supposedly new C&D test 350z vs Shelby GT vs rx8 vs TT. Anyone get C&D yet?

[Rich]

Funny you should mention that because I'm riding the Dragon next week.?

[Nethead]

To be honest, basically everything they've said about this car since 05 has been much kinder than what they said in this comparo, it's almost like their opinion has completely changed overnight. They go from saying things like "you'd almost never know the rear end was a live axle it's so well sorted out and it even handles rough corners with ease" a year or two ago to "this thing rides like a 20 year old pickup truck". I'm sorry, something doesn't connect here. I understand writers change and therefore opinions change, but there's also something to be said for editorial consistancy.
-FordSVT-

FordSVT:  Your posting reminded me of something I didn't give much credence to at the time (Spring of '06 or thereabouts).

Over in the old AutoWeek forums, a dude posted that Lutz the Putz got all pissed off about the bad reviews GM products were getting in the automotive press so he had GM buy controlling interest in Primedia Publications--who might be the parent company of Car & Driver--or they might not.  The Nethead here never cared enough to check out who might be the parent company of C&D (a google on "Primedia" will probably find a website which lists all the publications they own) or who might have controlling interest in Primedia (which might be very difficult to find out).  If the parent company of C&D is indeed Primedia, and if GM is indeed the holder of controlling interest in Primedia, then there's your answer.

[SVT666]

FordSVT:? Your posting reminded me of something I didn't give much credence to at the time (Spring of '06 or thereabouts).

Over in the old AutoWeek forums, a dude posted that Lutz the Putz got all pissed off about the bad reviews GM products were getting in the automotive press so he had GM buy controlling interest in Primedia Publications--who might be the parent company of Car & Driver--or they might not.? The Nethead here never cared enough to check out who might be the parent company of C&D (a google on "Primedia" will probably find a website which lists all the publications they own) or who might have controlling interest in Primedia (which might be very difficult to find out).? If the parent company of C&D is indeed Primedia, and if GM is indeed the holder of controlling interest in Primedia, then there's your answer.

Actually Primedia owns Motor Trend and Automobile which might explain their selection of the Silverado over the Tundra for Truck of the Year.

[Nethead]

Actually Primedia owns Motor Trend and Automobile which might explain their selection of the Silverado over the Tundra for Truck of the Year.

www.primedia.com does not list Car & Driver as a Primedia magazine, but nowhere does it say that this list is all-inclusive.? Maybe the C&D website declares who the parent publishing company of C&D is.

[SVT666]

C&D is owned by Hachette Filipacchi Media which also owns Road & Track. 

[r0tor]

Them's fighting words.

I think you and Rotor need to challenge each other to a duel on the Tail of the Dragon (or closer twisty road).? We'll film it as the first of the Carspin "Duel on the Roads"? series.

if the dragon wasn't 12 hours away i'd be all over this... just warning everyone my exhaust doesn't smell too nice 

[JYODER240]

if the dragon wasn't 12 hours away i'd be all over this... just warning everyone my exhaust doesn't smell too nice?

did you get rid of your cats?

[Onslaught]

if the dragon wasn't 12 hours away i'd be all over this... just warning everyone my exhaust doesn't smell too nice?

The RX-8 or you?

[1 BAD 7]

Because I wanted to.

Why did you change your name?

[SVT666]

if the dragon wasn't 12 hours away i'd be all over this... just warning everyone my exhaust doesn't smell too nice?

Don't worry.  Anyone driving a Mustang, 350Z, or TT won't be smelling it.

[JYODER240]

Don't worry.? Anyone driving a Mustang, 350Z, or TT won't be smelling it.

Have you ever seen the Tail of the Dragon? I wouldn't be surprised if the RX-8 left all 3 in its dust on that road.

[r0tor]

The RX-8 or you?

both 

[Raza]

Have you ever seen the Tail of the Dragon? I wouldn't be surprised if the RX-8 left all 3 in its dust on that road.

Considering how well the TT did, I wouldn't bet on it.

[r0tor]

Don't worry.? Anyone driving a Mustang, 350Z, or TT won't be smelling it.

kind of like this video?  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7047082355867456543&q=RX8+Corvette&hl=en 

[JYODER240]

Considering how well the TT did, I wouldn't bet on it.

Th RX-8 was the best handling car of the group, and was praised for its ability to quickly change direction and was the quicker by over 4mph through the lane change.  Its slow lap time was due to its lack of power.  Horsepower means almost nothing on the Dragon. Momentum is far more important. The editors also said that the RX-8 was fastest on real-world roads. The TT was still impressive with the second quickest lap time but I don't think it would take the RX-8 on the Dragon.

[Raza]

Th RX-8 was the best handling car of the group, and was praised for its ability to quickly change direction and was the quicker by over 4mph through the lane change.  Its slow lap time was due to its lack of power.  Horsepower means almost nothing on the Dragon. Momentum is far more important. The editors also said that the RX-8 was fastest on real-world roads. The TT was still impressive with the second quickest lap time but I don't think it would take the RX-8 on the Dragon.

It has more power than the TT.

[Raghavan]

It has more power than the TT.

But less torque and torque is what's needed to accelerate out of those bends and the TT makes its power lower than the RX8, and on a twisty road like that, the RX8 can't be revved up that high.

[565]

Funny you should mention that because I'm riding the Dragon next week.?

Awesome,  bring a camera and tape the run.  Tell us how it goes.

[S204STi]

I'm going to have to make a point of driving out there sometime.  I've never been to that neck of the woods.

[Onslaught]

I'm going this summer. But to be honest I know a few roads off the blueridge parkway that I like more.

[JYODER240]

It has more power than the TT.

The TT also weighs less, and i'm assuming it has a flatter torque curve with more power down low. The TT also posted better acceralation times than the RX-8. 

[Cobra93]

Awesome,  bring a camera and tape the run.  Tell us how it goes.

Unfortunately, I don't have a video camera but here's some guys riding the Dragon on Goldwings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZVywVwY8OU

[SVT666]

I didn't know a Goldwing could corner like that.   That road looks like a shitload of fun, but my understanding was that it's too congested to have a lot of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZVywVwY8OU

[Cobra93]

I didn't know a Goldwing could corner like that.   That road looks like a shitload of fun, but my understanding was that it's too congested to have a lot of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZVywVwY8OU

Goldwings are greatly misunderstood. You have to set the rear shock pretty stiff and hang off it but they're much more agile than you would think. As far as congestion, it depends on time of year and day of the week.

[565]

Unfortunately, I don't have a video camera but here's some guys riding the Dragon on Goldwings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZVywVwY8OU

Wow that was like watching a Sumo wrestler do ballet.  I was expecting complete wipe out at any minute.  That was insanely awesome.  In that video that road doesn't look as tight as I thought, something with decent HP will definitely pull away from something like a Miata or an RX8 there.  There is a road in near where I live in CT with so sharp corners and abrupt elevation changes that Active Handling and ABS will start kicking in at about 35mph.

[SVT666]

Goldwings are greatly misunderstood. You have to set the rear shock pretty stiff and hang off it but they're much more agile than you would think. As far as congestion, it depends on time of year and day of the week.

I think the step bars were modified too, because I don't think a Goldwing can actually lean that far without grounding out.

[Cobra93]

I think the step bars were modified too, because I don't think a Goldwing can actually lean that far without grounding out.

I'm not sure what you're calling step bars but they drag the pegs first, then a combination of centerstand, exhaust, and engine guards. The guy on the camera bike was dragging most all of them. I've gotten accustomed to lifting my inside foot on fast turns because I know the peg will be pushing it up anyway.