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DatsunATX

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Does any USA-based show give serious critique to new cars, or are they too scared to offend their advertisers?

 

This is what I dislike the most about US society, the fact that we are always worried about offending someone. Oh well, I'll continue to offend whenever I get the chance. I have always thought the cadillac northstar was the only real engine in the US, but now the LS1 looks promising.

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Astin Martins are beautiful, but they are not mass produced and as I understand it, they are hand built. So, if you throw in that car, you have to include some car builders in the US that do it by hand. Shelby Series 1, Panoz, which is Ford powered, Saleen. They imply that the Corvette is the best the US has ever produced. The goal of the Vette was never to be the finest sportscar in the world. The goal has been to produce an affordable fun machine that kicks some tail. To me, it is a success. And, although I may never be able to afford one of the more exotic sports cars, I could own a Vette.

 

Growing up, my Dad had two Rover cars and two land rovers. All of them were in and out of the shop constantly. Just one experience. But, it is my experience.

 

As far as car shows that critique, Car and Driver has a TV show. For the most part, they are unbiased and tell it like it is. They very much take into account prices and what the car was designed to do. I did not get that feeling from these guys. But, did you notice that the one who drove the Vette had to admit it was a lot of fun to drive!

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I notice that amongst the posts on this thread there are a lot of negative comments about British cars. I think most of you are missing the point about the more recent series of Top Gear; they will trash anything that they see fit to trash, and that includes 'British' tin ( if they feel so inclined ). Its not just an anti-American bias. I don't think there are many British car enthusiasts who would disagree with you about Charlie Lucas and the indifferent nature of many British cars of the late Twentieth Century. We know all about that.

 

Having said that, I can vouch for the fact that we often see the reverse ( relating to UK cars ) of what you seem to have grown up with in the USA: We in the UK have often made jokes at the expense of American iron. For the most part, your product is not very well suited to the environment here and the US auto manufacturers certainly don't make much effort to adapt the product to the market.

 

General good sense: Buying an LHD version of a British car is not to be advised....... :wink: I think you'll find that the 'Export' versions are not quite as good as the RHD originals.

 

And does the Focus SVT count as an American car???? Isn't that - in reality - a Ford Europe product ( and mainly developed in the UK? ).

 

The 'original' Cobra? ( an AC Ace with an engine transplant )..... if the UK-made kit-car replica Cobras are copies of an 'American' car, then what does that make the original Cobra?

 

Incidentally, that AC Ace that Carroll Shelby was sharp enough to pick out as a suitable recipient for the Ford small block had........... a transverse rear leaf spring arrangement........

 

Oh, and "hand built" stuff like Aston Martin doesn't count? I think you'll find they make plenty of them. If you want so-called low volume / specialist cars then there's plenty of that kind of manufacturer here in the UK ( Noble, Lotus, TVR, Caterham, Westfield, Rocket, etc etc ) and not a lot else, actually..........

 

You should not take Top Gear so seriously unless you fully understand the British wit. We get plenty wound up about it over here, but we do realise that its not really serious automotive journalism.

 

If you have a Car & Driver TV show then that is promising; their magazine has a great heritage and a good name in the UK - so that's encouraging.

 

Forrest - I agree with you about Best Motoring.

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I notice that amongst the posts on this thread there are a lot of negative comments about British cars. I think most of you are missing the point about the more recent series of Top Gear; they will trash anything that they see fit to trash' date=' and that includes 'British' tin ( if they feel so inclined ). Its not [i']just[/i] an anti-American bias. I don't think there are many British car enthusiasts who would disagree with you about Charlie Lucas and the indifferent nature of many British cars of the late Twentieth Century. We know all about that.

 

Having said that, I can vouch for the fact that we often see the reverse ( relating to UK cars ) of what you seem to have grown up with in the USA: We in the UK have often made jokes at the expense of American iron. For the most part, your product is not very well suited to the environment here and the US auto manufacturers certainly don't make much effort to adapt the product to the market.

 

 

Oh, and "hand built" stuff like Aston Martin doesn't count?

 

You should not take Top Gear so seriously unless you fully understand the British wit. We get plenty wound up about it over here, but we do realise that its not really serious automotive journalism.

 

They make that TVR look all good..... On TVR Forums they all bitch about leaky targa roofs, cheap interior parts, various problems with this and that - all on VERY expensive, NEW cars (under 10,000 miles). Sounds like a crappy British car to me (which is a shame cause the Tuscan speed 6 looks so damn nice! Was in awe I saw in the UK)

 

Why? Because we don't drive ugly little 100MPG egg-mobiles??? I love gas being around 1.65/gallon! :)

 

AMs are NOT hand built. NO AM has been hand built after the launch of the DB7 (including the Vanquish and DB9) - Another FORD product. Just look at some of the interior bits and the two Tarus V6s mated together to make a V12.......

 

I don't take Top Gear seriously. Its a damn joke and thats why I have no problem making fun of Jermey Clarksons goofy British ass or that scrawny little new guy.

 

:)

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Those top gear guys! :roll:

 

As for the M3, Well I know a couple of guys who own them, and one with an M5, and They ALL have issues with the current (post 1999) build quality of the bimmer.

 

My C5 has quality issues, mainly surrounding the interior, but otherwise it rocks... I can't imagine how bad the new C6 is. I can tell you this much, there is NO WAY the same drive in an NSX is gonna copy the times he lays in a C6 IF he knows how to drive... But again, those brits! :roll:

 

Mike

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Those top gear guys! :roll:

 

As for the M3' date=' Well I know a couple of guys who own them, and one with an M5, and They ALL have issues with the current (post 1999) build quality of the bimmer.

 

My C5 has quality issues, mainly surrounding the interior, but otherwise it rocks... I can't imagine how bad the new C6 is. I can tell you this much, there is NO WAY the same drive in an NSX is gonna copy the times he lays in a C6 IF he knows how to drive... But again, those brits! :roll:

 

Mike[/quote']

 

I doubt it, but whatever.

 

My friend has an '02 M3 convertible and his dad has an '03 coupe. His mom has an X3 now and the ONLY problem he said theyve had in 2 years is tires getting expensive! (DSC off, sport on = hella fun!)

 

The M3 isn't a sports car like the Corvette. The coupe runs a 13.2 1/4, which is maybe a few ticks slower than a C5 coupe? but unlike the Corvette, the M3 has a BACK SEAT and a TRUNK, as well as the BMW name over Chevy...... yeeeeeehaw!

 

Dscf0014.jpg

 

Dscf20.jpg

 

Dscf3.jpg

ANd there is NO QUESTION as to which interior is nicer.

 

Like I said, 2004 was the last year for the E46 M3. Next gen M3 comes out 2006 with a 400HP V8... so it'll be on once again.

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AMs are NOT hand built. NO AM has been hand built after the launch of the DB7 (including the Vanquish and DB9) - Another FORD product. Just look at some of the interior bits and the two Tarus V6s mated together to make a V12.......

 

Depends what you mean by "hand built"...........

 

I can tell you that the Vanquish line looked pretty damned close to hand-build status when I visited it just after the start of production. I've never seen anything like that on a 'normal' modern production line.

 

You sound pretty sure of yourself though, so maybe what I saw was just a figment of my imagination.

 

What's a "Tarus"?

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AMs are NOT hand built. NO AM has been hand built after the launch of the DB7 (including the Vanquish and DB9) - Another FORD product. Just look at some of the interior bits and the two Tarus V6s mated together to make a V12.......

What's a "Tarus"?

 

Good one... :roll: Well let me explain. The Ford TAURUS is a cheap, ugly, slow mid sized car sold in America. The DB7 uses two of the Ford TAURUS engines combined to make a V12. Just how British is that? :)

 

You know you have a crappy case when all you can do is go for the spelling, which you've done twice now.

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Thanks for the heads-up on the Taurus. I thought it was bull for a second there :wink:

 

Sorry to punch below the belt on the spelling thing, but if you didn't make 'em then I wouldn't be able to use them as ammo to throw back at you, would I?

 

Is the DB7 engine really two Taurus engines joined together? Wow. Did they use some kind of big welding jig to make that?

 

RCNSC,

You seem to be really well informed, and also to be a big BMW fan. In that case, what would your opinion on the Morgan Aero 8 be?

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About the Aero 8.....

 

I'm sure I'm in the minorty, but I like it. Well all except for the VW headlights. I like the classic shape and modern (BMW :)) drivetrain and I just like how the car flows.

 

I remember reading that its getting a major update soon (or has?) including BMW 545i V8, 6 speed tranny and various other upgrades, so it's only getting better.

 

For the price, I, of course, would buy an M3 (+mods) and have some Z money. But it's good to see other cool alternatives out there.

 

And yes, I think BMWs are some of the best cars ever to hit the road. I can think of a BMW to fill every category of "Favorite car" except for the supercar.

 

Luxury sedan: 2001 750iL

Sports sedan: 2003 BMW M5

Sports coupe: 2004 M3

GT: 1996 850CSi

Convertible: 2004 M3C

etc etc etc etc but all obviously before they were Banglized :(

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RCNSC, Uh, I'm gonna be polite... You are 17 years old... But Whatever... :roll:

 

Knowing someone who owns a nice car, and owning one and dealing with it yourself are two different planets. And although you seem well read on a number of subjects car related, at your young age, it would better serve you to come here to learn, and not try to teach. :roll:

 

I appreciate your enthusiasm for cars... But lets keep the tone more civil, shall we?

 

Mike Kelly 8)

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RCNSC' date=' Uh, I'm gonna be polite... You are 17 years old... But Whatever... :roll:

 

Knowing someone who owns a nice car, and owning one and dealing with it yourself are two different planets. And although you seem well read on a number of subjects car related, at your young age, it would better serve you to come here to learn, and not try to teach. :roll:

 

I appreciate your enthusiasm for cars... But lets keep the tone more civil, shall we?

 

Mike Kelly 8)[/quote']

 

To be polite.... you just did the same thing.

 

As for the M3, Well I know a couple of guys who own them, and one with an M5, and They ALL have issues with the current (post 1999) build quality of the bimmer.

 

You don't own one or deal with one either so what are you getting at?!?

 

I think its fair to voice my opinion. You did. And my tone is plenty civil and never demeaning or rude. Let me take your approach and roll my eyes.

 

:roll::roll:

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Ah whatever. Everytime I give an opinion here its always "Well you're 17 - we're old and know everything so listen to this:!"

 

Screw it. I'll just continue reading through the forums and mind my own. So much for a supportive community, eh?

 

You win Mike.

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