What You Said (8/10-8/15)

2008ish Mini Cooper E: Commuting Car Wonder

City Slickers
By dougtheeng on August 10, 2009 11:36 AM
I'm not too surprised to hear that this car is great as an in-town commuter. I know plenty of people who live in the city and never leave. As a result, they rarely, if ever, go more then 100 miles in a day. This is an ideal vehicle for them. Granted, the price is high but it is, after all, a prototype. I don't know what people expect here.

No Nukes
By hybris on August 10, 2009 6:53 PM
"But the infrastructure problem isn't. The fast charger for the Mini apparently draws 15+ kW. That's like about 10x the average power draw of a typical household, maybe even a little more."
Quite! Don't spoil my chances of getting my own nuclear reactor! But seriously you make a valid point that the grid can't take the added strain and here is the irony of the matter. In order to drive "green" EV you need large plots of land for solar/wind or bunch of coal/NG/Hydro power plants or a hand full of nuclear power plants to handle the demand after grid upgrades of course. Now brake that down to cost per kW and the dreaded Nuke is the only real answer and its green...glowing green.

2009 Infiniti FX50: How Big Guns Roll

FX is for Flex those muscles
By litman on August 10, 2009 10:04 PM
Amusing thread for a number of reasons:
I live in Sacramento.
I work out a lot and have decent "guns."
I have an FX.
I have a "weekend Miata" in my garage.
My wife is cute, and gets "checked out" a lot in our FX.

2009 BMW M3: I'll Take These Four Doors Anytime

Let the good times roll
By zoomzoom22 on August 10, 2009 4:44 PM

I love engines that reward you for redlining as well. The sound that my friend's Civic SI's engine makes as the cams open up at 6,000 RPM is addicting and gives me chills every time - and it gets even sweeter near 8,000 RPM. It's like you stepped out of a normal Civic and onto a Kawasaki.

2009 Nissan GT-R: Nothing Compares 2 U

It's mine, it's mine, it's all mine
By TheDustman on August 10, 2009 1:55 PM
I sold my GTR and this weekend bought the car I wanted since I was 11...a 1968 Camaro RS, 4sp Muncie, 4 barrel carb, sounds sweet when she fires up. No more playstation cars for me, this thing takes the driver to drive it, not the ECU.

By mikeolan on August 10, 2009 4:41 PM
I just sold my GT-R for my dream car: a 1996 Geo Metro. I use my own manly instinct to decide when to shift- no computerized tach to decide that stuff for me like a real man. Instead of AWD, my Metro uses my own driving skill to own the road.

Finally, someone who understands
By e10rice on August 10, 2009 2:14 PM
I'm with you Donna. This is my generations Corvette, 911 or lambo and i want one.

2009 Audi S5: HDTV compatible

Plasma Attack
By robert4380 on August 10, 2009 5:32 PM
Mr. Snake Doctor (if that is your real name), do not, I repeat, DO NOT bring home your plasma TV laying down like that, especially if the seats don't fold completely flat. If you do, you'll have your TV only supported by the ends and it will flex in the middle. Even if you lay it completely flat, the screen will still be far more likely to flex and crack than if it is standing up vertically in the box. If you're going to spend, presumably, around a thousand bucks or more on a TV then take the time to get a vehicle where the package can stand vertically.
Maybe you could stand it up in the back seat? Oh, and if you're buying said TV at a club store like Costco, make sure that they actually have the televisions standing upright on the racks, and not stacked flat! Keep this TV UPRIGHT in the box!

2009 Nissan GT-R: Engine System Malfunction

So, it has its ups and downs. What relationship doesn't?
By bankerdanny on August 10, 2009 3:54 PM
I know that this car has accumulated 2-3 years worth of miles in just one, so I am willing to cut it some slack. But still, there seem to be more negatives than positives. Serious mechanical issues early on followed by multiple small ones that invariably knock the car out of action for a couple days while they diagnose and then manufacture the parts from scratch.
Based on what I have read, I am hard pressed to come up with a reason that (were I far wealthier) I would choose this car over an M3 or a low mileage 911 Carerra 4 or Cayman S.

2008 Pontiac G8 GT: Kick That Engine Cover To The Curb

Put a lid on it
By the_big_al on August 11, 2009 9:30 AM
arent you also the editor who removed the evo's wing??

By 2002blksle on August 11, 2009 9:31 AM
keep it. Modern engines are not pretty with all the wires and sensors. I like to keep my engine compartment clean and it would be much easier to clean that cover than all the nooks and cranies below it.

By carguy622 on August 11, 2009 9:53 AM
It's not that pretty without the cover. I'd keep it. Now the Yamaha V6 SHO... that was a beautiful engine. They should have molded a cover that looked like that for the new SHO

By actualsize on August 11, 2009 10:03 AM
The engine cover will never earn any design awards, but the engine below looks gross because the packaging guys knew their stuff would be hidden from view. So we have wires, wires everywhere to the 8 individual coils and the injectors, a black plastic intake, non-descript valve covers and a bunch of other ugly plumbing.
Edelblech.

2008 BMW 135i Coupe: Plus One Quart of 5W30 Synthetic

Create a spreadsheet and get back to us
By stovt001 on August 11, 2009 1:24 PM
"Erin - IL Cars only burn oil when you drive them, I swear :)"
It would be interesting to research which staffers lodge which complaints frequently. Maybe Erin is the only one who pays attention to the oil? Maybe some staffer is way more sensitive to squeaks than the others? This could be a cool project for one day when I'm really, really bored.

2009 BMW 750i: Pretty Dirty

Clean living
By mopho on August 11, 2009 3:10 PM
Perhaps it's time to go to confession and repent your sins. :P

Who said anything about blaming BMW?
By jm1212 on August 11, 2009 6:36 PM
so BMW is at fault because you guys have dirty shoes? thats like saying a grocery store is at fault for spoiled meat after you left it on the counter for three days.

2009 BMW M3 Sedan: You Sure You're OK?

Romantic Comedy
By eriches on August 11, 2009 5:13 PM
@ everyone: I do my damnedest to treat our test cars with the same TLC I would my own cars. Which is why I bother to monitor the oil level at all. But today I was in a hurry. I ran into the parts department on my lunch hour and asked for a liter of oil. Our mutual friend, SubyTrojan, informs me that I should have approached a service advisor and perhaps the oil would have been topped off gratis. So now I know for next time.

@ louiswei: So this test would be more "real-world" to you if I had to drop $10 or $20 every time a test car needed oil? Done. I'll ask Scott to take it out of my paycheck. Now, how's about you buy me dinner.

By louiswei on August 11, 2009 6:02 PM
@Erin Sure, I'll buy you dinner but you have to give me a ride in either the M3 or the GT-R.
Deal? After dinner I'll show you where you can find cheaper oil at either your local Wal-Mart or Target...

By bkochuk on August 11, 2009 6:30 PM
@ eriches and louiswei--
I'm feeling the heat! Is this an episode of "Moonlighting?"

Just an FYI: Erin is very cute
By old_volvo on August 12, 2009 6:28 AM
@ eriches and louiswei
seriously, did louiswei just get a date with a cute girl (ok i dont know if she's cute, but she drives a M3 and GTR) with access to awesome cars for insulting her? I've been going about this whole pick-up thing all wrong!

Speed Dating
By charlesncharge on August 12, 2009 2:28 PM
What some of you may fail to realize, is that anyone that's as knowledgeable about cars, and all their associated maintenance requirements, i.e. regularly checking/topping off necessary fluids etc., as Erin evidently is, is pretty awesome in my book!  Erin REALLY knows what she's talking about, more so than the vast majority of so-called "car people" out there!
Erin: If your rendezvous with Louis isn't all you imagined it to be, please feel free to let me know. Maybe Edmunds should host either a "Singles" car enthusiast based get-together, or sponsor a "win a date with one of our Editors, ALONG with the long-term car of YOUR choice" Sounds pretty good to me! BTW: Quaker State actually sells their full-synthetic 10W-60 oil, which is produced by Shell, and is essentially a euro-blend for Ferrari/Maserati.
Scroll down, and to the left: http://quakerstate.com/#/products/motor-oil/ultimate-durability

2009 Ford Flex Road Trip, Stage 2: Mission Accomplished

We'll do anything for the caption contest
By wrinklebump on August 12, 2009 6:17 AM
Should've barged through the police blockade and Con Air'd through the brush fire. Would've been a pretty sweet photo op.

2010 Honda Insight: Zen Master Driving Style

Namaste
By greenpony on August 12, 2009 4:23 PM
That's the key when driving a relatively underpowered car on streets, or a race car on a high speed track: keep your momentum up. Anybody can mash the pedal down on a 250 hp vehicle to get up a steep hill, but it takes some measure of skill and preparation to build up enough momentum in a lower powered car (or heavily laden semi) to climb the hill without mashing the gas. Does it annoy the drivers behind you when your speed swings by 10 mph? Of course. But then, they can always waste their gas to get around you. Here's to you, Mr Zen Master.

2009 Nissan GT-R: Lemonade

Well, I don't know about "souless"
By sabastian on August 13, 2009 5:08 AM
Ok, well can I just hate on it for being soulless, ugly, heavy, too complicated, and for sounding like a vacuum cleaner?

Cheers
By pyo_s65 on August 14, 2009 2:13 PM
For all those that say that buying a GT-R is silly due to the service records, just be honest, you've never driven one. If you have, you will understand Donna's loyalty towards it. I can fully support whoever apologizes for the GT-R.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500: First Service

Sometimes we get lucky
By jaguar36 on August 13, 2009 4:34 AM
A reasonable price and a quick turn around? How unusual.

2009 Nissan GT-R: New Performance Rubber

I'll take it
By rcalcaide on August 13, 2009 8:33 AM
OH NOOOOO, The IPOD cable broke! Now the GT-R is truly a lemon!
I am going to sell my GT-R today for $40k! Who wants it?

2009 Mini E: Look, Ma, No Tailpipe

Pull my finger
By someguyposting on August 13, 2009 1:25 PM
I'm sure the batteries are many times more flammable and give off far worse fumes than the alternative. Oh wait, the alternative is gas. Never mind.

Hey, intern, after you get my latte...
By daxtripper on August 13, 2009 5:37 PM
Really? Really? The battery is what poses the danger to your head? Perhaps if it was flung across the room at you, clanging off your forehead. I'm pretty sure any brain issues would be caused by the phone's signal, not its power source. But hay, strap an intern to the battery pack for a year and see what happens.

How true
By cneff on August 13, 2009 9:30 PM
Batts are safe on these, no acid either, whats probably more damaging to your brain is reading some of these comments ;)

2008 Nissan GT-R: Who Cares?

Crank it up
By carguy622 on August 13, 2009 1:23 PM
C'mon if they got rid of that screen there would only be 10 screen choices... you've got to take it to 11!

2010 Honda Insight EX: Track Tested!

Tee hee
By jeepsrt on August 13, 2009 3:10 PM
I fell asleep before it hit 60.

By fuhteng on August 13, 2009 8:24 PM
What an awesome video! I love the moo!
That made my day. Is that sad?

2002 BMW M3: Parting Shots

Meeting the readers
By 3ricchu on August 13, 2009 11:01 PM
Undoubtedly a cool car. An older friend recently bought a Laguna Seca Blue version of the car, and it certainly is a much different and sophisticated drive compared to my Mustang.
Regarding the long-term car, I suppose the most lasting (and only) memory of it would be me driving down Kanan seeing you and Josh in the M3 and Evo driving up and then running back into you guys on Latigo.

By boxermike on August 13, 2009 11:36 PM
3ricchu, Believe it or not, we still talk about that day we ran into you (and another reader) on that drive. Glad you stopped by and said hello! Hope the 'stang is still treating you well. -mm

Gwen Stefani agrees
By bimmerjay on August 13, 2009 11:27 PM
Wow, what a wrap-up. The E46 M3 will go down in history as one of the all-time greats, no doubt.

2008 BMW 135i: Spiritual Sucessor?

Less likely to get a ticket, too
By bkochuk on August 14, 2009 1:49 PM
I think the 135 has tons of personality, but it's in the driving experience, not the looks.
so maybe just maybe you're tooling around town thinking "wheeee!" the whole time, even though no one turns to look. you know what? I can live with that.