Car Talk 6: Best of times and Worst of Times

[D Griff]

I mean, it's no more/less seppuku than a Pilot, Highlander, etc. Just not really my thing, I don't care for these large vehicles unless I'm actually hauling shit.

Not like it really matters, I barely drive my own car and most of my miles are accrued in rentals.

By the way, after a week all over NJ and NYC in a Toyota Crown... It's a pretty nice car but I barely remember it four days later, just not really interesting. Good Avalon if that's your thing. I don't really have enough positive or negative to write a review. It's a very comfortable and effective car. The adaptive cruise worked pretty well/better than average and was appreciated in Lincoln Tunnel traffic where it took an hour to go five miles from Secaucus to Midtown. Lane keep was trash like every other car's.

Oh right, I forgot to ask about that rental! Super random vehicle to have available, but I'm glad you could try it for a few days.

Nothing memorable about the Camry either, but it has some kind of inner peace offering that I didn't experience with the and . Because it's so vanilla and utilitarian, the inevitable beatings that my cars take don't hurt the feelz. It allows me to focus more on other shit slung my way.

The only way I'd see myself with a fun car again is down the road when finances allow, and I have the time to truly enjoy them. A GR86 or other slow fast car are cool, so are newer Gen corvettes, but I'm afraid that I'll be a grey/no haired old guy that people would label as a midlife crisis example. Meh, May still doe.

You should

I've had many a rental Cammie and I think I'd buy one of those over a Crown. It's just 95% of the utility for a lower price and IMO also looks better. The Crown is kind of uggo, although the interior is certainly a step up in moderness.

[D Griff]

I mean, it's no more/less seppuku than a Pilot, Highlander, etc. Just not really my thing, I don't care for these large vehicles unless I'm actually hauling shit.

Not like it really matters, I barely drive my own car and most of my miles are accrued in rentals.

By the way, after a week all over NJ and NYC in a Toyota Crown... It's a pretty nice car but I barely remember it four days later, just not really interesting. Good Avalon if that's your thing. I don't really have enough positive or negative to write a review. It's a very comfortable and effective car. The adaptive cruise worked pretty well/better than average and was appreciated in Lincoln Tunnel traffic where it took an hour to go five miles from Secaucus to Midtown. Lane keep was trash like every other car's.

Oh right, I forgot to ask about that rental! Super random vehicle to have available, but I'm glad you could try it for a few days.

Nothing memorable about the Camry either, but it has some kind of inner peace offering that I didn't experience with the and . Because it's so vanilla and utilitarian, the inevitable beatings that my cars take don't hurt the feelz. It allows me to focus more on other shit slung my way.

The only way I'd see myself with a fun car again is down the road when finances allow, and I have the time to truly enjoy them. A GR86 or other slow fast car are cool, so are newer Gen corvettes, but I'm afraid that I'll be a grey/no haired old guy that people would label as a midlife crisis example. Meh, May still doe.

You should

I've had many a rental Cammie and I think I'd buy one of those over a Crown. It's just 95% of the utility for a lower price and IMO also looks better. The Crown is kind of uggo, although the interior is certainly a step up in moderness.

[Tar]

Yeah it's ugly, probably trying to embody some Bentley vibe or something. Why not just buy a Benzo at that price tag. I bed they won't sell many

[MrH42]

I liked the idea of it. It's packaged so poorly though. No discernable improvement in interior space over a Camry, much more expensive and bigger. I don't really get it. The new 2025 Camry Hybrid should cannibalize it.

The Crown Signia wagon looks great though. The Crown sedan can die.

[D Griff]

Speaking of, anyone know who this is/think they're legit? I haven't approved the user as I'm having a hard time believing it's real.

[CaleDeRoo]

Speaking of, anyone know who this is/think they're legit? I haven't approved the user as I'm having a hard time believing it's real.

Jeez Dan how much fun did you have that weekend

[max225]

Speaking of, anyone know who this is/think they're legit? I haven't approved the user as I'm having a hard time believing it's real.

Not me... Maybe it's someone from our past attempting to "troll" us with their greatness.

[D Griff]

I think I'll approve and see what happens

If it's a bot, I can always

[max225]

I think I'll approve and see what happens

If it's a bot, I can always

The fact that it says Toyota Crown tells me it is something a bit more than a "bot"

[CaleDeRoo]

It's the current renter of the crown

[Johnny_P]

My friend in PA has one. A premium plus PHEV and after 1500mi he and his wife are fawning over it.

Here's his post on TCL

https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/mazda- ... w.9546461/

Dude did a great write up. And I think he would fit in here well.

That said over 60 large for a Mazda full of unobtanium one off electronics and engineering that will be 5k in a few years is financial suicide no matter how much “value” it presents over something else that might bear a luxury badge.

There’s that too. Mazdas don’t hold value well. Where the pilot will be worth more when you go to sell it later. But some cost to enjoy the vehicle you’re driving every day seems reasonable.

[max225]

For shits and giggles. $76,000
Exterior

Isle of Man Green metallic
$650
19"/20" M Double-spoke Black Wheels, Style 826M with Performance Non Run-flat Tires
$1,300
Interior

Kyalami Orange/Black Extended Merino Leather
—
Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
—
Options

Parking Assistance Package
$700
M Compound Brakes with Red Calipers
—
Drive Recorder
$100
Front ventilated seats
$350
M Shadowline Lights
$300
Additional Costs

Destination & Handling
$995
Total Price (MSRP)
$80,395

M3 spec that I'd like







2024 M2 Coupe
$63,200
Exterior

Zandvoort Blue
—
19"/20" M Alloy Double-spoke Jet Black Wheels, Style 930M with Mixed Tires
—
Interior

Black Vernasca Leather with M Color Highlight
—
Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
$150
Options

Lighting Package
$650
Shadowline Package
$300
Manual transmission
—
M Carbon Roof
$2,600
Additional Costs

Destination & Handling
$995
Total Price (MSRP)
$67,895





if the m3 is worth the premium over the m2... but having a rear seat and an actual gas tank vs the 13 gallon piss bucket would be nice.

[Johnny_P]

For shits and giggles. $76,000
Exterior

Isle of Man Green metallic
$650
19"/20" M Double-spoke Black Wheels, Style 826M with Performance Non Run-flat Tires
$1,300
Interior

Kyalami Orange/Black Extended Merino Leather
—
Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
—
Options

Parking Assistance Package
$700
M Compound Brakes with Red Calipers
—
Drive Recorder
$100
Front ventilated seats
$350
M Shadowline Lights
$300
Additional Costs

Destination & Handling
$995
Total Price (MSRP)
$80,395

M3 spec that I'd like







2024 M2 Coupe
$63,200
Exterior

Zandvoort Blue
—
19"/20" M Alloy Double-spoke Jet Black Wheels, Style 930M with Mixed Tires
—
Interior

Black Vernasca Leather with M Color Highlight
—
Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
$150
Options

Lighting Package
$650
Shadowline Package
$300
Manual transmission
—
M Carbon Roof
$2,600
Additional Costs

Destination & Handling
$995
Total Price (MSRP)
$67,895





if the m3 is worth the premium over the m2... but having a rear seat and an actual gas tank vs the 13 gallon piss bucket would be nice.

Both are sweet. I saw an M2 recently. I’m warming up to the design. But with a kid a usable back seat with rear door access is key. So I’d be on team M3.

[Gberg2119]

For shits and giggles. $76,000
Exterior

Isle of Man Green metallic
$650
19"/20" M Double-spoke Black Wheels, Style 826M with Performance Non Run-flat Tires
$1,300
Interior

Kyalami Orange/Black Extended Merino Leather
—
Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
—
Options

Parking Assistance Package
$700
M Compound Brakes with Red Calipers
—
Drive Recorder
$100
Front ventilated seats
$350
M Shadowline Lights
$300
Additional Costs

Destination & Handling
$995
Total Price (MSRP)
$80,395

M3 spec that I'd like







2024 M2 Coupe
$63,200
Exterior

Zandvoort Blue
—
19"/20" M Alloy Double-spoke Jet Black Wheels, Style 930M with Mixed Tires
—
Interior

Black Vernasca Leather with M Color Highlight
—
Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
$150
Options

Lighting Package
$650
Shadowline Package
$300
Manual transmission
—
M Carbon Roof
$2,600
Additional Costs

Destination & Handling
$995
Total Price (MSRP)
$67,895





if the m3 is worth the premium over the m2... but having a rear seat and an actual gas tank vs the 13 gallon piss bucket would be nice.

Both are sweet. I saw an M2 recently. I’m warming up to the design. But with a kid a usable back seat with rear door access is key. So I’d be on team M3.

[Desertbreh]

For shits and giggles. $76,000
Exterior

Isle of Man Green metallic
$650
19"/20" M Double-spoke Black Wheels, Style 826M with Performance Non Run-flat Tires
$1,300
Interior

Kyalami Orange/Black Extended Merino Leather
—
Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
—
Options

Parking Assistance Package
$700
M Compound Brakes with Red Calipers
—
Drive Recorder
$100
Front ventilated seats
$350
M Shadowline Lights
$300
Additional Costs

Destination & Handling
$995
Total Price (MSRP)
$80,395

M3 spec that I'd like







2024 M2 Coupe
$63,200
Exterior

Zandvoort Blue
—
19"/20" M Alloy Double-spoke Jet Black Wheels, Style 930M with Mixed Tires
—
Interior

Black Vernasca Leather with M Color Highlight
—
Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite
$150
Options

Lighting Package
$650
Shadowline Package
$300
Manual transmission
—
M Carbon Roof
$2,600
Additional Costs

Destination & Handling
$995
Total Price (MSRP)
$67,895





if the m3 is worth the premium over the m2... but having a rear seat and an actual gas tank vs the 13 gallon piss bucket would be nice.

Both are sweet. I saw an M2 recently. I’m warming up to the design. But with a kid a usable back seat with rear door access is key. So I’d be on team M3.

Yep. CF=M3

[max225]

Thoughts on color combo ?

[Desertbreh]

Thoughts on color combo ?

Isle of Man and your interior posted above works for me.

[Gberg2119]

I think I'd opt for the lasers too. This is the last year for them and you can code them to work like they do in europe.

[Desertbreh]

I think I'd opt for the lasers too. This is the last year for them and you can code them to work like they do in europe.

What is the difference between U.S. laser use and European laser use?

[max225]

I think I'd opt for the lasers too. This is the last year for them and you can code them to work like they do in europe.

What is the difference between U.S. laser use and European laser use?

Probs pointed more at the ground in the us vs performing retinal surgery in Europe.

[Gberg2119]

I think I'd opt for the lasers too. This is the last year for them and you can code them to work like they do in europe.

What is the difference between U.S. laser use and European laser use?

This was a good video I found a while back on how the adaptive function works. It sort of forms a shadow around nearby cars so it doesn't blind them while projecting light everywhere else.

[D Griff]

Thoughts on color combo ?

It's what I'd pick as well, it is hot.

[D Griff]

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What is the difference between U.S. laser use and European laser use?

Probs pointed more at the ground in the us vs performing retinal surgery in Europe.

I think Europe allows for beam forming which hopefully eliminates retinal surgery. I absolutely hate driving at night anymore and I actually think today's modern headlights here have made it more dangerous. I literally have blinding lights directly at eye level at all times because everyone is in a monster with ridiculous lights.

[max225]

Probs pointed more at the ground in the us vs performing retinal surgery in Europe.

I think Europe allows for beam forming which hopefully eliminates retinal surgery. I absolutely hate driving at night anymore and I actually think today's modern headlights here have made it more dangerous. I literally have blinding lights directly at eye level at all times because everyone is in a monster with ridiculous lights.

Yep. Cars are ruined … I live on a dark 2 lane road with no street lighting … and it’s uneven … I literally get HID/LEDs straight to the back of the brain right after it gets dark.

[wap]

I think I'll approve and see what happens

If it's a bot, I can always

The fact that it says Toyota Crown tells me it is something a bit more than a "bot"

Yea, it's someone who's reading/following this thread.