We went to the Seattle Car Show -- Flame suit is on LOL
Well "young" grasshopper came home from Central this weekend so we could mount the winter wheels on his Integra and we decided to go to the car show Sat afternoon. The poor kid is now 6'4" ... we got our first opportunity to sit in a Z06 and he couldn't fit. He's just too tall, boy was he disapointed. The only car he could really fit in and see straight out the windshield was the new Camaro.
We thought the Spyker C8 was really nice but a bit too much chrome and geeze if you have a front end fender bender it's gotta cost you at least 50 grand. We both really liked the Tesla and it was our first chance to see one up close.
Sat in the new grandsport and the leather treatment on the dash and interior was actually pretty nice but it's a 10 grand option. Chevy has got to do better than that for the vette.
OK my flame suit is on... after sitting in all the reasonably affordable cars the one I really liked the most and am going to actually take out for a test drive when they hit the dealship floor is the ....... (oh golly I never thought I would say this) its the... 2010 Hyundai Elantra Coupe ... it was really sleek looking and very very comfortable to sit in. I think these guys might actually have a winner in this car. I'd post a picture here but I can't find a full side shot on the internet that looks anywhere as good as the car does in person.
Last edited by Mr. Peabody; 11-15-2009 at 08:16 PM.
RWD+ Mitsubishi engine+ low price tag= Will be a hit hit tuner car.
"similarities the Genesis’s 1998cc four has to the Mitsubishi Lancer’s (almost 300hp) Evo engine. These two engines being products of Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance between Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Chrysler is the reason for their commonalities. This fact, combined with the $22,000 and some price tag, makes for something special, and Hyundai knows it. What is so special? the Evo gave rise to a goldmine of performance aftermarket support, which can now be taken advantage of by the Genesis Coupe.
But the benefits aren’t limited to only the aftermarket. Check out this quote from Car and Driver:"
I was at the show on Saturday. My purpose of going to the show was to see the Stingray. I really liked it. Some things could never make it into a real car, but I think its a good looking concept. A Chevrolet representative was there talking about the car. He said they were collecting feedback on the car. I hope some of the styling makes it into the C7.
I'm also 6'4". I fit ok in the C6, so I must be built a bit different than your son. I also went to see a couple of other specific cars. One was the Tesla. It took me a couple of tries, but I was able to squeeze into it. I could never own one, I just don't fit. Another car I wanted to see was the Porsche Panamera. I was surprised at how big this car was in person. I also think it looks better in person than the photos and video I've seen. Its still a bit oddly shaped. I was surprised that there wasn't a Cayman or Boxster in the Porsche booth. The salesman said they had sold out of them and not yet received any 2010 cars. It surely seemed like there was a lot more open space than in past shows.
- Mark
__________________ 2009 CRM 6sp manual Coupe with Z51 Suspension, Nav, and Corsa Touring Exhaust
Member of the NCM and Corvette Marque Club of Seattle.
Bondurant Graduate from April 2005.
Another car I wanted to see was the Porsche Panamera. I was surprised at how big this car was in person. I also think it looks better in person than the photos and video I've seen. Its still a bit oddly shaped. I was surprised that there wasn't a Cayman or Boxster in the Porsche booth. The salesman said they had sold out of them and not yet received any 2010 cars. It surely seemed like there was a lot more open space than in past shows.
There was a Boxter S there on Saturday morning. Right next to the "normal" Cayenne. Somehow, I forgot to look at the Panamara... I meant to go see it, but we got distracted. There was one in the dealership in Panama when I was there last month, so I got to see it from a distance - definitely much better in person.
One of my favorites at the show was the new (2011?) Jaguar XJ. It was BIG! But the styling definitely brings Jaguar's styling fully into the 21st century! It had the right combination of solidity, muscularity, and flowing lines. If they could only resolve the electronic gremlins (or stop building in complicated electronics), it would be a winnner at $72k.
The CTS wagon was pretty nice too. With AWD, it might be a good replacement for the WRX next year.
Last edited by WAwatchnut; 11-15-2009 at 10:49 PM.
we went saturday & had a blast, kids loved the corvette concept, but I can see that thing hitting the road until maybe 10-20 yrs from now lol.c8 or even the c9 lol.
loved the camaros of course, & husband sat in the tesla but almost couldnt get out of it lol.
Location: Never be seen driving something you can actually afford.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Peabody
OK my flame suit is on... after sitting in all the reasonably affordable cars the one I really liked the most and am going to actually take out for a test drive when they hit the dealship floor is the ....... (oh golly I never thought I would say this) its the... 2010 Hyundai Elantra Coupe ... it was really sleek looking and very very comfortable to sit in. I think these guys might actually have a winner in this car. I'd post a picture here but I can't find a full side shot on the internet that looks anywhere as good as the car does in person.
Gee, let's see; the Koreans have mysteriously figured out what continues to elude the American manufacturers. That is, offer a high quality car at a reasonable price that consumers actually want to buy. What a concept.
In all fairness, I'm liking more and more the products that are emerging from GM and Ford.... okay and Chrysler, maybe. Chevy's new Malibu is very nice. Ford seems to be making inroads in quality improvement and the new Hybrid Fusion is getting good reviews.
Problem is, IMO, that GM and the others are still struggling to overcome the poor image they created for themselves 20+ years ago. Especially in terms of quality. I suspect - don't know for sure - but I think the largest segment of the car purchasing public grew up during the period when "anything" made in America is little more than junk and anything Japanese was the best you could buy for your hard-earned dollar.
After 3 years of owning my C6, I am really impressed with the quality, performance and value of what GM has done. Given the economic climate however, it may be too late for them to recover. I hope not.
Then there's the continuing media coverage about Detroit and the rust belt as if to suggest the city is on its last legs. Not to mention the (possibly deserved) union-bashing that's going on and the growth of the car manufacturing industry in the southern states (ah, the "right-to-Work" states if you will) Anyone taken notice that most of these manufacturing facilities have foreign based nameplates?
I also find it interesting that some "domestic" products are built in Mexico (Chevrolet) Canada (Chrysler) and elsewhere offshore?
So no flaming here. I'm rooting for our home team, but they need to become more nimble and react to what people really want to buy at a price they can afford and stop offering products like the Pontiac Aztek and thinking fake portholes will boost sales of Buicks to the "nearly deads" (same crowd as the traditional Cadillac consumer, but with smaller incomes).
It doesn't help to instill confidence either when brands that people brought year after year (Pontiac, Oldsmobile, et al) are seemingly abandoned by the parent company.
Too bad, but facts and data will always win out. I've seen some comnies come back "from the brink" and by God I hope the American manufacturers can repeat their success.
But I have to admit that Hyundai coupe looks pretty attractive and is probably a sweeter car to drive than the new Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
You sure? I'm 6'3 1/2" and have no problem at all sitting in a C6. I know guys 6'5" who drive those comfortably.
It all depends how you are built. I'm just about 6'5 my self and believe some of the height comes from my torso area. Sure, if you just have long legs you can adapt and make it work a little easier to be comfortable. My '02 Z06 fits me like a freaking glove! I've only had issues when wearing a helmet. I've sat in a couple C6 Zs and ran into head room issues as well.
The only other car that I've truly been comfortable in is a new VW bug lol. Tons of head room in those little things!
But are you sure it wasn't the Genesis Coupe? Those look pretty sharp...
Hey Joe
Yes you're correct I ment the Genesis Coupe
Hey when Hondas first came out I laughed at them but I bought one back in 1980 and drove it for 11 years though we also drove our 82 buick regal wagon for 14 years. Just seems like so many of the cars today aren't really made to last that long. I agree with last901 I think that the American auto companies can come back and enjoy sucess but as he said no more dumb cars like the Aztek. Geeze even the AMC pacer looked good compared to that monstrosity.
Grasshopper is really tall in the torso area and that's why he has a problem with so many of the newer cars. Perhaps he'll have to settle for a C5 Z06, sounds like there may be more headroom there.
Last edited by Mr. Peabody; 11-17-2009 at 01:39 AM.
Grasshopper is really tall in the torso area and that's why he has a problem with so many of the newer cars. Perhaps he'll have to settle for a C5 Z06, sounds like there may be more headroom there.
Settle for a Z06? Just giving ya a hard time. '03 and '04's have a revised headliner with even less room. Either keep an eye out for a '02 and older or just swap the headliner out in a '03-'04.
He's more than welcome to sit in my car at the next meetup or whatever and see how it fits him.
Grasshopper is really tall in the torso area and that's why he has a problem with so many of the newer cars. Perhaps he'll have to settle for a C5 Z06, sounds like there may be more headroom there.
Hey Mark
Yeah, I have those long legs and that's where my 6' 3 1/2" comes from ...
Speaking of AMC Pacers....this certainly wasn't a very bright spot for the American automotive industry, was it?
I remember when the first Hondas came out and laughing at them. Those were the days when anything that said "Made in Japan" was pretty much a joke. Their first cars were terrible, but they sure learned from their mistakes and nobody's laughing anymore.
There was a Boxter S there on Saturday morning. Right next to the "normal" Cayenne. Somehow, I forgot to look at the Panamara... I meant to go see it, but we got distracted. There was one in the dealership in Panama when I was there last month, so I got to see it from a distance - definitely much better in person.
One of my favorites at the show was the new (2011?) Jaguar XJ. It was BIG! But the styling definitely brings Jaguar's styling fully into the 21st century! It had the right combination of solidity, muscularity, and flowing lines. If they could only resolve the electronic gremlins (or stop building in complicated electronics), it would be a winnner at $72k.
The CTS wagon was pretty nice too. With AWD, it might be a good replacement for the WRX next year.
I've got a 2000 XK8 that Santa left me last year (on Nov 27th). It had 27K and now has 52K. Other than a set of tires I've had zero problems. 99.9% of the electrical problems went out the window when Denso replaced Lucas (the prince of darkness!!). All bugs were worked out of all models in 2003 when the 4.2L engine was installed. Now they have the 500/510 hp engine. I test drove one, a stock 500 hp XKR. Hang onto your shorts!
The only problem with a Jag is aftermarket performance parts, other than exhaust, there are not any. I'm not sure if Tom would work on one or not. The engines are a bit different. But they are great GT's.
I am willing to bet the reason your son could not fit was the position of the seat was forward. They killed the battery to the car thus locking the seat in that position. There is absolutely no way he could fit in a C4 and not in a C6.
I am willing to bet the reason your son could not fit was the position of the seat was forward. They killed the battery to the car thus locking the seat in that position. There is absolutely no way he could fit in a C4 and not in a C6.
Nope, my legs were fine. I can't sit in the seat properly ( as in not slouching) with out leaning my head to the side or forward.
Nope, my legs were fine. I can't sit in the seat properly ( as in not slouching) with out leaning my head to the side or forward.
Just gotta work on your "gansta lean." Right forearm on the console, hand on the gearshift lever and lean body slightly to the right with left hand on the steering wheel.
Corvette Store
We went to the Seattle Car Show -- Flame suit is on LOL
and very very comfortable to sit in. I think these guys might actually have a winner in this car. I'd post a picture here but I can't find a full side shot on the internet that looks anywhere as good as the car does in person.
