I will post pics but I have to say that I am really impressed by this vehicle. It drives like BMW sedan and feels very planted. The transmission is terrific, downshifts are so smooth. The brakes are great, but hard stops remind you this is a 2.5 Ton vehicle (stops a little longer than my GT-3!). Lots of little features for a gadget person to like, the downside being it is not entirely intuitive.

I configured this vehicle for myself, so it is definitely expensive and I recognize that I won't see most of it back on resale (especially the bling-bling) but then again, who cares!

- Silver / Grey
- 20" Sport Technos
- all the major "packages"
- carbon interior (except steering wheel)
- Advanced Off-Road technology package
(lockable rear diff and disengageable sway bars)
- Alu look front air intakes

I am looking forward to trying out the Off-Road package. Engaged it in the dealer parking lot and it makes a lot of whirring noises...

Regarding the acceleration lag, I believe this is definitely a function of the vehicle starting in second gear. Not that much different from my X.5 4.6 (I hated that car!). Proper use of the Tip pretty much solves that problem.

Charles

 

Good luck....you will like it all the more as you drive it. I've never had more fun with a new car since I bought a used MG-TC 40 years ago....LOL. It's a truck like no other. It certainly doesn't drive like it is 2.5 + tons of machinery. I couldn't be more pleased and happy that I bought this terrific machine. You will be ,too.

 

Mine is pretty similarly equipped (and on the boat) and I think you also got it from Steven's Creek. I would like to see pictures, especially the Alu front.

 

Yes I did get it at Stevens Creek. I will post pictures as soon as I get a chance.

I *love* this vehicle as much as I love my GT-3 (obviously for different reasons). I drove it up to Tahoe this weekend and was driving well within what I felt was comfortable but what was well beyond what would have been comfortable in my old X.5 4.6 (not to mention the Suburban).

I do wish that the automatic shift mapping would be more aggressive if the sport setting on the suspension is on. Starting in 2nd can be terrible especially when merging and does result in that "lag and lurch" that everyone is complaining about. Starting in 1st either manually or with PSM turns off provides the instant throttle response we all expect.

Other very minor complaints:
- computer access buttons on the wiper stalk are not easy to use. should be on its own stalk like 996.
- the sunglass holder is cheap
- removing the rear headrests for folding down the rear seats is a pain and a bit of a kludge
- remote key is huge

That said, overall, I am very happy with it. No bugs so far, no vibration and >16Mpg on the highway!

(Why doesn't anyone complain about the Ferrari 575 getting less than 10Mpg?)

 

glad to see the 05s are being delivered...

2 more months till 996 Turbo S

ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!