VZKOOP
10-01-2005, 06:17 PM
Hi all
Been over here in San Franisco for the last 4 days and am having a blast. Thought I would update you all on some of the auto-world over here.
I hired a new Chrysler 300 for 2 days - it seemed like the thing to do. 5.7 Hemi V8, America's "Car of thr Year" according to the website, and looked quite nice in the pics. Verdict - Piece of Crap! Aside from the motor which feels as about as strong as an old 5L commy - the rest of the car is awful. Blind spots on all sides, minimal forward and rear view capability. Softer than microwaved butter on the road. Steers like a banged up go cart with pram wheels. Add to that the steering wheel is on the wrong side and you have the general idea. (I can't understand why so many people keep yelling things at me........ "Are you drunk, man?" "Hey idiot, learn to drive...." etc :rolleyes: )For $100USD per day I could think of a lot better cars to spend the money on. The car down from the 300 was a Ford Taurus, I reckon it would have been a better car.
There are lot's of SUV's and Pickups over here. It seems like every 2nd car is one of these. There are car yards with only Pick-ups for sale. Can you imagine a car yard in Oz selling only utes? Shows just how big the market is over here. I saw a Chevy Silverado Xtra Cab V8 with 22" Rims new for $29895USD - must be 100k PLUS in Oz.
There don't seem to be many custom cars here - Maybe it's just this area but so far there would be more to see at home than here on average. I reckon we have a much healthier performance and customization culture.
We test drove a new SSR (Link (http://www.gmbuypower.com/vehicleHomePage.bp?make=Chevrolet&model=SSR&modelId=049&makeId=001&&sellingSource=13)) yesterday - Wow! Convertible Retro ute with an LS2 motor. Amazing car, 50K USD. I'm wondering how much to convert one and bring it home....... I wish! The sales guys here can't believe how much we pay for the Monaro. Some of them think it is a US car. I argued with a guy for 5 minutes but couldn't make him believe me it was ours.
Accessories here are sooooo cheap. Car audio is rediculously cheap probably 1/3rd of our prices. I will be bringing back some nice gear to make the Monro sound nicer inside....:D
12.12AM here - must sleep - work tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday. Fly home Thursday get back Saturday :confused:
Been over here in San Franisco for the last 4 days and am having a blast. Thought I would update you all on some of the auto-world over here.
I hired a new Chrysler 300 for 2 days - it seemed like the thing to do. 5.7 Hemi V8, America's "Car of thr Year" according to the website, and looked quite nice in the pics. Verdict - Piece of Crap! Aside from the motor which feels as about as strong as an old 5L commy - the rest of the car is awful. Blind spots on all sides, minimal forward and rear view capability. Softer than microwaved butter on the road. Steers like a banged up go cart with pram wheels. Add to that the steering wheel is on the wrong side and you have the general idea. (I can't understand why so many people keep yelling things at me........ "Are you drunk, man?" "Hey idiot, learn to drive...." etc :rolleyes: )For $100USD per day I could think of a lot better cars to spend the money on. The car down from the 300 was a Ford Taurus, I reckon it would have been a better car.
There are lot's of SUV's and Pickups over here. It seems like every 2nd car is one of these. There are car yards with only Pick-ups for sale. Can you imagine a car yard in Oz selling only utes? Shows just how big the market is over here. I saw a Chevy Silverado Xtra Cab V8 with 22" Rims new for $29895USD - must be 100k PLUS in Oz.
There don't seem to be many custom cars here - Maybe it's just this area but so far there would be more to see at home than here on average. I reckon we have a much healthier performance and customization culture.
We test drove a new SSR (Link (http://www.gmbuypower.com/vehicleHomePage.bp?make=Chevrolet&model=SSR&modelId=049&makeId=001&&sellingSource=13)) yesterday - Wow! Convertible Retro ute with an LS2 motor. Amazing car, 50K USD. I'm wondering how much to convert one and bring it home....... I wish! The sales guys here can't believe how much we pay for the Monaro. Some of them think it is a US car. I argued with a guy for 5 minutes but couldn't make him believe me it was ours.
Accessories here are sooooo cheap. Car audio is rediculously cheap probably 1/3rd of our prices. I will be bringing back some nice gear to make the Monro sound nicer inside....:D
12.12AM here - must sleep - work tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday. Fly home Thursday get back Saturday :confused: