice City and San Andreas as the Admiral, and is one of the better and more expensive saloon cars in the game, you bastards.

I remember it being shit.

Dont worry though I dont take my views on cars from video games.

[Archangel]

Boo.

______________________
CAR NAME MONEY
______________________
Patriot $40,000
Sanchez $8,000
Stretch $40,000
Feltzer $35,000
Remington $30,000
Buffalo $35,000
Sentinel $35,000
Infernus $95,000
Camper $26,000
Admiral $35,000

[Pax Britannia]

The Infernus is the only good car on that list. And the Patriot which is a Humvee essentially is at the top of the list.

[Archangel]

The Infernus is the only good car on that list. And the Patriot which is a Humvee essentially is at the top of the list.

List isn't prioritised. Just saying that it ain't cheap.

[TylerDurden]

i'm not quite sure how i feel about it yet, i think it looks decent, but if (as arch said) it sucks performance-wise, then no-go

agreed. aesthetically that car is sex, but if it doesn't move with a purpose it's all for naught. i'm pretty sure this thing's powered by...

the M3 engine in that super lightweight body makes that thing fucking fly. That thing is quick.

mmm... honestly, i know i could probably be considered biased (and i honestly don't give a shit), but there's something to be said for a company that turns everything to gold. if i'm not mistaken every m3 motor has taken "engine of the year" honors overall or in its particular class.

so that is the new ford taurus... intersting.

nice to see a US company trying to put out a decent sedan. question is, will they pull a GM and fuck up the interior like they have done so BEAUTIFULLY on the new Buick Lacrosse.

i'm actually pleasantly surprised by this. as a previous owner of a taurus i can testify to their ability to rack up some fucking miles. the original sho (suzuki power ftmfw) is still relatively quick by today's standards.

ford earned a whole new respect from me when they moved some resources around, sold off a large portion of their stake in mazda, and refused to take any gov't bailout money. they're in good shape, and if i was going to buy american i'd look at ford first.

and after 1 year of driving will the whole fucking thing shake and rattle and will you get 1-2 inches of play in the wheel?

my taurus was ten years old when i bought it. i paid $2k for it and it had 127k original miles. i took it to a dealership, gave the service staff $200 and the car came out the same day solid as a fucking rock. i had that car for two years, drove the fucking wheels off it, and is the only american car i'm not ashamed to say that i owned.

BUUUULLLLLLLLSHIT

there's nothing outlandish in this photo that would lead me to believe that it's pre-production. most of the parts in that interior are already in use or are new generations of old parts.

that has to be a fake...no fucking way ford would produce something like that.

they will fuck it up, trust me.... motorcraft loves to produce the same looking interior for ALL of their vehicles from f150s, econoline vans, to their various cars.

as previously stated, i think ford really gets it. they're always going to mix and mash interior parts that they already have molds for; it's more cost-effective. but it appears they've also reached the point that they know they can't evolve it any farther and have taken steps to rectify the design issues. this is a smart design, lots of euro-influence.

It probably won't be, since the Taurus isn't sold here.

i suspect that this is ford's reinvention process: they lead off with a completely redesigned (per their european brethren) sedan that everyone is familiar with and hasn't completely disgraced its name with previous shit quality. the taurus, believe it or not, is that car for ford. it's always been known as a decent car, if a bit dull and ugly depending on the generation.

following the gaged success of that endeavor they'll start bringing the euro-flavored (sans diesels, i suspect) versions of their various car tiers into the market (like that sexy focus you guys have over there). if successful i see the combining (largely) of the two markets within ford, while still maintaining the fuel differences (re: diesel vs. gasoline).

then i suspect we'll start seeing all of the little badass rides that we don't get over here in the states, tuned market-friendly (i fucking hate u.s. emissions laws) of course.

of the so-called "big three," ford is in the best position to not only stay afloat, but become wildly successful for those looking to buy both american and quality.

Yeah, but it was reviewed because Euros don't understand pick-ups, let alone why everybody in America buys them. The fact that it sucked righteous cock just made for some great entertainment.

exactly. and what i keep hearing is "f150" when, more specifically, they reviewed a lightning. and the reason they reviewed a lightning goes back to arch's original statement: europeans don't understand the american obsession with pick-ups (i suspect it has more to do with the cowboy, rough-and-tumble, unsophisticated maverick badass mentality that most of my fellow americans seem to suffer from), and the lightning is basically the sportscar version of the f150. it serves more performance needs than utility which i'm sure strike the europeans as nothing short of fucking hysterically funny. and they're right.

pick ups are INTENDED to be for business, work, construction etc.....

NOT for taking johnny and janey to soccer, and karate in downtown los angeles.

as much as i agree with this it all comes back to what consumers buy. if we stop demanding/buying trucks they won't make them.

Looks like one of the crappy cars you get in the poor neighbourhoods of GTA.

lol.

Those were the heady days when Germany's car makers were run by 55-year-old fat grease monkey engineers who had forgotten more about building an engine than those smug pinstriped MBA arseholes running shit today could learn in five lifetimes.

...and then the nineties came.

[Hoser]

Erection time

FFX Sex
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/ferrari_fxx_full_of_win_01.jpg
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/ferrari_fxx_full_of_win2.jpg


Needs more buttons
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Porsche-Panamera-Interior.jpg

R15
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Audi_R15_TDI_LMP1.jpg


I know some people don't like the Maybachs, but I love them.

Meet the new Zeppelin
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Maybach_Zeppelin.jpg
More pics (http://jalopnik.com/5151313/maybach-zeppelin-revealed-ahead-of-geneva-coronation)

[TylerDurden]

Erection time

FFX Sex
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/ferrari_fxx_full_of_win_01.jpg
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/ferrari_fxx_full_of_win2.jpg


they'd have had to have been fuckin' COOKIN' down that straight for the brakes to get like that. jesus fuckin' christ, those ferraris look like they're about to do a pair of stoppies.


Needs more buttons
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Porsche-Panamera-Interior.jpg

i'm just not a huge fan of the panamera. in their history it's not happened very often, but i genuinely feel like this is going to be an abortion.


I know some people don't like the Maybachs, but I love them.

Meet the new Zeppelin
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Maybach_Zeppelin.jpg

keep it, kthx.
i'll take a phantom instead.

then...
http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/02/1925%20Rolls-Royce%20Phantom%201%20Jonckheere%20Coupe%201.jpg

now...
http://www.autospectator.com/cars/files/images/Rolls-Royce-Phantom-Coupe-1.jpg

i'll take either one.

[Hoser]

Well yeah, RR > Maybach. But they are still nice cars.

RR > Maybach and Bentley. RR is the top dog in the game.

[}{arlequin]

interesting that the flames come out of only one side of the car... maybe it has a single exit for the location of the exhaust?

[TylerDurden]

interesting that the flames come out of only one side of the car... maybe it has a single exit for the location of the exhaust?

http://www.speedbrigade.com/articles/FXX01.JPG

true dual-exhaust... if you want to call it that. these things are essentially racecars built, stored, maintained, and cared for by ferrari and driven by clients.

the single venting shown above is something i've seen on a few sports cars in which the two sides of the exhaust weren't exactly the same length, and/or one of the banks was running exceedingly rich. of course, when you're running a car like that full-out you're bound to be chewing through fuel at an alarming rate.

[}{arlequin]

different length of the tubing would explain it, though as far as i know on v-config engines, and all of them in fact, the idea is to have equal length exhausts, or at least as close as possible

[Claydon]

saw a tesla on the road the other day, pretty slick looking, and i attempted to snap a pic of it but it came out like a big foot/ufo photo.

[Hoser]

In the case of the FFX they should be the same length. I am thinking it has more to do with one of the banks having a bit more fuel being burnt off.

[Hoser]

Did someone say Telsa???

How about their new Sedan
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Tesla_Model_S_Tease.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/5152209/tesla-model-s-electric-sedan-mostly-revealed

[Gary_Busey]

What cars would the new Malibu be competing with? I've seen a couple of those around and they look really nice.

[Claydon]

What cars would the new Malibu be competing with? I've seen a couple of those around and they look really nice.

i thought they were pitting that against camry and accord which is laughable. Camry is about style-less and sterile as they come but are fucking bullet proof with regards to quality and the accord looks way better than the malibu or camry combined. I know most on this thread would say that camry and accord are just econo boxes but they are solid vehicles.

[Gary_Busey]

Makes sense. I think it looks better than the Accord or Camry, especially the interior, but I guess that's subjective.

[Claydon]

Makes sense. I think it looks better than the Accord or Camry, especially the interior, but I guess that's subjective.

i always felt like the malibu felt UBER cheap, tinker toy plastic. imo

[Gary_Busey]

You've driven one of the new ones?

[Swurgen]

http://jalopnik.com/5151746/ferrari-fxx-under-some-seriously-hard-braking

[Claydon]

You've driven one of the new ones?

2008 model, yet to see the 09 other than pics.

i piss off dealerships as I often stop in to look at the new models.

[Archangel]

Well yeah, RR > Maybach. But they are still nice cars.

RR > Maybach and Bentley. RR is the top dog in the game.

That thing is a fucking disgrace to the Zeppelin name. With the original MZ, the only cars that were in its class were Bugattis.

[Archangel]

The problem with the Maybach is that it's basically a hyper S-Class, and it's exacerbated by the fact that the top S-Class models are really fucking good. I mean, if you choose to pay $200,000 extra to get a Maybach over a fully equipped S65 AMG, chances are, you're stupid.

As for Bentley, fuck all MSBs. VW Phaetons in drag. If you want a Bentley, it had better be called Arnage, Azure, or Brooklands, and have a 6 3/4l V8 under the bonnet.

BMW doesn't have the problem because there's a neat cut above the standard 760Li, so their Rolls-Royces are able to stand alone. Which they managed beautifully by totally distancing the Phantom from anything BMW. The fact that a car made by BMW is brilliant without it being a BMW is what makes it stand out.


If Merc were serious about the Maybach, they'd go balls out like they did with the brilliant Exelero prototype. Go beyond Bugatti, and totally over the top. As far from an S-Class as the S600 is from an A140 diesel, if not further. Ask €5 million for the fucker, too. Something like the old 600 Pullman, which made the Rollers of their day look like VW Beetles.

http://www.fam-weilbach.de/Mario/Wallpapers/Dekomprimiert/maybach_exelero_wallpaper_09.jpg

The rub obviously being that you really can't go that far above the S-Class.

[}{arlequin]

exelero is a sexy beast

[Archangel]

Yeah, I mean, there you got a car which could fucking drop jaws in front of Monte Carlo's casino, where Enzos are about as common as yellow Crown Vics in NYC.

Pagani? Bugatti? Fuck'em.

THAT's what they should build.

[Hoser]

i thought they were pitting that against camry and accord which is laughable. Camry is about style-less and sterile as they come but are fucking bullet proof with regards to quality and the accord looks way better than the malibu or camry combined. I know most on this thread would say that camry and accord are just econo boxes but they are solid vehicles.

Both the new camrys and accords look much better

http://www.hondaonline.ru/images/reviews/Honda-Accord-Coupe-Concept-2009-1-big.jpg
http://www.cars-bikes.info/d/1505-2/honda-accord-ex-l-v6-003.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm191/slice128/IMG_0593.jpg
http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2009/camry/gallery/full/2009_camry_se_v6_2.jpg
http://www.auto-broker-magic.com/images/2009-toyota-camry-rear.jpg

While neither are a marvel in design, they are light years ahead of their predecessor.

[Hoser]

exelero is a sexy beast

[Hoser]

As for Bentley, fuck all MSBs. VW Phaetons in drag. If you want a Bentley, it had better be called Arnage, Azure, or Brooklands, and have a 6 3/4l V8 under the bonnet.



I cannot say I 100% agree.

This car gives me a hardon, and I don't care who likes it or not. It is sex on wheels.

http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/Bentley_Continental-GT_167_1024x768.jpg
http://cars.88000.org/wallpapers/17/Bentley_GT_Coupe.jpg

[Archangel]

It's a glorified Passat. It may be quick, pretty, luxurious and all that, but underneath, that's what it is.

[Claydon]

It's a glorified Passat. It may be quick, pretty, luxurious and all that, but underneath, that's what it is.

you are referring to the honda and camry?

[Archangel]

Now this is a proper Bentley.

http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/E/w/09_brooklands_front.jpg

[Claydon]

Now this is a proper Bentley.

http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/E/w/09_brooklands_front.jpg

ah!

[Archangel]

you are referring to the honda and camry?

Try to keep up. Which of the brands recently mentioned is owned 100% by Volkswagen?

[Hoser]

It is fast, comfortable and looks sexy. That is what it is. When you look into it too much it will ruin you. I am all for being pure with top end cars, but I am also all for accepting a great car no matter what it is underneath it all. To me when I see one I never think, "Hey, look at that really nice looking glorified passat". I think, "Hey that is one nice car".

[Archangel]

It is fast, comfortable and looks sexy. That is what it is. When you look into it too much it will ruin you. I am all for being pure with top end cars, but I am also all for accepting a great car no matter what it is underneath it all. To me when I see one I never think, "Hey, look at that really nice looking glorified passat". I think, "Hey that is one nice car".
Maybe it's because it's - and I hate myself for saying this - too German.

A Bentley should be quintessentially British, and the MSBs, while brilliant cars, just aren't. The Conti GT and Flying Spur, they're no different from an A8, a 7-series, an S-Class or, indeed, a Phaeton with full optionals and big-ass engines. They're great luxury cars, but they're not.. special.

Now an Arnage, that's a dinosaur. A totally anachronistic relic that somehow manages to stay both fucking awesome and very British, because VW never touched its soul.

[Hoser]

It's a glorified Passat. It may be quick, pretty, luxurious and all that, but underneath, that's what it is.

Also it uses the Phaeton platform, which wasn't a Passat platform, even though it was basically a glorified Passat. but to even put the Bentley CGT in the same sentence is not only laughable but arrogant.

[Hoser]

Maybe it's because it's - and I hate myself for saying this - too German.

A Bentley should be quintessentially British, and the MSBs, while brilliant cars, just aren't. The Conti GT and Flying Spur, they're no different from an A8, a 7-series, an S-Class or, indeed, a Phaeton with full optionals and big-ass engines. They're great luxury cars, but they're not.. special.

Now an Arnage, that's a dinosaur. A totally anachronistic relic that somehow manages to stay both fucking awesome and very British, because VW never touched its soul.

OK that makes much more sense. I can understand you not liking them for being "too German", but to say that they are not great cars in general is insane.

Also if I was ever in the market for an Arnage, you would never see it happen, as I would end up in a RR. This one in Blue, Black or White to be exact.

http://www.automotoportal.com/media/images/vijesti/060711010.6.jpg

Hey does anyone know where that picture is taken?? That is where they took the picture for the new Aston Martin Rapide as well.

Here it is

http://s2.desktopmachine.com/pics/Aston-martin_rapide_227_1280x800.jpg
http://s2.desktopmachine.com/pics/Aston-martin_rapide_229_1280x800.jpg
http://s2.desktopmachine.com/pics/Aston-martin_rapide_228_1280x800.jpg

The last one really ruins the allure of the place

[Hoser]

BUUUULLLLLLLLSHIT


that has to be a fake...no fucking way ford would produce something like that.

they will fuck it up, trust me.... motorcraft loves to produce the same looking interior for ALL of their vehicles from f150s, econoline vans, to their various cars.

Just so you know, that is the production interior. You need to stop hating on things before you know the facts or see it personally. Things can change, I know it doesnt happen often, but it does happen.

[Claydon]

Just so you know, that is the production interior. You need to stop hating on things before you know the facts or see it personally. Things can change, I know it doesnt happen often, but it does happen.

i freely admit that i am biased and have zero faith in the US automakers. They have 12 years of fail to make up for with me.

I remember when GM came out with the northstar engine...that thing was so fucking awesome...... since then.... not so much.

[Hoser]

Also I don;t know much about the One-77 then than all of them have been sold and it will be nearly $2,000,000 and have a 7 liter V12 with a 0-60 in 3.5 and 200MPH+ top speed. Anyone else have any info on these or why they are so much?

[Archangel]

Also I don;t know much about the One-77 then than all of them have been sold and it will be nearly $2,000,000 and have a 7 liter V12 with a 0-60 in 3.5 and 200MPH+ top speed. Anyone else have any info on these or why they are so much?

Because €1,000,000 has been done to death.

And because it just might be the sexiest car ever made. Oh, and it's a 7.3-litre.

[}{arlequin]

i've poked fun of them but i still like them. maybe it's the gawky ugliness. maybe it's the fact it can just blend in w/ the crowd, yet still carry a punch. this is the completely unpretentious pretentious car. low key luxury around town. big lazy v8, w/ 100% of power available from 2k rpm. redline below 5k for effortless and instant acceleration. did i mention handbuilt and rarer than a rolls?? no, you cannot afford it. the.ugliest.cool.car. bristol blenheim

its only downside is that it's an auto, but i'm sure it being a custom coachworks effort, a manual could be arranged.

http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/index2.htm

http://i44.tinypic.com/345y612.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2yvrj45.jpg


http://i42.tinypic.com/qoyut0.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/5bcow3.jpg

[Hoser]

Because €1,000,000 has been done to death.

And because it just might be the sexiest car ever made. Oh, and it's a 7.3-litre.

Topgear says 7.3, but everywhere eles i read it say 7.0. Either way it is big.

[Archangel]

Ah, Bristol.

Selling you a 1970's Ford for €400,000, and getting away with it. I hear they won't even sell you one unless the company's owner likes you.

[Hoser]

The only Bristol I would drive

The Fighter T
http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/FighterT.htm
http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/pics/FighterT-A.jpg
Twin turbocharged and intercooled 8 litre V10 all aluminium engine.

1012 bhp at 5600 rpm.

1036 lb.ft of torque at 4500 rpm.

[}{arlequin]

to me bristols would be the ugly alternative to a 2 door bentley. since i'm in no danger of affording a bentley, so, pretty much, never


i'd want it to do what bentley does, but w/o being seen in a bentley. i have this anti-ostentatious perversion

[Archangel]

to me bristols would be the ugly alternative to a 2 door bentley. since i'm in no danger of affording a bentley, so, pretty much, never


i'd want it to do what bentley does, but w/o being seen in a bentley. i have this anti-ostentatious perversion

You're a European at heart, aren't you.

[TylerDurden]

The only Bristol I would drive

The Fighter T
http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/FighterT.htm
http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/pics/FighterT-A.jpg

i'm just not vibin' this car. it has a lot to do with the rear end. the ass just kills it for me.

[}{arlequin]

oops: http://www.motorsporttechnologygroup.com/galleries/2008%20Motorsport%20Technology%20Group%20at%20VIR% 20%2318%20Crash/index.html

[Archangel]

:(


Porsche Engineer Dies Testing Next Gen 911 Prototype

LINK (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/02/porsche-engineer-dies-testing-next-gen-911-prototype.html)

Early this morning an unnamed Porsche engineer died after losing control of a prototype Porsche 911 on the A5 Autobahn in Germany. Porsche spokesman Dirk Erat told Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (or FAZ) that the 51-year-old engineer, “was one of the most experienced test drivers” and has been employed by Porsche for 25 years.

The unnamed engineer apparently lost control of the vehicle at a high rate of speed and slammed into a guard rail at approximately 2:45 a.m. The location of the crash is between Frankfurt and Heidelberg on a stretch of road where there is no speed limit.

Porsche says that the accident was not as a result of a high speed test but rather that the company was putting the car through endurance testing in which three different drivers piloted the car around-the-clock. The company did confirm that the vehicle was a next-generation 911 Cabriolet, known as the 991.

[Archangel]

Apparently, his colleague was right behind him in a Panamera...

[Hoser]

i'm just not vibin' this car. it has a lot to do with the rear end. the ass just kills it for me.

Looks like shit and goes like stink. I am ok with it.

[Hoser]

Why the 991?? I would have guessed 998.

Anyways, sucks to hear about a death like that, but at least he died doing something he loved. Thats how I would want to go.

[Hoser]

oops: http://www.motorsporttechnologygroup.com/galleries/2008%20Motorsport%20Technology%20Group%20at%20VIR% 20%2318%20Crash/index.html

What a ride, at least he ended up "shiny" side up.

[Hoser]

Say it ain't so

Top Scandal: Top Gear Live Using MR2-Based Fake Ferrari 360 Spiders

The three Ferraris that wowed the crowd by doing burnouts just inches from each other in the confined spaces of Acer Arena were apparently fakes.
Underneath their exotic red panel work, the "Ferraris" were believed to be infinitely less glamorous Toyotas.

The replica Ferraris, reportedly based on Toyota MR2 underpinnings, were produced at a fraction of the cost of the real McCoy. The Ferrari 360, which was discontinued in 2005, sold for almost $400,000, while the MR2 cost less than $50,000 new.

For fans who attended one of the ten shows last weekend, the only clue that all was not what it seemed was the loud music that drowned out the sound of the "Ferrari" engines.
Organisers were clearly concerned that the sound of four-cylinder MR2 engines – in lieu of high pitched Ferrari V8s - would give the game away, especially in a stadium full of car nuts.

Several Herald bloggers who saw the show complained that the sound of the "Ferraris" had been drowned out by loud music and one suggested the cars may not have been genuine.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/topgear_Ferrari_360_Spider.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/5152937/top-scandal-top-gear-live-using-mr2+based-fake-ferrari-360-spiders?skyline=true&s=i

[Hoser]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Mercedes_S_Class_Police.jpg

I wouldn't mind being put in the back of this.




5 posts in a row!!!!!

[}{arlequin]

good deal
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/1036367695.html

[Hoser]

I have a feeling the passenger side is missing from the car.

[Hoser]

32WfeE-XJxY

[Hoser]

Arch how do you feel about this??

The new Rolls 200EX rides on the recently revealed 2009 BMW 7-Series long wheelbase platform but is longer at 3295mm. It's also 435mm shorter, 42mm narrower and 84mm lower than the big daddy Phantom, securing its place as the entry level Rolls Royce without losing any interior comfort. We're hoping there's a retractable Grey Poupon dispenser in the rear seat console for all the new owners to abuse.
http://jalopnik.com/tag/rolls-royce-200ex/?id=5156268

Pictures

[}{arlequin]

pretty cool driveway

http://jalopnik.com/tag/race-track-driveway/?id=5156906

[}{arlequin]

race ready chixster:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers_Race-Cars-Not-Street-Legal__1999-PORSCHE-CLUB-RACER-BOXTER-FAST_W0QQitemZ140297087184QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ2 0Q26Q20TrailersQQadiZ2792QQddiZ2828QQadnZRaceQ20Ca rsQ20Q28NotQ20StreetQ20LegalQ29QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ Race_Cars_Not_Street_Legal_?hash=item140297087184&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318#ht_25 53wt_1328
Reserve isn't met. I can't see that car going for less then 25k.
It's nicely prepped so i'm gonna go with 18k
well, it didn't sell and judging by where it topped out, i'm not surprised.

[Claydon]

This triumph pulled up at the restaurant I was at today. Pretty slick...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/idexx/mail-8.jpg

[The Dude]

http://realmdekor.com/images/products/gearcoasters2.jpg

http://realmdekor.com/products/urbanEquipment/Gear_Coaster/gear_coaster.html

[TylerDurden]

those are kinda fuckin' cool.

[}{arlequin]

i've always wanted to own some f1 engine parts... a piston/conrod combo would be cool

[IdiotBrain]

I get my new vehicle monday, sweet.

It's not much to look at, but it's in damn good condition for its age.

1993 s10 Blazer Tahoe [fully loaded]
4.3l vortec
31" Michelin A/T's
78k miles.

http://www.everythingsuv.com/Home%20Page_New/ChevroletS10Blazer_4dr.jpg

[TylerDurden]

i've always wanted to own some f1 engine parts... a piston/conrod combo would be cool

i remember jpm blasting away a ton of bodywork at the first corner of the first lap of the 2006 usgp... and i remember wanting the nose piece off any one of those cars that got caught up in that mess. iirc, someone in the stands in that area actually did make off with a nice souvenir (jpm's nose piece as i remember). fuckers.

1993 s10 Blazer Tahoe: It's not much to look at, but it's in damn good condition for its age.

that about sums it up nicely i think. for the mileage you can't really complain.

[IdiotBrain]

And the fact that it's i'm getting it fo free99

[Hoser]

Just found my new favorite Veyron

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/03/Mansory_Veyron_Linea_Vincero-topshot.jpg

[Archangel]

Aston One-77 >>>>>>>>> Veyron.

[Hoser]

Pfft, the One-77 went down in price, who wants it now.





I do love it with all my heart still

[Hoser]

And that Veyron >> One-77

[}{arlequin]

drifting = gay? who knew

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/world/middleeast/08drift.html?_r=4&hp

Drifting, which tends to attract poorer, more marginal men, has also been an unlikely nexus between homosexuality, crime and jihadism since it emerged 30 years ago. Homoerotic desire is a constant theme in Saudi songs and poems about drifting, and accomplished drifters are said to have their pick of the prettiest boys among the spectators