The New Car Fanatic Thread

[Bert Orange 1115]

19 hours ago, Okie State said:

Of course it's not up to the enthusiast to decide. If any of this was up to the enthusiast, we wouldn't have so many ridiculous crossovers on the road while simultaneously killing off V8's, RWD, manuals, etc. one by one.

I tried to kill Subaru. It lives still. 

[Pato del Muerto 52321]

Kids were messing around in my bronco this afternoon.

Dad, why is there a second glove box?

no boys, that’s an ash tray. 

Hey, there’s ash trays in the back too!

yup. 

[elfenix 34168]

On 4/4/2019 at 10:46 AM, Okie State said:

Of course it's not up to the enthusiast to decide. If any of this was up to the enthusiast, we wouldn't have so many ridiculous crossovers on the road while simultaneously killing off V8's, RWD, manuals, etc. one by one.

no crossovers.  all SUVs are proper SUVs: solid axles front and rear, big lever in the middle to engage 4WD, light on creature comforts and a bit rude to drive on the road.  if you want to transport your kids there are a selection of minivans available with sliding doors for proper access to the rear row(s).  "but elfenix if we use regular doors and make it hard to get in the back we can call them crossovers and sell way more" NO FUCK YOU.

[Okie State 3775]

I tried to kill Subaru. It lives still. 

Subaru is alive and well in Colorado. Everywhere.

[Okie State 3775]

no crossovers.  all SUVs are proper SUVs: solid axles front and rear, big lever in the middle to engage 4WD, light on creature comforts and a bit rude to drive on the road.  if you want to transport your kids there are a selection of minivans available with sliding doors for proper access to the rear row(s).  "but elfenix if we use regular doors and make it hard to get in the back we can call them crossovers and sell way more" NO FUCK YOU.

Where do I sign?

[Pato del Muerto 52321]

Ford Explorer caused all of this mess in 1991 when it came out and was so popular. However, it was on a truck frame, it had no 3rd row, was RWD or 4wd, and while not as capable as a 4Runner or pathfinder did have some capabilities beyond paved road people moving. 

Moms started liking the ride height and became the best customer, and designs started drifting towards capturing that market. 

[Anton Chigurh 3318]

Ford Explorer caused all of this mess in 1991 when it came out and was so popular. However, it was on a truck frame, it had no 3rd row, was RWD or 4wd, and while not as capable as a 4Runner or pathfinder did have some capabilities beyond paved road people moving. 

Moms started liking the ride height and became the best customer, and designs started drifting towards capturing that market. 

 

At least it’s going back to being RWD on the next gen.

[52-80 19066]

3 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Ford Explorer caused all of this mess in 1991 when it came out and was so popular. However, it was on a truck frame, it had no 3rd row, was RWD or 4wd, and while not as capable as a 4Runner or pathfinder did have some capabilities beyond paved road people moving. 

Moms started liking the ride height and became the best customer, and designs started drifting towards capturing that market. 

I blame Jurassic Park

[ChickenSandwich 9797]

Naa. It was that fucking Eddie Bauer. Asshole

[Hawndoh 2379]

I blame everyone getting super fat. The height of crossovers means all the tubbos can just flop in and out of the vehicle without having to lift their own body weight to exit the car. 

Then in the cargo area they can slide their massive amounts of groceries and sodas off the back ledge instead of needing actual arm strength to lift groceries up and out of a trunk. 

[tbone_ 14020]

I don’t get the hate fur crossovers. Of course they are the Pablum of automotive transportation, but Pablum is appropriate for most of the population.

[Gale Snoats 242]

Got a suburban a couple of months ago and love it but have one problem. Got second row bench but am really wishing we got captains. Can they be switched out? Really don't want to go to trouble of trading it in but would be willing to pay a bit for the switch just don't know if that's even possible.

[tbone_ 14020]

Yea that was a miss. I don’t know the answer but I’d be curious too. I’m guessing anything is possible.

[Pato del Muerto 52321]

I decided to search about the seat swap because I was curious. 

Most search hits were forums with people trying to trade bench and chairs for opposite swaps, so people at least think it’s possible if not easy. 

One post talked about different mounting brackets, seat belts, carpeting, and wiring harness, but I only saw the one post that made it seem more difficult than bolts off and bolts on. 

Maybe there’s trim packages with motorized and/or heated 2nd row seats that would have to be addressed?

[Coyote 269]

I tried to do this on my wife’s Explorer. The issue we ran in to is that it voided the warranty.

[Okie State 3775]

Just on the parts you changed, right? Can't imagine they'd void the warranty on the entire vehicle.

[Coyote 269]

IIRC the entire vehicle.

[elfenix 34168]

On 4/6/2019 at 9:02 AM, tbone_ said:

I don’t get the hate fur crossovers. Of course they are the Pablum of automotive transportation, but Pablum is appropriate for most of the population.

standard flat-floor, sliding door minvans are far superior in every way except the lies we tell ourselves that we're still cool becuase we drive a "_UV."  congratulations, you're still driving a minivan, but one that's compromised because for you, function follows form. 

just look at the last couple posts about a seat swap (yes, i know that's an SUV with proper tow capability but it works the same as a CUV in this aspect).  when my parents bought their last minivan 20+ years ago it was a trivial swap the dealer did in 10 minutes. 

[G650 13990]

Style is substance.

[Hawndoh 2379]

Not for everybody. 

[tbone_ 14020]

standard flat-floor, sliding door minvans are far superior in every way except the lies we tell ourselves that we're still cool becuase we drive a "_UV."  congratulations, you're still driving a minivan, but one that's compromised because for you, function follows form. 
just look at the last couple posts about a seat swap (yes, i know that's an SUV with proper tow capability but it works the same as a CUV in this aspect).  when my parents bought their last minivan 20+ years ago it was a trivial swap the dealer did in 10 minutes. 

I get all that. I just don’t get why you and others let it bother you. Waste of energy imo.

[Hawndoh 2379]

It only bothers me a tiny bit from the idea that car companies can only make a limited amount of models and offering a thousand different crossovers means a potentially more interesting car doesn't get made. 

But I do admit that's not a very big deal since I only shop for a car once or twice a decade. 

 

[Okie State 3775]

It only bothers me a tiny bit from the idea that car companies can only make a limited amount of models and offering a thousand different crossovers means a potentially more interesting car doesn't get made. 
But I do admit that's not a very big deal since I only shop for a car once or twice a decade. 
 

This is the whole problem. They're killing other models to make room for MORE crossovers. Because there aren't enough to choose from already.

[joe dirt 285]

On 4/6/2019 at 10:49 AM, Gale Snoats said:

Got a suburban a couple of months ago and love it but have one problem. Got second row bench but am really wishing we got captains. Can they be switched out? Really don't want to go to trouble of trading it in but would be willing to pay a bit for the switch just don't know if that's even possible.

i’ve got the opposite issue. we just got a new expedition with the captains chairs and i can’t help but think we’d have been better off with the bench. we have 4 kids to tote around but there plenty of room with the current config. just can’t shake that feeling is all. 

[Hawndoh 2379]

I have an expedition with the chairs and my parents have one with the bench. The chairs are far superior. 

You have to pull three different straps/levers to tilt the bench seat out of the way to climb into the back. And even still it's a close squeeze and one that adults will never do easily or quickly. 

The chairs are way better.

[Gale Snoats 242]

i’ve got the opposite issue. we just got a new expedition with the captains chairs and i can’t help but think we’d have been better off with the bench. we have 4 kids to tote around but there plenty of room with the current config. just can’t shake that feeling is all. 

This was my thinking when I bought - basically wanted that one extra passenger option. But we very very rarely need that extra seat and getting in and out of third row is a beatdown

[G650 13990]

16 hours ago, Okie State said:

16 hours ago, Hawndoh said:

It only bothers me a tiny bit from the idea that car companies can only make a limited amount of models and offering a thousand different crossovers means a potentially more interesting car doesn't get made. 
But I do admit that's not a very big deal since I only shop for a car once or twice a decade. 
 

This is the whole problem. They're killing other models to make room for MORE crossovers. Because there aren't enough to choose from already.

No, that's not it. People aren't buying the other models is why they are killing them off.

 

This is such a nonsensical argument. 

[Hawndoh 2379]

I get that. I'm not annoyed at the companies. I'm annoyed at the populace that forces them to make these boring crossovers. 

[G650 13990]

9 minutes ago, Hawndoh said:

I get that. I'm not annoyed at the companies. I'm annoyed at the populace that forces them to make these boring crossovers. 

Oh, in that case I agree completely 

[Okie State 3775]

I'm not really arguing as I understand why the crossovers are being made and why people buy them. I just don't like it.

[G650 13990]

3 minutes ago, Okie State said:

I'm not really arguing as I understand why the crossovers are being made and why people buy them. I just don't like it.

And that's fair.

[Prepuce of Doom 20969]

First the Corvettes fall in a sinkhole, and now the Porches go up in a gas leak. 

 

[troph 24547]

Aston Martin day ... at the office (same guy with the lambo) and at the tennis club this afternoon. Damn. HotAF cars.

 

 

[Assman 1830]

3 hours ago, Prepuce of Doom said:

First the Corvettes fall in a sinkhole, and now the Porches go up in a gas leak. 

 

Saw this on the news and wept.  The pic I saw looked like a 356 and a 911R.

[52-80 19066]

those aston wheels look like they came from a toyota avensis

[pepper brooks 579]

I have thought aston was the best looking cars on the road for a while now.  These new ones have altered that.  just too flat and not as interesting.  

[fattyflattie 4636]

XTZ MEOW pretty solid plate. 

Edited April 12, 2019 by fattyflattie

[ChiTownDoc 21091]

2 hours ago, pepper brooks said:

I have thought aston was the best looking cars on the road for a while now.  These new ones have altered that.  just too flat and not as interesting.  

I think in real life they look better...but those wheels bug the shit out of me as someone above mentioned.  Too Tesla like, I guess.  

[Fat Bastard 593]

Used to love Aston in my early 20’s. Then I realized their fucking tech is awful. I know, I know, it’s all about the driving experience, but I give a fuck about the interior dash and infotainment too, but their’s is 90’s era Toyota.  Same reason I hate Maserati. That, and the fit/finish is pure dogshit 

Edited April 12, 2019 by Fat Bastard

[Fat Bastard 593]

It’s also little things with aston that irk me. All luxury companies have moved to the solid beam LED DTR’s. They still use dots like early 2000’s audi’s

[troph 24547]

I passed on Porsche a few years back for the same reason. There is plenty to not like about Tesla especially first gen but the tech packages with its competitors suck so hard. I do still think the Astons are sick cars though.

That guy has a rolls Royce to go with his Lamborghini (he drove it today) and Aston, oh and he has a model S tesla too. It’s nuts.

[52-80 19066]

7 hours ago, Fat Bastard said:

Used to love Aston in my early 20’s. Then I realized their fucking tech is awful. I know, I know, it’s all about the driving experience, but I give a fuck about the interior dash and infotainment too, but their’s is 90’s era Toyota.  Same reason I hate Maserati. That, and the fit/finish is pure dogshit 

those mid 2000s astons were probably the best looking ever made in modern era.  particularly the compact-sized vantage is my favorite.  the design was so successful, all those cars started looking identical.  an aston buff might be able to make sense of the models but vanquish, virage, dbs, db#, volante, etc, made for a pretty damn confusing lineup

[Fat Bastard 593]

Agreed. I think the exterior styling was beautiful and the Vanquish was my favorite car for about 5 years. 

[pepper brooks 579]

9 hours ago, Fat Bastard said:

Used to love Aston in my early 20’s. Then I realized their fucking tech is awful. I know, I know, it’s all about the driving experience, but I give a fuck about the interior dash and infotainment too, but their’s is 90’s era Toyota.  Same reason I hate Maserati. That, and the fit/finish is pure dogshit 

well, their driving experience sucks too.  In about 2006 or 2007 when the ASton Vantage V8 came out I had a super hard on for one.  I had had my 2005 Carrera S for a couple of years and loved it, but the Aston was drop dead gorgeous.  A buddy of mine has a dealership, and let me take one for the weekend to see if I wanted to swap my 911 for it.  I took it back early.  The thing was so "loose", lumbering, the amount of body roll was 7 series sedan like.  The engine was pretty underpowered for that much metal too.  The exhaust note was amazing.  It sounded fast, but wasn't actually fast.  The interior tech was shit, and not very intuitive.  Needless to say I didn't make the trade, and I still have the Carrera S.  

[troph 24547]

That’s really interesting to hear. I wouldn’t have thought that.

[pepper brooks 579]

2 minutes ago, troph said:

That’s really interesting to hear. I wouldn’t have thought that.

the funny thing was when the Vantage came out it was marketed as a direct competitor to the 997 C2S.  The cars couldn't have possibly been more different.  I think had I had a different expectation of the aston, I would have had a totally different opinion on it.  Maybe if they had stated more of a direct competitor with the BMW M6 they would have at least been comparing apples to apples, sorta.  Saying it was a direct competitor to the 911 made me think it should have similar capabilities, drive characteristics, etc, and I thought with a mid engine lay out, V8 and those looks it would be awesome.  It wasn't.  Not even in the same ballpark from a drivers perspective.  It's still one of the most gorgeous cars ever built, but it was a totally soulless drive. 

[pepper brooks 579]

here is an old top gear comparison of the 911 Carrera S, M6, and Aston Vantage.  I had forgotten about this, but one of my favorite top gear episodes ever.  as a now very long time owner of the model 911 they used in this, and with the same equipment, I have to say it would be impossible for me to agree with James May to a stronger degree about the car.  It is still exciting to drive, and I still love it every time I get in it. 

https://www.topgear.com/videos/top-gear-tv/aston-martin-vantage-vs-bmw-m6-vs-porsche-911-part-24-series-7-episode-1

 

https://www.topgear.com/videos/top-gear-tv/aston-martin-vantage-vs-bmw-m6-vs-porsche-911-part-34-series-7-episode-1

 

https://www.topgear.com/videos/top-gear-tv/aston-martin-vantage-vs-bmw-m6-vs-porsche-911-part-44-series-7-episode-1

 

 

Edited April 12, 2019 by pepper brooks

[Anton Chigurh 3318]

Astons are Grand Tourers, at least until the new models are released. I posted about them up thread.

The new RB 001 (Valkrie), RB 003 (Valhalla), and new Vanquish seem to be reversing their GT trend.

[Slacks 6791]

Mid Engine Corvette on the street in NYC
https://amp.freep.com/amp/3444877002

[pepper brooks 579]

2 hours ago, Snacks said:

Mid Engine Corvette on the street in NYC
https://amp.freep.com/amp/3444877002

should be a beast of a car.  Can't wait to see it, and take one for a drive.