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Jul 12, 2006 22:39:09 GMT
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Over the past couple of days I have had the pleasure of giving the Porsche Cayman S and the BMW Z4 M Coupe a bit of a shake down for an article that I am currently working on.
I was just writing up my notes and one of my points is that as far as current M cars go the new Coupe is actually a return to basics compared to the technological fare offered up in the M5 and presumably the forhcoming V8 M3.
So aside from being a bit on the weighty side the SMG free- big engined, manual box, RWD Z4 M Coupe is a bit of a return to old skool M Car form and all the better for it IMHO.
Do any other current cars interest any of you retro-loving guys n gals?
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Last Edit: Jul 12, 2006 22:40:12 GMT by aaronm3
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Jul 12, 2006 22:43:31 GMT
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I like the new 159 interiors. Remind me of the older Alfas Not in that colour scheme though. More like this. Can't find a decent pic It's the near-vertical centre console, with the shifter close to it, with the gauges inset ...much like the old 1750s (I think) or Spyders. Really sorta enclosed driving space.
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Last Edit: Jul 12, 2006 22:51:36 GMT by Lewis
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Jul 12, 2006 22:55:53 GMT
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I quite like the Z4...The big, bluff nose included.
*n
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Top grammar tips! Bought = purchased. Brought = relocated Lose = misplace/opposite of win. Loose = your mum
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Jul 12, 2006 23:05:02 GMT
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I do quite like the Z4 but it's a very colour sensitive car with all the flame surfacing and what not. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the front end as there doesn't appear to be a choesive line to it as the grills drop below the light line.
Great car to drive though although you have to be committed to get the best out of it :-)
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Jul 12, 2006 23:06:56 GMT
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Yea. Modern GT6 it is. I think. The resemblance is there, as is the familiar powertrain ;D Think I'd have a top spec Z4 coupe in blue if someone offered one to me in a shot! Could use it as a small parts chaser!
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Last Edit: Jul 12, 2006 23:08:11 GMT by Lewis
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Jul 12, 2006 23:11:45 GMT
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It is a very similar design in essence- I had never noticed! I might use that in my article to make myself look knowledgeable ;-) (j/k!)
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Jul 12, 2006 23:22:26 GMT
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Feel free! BMW own the Triumph brand (only thing they kept when they flogged off Rover, as Triumph were their only ever real competitor from a UK franchise, Triumph used to widdle all over them in most respect! Only when BL really got into full downward spiral did it go balls up) so it's likely that there is certainly some influence from a few sources. Possibly.
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Last Edit: Jul 12, 2006 23:24:00 GMT by Lewis
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Snoozin
Posted a lot
Toyophile
Posts: 1,557
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Jul 12, 2006 23:37:04 GMT
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Do you mean values... or do you mean styling/design cues and so on? When I think values... I think most cars were built with a similar set of values in mind. Ease of use/maintenance/reliability/packaging/performance/ergonomics/comfort/handling etc etc. you catch my drift. It's just that technology and tastes have changed that particular values that are applied in the design and engineering of a car are nowadays packaged and prioritised differently. So I would argue that some new cars may prioritise certain values more akin to some of their retro stablemates, if that makes any sense at all. I know very little of the Z4 coupe, but if you see it as being less of a technological omnibus as is an M3 or an M5, then it could be argued it has been built on a set of values regarding raw driving pleasure, something I would definitely consider lacking in loads of modern cars now The Alfa dashboard styling cues are great, really harks back to the 105 Series GTV coupes! Alfa have almost kept that twin instrument binnacle throughout the range since those cars... the 145/146, 155 and cars of that era were a bit of a lapse but they've returned to it now thankfully! Hope some of that made sense, I knew what I was trying to say.....
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Saru
Part of things
No Brand Loyalty
Posts: 460
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How about current (and previous) MX-5s? They have minimal electro-trickery intervention stuff.
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1974 Saab 99 EMSI bought a new car. It's 35 years old. My friends said I was mad. We'll see.
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Bioshock
Posted a lot
It aint hip to be square.
Posts: 1,861
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I am liking the Bristol Fighter a lot.The brand is steeped in history,and have always been considered fast,(even if most do look a bit odd) their latest offering is truly awesome,no electronicky bits,it uses the dodge viper V10,and is staggeringly rapid-210m.p.h.,0-60 under 4 secs.God knows what it costs mind,'spose its one of those,if you've got to ask,you can't afford it motors.
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Almera GTI = ugly bird who turns out to be great in the sack = Win
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Bioshock
Posted a lot
It aint hip to be square.
Posts: 1,861
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Holy sh*t! just found out the price-The "base" model is £256,150
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Almera GTI = ugly bird who turns out to be great in the sack = Win
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mercmad
Posted a lot
Flush Hard,it's a long way to McDonalds.
Posts: 1,740
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If I didn't spend so much money on my Mercs I would afford a Bristol Fighter ....So Right!...kind of brings to mind "English Gentlemen in expensive suits,vast fortunes made on the bourse,Ascot , and appalling ( consenting) behaviour behind closed doors with 17 year old russian girls... As for BMW's today,i would'nt urinate on one if it were on fire,There is only one way to describe the fatbutt look and that is "fatbuttugly" . Besides BMW can hardly claim destinction like this...A Beaufighter over the balkans in 1944
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Many years ago I changed my driving style to cope with rising fuel prices; I have now reached the stage where I am contemplating keeping my eyes shut in order to lower wind resistance.
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Bioshock
Posted a lot
It aint hip to be square.
Posts: 1,861
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Even their saloon,the Blenheim 3 cracks 0-60 in 5.4 secs, 'tis truly a sporting gentlemans carriage
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Almera GTI = ugly bird who turns out to be great in the sack = Win
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I think TVR embody retro valves more than any other make. No PAS, no ABS, no traction control, big engine and a light weight body!
The main problem with new cars is the weight (all that bloody sound deadening what the f**kin point).
My mates got a Citroen C2 GT (rolling roaded @ 130bhp) and is always getting dicked my my other mates mk1 fiesta with a 1.6 xflow (only engine mod fast road cam and lightened flywheel), I rest my case!
It not how much power, it how much power you have compared to the weight..........
..........sorry stress over!
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As previously said on this forum,.. any thing that comes out of the Fiat factory is retro the day it leaves
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I always thought that the Audi A2 was well on the way to retro, not designed to look like anything in particular, concieved with space and efficiency in mind, 3cyl engine, all aluminium, weighs less than a ton and a great drive. In fact, I liked it so much, I bought one, just like this Apart from that, there is very little new that is really innovative, that I can think of, just that all "normal" cars will be retro given time, even Vectras... BB
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Yesterday at 7:54, pogweasel wrote:
Nothing wrong with creature comforts. If I want masochism, I'll just go and slam my knackers in the fridge door for a bit.
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MWF
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,945
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Apart from that, there is very little new that is really innovative, that I can think of, just that all "normal" cars will be retro given time, even Vectras... BB I think you're right. Everything becomes Retro, how soon it does depends on how unique it was in the first place.
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Besides BMW can hardly claim destinction like this...A Beaufighter over the balkans in 1944 What about this rather lovely piece of technology? The BMW 801 14 cylinder radial engine, one of the best pieces of packaging in internal combustion design. They come in a variety of flavours, including ones with Nitrous injection, water injection, fuel injection and a combination of the three
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phatphord
Part of things
Scorpilow
Posts: 674
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Jul 13, 2006 10:04:06 GMT
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i think a lot of what is conjoured up by the term retro is emotional, therefore it indicates rawness and less pampering. get any modern car,throw all the interior out and switch all the electric gubbins off,throw away half the exhuast boxes,give it a small oil leak and i think you would have begun to get there! Unfortunately the modern credit car consumer wants to feel special in their balnd box of tosh. If someone really wanted a retro driving experience and had the money to buy a z4 new,wouldn't they better of buying a gt6? No,cos they actually want to be pampered,not having to actually work on the car. not meaning to come across as angry,just get riled with the whole consumer thing. oh and don't get me started on the frickin yanks with their 'retro' mustangs,camaro's 300c's..can't come up with any new ideas boys?
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Last Edit: Jul 13, 2006 10:05:12 GMT by phatphord
1994 Ford Scorpio Lowrider um...and some bikes...
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MWF
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,945
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Jul 13, 2006 10:11:04 GMT
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Unfortunately the modern credit car consumer wants to feel special in their balnd box of tosh. If someone really wanted a retro driving experience and had the money to buy a z4 new,wouldn't they better of buying a gt6? No,cos they actually want to be pampered,not having to actually work on the car. not meaning to come across as angry,just get riled with the whole consumer thing. Hmmm this view sure comes up a lot on here. I don't think it's wrong that consumers want the essence of driving a retro car with the dependability of a modern car. You have to bare in mind the GT6 was a modern car once and lot was done to that to try and make it comfier, safer and more reliable than previous cars.
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