Bro, I wasnt even considering CTX, just it happen to be in same price range..
BUT!!!! Quesiotn for u, I did give it a LOT of thought about upgrading STi where it lacks the most - which is refinement and quality of interior.. My first step was to put Amps/speakers/NAV/MP3/DVD (Alpine i-900 unit), but then I also wanted some nice trim around, maybe, leather, maybe carbon fiber sporty, or something else..
U recommended something below and I'd like to hear more about it..
Also, what are 04 Supra specs u heard about? I read in automobile mag june issue that it wont be turbo, it will have 3.0 and 3.5 engine.. good for around 300 ho the latter one..
What have u heard? Supra is damn nice!!!!!

 

255 HP and 3,694 pounds do not an STi contender make.

The CTS V which has a V-8 and 400 hp is going to be $45-$50k.

 

exactly

 

Janq,

Got any good link you can point me to for the pre-liminary specs & designs for the '04 Supra?

Thanks

 

Oh hell, I forgot to respond to AMDMAXX on this and my idea of using a ballistic material seat covering.

I had to prepare for a paintball tourney this weekend.
Later tonight I'll get you and AMDMAXX links toward the info you seek.

- Janq

 

thanks, all that assuming u won't have heavy casualties from paintballing wars...

 

I find it funny how everyone always rags on American cars. Ok, I'll give you that I think that most all of American cars are ugly and have crappy interiors, but they have come a long way and are getting much better.

Personally I think the CTS is a pretty decent looking car.

Anyway, back to my original point...American cars do not break after 2-3 years of use. I know that you were probably exaggerating, but the reliability of American cars is just as good today as any Japanese car. In fact, arguably one of the most reliable engines ever built was/is the SBC 350. Every mechanic I've ever taken my truck into raves about it. Last time I took my truck in with about 115k on it the mechanic looked at the odometer and said," So...she's just getting broken in huh?" I know that trucks don't necessarily compare to cars, but I would buy just about any American made truck over a Japanese truck. One of my buddies has a 98' Toyota truck and I can tell you that it feels much cheaper than my 94' K Blazer. Also, just from looking at the truck from the underside I can tell you that it's made cheaper. The rear brakes on that Toy were so flimsy looking it was rediculous. The front geared hubs on my truck are practically indestructable and would with out a doubt outlast that Toyota.

Now...sports cars? That's a whole different story. Other than the Vette, I'd take most Japanese sports cars (Unless it was a classic muscle car) or European sports car over any American sports car. And if I had to chose between European or Japanese I'd probably go European if I had the money. For the money though I don't think anything can touch the Evo or the STi in all around performance. Hopefully someday soon I'll have an STi sitting in my garage

 

Janq,

Thanks in advance

 

Sam - u right, truckwise US has gone a long way and made some of the best trucks, but carwise, that is yet to be determined..

 

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by amdmaxx
rule #1) never buy cars in 1st production year
rule #2) american cars will break after 2-3 years of use.. or less...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SamSTi,

I follow your point and enthusiasm for your truck but you're missing the point. You're domestic truck is not a domestic _car_.
There is a big difference beyind the obvious.

Both GM & Ford have poured billions of development dollars into their light truck lines at the expense of their automobiles. Why? Becuase the market demanded it as more folks wanted to ride around in SUV's (that never see dirt) and drive pickups (that often carry nothing more than a pair of asses and a 'SuperSized' meal.

Meanwhile the 'car' lines have suffered badly. Now I agree quality has improved fro the domestics overall i botht he car & light turck lines, but so have the imports. Patriotism aside one cannot seriously argue that the domestics are equal to or better than most imports which includes everyone from Audi & BMW to Volvo & Hyundai with many inbetween.
Yes, there are many a decade old domestic on the road and there are many a high mile domestic still in service but at the end of the day there are many more older & high value (wholesale cost) imports on the road than there are domestics of any and all sorts.
Further, the domestic manuf. are having a heartattack right now as they are losing market share percentages by the day to imports such as Mitsubishi (fast growing import in the US), VW (an automotive 'SuperPower'), Hyundai (yes, Hyundai!) not to mention the old standby's of Audi, BMW, Mercedes and even the very tiny Porsche (Cayenne).

GM and Ford in my mind should be ashamed of themselves as they have everythign going for them in the home market (NA) yet even with all that and various subsidies including import tariffs and domestic only supply contracts to Govt. they are still struggling to stay in the game. Chrysler already had to fold and _sell themselves_ to Mercedes (an import!) while the remainder have taken a position of if you can't beatem joinem. Ford buys Volvo, GM buys (and ruins) Saab and takes a percentage 'interest' in Subie. They both create bastard step children models based off of imports chassis & drivetrains witht he hope of attracting import buyers to a pseudo domestic and still they aren't succesful.

The only way to for GM & Ford to rise above would be for the imports to be entirely banned from the US market. Then quicker than you can say Kojak we would all be riding around in POS Buick Centennial's, Chevy Malibu's, Pontiac Trans AM's and Dodge Mirada's amongst other forgettable garbage.

What really needs to happen is for the domestics to stop jerking the consumers chain and stop putting out garbage, swallow their pride, and stop making Pontic Aztec's & Ford Taurus cab's and put together real values with real performance and build quality.
Until then I'll continue to visit Honda, Subie, BMW, Toyota and the like and not feel bad in the least. Millions of other buyers will do the same.

- Janq

"Quality is job one!" - Ford
"The Heartbeat of America" - Chevy
"The relentless pursuit of perfection" - Lexus
"Inexpensive, and built to stay that way" - Subaru

 

I would say that for the most part I do agree with you. I thought that I had differentiated my point enough to make it understood that I knew I was talking about trucks and not cars, but I probably wasn't clear enough. That aside, I still think there are some good American cars out there. The Ford Focus, Lincoln LS, Vette (ok, the C5's interior sucks, but you have to admit the rest is very nice...wait for the C6 *crosses fingers that GM gets a clue*) ,the new caddy's are nice IMHO and well....yeah not too many others. As far as AWD cars go Mitsu, Subie, Audi definitely have a strangle hold and the US manufacturers definitely have some catching up to do.

 

Ok boys, here ya go with links to your info;

* 2004 Supra | JDMNut
+ This months edition of 'Automobile' magazine features a preview with designers sketch on page 20 under the title "Supr Dupra". It states the engines to be made available will be "3.0 and 3.5 liter normally asprirated V-6's matched to a six-speed close ration transmission". Further its reported the unit will be on sale in 2004 in the $30K range. To help the cover of the magazine edition looks like this...
+ Additonal news and information has been reported in the "Rumors" section of Toyota Celica Online; http://www.toyotacelicaonline.com/rumors.htm#supra

The above should whet your tongues for a while. If the Supra looks anythign like the picture reported in Automobile Magazine then this thing is going to be both nice to look at and quick. It literally looks like the car 'Racer-X' drove in speed racer, especially in the doors and wheel arches.

* 'Ballistic Nylon' material | AMDMAXX
Ballistic nylon is basically a man made synthetic material made of plastic (technically its a polymer but I'll stay away from the chemistry of it) that is extremely durable. It is water resistant (if properly cured & treated waterproof), heat resistant, tear proof, lightweight, non conducting (heat or cold) and acts as a good insulator. Most importnatly though with the correct weight and weave it was orignally developed for use by military and paramilitary organizations as a replacement for canvas & cordura shells in flak & bullet proof jackets as well as puncture proof body armor (think prison SORT squads). Its tougher than leather at 1/3 the weight and requires no maintainance.

The good folks at 'Joe Rocket' make jackets out of it for performance oriented bikers (http://www.joerocket.com) and the folks at 'Brenthaven' who are arguably makers of the best designed, most durable and protective computer cases money can buy (other than a custom 'Pelican' case) also use ballistic nylon as the basis for their various products (http://www.brenthaven.com).

My idea was to replace the interior surfaces of the STi with this material. The stock material looks to me like mouse fur, with blue Alcantra inserts stitched in for good measure. In my minds eye an entire interior redone in ballistic nylon would be both lighter than leather (though heaveir than the stock material) yet just as durable. I'd remove the Alcantra from the stock materials as I paid for it and stitch it in along with the ballistic nylon. The best thing about ballistic nylon is that you can get it in any number of colors and shades and not just graphite as its typically seen.
My car will be silver though so I'd stick with graphite/black against blue Alcantra inserts. It would be sick as balistic nylon looks like carbon fiber weave only its flexible.
If I were into shows I'd do it.

I hope this helps...

- Janq

 

AMDMAXX,

As you are a fellow Bimmer 'M' nut I thought you might get a kick out of this flick; http://w1.303.telia.com/~u30314732/kilander.wmv

Its an E36 M3 widebody running a turbo charged S38B38 M5 engine with 870 BHP and 1200nm @ 4000rpm! I had to play it back twice to believe it.

- Janq

"Smokin!" - Jim Carrey, 'The Mask'

 

thanks!
Ye, I been lurking bimmer.org and e46fanatics since 2000..
Always wanted m3, kinda out of my reach now plus its heavy, got heavy stock non-forged 18 inch wheels (dunno how they manage to keep handling great anyways).. still would love one.. with SMG..
Thanks for materials info also..
And ye, I get automobile mag, saw that supra article, that 3.5 better be pumping aorund 300-330hp..

 

AMDMAXX,

I saw my first STi today upclose and personal (sat in it)...and an EVO too!

I was on the way to Home Depot and I spotted the STi's tail merge into traffic two blocks up the road. I was on the phone with my buddy tom cancelling our plans to go visit the Inifiniti dealer to test drive the G35C (they only have auto's in stock) when I just flat dropped the phone and stood on the gas. I went from 30MPH to about 70 in a few seconds tryign to catch up to dude. I catch him at a redlight and guess what, he's a NASIOC & i-Club member!!! As it tuend out he was guest of honar at a Subie get together right up the road and he was headed that way so I told him I was going to come with.

Dude makes it to the spot and their are about 20 people standing around waiting. His car was mobbed within seconds.
Its blue/silver and sweeeet.

The interior is different than what was featured in the show car at the NY show. Specifically the carpeting is a much deeper shade of blue, kind of like a sea blue or coral. Deep but not inky.
The seats are oh so nice too. The show car had escaine inserts on a greyish/black 'mouse fur' looking base material. The actual vehicle has a black knit & heavy cloth that looks similar to the cloth material in the GEN I Nisaan Exterra...nice!

The wing is not as huge looking as it seems in the pic although I still think I'll take mine down (remove the upper section and leave the base). The tires are quite meaty looking from behind but not like in a Vette or Porsche (over wide) though very athletic. The silver hweels really contrast well against the hefty shoulders of the low-profile tires.

The exhaust is quite subtle, like a small-block V8. At idle its barely perceptible. Once you jump on the gas it rumbles with a low frequency burble but it never seems to roar, I like that.
The exhaust can and its exit is big. Bottom less pit looking down a well big. Again, nice.

The HID's are bright. I was watching as WRX1 (the owner) was driving with traffic that his lights were reflecting brightly & intensely off of other cars paint but it wasn't blinding like those on BMW's & Mercedes.

The interior overall is nice but a radio has got to be put in ASAP as its obvious somethings missing there. The paint quality seemed fine to me although it was overcast & raining out as well as the sun was setting.

That's all for now but let me know if you would like to know anything more. IMHO, advantage STi. I'll be checking out the G35C when I get back from vacation.

- Janq