Okay, so I caved. But since the car-heads here tend to threadjack elsewhere to talk about cars, it's probably a good idea to have a car thread.

Back to the Audi discussion started here...
I like Audis a lot, but a guy in my income bracket is never going to be able to afford to buy a car in that class when it's new. And since, despite their other obvious merits, most Audis today don't have the same expectation of long-term reliability and cost of ownership as most BMWs, I simply can't buy one. The '99 M3 was a good choice for me as it's a very solidly reliable car.

Meanwhile, if you put an Audi designer into the M3, he'd probably get sick. Most of the switches, the gauge cluster, the center console (which includes a rectangular block of black steel containing an ash tray and cup holders), etc., look very 1985. The on-board computer and diagnostic system looks like something that would have been found on the Army weapon systems my dad worked on in the early 80s, which means it looks like 1970s tech. It's a similar design aesthetic to what you find in jet fighter cockpits. Not really what Audi is aiming for in their cars. Nor is it what BMW aims for anymore in their newer cars, as they've gone over to the chrome and wood grain school of interiors. Similarly on the exterior, there's a lot of plasto-rubbery trim that's very functional and attractive in an aggressive, simple, direct kind of way, but is also very 1985.

But then, the car is a good 750 pounds lighter than a comparably equipped new S4, and about 600 pounds lighter than a comparable new M3. While both of those cars will probably outperform my old M, they do so by applying more energy to all their work. Bigger, heavier, more complex, more powerful engines burning more fuel. Bigger, heavier brakes which cost more to maintain. Wider, grippier, more expensive tires, etc. Performance coupes have gotten so big and heavy lately, it's really strange. How these manufacturers can say they're building performance cars that weigh two tons, and do it with a straight face, mystifies me.

Anyway, as I said, if I made more money, all of these perspectives might change.

We have a 2001 S4 Avant. I have to say I don't like the current design with the big mouth grill. Makes me think Chrysler 300M everytime I see it.
We've left the S4 stock to keep the warrenty, but that is now up. Maybe time for some tuning to extract more horsies.

I'll say that I don't like the newer audis all that much. The a3 coupe is pretty much the perfect car in my mind...then again I'm not a serious gearhead.

quote:

Maybe time for some tuning to extract more horsies.

I imagine that since the horsepower figures for that car are pretty conservative for a twin turbo 2.7l engine, it's probably pretty easy to crank up the output. That's a cool car; I've always liked wagons that can move.

Cars are evil! I know, I drive one.
Last month I only had to drive 67 miles, thank Godot.

Y'know, no offence, Splitcoil, but the way you rabbit on 'bout your new wheels and considering the amount of guitars you collect, I can't help but wonder about the size, or lack thereof, of what you're compensatin' for.....

I belive Splitcoil has already responded to that

George Clooney, he ain't!

i think he's already covered that, lith. (tweezers or something?)

i've said it before, but i'm always glad to be able to say it again: i have a 1976 holden hx kingswood, bench seat in the front, 3.3L engine. straight six. no air con or power steering, but she does have a fan that makes a very hard working noise. she is very heavy and was recently run into by a lady with a new car: lady wound up with $5K damage, the old girl lost the outer part of her right indicator. ha-ha!

edit: fp - snap!

quote:

Originally posted by lithos:
Y'know, no offence, Splitcoil, but the way you rabbit on 'bout your new wheels and considering the amount of guitars you collect, I can't help but wonder about the size, or lack thereof, of what you're compensatin' for.....

The number of guitars is about to decline, to help pay down the car. Don't worry, I'm only selling acoustics. Nothing you'd miss.

Glad to have once again anticipated the reaction of the WGB peanut gallery.

Personally, I drive a 98 Saturn sedan that's pushing 100K miles.

That's just how I roll.

quote:

Originally posted by Splitcoil:
Most of the switches, the gauge cluster, the center console (which includes a rectangular block of black steel containing an ash tray and cup holders), etc., look very 1985. The on-board computer and diagnostic system looks like something that would have been found on the Army weapon systems my dad worked on in the early 80s, which means it looks like 1970s tech.

Amazing how fast we realign our ideas about 'new', isn't it?

quote:

Amazing how fast we realign our ideas about 'new', isn't it?

Oh yes. The armrest is the same. Otherwise, it's got nothing in common with the interior of my '99.

Plus, it appears to be missing a pedal. How do you drive it if it doesn't have a clutch? Surely no one would buy an M3 with an automatic...

Heh heh, silly Sentinel!

Thinking SplitCoil would buy a car with a flappy-paddle gearbox!

quote:

Originally posted by heavyboots:
Thinking SplitCoil would buy a car with a flappy-paddle gearbox!

If I wasn't so damned cheap, then I bet I would.

Those are BMW interiors?

Nice. 2002?

"Not the Kingswood!!", misty!

Heh, yeah, I think we'll be getting something a bit newer than that but still an example of Big Aussie Iron - a Falcon or Commodore7 or 8 years old. We can reclaim this thread on behalf of the mighty bogan-mobiles from the effete European yup-vagens.

Yet more evidence that Australia today is 1970s America.

The only BMW I had much experience with before the recent acquisition was my brother's 2002; a '73 IIRC. That was a very cool car.

Livin' In The Seventies - Skyhooks

(Oops, wrong thread)

quote:

Originally posted by heavyboots:
Heh heh, silly Sentinel!

Thinking SplitCoil would buy a car with a flappy-paddle gearbox!

Every car show I watch these days seems to have nothing but flappy paddle gearchangers. I hate them. That is, I hate them now. in five years I'll probably think they're fab.

As for the interior, that's a 2004 M3.

It doesn't look anywhere near as nice as the 1999...