| Author |
Message |
Robert McNair (Rrm)
Member
Username: Rrm
Post Number: 686
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 05, 2003 - 9:16 pm: | |
Ahhh, I hear what you are saying Dale. I had a 73 MGB and I had the same problem the bottom of the wheel would hit my knee. Tilt wheel is an option I would of liked to see on the S2000. In addition to leg room the wheel also obscures the view of the tach. |
Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Member
Username: Drtax
Post Number: 428
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 9:03 pm: | |
Robert, my problem with the S2000 was the steering wheel. It if had tilt, it would have worked. HW, as is, the bottom hit my knee <sigh>. Trust me, being an old bike guy, I'd go for a honda sports car in a rebel hour, ha! |
Robert McNair (Rrm)
Member
Username: Rrm
Post Number: 681
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 6:32 pm: | |
Dale I'm a hair under 6'3 and 245lbs and I fit fine in the S2000. I have driven it 7 hours straight with no fatigue.
I believe first year of production of the MR2 was 85. |
Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Member
Username: Drtax
Post Number: 427
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 12:14 pm: | |
Maybe so with respect to the MR2. Darn ricers. They all look the same. (At 6'2", I have never fit in a ricemobile, which explains my bias. Otherwise, I'd buy a Honda S2000 in a heartbeat.) What was the first year's production? I think that this was in 1990? |
Mfennell70 (Mfennell70)
Junior Member
Username: Mfennell70
Post Number: 175
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 11:16 am: | |
quote:In fact, this all started with Toyota. Remember the first MR2? The total production run was 20,000. This was back when the smallest run that Ford could do was 300,000.
You must be thinking of another car. The 1st gen MR2 sold more than 200,000.
http://www.mr2ownersclub.com/statistics.asp
|
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member
Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 2193
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 10:40 am: | |
Funny thing is that the speech was intended to be real uppity and stuff, but as a car enthusiast I was kind of worried.
Dale I agree that it's a great time to be a car enthusiast, but what I'm afraid of is that after the ceiling is reached of all these manufacturers trying to top each other is that they are all going to be almost the same.
VW/Audi is giving Maserati 4wd technology, for example. As the major car manufacturers start eating each other up, is it only a matter of time before the market becomes controlably segmented? Then who'll be the one to control it?
Mr. Zetsche's take I think was saying something along the lines that when competition is fierce and innovation breaks new ground, its only a matter of time before the powers that be regulate. At that point Daimler Chrysler is determined to be at the top of the heap and have a big say in regulatory practices. I think we'll start seeing a focus in Chrysler group in clean energy sort of like BMW's Hydrogen Power. A line of McLaren cars is not out of the question, as it was almost hinted at. The SLRs might just be the testing grounds?
Cheers |
Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Member
Username: Drtax
Post Number: 425
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 7:40 am: | |
Taek, there is no doubt that shorter cycle time is the new mantra of all manufacturers. If you think that this is tough for cars, imagine real estate developments. Currently, the ideal time is 36 months spanning from acquiring the property to closing the last home. There are too many variables that are out of your control to plan a project for any longer term than 36 months. For example, who would have ever thought that people would think that 6% was too high for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage? To lower risk, it is important that you get in and get out as quickly as possible.
In fact, this all started with Toyota. Remember the first MR2? The total production run was 20,000. This was back when the smallest run that Ford could do was 300,000.
What this means is that the large mass production car companies are in trouble. Consumers just will not keep shallowing millions of bland products such as Taurus, Accords, and Camrys forever. What consumers want and what they will buy are hot new cars, such as a Mini, that makes them feel good about themselves.
Bad news for car companies, but great news for car nuts.
Dale |
Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Member
Username: Iluv4res
Post Number: 492
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2003 - 1:41 pm: | |
Taek,
It's hard to believe what cars cost these days. (Do I sound old saying that???)
|
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member
Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 2188
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2003 - 11:07 am: | |
From Daimler Chrysler's Press and internal email:
>>Boston, Massachusetts -Dieter Zetsche, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chrysler Group, today likened the highly competitive global automotive industry to a �jungle,� in a speech at the prestigious Chief Executives Club of Boston, sponsored by Boston College. Zetsche stressed to the more than 300 business leaders and corporate executives in attendance that the Chrysler Group is rapidly transforming itself, a prerequisite for survival in that environment.
�This jungle is an extremely fierce and competitive place,� said Zetsche. �The U.S. market is under attack from all sides and in every segment - - and by very competent competitors.�
In order to survive in today�s business jungle, Zetsche outlined the company�s principle focus on future product, including an unprecedented plan to launch 25 new vehicles over the next 36 months. �In this business it still comes down to satisfying your customers by building great products. It always will,� said Zetsche. �Our next generation of cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles are the products that will shape our future.�<<
25 new cars introduced within the next 36 months? Wow! I know DCX has a lot of marques under their umbrella, but he was refering to their non commercial lines (article doesn't mention that).
In an effort to stay on top in this marketplace are we going to see shorter and shorter product life? Are car restylings and reengineerings going to be in a shorter time frame? It does seem that the trend towards market familiarization is not what it used to be. Cars like the MB SLs have historically kept the same lines and generally the same advanced engineering for long stints. Is this going to be a new era of 5 years in the market and out with the old? How financially feasible is this (R&D costs, marketing, etc)? By pumping out continual new product is it just going to lead to all car makers pretty much sharing everything?
Cheers |
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