Nothing I really want from Paris

[Crusoe]

Anyone else getting a bit disheartened with the new offerings, used to be I would go to some of the car shows and be interested in the latest cars thinking that even if I couldn't afford one now in a few years time second hand they might be attainable. Almost all the ones with interesting engines are DSG semi auto with too much weight or silly hybrid electric things.

Might have to save up for a manual 911 GT3 in a few years time. Rather depressing with lotus etc. going that route too.

[Chris71]

Well, in a few years you may well only have a choice between one of these silly hybrid electric things:


Or one of these hybrid electric things:


Put that way, I think hybrid powertrains and high-efficiency DSG boxes for sports cars are extremely interesting.

[Crusoe]

Interesting yes and impressive engineering but I don't want to own and maintain one, not even that interested if I was offered a test drive either TBO.

[Chris71]

Crusoe said:

Interesting yes and impressive engineering but I don't want to own and maintain one, not even that interested if I was offered a test drive either TBO.

Pretty soon you might not have a lot of choice.

I know it's a bit unfair that performance cars, which account for a tiny proportion of vehicles on the road, get caught up in these regulations, but already manufacturers are having to turn to these measures simply to meet emissions regulations. There'll probably never be another manual Ferrari, for example. Ever.

That's sad, but, continuing that analogy, we can either witness the death of the prancing horse or see them turning to DSG 'boxes and KERS.

And you seriously wouldn't even be curious if someone offered you a spin in a 780bhp 205mph jet-powered supercar? ...Really?

[Crusoe]

Chris71 said:

Pretty soon you might not have a lot of choice.

Will people buy into it though and keep the ball rolling or just stop buying the new cars and stick with the older ones they prefer. Buyers market after all and if they don't provide what we want surely we will not buy them no matter what the regulations say the new cars have to comply with.

[sjg]

Crusoe said:

Chris71 said:

Pretty soon you might not have a lot of choice.

Will people buy into it though and keep the ball rolling or just stop buying the new cars and stick with the older ones they prefer. Buyers market after all and if they don't provide what we want surely we will not buy them no matter what the regulations say the new cars have to comply with.

Way more high-end "performance" cars / supercars are bought as status symbols for looking flash than by driving enthusiasts.

Someone with a £200k bonus burning a hole in their pocket is unlikely to skip over a 458 and pick up a used 430 just because they can't have a manual gearbox.

[Crusoe]

True but come the second or third owner the lack of demand for certain things can causes the price to plumet which will hit the initial owners pocket with depreciation.

High level merc or jag with cloth interior or manual gearboxes for example. Hopefully DGS longer term will go the same way as E36 M3 with smg 1 gearboxes and be some what unwanted. Needs to be the first and second buyer who doesn't want it for it to effect the manufacturer though.

[GKP]

Here you go. This was/is at Paris:



as was this:



and this:

[Chris71]

GKP said:

Here you go. This was/is at Paris:

A fin-tailed Alpine... Very nice, but that must be, what, 1965 vintage?

[Crusoe]

Alpine looks like a salf flat special with skinny tyres and long gearing, not much fun on the road I would bet