Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[Monahammer]

Big grill? *Laughs in lexus*

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

it has been hard being a bmw fan boy these last few years, especially when the even the new M2 looks like a pig

You have to hand it to them, though. Rare to see a carmaker earn a reputation for being driven by #######s and, instead of trying to dispel it, start designing cars based on the question: “what would a total ####### really love to drive?”

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

You have to hand it to them, though. Rare to see a carmaker earn a reputation for being driven by #######s and, instead of trying to dispel it, start designing cars based on the question: “what would a total ####### really love to drive?”

Rare, but Ram does a good job of that as well.

[burn_this_city]

I enjoy the reputation of the cars, no one tries to cut in or cut you off because they immediately assume you're a prick.

[dammage79]

BMW, Ram and Ford. Them big rig wannabes with their f350s jacked up on 30 in low pros. Yeah. Goobers

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Table 5

IMO, most of the German brands look worse than they used to. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW...all of them have taken a step back from their glory years. Porsches still has a fairly good looking design language, but I may be little biased there (even if the 80s/90s are still the peak for me).

Because they literally haven't changed in 30 years, besides that one blip where they accidentally trashed the headlights.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Because they literally haven't changed in 30 years, besides that one blip where they accidentally trashed the headlights.

I just bought one of these blips, and I think even those are starting to come around.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Because they literally haven't changed in 30 years, besides that one blip where they accidentally trashed the headlights.

You mean the 'fried egg' headlamps on the 996/986?

Eh, when I saw that car in the beginning of Gone in 60 Seconds, I wanted one, no purist was gonna tell me it wasn't gorgeous just the headlamps looked like brunch.

And yeah, to Table 5's point, those have gone up in value too.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by 81MC

BMW stopped making attractive cars in 2007

Not true at all. While it's not the best overall M3 I would argue that the F82 M3 is a clean and well proportioned car that's going to age very well, much better than most cars of the last 15-20 years as the last two decades have not been good for timeless designs. Also the F87 M2C is one of the nicer looking coupes released by any automaker over the last 15 years.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Because they literally haven't changed in 30 years, besides that one blip where they accidentally trashed the headlights.

It's the best strategy though. They never have to worry about reinventing their styling every generation. Subtle tweaks here and there but the cars retain the general classic lines of their predecessors. On one hand you can argue that it's led to somewhat boring looking cars relative to their peers but on the other hand they rarely have styling missteps outside of the 996 headlights and they are always unmistakably Porsche on the roads.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

You mean the 'fried egg' headlamps on the 996/986?

Eh, when I saw that car in the beginning of Gone in 60 Seconds, I wanted one, no purist was gonna tell me it wasn't gorgeous just the headlamps looked like brunch.

And yeah, to Table 5's point, those have gone up in value too.

The only thing I don't like about those headlights is how easily they yellow and how bloody expensive replacements are. Otherwise I don't think they look that bad. What looks worse is when people try to put those cheesy covers on them to look more subtle, which does the opposite.

[TorqueDog]

Oh yeah, the fried egg headlamps oxidize like a bitch. You used to be able to snag early 996 Carrera Cabrios with yellowed headlamps (IMS bearing fix unknown) for like $12k-$15k out of Quebec, pre-pandemic.

[curves2000]

Does anybody have a contact for a convertible top replacement in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer etc?

I have had a bad string of luck trying to find a place to replace a soft top on a car and I am on the verge of potentially losing 2 seasons worth of driving as a result.

Many thanks in advance!

[Bill Bumface]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1597164383075196928

[bossy22]

I just picked up a new campervan and need ppf. Any recommendations? The guy I used to use shutdown with covid.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by bossy22

I just picked up a new campervan and need ppf. Any recommendations? The guy I used to use shutdown with covid.

How long is he shut down for? A lot of the good shops will be likely pretty busy this time of year and won't be able to get you in quickly. I use Refine Automotive Salon but I was there yesterday and they are pretty busy. You can also try Shadow Tinting and see if they can get you in.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by bossy22

I just picked up a new campervan and need ppf. Any recommendations? The guy I used to use shutdown with covid.

Pics and details? I plan on selling my trailer and picking up a campervan in a few years when my kids are a little older.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

https://twitter.com/user/status/1597164383075196928

Really leaning in to the VAG acronym.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Pics and details? I plan on selling my trailer and picking up a campervan in a few years when my kids are a little older.

I've been trying to do this for a couple years now, but can't seem to make it work, as I haven't been able to find a family-friendly option that sleeps 4, is relatively affordable, and is still somewhat modern. Right now the choices are basically getting an old van with questionable safety/reliability, or ponying up 100K+ (with emphasis on the +) for a Sprinter/Promaster conversion. I'm leery of the former, and don't have the budget for the latter.

[Table 5]

Speaking of vans....this vintage Caravan is in seriously sweet condition for the year.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars...2800?undefined

Is redvan still around? This thing was made for him.