[quote]Originally posted by Kevin E Davis:
<strong>Anir, while the 7car looks as bad in reality as the photos, the Z4 doesn't, it is a distinctive design one either likes or loathes. Friends (life-long die-hard Porsche buyers) who have seen the C (@ Paris show) tell me all the controversy about its looks is overblown (hey, they're UTILITY vehicles, not purpose-built for the concours circuit). While I care greatly for styling (owned 10 Alfas), I care most about what is under the skin in a utility-function vehicle. Yet I agree that no one should buy any type of high $ niche product that doesn't meet their personal aesthetic criteria.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Kevin,

I'd like to see a Z4 in person. I bet it's an interesting design. BTW, I'm a big Alfa fan as well.

I might be in the minority in terms of my insistence on beautiful and harmonious lines, but I'm just speaking from my heart when I say that I'd almost rather accept mechanical deficiencies than design ones. Seems silly, but I'll give you an example.

I've been in love with the looks of the Ferrari 456GT (and especially GTM) for some time now. I even looked at one before buying my 993TT. Now, from a pure performance argument, it's tough to make a case for the 456GT. There are several other Ferraris with better performance, and numerous other superior performance cars with better reliability, lower cost, and more user-friendly servicing (to say the least). However, with prices dropping like rocks, I still might buy one some day, just because it looks and sounds so beautiful to me.

On a similar vein, the exterior and interior design of the '03 RR really captured my eye - traditional, boxy, truck-like lines combined with a yacht-like, luxury-oriented interior. To me, it doesn't matter if it accelerates or corners like the Cayenne.

I do facial reconstruction for a living, so maybe it's appropriate that I'm "design" oriented.

 

We may get our chance. I read that the 456GT replacement is in final development. That means about 2 or 3 years after release that many 456GT's will come on market & the prices will drop further. While a beautiful true GT, the competition for the "I want a sexy Ferrari" market will lead most to the 345-355-Modenas. So, we may see inviting opportunities to get into a nice V12. If I had a 993TT, this would be harder for me to justify, but I am always capable of rationalization in a good cause. Italian sports cars are aesthetically pleasing in a purely artistic way German cars aren't (& shouldn't bother trying to be). As to the RR, I have always prefered the Bentley's smoothness, heritage of competition & less extravagent image. I guess it is a whole new ball game now, but the new Bentley looks OK to me in photos.

I can envision the 456GT for pleasure day trips & overnights, the 911 for commuting, short blasts and week-long cross-country treks. Annual mileage about 1:4 ratio, annual maintainence about even.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Kevin E Davis:
<strong>As to the RR, I have always prefered the Bentley's smoothness, heritage of competition & less extravagent image. I guess it is a whole new ball game now, but the new Bentley looks OK to me in photos.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Kevin,

My bad for using abbreviations. I was actually talking about the '03 Range Rover, not the Rolls.

 

Anir, not all, I overlooked your ownership of the Rover as you've mentioned previously. Maybe I'm (subliminaly) trying to get us OT from the C by discussing light & lithe passenger cars.

 

Anir, I'm right there with you on the importance of aesthetics to my buying decisions, and I'm unapologetic about it! I'm not looking for sports car looks in an SUV, in fact I don't have any qualms with the fact that SUV's are large and boxy, particularly given that they really need to be that way to execute their intended purposes of carrying around lots of people and stuff, over all surfaces and obstacles.

Note that I don't ever plan or want to use my SUV's the way I use my 993TT, and that's where my buying analysis with the Cayenne keeps falling flat. I don't want or need to motor down the highway at speeds greater than 90mph with my family in the car. I take measured risks with the 993TT on the highway and at the track, and strive to stay within my skills and the conditions to maximize my fun. That approach couldn't possibily be more different than my objectives when driving my loved ones around ... I want to get someplace safely, in comfort, and have confidence that the sedan/SUV is reasonably (not lightening) fast, and can handle inclement weather and an occasional defensive move without any chassis drama.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Kevin E Davis:
<strong>Anir, while the 7car looks as bad in reality as the photos, the Z4 doesn't, it is a distinctive design one either likes or loathes. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Here's a shocker, I loathe it . That big grin on it's face, well it kind'a looks like this big grin . Either that or that "Tiger" Buick.


[quote]Originally posted by Kevin E Davis:
<strong>Now, with Christian doing the field research & driving (& reporting herein, we hope), and your neighbor taking the plunge, you will face more tests of your long-held pov. Somehow, I think you will pass</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well, Mr. Davis, I'm trying, really trying to bite my tongue more on this thing, give it a chance, what's done is done and all that...but every time I think about it (which evidently is way to much) it's hard not to shake ones head is disbelief.

Like Anir and Phil, if I were to spend that kind'a money on an SUV, I'd spend it on a Rover. If I wanted one for offroad it be a H2. If it were the value play, it be the T-egg.

Respectfully holding on too my long term POV... <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />