[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Uscray

At least the Lexus has top of the line reliability, resale value and smooth quiet ride.

The first two are definitely nice-to-haves. The third isn't what I look for in a motor vehicle.

[Uscray]

Originally Posted by dradernh

The first two are definitely nice-to-haves. The third isn't what I look for in a motor vehicle.

Well that is why I like toyota products for the family ride. Works great for the wife and vacation trips.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by peteyrx7

Every time I buy a new car I insist that the dealer not drill the front bumper to install a plate. With new M3/M4, I'd ask how many plates they can fit up front. I'd have them make Swiss cheese out of it with drill holes to cover that front end.

Originally Posted by peteyrx7

Every time I buy a new car I insist that the dealer not drill the front bumper to install a plate. With new M3/M4, I'd ask how many plates they can fit up front. I'd have them make Swiss cheese out of it with drill holes to cover that front end.

Use this

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Uscray

At least the Lexus has top of the line reliability, resale value and smooth quiet ride.

All true. It's probably the best luxury transportation appliance for those most concerned about where they are going and least concerned with how much fun they have driving there. Every brand has its' market.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by Uscray

At least the Lexus has top of the line reliability, resale value and smooth quiet ride.

Maybe so, but give Lexus another couple of years and the entire front bumper, hood and front quarter panels will be one giant grille.

[Uscray]

Originally Posted by harma24

Maybe so, but give Lexus another couple of years and the entire front bumper, hood and front quarter panels will be one giant grille.

I also understand the problem with the grill. It is also the problem with a lot of new models including BMW. The is why I just replaced my F22 with an F87. Maybe the big grills will grow on me with time.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by Uscray

I also understand the problem with the grill. It is also the problem with a lot of new models including BMW. The is why I just replaced my F22 with an F87. Maybe the big grills will grow on me with time.

Like the Bangle butt, I'm hoping it is a trend that dies an inglorious death.

[TonM3]

Damnit. I had consoled myself in knowing that as a fallback there was always the Miata for a convertible stick shift fun to drive car. Mazda just announced the next Miata will be "electrified" which by default will eliminate the manual transmission.
"Mazda Confirms Next-Gen MX-5 Miata Will Electrified" https://www-motor1-com.cdn.ampprojec...id-electric%2F

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by TonM3

Damnit. I had consoled myself in knowing that as a fallback there was always the Miata for a convertible stick shift fun to drive car. Mazda just announced the next Miata will be "electrified" which by default will eliminate the manual transmission.
"Mazda Confirms Next-Gen MX-5 Miata Will Electrified" https://www-motor1-com.cdn.ampprojec...id-electric%2F

It does not eliminate the manual transmission. It will be "electrified" meaning it will have some sort of electrical component such as a Mild-Hybrid for example, it will not be a full electric vehicle (yet), there will still be an engine which can be paired to a manual transmission, (manual hybrids are rare but do exist) and since the Miata likely has one of the highest take rates for manuals, Mazda will be sure to keep their client base while preparing for the future and keeping the ethos of the Miata.

Official Statement by Mazda:

Originally Posted by Mazda

Mazda is seeking to electrify the MX-5 Miata in an effort to have all models feature a form of electrification by 2030. We will work hard to make it a lightweight, affordable, open two-seater sports car in order to meet the needs of customers.

[BCM240]

I love this car idc what other people think!!

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by BCM240

I love this car idc what other people think!!

Originally Posted by BCM240

I love this car idc what other people think!!

It is a car that performs well but is ugly. Ugly like the Bangle Butt was ugly (but worse). people defended that also but now it is recognized as a mistake.
When this messed up grill styling is gone the same thing will happen.

[Unicorn123]

I have to admit, this is a very entertaining thread...!

As some of you saw in a post on maintenance a few weeks back, I was briefly considering abandoning my cheap-ass Yankee ways and buying a new M3 to get back into a DD with a stick. I was saved by an opportunity to purchase a low mileage Z4M from a local owner here in CT and remain solvent, thankfully. As I am about to turn over 6 digits on my M235, I will continue to be a cheapskate and stick with the 300K mile plan for it as despite the 8 Speed Auto, it really is a great ride and an excellent commuter car.

This said, I am struggling to understand why the grill is such a big deal. I am not going to "not buy" (I know, double negative...) a BMW due to an ugly grill. I agree it is not as aesthetically pleasing as the previous design but at the end of the day, it is about the driving experience IMHO. As was pointed out earlier in the thread, park it so you can't see it or develop a work-around. I typically enter my car from the rear so I would only see it occasionally. As a BMW Tech told me recently, it is very intimidating to see those grills coming up on you; he got dusted by a new M3 here on I-91 (he has a modded B8 S4, no slouch in it own right) and said the grill coming in his rear view was really cool and a bit terrifying. I had to laugh and agreed with him.

Look at it as a way to scare the clowns clogging up the left lane on the highway who have no lane discipline. That gaping kidney may actually be an asset... My two cents...

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Uscray

Well that is why I like toyota products for the family ride. Works great for the wife and vacation trips.

I hear you. Toyota is why I went with Tundras when I lived where DDing trucks made the most sense: home on a rural dirt/gravel road, very steep drive up to the house, hilly/mountainous terrain on nearby public roads & highways, and, just to top it all off, some remarkably brutal Nor'easters in the winter.

I owned both generations of Tundra. The wife rolled the Gen 1 unit on the highway on the first black ice day of 2007. That meant I had an excuse to buy a Gen 2 unit, which was so much improved over Gen 1 that, experientially, and practically, its useful value to this owner was double what the Gen 1 unit had offered.

Fun fact: I paid $2K less for the much more useful Gen 2 unit than I had paid 7 years earlier for the Gen 1 unit. Plus, both were pretty inexpensive. Is this a great country, or what!?!

For this (former, and still extremely impressed) owner: Toyota, and Tundra, FTW.

Originally Posted by Unicorn123

Look at it as a way to scare the clowns clogging up the left lane on the highway who have no lane discipline.

My god, if the new grille can achieve that seemingly impossible feat, selling like hotcakes won't begin to describe how quickly they'll fly off dealers' lots!

On that same general subject, as leading-edge manufacturers such as BMW continue to load their new models with more and more frou-frou, perhaps they can incorporate a proven-to-be-annoying tone into the mix so as to alert left-lane bandits that they've failed to look in any of their rear view mirrors during, say, the previous 5(?) seconds. Such a tone would, of course, need to be undefeatable.