Hey I understand its all a mish mash now. And politics and bailouts and forced trade agreements (that are never as favorable to US companies and workers as to other Countries) have made it worse.

But what do we do, quit? Support German and Japanese Corporate parents while ditching the Big 3 of Detroit MI USA? Let our Rulers use our (and our grandkid's) tax money to bail out GM & Chrysler, and then with what little money we have left, knowlingly send profits to Berlin & Tokyo Corporations?

Not me. The last time our economy was deep in the pickles & unemployment lines was the early 80's recession. And it was made clear the right thing to do was support US corporations and US jobs. And look how long that wave lasted?? An unheard of 17+year bull market!!

There are many things the US companies have priced themselves out of the market on and you are practically forced to buy overseas stuff. But not cars. US Big 3 are well made, well priced, and great performers.

So rant on, but NO German or Japan Corporation auto's for me while there's this much unemployment amongst our families, friends & neighbors.

 

I had a similar situation with an 02 330i and the 07 GT/CS and here s my solution.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=777222

I am so happy with the Mustang.

 

someone is selling a 05-09 mustang wiht low miles

https://themustangsource.com/f721/20...lby-gt-483890/

 

just a thought, there is a problem with sub frame failure and cracks, the class action law suit for E46 models gives you the right to a free inspection at BMW until September 2010. They may need to rip out the gas tank for this. Then if it fails after that you are on your own and the cost is approx $3k to fix, other than that they are really awesome

 

I guess we'll just agree to disagree. I certainly respect your end goal, just questioned that buying an American brand is the only way to achieve it. There are many folks across this country that have jobs due to foreign manufacturers who have brought business to the United States.

I buy the best product while still trying to be mindful of my fellow workers here in this country. When it comes to fun cars with tons of power, the Mustang is it, IMO.

 

I love that you had a spare GT!

 

Hey, it's all good. I am always interested in society and politics. I wasn't pointing fingers or anything like that, it's good discussion. I used to be heavy into politics in high school with debate and forensics, even gave a speech once about how Osama was the most under appreciated terrorist, on the FBI's most wanted list, the country has overlooked and that if something wasn't done then we might see more of this guy....well about 9 months later, Sept. 11th. I didn't realize it then but now that I think back, my judges just laughed at me and thought I was giving a very patriotic speech about how the US should grow a pair and stand up to the threat. I didn't move any further as I was ranked last after my speech. I really should have joined the Special Forces....

Anywho, this has at least taken my mind off of the 2011. That should keep my wife a bit happier. Now I day dream about first modifications. I have gotten used to my BMW's sport suspension so that will now be a must for the Stang. I may get lauded for this but I really want to put in a Hurst short throw. Why Hurst? Just because it's Hurst, the epitome of hot rod shifters. I know I could go with Saleen, FRPP, Shelby, Roush but I want Hurst. I will only stick to FRPP, Roush and Shelby parts for this car as I have done a mish-mash of parts before in my sport trucks and it just never came out the way I envisioned it.

 

Yeah, I am really headed the way of the Mustang now, I hope. I just need to convince the other half to go along with me on this one. I will say that for what a stock clutch will cost me in even a 330, I can get a Stage 1 or 2 performance clutch for the Mustang and still have cash leftover. Seeing as how the Mustang will be my first vehicle to produce 300Hp besides the 335, I am not worried yet about performace. Later I want to push for 325 to 340. Then if I can find a good SC go that route.

I can't use Hp as a good measure, my truck in the Army had 500 Hp but it did 0-55 in about a minute solid! It also weighed 65,000lbs.

 

As for the new BMW 3 Series, one of my wife's friends just bought a new one - white with the tan leather interior (not sure if it is leatherette or not). The styling looks a bit spartan and I was a little surprised at that. Compared to the VW CC, the BMW interior looked cheap. Go to the VW website and click on the CC VR6 $Motion...

http://www.vw.com/cc/en/us/

 

Hmm, I have a 2008 and I don't think there is much of a difference inside compared to a new one. On that note I suppose, to each their own. We have black on black with leather on almost all surfaces. All dash is soft touch and very comfortable to me. I went and looked at the CC before we bought my wife's BMW and I said it then and I stand by this: It's impressive, for a VW, it's depressing since it's an Audi, and all in all it still feels as cheap and gimmicky as a Wal-Mart. I liked it but I didn't think it held a candle to our 335i. I know a lot of people that don't feel the same way but when all the plastic buttons in the VW looked and felt as cheap as an early 2k GM vehicle's I just wasn't blown away. Our BMW's radio buttons are touch sensitive, you don't even have to press them and when you do, they are coated with a slightly vulcanized rubber non-slip coating. Padded leather arm rests on both doors and center console. I really am not trying to sell anyone on BMW, I just have a complex as to how people feel the interior of my car feels cheap. Just personal preference though. I think the S line Hybrid Mercedes feels and looks worse than the 2011 Ford Edge. The only interiors that have absolutely blown me away were the Aston Martin DBS and Ferrari 599 GTB. I still love the interior of our 335 and kind of use it as my reference to all other production line vehicles.

Just ranting, I am not angry with anyone, just maybe take things the wrong way.

Edit: The seats in the CC are frickin' sweet! Though my adjustable bolsters are much sweeter! I recommend everyone at least go sit in a CC it is superb seating.

Our 335 looks like this with dark burl wood not aluminum and carpet floor mats.

 

Really? Man, I loved the interior of the S-class Mercedes hybrid. It was so plush and the buttons...my Lord, the buttons! I didn't understand what half of them did!

It wasn't the best layout, but the wood seemed real and the leather sooooo soft.

 

That Bimmer interior does look nice. Maybe the one our friend bought is a less outfitted version?

 

Yeah, when we went the sales guy told me they offered the fake leather, leatherette, and I was like "WHAAAA?!" No way I am spending that much money on a car and not getting leather. Although that still isn't the case but in my little mind it added up. He told me about a lot of the people that like the feel of leather but don't want to harm animals and what not, the vegan interior we called it.

Totally cool that Ford uses soybean foam but at least they don't use bamboo for seats!

Our BMW came with all options but one, and at the time I don't think they offered the M package for the car, I can't really remember but I wish I had the M steering wheel. The sport wheel isn't bad though. Oh well I really just wanted to get my wife something she really liked. Now she harps on my when I talk trash about my Accord!

 

I'm pretty sure that car reads your mind, like bluetooth, you get in sync up and the car does as its told.
I'm thinking there is a big warehouse in Germany with a bunch of trees with flame tempered names on them for each owner so when anything happens they can re form your piece out of the same tree. Doesn't Bently do this? Rolls Royce?


I might have been more in the category of I'll never ever own one so what's the point. I think in that style of a car that layout works. It was the first digital dash I had ever seen besides the C4 Vette's.

 

Still, the problem around here anyway, is that nearly everyone has a BMW - especially the three series. Yes, lots of Mustangs around - more V-6ers than GTs, Shelbys or Bullitts, but owning a Stang has a certain rebellious/nostalgic slant to it. Bimmers are a dime a dozen in Johnson County, Kansas. Not as bad as seeing a Camry at every turn, but darn near. It is kinda nice to drive something not everyone else does.

 

I agree. We live near uptown Dallas/SMU and it's a BMW/Mercedes fest at every corner, sometimes I see some nice ones like an SLR McLaren or Alpina but usually just the typical customers. Although I appreciate the 1 a day I get of Aston Martins! Keeps me sane. I barely see any decent Mustangs let a lone an S197, even more rare is the 2010+. Like a Chupacabra for some reason. That's also a great incentive for me too. I agree, there is a great rebellious side to the Stang and my Accord just ain't fulfilling this need!

 

Cdynaco, well said X2!

 

Maybe I am overdoing it though.
I now have 3 Fords and I can walk to most places I need to go.

 

as far as buying american or not, i'm not going down that road. on the mpg end i will give you my story. I used to travel 45 miles round trip back and forth to work for about three years before i moved to a store closer to home. i still managed to get 27-28 mpg with my GT and not beating the wiz out of it. just drive normal and it would pay off. when i drive to my friends in Conneticut i get 32 mpg!

 

I can relate. LOL
Got an old GMC cattle truck, 2 Fords and a Chrysler, and I'm hard pressed to cross 10k/year combined! Mostly fall under that 'change oil every 5k or at least once/year' on each rig. But I'm tryin' to help!!