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Automotive Discussion Thread | OT3 | Playing with our sticks while petting Jaguars!

And that's the biggest problem with S2k's imo... it's almost out of the "not worth it" price range. At that price point you can pick up a 370Z, Mustang GT, Camaro SS, V8 Challenger, and a number of other cars that can smoke an S2k easily.

Really the only reason why an S2k would be worth it to someone is if, A - you're a Honda fanboy, or B - you want a faster Miata(I say Miata coz you can get 3 of the cars I mentioned with a 'vert).

I don't know, just because newer cars are faster doesn't make them better to drive or any more fun. Personally I'd rather have a clean S2000 instead of any of the cars you listed.

Then again my fun car is 35 years old with a manual steering rack, so I'm weird. :X
 
I don't know, just because newer cars are faster doesn't make them better to drive or any more fun. Personally I'd rather have a clean S2000 instead of any of the cars you listed.

Then again my fun car is 35 years old with a manual steering rack, so I'm weird. :X

Yeah, this! They may all be objectively better, but it's not all about that.
 

Shadoken

Member
And that's the biggest problem with S2k's imo... it's almost out of the "not worth it" price range. At that price point you can pick up a 370Z, Mustang GT, Camaro SS, V8 Challenger, and a number of other cars that can smoke an S2k easily.

Really the only reason why an S2k would be worth it to someone is if, A - you're a Honda fanboy, or B - you want a faster Miata(I say Miata coz you can get 3 of the cars I mentioned with a 'vert).

Nah if he wants a Miata/BRZ I dont think 370,Mustang,Camaro would be the same. The weight difference and driving feel are completely different. Personally I'd take the driving fun and light weight over the 1-2 second faster time on a straight line. Plus that engine is a nice NA High revving engine.

I don't know, just because newer cars are faster doesn't make them better to drive or any more fun. Personally I'd rather have a clean S2000 instead of any of the cars you listed.

Then again my fun car is 35 years old with a manual steering rack, so I'm weird. :X

Now who doesnt love that 9k RPM redline.
 

ascii42

Member
I don't know, just because newer cars are faster doesn't make them better to drive or any more fun. Personally I'd rather have a clean S2000 instead of any of the cars you listed.

Then again my fun car is 35 years old with a manual steering rack, so I'm weird. :X

V8s just give a car a different personality, not just speed. I think about that every time I drive my Olds. It's a boat compared to my Caddy (hell, it's a boat compared to a modern Escalade), and probably takes at least twice as long to get from 0-60, but I love that burble. But everyone has different tastes so there's a place for S2000s as well. Never driven one in real life, but I like them in Gran Turismo :p
 
I don't know, just because newer cars are faster doesn't make them better to drive or any more fun. Personally I'd rather have a clean S2000 instead of any of the cars you listed.

Then again my fun car is 35 years old with a manual steering rack, so I'm weird. :X

I actually agree with the sentiment, I just don't agree that spending $15K+ for an S2000 is worth it.

I say this mostly because from my experience, a lot of the good qualities found in the S2k can also be found on an NC Miata. Obviously, the engine/power is not going to be the same at all but in terms of handling(minus the oversteer prone AP1 lol), shifter, basically all the great things about an S2k... they're also present in the NC Miata.

In fact I'm pretty sure Mazda used the S2k as the benchmark for the NC's.

Anyway, I just think that there are better cars to buy at $15k+ and higher. With that price range, you've basically got no limit on what you can buy so spending that kind of money for a car that shares similar traits to another one just doesn't make sense to me.

That said, I will fully admit that if I never got a Miata I probably wouldn't say this at all. I understand how great the S2k is, and if given the opportunity to go back 5 years ago, I'd probably have gotten an S2k instead. But as it is right now, it just doesn't make sense to me anymore.
 
Anyone in the United States have a good experience to share with getting a car loan online? I'll probably end up going around to local credit unions to see what I can get here but I'm hoping there's a national online presence that could make this easier.
 

Stinkles

Clothed, sober, cooperative
No. I didn't drive it since it's a sold car.

I'm really interested to find out though since it seems to be a much more refined car than the previous one. Wonder how close it comes to the benchmark S Class in that regard.

I can't believe what a difference relatively subtle body changes made to the overall appearance. Most improved car aesthetics since I don't know when.
 

No Love

Banned
I actually agree with the sentiment, I just don't agree that spending $15K+ for an S2000 is worth it.

I say this mostly because from my experience, a lot of the good qualities found in the S2k can also be found on an NC Miata. Obviously, the engine/power is not going to be the same at all but in terms of handling(minus the oversteer prone AP1 lol), shifter, basically all the great things about an S2k... they're also present in the NC Miata.

In fact I'm pretty sure Mazda used the S2k as the benchmark for the NC's.

Anyway, I just think that there are better cars to buy at $15k+ and higher. With that price range, you've basically got no limit on what you can buy so spending that kind of money for a car that shares similar traits to another one just doesn't make sense to me.

That said, I will fully admit that if I never got a Miata I probably wouldn't say this at all. I understand how great the S2k is, and if given the opportunity to go back 5 years ago, I'd probably have gotten an S2k instead. But as it is right now, it just doesn't make sense to me anymore.

Miatas are not and will not appreciate like S2000's are/will over the next 10-15 years. If you buy an S2000 right now you can put 20-30k miles on it in the next 3 years and sell for even cost or for a profit. The only thing you'll spend on is maintenance and consumables. The S2000 should be experienced by any true enthusiast at least once in their life, and ideally you should own one. They are very special cars.
 

No Love

Banned
Yeah the s2k definitely isn't just for Honda fanboys. Engine is a masterpiece.

The whole car is a masterpiece. The chassis, the styling, the performance, the interior, the ergonomics. And that shifter.

The S2000 is the definition of a 10/10 car. It is my definition of the perfect sportscar. It was made for people who love driving by artists that love driving.
 

matmanx1

Member
Anyone in the United States have a good experience to share with getting a car loan online? I'll probably end up going around to local credit unions to see what I can get here but I'm hoping there's a national online presence that could make this easier.

Doug DeMuro uses (or he did, last I checked) PenFed for all of his yearly car buying antics and he's had nothing but good things to say about them.
 
Anyone in the United States have a good experience to share with getting a car loan online? I'll probably end up going around to local credit unions to see what I can get here but I'm hoping there's a national online presence that could make this easier.

I got one through Penfed. Very simple process with no issues.

edit: matmanx1 beat me by a minute!
 
Anyone in the United States have a good experience to share with getting a car loan online? I'll probably end up going around to local credit unions to see what I can get here but I'm hoping there's a national online presence that could make this easier.

Try applying for Chase? I bought my car online and got it shipped to me. The dealer sent me some Chase link to put my details into and I got instantly approved. And the loan account ties into any other Chase acccount you might have active and is quite nice to track and apply any over-payments as you desire.
 

Evo X

Member
I should sell my GT4 and pick up an S2K for the summer. Now that I'm so busy, I'm basically paying for it to sit in the garage.
 

AlphaSnake

...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
I saw a Q60 Coupe today (in blue, no less) and really...it's such a gorgeous car in person. Absolutely a master stroke. I'd own one if it weren't for the lousy transmission.
 

DoomGyver

Member
What would you guys pay for a mid 90s Camaro b4c, manual 6 speed with low miles? Very clean car that was privately owned and is all stock? Honestly it doesn't really have enough balls imo, I'm leaning towards a newer corvette or charger.
 
The whole car is a masterpiece. The chassis, the styling, the performance, the interior, the ergonomics. And that shifter.

The S2000 is the definition of a 10/10 car. It is my definition of the perfect sportscar. It was made for people who love driving by artists that love driving.

True. Had the pleasure of driving one that belonged to a friend of mine and it was an absolute joy to drive. Sharp as a razor.
 

boltz

Member
Any of you guys ever use Turo just to rent cars for fun? I usually go on it just to see what interesting vehicles are available and I saw a manual FRS ($60/day) that I'm really tempted to cruise around in for a day. Heck there's even a S2000 not too far away as well but it's $156/day.

And on that note, it would be hard for me to imagine renting out a personal, manual performance car on Turo. There are just too many ways for it to get beat on.
 

TylerD

Member
The whole car is a masterpiece. The chassis, the styling, the performance, the interior, the ergonomics. And that shifter.

The S2000 is the definition of a 10/10 car. It is my definition of the perfect sportscar. It was made for people who love driving by artists that love driving.

Agreed. The AP1 I test drove before settling on my E46 was such a pleasure to drive and incredibly driver focused. I still think I got a ton of car and fun for the money with the ZHP but I know that I would have or would love a S2000, preferably AP2.

Any of you guys ever use Turo just to rent cars for fun? I usually go on it just to see what interesting vehicles are available and I saw a manual FRS ($60/day) that I'm really tempted to cruise around in for a day. Heck there's even a S2000 not too far away as well but it's $156/day.

And on that note, it would be hard for me to imagine renting out a personal, manual performance car on Turo. There are just too many ways for it to get beat on.

I just looked here in Lubbock and there are a grand total of 2 vehicles on Turo. 2012 Chevy Avalanche for $42 a day and a 2015 Grand Cherokee SRT for $432 a day lol
 

Stinkles

Clothed, sober, cooperative
I found out (online) that my car has launch control. Haha, that is super dumb fun. TBH I am not going to do it again because a) Probably only shaved a second off just hitting the gas and b) It sounded and felt a bit terrifying.

I wonder if there are any more easter eggs, especially in the crazy complex UI. I also wish Audi forums were a bit more informative. Lots of questions but not that many answers.
 

Evo X

Member
I found out (online) that my car has launch control. Haha, that is super dumb fun. TBH I am not going to do it again because a) Probably only shaved a second off just hitting the gas and b) It sounded and felt a bit terrifying.

I wonder if there are any more easter eggs, especially in the crazy complex UI. I also wish Audi forums were a bit more informative. Lots of questions but not that many answers.

Those cars are built to do it. It may sound terrifying, but that transmission can do 30,000 launches.
 

Stinkles

Clothed, sober, cooperative
Those cars are built to do it. It may sound terrifying, but that transmission can do 30,000 launches.


I'm glad it has AWD too. Because I didn't want to go out like a Cars n Coffee mustang.

Also: I want to do something to my car, out of boredom. Some sort of upgrade.

Was thinking maybe a wrap/dip for matte gray (it's currently Metallic Gray)

What d'you think? I think it looks subtle yet distinctive in its own way. But I don't want to become an accidental middle aged idiot, like the moms I see driving Escalades with 22 inch wheels and lo-pro tires.



OIGIOut.jpg
 
D

Deleted member 102362

Unconfirmed Member
That shade of grey looks great. I say go for it.
 

Stinkles

Clothed, sober, cooperative
That shade of grey looks great. I say go for it.

I believe I'd get that shade by wrapping it in a "clear" matte. Or a dip, but that's kinda the underlying shade I have now. Are there any disadvatages to wraps/vs dips/vs paint?

I've also heard it's good for protecting from scratches, but I haven't heard much about potential downsides.
 

Anion

Member
I heard dips would damage your clear coat over time. Not sure if that is true or not. I keep hearing that on other forums. No one explains why or shows evidence for their claims.

Matte grey is pretty nifty. Someone on the CLA forums had their car wrapped in a matte aluminum grey color
13847d1414930977-vinyl-wrap-10723848_719267151454410_480823078_n.jpg



You could always go with a red camo wrap LOL. I feel guilty for kinda liking it cause it's so...different
21148d1442156210-vinyl-wrap-screen-shot-2015-09-13-15.54.28.png


Wouldn't want to subject a GT4 to road salt though.

Hell, I don't even do that to my Boxster.
Does Porsche have extensive undercarriage protection? I know my parents' Mercedes are completely covered with carpet in the wheel wells and layers of plastic/tar under their cars. Even my lowly CLA has extensive coverage in the wheel wells and undercarriage.
 

blanchot

Member
i sometimes feel like upgrading my car but i hardly use it. plus, it has been absolutely reliable so i feel hesitant changing it out. newer is not always better, i don't think.
 

Evo X

Member
I'm glad it has AWD too. Because I didn't want to go out like a Cars n Coffee mustang.

Also: I want to do something to my car, out of boredom. Some sort of upgrade.

Was thinking maybe a wrap/dip for matte gray (it's currently Metallic Gray)

What d'you think? I think it looks subtle yet distinctive in its own way. But I don't want to become an accidental middle aged idiot, like the moms I see driving Escalades with 22 inch wheels and lo-pro tires.



OIGIOut.jpg


Look into a product called XPEL Stealth. It will provide stellar protection while also transforming your car into a matte grey finish.
 

Lagamorph

Member
My dad cancelled his order for a Jaguar F-Pace today.

He went to order a Porsche Cayenne Diesel Platinum instead. Trading in his Lexus IS 300h and his Nissan 350Z for it.
 

Evo X

Member
My dad cancelled his order for a Jaguar F-Pace today.

He went to order a Porsche Cayenne Diesel Platinum instead. Trading in his Lexus IS 300h and his Nissan 350Z for it.

Good man.

Tell your dad I said congrats.

Cancelling an F-Pace and trading a Z tho. What a one two punch to Alpha's gut. Haha.
 

AlphaSnake

...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
Good man.

Tell your dad I said congrats.

Cancelling an F-Pace and trading a Z tho. What a one two punch to Alpha's gut. Haha.

I'd cancel too if I had to wait that long. And why would I give a shit about a 350Z? They're extremely old at this point.

Besides... Diesel. Ehhh.
 

Skel1ingt0n

I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
Stupid question, I know...

Like most everyone said - 25 miles over two days, and the manual hasn't been a problem, since. I definitely notice my shifts, especially into first and second, getting better and better - but the basics are there.

That said, today I found myself struggling. I was at a stop sign, waiting to turn left on a perpendicular road. On a hill. Two cars in front of me.

I slow down to get behind the two cars. Put car in neutral. Clutch out and foot on break. One car goes, and so car in front of me moves up. There's a line behind me, so I need to move.

So, since I'm on a hill, I need a little more throttle. But I don't really have time to rev, feather clutch out while applying gas, get into first, and immediately press in clutch and break again and put into neutral. There's just not enough space. This is exacerbated by the fact I don't know when I'll necessarily need to move up again - possibly immediately.

I don't want to just ride the clutch and stay in this half clutch half accelerator without ever actually engaging first. Looking back, I could have just kept it in first, I guess... kept foot on clutch and break, car moves, slowly release clutch. But being on the hill, I still have to give it a fair bit of acceleration, so I never would have fully released the clutch... meaning I'm just riding it just the same.

So, yeah, short version: best way to move very short distances while on a hill?
 
GVFbI3Lh.jpg


Soft-top ND's are finally going down in price!! Was at the Mazda dealer today to pick up some screws for my NC and there was a white Club ND that literally just got traded and is being sold for around $22k!

PO put in about 15k miles in it before swapping it out for a similar white Club ND RF.

I'm pretty glad my lady friend tagged along and talked sense into me... I would've walked out of the dealer with that thing instead of screws for my wheel well liners lol.

On the other hand... this bodes really really well for the future actually. I was planning to blow my tax refund + savings into a Sony A7Rii for my birthday but now I think I'm just gonna save that for a down payment and pick up a soft top Club ND instead.

So, yeah, short version: best way to move very short distances while on a hill?

You'll get it with more practice.

I'm at a point where the clutch action is essentially muscle memory for my left leg and I can blip the gas pedal and lurch forward and not roll back at the same time so I don't really run into this issue anymore.

If I were you, I'd take a look at the distance between you and the car in front. With the first car being gone then there should be at least a car length between you and the car in front... if that's the case, then yeah I'll attempt moving forward. But if the distance isn't exactly a car length, I'd probably just stay in the same spot until the car in front is gone.

It'll all be negated anyway since you're going to roll back whether you like it or not sooooo... lol.
 
I had to post this here today I saw something I have never seen before in my life. A 100,000 dealer mark up.

BMW in Santa Monica, CA had a 2016 BMW M4 GTS coup for $134,000 with a 100k mark up for a 234k grand total. I kid u not its in the show room. If I had the money, and I don't I wouldn't even pay base price for that car.

For 234k I think I would be in a different brand dealership lol. Have you ever heard of such a markup before?
 

rokkerkory

Member
I had to post this here today I saw something I have never seen before in my life. A 100,000 dealer mark up.

BMW in Santa Monica, CA had a 2016 BMW M4 GTS coup for $134,000 with a 100k mark up for a 234k grand total. I kid u not its in the show room. If I had the money, and I don't I wouldn't even pay base price for that car.

For 234k I think I would be in a different brand dealership lol. Have you ever heard of such a markup before?
Fuck that lol
 

TFGB

Member
@AlphaSnake I know you like your Jags. I've booked an F-Pace for 4 days to drive from Venice to Lake Garda and back in June. I've never driven one before and I'm rather looking forward to trying it out on the Italian roads! :)

Talking of road trips, I took the Mac for a bit of a blast (about 1000 miles!) for a few days last week over the South of England and Wales. We spent the weekend at Llangoed Hall in the Brecon Beacons:

GWBQmnD.jpg


nWVt5YO.jpg


o8JINpp.jpg


The geology in the surrounding area is stunning, and so are the roads. It's where Top Gear have filmed numerous episodes, as have other car reviewing progs/mags. I hadn't been to Wales in about 35 years, but I'm so going back in the Summer just for those roads!! I'll take my camera next time and maybe my P4P drone for some proper shots too.
 

Lagamorph

Member
Good man.

Tell your dad I said congrats.

Cancelling an F-Pace and trading a Z tho. What a one two punch to Alpha's gut. Haha.

I'd cancel too if I had to wait that long. And why would I give a shit about a 350Z? They're extremely old at this point.

Besides... Diesel. Ehhh.

He's actually getting a better deal from Porsche than Jaguar to be honest. He'd never really considered it before, but a new Porsche dealer is opening down the road from the Jaguar place and we just popped in to take a look at their temporary pop up dealer while the place is being constructed. Turns out he's going to be their first customer and is also going to be getting one of the first Platinum Editions to hit the UK.

He wasn't happy with how Jaguar were treating him either. They originally promised the F Pace for the beginning of March, then when that time came and gone they never bothered communicating with him besides a generic letter saying he was probably now not getting it until April and would be liable for the new Diesel tax after all when they promised him he'd get it before that.

As for getting rid of the 350Z...well it's 8 years old and not driven much. Whoever is buying it will get an amazing deal though, less than 10,000 miles on it. He wanted to down the number of cars though, he has 3 at the moment, so by getting rid of the IS and the 350Z he'll just have the Cayenne and his 16 year old Jaguar S-Type that he absolutely loves and is almost certainly never going to get rid of.
 

kharma45

Member
I'd cancel too if I had to wait that long. And why would I give a shit about a 350Z? They're extremely old at this point.

Besides... Diesel. Ehhh.

You underestimate how popular diesel is here. If you want to be able to sell the car on it'll be far easier with a diesel in it than a petrol. Plus our fuel costs are much, much higher here than yours.

If you look at the Cayenne's for sale at the minute of the current shape. 419 are diesel and 73 are petrol. Massive difference.

He's actually getting a better deal from Porsche than Jaguar to be honest. He'd never really considered it before, but a new Porsche dealer is opening down the road from the Jaguar place and we just popped in to take a look at their temporary pop up dealer while the place is being constructed. Turns out he's going to be their first customer and is also going to be getting one of the first Platinum Editions to hit the UK.

He wasn't happy with how Jaguar were treating him either. They originally promised the F Pace for the beginning of March, then when that time came and gone they never bothered communicating with him besides a generic letter saying he was probably now not getting it until April and would be liable for the new Diesel tax after all when they promised him he'd get it before that.

As for getting rid of the 350Z...well it's 8 years old and not driven much. Whoever is buying it will get an amazing deal though, less than 10,000 miles on it. He wanted to down the number of cars though, he has 3 at the moment, so by getting rid of the IS and the 350Z he'll just have the Cayenne and his 16 year old Jaguar S-Type that he absolutely loves and is almost certainly never going to get rid of.

The new tax isn't just for diesel cars, it's for petrol too. It's all based on the list price. Over £40K it's an extra £310 a year for five years. Shitty tax. Basically getting screwed for having a nice car.
 

Futaba

Member
@AlphaSnake I know you like your Jags. I've booked an F-Pace for 4 days to drive from Venice to Lake Garda and back in June. I've never driven one before and I'm rather looking forward to trying it out on the Italian roads! :)

Talking of road trips, I took the Mac for a bit of a blast (about 1000 miles!) for a few days last week over the South of England and Wales. We spent the weekend at Llangoed Hall in the Brecon Beacons:

GWBQmnD.jpg


nWVt5YO.jpg


o8JINpp.jpg


The geology in the surrounding area is stunning, and so are the roads. It's where Top Gear have filmed numerous episodes, as have other car reviewing progs/mags. I hadn't been to Wales in about 35 years, but I'm so going back in the Summer just for those roads!! I'll take my camera next time and maybe my P4P drone for some proper shots too.

I like that you have the most expensive/exclusives cars of any of us in the thread yet you drive them and talk like you own an everyday runabout, says a lot about you!

I'm also a big fan of driving the cars I own rather than parking them at a meet and staring at em ;)
If you ever randomly want to import something from Japan hit me up and I'll hook you up
 
Didn't know this thread existed, cool.

I got my first car a few weeks ago, 2014 A5 2.0 TSFI quattro with 35'000km (22'000 miles):

careis2m.jpg
 

friday

Member
I had to post this here today I saw something I have never seen before in my life. A 100,000 dealer mark up.

BMW in Santa Monica, CA had a 2016 BMW M4 GTS coup for $134,000 with a 100k mark up for a 234k grand total. I kid u not its in the show room. If I had the money, and I don't I wouldn't even pay base price for that car.

For 234k I think I would be in a different brand dealership lol. Have you ever heard of such a markup before?

What a waste. They are asking super car money for something that probably can't keep up with a corvette. I cannot stand modern BMWs.
 

op_ivy

Fallen Xbot (cannot continue gaining levels in this class)
Look into a product called XPEL Stealth. It will provide stellar protection while also transforming your car into a matte grey finish.

On a whim, and because one day I'd like to wrap my car, I checked their website and searched for authorized installers in California not expecting to find anything near me (rural North eastern cali) and scanning through the list reinforced this: low angeles, redlands, San jose, San fran, sacramento... SUSANVILLE. Holy shit, tiny town 30 min from me! I think it's a sign!
 

Laekon

Member
Is there really anything that competes with the GTI in the US if I'm looking for an automatic transmission? My 2008 is still going strong but I'm looking at a new job this summer and wouldn't mind getting something newer.
 
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