The cars and bikes thread!

[Raza]

Oh, they've definitely lost their way now...

Ah, well, I suppose so. At the time I wrote that, I didn’t know they have an electric SUV coming out.

[gnuyork]

Oh, they've definitely lost their way now...

Oh, Lotus.

The only company that’s never lost its way. No wonder they’re not popular, they appeal to fools like me who think driving is something you should savor, enjoy, and pay attention to.

Used to be able to say that about Porsche too, but not anymore, sadly.

On the one hand there's the Emira, but on the other there's electric SUVs...

[geoffbot]

I don't mind suvs, they allow the company to stay afloat and produce sports cars. Porsche, lambo...

[Samanator]

“This is a nice shifter. Not Honda or Mazda flickable, but with fairly short throws and a precise motion, somewhere between BMW and Porsche. The light clutch action demands a sensitive foot to feel it engage. The electronics can match revs on upshifts but, curiously, not on downshifts; at least the pedals are nicely situated for heel-and-toe work, making a do-it-yourself throttle blip easy. Even if your execution is less perfect than robots can manage, it’s worth the effort for the sound effects. Mostly, the manual makes the entire driving experience more sensory and involving, even when all you’re doing is accelerating from a light in traffic.”

”Yes, there are more powerful F-Types, but no, I don’t care—those other trims don’t offer a manual. The manual is pure joy.”

“There will be no suspense here: it's a very good manual. It's not magnificent but those who enjoy changing gear - and they should be here, right? - will find much to like. Even before driving the signs are encouraging. The gearknob is just that, with no gratuitous adornment or ungainly shaping. It's small but actually lead weighted to aid the shift feel.”

Opinions seem to vary on the manual in the Jag, but they’re mostly positive, it appears. Might just not be to your taste.

Linkage was junk with gear selection allover the place. Not 1977 Chevy Nova keep pulling or pushing until it engages somewhere. Clutch could be a light switch since it catches right at the very end, but needs to be press down the whole way to release. Makes the six speed manual in the first generation IS300 Lexus seem like a Miata or S2000 by comparison. It took a real feat of engineering to make it that bad in both directions.

I don't see why you defend something with I read and never drove it. I have driven (or owned) it along with every variant and configuration of the F type. I've also have read reviews and most articles state after driving it no matter how much you want a manual you'll wish you took the excellent ZF 8 speed automatic. This is not an enjoyable manual. Fun manuals worth being the only transmission choice are Miata's, S2000, Mustang Dark Horse (and I assume the Mach 1 before it), C7 Z06, Camero LT1. Honda Civic Type R, Integra R, and Current Porsche's that have them to name a few. I had a Jeep Wrangler with. a 6 speed manual and it did nothing to improve the fun factor and everyday I wished I bought the Automatic. Some claim the manual has some off road beneits, but most are negated by not being able to use thebrake anf throttle at the same time. I had the manual in my Porsche Carrrera 4S Cab and in all honesty it would have been a coin toss against the Tiptronic version. I find Porsche Tiptronic shifting manually more fun than a manual. On the road being able to slip the clutch has some minor corning benefits at throttle reengagement, but a sloppy shifter (like the F type) would ruin that. I get the fun of nailing a manuals shift points down a great road, but not if it is a POS.

[Samanator]

Oh, Lotus.

The only company that’s never lost its way. No wonder they’re not popular, they appeal to fools like me who think driving is something you should savor, enjoy, and pay attention to.

Used to be able to say that about Porsche too, but not anymore, sadly.

I don't know if they lost there way except in the form of offering something affordable worthy of being called a Porsche. Bot that Cayman and Boxsters are running well into 6 figures there is really nothing affordable left. I dislike the Macan, but love the Cayene ( which I initially hatted it). The Macan feels more like a VW than a Porsche regardless of what they do to it. Kind of the same feeling I had about the old 914. The Cayenne on the street can do very enjoyable while hauling four people and their stuff. Mostly on the track is where it falls apart due to it's weight. Also, It will never be a looker like a 911 . I consider electric vehicles toys until the day I can get in one and go anywhere and not worry about anything like I do in a ICE vehicle.

[Samanator]

I found this message interesting from Geico during the hurricane:

Recently, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued a consumer alert to warn Floridians about the dangers of electric vehicle fires caused by submersion in saltwater, which are associated with impacts from Hurricane Helene. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) provided the consumer alert for insurers to share with policyholders ahead of Hurricane Milton.


Lucky for them Milton had very little storm serge.

[mlcor]

On the one hand there's the Emira, but on the other there's electric SUVs...

...and they're phasing out ICE models (unlke Porsche).

[gnuyork]

...and they're phasing out ICE models (unlke Porsche).

Right. The Emira is the last.

[geoffbot]

Right. The Emira is the last.

They're doing a more powerful 2.0 auto emira before they phase out the v6 at least.

[gnuyork]

They're doing a more powerful 2.0 auto emira before they phase out the v6 at least.

They were announced at the same time, but it looks like the AMG sourced versions are now just starting to roll out. Personally I'd rather have the supercharged V6 with manual. I'm not saying these are the last ICE cars, but the Emira (in general) will be. They may make other versions, like a more aggressive cup car or a GT version. Who knows, but they typically do that. The current versions are the "1st" editions.