The General Car Thread - The Facelift.

[Auzkhia]

If your current life situation was transferred to your birth year (e.g. if you are a retired farmer in Wisconsin and were born in 1954, you are now a retired farmer in Wisconsin in 1954, with all the economic changes in Wisconsin and its farming included), what car would you drive?

Well, in 2001 Poland I'd likely drive (already, as the driving age has been raised since then) a BMW 3-Series E21 or Mercedes W123 with one of the smaller 4-cylinder engines.

And what would be your living-in-birth-year car?

A college grad in 1997? Born in 1975?

I could buy new, I mean 5 years earlier, after my graduated my newly wedded Dad and Mom bought new cars, moved into a golf community in Phoenix, Arizona, where I was born.

Depending on what job I get, I could be driving anywhere from an Eagle Talon or a gently used Mercedes.

[NeoOasis]

If your current life situation was transferred to your birth year (e.g. if you are a retired farmer in Wisconsin and were born in 1954, you are now a retired farmer in Wisconsin in 1954, with all the economic changes in Wisconsin and its farming included), what car would you drive?

Well, in 2001 Poland I'd likely drive (already, as the driving age has been raised since then) a BMW 3-Series E21 or Mercedes W123 with one of the smaller 4-cylinder engines.

And what would be your living-in-birth-year car?

I'd honestly have the same exact car I do now. A Suzuki Cervo, it's just the previous generation one from the 70s/80s as opposed to 00s.

[Elwher]

If your current life situation was transferred to your birth year (e.g. if you are a retired farmer in Wisconsin and were born in 1954, you are now a retired farmer in Wisconsin in 1954, with all the economic changes in Wisconsin and its farming included), what car would you drive?

Well, in 2001 Poland I'd likely drive (already, as the driving age has been raised since then) a BMW 3-Series E21 or Mercedes W123 with one of the smaller 4-cylinder engines.

And what would be your living-in-birth-year car?

As a retiree in 1952, I'd probably be driving an MG TC

And trying to save up for a new TR-2 (prototypes were in 1952, production releases in 1953)

[Cannot think of a name]

If your current life situation was transferred to your birth year (e.g. if you are a retired farmer in Wisconsin and were born in 1954, you are now a retired farmer in Wisconsin in 1954, with all the economic changes in Wisconsin and its farming included), what car would you drive?

Well, in 2001 Poland I'd likely drive (already, as the driving age has been raised since then) a BMW 3-Series E21 or Mercedes W123 with one of the smaller 4-cylinder engines.

And what would be your living-in-birth-year car?

As a retiree in 1952, I'd probably be driving an MG TC

And trying to save up for a new TR-2 (prototypes were in 1952, production releases in 1953)

Yes please.

[Inner Legic Trueezukytosty]

You know I am pretty sure that the tree days are up so I am just going to post

[Inner Legic Trueezukytosty]

As a retiree in 1952, I'd probably be driving an MG TC
edited
so carrol shelby used to drive one of the mg tc in the old days of raceing

[Inner Legic Trueezukytosty]

looking for the best turbo sound I found a video and I love it watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcqmVB8vE-U

[East Fredonia]

Please go away.

[Cannot think of a name]

I guess the three days weren't up after all.

In actual car news, maybe returning to the gambit that collapsed the new car market in 2008 wasn't the best idea...

Forecasts of what analysts have called “peak auto” have been surfacing for several years, with experts warning that the boom years following the Great Recession can’t go on much longer. New car demand did slip by about 2 percent in 2017 but, despite almost universal expectations that the downward trend would continue, 2018 actually brought a modest uptick in sales.

But the first two months of 2019 have seen sales slump once more. The heavy weather that hit much of the country took some of the blame, but things aren’t looking much better as March draws to a close. J.D. Power and LMC anticipate new vehicle demand will be down 2.1 percent for the month.

Fueling that slump is the average price of a new vehicle: $33,319 for the January-March quarter, an all-time record. While the upward trend has helped buoy manufacturers’ bottom lines, it does have a downside, with industry experts concerned that many potential buyers are being priced out of the new car market.

Margins are great for more expensive SUVs. Margins don't matter if no one can afford your stupid truck.

The increase in vehicle pricing is definitely a matter of “concern,” said Hinrichs. "Consumers have adapted over time to keep monthly payments within a relatively close band by stretching out their loans ever longer,” he noted. Automakers have helped keep vehicles reasonably affordable by offering low-interest loans and often subsidized lease deals.

But with many loans now running to 72 months, a number of analysts warn there’s no more room to stretch loans out. And the situation is being compounded by a series of rate hikes implemented by the Federal Reserve over the last two years.

If only there was a recent, fresh in our memory example of the problem of overloading consumer debt...

Those who track the industry have begun to notice some disturbing signals. Traditionally, demand for both new and used vehicles follow the same trajectory, rising and falling simultaneously.

“But now we’re seeing new vehicle sales fall while used rise, indicating the market has reached a flash point,” said Ivan Drury, Edmunds’ senior manager of industry analysis. “New cars are getting so expensive that they’re out of reach for many car shoppers, but there are so many more affordable used vehicles coming off lease that the market is naturally shifting in that direction.”
...
Over the last several decades, manufacturers have become increasingly dependent upon leasing. When vehicles are returned, usually after two to three years, they are routinely inspected and repaired, as necessary, and then sold as “certified pre-owned” vehicles with like new warranties.

The savings can be substantial. Back in 2013, according to Edmunds.com, the average three-year-old vehicle cost $11,000 less than the new version of the same model. Last year, that jumped to $14,000.

That has been a draw for many traditional new car buyers, industry data reveal, and the situation is only expected to accelerate as new car prices continue to rise. Compounding matters, Edmunds forecasts a record number of off-lease vehicles will come to market this year.

[Elwher]

I guess the three days weren't up after all.

In actual car news, maybe returning to the gambit that collapsed the new car market in 2008 wasn't the best idea...

Forecasts of what analysts have called “peak auto” have been surfacing for several years, with experts warning that the boom years following the Great Recession can’t go on much longer. New car demand did slip by about 2 percent in 2017 but, despite almost universal expectations that the downward trend would continue, 2018 actually brought a modest uptick in sales.

But the first two months of 2019 have seen sales slump once more. The heavy weather that hit much of the country took some of the blame, but things aren’t looking much better as March draws to a close. J.D. Power and LMC anticipate new vehicle demand will be down 2.1 percent for the month.

Fueling that slump is the average price of a new vehicle: $33,319 for the January-March quarter, an all-time record. While the upward trend has helped buoy manufacturers’ bottom lines, it does have a downside, with industry experts concerned that many potential buyers are being priced out of the new car market.

Margins are great for more expensive SUVs. Margins don't matter if no one can afford your stupid truck.

The increase in vehicle pricing is definitely a matter of “concern,” said Hinrichs. "Consumers have adapted over time to keep monthly payments within a relatively close band by stretching out their loans ever longer,” he noted. Automakers have helped keep vehicles reasonably affordable by offering low-interest loans and often subsidized lease deals.

But with many loans now running to 72 months, a number of analysts warn there’s no more room to stretch loans out. And the situation is being compounded by a series of rate hikes implemented by the Federal Reserve over the last two years.

If only there was a recent, fresh in our memory example of the problem of overloading consumer debt...

Those who track the industry have begun to notice some disturbing signals. Traditionally, demand for both new and used vehicles follow the same trajectory, rising and falling simultaneously.

“But now we’re seeing new vehicle sales fall while used rise, indicating the market has reached a flash point,” said Ivan Drury, Edmunds’ senior manager of industry analysis. “New cars are getting so expensive that they’re out of reach for many car shoppers, but there are so many more affordable used vehicles coming off lease that the market is naturally shifting in that direction.”
...
Over the last several decades, manufacturers have become increasingly dependent upon leasing. When vehicles are returned, usually after two to three years, they are routinely inspected and repaired, as necessary, and then sold as “certified pre-owned” vehicles with like new warranties.

The savings can be substantial. Back in 2013, according to Edmunds.com, the average three-year-old vehicle cost $11,000 less than the new version of the same model. Last year, that jumped to $14,000.

That has been a draw for many traditional new car buyers, industry data reveal, and the situation is only expected to accelerate as new car prices continue to rise. Compounding matters, Edmunds forecasts a record number of off-lease vehicles will come to market this year.

Those who will not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

[Petrolheadia]

I guess the three days weren't up after all.

In actual car news, maybe returning to the gambit that collapsed the new car market in 2008 wasn't the best idea...

Forecasts of what analysts have called “peak auto” have been surfacing for several years, with experts warning that the boom years following the Great Recession can’t go on much longer. New car demand did slip by about 2 percent in 2017 but, despite almost universal expectations that the downward trend would continue, 2018 actually brought a modest uptick in sales.

But the first two months of 2019 have seen sales slump once more. The heavy weather that hit much of the country took some of the blame, but things aren’t looking much better as March draws to a close. J.D. Power and LMC anticipate new vehicle demand will be down 2.1 percent for the month.

Fueling that slump is the average price of a new vehicle: $33,319 for the January-March quarter, an all-time record. While the upward trend has helped buoy manufacturers’ bottom lines, it does have a downside, with industry experts concerned that many potential buyers are being priced out of the new car market.

Margins are great for more expensive SUVs. Margins don't matter if no one can afford your stupid truck.

The increase in vehicle pricing is definitely a matter of “concern,” said Hinrichs. "Consumers have adapted over time to keep monthly payments within a relatively close band by stretching out their loans ever longer,” he noted. Automakers have helped keep vehicles reasonably affordable by offering low-interest loans and often subsidized lease deals.

But with many loans now running to 72 months, a number of analysts warn there’s no more room to stretch loans out. And the situation is being compounded by a series of rate hikes implemented by the Federal Reserve over the last two years.

If only there was a recent, fresh in our memory example of the problem of overloading consumer debt...

Those who track the industry have begun to notice some disturbing signals. Traditionally, demand for both new and used vehicles follow the same trajectory, rising and falling simultaneously.

“But now we’re seeing new vehicle sales fall while used rise, indicating the market has reached a flash point,” said Ivan Drury, Edmunds’ senior manager of industry analysis. “New cars are getting so expensive that they’re out of reach for many car shoppers, but there are so many more affordable used vehicles coming off lease that the market is naturally shifting in that direction.”
...
Over the last several decades, manufacturers have become increasingly dependent upon leasing. When vehicles are returned, usually after two to three years, they are routinely inspected and repaired, as necessary, and then sold as “certified pre-owned” vehicles with like new warranties.

The savings can be substantial. Back in 2013, according to Edmunds.com, the average three-year-old vehicle cost $11,000 less than the new version of the same model. Last year, that jumped to $14,000.

That has been a draw for many traditional new car buyers, industry data reveal, and the situation is only expected to accelerate as new car prices continue to rise. Compounding matters, Edmunds forecasts a record number of off-lease vehicles will come to market this year.

It is bad news for the auto sector, but it ain't no Great Depression. At worst, some automakers will ask for, and likely get, bailouts.

[Elwher]

I guess the three days weren't up after all.

In actual car news, maybe returning to the gambit that collapsed the new car market in 2008 wasn't the best idea...


Margins are great for more expensive SUVs. Margins don't matter if no one can afford your stupid truck.

If only there was a recent, fresh in our memory example of the problem of overloading consumer debt...

It is bad news for the auto sector, but it ain't no Great Depression. At worst, some automakers will ask for, and likely get, bailouts.

Meaning that we, the taxpayers of the USA, will be yet again subsidizing bad management decisions and exorbitant union contracts. I said it when Chrysler asked for help in 1979, and again in 2008, that if a company cannot stay in business they should not be in business. Otherwise, there is no moral hazard to doing stupid things if they know that the taxpayers will come to the rescue.

[Petrolheadia]

It is bad news for the auto sector, but it ain't no Great Depression. At worst, some automakers will ask for, and likely get, bailouts.

Meaning that we, the taxpayers of the USA, will be yet again subsidizing bad management decisions and exorbitant union contracts. I said it when Chrysler asked for help in 1979, and again in 2008, that if a company cannot stay in business they should not be in business. Otherwise, there is no moral hazard to doing stupid things if they know that the taxpayers will come to the rescue.

I think that might be their business model.

Sell cheaply-made cars at good profits, and when it turns out that the cars are so cheaply-made and undesirable that people only want to buy it at loss-making prices, just ask the feds to foot the bill for your mistakes.

Also, here's a fun fact: the three biggest bailouts in motoring history (GM 2008-2009, British Leyland 1972-1986, Chrysler 2008-2009) were never paid off.

[Petrolheadia]

Speaking of GM, there's going to be a class-action lawsuit about their 2015-2019 8-speed automatics.

Sub-four-year-old transmissions needing rebuilds? Never change, GM.

[Servilis]

My fav cars :
-Mazda RX-8 (its alright)
-Dodge Viper SRT-10 (prostreet, hot pursuit, most wanted)
-Tesla Roadster Sport (you can beat 9 most wanted vehicles with this baby in nfs:mw2012)
-McLaren MP4-12C (that's some neat acceleration yo)
-Koeniggseg Agera RS (will be the RX when it comes out)
-every pagini car

[Petrolheadia]

-Tesla Roadster Sport (you can beat 9 most wanted vehicles with this baby in nfs:mw2012)

I wonder how much Elon Musk had to pay up...

-McLaren MP4-12C (that's some neat acceleration yo)

Was. Back when Windows 7 was newfangled.

[Vassenor]

So it seems that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is off to a great start.

Something about one of the Williams cars bouncing off a loose drain cover and getting FP1 red flagged.

[Elwher]

So it seems that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is off to a great start.

Something about one of the Williams cars bouncing off a loose drain cover and getting FP1 red flagged.

Then to make it worse, the recovery truck left the crane up and it hit the underside of an overpass, leaking fluid all over the ruined car.

http://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/26608793/azerbaijan-gp-first-practice-cancelled-loose-drain-cover-destroys-williams-car

[South Gart Indens]

My ban is offically up I am back according to the moderation help place thingy

[South Gart Indens]

Did you know that the ford mustang in the 2014 movie need for speed was infact not the last one Carroll shelby worked on the images below go in this order 2014 need for speed mustang and the 2013 white mustang so tell me what you think
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[Petrolheadia]

Did you know that the ford mustang in the 2014 movie need for speed was infact not the last one Carroll shelby worked on the images below go in this order 2014 need for speed mustang and the 2013 white mustang so tell me what you think

I basically knew the Shelby story was BS the very second they said the "last car" quote while I was watching it in the cinema.

[South Gart Indens]

Did you know that the ford mustang in the 2014 movie need for speed was infact not the last one Carroll shelby worked on the images below go in this order 2014 need for speed mustang and the 2013 white mustang so tell me what you think

I basically knew the Shelby story was BS the very second they said the "last car" quote while I was watching it in the cinema.

Yeah I did not go see it in theaters but I remebe some one mentioning a mg tc the other day wich made me think of carroll shelby cause he did race these in the early part of his carrer and then it made me think of mustangs and what I knew about them

[South Gart Indens]

Second part is the funniest is that the white mustang was built for nfs the run wich was a great game except that it did not have any free room

[Dresderstan]

Oh my God the Cobra looks fantastic as always, it's been too long since I last saw it.

[Lamborghini Aventador]

Oh my God the Cobra looks fantastic as always, it's been too long since I last saw it.

which one