Have you test driven any cars lately...

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

new or old that is? Was at the Porsche dealer yesterday and tried a 2001 Porsche Carrera 4. Even though it has way more power than my 2001 base Boxster it did not stir my soul. After that I tried a 2008 Porsche Boxster which has more power - 245 hp a lighter clutch, quieter, smoother and more refined than mine. Overall neither of these cars induced me to trade mine in . Astronomical prices of course being the dealership. Now if they had an older Cayman I might have got serious.

I did sit in a 2014 Cayman in the showroom and felt that there is a lot more legroom now. Nice car but the idea of parting with $80k has no appeal. Tell me about your test rides and your thoughts....

jwasbury · 10-06-2013, 06:09 AM

Not a "car" but I test drove a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 recently, then I bought it. They have done an amazing job on the new generation of trucks. Its quieter going down the road than my Cadillac CTS-V (or 7 series BMW according to a Motor Trend article). Surprisingly good fuel economy too for such a big vehicle. I am seeing about 20 mpg average with the 5.3 liter V8 - 75 to 80% highway usage.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

My wife and I walked by a Subaru BRZ the other day and she said she actually liked the look of it. I checked out the Scion equivalent and with heated seats came up to $40k. Kind of pricey but base models start in the 20's.

Have got to test drive one in the next couple of weeks to rule it out or not. It would be interesting to compare it to how I feel about the Boxster/Cayman.....

Chocaholic · 10-06-2013, 06:40 AM

It's amazing to me just how good "all" new cars are these days. Reliability, comfort, features, etc. Even the cheap econoboxes are very capable. My daughters Hyundai Elantra has been bullet-proof, economical and well featured....all under $20k.

The technology has reached a maturity level that has changed the game from even a few years ago. It tells me we're ready for the "next big thing" since that's how technology works. The basic automobile is reaching a level of perfection only challenged by the laws of physics (friction).

Next step...get rid of the friction. Imagine if your car did not need to deal with rotating wheels in firm contact with concrete. Electromagnetic "floating" infrastructure will make it's debut in the next 20 to 30 years (my prediction). Probably 10 years or so later than it should. Imagine, 0-100mph in a second or two, then able to cruise at 200+ all day long on almost no fuel (elec/gas/nuc/etc). Our kids will have a blast!

Just read a book by Michio Kaku on this subject. He indicates that the technology advances we've seen in the last 100 years will be nothing compared to the next 100....with detailed accounts of incredible technology already in development (nano-tech, etc.). Cool stuff.

Sorry for the hi-jack, but the OP got me thinking about this. Hard to find a "bad" car, just a matter of finding the appliance that fits you best.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwasbury

Not a "car" but I test drove a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 recently, then I bought it. They have done an amazing job on the new generation of trucks. Its quieter going down the road than my Cadillac CTS-V (or 7 series BMW according to a Motor Trend article). Surprisingly good fuel economy too for such a big vehicle. I am seeing about 20 mpg average with the 5.3 liter V8 - 75 to 80% highway usage.

I agree. The amount of refinement that has gone into cars is substantial. As long as they are still fun to drive that is fine by me.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

It's amazing to me just how good "all" new cars are these days. Reliability, comfort, features, etc. Even the cheap econoboxes are very capable. My daughters Hyundai Elantra has been bullet-proof, economical and well featured....all under $20k.

The technology has reached a maturity level that has changed the game from even a few years ago. It tells me we're ready for the "next big thing" since that's how technology works. The basic automobile is reaching a level of perfection only challenged by the laws of physics (friction).

Next step...get rid of the friction. Imagine if your car did not need to deal with rotating wheels in firm contact with concrete. Electromagnetic "floating" infrastructure will make it's debut in the next 20 to 30 years (my prediction). Probably 10 years or so later than it should. Imagine, 0-100mph in a second or two, then able to cruise at 200+ all day long on almost no fuel (elec/gas/nuc/etc). Our kids will have a blast!

Just read a book by Michio Kaku on this subject. He indicates that the technology advances we've seen in the last 100 years will be nothing compared to the next 100....with detailed accounts of incredible technology already in development (nano-tech, etc.). Cool stuff.

Sorry for the hi-jack, but the OP got me thinking about this. Hard to find a "bad" car, just a matter of finding the appliance that fits you best.

Yep you are spot on. When I think back in the 1950's and 60's many small cars would be burning oil by the time they hit 30k miles. It is great to get in the car now, turn the key and go. I remember my father's English cars. Auto trans. in D and no go .......so much frustration!Tow to dealership.

fanaudical · fanaudical's Garage

My prediction: Next big technology jump for cars will be the development of "economical" electrical energy storage; that is the final hurdle to truly allow all-electric vehicles. Once we start mass-producing batteries/supercapacitors/whatever-it-is that allows this, you will see s complete movement away from internal combustion (except for hybrid) - and I predict that those hybrids will be based on mini gas turbines.

Technology is always way ahead of public investment in infrastructure. I don't see the US getting any significant improvement in roadways in a long, long time.

As far as test drives - I had a rental Ford Focus (brand new) on my last business trip. While it seemed like a nice car at first, I grew to hate the transmission (never shifted at the right time) and was constantly confused by the myriad of buttons/switches/screens in the dash and on the steering wheel. Way to many inputs required of the driver for simple things.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I also had a Ford Focus for a rental recently. I would have been sold on ot except for the blind spots and side mirrors. I know they'd have been a problem for Mrs. Lee. In fact, the first time I rode in one was in China two years ago and the driver backed into a bicyclist he couldn't see in his mirrors.

Chocaholic · 10-06-2013, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanaudical

My prediction: Next big technology jump for cars will be the development of "economical" electrical energy storage; that is the final hurdle to truly allow all-electric vehicles. Once we start mass-producing batteries/supercapacitors/whatever-it-is that allows this, you will see s complete movement away from internal combustion (except for hybrid) - and I predict that those hybrids will be based on mini gas turbines.

Do you see that as a "big" advancement? Seems to me that's a logical evolution of current technology. Just another method of turning four wheels with tires on them in an effort to overcome friction is a less costly way. I still think the "big" leap will be the mitigation of signficant friction (the road). Problem is...I'll have to live well beyond my lifespan to see it become reality.

Unless nano-tech takes off in a big way first. Micro-bots living in your bloodstream programmed to anhialiate any cell with pre-cancerous characteristics! Ha. Way cool.