Anyone else get banned from the G8X section for making fun of its looks?

[Tecnniqe]

Some night cruising for like 4 hours on a Friday. Found some nice spots to stop and enjoy and snapped a couple pictures under this bridge.

[GrussGott]

Auto biz thought of the day:
The BEV revolution is going to happen a lot faster than anyone realizes (even faster than 2030) & the Germans aren't ready to compete, especially BMW.

There's still a lot people out there who think because the US is slow to adopt BEVs, that dynamic will just persist forever an it'll be decades before a full transition. Here's why slow-BEV-transition is tragically wrong:

Automakers are international companies and the US is their smallest large market; smaller than BOTH China or the EU alone, and certainly together.

Automakers aren't going to continue building unique models just for the US market, their smallest market ... and that's before we consider those models have completely different drive trains they'd need 1000s of employees to support.

And then there's the ongoing parts & service business - why would an automaker want to support that for a niche market?

And then there's the supply chains - their suppliers will either stop making those parts and/or the cost/unit will rise, raising the price of the vehicles ... WFH, Lyft, Amazon Prime, Waymo taxis, & delivery robots are happening too fast and this will start crushing cheap ICE demand in cities, further impacting economies of scale.


What this means is that auto prices are getting very close to inverting, with BEVs getting the economies of scale and ICE becoming the complex niche product. And there'll still be ICE, but they'll be Porsches and niche industrial machines.

[stein_325i]

Great article from C/D, the amount of praise this car gets let alone in just this article reminds me of the old C/D BMW pieces which were accused by many for having bias towards the company, that's how good this car is.

Tested: 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Is an Epic Sendoff

No higher praise than this, especially coming from C/D who love the 911:

Originally Posted by Car and Driver

HIGHS: The pinnacle of sports sedans, as fun to drive as a Porsche 911...

There is no doubt that enthusiasts will remember the bigger, badder Blackwing as one of the best sports sedans ever made. Years after it's gone, its legend will live on.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Great article from C/D, the amount of praise this car gets let alone in just this article reminds me of the old C/D BMW pieces which were accused by many for having bias towards the company, that's how good this car is.

Tested: 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Is an Epic Sendoff

No higher praise than this, especially coming from C/D who love the 911:

Attachment 2698683

I will play devil's advocate and say wait a bit longer.

This was a bit of the same talk the CTS-V got last time and that went nowhere for Caddy since very few can get past the branding part.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

ha, well, depends on if you like them!

The "tudor is a cheap rolex" narrative is bunk; Tudor is its own thing with its own image and features ... for example the Pelagos. For me, I like tool watches, so I naturally gravitate to Tudor over Rolex but ... not being one who supports the planned-undersupply business model, I can't support Rolex or Tudor on principle but also understand many don't have my hang-ups

Also, for me, a watch isn't luxury if I'm worried about resale - the whole point of luxury is how I feel acquiring & using it, not getting rid of it. (e.g., "I've never said - wow, this 5 star hotel is sold out, I think I'll buy an extra night and see if I can make a buck selling it")

I more/less began moving away from dress watches in 2015 when I stopped wearing suits - I still appreciate them, but they're not me; I like tooly tool watches like Sinn, g-shock Mr-G, etc ... though maybe Omega fits in there. I also like the JDM travel Casio toolies like Oceanus. And beyond that Garmin Tactix is on my list.


blahblahblah Ok so if I was going to buy a car watch, what would it be?

Well, Breitling is pretty on-the-nose there lately with the vintage Cobra / Mustang / Corvette models:

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And the Carl F Bucherer Manero Flyback on the rally strap is pretty cool:

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But the greatest Porsche watch of all time is, of course, the Monaco (the version with the gulf livery is cool too):

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I actually thought of the Black Ceramic Black Bay Tudor but couldn't get myself to look for it. :

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Arcades

I will play devil's advocate and say wait a bit longer.

This was a bit of the same talk the CTS-V got last time and that went nowhere for Caddy since very few can get past the branding part.

It's surely a shame people allow brand snobbery to keep them out of amazing cars.

I watched the TH CT5 BW video this morning and if I was ready to buy a 100k sports sedan it would be on the top of my list. I love the styling, it sounds amazing, manual, and by all reviews it drives great on and off a track. I definitely had desire watching the video.

Maybe all yous can sell your watches and crowd source me one...

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Arcades

I will play devil's advocate and say wait a bit longer.

This was a bit of the same talk the CTS-V got last time and that went nowhere for Caddy since very few can get past the branding part.

I think making them limited production and manual transmission as an option will definitely help. These aren't being mass produced like the last generation were.

[Tecnniqe]

This is a pretty cool series on Misha's channel where he brings with engineer working on the Polestar cars and do some laps and talking about the car.

They've done one on winter for the P2 and summers with P1 in addition to this one.
Misha shows how much skills are a factor and not the car you're in.
Polestar seems very impressive!

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by swagon

I'm very much into detailing, but there's something about brake dust, dead bugs and rubber marks that makes me feel some type of way. Keep it clean and protected, but don't be afraid to make it dirty.

This is nice work. If you add a layer of ice on top of the track grime it helps to preserve. Good to hear the giros are working out Nothing better than full confidence and consistency under braking on track.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Great article from C/D, the amount of praise this car gets let alone in just this article reminds me of the old C/D BMW pieces which were accused by many for having bias towards the company, that's how good this car is.

Tested: 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Is an Epic Sendoff

They also threw in

K.C. Colwell challenged me to find something—anything—wrong with the CT5-V Blackwing. Shouldn't be a problem; no car is perfect. But the great ones make you forget their shortcomings, and this Caddy is brilliant. In Tour mode, it reminds me of the E39 BMW M5: speed made creamy smooth, effortless, and comfortable. In Track mode, it conjures the wild-animal heart of the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S. Forget its bland interior design and garish seat inserts and armrests. What's wrong is that the CT5-V Blackwing is the end of the line. Wrong, wrong, wrong! —Rich Ceppos

E39 M5 characteristics with GT63 S track performance. That's a winning combo.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

They also threw in

K.C. Colwell challenged me to find something—anything—wrong with the CT5-V Blackwing. Shouldn't be a problem; no car is perfect. But the great ones make you forget their shortcomings, and this Caddy is brilliant. In Tour mode, it reminds me of the E39 BMW M5: speed made creamy smooth, effortless, and comfortable. In Track mode, it conjures the wild-animal heart of the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S. Forget its bland interior design and garish seat inserts and armrests. What's wrong is that the CT5-V Blackwing is the end of the line. Wrong, wrong, wrong! —Rich Ceppos

E39 M5 characteristics with GT63 S track performance. That's a winning combo.

I want to drive one so bad, seems like a monster, I can't see why anyone would get it with an auto.

[Tecnniqe]

For my E46 bros out there

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Arcades

This was a bit of the same talk the CTS-V got last time and that went nowhere for Caddy since very few can get past the branding part.

Times change, new BMW's are butt f*cking ugly and Mercedes isn't producing any V8's for the remainder of 2022.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

I think making them limited production and manual transmission as an option will definitely help. These aren't being mass produced like the last generation were.

Production isn't being limited, anyone can get one. GM just created a limited serial numbered edition at launch 250 units of each Blackwing. All producton after that is normal. Similar to when Mercedes launches a new AMG model and has the Edition 1. Everyone is doing it now, even Ford with the Bronco First Edition.

[icegrill]

Originally Posted by hellrotm

Production isn't being limited, anyone can get one. GM just created a limited serial numbered edition at launch 250 units of each Blackwing. All producton after that is normal. Similar to when Mercedes launches a new AMG model and has the Edition 1. Everyone is doing it now, even Ford with the Bronco First Edition.

2008, year one of the 1 series. IFYKYK

[Humdizzle]

after watching some videos it really makes me wish BMW gave the F80 manual a no lift shift option.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by icegrill

2008, year one of the 1 series. IFYKYK

That was pretty cool. Came with a book, too.

[Tacoma]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

I

think making them limited production and manual transmission as an option will definitely help. These aren't being mass produced like the last generation were.

LOL, you can argue the entire ATS-V run was "limited production"... so limited, they didn't sell.

I'm with Arcades here. C&D was throwing heaps of praise (as much if not more than the Blackwing is getting today) over the CTS-V back in 2015 ending with the verdict "A very scary sedan, but only if you happen to be employed by Mercedes-AMG, BMW’s M division, or Audi’s Quattro GmbH." The ATS beat BMW on comparison tests and won Car of the Year by Motor Trend IIRC. There was "special edition" limited run too - didn't help.

Top Gear, after glowingly praising the 2016 Caddy-V, saying "This new CTS-V has not just leveled its offer with the competition, it’s surpassed it..." Then went on to caution: "So the only thing that might stop you is the looks or the brand. The first, to our eyes, has been improved and modernised well. The second depends on why you drive a car – for yourself or other people." In other words, the Caddy brand.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

LOL, you can argue the entire ATS-V run was "limited production"... so limited, they didn't sell.

I'm with Arcades here. C&D was throwing heaps of praise (as much if not more than the Blackwing is getting today) over the CTS-V back in 2015 ending with the verdict "A very scary sedan, but only if you happen to be employed by Mercedes-AMG, BMW's M division, or Audi's Quattro GmbH." The ATS beat BMW on comparison tests and won Car of the Year by Motor Trend IIRC. There was "special edition" limited run too - didn't help.

Top Gear, after glowingly praising the 2016 Caddy-V, saying "This new CTS-V has not just leveled its offer with the competition, it's surpassed it..." Then went on to caution: "So the only thing that might stop you is the looks or the brand. The first, to our eyes, has been improved and modernised well. The second depends on why you drive a car – for yourself or other people." In other words, the Caddy brand.

I don't disagree, there is an image that some associate with Cadillac, and I never said they were going to sell, but it does seem that this time they are going to try avoid having them sit on dealer lots by mainly producing ordered builds. I do know there is a waitlist at the moment still, but of course the current market being as it is also does have its effect.

I still think this will easily be fondly remembered in the future and have the possibility of holding value well, even the gen 2 (especially wagons) and gen 3 CTS-V's have held values pretty well before the chip/new car shortage.

Like @DMK08 said "It's surely a shame people allow brand snobbery to keep them out of amazing cars."

[Tecnniqe]

Saw a SPY G80, what a terrible, absolutely horrendous color. Wow...

[icegrill]

Originally Posted by Tecnniqe

Saw a SPY G80, what a terrible, absolutely horrendous color. Wow...

I'm so sick of the constant gaslighting of the G8x on the front page! It's truly pathetic that the philosophy is to keep cramming it in everyone's feed. It's like look at this cool guy he bought a new m3/m4 and so should you. SMH

[Tecnniqe]

Originally Posted by icegrill

I'm so sick of the constant gaslighting of the G8x on the front page! It's truly pathetic that the philosophy is to keep cramming it in everyone's feed. It's like look at this cool guy he bought a new m3/m4 and so should you. SMH

I don't even look at the front page much at all.

I just go to this thread

I honestly don't care all that much about what they're doing anymore, it's just bad 90% of the time and seeing that color G80 just made me sad.
If they do something cool, I'll probably read about it here or elsewhere without getting my eyes tortured with that thing.

Like, that car could be the best car in the universe (lol), and I'd never buy it simply because of the styling alone.
Only, ONLY positive from the exterior, is the exhaust tips but they're dressed in prolapse anyway so