Doc1647545523 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Although I had only known Jim as a great guy who regularly stands his 'Cuda up on its rear wheels at the drag strip, today I got to see "Jim the Baller" as he test drove one of two Rolls Royce Wraiths in the U.S. Here was the thread I made in March when the press release was made: http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110802&highlight=wraith Here's the one Jim drove today: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/bluecarfront_zpsb953ec41.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/bluecarrear_zps0ff6ace3.jpg There was also a two-tone pre-production car: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/twotonefront_zps6328938f.jpg The intrepid racer-turned-baller: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/Jimindriversseat_zps7032b422.jpg And at the wheel of this $360,000.00 car: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/Jimdriving_zpsb031cafa.jpg "Is this the wheelie button?" Jim asked the factory rep, who became increasingly nervous as we talked about getting the Wraith sideways on an I-270 ramp. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/isthisthewheeliebutton_zpsaa528403.jpg 6.6L V12 twin turbo, 623 hp, 590 lb/ft of torque, 8 speed GPS-directed transmission. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/V-12_zps156a7251.jpg The self-opening doors have beautiful Canadel Paneling: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/door_zps51828f19.jpg I was less impressed with the Starlight Headliner (maybe it would have looked better at night): http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/headliner_zpse5962960.jpg The nav system was great: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/navscreen_zpsdb38a3ae.jpg You could even do a view from above to see where you were relative to curbs and parking lines: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Wraith/Navviewfromabove_zpseaa4b8cf.jpg Jim will have to post his driving experience. My credit was, shall we say, less than adequate, so I was only allowed to ride in the back seat, which was actually quite nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn89 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Just jizzed in my pants. love that color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Why does it cost $360,000? Honest question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn89 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Because "Rolls Royce" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 That tells me nothing. I like the exterior color, and I'm sure it's smooth and fast, but that interior is horrendously tacky to me. I don't have that kind of money laying around, so maybe I'm just an ignorant poor kid.. I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Why does it cost $360,000? Honest question. You know they say "if you have to ask......" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn89 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 There build quality and materials are top notch. But really the name is what your paying for. If it where that car made by kia it would be allot cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 You know they say "if you have to ask......" I can afford to set a ten dollar bill on fire. If a cashier tells me my coffee is $10, I would ask why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Doc, is that Jim who was with you at QS&L a couple of Fridays ago? LOL @ timing of this post. Just read the Autoblog.com article about the RR Wraith. http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/17/2014-rolls-royce-wraith-review-first-drive-video/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clone Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Well as Doc stated I did drive the car. The ride was pretty amazing and it was a comfortable car to drive. The brakes were really touchy so I didn't like that because if you just touched the brake pedal it seemed to apply the brakes far to hard and too quick. The steering was light and easy as well as quick to respond and as speed increased more road feel came through the wheel. The car was very well mannered and felt far more nimble than the weight of the car indicated. It is a heavy car. We were in rush hour traffic so no chance to hammer it but it did seem to be pretty quick as well for a heavy car. The GPS controllered transmission didn't really seem to be noticable at all. It allowed the car to always be in the right gear during all driving conditions and I didn't notice it shifting as we drove. The seats were very confortable and driving position and side mirrows were good. I didn't like the rear view mirrors visablity at all. I think the interior would look much better in a different color combination but everything was easy to reach and control while driving. The back seat seemed to be a little hard for Doc to climb in and out of but all two door cars have that issue as well. If I had 450K to spend on a car I would choose something more towards a sports car but if a confortable long distance driving car is you choice this is not a bad option and it does get up and go if press the load pedal even know you really don't hear the engine. The overhead camera view would be a great option to get you lined up in the groove at the drag strip. We asked them to bring them to NTR for the CR rental as they have yet to test them in a 1/4 mile tests but I believe they are going to pass on our offer. Pretty sweet ride if that suits you taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn89 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Cuda hmmmmm...tasty. My favorite muscle car of all time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unfunnyryan Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POS VETT Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Wafting at its best. I'm a bit surprised that the tradition of "6 3/4 liter" has stopped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRed05 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Why does it cost $360,000? Honest question. Build quality, build materials, technology. It has a GPS guided transmission for christ sake. I'm sure there's a brand name tax in there somewhere as well. That thing is nice looking, but it does look a lot like a Bentley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagner Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Build quality, build materials, technology. It has a GPS guided transmission for christ sake. I'm sure there's a brand name tax in there somewhere as well. That thing is nice looking, but it does look a lot like a Bentley. Yeah, this is not your rattle trap big 3 ride, or some standard honda/toyota. The wife gets to drive RRs at work for product training from time to time and pretty much said they make BMW's feel like broke dick hondas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Why does it cost $360,000? Honest question. As mentioned, I'm sure there's a tax from the name, but inspect, admire, and take a chance to drive a car like that, and you'll understand why. All things considered, I'd be more afraid to drive a Rolls, than an exotic of similar value. The supercars and exotics of that price range are a far cry in fit and finish, but the price tag likely comes from performance, race heritage, and of course brand name. Ferrari F40 comes to mind. They float around the 300-400k price range... ever look at one of those up close? The fit and finish of a Rolls is far better than anything you've likely ever witnessed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson1647545504 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 #RichPeopleProblems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Build quality, build materials, technology. It has a GPS guided transmission for christ sake. I'm sure there's a brand name tax in there somewhere as well. That thing is nice looking, but it does look a lot like a Bentley. Kind of looks like a Chrysler 300 to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Kind of looks like a Chrysler 300 to me. I hate to say it, but after seeing "Clone" in the title, I thought it was a 300 with a body kit at first glance. Though, I'm sure in person the scale of the car would be more evident. RR maintains proper proportions with their car design. So they never look as big as they are in pictures because they are proportioned like a normal mid-sized car. The only real indicator of the size of that car is the Spirit of Ecstasy on the nose. It's miniscule in the picture because the rest of the car is so huge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 btw, The sales rep in the passenger seat looks like Donald Trump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRed05 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Kind of looks like a Chrysler 300 to me. That's cause the 300 was a ripoff of the Bentley Arnage. Except the 300 came equipped with the exact opposite of build quality and technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson1647545504 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 Kind of looks like a Chrysler 300 to me. http://cdn.speednik.com/files/2012/11/platinum.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 I think for that kind of money I would buy 3 or 4 new Merc S-classes. Sure the GPS-fused transmission is neat, but the technology in the S-class is far more impressive. Sure, the 300 is no RR, but it's a solid car for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 I think for that kind of money I would buy 3 or 4 new Merc S-classes. Sure the GPS-fused transmission is neat, but the technology in the S-class is far more impressive. More impressive in what respect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 A starlighted headliner? Seriously? Does it change to the current constellation you're driving under per the GPS or something? Seems out of place on a Rolls Royce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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