2000ths

my coworker brought in this 2008 Honda Civic Si recently and kept going on about how much he enjoyed driving it. was my first time in one but i must admit it was pretty fun for a civic! has a few fancy bits over the regular civic like 17" wheels, spoiler, stiffer suspension, aluminum pedals, a six speed manual, and a 2.0 liter engine with 197hp. it revs to 8k and hits vtec around 6.5k. the motor is smooth as can be which i guess isn't a surprise. i am by no means a honda fan boy but i can see why the Si has a following. as fun as the car was it's still a civic in the end. i still give it a thumbs up for what it is.

and anyone recognize the shift knob?!

2000ths

here's the latest boat... errr... car i drove, a 2010 Jaguar XK R. the "R" in this one is the supercharger on the otherwise naturally aspirated 5.0 V8 in the regular XK. this boosts the output to 510hp and 461tq. sounds like a lot of power but the car weighs... wait for it... 3,865 pounds. giving it a claimed 0-60 of 4.6 seconds. yes, it's a boat. the interior is very spacious, very tan, and very conservative. i really can't help but think of english grandpas and tea parties when i see this car. the big V8 in the mercedes AMGs make great noises but this one is tame sounding in comparison. this car would be best suited for a nice long road trip to visit your favorite golf course... if that's your thing!

rnye

3865 seems light for a car like that. Compare to CL from Mercedes or even a 6 series..

mosesbotbol

You're age is showing through. If you don't get it, you're not there yet. Some day you will...

XKR is an incredible car. I'd take their V8 over anything from BMW or Mercedes and I've owned V8's from all three. Exterior is a work of art.

The 2013 SL550 weight's 4138 lb and 2010 BMW 6 Series Coupe weight's 3,814 lbs & convertible going over 4000 lbs.

2000ths

haha... i'm older than you think. just not old enough for a jag!

big cars are not my style, probably obvious since i drive an S2000. there are certainly heavier cars out there than the XK R, part of it is that it's so long and wide it makes it feel unwieldy.

Mr.E.G.

I agree with him. Cars like that are just about as lame to me as the Camry Solara or the Chrysler Sebring. I get it, it has some sporting credentials, but all of those boats are lame, in my opinion.

mosesbotbol

I bet if you scaled the S2000 and XKR to same size, the dimensions would be quite similar. The overhangs look similarly scaled. Both are double wishbone suspension front and back. As for length's, XK is not the longest, but not the shortest either. Jag's are typically wide though. My Vanden Plas had to be the widest of the luxury saloon's.

Typical Car Length for GT's
BMW 6 series - 192.8"
Bentley Continental - 189.2"
Jaguar XK - 188.7"
Aston Martin DB9 - 185.5"
Nissan GT-R - 183.9"
Audi A5 - 182.5"
Mercedes 500SL - 180.8"

2000ths

wait, what's a vanden plas? sounds very distinguished!

the bentley is a true beast. only driven a 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8(unfortunately not the W12). this one has a twin turbo 4.0 liter V8 that puts out a very smooth 500hp through a permanent all wheel drive system. probably the heaviest car i've ever handled at 5,060 pounds. it has the same claimed 0-60 of 4.6 seconds as the jag even though it's hauling around another 1,200 pounds of girth. maybe it's the all wheel drive, maybe it's a better power band, it doesn't totally add up. the bentley has love-it or hate-it looks, i haven't decided. the interior is one of the most finely crafted i've seen, absolutely beautiful and comfortable. makes me feel like i'm in a vintage plane or something...

mosesbotbol

Vanden Plas is Jaguar's most luxury option package for an XJ. Sheepskin floor mats, inlays in the wood, chrome grill and side view mirrors, etc...

The V8 is more sought after car. The W12 is scary to own unless it's under warranty. VW should've canned that design from the beginning. They had a heck of time just getting it work. I want a Bentley as my next daily; I've been following them for a while. Continental styling kind does have love-hate looks as you say. I prefer the looks of the Flying Spur (4 door) a little more. My girlfriend is not too keen on either, but she'll just have to suffer and drive it. I am looking towards around an '05 Arnage; I want the real Bentley engine & updated headlights.

In the end, do you like this Bentley or not?

2000ths

the bentley as a daily driver? hell, yeah! the weight makes it feel planted and smooth, not sluggish by any means. definitely the kind of interior you can spent time in. i'd rock it for a DD.