Aaron

I would like to break your analysis down as well. The SHO has AWD standard, the 335i has RWD standard. The 335i should NOT be penalized price wise because the SHO doesn't give you a drivetrain option. If AWD isn't important to the customer, then they won't buy it, and they will be able to get into the 335i for less money than you indicated. My point is also the same point that C&D used when testing the 335i against the new S4 when they picked a RWD 335i with sport package instead of a 335xi. Your argument is exactly the same as that of Audi owners when comparing to BMW's. They think that you have to compare an Audi to the xi BMW because the Audi has it. Quality winter tires on a 335i will be more than enough for MOST people.

I reminded him about the Conti just now and he said he wasn't in love with them and wanted to keep looking. He will keep it in mind though. Thanks again for all of your help.

They wanted 1350 for it.

I sent you a PM letting you know what happened with that long ago. I called the dealer (John Hinderer Honda) this morning to see if they had it still (93 regal). I was told they did, so we drove 45 minutes to see/buy it. Get there and they say they sold it on ebay a few days ago. I was pissed. We had a 98 Regal all lined up to buy, we went to see it Tuesday (a week or two ago), told the guy we wanted it and that we had the inspection scheduled for Thursday. He was cool with that. Guy sold it Wednesday. What a douche. He is having shitty luck lately. If anyone knows of a good solid bigger style car for 1500, please send it my way. Thanks.

My brother is going to look at one tomorrow. 93 Regal Gran Sport. 150k miles, and in good shape. Has the 3.8 Series 1 engine 170hp 225tq. Give me the low down guys. Is the series 1 as reliable as the 2? Are they solid cars? Thanks

Here is a great picture to show how BIG the new SHO is, granted the L is lowered. http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=103408

You have excellent taste sir. RS4 is my favorite sport sedan, followed by the new M3.

bronze looks like crap on the blue. Go silver, and go big. Then lower.

your welcome http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&ei=r9DTSoPVPI-0NM313LoB&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=wrx+enkei+rpf1&spell=1&start=0

silver or black and damn, lower your car. Front looks lifted almost.

Their must be your location, because the one I saw in Columbus did not have a markup. Also, the SHO is not a limited production car. I would try out the new S4 though, like I said.

I haven't heard many dealers doing markups, wonder where you went. I did hear that they were offering 1k DISCOUNT actually. If it is true, its the exact reason why the domestic dealers are killing demand for their good cars. They did it for the G8, now the SHO. Walk into an Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Lexus dealer and you won't find any markups. Walk into a Ford/Chevy dealer, and they mark up the ONLY cars worth buying. Its laughable that the domestic dealers do this. Check out the new S4. They just compared it with the 335, and the S4 won, handily.

I hope it does. I have been through 4 cars in the last 4 years and I finally found the one I want to keep for a LONG time. I specifically got a 0 option car to limit the price and potential for things going wrong down the road. I wasn't saying Ford's can't be reliable, I am saying that Fords transmissions are notoriously bad, and a car with this much power, and weight, can only multiply the stressors on the admitedly weak stock transmission. It is also stuffed with many high content features that seem to inhibit long term reliability.

lol. Gotta buy merican cause I love this here country. I am an equal opportunity hater/lover. If a company offers a product I like, I will buy it. Until Ford/Chevy (all domestics) get their head out of their ass, nothing strikes my fancy besides the Corvette and the CTS-V's. With that said, this new SHO is a great step forward and hopefully is just a small glance of what is to come from Ford.

They top out at 46k, not 43k. It does come with quite a bit of options, but the interior still doesn't match the German's in materials and feel, it does in look and options though. However the cabin is much too small for the size of car it is. The drivers seat would not go back far enough for me to get comfortable. The bach seat was also tight as well. I think this drivetrain in the Fusion with a Manual transmission would sell (and perform) like crazy if it topped out at 36-38k. If you can get a 4300lb car to do high 13's stock, knocking 500lbs off easily gets you into low 13's, maybe high 12's. Thats E9X/RS4 territory. However like everyone said, they won't because then it would be GT 500 performance for 10k less. Ford needs to start cutting weight before all of the German's do, and they again are left holding their dicks. The next gen S4/M3's are said to be significantly less weight. Audi just released their lightweight prototype A5 which is something like 500lbs lighter than the current model, and an indication of their direction to come (lighter weight, smaller engines=better performance and mileage). Cool car, maybe a good buy in 2 years as a CPO for 20-25k.

x10000000 tell him to get a v6 5 speed Wagon.

Not exactly. In 1989 it was the second fastest sedan in the world, trailing the M5. It had an engine that redlined at 7k+, had 220hp, and a manual transmission. In 89, that was exotic car stats. The 89 Corvette ran a mid 14, which is exactly what some of the fastest stock Gen 1's ran. It helped open the door to affordable sport sedans. It was more than you give it credit for until the 96 restyle.

Care to elaborate? Its a good first effort, nothing more.

At regular elevations, the SHO ran a 13.7@103 I think from C&D, which is the fastest recorded so far. I used Edmunds for the rest of the competition, and the SHO was right in the middle of the pack for ET, and dead last in trap speed. I thought it was funny that they rigged the test, and it still didn't win. A front heavy, AWD 4300lb monster, on a road course? lol :bs:

Actually there are some gen 1/2's running 12's. Not very many because of traction issues, but they are roll cars. FWD, high RPM engines and diffs that explode without a LSD=no dig car. The Gen 1/2's cost around 20-30k in 89-95. With inflation, 20k in 89 would be 36k in 09. 30k in 95 would be 43k. So they are about the same.

Yeah, they are 12.4", which is 315mm. They are stock Taurus brakes with different pads. The VW could use some better brakes from the factory, they aren't up to my standards. The R32 brake swap is what I want. Hopefully next year. 345mm, and same brakes used on the 3850lb B6/B7 S4's.

Damn, I would buy 2 sets right now if they were 225s.

You're right. I knew about them, but forgot that Ford owns Mazda for some reason haha. Thanks, I edited my original post.

The SHO uses 314.xx mm front brakes, which are only 2mm larger than my GTI's. The SHO weighs anywhere from 1000 to 1200 lbs more depending on options lol.

Pretty amazing how such little work has netted a 1 second ET drop.