Show us your cars!

[donaldejose]

Matyoka:

In my opinion the curves in this photo of your car are equally exquisite.
I wonder why I see so much beauty in both curves?
Certainly, there are lots of curves on lots of cars and women but why do we (or I) find some so much more beautiful than others?

Consider the comparison of those two "rides."

 

[JC7]

..I'm sorry guys.. one more time what are we talking about again?

 

[Matyoka]

We are comparing hips on women and cars Some cars appear more attractive to us than others, even though they might have equal or lesser curves... Not sure why the Aston Donald, but it just does. Look at the new Audi S5 for instance. Magnificent machinery, nice sexy female features, $40k less than the Porsche and still does not please my eyes.

 

[JC7]

Still.. one more time.. i'm just having a hard time focusing for some reason...

 

[donaldejose]

I agree with you about Audi.

What are your opinions on the Maserati Quatroporte and GT?

For some reason they also have the lines that really appeal to me.

I like the lines on race cars from the 60s when men were just starting to experiment with aerodynamics and produced those curved shapes like the original Ferrari GTO.
Then lines went angular until the old 60's curves reappeared in the Modena 360.
My jaw just dropped when I first saw one of those.
Porsche never had such beautiful curves.
Maybe the Italians understand emotion better than the Germans?

Why cannot Mazda reproduce those 60's curves (or the current Maserati curves or the Ferrari 360/430 curves?
It wouldn't cost any more money than to bend the sheet metal in those shapes.

JC7: I got it the first time, very funny! Glad I could add some entertainment to your night.

Late addition: In my opinion the Pagani Zonda and Lamborghini Murcielago are ugly while the Alpa Romero 8c is beautiful. So not all Italian curves are beautiful.

 

[JobR]

@

 

[deloreandmc]

examples of how italian cars are better looking than german cars

ferrari 250 GTO

Porsche caymen something or other

could there have been a better example???

yes, yes there could

Group of italian machines

group of german things...

 

[donaldejose]

JobR;

I have read the paddle shifting FI style transmission in the Quatroporte (and Ferrari) was not enjoyable to use in everyday driving so Maserati changed it to a normal automatic which has a manual mode that you can shift yourself (I think Ferrari also changed the transmission between the Modena 360 and the Modena 430 cars). Of course, the Quatroporte automatic now has a torque converter so the response is not as direct as with an F1 style paddle shift transmission. But that torque converter is also what makes for smoother starts in traffic. A clutch allows you to obtain a smooth start by "feathering" (allowing some slip) as you engage the clutch. The complaint I had read about the Ferrari and Maserati F1 style transmission is that it was fine for the race track where you want quick shifts at high rpms but it is a pain to use in normal driving where you are shifting at lower rpms and want smoothness.

Since you are familiar with these transmissions I would be interested in your opinions.

The only one I have driven is the Lexus version (an automatic with paddle shifters) which I found to run normally in automatic mode, to shift fine at high rpm but to have a delay in the shift at low rpm. It would be ok if you let the transmission shift for itself in normal traffic driving and then used those paddle shifters for more aggressive driving when you are not in traffic. But to use the shift paddles in normal traffic would just irritate you with a delay in changing gears.

Deloreandmc:

I agree with your examples, AND I think the Porsche Cayman is one of the best looking Porsches! It still cannot compare to the Modena 360/430.

But WHY?

Are the Germans "beauty challenged?"

 

[QinetiQ]

examples of how italian cars are better looking than german cars

Group of italian machines

group of german things...

Buddy you are so lost on this one. One thing people should stick to is not to judge a car's looks only by pictures. You need to see it to........erm......see it! Really a car should not be judged that way. I thought the same thing about the Panamera when I saw it on a picture. What a hideous pickup truck but boooooooy did I change my mind when I saw it with my own eyes in the wild! Thought the same thing about the the Ferrari Italia. Too futuristic and loosing the italian appeal. Not a chance! So I guess my point is, don't say a car is not sexy if you've not seen. Live. Moving etc. Just like people some cars are photo-genetic, some aren't so. That said, who said German cars are not sexy?

SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?

 

[JobR]

.

 

[QinetiQ]

@donaldejose
Since I'm 16 years old I can't drive them myself, but I've driven along enough to say the F1 shifting is logically more sporty. The amazing sound you get with downshifting w a sportscar is easier to make with the F1 shifting ofcourse. I have driving it once till 4th gear and it's way easier than regular shifting. I think it's an ideal system for the driver who wants to drive the Maser in daily life and sometimes wants to do accelerations without getting bored after 30 times the same sound you'll get with the automatic gbox.
In short terms: excellent system! as well is the Maserati S(port) exhaust system. By the way, lots of people still break their necks when we're driving by, but people with little car knowledge think it's a reg 4.0 L 405 HP GranTurismo, no 4.7 L 440 HP GranTurismo S. It's where you'll worry about...
The Quattroporte Executive GT has an automatic gearbox.

Honestly 99.9% of the people don't give a rat's ass if the engine is 4.0l or 4.7l. Half them probably don't even know it's a maserati

 

[donaldejose]

QientioQ:

I agree the Panamara looks much better in public than it does in photos. I was so glad to see that because I would like to have one some day (like when it has depreciated to about $40k).

I also agree the new 911s look much better than the older ones.

I have never liked the look of the 911, until I started driving one. Now the 911 shape seems beautiful to me because it invokes the feelings I get when the car responds to me. I used to see a 911 and feel wonder why anyone would buy one. Now when I see a 911 a smile comes across my face. BUT, you don't have to drive a Ferrari 360/430 to have warm feelings about it. Just looking at it is enough. That is my point and I wonder what it is that makes me feel that way? Maybe some people respond the same way to the lines of a Porsche.

JobR is responding to sound and numbers since he has not yet experienced the driving feel of different cars. Give him a few more years and he will be talking about shifting response rather than sound and power delivery rather then engine size.

BTY: there are good photos (and some discussion but no driving experience) of that Porsche in my latest edition of Excellence magazine.

 

[Matyoka]

I swear kids nowadays, specially the ones hanging on this forum, know more about cars than I do!!! Been driving for 27 years and my knowledge doesn't even come close to theirs. This tells me that they spend too much time on the INTERNET

 

[Matyoka]

Donald,

With regards to the lines of the 911 compared to the Aston Vantage... well I have to say that if the Aston had 2 more seats in the back and an Engine that could propell the car like the Flat 6 Turbo does... hmmm, I would have never gotten a Porsche. I am more intrigued by the 993 turbo or turbo S body than any other Porsches. Look at how they are holding their value, minimum of $70,000 for a 15 year old car!!! With regards to the Maserati, that was one of the choices when I got the Aston, but the Vantage won big time!!! The only thing I liked about the GT was the nice transmission it got from his bigger brother, the Quattro Porte. Lamborghini is a nice car but not for a family guy with small kids like myself, however if we talk Italian let me say two words: Ferrari California. Now that I would get in a heartbeat if I had the financial backing available. Maybe in a couple of years... Sorry for the short answers I am at work

 

[donaldejose]

YES, YES, YES to the California. It has been criticized in the motor press for a "big butt." But I never really saw that in it. I think it is due to needing room to store the hard roof.

Now why cannot Mazda copy those lines for the next Miata and give us a cheap, fun to drive beautiful car?
The original Miata copied some classic lines.
Instead, I expect we will get some sort of "Japanese Wind" futuristic type design. Ick.
Why cannot the Nissan Z cars copy those classic lines, they originally did in the 240Z.
Give us classic beauty at less than 30 or 40K. It could be done.

Please, please go back to those classic lines like Ferrari did with the California and Aston did with the Vantage.

Agreed, the new Porsche Turbo is a good looker and an astonishing performance machine. I would love to have one. But I live in a suburban area around Philadelphia. Just no chance to ever really use the power of a TT. The Miata is the most fun to drive on these roads where you are generally limited to 40 to 50 mph and that is 10 mph over the speed limit (most roads here have a speed limit of 35 mph!). With my old Porsche I have to be driving 20 mph over the speed limit to even let that car get into mid rpms. Frustrating. How could I ever use a TT? Even when I go drive half an hour into the countryside to find a four lane road with less traffic so I can get to 100mph I can only keep that pace for about 2 minutes before I run into no room in the passing lane due to too much traffic. I fear a TT would hardly ever go on boost!

My big question is service? Do you have trouble getting your Aston serviced in Montana?

 

[Matyoka]

Donald,

The AM was serviced by Bellevue Park Lane Aston Martin and eventually by Calgary AM when they opened their shop. The Vantage sold to an Edmonton gentleman two weeks ago, don't have it anymore... I mentioned above that if the Aston had the 2 extra seats and the performance of the 911, would have kept it much longer

 

[donaldejose]

I see the suppressors in you Avatar. Why don't you start a thread in the gun section about suppressed firearms?

 

[Matyoka]

Donald, that is a great idea. Maybe disburse some general information on how to aquire one? Which ones are the best in the industry?

But first, lets see some nice 997 hips

 

[donaldejose]

BEAUTIFUL lines on that Turbo too! Almost as good at the Aston and much, much better than my 996 C2. I see you have the chrono package.

Suppressed firearms. license required, how to get one, cost, why one should use subsconic ammo with a suppressor, how to make your own suppressor for a 22 (I do this so I can shoot in peace when I am alone at the range). etc. Would be a good discussion. I think the should be encouraged, not discouraged. People living near firearms ranges complain about the noise so I say "tackle noise pollution at its source, encouraged suppressed firearms."

 

[SpootyPuff]

group of german things...

Adrian Sutil!!

I met him at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix last month! Fantastic driver! He's abit tall for an F1 pilot but he makes it work! The likes of Rubens and Massa are more my height in the lower 5's lol