New car

[pedro01]

BMW M Division sell more manuals in the US than anywhere else. I don't know about the regular models, but with the M models, Americans WANT the manual. One reason is that the feeling of shifting a sports car M model, is different and more enthralling than the auto found in the lux models. I don't know the take rate of the manual vs the Dual Clutch Transmission, but America seems to be the last stand for the manual (in all cars) which most people would think that would be Europe.

There is a certain unwritten rule: You don't buy a Mustang GT V8, Camaro, Corvette, 911, Lotus, M3 without a manual. Now, there are vehicles in that list that come with DCTs and autos that shift faster than the manual, but enthusiasts who buy those cars and like "the experience", want a manual.

Well - they don't live in Bangkok.... Honestly, I sometimes despair when I look at the trip computer and see my average speed is 23 km/h

But on a run - like today, I switch to sport mode (stiffens the suspension) and put it into manual - no clutch of course but with the triptronic gear change it's a lot of fun.

I don't miss the clutch to be honest, I think the fun of a manual is nice for about 20 minutes and then back to 8 speed auto.

I'm English and never owned an auto till I got to Thailand - I don't see the point of manual any more.

Still - fuck having a car that complex and not under warranty....

[oldtimer1]

Tired of people leasing cars saying look at my new car. It's not your car. It's the dealer's car. Lease is another word for renting a car. I had 46K and I bought two 23K new cars. I will drive them for 10 years or more. With 46 K I could have leased just about any car made. If you keep leasing cars for 10 or more years keep a running total on how much you spend. Is it better to have 3 new leased cars in a 10 year period or have a paid off car for 10 years concerning money spent. I do understand the mentality of wanting a new car every couple of years. It's just a waste of money too me. I judge cars on reliability first because it's my car. If you are leasing any car should be relatively problem free for 3 years.

[James28]

Arnold is different. Arnold can drive a beat the shit out of car, and still be Arnold. In the same way that Bill Gates drove to meetings in his Ford Taurus. These guys buy expensive cars because they actually like them when they do buy them. They don't buy them to show off because no matter what they drive they are still of a specific caliber. And people know this.

However, I think a lot of people who are not of their caliber (arnold or bill gates) buys expensive car to try and keep up with the Jones's. Its our way to try and stand out from the crowd, to be better and more richer than the next guy. Arnold and Bill Gates don't need to buy an expensive car to do this because they are who they are and everyone knows them. More menial people try to reach this level by splurging on things, not because they truly enjoy them, because of the way it appears to others. TEMPER wrote in a previous post that people judge in the real world. He stated, "I'm just saying...In the real world people judge you,"  Clearly he is worried about people judging him by the car he drives.

Good lord I get tired just reading all that. All that 'effort' standing out from the next ugly poor mofo. Haha, little people and their little competitions

I wonder what that must feel like consuming yourself with what some random nobody thinks of you  

[James28]

With all the f*ck and shits you sound like a 14 year old. Besides, apparently you have to BORROW money to buy a second hand car. A previously owned Honda that you can actually afford will be a smarter choice   

One of my more 'guilty pleasures' are watching people drown themselves in debt to 'impress' others that wouldn't take the time to spit on them. You really don't have to look far to find these people.

[Mr Anabolic]

One of my more 'guilty pleasures' are watching people drown themselves in debt to 'impress' others that wouldn't take the time to spit on them. You really don't have to look far to find these people.

You are describing 90% of the US public... buying things they don't need, with money they don't have.  It's a disease.

[njflex]

One of my more 'guilty pleasures' are watching people drown themselves in debt to 'impress' others that wouldn't take the time to spit on them. You really don't have to look far to find these people.

THERE IS A GOOD MOVIE THIS IS BASED ON KEEPING UPWITH THE JONESES'DAVID DUCOVNEY/DEMI MOORE..FAKE MARRIED COUPLE WHO GO INTO RICH AREAS AND WORK THERE WAY INTO COMMUNITY ANF GETTING THE 'JONES'S'TO BUY PRODUCT AND OVERDO EACH OTHER..