Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Cars we have owned, was: Just A Car Geek

[Jim Conforti (lndshrk]

At 08:42 AM 1/25/2009, you wrote:
> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 5:51 PM, Jim Conforti <lndshrk [at] xmission.com> wrote:
>
> > 1998 Lotus Esprit V8 - LNDSHRK "the sequel" - traded in on Lisa's 2001 M3
> >
>
> Would like to hear more about the V8 Esprit....definitely an underrated cool
> exotic.

  It's a unique car for sure.

  It's fatal flaw is that the transmission might as well be made of glass.

  (but then just about every exotic car - save the 328 - has fatal flaws)

  Syncros fail and then boom goes the entire box - that'll be $18,000 please

  (as of about 2000 - that was the price)

  Better to get a Quaife sequential and be done w/ it.

  There is actually a setup that fits perfectly - not cheap, but worth it.

> > 2006 Corvette Z06 - made GM buy this flawed piece of shit back!
>
>
> Flawed POS as in that particular car you purchased....let it be clear on the
> list that you're not badmouthing the Z06 in general. :)

  Oh, the Z06 (in general) is fine.

  IF you can handle the GM/Chevy "ownership experience".

  It's the one I had, and GM as a corporation - they suck beyond words.

  How they stand behind (or rather that they don't) their products when
  something goes wrong on their watch.

  I was lucky enough to have a friend who used to work for GM corporate
  and was able to get me in touch w/ Ed Peper the Gen Mgr of Chevy.

  This was after Rick Wagoners office told me to "GFY".

  The car was damaged sometime before delivery to me as a new car.

  I only found out because there was a recall on the roof.

> > 2000 BMW M Roadster - another one - bought it for Lisa as it exactly
> >                       matched the one I got her when we were engaged.
>
>
> What will it take to get that 343 hp M3 motor from the euro spec cars? Or
> did this car have it?

  The 2001/2002 had the "real" motor. S54B32

  The 2000 has the basic US-only 240hp S52B32 motor.

  BTW, the 343 is DIN HP which is 338 SAE HP - the placement of the
  catalysts reduces this to 333 SAE HP for USA - which BMW as a corporation
  electronically limits to 315 SAE HP in the roadster.

  Can't have the roadster be quicker than the E46 M3 now can we ;)

> > 2009 BMW M3 Sedan - LNDSHRK #3 - my car - Sparking Graphite on black
>
>
> So be honest, how is this new M3? Is it a Nurburgring tuned Lexus? Looks
> that way...

  I love it.  Miles beyond the E46, which was miles beyond the E36.

  Is it more 'refined' - sure.  the 4dr feels a lot like a smaller E39 M5.

  But it's still one of the most enjoyable ways to get 4 people from
  point a to point b in minimal time.