I do not have a specific preference - I guess the bigger cars - I cannot drive small cars as my legs are too long and i feel cramped due to the lack of room. Also, I haul many a people around.
Mclaren F1
Ferrari 360
Porsche 996 GT2
Ultima GTR
Jaguar XKR
Maserati Spyder GT
Aston Martin DB7 Vantage
BMW M coupe
Jaguar XJ220
Bugatti EB110S
Venturi 400GT
Ferrari F40 and F50
Noble M12GTO
TVR Speed 12
Mercedes 500SL
American Cars -
Err, well I spose the competition for the above would come soley from the Corvette Z06, and the Dodge Viper. Both monstrously fast without a doubt, but once again the old handling lets both down. Weight and distribution of the car was not an issue, nor was heat distribution at the tyres, basically all of the work was put in to create an engine that is VERY quick, (the methodology being just put something big in it, as in an 8.3 litre for the Viper). In the real world however, you are required to turn the wheel every now and then, which is where the european cars go round the bend, whereas the American cars do not.
American cars also look incredibly vulgar, whereas european styling is far superior.
Question is how many of these cars can the average person afford. Most Americans can't afford them. As is some of your high performance American cars to like Corvette, and Viper let alone being able to put a family of 4 or 5 into one. Add the import cost and well only the rich afford them.
That is true, but the subject was American Vs European. If price is an issue then there still are many great alternatives. Amongst the list there is the Jaguar XKR, which can be picked up for around 60,000 dollars.
The Ultima GTR is around 65,000 dollars pre built, (or less if you take it in kit form and build it yourself). This is probably the most awsome of awsome cars. 0-60 in about 3.6 seconds, and a top speed of 220 mph. This is actually a fusion of what is good about American cars, (ie a powerful engine), with British engineering to accomplish great handling and stunning looks. It has an American Chevy lump, with a Porsche Trany. If you choose to assemble the car yourself, you can get the full kit for under 30,000 dollars, then find a chevy 5.2 lump. All in all for about 35,000 dollars, you can be driving the car that Mclaren based the F1 road car on. Check out http://www.ultimasportscars.com/ they even have a section devoted to US customers, where they can ship for free.
Other than that, if you look at the slightly less fast alternatives, I used to drive a Porsche Boxster, loads of fun, stunning looks, and all for about 40,000 dollars. Or there is the Audi TT, which is even cheaper. Import costs are'nt really an issue, since you can buy most european cars cheaper in America than over here. A new Jaguar XKR here in the Netherlands costs 140,000 euros !!, (which is roughly equal to the dollar).
The Noble M12 is also pretty cheap, one of the fastest cars on the road and about 60,000 dollars. They do not export to the US though.
With regards to "most Americans cant afford them", I thought America was the richest country in the world. There are far more rich people in America, than say Germany or England. Yet there are no American supercars.
I personally don't own an American car. I have a Jag XJ6 which I bought used and a Mitsubishi 3000gt which I also got used.
Now which car do I like the best. Right now it's hard to say. I like them both for different reasons. The Jag is a nice car with enough power to get on an interstate and room for more than 2 people. Power everything and a nice ride. Unfortunatly it doesn't have the V rated tires that Jaguar recommends so the steering is a little squimish.
Now the 3000gt has the power and handling and even though it's not the Turbo version I'm not complaining. It's a 1996 basic which that year had more horse power for that model then any of the other years. Somewhere around 390hp if my memory serves me.
since i'm belgian, i can objectively choose between the european cars.
this is a car i like alot, just to show you that french and italian design are just astonishing. http://www.renault.co.uk/RenaultSIT....0&car=Meganep2
very ligtweight and cool breakhorse power:72! but a handling to cry about. I am even (sometimes) afraid to do a 180 on gravel, cause your just to afraid that it is going to flip over!
and oh yea, if i 'd choose between the movies gone in 60 seconds and fast and the furious, i would choose gone in 60 seconds.
Originally posted by leon0911 for me it just ain't simple.
since i'm belgian, i can objectively choose between the european cars.
this is a car i like alot, just to show you that french and italian design are just astonishing. http://www.renault.co.uk/RenaultSIT...mp;car=Meganep2
very ligtweight and cool breakhorse power:72! but a handling to cry about. I am even (sometimes) afraid to do a 180 on gravel, cause your just to afraid that it is going to flip over!
and oh yea, if i 'd choose between the movies gone in 60 seconds and fast and the furious, i would choose gone in 60 seconds.
Your first link didn't come up.
I really don't like the lines of these new cars. Especially the new Cadillac, YUK!
Maybe these new cars have to grow on me for a few years before I will like them.
Also I demand that a car has enough power to get me onto the Interstate. I can't see trying to merge into traffic that is going 70 MPH plus at 45 MPH because that's all the car will do. With both of my cars I can merge into 70 MPH traffic with no problem.
Just to clarify when you say 180 on a gravel road you are talking 180 KPH not 180 MPH.
let me get this a bit straight:
first the broken link: http://www.renault.co.uk/RenaultSIT....0&car=Meganeb2
now that is fixed next:
72 bhp, the lightest touch on the pedal maxes this engine roar!
i can get the front weels spinning in second on a dry surface and when it's wet they keep spinning up to the third gear (you have got to shift quickly though)!
and third:
180 means 180 degrees..... I euh......like to test out some various euh....situations...... hehe
BAH! Its French! Are you mad! They haven't made one good car in their history. You want a Car? Behold: BMW E46 M3.
P.s. how do you insert pictures?
Regards
its european car of the year though, and although the build quality isn't as near as good as the german build quality, they actually produce ok cars. You don't compare a renault with a mercedes......
05-15-2003 07:39 PM
