Car Talk 6: Best of times and Worst of Times

[max225]

I just want a C8 with 10K on the hood.

I want them to build Z06s non stop, so they'll be attainable on the used market in a couple of years. I think I've written off GT3s as ever being obtainable, but there's a chance enough Z06s are made that they'll depreciate quite a bit when the next hot thing comes out.

It seems like a regular C8 with the proper options at 80k or so in a fun color is a far better bet. Flat crank be damned. Deep 6 figures for a WETTE+ attempting to send someones children for private school for 3 years is not my idea of fun.

[CaleDeRoo]

Escalade is not out of the question, but for the price I'm looking at, I'd have to go older and higher miles.
60-65k is about where I'd like to land.

I did look at the German and Japanese offerings. The Sequoia is about the most comparable in regards to tow rating (Yes, some of the Mercs can tow, but are $$$, also large Merc outside of warranty is a no.) but the Sequoia feels really cheap inside compared to the GM offerings.

The new GX is rated at 9000lbs. Too bad they're going to be unobtainium for a bit.

[MrH42]

I want them to build Z06s non stop, so they'll be attainable on the used market in a couple of years. I think I've written off GT3s as ever being obtainable, but there's a chance enough Z06s are made that they'll depreciate quite a bit when the next hot thing comes out.

It seems like a regular C8 with the proper options at 80k or so in a fun color is a far better bet. Flat crank be damned. Deep 6 figures for a WETTE+ attempting to send someones children for private school for 3 years is not my idea of fun.

Public school + big bad Vette sounds like the correct answer.

A new Z06 the way I'd want it is like $135k. Maybe in 3-5 years, a mint one gets down in the $70s?

[Desertbreh]

It seems like a regular C8 with the proper options at 80k or so in a fun color is a far better bet. Flat crank be damned. Deep 6 figures for a WETTE+ attempting to send someones children for private school for 3 years is not my idea of fun.

Public school + big bad Vette sounds like the correct answer.

A new Z06 the way I'd want it is like $135k. Maybe in 3-5 years, a mint one gets down in the $70s?

2015 called and it wants your dreams back.

[Melon2.0]

The new GX is rated at 9000lbs. Too bad they're going to be unobtainium for a bit.

Never been much of a Lexus fan. IDK why, they don't do it for me.

[Desertbreh]

The new GX is rated at 9000lbs. Too bad they're going to be unobtainium for a bit.

Never been much of a Lexus fan. IDK why, they don't do it for me.

The ones with the monster spindle grills are heinous.

[Melon2.0]

The ones with the monster spindle grills are heinous.

[Melon2.0]

So, Yukon get a seal of approval as long as I don't buy one at the wrong time?

[max225]

So, Yukon get a seal of approval as long as I don't buy one at the wrong time?

been shopping them a bit also but I refused to pay Land Rover money for a domestic.

[Desertbreh]

So, Yukon get a seal of approval as long as I don't buy one at the wrong time?

Of course. It's the only luxury SUV that tows like a real truck because it is one and is relatively inexpensive to maintain/is a 250K mile truck easy in a non-rust climate/with proper maintenance.
The L87/10 speed combo is thirsty (of course it is, 420hp in a 5700 lb. SUV) but proven. The only achilles heel seems to be the DFM issues in higher mileage trucks......there is a delete for that
https://sdparts.com/i-24529275-l87-dod- ... gines.html. I stay way ahead on oil changes because of this issue and I would buy a used truck that has documented oil changes as well.

The internet is awash in "DFM Delete, to do or not to do" threads. In my truck it rarely goes on because I am either driving it around town or hammering on it pretty good getting down to MX, which is a hilly/mountainous drive. So not much V4 action going down. The swamp will be different.

[Melon2.0]

The only achilles heel seems to be the DFM issues in higher mileage trucks.....

The age of trucks I'm looking at are within warranty and, I'm not opposed to purchasing an extended warranty or just paying a shop to do this work.
I'm well aware of the AFM issues, oddly enough the LT1 in the 1LE has all the same hardware it's just not activated in the ECU because it's a manual.

[Desertbreh]

The only achilles heel seems to be the DFM issues in higher mileage trucks.....

The age of trucks I'm looking at are within warranty and, I'm not opposed to purchasing an extended warranty or just paying a shop to do this work.
I'm well aware of the AFM issues, oddly enough the LT1 in the 1LE has all the same hardware it's just not activated in the ECU because it's a manual.

Understood I'm just talking about future ownership issues.

[Huckleberry]

The AFM can be turned off in the tune, which helps keep the lifters alive. I had it turned off on my 2008 Silverado and had no lifter issues through 125k when I traded it in on the GTI.

[Melon2.0]

Understood I'm just talking about future ownership issues.

Appreciate the heads up all the same.
They seems fairly robust in most other departments.

[CaleDeRoo]

I saw another Emira today. This time in yellow.

[Desertbreh]

Understood I'm just talking about future ownership issues.

Appreciate the heads up all the same.
They seems fairly robust in most other departments.

I have a 2003 5.3 I would drive to Maine tomorrow.

[Desertbreh]

I saw another Emira today. This time in yellow.

They are hot cars. The only major gripe C/D had about it was the shifter, if I recall........balky, long throws.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a4 ... mira-test/

[CaleDeRoo]

I saw another Emira today. This time in yellow.

They are hot cars. The only major gripe C/D had about it was the shifter, if I recall........balky, long throws.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a4 ... mira-test/

I've seen multiple outlets or people say the same. IIRC Lotus is aware and trying to make it better

[Desertbreh]

They are hot cars. The only major gripe C/D had about it was the shifter, if I recall........balky, long throws.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a4 ... mira-test/

I've seen multiple outlets or people say the same. IIRC Lotus is aware and trying to make it better

It seems like a dumb thing to mess up in a Lotus.

[max225]

I really really want to love the lotus since it has :
1. Amazing looks
2. Great driving dynamics
3. Decent powertrain
4. Reasonable price for what it is

But somehow … I just can’t. I would rather C8 I think… and I don’t truly love that car either. Ugh I can’t put a reasonable explanation against it

[Desertbreh]

I really really want to love the lotus since it has :
1. Amazing looks
2. Great driving dynamics
3. Decent powertrain
4. Reasonable price for what it is

But somehow … I just can’t. I would rather C8 I think… and I don’t truly love that car either. Ugh I can’t put a reasonable explanation against it

The C8 should look better than it does. There is some Pontiac Grand Am Plastic genome in that thing. Also I wouldn't own one for a week without tossing the square tipped exhaust and installing BROLA.

[max225]

I really really want to love the lotus since it has :
1. Amazing looks
2. Great driving dynamics
3. Decent powertrain
4. Reasonable price for what it is

But somehow … I just can’t. I would rather C8 I think… and I don’t truly love that car either. Ugh I can’t put a reasonable explanation against it

The C8 should look better than it does. There is some Pontiac Grand Am Plastic genome in that thing. Also I wouldn't own one for a week without tossing the square tipped exhaust and installing BROLA.

Yep the square exhaust has to go. Easy enough fix. And the auto tragic only is also a bit as well as the weird interior layout...

Meanwhile a decent Carrera T that sounds like a blender is $135k which is completely unreasonable IMO. And a GT3 is 210k + several Monaco vacations for the mistress and her pool buy.

So one car is too expensive and the other is just... not that desirable.

I keep coming back to a M2 or a GT86. The GT86 at 33k is just an absolute steal IMO. even with a performance pack with sachs dampers and bremBROs you're still only out 34.7k. I love the M2 styling (shoot me) and the performance seems great... but 4k lbs and almost 70k after tax seems for something that well off high school students drive.

[Melon2.0]

The C8 should look better than it does. There is some Pontiac Grand Am Plastic genome in that thing. Also I wouldn't own one for a week without tossing the square tipped exhaust and installing BROLA.

Yep the square exhaust has to go. Easy enough fix. And the auto tragic only is also a bit as well as the weird interior layout...

Meanwhile a decent Carrera T that sounds like a blender is $135k which is completely unreasonable IMO. And a GT3 is 210k + several Monaco vacations for the mistress and her pool buy.

So one car is too expensive and the other is just... not that desirable.

I keep coming back to a M2 or a GT86. The GT86 at 33k is just an absolute steal IMO. even with a performance pack with sachs dampers and bremBROs you're still only out 34.7k. I love the M2 styling (shoot me) and the performance seems great... but 4k lbs and almost 70k after tax seems for something that well off high school students drive.

Join the brubsquad. 1LE.

[Desertbreh]

The C8 should look better than it does. There is some Pontiac Grand Am Plastic genome in that thing. Also I wouldn't own one for a week without tossing the square tipped exhaust and installing BROLA.

Yep the square exhaust has to go. Easy enough fix. And the auto tragic only is also a bit as well as the weird interior layout...

Meanwhile a decent Carrera T that sounds like a blender is $135k which is completely unreasonable IMO. And a GT3 is 210k + several Monaco vacations for the mistress and her pool buy.

So one car is too expensive and the other is just... not that desirable.

I keep coming back to a M2 or a GT86. The GT86 at 33k is just an absolute steal IMO. even with a performance pack with sachs dampers and bremBROs you're still only out 34.7k. I love the M2 styling (shoot me) and the performance seems great... but 4k lbs and almost 70k after tax seems for something that well off high school students drive.

C7Z

[Melon2.0]

Either way, Chevy V8 is the answer.