OT - What Pitino Drives

[Aredubjay]

The keynote speaker at the conference we just produced, was former University of Kentucky Head Coach, aka Former Celtics Head Coach, aka Current University of Louisville Head Coach, Rick Pitino. This is what he drove into the conference center when he arrived to deliver his address:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/first...3/article.html

[svxistentialist]

I'm not a fan of the current model LS-430. The lights are ugly. The overall package of course is brilliant. The problem I see is with the marketing people's desire to move to higher ground, they have made the car ostentatious in a wealth flaunting fashion, reminiscent of a post war Cadillac.

Meanwhile the maker they want to oust, MBenz, have gone the other way with the current S class. They cleverly designed it to look smaller and more elegant than the older model, no mean trick for a car of this size. If I could afford one of these, I would let Ann drive the SVX the odd day.

The Lexus coupe looks interesting, but {dons flame suit} looks also a little bit "pipe and slippers" to me. Can't see Porsche drivers queuing up with deposits in their fists for this. granted it's SL drivers they are trying to switch.

To each his own

Joe

[svxistentialist]

On a similar vein, Hon Fuji san and Subaru totally cocked up the recipe with the current WRX.

Last model almost 100% driven by boy racers, so bad image. Subaru are hungry for the BMW 3 series market, so they design the bodywork to be more "feminine" and non agressive. And give it the stupidest set of lights since the Ford Scorpio. The car is only out 3 months here, and already the dealers are offering them with a special twin headlight kit, which harks back to the agressive slant look of the last model.

The guys who made it popular, the boy racers, don't want to be seen in a shopping wagon, they would rather spend their money on souped up imports. So it's not selling.

Honda did exactly the same with the Prelude, one of the best coupes ever. They moved away from the agressive look of the early 90's model to entice women drivers. And that's exactly what they got. It sells to a few well heeled professional women, and nobody else {I should rephrase the last, forgot Don, the Prince of Punsters is out there} Can't give the current model away in Japan.

Moral of the tale: If you are making changes to attract a new or different market, be prepared to lose the market that got you where you are.

Joe

Or, if it ain't fixed, don't broke it. Or something.

[rufus]

I can't say I dislike it, but it looks an awful lot like an Audi TT to me. But then, so do the photos I've seen of the "New-Z" prototype.

Of course, I've always been a TT man...

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by rufus
I can't say I dislike it, but it looks an awful lot like an Audi TT to me. But then, so do the photos I've seen of the "New-Z" prototype.

Of course, I've always been a TT man...

Oh, brother

Anyway, to see it in the "flesh" is a little different. I don't like the TT. It looks like a jellybean that's been slightly squashed. The SC 430, at least has a few "sharp" lines to break up the jellybean look. I peeked inside and checked out the interior. I could certainly snuggle up to it with its real wood and leather dressings. The seats seem to sit up high for a little roadster. If I had the money, I'd certainly buy one over the Kompressor (which I really liked before I saw the SC 430). 'Specially considering the 300 Horse V8 in the SC. Trouble is, like the SVX, it only comes in AUTO (can you believe it?!?!?). 58K and some change buys it. Add the optional run-flat tires for an additional 400 and the Navigation system for an additional 2K, and you've got yourself a car.

[rufus]

Oh brother? All the miserable puns I've seen around here and I get an "Oh brother". Man...

I really do like the TT though.

Personally, I would take my $60K and plunk it down on a slightly used Boxster and pocket about $20K to pay for the insurance

A black Boxster would look good in the garage next to the pearl SVX... like Darth Vader with a Storm Trooper body guard.

By the way, have you seen "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou"? That was one damn funny movie.

[SVXphile]

<Oh brother? All the miserable puns I've seen around here and I get an "Oh brother". Man... >

I resemble that remark......anyway I think your Vader/Trooper comparison is classic! I too have a strong liking of the TT.

Autoweek had one of the first reports on the Lexus a few months back. The styling too me bears some relationship to another car that was inspired by a boat; a Chris-Craft if memory serves me. I'll probably bring the wrath of the club down on me, but I thought it was a very nice design. Can anyone guess the car I am refering to? Hint: It was American and only recently discontinued.
Don

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by rufus
Oh brother? All the miserable puns I've seen around here and I get an "Oh brother". Man...

Sorry, Mike. That one was just TOOOOO obvious. Ya gotta work those puns. Blend 'em into normal conversation.

And, on a final note, please keep us abreast of your TT exploits.

[SVXphile]

< And, on a final note, please keep us abreast of your TT exploits>

That takes a bra-ve man, Aredub. Audi know better than ask that.
Don

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by SVXphile
< And, on a final note, please keep us abreast of your TT exploits>

That takes a bra-ve man, Aredub. Audi know better than ask that.
Don

Sorry, Don. Getting late. Just made some coffee. Must get another cup <sighs>. See? Cup.

(And for years, Aredub wondered why women wanted to wear an Orange Sherbet, stuffed into a cardboard tube with a wooden stick coming out the bottom of it. He considered how uncomfortable that must be -- 'specially since that stick was pointy, once the Sherbet was gone.)

[SVXphile]

<(And for years, Aredub wondered why women wanted to wear an Orange Sherbet, stuffed into a cardboard tube with a wooden stick coming out the bottom of it. He considered how uncomfortable that must be -- 'specially since that stick was pointy, once the Sherbet was gone.)

...and so arose the terms "get on the stick" ...
...or...
..."stick 'um up!"

(Theme music from Fractured Fairy Tales) Don

[SVXphile]

Any guesses out there? The recently deseased American car inspired by the lines of a classic runabout...? Don

[Ron Mummert]

Was there really a runabout called a Prowler?

[Aredubjay]

The Buick Reatta?

[rufus]

I've driven some diseased American cars, but not recently...