Luxury sports Car for 180k to 250k

[Qes78]

not unless they badge it with ///AMG and drop in a 6.208L V8

 

and they'll probably be like that china woman who paid for a Ferrari F430 with her credit card.

 

Where got change?

Think AMG did that with the Smart Roadster.....

 

[Cerano]

Think AMG did that with the Smart Roadster.....

 

crazy.

 

if even a C63 gets wheelspin into third gear what more a smart

[Qes78]

what bout you bro? if you had that money what would you buy?

Wow, tough question bro, which is why I started this thread in the first place. Who knew that it's reached 130 posts and counting.....

 

I've owned and driven a Mazda Mx-5 for almost a decade now and she's seen me through countless personal changes, income brackets and commitment levels.

She's also considerably different from the day I first lay my eyes on her. Recently, I've been asking myself, what car would make me give her up?

 

Some of the considerations that matter to me:

1. It's all about the drive and handling, not grip and power. I've driven other faster, more powerful cars, with loads more power and grip, but as they say, why do you need 600bhp for fun when you can have fun with 90bhp car. I mean, karting provides a more holistic driving experience than almost any fast road car I can think of. I think the pleasure is in the drive and not how much faster you can get there. In a way, the reason why the AE86 is so reknown as a drift car is because it's a driver's car, that rewards and punishes accordingly. There's a nice YT video of the Americans vs Japanese pro drifters in an underpowered Mx-5 and one of my conclusions was that the American pro drifters were so used to power compensating for their driving, whilst the Japanese drifters were a lot more skilled and could push almost any car to their limits. It's kinda like people using money to compensate for their lack of character/etiquette/brains etc.....

 

2. This ties in with a well Engineered product with excellent design philosophy, still influenced by the engineers and not just recycling of parts from the parts bin, or with the penny counters and marketing 'gurus'. A car should be made so that its chassis is over-developed for the engine it has, not made so that it's engine compensated for its poor chassis. A well sorted car has always been more pleasurable to drive as opposed to one that just goes fast. A good chassis is top on my list, which is why the Mac Laren F1's carbon fibre monocoque lists high on my favourites. As does Lotus's aluminium tub chassis amde of bonded extruded Aluminium. In comparison, Porsche's rather traditonal Monocoque chassis does seem too.....conventional.

 

3. Forced Induction rather than Large displacement: For many reasons. Some of them include - lower road tax, better consumption if tuned properly, more efficient use of wasted energy, better for city state driving with nice midrange pull rather than top end speed etc etc

 

4. A classic design with a timeless look. I tend to buy and keep to my cars for a long long long time. Wouldn't want them to look tired besides the newest release.

 

5. 'Simple' suspension design versus today's trick mutli link wizardry. I'm a big sucker for Double wishbones all round. Not big on Macperson struts either I suppose. No doubt though, that either can 'compensate' for their design flaws and out grip the car on wishbones, but it seems like the wrong way of solving a problem. Kind of like spending all your money so you don't worry that your friends and family only like you for your money.

 

Looking back at the cars I owned and admired, i seem to be stuck in the early 90s era. I personally prefer the mk1 mx-5 to the mk2 Mx-5 simply for its rawness; the original VW Golf GTi to the current incarnation, which has needed twice as much power to make it just as fun as the old one; the original mini vs the current BMW inspired Maxi-mini (17inch rims on something called a mini???? vs the original 10 inch rims);

 

I would carry on, but for the time, and because I wouldn't want to bore you guys anymore.

 

BTW, please note these are my PERSONAL ideas and comments, so I apologise in advance if anyone takes offence at anything I've written, but we're all entitled to our own opinions. Not trying to start a 'mine's better than yours' kind of war........

 

 

 

[Qes78]

crazy.

 

if even a C63 gets wheelspin into third gear what more a smart

sorry. my bad, brabus, not amg

[Turbonetics]

hi bro.

 

SL only comes in convertible form would be a sports car.

 

CL got convertible version ah? i see it more of the ultimate luxurious high performance sporty sedan.

 

okok la

 

either 2/4 seater but must have the small nimble look for a sports car.

 

chicks must like it

 

 

the older models of the SL comes in convertible and coupe body.

CL is 2 door so should not be classified as sedan but coupe.

examples are Mercedes CLK cabriolet and CLK coupe,BMW 335i coupe and 335i convertible,BMW 6 series comes in convertible and coupe(same goes for the M6 models)

 

some people says the Tuscani is a sports car due to the coupe body and some says it is not due to the lack of power.

but then there are still babes who are attracted to it.

 

so everybody has got different definition of sports car.

come back to the CLS,it comes with AMG model as well.

so for me,a coupe can be named a sports car.

[Zangetsu77]

Wow, tough question bro, which is why I started this thread in the first place. Who knew that it's reached 130 posts and counting.....

 

I've owned and driven a Mazda Mx-5 for almost a decade now and she's seen me through countless personal changes, income brackets and commitment levels.

She's also considerably different from the day I first lay my eyes on her. Recently, I've been asking myself, what car would make me give her up?

 

Some of the considerations that matter to me:

1. It's all about the drive and handling, not grip and power. I've driven other faster, more powerful cars, with loads more power and grip, but as they say, why do you need 600bhp for fun when you can have fun with 90bhp car. I mean, karting provides a more holistic driving experience than almost any fast road car I can think of. I think the pleasure is in the drive and not how much faster you can get there. In a way, the reason why the AE86 is so reknown as a drift car is because it's a driver's car, that rewards and punishes accordingly. There's a nice YT video of the Americans vs Japanese pro drifters in an underpowered Mx-5 and one of my conclusions was that the American pro drifters were so used to power compensating for their driving, whilst the Japanese drifters were a lot more skilled and could push almost any car to their limits. It's kinda like people using money to compensate for their lack of character/etiquette/brains etc.....

 

2. This ties in with a well Engineered product with excellent design philosophy, still influenced by the engineers and not just recycling of parts from the parts bin, or with the penny counters and marketing 'gurus'. A car should be made so that its chassis is over-developed for the engine it has, not made so that it's engine compensated for its poor chassis. A well sorted car has always been more pleasurable to drive as opposed to one that just goes fast. A good chassis is top on my list, which is why the Mac Laren F1's carbon fibre monocoque lists high on my favourites. As does Lotus's aluminium tub chassis amde of bonded extruded Aluminium. In comparison, Porsche's rather traditonal Monocoque chassis does seem too.....conventional.

 

3. Forced Induction rather than Large displacement: For many reasons. Some of them include - lower road tax, better consumption if tuned properly, more efficient use of wasted energy, better for city state driving with nice midrange pull rather than top end speed etc etc

 

4. A classic design with a timeless look. I tend to buy and keep to my cars for a long long long time. Wouldn't want them to look tired besides the newest release.

 

5. 'Simple' suspension design versus today's trick mutli link wizardry. I'm a big sucker for Double wishbones all round. Not big on Macperson struts either I suppose. No doubt though, that either can 'compensate' for their design flaws and out grip the car on wishbones, but it seems like the wrong way of solving a problem. Kind of like spending all your money so you don't worry that your friends and family only like you for your money.

 

Looking back at the cars I owned and admired, i seem to be stuck in the early 90s era. I personally prefer the mk1 mx-5 to the mk2 Mx-5 simply for its rawness; the original VW Golf GTi to the current incarnation, which has needed twice as much power to make it just as fun as the old one; the original mini vs the current BMW inspired Maxi-mini (17inch rims on something called a mini???? vs the original 10 inch rims);

 

I would carry on, but for the time, and because I wouldn't want to bore you guys anymore.

 

BTW, please note these are my PERSONAL ideas and comments, so I apologise in advance if anyone takes offence at anything I've written, but we're all entitled to our own opinions. Not trying to start a 'mine's better than yours' kind of war........

 

Hey bro, i got a doctor fren who used to drive the MX-5, now he drives a red Evo 10. Admittedly that car ain't much of a looker, but it's well balanced, handles ok, reasonable in terms of speed, and on Bilsteins and stock is quite comfy and quiet, my folks thot it was a lancer until i started with mods... And SST can be pure automatic so wife/parents can drive the stock car easily (once turbo spools they'll ease off the throttle).

 

It's really an everyday performance car with loads of practicality, except 2 key flaws (in terms of practicality) - wide turning radius and the fact that the car rolls backwards on a slope in drive mode.

 

Though mine's not for sale, ever . If i had to keep one and only one car, this would be it.

[Kiadaw]

Hey bro, i got a doctor fren who used to drive the MX-5, now he drives a red Evo 10. Admittedly that car ain't much of a looker, but it's well balanced, handles ok, reasonable in terms of speed, and on Bilsteins and stock is quite comfy and quiet, my folks thot it was a lancer until i started with mods... And SST can be pure automatic so wife/parents can drive the stock car easily (once turbo spools they'll ease off the throttle).

 

It's really an everyday performance car with loads of practicality, except 2 key flaws (in terms of practicality) - wide turning radius and the fact that the car rolls backwards on a slope in drive mode.

 

Though mine's not for sale, ever . If i had to keep one and only one car, this would be it.

 

Your post is so confusing, 1stly, I am not sure you are talking about the MX-5 or evo 10. Then if your are talking about your friend's car, or yours? Or you are actually your friend?

 

Off topic, Until now I still don't understand why women here can't drive with a stick & crutch, women in Europe have no problem with driving manual at all (even grannies). In fact, if you ask women to drive automatic, they may think its an "insult".

Edited May 16, 2010 by Kiadaw

[Shemmy]

just to side track a bit,

 

is there such people here who'll go crazy over a small car (say a Kia Picanto/ Mini), and will be willing to pay $200k for one....

 

ask the sales person to keep the change....

 

will there be such a person in our society???

 

 

I close to spending that amt on my mini. Sounds unbelievable, right?

[Zangetsu77]

Your post is so confusing, 1stly, I am not sure you are talking about the MX-5 or evo 10. Then if your are talking about your friend's car, or yours? Or you are actually your friend?

 

Off topic, Until now I still don't understand why women here can't drive with a stick & crutch, women in Europe have no problem with driving manual at all (even grannies). In fact, if you ask women to drive automatic, they may think its an "insult".

 

Heh sorry abt dat... My fren used to drive the MX-5, now he drives the E10. References to car performance etc. on the E10. I also drive the E10 too since 2008 but that's not for sale, unlike the SLK which is. My folks hv no clue wat the E10 is, they think it's just a mitsubishi lancer. Until the neighbours corrected them.

 

I don't drive manual myself. All my cars are either twin clutch or automatic. These grannies from Europe are just too macho...

[Qes78]

I close to spending that amt on my mini. Sounds unbelievable, right?

Not at all. I've done similar for the mx-5

[Cerano]

the older models of the SL comes in convertible and coupe body.

CL is 2 door so should not be classified as sedan but coupe.

examples are Mercedes CLK cabriolet and CLK coupe,BMW 335i coupe and 335i convertible,BMW 6 series comes in convertible and coupe(same goes for the M6 models)

 

some people says the Tuscani is a sports car due to the coupe body and some says it is not due to the lack of power.

but then there are still babes who are attracted to it.

 

so everybody has got different definition of sports car.

come back to the CLS,it comes with AMG model as well.

so for me,a coupe can be named a sports car.

 

i think its the shape rather than the number of doors that make a coupe a coupe. but ya la CL is ultimate luxury coupe too...

 

tuscani is a sports car. just a lousy lousy one

[Cerano]

In fact I quote

 

"The Society of Automotive Engineers defines such a vehicle as any two-door model with rear accommodation greater than or equal to 33 cubic feet (0.93 m3) in volume (a calculation made by adding the legroom, shoulder room, and headroom).[citation needed] By this standard, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, and Mercedes-Benz CL-Class coup

Edited May 17, 2010 by Cerano

[Qes78]

i think its the shape rather than the number of doors that make a coupe a coupe. but ya la CL is ultimate luxury coupe too...

 

tuscani is a sports car. just a lousy lousy one

now now.....i don't believe that anything is good nor bad. Everything is a compromise I believe. Else we would all be driving the same cars, marrying the same woman and eating the same food.

 

 

[Cerano]

now now.....i don't believe that anything is good nor bad. Everything is a compromise I believe. Else we would all be driving the same cars, marrying the same woman and eating the same food.

 

but i think given the chance, everyone would want a nice honest, caring,loving supermodel who is forever 18 right

 

food got many choices la

[Viceroymenthol]

the older models of the SL comes in convertible and coupe body.

CL is 2 door so should not be classified as sedan but coupe.

examples are Mercedes CLK cabriolet and CLK coupe,BMW 335i coupe and 335i convertible,BMW 6 series comes in convertible and coupe(same goes for the M6 models)

 

some people says the Tuscani is a sports car due to the coupe body and some says it is not due to the lack of power.

but then there are still babes who are attracted to it.

 

so everybody has got different definition of sports car.

come back to the CLS,it comes with AMG model as well.

so for me,a coupe can be named a sports car.

 

the "K" in CLK and SLK stood for "kinder"... child in german... so CLK was the smaller sibling CL and SLK was the smaller sibling of SL. Concept-wise, anyway. The CL was supposed to be the S-Class coupe so it will be a stretch to call it a sports car. Maybe a full sized coupe or 2 door sedan would have been more appropriate.

 

in terms of mechanicals, the CLK chassis and platform was based on the C class, and the SLK was based on? based on this fact and the dimensions of the car, the CLK was appropriately called a coupe, and the AMG models were appropriately called sports cars.

 

even now that MB dropped the "CLK" naming and reverted back to the E-Class Coupe/Cabriolet nomenclature for that range of product, it continues to be mechanically based on the C-Class.

 

and i wouldn't call the E coupe/cabriolet a sports car either as it has no all-out performance AMG model. At best, a fast coupe (the E 500 model with 5L V8 engine).

[Kiadaw]

Heh sorry abt dat... My fren used to drive the MX-5, now he drives the E10. References to car performance etc. on the E10. I also drive the E10 too since 2008 but that's not for sale, unlike the SLK which is. My folks hv no clue wat the E10 is, they think it's just a mitsubishi lancer. Until the neighbours corrected them.

 

I don't drive manual myself. All my cars are either twin clutch or automatic. These grannies from Europe are just too macho...

 

No need to say sorry lah. I am overall a nice guy (unashamedly self praise) & just basically confuse, & can't pass up a chance for jokingly remarks once in a while, if you notice my replies. hehe.

 

Out of curiosity, if you love your Evo X so much, why do you have a GT-R as your avatar?

 

I agree the Evo X is a good ride. ALthough some commented it can't hold as much power as previous evos (due to Aluminium block) & especially the SST transmission. So far the Aluminium block seems to be holding ok, & imo, power isn't everything. The new AWD system, AWC & engine block 4B11T are definitely improvement over the last gen evos. Its protential are certainly shaping up over time as people start to understand the architecture better.

 

& thats coming from someone that drives an EVO IX. I do confess the deal breaker for E10 is the look ( & the price compare to e9... ). It just can't seems to grow on me & hence my decision to go with the IX.

 

Cheers

[BITURBO]

No need to say sorry lah. I am overall a nice guy (unashamedly self praise) & just basically confuse, & can't pass up a chance for jokingly remarks once in a while, if you notice my replies. hehe.

 

Out of curiosity, if you love your Evo X so much, why do you have a GT-R as your avatar?

 

I agree the Evo X is a good ride. ALthough some commented it can't hold as much power as previous evos (due to Aluminium block) & especially the SST transmission. So far the Aluminium block seems to be holding ok, & imo, power isn't everything. The new AWD system, AWC & engine block 4B11T are definitely improvement over the last gen evos. Its protential are certainly shaping up over time as people start to understand the architecture better.

 

& thats coming from someone that drives an EVO IX. I do confess the deal breaker for E10 is the look ( & the price compare to e9... ). It just can't seems to grow on me & hence my decision to go with the IX.

 

Cheers

just curious, is EVO IX a sports car?

[Cerano]

the "K" in CLK and SLK stood for "kinder"... child in german... so CLK was the smaller sibling CL and SLK was the smaller sibling of SL. Concept-wise, anyway. The CL was supposed to be the S-Class coupe so it will be a stretch to call it a sports car. Maybe a full sized coupe or 2 door sedan would have been more appropriate.

 

in terms of mechanicals, the CLK chassis and platform was based on the C class, and the SLK was based on? based on this fact and the dimensions of the car, the CLK was appropriately called a coupe, and the AMG models were appropriately called sports cars.

 

even now that MB dropped the "CLK" naming and reverted back to the E-Class Coupe/Cabriolet nomenclature for that range of product, it continues to be mechanically based on the C-Class.

 

and i wouldn't call the E coupe/cabriolet a sports car either as it has no all-out performance AMG model. At best, a fast coupe (the E 500 model with 5L V8 engine).

 

hi bro

 

if i am right the CLK was based on the E-class and not the C-class unlike the current E-coupe

 

In fact, the CLK has been replaced by the E-coupe which is a direct replacement.

Edited May 17, 2010 by Cerano