Life after 8000 RPM: Lotus Elise & Mazda RX-8 Farewell (Automobile Mag)

[Cookie Monster]

I'm equally as comfortable/uncomfortable in an NA Miata as I'm in my NC Miata.

Cars have just grown with huge beltlines so people feel safer. Plus cars have become so tall that the higher beltlines make people think the car is lower visually.

[S204STi]

[Laconian]

I saw an Acadia nearly back into an old woman yesterday. The tailgate is so fucking high that the driver couldn't see the person behind her. I don't give a crap if they make people *feel* safe, if they are objectively *making* people less safe then they shouldn't be used.

Consumerism caters to our lizard brains and we lap it up. We suck as a species.

[2o6]

GAHAHAHAH!

I saw an Acadia nearly back into an old woman yesterday. The tailgate is so fucking high that the driver couldn't see the person behind her. I don't give a crap if they make people *feel* safe, if they are objectively *making* people less safe then they shouldn't be used.

Consumerism caters to our lizard brains and we lap it up. We suck as a species.

The Acadia is a huge car. I doubt a "low beltline" would make the car easier to see out of.


I think you guys take this belt line crap too seriously. I don't think I have been in a modern car that was too hard to see out of to the point where it hurt driving ability. If anything, thick pillers are more of a detriment than high beltlines. The car is designed in such a way that the bottom of the line is within reason; it's not like the car's beltline is so high that it cuts across your face.

[Onslaught]

I'm not sure how a high belt line makes it more safe. Most all doors have two impact beams inside the door that take the hit. You can fit them inside a "normal" size door without any problems.

[TurboDan]

High shoulderlines are in. People love not seeing out of their cars.

I had a Charger as a rental last year and I couldn't see shit out of it. Looks cool, but....

[2o6]

I'm not sure how a high belt line makes it more safe. Most all doors have two impact beams inside the door that take the hit. You can fit them inside a "normal" size door without any problems.

Glass is weaker than metal. More metal should give it a better fare in a crash.

[Laconian]

I hate thick pillars too! They are *horrible* for seeing people waiting at crosswalks.

[Laconian]

Glass is weaker than metal. More metal should give it a better fare in a crash.

The sheet metal of the door panels isn't really the part that's protecting you.

[r0tor]

I like high beltlines -shrug-

[Onslaught]

I'm telling you guys you can't see a fucking thing out of these cars. I've been backing cars up on a frame pulling rack for years and never had a problem with it. Now I've got to almost open the damn door to see if the wheels are hitting the right place or not. Can't stand it

[Onslaught]

The sheet metal of the door panels isn't really the part that's protecting you.

Yep, that metal you're talking about won't do a fucking thing. It's the thick, large bars you can't see that keep you from getting hurt. Without them I could crush a door with my foot. It hurt but I could do it.

[2o6]

The sheet metal of the door panels isn't really the part that's protecting you.

I'd rather it be metal than pane of glass.

I hate thick pillars too! They are *horrible* for seeing people waiting at crosswalks.

It's horrible for taking curves briskly. Had a couple annoyances in the Sentra I drove last week. I've even had some annoyances in my Focus.


And the dual A-piller in the Civic sedan needs to die. When done right, it adds visibility (SX4), but the one in the Civic sedan hinders visibility.

[Cookie Monster]

I'd rather it be metal than pane of glass.



It's horrible for taking curves briskly. Had a couple annoyances in the Sentra I drove last week. I've even had some annoyances in my Focus.


And the dual A-piller in the Civic sedan needs to die. When done right, it adds visibility (SX4), but the one in the Civic sedan hinders visibility.

You realize that sheetmetal is thin as fuck, right?

[Onslaught]

You realize that sheetmetal is thin as fuck, right?

He's never had his hand cut open by a door skin. I've been cut by glass and sheet metal. I'd take glass every time.

[SVT666]

Camaro.

[Soup DeVille]

Nope, and I haven't said that, either.

You really think tall people can be totally comfortable in a new Fit?

I am. I could ask for a little more side-to-side room, but that's my fault.

I'm 6'4", and i drove a Civic Si for years.

[Soup DeVille]

I hate thick pillars too! They are *horrible* for seeing people waiting at crosswalks.

Spend some quality time in any vehicle older than about the early '80s, and you'll realize ALL modern cars have this problem.

[r0tor]

My girlfriends neon feels like the dash is about as high as your wasteline... That alone makes it feel like an unsporty deathtrap

[2o6]

My girlfriends neon feels like the dash is about as high as your wasteline... That alone makes it feel like an unsporty deathtrap

Those Neons are a blast to drive, though.

[S204STi]

Blast must be a highly relative term in this case.  I've driven a few, and none of them were fun.

[Raza]

I am. I could ask for a little more side-to-side room, but that's my fault.

I'm 6'4", and i drove a Civic Si for years.

Wait, you don't have it anymore?

[Soup DeVille]

Wait, you don't have it anymore?

Nope.

I have...

A Minivan.

(such is the horrors of parenthood)

[Eye of the Tiger]

Nope.

I have...

A Minivan.

(such is the horrors of parenthood)

Horrorible. Like my friends in Chicago that traded a CTS-V for a Sienna. Damn cute ass kids

[Soup DeVille]

Horrorible. Like my friends in Chicago that traded a CTS-V for a Sienna. Damn cute ass kids

I was actually liking the minivan (dark blue T&C), the interior is well appointed, the seats are comfortable, and it has all the features I'd want in a car.


(that I never had to actually drive)

[CJ]

What year is your Town & Country?

[2o6]

Blast must be a highly relative term in this case.  I've driven a few, and none of them were fun.

Eh, I think you're blinded by the build quality and overall cheapness. It was a quick, good-handling little car.

[Rupert]

My girlfriends neon feels like the dash is about as high as your wasteline... That alone makes it feel like an unsporty deathtrap

I'll give you deathtrap, but unsporty?

[Soup DeVille]

What year is your Town & Country?

'09

[sportyaccordy]

I'm not sure how a high belt line makes it more safe. Most all doors have two impact beams inside the door that take the hit. You can fit them inside a "normal" size door without any problems.

Wouldn't take much to put an SUV bumper through an old Civic window in a crash.