[D$]

I think now is the time to think about how cars like the STi might rewrite the performance car market as we know it. Hear me out:

Notice I say "cars like the STi" when really there isn't much in the way of cars like the STi right now. However, when I pre-ordered my WRX in late 2000 the sports car landscape looked absolutely nothing like it does today barely over two years later.

Now, we have the WRX, the 350Z, the Evo, the SRT-4 to name just a few. Hell people, even Saturn is about to release a forced induction car with 200 ponies. Seeing the numbers putting the STi in the same performance class (roughly) as the E46 M3 and other cars that cost over $100k like some of the Porches begs many questions.

There will always be prestige to a car like an M3 or a 911 Turbo, but doesn't it change the landscape a bit when an average joe can have a 300HP, 13 second car? Won't some of these vehicles begin to have trouble justifying their price points?


PS: Its a great time to be a car lover

 

[amdmaxx]

Next M3 gonna be 400 hp+ and MAYBE awd.. It will def. be faster than todays STi..
2005 M5 is 500+ hp from a 5.5 v10 (no forced induction of any kind)...
S55 AMG and S600 from MB have 500hp and 500 and 600 torque... STi performance territory, while having millions of gadgets, luxury and prestige..
Market for hot imports not going anywhere.. It is gonna stay the same, they just have to keep UPping the speed/features...

I read about next gen. S class. Extremely loaded with features.. U pretty much wont have to be in the car soon. It will go anywhere by itself.. almost.. lol...

 

[crazytrain]

U pretty much wont have to be in the car soon. It will go anywhere by itself.. almost.. lol...

Don't say things like that! Even if it's true, I don't want to think of not being in (or in control of) a car. I'm a driver, and I want to drive!

 

[alfredob1]

It'll be like that HP commercial with R. Schumacher and Montoya controlling their F1 cars from the benches with remote controls.

 

[X-Japan]

It'll be like that HP commercial with R. Schumacher and Montoya controlling their F1 cars from the benches with remote controls.

speaking of this. Anyone here seen the Anime OVA series called "Ex-Driver"? Well its about a parallel future in japan where people no longer drive cars(sorta like in Minority Report). All cars are run by a computer mainframe system on electric roadways. Nobody knows how to drive a car anymore cause all they do is get in and say where they are going and the car goes there while obeying all traffic laws and speed limits. Can you guys ever imagine a world like that. OH GOD I WOULD DIE!!
Just a little tidbit. Peace!!

 

[MKIVSupra]

While that would make my commutes a little more bearable and long drives more enjoyable, it would take away one of the things I enjoy the most. To me driving, racing, even detailing, cars in general, is a hobby. I would have a lot more free time thats for sure.

 

[HunterA]

Re: STi Turbo

Has anyone heard of the new CL65 AMG? I mean honestly a 6.5 Liter V-12 Twin turbo. Running 2.5 bars of boost.

 

[X-Japan]

STi or 2004 wrx?

Has anyone heard of the new CL65 AMG? I mean honestly a 6.5 Liter V-12 Twin turbo. Running 2.5 bars of boost.

I hate mercedes. They are so over the top. BMW's are better cars period...and they cost less too.

 

[D$]

Mercedes also does not have manual transmissions in most of their high end, nor do they have an SMG style system ala BMW. Bah to automatics and torque converters!

 

[amdmaxx]

yep, MB sux for not keeping up, but that is gonna change in a year or 2. MB is working on their own SMG type transmission. From what I heard it will be closer to Audi's system though... clutchless manual..