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08-23-2008, 06:52 PM | #23 | |
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However, the mistake American manufacturers seem to have made is that they seemed to have assumed all/most Americans are a part of that user group (and I guess that was true at some point in time), and therefore, there really isn't any need to develop other types of passenger cars. Or there simply is too much momentum that gets in the way of change in companies that size, and they resist change and simply keep on doing what they've been doing. That seems to be changing these days, but they have already lost so much marketshare and their finances are so out of order that it will be difficult to turn things around. After getting my M.S., more than 10 years ago, I interviewed with a bunch of American car companies. In an interview of with a Ford exec high up the R&D chain, I pretty much told him the above, and asked him why exactly is it that they aren't engineering passenger cars that appeal to the emerging needs/wants of the American consumer. He put me on the top of a special hiring list because he clearly wanted change...
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08-23-2008, 10:01 PM | #24 | |
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Bruce PS - I am heartened, though, by cars like the Malibu, which show they're getting back on the right track. The next Focus offering (coming from Ford of Europe) will also be a very strong entry. Bruce |
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08-24-2008, 04:18 AM | #26 |
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Well then, I guess the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS time of 8:20 isn't bad either.
Only 2 seconds slower than the IS-F. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS lapped Nurburgring in 8:20 http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/07/22...rgring-in-820/ |
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08-24-2008, 08:55 AM | #27 | |
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For $23 -$24K? Amazing! Bruce |
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08-24-2008, 09:51 AM | #28 | |
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08-24-2008, 12:13 PM | #29 | |
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08-25-2008, 08:47 AM | #32 |
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How does the IS-F compare to the M3 on ride comfort. I just ask because I know a few who have driven the new M3 and said no purely because of the ride quality being too firm. If the IS-F can cushion it ride while still delivering a near matching M3 pace on the track and approach it's entertainment factor then they have been an impressive job on the car.
It's looks are not my cup of tea but each to their own, the interior is luxury Japanese, you know even without the brand where it was designed, the same is true for German cars but there is no denying the quality of the Lexus, it's up there with the best. The biggest let down for me is having 4 doors and only 4 seats.............why? You expect that with a coupe but not a saloon, a wrong decision in my opinion and will cost it sales. Two areas where Lexus have scored big time is the exhaust note, the fact that it can have such a split personality is great, with the M3 you know almost instantly it's potential but the same isn't true with the Lexus, the perfect sleeper. The other area is the gearbox, all the write ups comment on how this is the best automatic ever and is in many ways as good as any DCT, just shows that there is still life in the old technology. If it's looks had been more to my taste and I was sure about the residules then this would have been on my list. A great effort and definitely not a FAIL in my book. |
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08-25-2008, 09:22 AM | #33 | |
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Not surprising, because to me, the ride/handling trade off is one of the two things that BMW does better than most, or even all. As to looks, I dislike them on paper, but when looking over a metallic maroon example in person with one of my sons, we were very impressed with the overall look of the car. Bruce |
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08-25-2008, 12:30 PM | #34 |
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09-17-2008, 01:31 PM | #35 | |
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More IS-F trivia: The transmission is an auto, but when driving hard the torque converter gets out of the way and the clutch locks up directly to the drive train. Pretty cool tech. Although 8 gears is a bit over the top, IMHO. Even more trivia: From a styling point of view those stacked quad exhausts are ... hideous. But there's no accounting for taste. They have also been berated as being non-functional as they are not even hooked up to the exhaust. But, according to Toyota, they do serve a purpose. They help suck the exhaust from the tips as well as provide downforce and smooth the airflow under the car at higher speeds. But I still think it's ugly.
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09-17-2008, 03:09 PM | #36 |
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I honestly think it is simple thing....
Although I bought M3, I would still went with IS-F if I was concerned with long-term reliability. While BMW concentrates its performance and soul of the car, Lexus always do better making reliable car. It's just two different car in my opinion. (Performance Orientated vs Reliability) |
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09-24-2008, 01:19 PM | #37 |
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I'm not quite sure how I see this as a fail from lexus, or toyota, or the camry(?) as you always call it.
On an poll taken ON THE M3 FORUM (http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129066) 28% said they would either prefer the Lexus or at least consider it compared to the M3. Now if Lexus is able to take the interest of 20-30% of people considering cars in the same class in their first year, I can only imagine what's to come in the future. Even if they don't sway any more people in coming years and stay 2nd to the m3, I wouldn't say taking 28% of the market interest away from people buying $60,000 cars is a fail in anyone's mind. Also, coupled with the fact that Lexus brand was rated Number 1 in reliability, for the 14th straight year, doesn't hurt either. |
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09-24-2008, 05:00 PM | #39 | |
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But I couldn't stop thinking about the upcoming CTS-V when you were talking about your Buick V8 comparison. Will the new CTS-V compete with the M5? OR hold the same driving dynamics of ast Cadillac's? Obviously, I can't drive like a boat and beat out an M5.
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09-24-2008, 08:17 PM | #40 | |
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In regard to its weight and unbelievable performance, they used the term "Newtonian bitch slap". Bruce |
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09-24-2008, 11:22 PM | #41 | |
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Edmunds comparo. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=131206 Edmunds Quote:"Let's see. It looks great and it's the fastest production sedan we've ever tested. The bottom line appears to be pretty damn good." The Road & Track test the CTS-V lapped faster than the SMG M5. http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6963 |
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09-25-2008, 08:32 AM | #42 | |
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09-25-2008, 03:27 PM | #43 |
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The Lexus got one hell of a bashing in this week Autocar's Driver's Car of the Year awards. It was voted last out of 11 cars.
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