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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    Overpriced. The fwd fleet version should have been $39,995, the 400 HP model $55k and the black label $60k. I expect slow sales on this one.
  2. smk4565
    Not even remotely in the same ball park, chief. There isn't really a $30k coupe that I like, the Genesis coupe is rough and loud, I wouldn't drive a Mustang, Challenger is too big, and too cheap inside. 370Z does nothing for me. So I'd rather have a Mazda 6 that is a good all around car.
  3. smk4565
    Yes I forgot Lexus. The NX crossover is another vehicle they can tackle.
  4. smk4565
    I would buy a Mazda 6 Grand Touring with the technology package. That comes out to about $33k, which is pretty much loaded for a Mazda 6.
  5. smk4565
    The LT4 doesn't have the NVH characteristics needed to match any V12. Secondly, it doesn't have the torque. The S65 has 738 lb-ft, and has had that for 10 years now. The head of AMG has said there would be a power bump, but not when. I'd imagine they are waiting until the awd system and transmission are beefed up. That engine can easily produce over 800 lb-ft of torque, they detune it to 738, because you have to put that on the ground somehow. I always love the argument of how S-classes are so deeply discounted. As if the competition doesn't do the same thing, or more. Usually the #1 selling vehicle in a segment isn't heavily discounted. S-class outsells it's 3 closest competitors combined. Cadillac spends more on incentives than any of the Germans do. Bottom line is CT8 is dead, and Cadillac isn't going to step up to the plate to go after an S63 or S65. Cadillac should roll out the crossovers to really put the hurt on Acura, Infiniti, and Lincoln. Those brands are weak and ripe for the picking. Cadillac should try to steal all their customers.
  6. smk4565
    They should take the CT6 platinum interior and put it in a a CTS and ATS. They have a better chance lifting those cars up to Mercedes-Audi level than they do lifting the CT6. Plus I don't think anyone will pay for $100k Cadillac sedan no matter what it is. I think Cadillac should go Crossover crazy, and not only do front drive XT1, XT3, XT5, XT7, but also at least 2 rear drive crossovers, XT4 on alpha, XT6 on Omega. Then they would have 6 crossovers and can compete with Q3 the coking Acura version of HRV, all they way up to Porsche Cayenne and X5 M.
  7. smk4565
    Not even in Fantasyland at the intersection of Dream Street and Hope and A Prayer Avenue will the CT6 get enough upgrades to compete with an S65. No one is paying $220,000 for a CT6.
  8. smk4565
    Making the front end of the CLA ugly won't help any. I do wish the E-class had the split head light set up to make it different from the other model lines, or that the SL went back to 50's era round headlights, but this soft, homogenized look seems to work for their customer base and gives them broad appeal. They have to have a styling theme that works in Germany, China, Middle East, USA, etc. Aero plays another role, most Mercedes are around .24 drag coefficient, so the similar style is probably a push toward maximum aerodynamics, plus the pedestrian impact and crash standards, that make the shape of a lot of cars similar.
  9. smk4565
    Aluminum is stronger than steel, so this makes sense. Kudos to Ford for taking the gamble on making the F150 aluminum, cutting the weight, going with turbo V6s, etc. They are trying to move toward the future and keep the F150 compliant with crash regs and the coming CAFE hurdles.
  10. smk4565
    Airscarf is offered on all Mercedes convertibles, came out a few years ago. It blows hot air around the driver's neck and shoulders, so you can drive with the top down in cooler weather. That combined with the AirCap spoiler thing on top of the wind shield and the wind diffuser behind the back seat, keeps you comfortable in all season. Airscarf is built into the seat though, so it takes the air in from behind the seat and heats it and blows it out. It isn't run off the car's HVAC system fans.
  11. smk4565
    I think it looks good, I like the update. I like the air filter too.
  12. smk4565
    Maybe Chevy should put the Spark's nose on the next generation Corvette.They put the Camaro's nose on the Sonic. I actually don't love the S-class coupe grill, I think the sedan grille is better. I'd like to see the Maybach S600 front on the coupe and convertible.
  13. smk4565
    They are not video screens on the seat back, it is the air intake for Airscarf. I don't think they even offer back seat video screens on any of their 2 door cars.
  14. smk4565
    Such a shame that Cadillac does not have a full size convertible. The Ocean Drive concept showed the possibility of a full size convertible and Mercedes delivered one.
  15. smk4565
    I guarantee that make profit on this car. S-class is the Daimler gold mine. I would have liked to see this car a bit longer and with the sedan grille. I think it would have looked more imposing. I feel like all S-classes, even the coupe should have the raised hood ornament, it just seems more old school and upper end. You'll never see a Rolls with a grill logo, they put it on the hood like classic luxury of yore. I will read the article tomorrow, the S65 convertible is $248,000, there is your profit margin, and these guys still make V12 monsters, which is great to see.
  16. smk4565
    Good points, and you have to factor in not paying for gas. Electricity is way cheaper as you could run a Tesla for about $250-300 a year in electricity. $35k puts it near the avg price of a new car, but that $35k car could still cost $600 a month on a 5 year loan. So for the average income that may be too much to spend. But there are a lot of cars/SUVs sold in the $30-40k price range, probably millions a year. So there are people that will find that will find the Tesla affordable, even though for many others, such as myself, $600+ for a payment would be too high. We will have a better idea next spring or summer, by then they should have some more exact numbers and pricing out. But we still no nothing about optional battery backs or motors. I am optimistic that this car will be success. I love the idea of solar panels and electric cars and sustainable energy, we just need the costs of batteries and solar panels to come down more, but they will.
  17. smk4565
    What? Are you saying you do not have Tesla's beloved Pet Boys auto centers every 3 to 5 miles? Yes many nerds have put Tesla in the same league as Apple and yet you have to go to Pet Boys for service!, That does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about their quality when your dealing with a cheap retailer. I would rather trust my chevy dealership over pet boys. How much service is there? Change the brakes (which last longer due to the regen) and change tires. Wiper blades and cabin air filter can be changed yourself. The only maintenance item is changing the coolant on the battery every 4 years. Electric motor has no maintenance, no oil change, no trans fluid change, no filter and belt changes, none of that.
  18. smk4565
    Agreed with all, and you pretty much knew they wouldn't build it when they showed it. They make these coupes and convertibles to build excitement for the brand, but then when you never make on, it is a bit of a buzzkill. I think Cadillac needs a concept looking car more than Buick though. Avista won't see production because it isn't a crossover. That was pretty clear from the start.
  19. smk4565
    GM has sold more Volts than Tesla has sold cars. GM will run out of tax credits just as fast as Tesla will. Besides that, will the Bolt have the Cadillac Super Cruise as standard equipment for $37,500? Because the Model 3 has autopilot standard. The last piece of the puzzle we don't know. The $50k Model 3 is going to have more battery and more motor than the $35k model. What if the $50k Model 3 is faster than a Corvette? Maybe it won't be, but we need to know how much power the Model 3 will have. I know for sure a Bolt will never be as fast as a Corvette.
  20. smk4565
    U may not be an Audi guy but U are a Germany is better guy.. to the point that I am probably not wrong in say that U probably wanted Hitler to win WWII. Also.. how is the 0-60 time relevant in this conversation.. especially that of the M4 and Camaro versus an AWD vehicle? Lastly.. and this is a dooooozy. Have U ever even been in a CT6??? I have yet to read that U have.. and altho I may be wrong.. if U had.. U would have most likely written a few expected negative paragraphs about already I like Mercedes, doesn't mean I like all German cars by default. I like the interior of the A7 and A8, and I think BMW sedans for the most part have good ride and handling balance. That is all I like from either brand and I don't like Porsche, though I certainly can respect something like the 959. I have not sat in a CT6, I was only able to look inside the car at the auto show. I have sat in the A8, it is impressive. When I get a chance to sit in a CT6 maybe I'll change my mind but I doubt it. As far as the question of why people would buy a German POS as you call the A8, I am just saying it is a fast car. The A8 4.0 does 0-60 in about 4 seconds and gets 27 or 28 mpg highway. Those are impressive numbers. Audi's do break down all the time though, I wouldn't buy one, but I can why people sit in it and read the spec sheet and then buy it.
  21. smk4565
    I am not an Audi guy, but the A8 interior is better than any American or Japanese car. One thing not to forget about the A8 4.0, is that is has the same 0-60 time as a BMW M4 or Camaro SS. It is a fast car.
  22. smk4565
    I never said it was a negative for Cadillac to steal from other GM brands. If I were Johan, I'd want to steal every single GMC Yukon Denali sale and get that person to buy an Escalade. That helps GM's overall profit margin too. Or if Customer X has $50,000 to spend on a vehicle, I wouldn't want them to buy a loaded up Enclave, I'd want them to buy a Cadillac. A Honda Pilot Touring is $43,000, and there is an Elite trim for $48k. Explorer Titanium is $50k. A Cadillac XT5 awd with luxury package is $48k. So once again, if Mr. or Mrs. Customer has $48k to spend on an SUV, I'd want that sale. And my lineup can't be applied to Benz or BMW because they don't have that many platforms to build cars on. Cadillac could build 4 front wheel drive platform crossovers on existing Chevy/Buick platforms, and then build 3 more rear drive platform crossovers on alpha and Omega, and still have the Escalade as an 8th crossover/SUV vehicle. With XT1, XT3, XT4 and XT5 all starting under $40k you can steal massive sales away from Lincoln, Acura, Honda, GMC, Jeep, whomever. Then your XT6 and XT7 come in around $50k base price, ranging up to $75-80k. Then the XT8 comes in around $80k base to compete with Mercedes GLS, BMW X7. Buyers want crossovers/SUVs, the reason people spend $50k on an Explorer or Grand Cherokee is not enough luxury SUVs are on the market. Sedan segments are shrinking across the board. Makes sense to hit crossovers hard and leave no niche uncovered.
  23. smk4565
    The first two pictures are A6 and E-class, so that isn't a top trim $100k car. The M4 interior is still way better than a Camaro's. But if you are just buying for performance, the M4 interior isn't $35,000 better than a Camaro. The Camaro has really good performance, the numbers back it up. M4 isn't a bad car, it just seems over priced to me because it is $30k more than a 340i and for what?
  24. smk4565
    "on a whole" "even in top quality models" The 3-series interior is a bit lackluster, but mainly because A4 and C-class stepped their game up. You can get an M3/M4 in 9 different leather colors including Nutmeg, Red, Silver, White, Beige, Black, Golden Brown, Cohiba Brown, and Amaro Brown. Maybe most BMW buyers like black, and that is what they buy. I hate all black interiors personally. But BMW does offer a long color list on the M4. I give them credit for that. I still think the M4 is over priced, gotten a bit too big, and doesn't have an engine different enough from the 340i, which makes it seem even more over priced. I don't necessarily want more performance from the M4, but it shouldn't be $81k with options left on the table. The previous car was loved and cost about $65k, these new M cars seem like the used the Porsche pricing system and they don't feel as special as the old ones. And it isn't because they have more M models, it is because the M3 and M5 are big, heavy, lack steering feel, they lost that essence of driving, where it is all about exhaust note, and steering and suspension. The new cars seem to fake all that.
  25. smk4565
    Just had a great idea, I would add an XT-E, which is a mid-size electric crossover. Not sure what platform that rides on, probably would have to ride on something totally new. After those 6 above were on sale, I would roll out XT-E and CT-E (yes it is brain disease, but I didn't pick alphanumerics, I wanted Eldorado and Fleetwood). XTE and CTE could share a mid-size electric car chassis, give them 250 mile range for base, 350 mile optional, about 350 hp, rear drive base, 500 hp all wheel drive optional, and 700 hp all wheel drive v-series. That is your Tesla fighter, that could range form $60k to $120k.
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