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The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream

55 messages,  Last post on Sep 11, 2008 at 3:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Automotive News, Coupe, Truck, Sedan


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#12 of 55
Re: A common thread [Mr_Shiftright] by michaell
Aug 15, 2008 (12:16 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 15, 2008 12:06 pm)

Back when I traveled for business, I was lucky to be able to rent a convertible a few times - usually a Mustang (previous generation) and Sebring.
 
Neither one would be considered real sporty, but I had no problems fitting into either one of them.
 
A few years ago at the auto show, I sat in most of the current German roadsters - SLK, Z4, Boxster, TT. The only one I felt truly comfortable in was the BMW. The seat went back far enough and I wasn't looking over the windshield.
 
Another car that was disappointing to me was the first-gen Pontiac Vibe. In some respects, it was a very nice car - good rear seat room. However, the driving experience was not that great. Granted, we drove an AWD version, which only comes with the automatic. Slow, slow, slow.
 
Now, the new generation with the 2.4L engine might be a bit better.
#13 of 55
Re: The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream [Mr_Shiftright] by lemmer
Aug 18, 2008 (1:19 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 09, 2008 8:30 am)

I'll second the TT. My wife had an Integra at the time. The Integra was faster, roomier, and far more fun to drive. The TT felt and drove like a mid-sized family car with an incredibly small passenger compartment.
 
My classic car dream was ruined by an early '60s Vette with a base engine. It drove like a '60s Chevy truck that had been lowered to the ground.
#14 of 55
Re: The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream [lemmer] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Aug 18, 2008 (2:52 pm)
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Replying to: lemmer (Aug 18, 2008 1:19 pm)

That's because a 60s Vette WAS a Chevy truck that was lowered to the ground--LOL!
 
Can you imagine those big blocks with no power steering, and leaf springs to hop around on, and side pipes to roast your butt? Phew! Rough ride!
#15 of 55
Re: A common thread [michaell] by fezo
Aug 18, 2008 (5:29 pm)
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Replying to: michaell (Aug 15, 2008 12:16 pm)

I have to admit that my old Sebring was a perfectly comfortable convertible. A bit of a slug and a perfectly average car with a great stereo but well though out in terms of having the top down.
 
Of course I am short and it had the same problem as my Celica in that respect - if I lean my arm out my elbow has to come up almost to my shoulder!
#16 of 55
Re: The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream [Mr_Shiftright] by wesleyg
Aug 19, 2008 (5:06 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 18, 2008 2:52 pm)

You sparked a memory there, In 1970 my best friend sold me his 1969 Vette convertible, dark bronze in color, sporting a 427, 4 speed etc. Since I had already owned two other big block Vettes, a 62 and a 65, I bought this sight unseen. Get out my way.
 
Pick it up, it's mint, about 8000 miles on her. NO POWER STEERING. Now I'm a small guy, 155 lbs, and with tears in my eyes I sold it after two months, could not drive it. A 427 sitting between the front wheels steers like a cement truck overloaded.
#17 of 55
Re: The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream [wesleyg] by lemmer
Aug 19, 2008 (5:09 am)
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Replying to: wesleyg (Aug 19, 2008 5:06 am)

I bet it was really fun to go straight in that old beast. Probably sounded pretty good too.
#18 of 55
Re: The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream [lemmer] by wesleyg
Aug 19, 2008 (5:28 am)
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Replying to: lemmer (Aug 19, 2008 5:09 am)

You could only go straight, no options to turn, but boy would it go straight. Also jump out of the drivers seat after driving it, if you hit the side pipes with your ankles, you could smell flesh burning.
 
To this day, who in their right mind would order this without power steering, it was probably only a $65.00 option in that time.
#19 of 55
Re: The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream [wesleyg] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Aug 19, 2008 (6:44 am)
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Replying to: wesleyg (Aug 19, 2008 5:28 am)

If we presumed that in today's money the 69 would have cost 10X, or around $47,000, then the $105 p/s option would be about a $1,000 option today.
#20 of 55
Re: The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream [Mr_Shiftright] by wesleyg
Aug 19, 2008 (6:56 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 19, 2008 6:44 am)

Well, putting it in that context, I can at least see the thought in someone's mind, but it would have been easier to drive with 3 tires rather than without the p/s option.
#21 of 55
Re: The Test Drive That Shattered Your Dream [wesleyg] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Aug 19, 2008 (7:22 am)
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Replying to: wesleyg (Aug 19, 2008 6:56 am)

Many cars in the 60s were bought specifically to street race, so maybe that's what the owner had in mind.
 
Road testing the "classic cars of our dreams" is often a shock, although occasionally one is pleasantly surprised. "It depends". But let's face it, 60s American muscle cars were crude things.

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