What is it with American cars - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

FastShark85 · 08-05-2003, 05:32 AM

I thought all the cars in Australia were mounted with armor and various weaponry, storming across the wastelands looking for rare sources of gasoline, and that the drivers were either crazed lunatics or their victims.

Oh wait. That's only in Mad Max movies, right??

rodgerd · 08-05-2003, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Mephisto

A two-litre engine can give plenty of poke. Just try sitting behind the wheel of the new Mini Cooper S (and that's only a souped up 1.6litre).

Or a Toyota Altezza (2 litre straight six, 200 HP).

Mephisto2 · 08-05-2003, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FastShark85
I thought all the cars in Australia were mounted with armor and various weaponry, storming across the wastelands looking for rare sources of gasoline, and that the drivers were either crazed lunatics or their victims.

Oh wait. That's only in Mad Max movies, right??

Actually, whilst I was expecting this comment for quite some time, this is so well put that I still laughed...

Heh

Mr Mephisto

tj2001cobra · 08-05-2003, 03:48 PM

My Mustang still has plenty of power.

close to 500 horsies to be exact!

Quote:

Originally posted by Pragma
Recently (within the past 10 years), most American companies have completely tossed out the sports car ideals and made nothing but slow family cars (look at the recent Mustangs, they're a dime a dozen and used as sedans by most people! Mustangs!)

It's a shame, really, as the old Trans-Ams and Mustangs were really powerful cars.

bleet · 08-05-2003, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Mephisto
I thought the Neon was a piece of shit?!

Mr Mephisto

it still is, just a faster piece of shit.

jbrooks544 · 09-13-2003, 09:34 AM

Rental cars are usually the base model. These have less power and squishy suspensions.

For example, the difference between the base Impala and th LS is HUGE. I have an LS and it has firm suspension and lots of power. Drive one, you'll see. MUCH better than anything from Germany or Japan for the same money.

pocon1 · 09-13-2003, 08:59 PM

The new neon srt-4 is now rated at 230 hp and 245 lbft of torque.
Yeah, it is a shame that so many american cars are big, wallowy sedans. I have a 87 mazda rx7, a 98 acura integra gsr, and a 2002 wrx wagon. I like quick, sporty cars, and I know we can build reliable cars, but I am not impressed with our styling or our suspensions. But I am glad Pontiac got rid of its plastic. But look at the pontiac vibe versus the toyota matrix. The matrix looks better than the vibe, even though they are the same car.

Robblee · 09-14-2003, 01:46 PM

I agree I wish they would go back to old fation American muscles!!! but noooo They stopped makeing the FIREBIRD!!!

Binder · 09-15-2003, 12:21 PM

Mr Mephisto, i won't defend american cars as i'm no big fan, but if all you are driving is rentals you're not even seeing the average american car. my experience, when i travel, is that cars in rental fleets are typically so abused the are far worse than a single owner car with similar mileage.

i drive a maxima, and i love it. no more american cars for me.

newman · 09-16-2003, 04:23 AM

The point has been looked at from 1949315 angles and it really comes down to this :

It's been said. You're driving rental cars. They've been used and abused and then used again. Not to mention ALL rental companys buy the worst model car available. That 3.0L V6 should have more get-up to it? No...it's a Pontiac and it probably weighs more than my friends Ranger with his 3.0L V6 and that shits slow. Europeans demand better cars because you guys have better roads to use them on :P Here in America most people just want to get from point A to point B. Most people know nothing about cars, suspension, engines, throttle response etc etc. They don't care. They want to get where they're going and get there without it breaking. If it does that, it's a good car. We also have a LOT of emmission problems here making it hard for outside companys to bring their good cars here. Not to mention the fact that you're used to driving a $40k 330HP car back home, which gives you a huge bias on the subject. That's like me using a 4GHz computer and then switching to a 500MHz computer. Nothing will seem as good ever again.

Honestly, I know it's just your opinion and all, but you're definetly driving the wrong cars. Chevy Malibu...POS. Pontiac ANYTHING nowadays...POS. They're rental cars. They're econ cars. They work, they get you where you're going and they don't break on the way.

In response to all of you that say Americans are bad drivers... You're right to some extent. I've passed on the right plenty of times, for the simple reason that someone already stated. Stupid ass soccer moms that go 55/65 (speed limit) in the FAST LANE (left lane) on the freeway deserve to get passed. Most people here drive at least 80 on the freeway, if you're not going fast, if you're not gonna get outta my way, i'm going to pass your ass. It's not bad driving, it's the whole concept of GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY YOU'RE GOING TOO SLOW FOR MY LIKING.

Americans in general suck at driving? Maybe. But we do have too god damned many people in this country.

splck · 09-16-2003, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by newman

In response to all of you that say Americans are bad drivers... You're right to some extent. I've passed on the right plenty of times, for the simple reason that someone already stated. Stupid ass soccer moms that go 55/65 (speed limit) in the FAST LANE (left lane) on the freeway deserve to get passed. Most people here drive at least 80 on the freeway, if you're not going fast, if you're not gonna get outta my way, i'm going to pass your ass. It's not bad driving, it's the whole concept of GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY YOU'RE GOING TOO SLOW FOR MY LIKING. Americans in general suck at driving? Maybe. But we do have too god damned many people in this country.

Don't you have to pass drivers ed? Don't they teach you to "keep right except to pass"? Most people speed like crazy here too, but most move to the slow lane if they are impeading the flow of traffic. Notice I said most rather than all, we have idiots here too. Passing on the right seems to be the norm when I'm down in the states.
I don't buy the 'we have too many people' bit. I've driven on very busy roads in Europe, so I know people can drive good in crowded situations.

stingc · 09-16-2003, 07:19 AM

Hehe. Drivers ed... Many states just require that you pass a written exam and an actual driving test. You can often get something like 30% of the written test wrong and still pass. You can also usually take it as many times as you like. The driving test in many areas requires little more than the ability to drive a few blocks without hitting anything.

CrazySaturn · 09-16-2003, 08:39 AM

To contradict your grievances Mr. Mephisto...

You talk about how American cars have no power, yet most of them greatly out perform similar european counterparts. (And no, in no way is a Monte Carlo SS similar to a BMW 5 series)

As for suspension, maybe that is due to the fact that most driving in America is through relatively straight roads and highways, where a tight suspension will quickly wear down the driver and the car.

And now for a nice list of cars that might change (but probably won't) your opinion of American cars:
Cadillac CTS (also CTS-V)
Cadillac STS
Cadillac XLR
Chevrolet Corvette (also Z06)
Chevrolet Impala SS
Dodge Viper SRT-10
Dodge Neon SRT-4
Dodge Magnum SRT-8
Dodge Charger
Dodge Ram SRT-10
Ford Mustang GT (also Mach 1 and Cobra)
Ford Focus SVT
Ford GT
Lincoln LS
Pontiac GTO
Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

Elitegibson · 09-16-2003, 10:02 AM

Is it possible you're only familiar with american "rental" cars? Rental car fleets usually don't stock Focus SVTs, Mustang Cobras, Camaro SSs, Firebird Trans-Ams, Corvettes etc. There are amercan cars that are fast/have good handling, except most people aren't looking for that, they want a comfy and safe ride that they can take the kids to school in and go on trips etc. Any american who wants a sports car has plenty of choices in American brands, and a ton more options in the Japanese/Euro brands.

jbrooks544 · 09-16-2003, 12:18 PM

Don't forget the 300M and Bonneville. Both very good cars. There are many american cars that are more powerful and better handling than their Euro or Japanese bretheren. There are some great Euro and Japanese cars too. Typically the American (or Canadian) cars equal or exceed Euro cars costing more than twice as much.

09-16-2003, 04:23 AM	#50 (permalink)
newman Upright Location: San Marcos, CA	The point has been looked at from 1949315 angles and it really comes down to this : It's been said. You're driving rental cars. They've been used and abused and then used again. Not to mention ALL rental companys buy the worst model car available. That 3.0L V6 should have more get-up to it? No...it's a Pontiac and it probably weighs more than my friends Ranger with his 3.0L V6 and that shits slow. Europeans demand better cars because you guys have better roads to use them on :P Here in America most people just want to get from point A to point B. Most people know nothing about cars, suspension, engines, throttle response etc etc. They don't care. They want to get where they're going and get there without it breaking. If it does that, it's a good car. We also have a LOT of emmission problems here making it hard for outside companys to bring their good cars here. Not to mention the fact that you're used to driving a $40k 330HP car back home, which gives you a huge bias on the subject. That's like me using a 4GHz computer and then switching to a 500MHz computer. Nothing will seem as good ever again. Honestly, I know it's just your opinion and all, but you're definetly driving the wrong cars. Chevy Malibu...POS. Pontiac ANYTHING nowadays...POS. They're rental cars. They're econ cars. They work, they get you where you're going and they don't break on the way. In response to all of you that say Americans are bad drivers... You're right to some extent. I've passed on the right plenty of times, for the simple reason that someone already stated. Stupid ass soccer moms that go 55/65 (speed limit) in the FAST LANE (left lane) on the freeway deserve to get passed. Most people here drive at least 80 on the freeway, if you're not going fast, if you're not gonna get outta my way, i'm going to pass your ass. It's not bad driving, it's the whole concept of GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY YOU'RE GOING TOO SLOW FOR MY LIKING. Americans in general suck at driving? Maybe. But we do have too god damned many people in this country. __________________ -woot-

09-16-2003, 08:39 AM	#53 (permalink)
CrazySaturn Insane Location: Champaign, IL	To contradict your grievances Mr. Mephisto... You talk about how American cars have no power, yet most of them greatly out perform similar european counterparts. (And no, in no way is a Monte Carlo SS similar to a BMW 5 series) As for suspension, maybe that is due to the fact that most driving in America is through relatively straight roads and highways, where a tight suspension will quickly wear down the driver and the car. And now for a nice list of cars that might change (but probably won't) your opinion of American cars: Cadillac CTS (also CTS-V) Cadillac STS Cadillac XLR Chevrolet Corvette (also Z06) Chevrolet Impala SS Dodge Viper SRT-10 Dodge Neon SRT-4 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 Dodge Charger Dodge Ram SRT-10 Ford Mustang GT (also Mach 1 and Cobra) Ford Focus SVT Ford GT Lincoln LS Pontiac GTO Pontiac Grand Prix GTP __________________ What's the difference between you and a mallard with a cold? One's a sick duck...I can't remember how it ends, but your mother is a whore!

09-16-2003, 10:02 AM	#54 (permalink)
Elitegibson More Freedom, Less Bullshit Location: Tulsa, OK	Is it possible you're only familiar with american "rental" cars? Rental car fleets usually don't stock Focus SVTs, Mustang Cobras, Camaro SSs, Firebird Trans-Ams, Corvettes etc. There are amercan cars that are fast/have good handling, except most people aren't looking for that, they want a comfy and safe ride that they can take the kids to school in and go on trips etc. Any american who wants a sports car has plenty of choices in American brands, and a ton more options in the Japanese/Euro brands. __________________ -Erik Stupid people shouldn't breed.

08-05-2003, 05:32 AM	#41 (permalink)
FastShark85 Psycho Location: In the garage, under the car.	I thought all the cars in Australia were mounted with armor and various weaponry, storming across the wastelands looking for rare sources of gasoline, and that the drivers were either crazed lunatics or their victims. Oh wait. That's only in Mad Max movies, right??

09-13-2003, 09:34 AM	#46 (permalink)
jbrooks544 Addict	Rental cars are usually the base model. These have less power and squishy suspensions. For example, the difference between the base Impala and th LS is HUGE. I have an LS and it has firm suspension and lots of power. Drive one, you'll see. MUCH better than anything from Germany or Japan for the same money.

09-13-2003, 08:59 PM	#47 (permalink)
pocon1 Banned	The new neon srt-4 is now rated at 230 hp and 245 lbft of torque. Yeah, it is a shame that so many american cars are big, wallowy sedans. I have a 87 mazda rx7, a 98 acura integra gsr, and a 2002 wrx wagon. I like quick, sporty cars, and I know we can build reliable cars, but I am not impressed with our styling or our suspensions. But I am glad Pontiac got rid of its plastic. But look at the pontiac vibe versus the toyota matrix. The matrix looks better than the vibe, even though they are the same car.

09-14-2003, 01:46 PM	#48 (permalink)
Robblee Tilted Location: Nova Scotia	I agree I wish they would go back to old fation American muscles!!! but noooo They stopped makeing the FIREBIRD!!!

09-15-2003, 12:21 PM	#49 (permalink)
Binder Insane Location: between lost and confused	Mr Mephisto, i won't defend american cars as i'm no big fan, but if all you are driving is rentals you're not even seeing the average american car. my experience, when i travel, is that cars in rental fleets are typically so abused the are far worse than a single owner car with similar mileage. i drive a maxima, and i love it. no more american cars for me.

09-16-2003, 07:19 AM	#52 (permalink)
stingc Psycho Location: PA	Hehe. Drivers ed... Many states just require that you pass a written exam and an actual driving test. You can often get something like 30% of the written test wrong and still pass. You can also usually take it as many times as you like. The driving test in many areas requires little more than the ability to drive a few blocks without hitting anything.

09-16-2003, 12:18 PM	#55 (permalink)
jbrooks544 Addict	Don't forget the 300M and Bonneville. Both very good cars. There are many american cars that are more powerful and better handling than their Euro or Japanese bretheren. There are some great Euro and Japanese cars too. Typically the American (or Canadian) cars equal or exceed Euro cars costing more than twice as much.