Mallard
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Posts posted by Mallard
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The Prusa is the best you can get for the money. I would just get that and not worry about it.
Download Fusion 360 for CAD.
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To follow up with my last post's statement about adoption of lane keeping systems taking off...
Ford just announced the new Lincoln Nautilus (aka a refreshed and renamed MKX) which will launch Ford's first full-speed Lane Centering system coupled to ACC. Remember that this is a dressed up Escape and you'll get an idea how this may proliferate across their lineup.
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If it's new-fangled lane keeping/ACC systems that you're missing, you should know that the adoption and capability of these systems is changing rapidly. Between now and 2020MY there will be a VAST difference in what is available and how good it is. I'm not sure on how often you plan on buying a new car, but know that what ever you buy right now it will likely be obsolete in 2 years.where do you work again?My update as of today:
So far it's been a fun process shopping but I've yet to find anything outstanding that checks as many boxes as my current ride. The only two checkboxe mine lacks is some of the newest lane keeping creature feature/safety things.
If I were to pull the trigger today, I would go SUV and it would be a short term lease on an MDX Hybrid Sport. It's the best handling, riding and nicest inside and out IMO for the money. FULLY loaded they are dealing like crazy today and it's a nice ride. I'd then use the equity in mine to buy my wife a new car vs CUV/SUV. We're likely just going to keep the van and park it at my neighbors house as he's fine with that. Too nice of a vehicle and in excellent shape to part with it for what it seemingly is worth. Inside is like brand new.
May go later today to drive an AWD 550i MSport as they seem pretty darn nice and I hear a simply tune can really put them into a solid performance zone that would not cause me to miss what I have now
I am still hopefully a Tesla deal can be had but again, I have to have 300 mile range and AWD and I won't live with an x-box looking steering wheel.
The MDX is a nice ride, I can't argue with you there. I'm not a fan of the dual screen infotainment set up they had, but everyone likes different things in this category.
I have a friend that hacked his cars LDW/LKA system so the car drives itself on the highway (95+% of the time). If you're tech savvy anything is possible...lol
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There are 12 second cars that are a handful on the street and there are 9 second cars that can be driven with a heavy foot and a pinky on the wheel. This is the latter.
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My understanding is that Elon insisted on the design elements that caused issues (falcon doors, body geometry that required special stamping processes and materials, etc) and was not willing to compromise. The X should have been a taller S, but it's not, and it can never be built in the volume or at the rates of any mass-production SUV. This is why the Model 3 was designed from the start with manufacturing in mind.From what I understand the people who fucked up the X design were fired, or at least had their leashes tightened severely.Hopefully that leads into the wiper and mirror this with the roadster. I think with the X Elon learned the lesson the GM learned with the Aztek, you can't go from hit concept to production model and expect a winner. I'm think when the actual production models his the ground they will have D-shaped steering wheels, a hidden wiper, and at least camera pods on the doors.
With the Roadster "available in 2020," you should consider it a 2021 model year vehicle. Even at a traditional automaker we don't have our 2021 model year designs FULLY locked down, although they're pretty close. Hopefully this give them time to fix the wiper. It's currently not legal for the vehicle to have cameras instead of side mirrors. They could try to launch without them and hope the law either changes or they get a waiver from NHTSA, but I'm sure they'll design them in no matter what.
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My guess is he couldn't put funky doors on it so he settled on fucking up the wiper.
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The wiper is dumb and hopefully they fix it. I'm not surprised that the car has no cut lines, since I assume it's a stripped down P100D with a body molded straight off the clay model. Tesla had some bad press in recent weeks, so it's also no surprise that they rolled this out to drum up support. "Available in 2020 is the official release date on the "Roadster" but they will take your $50k deposit and it looks like you had to put down $5k on the spot if you wanted a test ride. Can you imagine the media backlash if we charged $5k for 1/8th mile Demon ride-alongs?
That said, the car is cool, I hope it comes out. It's high priced, low volume, which should fit their production model/business plan a bit better.
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Yea, this is the only one below $58k and I have no idea on vehicle history.
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Yeah, and I'm not trying to say the GL is a bad car, I just mean that by the numbers they aren't that different. The Mercedes does weigh more and costs more and that certainly comes from added content. The GC can have air suspension or steel suspension, depending on the package you had. The air suspension is from the same supplier as MB, but the dampers are certainly tuned differently.I've not driven the Durango, so I can't speak to it's quality, may be very nice. Our Jeep had the 6 with the 8 speed tranny, so I'm not really comparing that directly (apples to apples). The ride quality, even if on a similar platform, wasn't anywhere close. The suspension on the Jeep was rough and felt terrible in anything twisty. The GL, even with the extra weight, rides like a dream and feels much more responsive with the air ride.The Hemi is probably a great motor, with plenty of power, I like it in the trucks. The twin turbo V8 in the GL lacks nothing for me, and it's fun to hear the turbos, lol. It can also be 500hp with only a tune installed at the dealership, though pricey.
The MB upgrades definitely come with MB maintenance costs, but we've had good luck with their warranty service, and a 2year extension for certified used was added.
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The Jeep GC, Dodge Durango, and Mercedes GL ride on the same platform. The GL rides on a slightly longer wheelbase (~1-2") than the Durango, but the rest of the dimensions are nearly identical, except for curb weight where the GL beats the Durango. That said, the 5.7L Hemi has almost identical HP to the GL450, and it has quite a bit more torque so I'm a bit surprised you feel it's down on power (especially when it was paired with the 8 speed MY14 and later). I also think the Durango rides better than the GC, due to the longer wheelbase.Just my opinion based on what your looking for "luxory/comfort" wise, I'd stay away from the Jeep GC. While it's a very capable vehicle, unless it's made leaps and bounds in the last two years, we hated the comfort factor of our GC limited. Just about every similarly optioned SUV I've driven has been better.While it's not apples to apples, our GL450 isn't even in the same ballpark, there is no comparison to the comfort and power.
I Know you're not looking for a tank, but I'd guess that the 350 comes with a pretty nice package as well.
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Not a new one at that price. Even the Durango SRT is $63k, and that undercuts the Jeep on price.
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Interesting, because the pictures of the Sync 3 on the Ford site look like they cribbed the interface from UConnect. Although I have not used the Sync 3 so I can't speak to how it actually functions. The 2018 UConnect is an all new head unit that responds faster, has a higher resolution screen, and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I think all Uconnect radios receive over the air updates now too.
Also, the UConnect allows you to rearrange/customize the bottom buttons anyway you want, including putting your apps down there.
Our phone app sucks though.
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I'm actually shocked this is what you ended up with, but you did previously have a Fusion and were talking about an Edge, so maybe I shouldn't be. You traded the S4 for this and kept the minivan? I thought you were looking for a sedan?I'll be the first to admit I'm all over the board when it comes to looking at what to replace the S4 with. It's a first-world problem situation for sure but hey, we live in a first-world country right?Wife will be due for a new vehicle next year and she may want to go back to a car vs SUV and certainly we're done with the real need for minivans. I have had SUV's and don't mind them but will for sure miss the Audi and all that it offers. It's by-far the best daily driver out there IMO. It's awesome but I do have an itch for something new and different. I've ruled out the Tesla's mainly because the S-Series is just too dang pricey for what I'm looking for from it thus the value to me isn't there. The model 3 is a year away and honestly, the inside just plain turned me off like a light switch. They need to glam it up a lot IMO.
That said, I'm trading off some performance in exchange for a more commanding view/handling of the road and some creature features/posh effect. I have to switch it up vs another sedan or I'll feel I'm really shorting myself. At least IMO I would. Trying to keep it balanced cost-wise and this time given I don't absolutely love SUV's but like them, I'm probably going to do a short-term lease on this one.
I'll take the equity I have and put it towards her car. That gives me some flexibility in say the next 2 years to move back to something performance oriented. Although I may have her in an Golf R and that would be fun.
All said, this beast moves-out well for as big and heavy as it is. The 365hp/350tq Ecoboost is far lower in power than I'm used to but to move this sled to through a mid 14's quarter mile speaks a lot of it's galloping ability. Merging up hill onto the highway I moved into traffic with ease and looked down at 85+mph without even trying. I admit I'm impressed with the 3.5l version of it.
Haven't exactly found a lot out there that makes me do my happy dance but the Ford Explorer Platinum Edition seems to check a lot of boxes and I know I'd like it. Tri-Color Pearl White with two-tone Nirvana Leather with Ceramic(nearly white)/Black combo. I think it looks outstanding inside. Not quite German Quality but darn nice and loaded with every feature from massaging seats to a great sound system.
What say you on the Ford vs some others? I welcome any constructive opinions.
Preliminary Pics: They really don't do the interior the justice it deserves but you get the idea. Couple are simply stock images from the web.
http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/166554353/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/166554354/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/166554355/original.jpg
The 300S I linked to was practically the sedan version of this Ford (for $27.5k), even with a matching interior color scheme, but minus a massaging seat. Although the Hemi wouldn't have needed premium gas.
I had an Explorer as a rental and it was ok, but if I was looking for a 6 or 7 Passanger SUV I would get a Durango. Our infotainment is better, our driver assist/ACC is better, I like how it handles better, and I find the seats more comfortable. The Explorer isn't a bad choice, and I'm sure the Titanium is nicer than a V6 rental, but it wouldn't have been my choice.
Yeah, and now the Summit has a similar interior (white quilted leather). The Durango is a 7 seat Grand Cherokee.For $55k you could do the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland EcoDiesel which is a twin turbo Diesel with more torque than the ecoboost Explorer. You’ve driven and rubbed ours...Diesel is cheaper than premium fuel....
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Beats a base Accord, a $70k used S, and waiting 3 years for a Model 3, IMO.
2017 300S, Destroyer Gray, HEMI V8, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Panoramic Sunroof, NAV (new head unit for 2017 models), heated and vented seats, heated steering wheel, upgraded interior (it's white, but you're good at keeping things clean
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That Volt posted is basically identical to the one I had, beside the red exterior. The Volt was a good commuter, had decent torque, and handled decently well. It's a decent car to drive around and you can go anywhere with it (no range anxiety). I would buy another if I didn't have to lug the kids around, especially at current prices.
I've been eyeing Fiat 500e's as well, again strictly as a commuter.
Even with the above I would never consider a Leaf or a Prius. If you drive one I assume youre dead inside.
The Tesla is at a completely different level. The interior is shit. The seats are on par with what was in the Volt, or even in the old Solstice/Sky. The door panels are cheap and hard. The screen as an interface is cumbersome (I have a thing for redundant buttons for controls) and I've had seen it crash on occasion. Autopilot v1 is good. It's still the best on the market and I've driven almost everything, except the latest v2 update. The AWD powertrain is really good, even without having a performance model, and it handles pretty well with all the weight down low. The Tesla is more engaging as a driver than any of the above, and it actually has the interior space to be a family car. Is it worth the money? That's debatable, but I can see why some people would take the leap on a used one.
It sounds like the AWD Model 3 is at least a year away from starting production, plus all the people in line ahead of you. You'll be lucky to have that by 2019.
I have a hard time spending lots of money on a car these days, so aside from keeping my eyes on used Volt's and 500e's is been watching 2015+ 300's. With the sedan market in a tailspin and a lot of lease returns coming back you can get a low mileage 2015 300S for $20-25k. I'm sure it's not really what you're looking for, but it's a counterpoint to buying a new Accord.
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Yup. And they have a hard time breathing on the court because it sits on top of the Red Wings ice. It's a nice arena but you draw on a much larger pool of high income people who will buy tickets for 100 games if you're in the burbs (like the old arena).https://deadspin.com/pistons-home-games-are-already-attendance-disasters-1819799807?utm_source=recirculation&utm_medium=recirculation&utm_campaign=tuesdayAMReminder why you DON'T spend $xxx millions of public money on a sports arena.
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That wing is the same size as the one on the Viper ACR Extreme Aero! I wonder what his aero balance is like....
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I'm still holding out for Detroit getting HQ2.+1 to the points above.This morning, I was looking at Columbus' "Amazon HQ2" submission (posted in Columbus Business First) and I thought the same thing as Brandon: I'm hoping Precourt doesn't know something we don't know about where they are going.
I also see coverage on COTA, Austin Music Festivals, etc and I am jealous of the activity in that city. I do love Columbus and anything like this that can elevate our stature on a global stage would be welcome.
My concern to our post - playing to Carl's comment above - is that a lot of the infrastructure is a "promise-to-deliver", not something already in place. Two items I see as seriously valuable for us as opposed to anything TX is:
- cheap cost-of-living
- everything Texas is SPRAWL. It's difficult to consider a focused area with ready access to mass-transit because it's friggin' highway ribbons as far as the eye can see around any major cities I've visited down there for work.
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5350 lbs light.Weight?Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk
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I'd just be ripping 0-60's at every light.I do too but I hoped to see better than low 12's at 114mph given it's power. True first world problem I know. [emoji14] Saw some recent vids of one doing high 11's but still only 114mph range.Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk
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So much want.Add those same mods to a Trackhawk and live the Soccer Dad lifeSent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk
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By incentives, do you mean was anything changed between MY15 and MY18 (considering cash back incentives wouldn't apply, since that car is used)? That seems like a pretty good deal on a Hellcat, not sure about factory incentives in leftover MY17's as the 18s are now rolling in. Would have to check the web site for that.
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Very nice. Sounds like you've done the "easy" stuff. Taking it farther may end up costing a lot more.
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New Car Itch
in Passing Lane
Posted
Why not upgrade to a newer S4? In 2017 they added Traffic Jam Assist and Lane Keeping to the A4. Not sure how good it is, but there are some videos on YouTube showing it holding some curves.
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