Has this ever happened to you?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Down here in San Diego "The official Rice Rocket Capital of the World." and I mean that. I always have some dumb a$$ talking about his V-Crap sorry I mean V-Tech putting out 300 HP with just an exhaust and intake and there I am with a 1970 stockish 914 and have him say "I'll race you for pink slips" and of course I tell them they are excellent drivers because every rice patty has a nice dent somewhere in the body of there car and I'll pass on the race. But I told them I'll be happy to go for times on a real race track where you have to be a real driver with a real car "Not a family economy four door that has been lower with some stickers on it." And for the girls it is opposite on the sports car = man hood size down here cause I've proved them wrong with the slonge before. It is the guys with the trucks that you have to get a latter out to get in them with the non equipment. And yes people are very jealous of success because they were to busy doing drugs instead of work. I can't count how many times my hood crest has been pulled off with extreme force because they were not ready for the non Honda type clip to be on there which ended in me stealing there emblems and sending them home early from school. With a broken nose and black eyes.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Los Gatos, California, U.S.A.
Just to break up the horror stories a little:
I spun out in my 914 taking a decreasing radius turn off ramp in a monsoon rain storm. I hydro-planed bad and I was going slow, really.
Two people stopped right away and one gave me coffee and let me use their cell phone and put out flares to warn other drivers. The other stopped and pitched in to help move the car off to the side of the road so no one would hit it car.
I couldn't believe it!
I asked for there number so I could replace their flares but they just said "help someone else out next time and that will be repayment enough"
I was blown away.
I guess I was lucky.
Actually, a large percentage of people kept asking if everything was ok, did I need help.
I spun out in my 914 taking a decreasing radius turn off ramp in a monsoon rain storm. I hydro-planed bad and I was going slow, really.
Two people stopped right away and one gave me coffee and let me use their cell phone and put out flares to warn other drivers. The other stopped and pitched in to help move the car off to the side of the road so no one would hit it car.
I couldn't believe it!
I asked for there number so I could replace their flares but they just said "help someone else out next time and that will be repayment enough"
I was blown away.
I guess I was lucky.
Actually, a large percentage of people kept asking if everything was ok, did I need help.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Sorry about that I am doing two things at once. I am talking about how you have the RACER's having no respect for the real sports cars of the world. And the girls having the size of the unit mixed up with the lifted trucks.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 655
Likes: 20
From: Madison,WI
On the several occasions i have been stopped by law enforcement..for some mundane traffic violation.I always like the expressions of the people driving past..Its as I can read their mind.
They love seeing the smart!@# in the fancy sportscar getting ticketed..
They love seeing the smart!@# in the fancy sportscar getting ticketed..
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,710
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From: Lexington, KY
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Silver Bullet:
<strong>At least one is a short buddy...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Obviously sporting a small "buddy", if he fit into the back seat. Maybe, dog-girl was onto something. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
I couldn't help but notice that almost every person with a negative experience is from the West Coast, especially Cali.
Hope I don't somehow jinx myself, but I have never been aware of any rude or jealous behavior directed at my car in over 2 years of ownership. OTOH, I've received several compliments. I guess we are blessed with friendly folks in this hybrid town of Southern hospitality and Midwestern values, because you don't live here for the weather or restaurants!
<strong>At least one is a short buddy...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Obviously sporting a small "buddy", if he fit into the back seat. Maybe, dog-girl was onto something. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
I couldn't help but notice that almost every person with a negative experience is from the West Coast, especially Cali.
Hope I don't somehow jinx myself, but I have never been aware of any rude or jealous behavior directed at my car in over 2 years of ownership. OTOH, I've received several compliments. I guess we are blessed with friendly folks in this hybrid town of Southern hospitality and Midwestern values, because you don't live here for the weather or restaurants!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, Michigan
I sometimes catch a lot of flak up here in Detroit...you know, "Motown", because of all of my foreign automobiles and the fact that I work in a "UNION" environment, I get a lot of comments about how I'm sending my money "OVER THERE" I hate to sound narrow-minded but after my experiences as a consumer, I can't see spending any of my money for a vehicle made on THIS side of the Atlantic.
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Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,498
Likes: 29
From: North Dakota
Kevin,
Excuse me for waving the flag, but I must. You have a very uncommon collection of cars, none of which could be readily replaced by a US made car. However, for the vast majority of "transportation" minded people, domestic cars and trucks are becoming better and better competitors to the Asian and European counterparts. My wife's 1997 Expedition with close to 120,000 miles has had only the pittman arm start squeaking. Period. That's the only failure. My 1997 Mustang Cobra with 75,000 miles has had only the secondary throttle linkage cable break. Period. Nothing else. I won't pretend that either of these cars are replacements for your specialty cars (or my Porsche, for that matter), but for mass produced transportation, they are not the steaming piles of the 70s or 80s. Yes, I would compare a Focus to a Corolla, a Saturn to an Accord. They are far from perfect, but they are getting closer.
Flamesuit on. Fire at will.
Excuse me for waving the flag, but I must. You have a very uncommon collection of cars, none of which could be readily replaced by a US made car. However, for the vast majority of "transportation" minded people, domestic cars and trucks are becoming better and better competitors to the Asian and European counterparts. My wife's 1997 Expedition with close to 120,000 miles has had only the pittman arm start squeaking. Period. That's the only failure. My 1997 Mustang Cobra with 75,000 miles has had only the secondary throttle linkage cable break. Period. Nothing else. I won't pretend that either of these cars are replacements for your specialty cars (or my Porsche, for that matter), but for mass produced transportation, they are not the steaming piles of the 70s or 80s. Yes, I would compare a Focus to a Corolla, a Saturn to an Accord. They are far from perfect, but they are getting closer.
Flamesuit on. Fire at will.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,710
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From: Lexington, KY
Steve,
I would agree with you that the reliability of domestic cars has increased greatly (while, unfortunately, the quality of some German offerings has potentially decreased), but...
I have driven an Expedition, Explorer, and several other domestic products (sedans, sports cars, econoboxes), and it's the driving experience that's lacking - e.g. the wallowy suspension, vague steering feedback, unsophisticated suspension. Interior design and quality is another area that could still use improvement in domestic products, even the higher-end vehicles (e.g. Corvette, Lincoln Navigator, Yukon, Ford Focus, etc.).
Having grown up with "Cowboy Cadillacs" (SUV's) in Texas, I initially wanted a Suburban or Yukon. However, after really checking one out, I settled on the Range Rover (technically a "domestic" offering, since it's now owned by Ford).
I would agree with you that the reliability of domestic cars has increased greatly (while, unfortunately, the quality of some German offerings has potentially decreased), but...
I have driven an Expedition, Explorer, and several other domestic products (sedans, sports cars, econoboxes), and it's the driving experience that's lacking - e.g. the wallowy suspension, vague steering feedback, unsophisticated suspension. Interior design and quality is another area that could still use improvement in domestic products, even the higher-end vehicles (e.g. Corvette, Lincoln Navigator, Yukon, Ford Focus, etc.).
Having grown up with "Cowboy Cadillacs" (SUV's) in Texas, I initially wanted a Suburban or Yukon. However, after really checking one out, I settled on the Range Rover (technically a "domestic" offering, since it's now owned by Ford).
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, Michigan
When was the last time you had a European automaker comparing themselves to an American automaker? American automakers do it all the time. Look at the Lincoln LS. I mean, is that a BMW 5 series wannabe or what. Same thing with the Cadillac CTS. I bet it wants to be a 3 series or an Audi A4 when it grows up. I remember a Cadillac Seville STS ad where the Seville supposedly out-handled a BMW 540i. If you look at the small print in the same ad it states that the BMW was wearing HR series rubber. AFAIK, the 540i comes standard with ZR rated 17-18" tires. I love this country and we manufacture a lot of very well-made things here, but we don't do;
Cars,
TV's or
VCR's
Cars,
TV's or
VCR's
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,192
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From: Northern IL and SW FL
I am totally convinced that their are alot of morons out there and then some. <img border="0" alt="[offtopic]" title="" src="graemlins/offtopic.gif" />
What I can't understand is why beat up pick up trucks and SUV's are always wanting to race me?
I'm sure it's not a unique experience.
What I can't understand is why beat up pick up trucks and SUV's are always wanting to race me?I'm sure it's not a unique experience.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,107
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From: So Cal
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Michael B.:
<strong>This is what I get:
I will be cruising down the road, I will see a mini-van / sport-ute / wagon rolling behind me or flanking me in the mirrors. I can see the occupants actively talking about the car and pointing etc. Some are smiling, some are frowning as they converse...
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Michael, That could have been me when I was with my family in our van . My kids alway point out a P (911, regardless what year) on the freeway when they see one. And of course, I am the one with the smile and the frowning one is... you know who <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
<strong>This is what I get:
I will be cruising down the road, I will see a mini-van / sport-ute / wagon rolling behind me or flanking me in the mirrors. I can see the occupants actively talking about the car and pointing etc. Some are smiling, some are frowning as they converse...
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Michael, That could have been me when I was with my family in our van . My kids alway point out a P (911, regardless what year) on the freeway when they see one. And of course, I am the one with the smile and the frowning one is... you know who <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,498
Likes: 29
From: North Dakota
Anir,
You're right on about the softer suspensions and lack of road feel. It seems that is exactly what a majority of American drivers want, else how could you explain the success of the Toyota Camry and the Lexus (except Is300).
Kevin,
Yes, the luxo cars are trying to regain all that ground that they lost when they were more worried about corporate profits than improving their quality. Lexus, BMW, MB, Infinity... they killed the American Luxury market. And although the US cars are improving, the Asian/Euros are not exactly standing still. Yup. Still a ways to go. TVs and VCRs? We don't make any here. or tires or cameras. What's next to go? And all the jobs that go with it?
I'm sorry to have hijacked this thread, Sorry.
You're right on about the softer suspensions and lack of road feel. It seems that is exactly what a majority of American drivers want, else how could you explain the success of the Toyota Camry and the Lexus (except Is300).
Kevin,
Yes, the luxo cars are trying to regain all that ground that they lost when they were more worried about corporate profits than improving their quality. Lexus, BMW, MB, Infinity... they killed the American Luxury market. And although the US cars are improving, the Asian/Euros are not exactly standing still. Yup. Still a ways to go. TVs and VCRs? We don't make any here. or tires or cameras. What's next to go? And all the jobs that go with it?
I'm sorry to have hijacked this thread, Sorry.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, Michigan
Good points Steve. OH WHAT IS ONE TO DO? As an American, I'd hate to see the jobs go, but as a consumer, I have to look out for my interests. My last 'merican made vehicle was a 1989 Cheverolet Corvette. 1989 was the first year of the six speed and I went to one of my local dealers and got one. Anyway, I musta had it only about 2.5 months and was up at the dealership with it so much, they were talking about making me a timecard, (lol). I had trim problems, I had electrical problems, went out one morning and the car wouldn't start. I had "service this" lights and "service that" lights coming on. THE MUFFLER FELL OFF!! With the outside mirrors, the passenger side would go in and out but it wouldn't go up or down. The drivers side just fell out and was hanging by the cables. The adjustable side bolsters on the seats just broke off. I could hold one up in my hand. Couple that with all the troubles I had with a Pontiac Fiero GT that I purchased during my Navy tour and that was enough for me. Two gray market Bimmer's, one Infiniti, one Audi, one Mazda and finally, one Porsche later, I doubt seriously that I'll ever purchase an american made car again.