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June 30, 2015 at 6:47 pm #817814
wakefloodParticipantI realize this is fodder for a VERY limited audience but I suspect Skeeter and a few others might care to hazard a response to this posit?
The current fad of high sill lines, overamped angularity and scoop-frenzy has messed up too many modern sports car designs to the point that I now prefer previous generations of several of the most popular models.
Which is to say…the new ‘Vettes are ugly. Especially the hi-po versions with body add ons. I thought the first year of the C7 style (sans the huge shark gill slash of course) was a nice balance between muscle and elegance. But hey, if a little is good, too much is better??
Not a fan of the new Mustangs either. They actually adopted the ’69 Boss hip bulge a few years ago but they didn’t integrate it well at all. It looks like an afterthought.
Maybe this style feels right to someone out there?
June 30, 2015 at 7:39 pm #825440
skeeterParticipantWake – I have some thoughts to share, but first I’d like to ask your opinion of the styling of the new LaFerrari.
http://auto.ferrari.com/en_EN/sports-cars-models/car-range/laferrari/
June 30, 2015 at 8:07 pm #825441
wakefloodParticipantSkeets! Well, I’ll crack wise first by asking if that picture was of a Hot Wheels “Futura” circa 1972? ;-)
Actually, I’m down with it for the most part. It’s dramatic, to be sure, but as is usually the case with Pininfarina designs (I assume this is another?), it’s got some grace to balance the brawn.
Personally, I’d pull the point of the nose back a bit to make it subtler but it’s sculptural and I like that.
June 30, 2015 at 8:31 pm #825442
wakefloodParticipantHey Skeets, just looked it up. The Laferrari ISN’T a Pininfarina design but done in house. Well, there you go, they learned some things from the masters before they took a swing at it.
Drama over beauty seems to be the order of the day for most current designs. And I’m fairly skeptical that all of it is performance-related. Sure, F1 had to drop the last vestiges of grace to allow all the appendages they ended up with for the sake of .001 sec. on a given track but nobody can convince me that the general public will measurably improve their lap times because of these body designs. Suspension, engine/transmission/clutch and power-to-weight ratios impactful? Absolutely.
July 1, 2015 at 5:50 pm #825443
skeeterParticipantWake, lately I’ve had a bit of crisis in my life. Let’s go back a bit…
I’ve only owned one vehicle I would consider a sports car. I had a third generation (NC) Mazda MX-5 Miata. Some might disagree if this is really a sports car but any vehicle that handles with such precision is a sports car in my opinion. I sold the Miata when my baby girl came along, but promised myself I’d once again own a sports car someday. I’ve always liked Miatas, Corvettes, and Ferraris.
Fast forward to today. I no longer crave a sports car. Even after the kiddo will be grown up. There are a few reasons that can explain this strange reversal of desire.
Biggest reason? The performance of “ordinary” cars has gotten so good. Look at a Honda Accord V-6 or a VW Golf GTI. We’re talking about 6 second 0-60 times, 140+ top speeds, .88+ skid pad figures. These are numbers that blow away sports cars from just 15 years ago. A new Accord V-6 would beat every performance number of a mid-1980s Ferrari or Porsche. It’s just insane how good cars have gotten.
Reason #2 – I’ve discovered that a great deal of driving joy comes from a good view of the road. Skeeter’s family has two cars in the garage. One is a Subaru Forester. Driving this car is very fun because you have an amazing view of the road. A few weeks ago I drove my dad’s C6 Corvette. An amazing car, but you feel like you are strapped into a rocket ship with a very limited view in front of you and next to you. I don’t like to be 2.5 inches off the ground sitting 4.5 feet back from the windshield because you can’t see anything.
Reason #3 – I’ve also discovered that having less “stuff” simplifies life considerably. I no longer desire to own any device (car, boat, etc) that is subject to frequent maintenance or repairs. Life is too short to spend time taking care of material things. So I no longer crave the stuff I craved just a few years ago.
Subsequently I just haven’t been much “into” sports cars lately. My current thinking is I’d get more enjoyment from something like a VW GTI. I suppose if the biggest “crisis” in my life is no longer lusting after sports cars then I have much to be thankful for.
I do enjoy talking about cars though. And I still love reading Car and Driver magazine. I’d be happy to meet up and go to a car show with you and anyone else who is interested.
July 1, 2015 at 6:05 pm #825444
miwsParticipantI no longer crave a sports car. Even after the kiddo will be grown up.
Dang it!!
Just when I thought I’d found skeeter’s future biography…..
http://www.ispot.tv/ad/73Aq/2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-a-drivers-life-driving-matters
Mike
July 1, 2015 at 6:06 pm #825445
miwsParticipantJuly 1, 2015 at 6:06 pm #825446
wakefloodParticipantSkeets, man, I hope all is going to be well for you? Send in big wishes for good resolutions to whatever ailes you and yours.
As to cars, I actually reached the same conclusions as you did a few years back as well. I bought an Altima for the reasons you describe – (and I avg. close to 30 mpg combined). And like your other suggestions as well.
There’s not a lot of utilty in a sports car and I’m too practical at this point in my life to get anything that impractical.
Would love to go check out the Tacoma auto museum sometime soon. Maybe you’d enjoy it too? Wakeflood at gmail my friend…
July 1, 2015 at 7:44 pm #825447
skeeterParticipantMike – that’s a great Miata commercial. Mazda does an excellent job with the roadster and there are thousands of happy customers. I’m delighted they continue to put R&D money into a car with such a limited market.
Wake – all is well. I meant to say earlier that my “crisis” is I no longer lust after a high-end sports cars. I used to get all excited when I saw a Lamborghini and now I just say “well, that’s nice. But I’ll pass” (even if I had the money.)
I do still absolutely love fun drives. In May my family did the Cascade Loop. It was an excellent drive. We live in a state with some amazing and beautiful roads.
I’ll shoot you an email. I’d be happy to meet up sometime.
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