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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    It looks like a 3-series sedan. The problem with this and the 6-series Gran Coupe, is they don't at all look like coupes. At least the Audi A7 for as ugly as it is, has that sloped rear. The original CLS which started all this madness, looked sort of like a coupe form the side. This looks like a sedan and is pretty pointless, but someone will pay an extra $3,000 for it even though it is the same as a 3-series.
  2. smk4565
    Omega sedan should be Fleetwood, Omega coupe should be Eldorado. CTS renamed to Seville, ATS renamed to LaSalle. Escalade keeps its name, and I am sure they can find some French names for the future crossovers. XTS could be renamed Calais so that people don't associate it with the Deville.
  3. smk4565
    SRX had a huge month, I wonder what caused it. CTS was better than last month, but the year end close out deals have to be good there. The Regal is dying on the vine, although the other Buicks are doing really well. Impala must be running out of the old fleet queens since the sales numbers are coming down. The pickups and SUVs did well, proving again that Americans like trucks. The economy must be picking up.
  4. smk4565
    Every year there is a new slogan, I guess the "standard of the world" of no more. I think they just come up with lines based on what they think might create some sales in the next 6 months. They never think of a slogan that they can use for 20-30 years. BMW has been "ultimate driving machine" for 30 years, consistency is good, people know what BMW stands for. "Be Lucky" sounds like a sign outside of a cheesy casino.
  5. smk4565
    I like it, I think it looks good. It has some P1800 in it, and the rear 3/4 angle and C-pillar have a bit of Jaguar XK in it. It is nice to see a coupe with some style, rather than the wagons and SUVs they usually make, or that ugly S60.
  6. smk4565
    Except it is widely believed, and I think Car and Driver confirmed, that the ATS-V will have a 420 hp V6. If that is the top end, there isn't really any point in having an engine between the 3.6 and twin turbo 3.6. If the ATS-V had 500 hp, then for sure, I think there is space between 320 hp and 500. But engine sizes are dropping, I think Cadillac is better off making a turbo diesel 4 cylinder for the ATS rather than a 500 hp model. These F-sport and V-sport sort of reminds me of the old Chevy Eurosport days, it is just a marketing ploy. Is it so bad to call it CTS 2.0T, 3.6 and 3.6TT.
  7. smk4565
    Right, I mean if they do an SRX V-sport, hopefully that has a turbo, unlike the RX350 F-sport which has the same engine as a Camry.
  8. smk4565
    That looks like an SUV, which is pretty lame. Much like Mini Cooper trying to make an SUV, it doesn't make sense.
  9. smk4565
    It is all marketing, and a way to drive up prices. Every car company does it. The best example is probably the F-sport package on the Lexus RX350. It costs $6,000 more than the base AWD RX350, and for that you get an 8-speed transmission, 19 inch wheels and "exclusive interior and exterior styling details." It probably doesn't cost them much more to make an 8 speed vs a 6-speed, the cost difference between a 19 inch and 18 inch wheel is pretty marginal, and "exclusive styling" is a black headliner and some plastic molding on the bumpers. It probably doesn't cost more than $1000 in parts to make the F-sport trim, yet they charge $6,000. All a marketing ploy to drive the price up. So making V-sport cars is a way to for Cadillac to advertise the low price of the base model, then gouge on the price for the sports model. An ATS 3.6 for example is $43,000, but with the same engine and a V-sport appearance package, they could charge $48,000, more profit for Cadillac. I think a lot of these sport packages aren't worth the price. In the old days the better model had a V8 and interior upgrades and other things to justify the price increase over the base model. Now that big engines are dying, the marketing people need to find something new to make money on, so we get things like F-sport that have the exact same horsepower as the base model for $6,000 more. Hopefully all Cadillac V-sports have an engine upgrade, as the CTS and XTS have shown.
  10. smk4565
    So where does the Omega crossover slot in? Above the Escalade? And can Cadillac support 2 SUVs in high price range, when their previous high dollar offerings have failed. I'm seeing a $30k small crossover, a new SRX at $40k and a Lambda crossover at $50k. That way they can keep the Escalade at $65k as their top SUV. And is Escalade is going to have a word for a name, then all Cadillacs should. It makes no sense to make a BRX, SRX, CRX, Subaru WRX, or XRX or whatever they come up with for the 3 crossovers, then call the other SUV Escalade. Everything should have a name, Alphabet soup names have failed Cadillac and Lincoln, Infiniti has a mess of a naming structure too. These companies so desperately want to copy the Germans they will do anything.
  11. smk4565
    At least they state the truth, rather than live in a fantasy world. Really Lincoln should try to be the Buick-Chrysler competitor, and not even try to keep up with the luxury brands. They don't have the products to do it, and they aren't going to get them. Lincoln isn't going to come out with exclusive rear drive chassis, or 8-10 speed transmissions and new engines, etc. Ford should just shut Lincoln down, but like GMC, it probably turns a profit because there is so little money invested into it.
  12. smk4565
    Hopefully SRX goes to Alpha platform. I could see them doing a Gamma or Delta based crossover to take on the GLA, then SRX gets redone off teh Equinox platform and a Lambda crossover is added. But what good does 3 FWD crossovers do them? Plus Lambda came out in 2007, is Cadillac going to get a version of it in 2016, it will be really dated by then.
  13. smk4565
    Probably, the car overall is in pretty good shape, but it would need a wheel, 2 tires, and some sensors and the check engine light addressed. It will need an oil change and possibly brake pads in front, but a used car shop could do all that work and turn it around and sell it for $3,000. The driver's seat leather is in decent shape, the other seating positions the leather is basically like new. Most cheap used cars suck, the Aurora at least has auto climate, rainsense wipers, Bose stereo, rides well, and the V8 is smooth.
  14. smk4565
    I was hoping to get $1500 out of the Aurora, but I haven't really looked at what I could get for it yet. A friend told me about one of those we buy any car type guys so I want to see what he offers.
  15. smk4565
    I decided to go with the Mercedes, it was $23k with tax, title, etc all total, and $600 to ship from Florida. I think it is pretty unbeatable for an E550, so I'll see how it goes. The E-class has been the go-to mid size luxury sedan for the past 25 years or so, I think it is a safe bet. The Genesis is a nice car, but doesn't have the track record of the E-class, the E-class is proven. Kia does have a RWD car coming, the Quorros or something like that, it is based off the Genesis platform obviously, but I don't know if it is supposed to be Genesis size or Equus size or something in between. Rumor is Hyundai is working on a smaller rear drive sedan, more like ATS and 3-series size, 2.0T and 3.8 V6 with 8-speed transmission, could be a pretty nice package for those that want RWD in a smaller than full size package and can't afford BMW pricing.
  16. smk4565
    149,000. The check engine light has been on most of the year due to some air flow sensors, the check gas cap light is on, service stability system warning comes on daily, and the felt headliner on the sunroof cover is falling. I've replaced 3 of the chrome wheels since they corroded, the last remaining original needs replaced and 2 new tires, possibly brakes because they squeak terribly, and it burns/leaks 1 quart of oil every 3 months. The GM build quality is showing up in full force this year, and I really maintained that car and kept it clean over the years.
  17. smk4565
    A lot of parking lot spaces are narrow, especially pay lots and garages because they want to squeeze in extra spaces for more revenue. In 10 years time we might all be driving electric boxes anyway. Look at the big cars of the 70s or 80s, then how there were less in the 90s, and now a LaCrosse and Avalon at 198 inches long are considered big. In 10 years, the Camry and Accord might be considered full size, while the Cruze and Focus become mid-size family sedans, because Sparks and Toyota IQs become what the Cavalier and Corolla once were.
  18. smk4565
    True if everything goes electric, and the supercharged V6 does make 380 hp so it is a pretty strong engine. But Jaguar without V8s will be a sad day. What is scary is when you see companies like Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes moving away from V8s, Audi sort of already did. We are about 5 years away from V8s only being in AMG or M cars, and optional in the S-class and 7-series. Cars under $75,000 with a V8 could be really rare come 2020.
  19. smk4565
    I am pretty close to a deal on the E550, I drive alone almost always so I don't need a big roomy car, and the E-class is a bit better in handling and I like the look more with the AMG wheels. Plus the resale will be better on the E-class, assuming I keep either car 8 years, the E550 I could still sell for something, where as no one wants a 12 year old Hyundai. It is the same situation I am in now, a 13 year old Aurora is worth like $1500, but a 13 year old Mercedes or Lexus with 150,000 miles will sell for $6,000 just because of the badge. The E550 will cost about $3,000 more now, but I will get that back in the end I bet, so the price is a wash.
  20. smk4565
    I actually don't (I thought the 2008 refresh almost made it worse though with the metal trim), I like that interior, my complaint is the center stack doesn't angle toward the driver like the 03-07 CTS did. The interior is sort of cheap though, the level of materials isn't really up to German standards. I drove an STS years ago and thought it was sort of floaty, it is similar to the Genesis with that big car body roll in corners. The STS didn't really win me over, I'd rather have a Genesis from 2009-2010 over top of an STS from 2006-2008 because they are basically the same equipment and the Hyundai has more power and is newer. STS-V I had thought about in the past, because they are cheap and look good, but I don't like the suede seat inserts, and 469 hp is overkill really, and it is really thirsty. If the 2009 E-class had a 300+ hp V6 that would be great, or a turbo V6 like they will offer this year, but since they don't I'd rather have the V8 than that 268 hp V6, because a 268 hp V6 sounds like what the Camry has.
  21. smk4565
    G8 lacks the luxury and refinement of the Genesis or Mercedes and I already own a car from a dead brand. If I did a lot of highway driving or drove 20,000 miles a year, the diesel E-class would have the win, but since I don't drive that much, it makes a V8 affordable, and this may be the last chance for a V8, because in 8 years or so the only cars with V8s will be ones I can't afford. The Genesis doesn't have much cool factor or curb appeal, and it does ride a bit soft and have lighter steering, so it isn't too sporty. But it is cheaper to buy probably cheaper to maintain, so it is the more economical choice. E550 is more bad ass, and probably more fun to own.
  22. smk4565
    Never liked the looks of that car or the interior, but they are in the price range and I had thought about it. I have driven a G37 and didn't like it, it is too herky jerky, and isn't really all that luxurious. It basically comes down to E550 or a Genesis with $3,000+ to spend on something else. I think I would be happy with either car.
  23. smk4565
    The Aurora has been big enough, it is a wide car too. But I am ready for something smaller and more agile, I don't want to go so small as a 3-series or C-class, and I don't like BMW styling anyway. E-class is a nice middle size, Genesis is as big as I would go. There is no Japanese car I like either, and the Jaguar XF's are too expensive, and the retro looking XJ is just too retro, and that is a long car, that is small on the inside. I am leaning toward the E550, their V8 sounds good, the badge is better, and on resale, I think a Mercedes always has value, it is like Honda and Toyota, that even with 200,000 miles, some fool will pay $5,000 for it. The value quotient of the Genesis is hard to beat though.
  24. smk4565
    Well I wouldn't say just make a 2-door version of the CTS, but use the Alpha platform for a coupe with it's own sheet metal, and the existing powertrains that Cadillac has, and an 8-speed transmission and eventually some diesel or hybrid or plug-in since those are becoming common in luxury cars, even if just for marketing purposes.
  25. smk4565
    I ruled out the C-class because it is mostly C300s at that price and those are underpowered, and not as nice an interior as the Genesis or E-class. and I ruled out anything bigger than a Genesis, because an 06 S-class on paper might seem like a good idea, but they would be a pain in parking lots, parking garages, etc.
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