Last time I checked Pontiac dosen't have (fill in the blank).

 

But all of those cars are increasing power but the maitenance and repair costs are also going up as well. I believe power can come down, it has happened in history before (70s and 80s).
But let's be honest, the majority of those who shell out their hard earn bucks for a car they can drive for pleasure are more concerned with its ability to beat ____ car vs. going around a corner. Is there anything wrong with it? Nope. I've watch youtube videos of bone stock 2005 mustang gts keeping up on road courses with cars specialized for handling, like miatas and elises. Now am I saying the mustang is a better handler or as "fun"? No, but considering how people will shell out 1-2K to do suspension work on their s2000 but will drop 2-3 times that FIing it, it begs the question what is more fun most of the time. Also, fun is subjective, I mean would you rather drive an EG as a DD or a 2011 civic? I had plenty of "fun" in my EP3 and loathed driving the 95 coupe I had. I mean people think the Si's popularity is dwindling because of the "fun" factor disappearing, or that it's heavier, etc etc when it's obvious that it's simply because sport compacts are no longer popular. Ever pick up an issue of Sport Compact Car lately? I mean seriously if Honda came out with an EM1 civic si today, do you really think it'll hold a candle to the likes of the MS3, GTI, cobalt SS, etc? I hear you saying well if they made it exactly the way they did then today. Ok, if you walked up to the EM1 sticker today, and saw a 2-3 star crash rating (crash rating evolve), no ULEV rating, 160hp using premium with no torque, all for 20k, and then have the same consumers test drive the MS3, GTI, or the current Si, that the majority of folks will buy the EM1?
As far as that s500 or whatever it is up there goes, if there were 1.5 million s500 fully restored running around and 1.5 million s2000s in perfect condition running around (I'm trying to take away the collectibility/rarity aspect), you'd still be willin to pay double for an s500?
Don't get me wrong, I'd still prefer a lighter car, but I'd prefer an S15 to my RPS13, I prefer the current Si/RSX to the previous models, I much much much prefer the current mustangs to the older ones, etc etc.
Also, cars will need to eventually get lighter, they just need to. Why? Material cost. As the price for commodities and demand for them keep going up, manufacturers will need to find ways to produce cars using less materials, it's inevitable. Furthermore, making lighter cars means you don't need to make as much power, have as much stopping power, etc etc through the whole car.
Anyway, but I have noticed though that the upward trend in weight has reduced, I mean it's going up, but not like we saw during the 90s and early 2000s. These days if the weight does go up, it's very marginal, and usually with alot more benefits. In the case of the corvette and the Z, the weight has gone down.
Me, I'm not worried too much, I've always owned cars that were on the lighter side but drove bigger cars, and I enjoyed them all for different reasons. But I guess I'm not the type that walk aroud in puma speedcats that match my puma ferrari track jacket, and straps my steering wheel to my backpack, or actually spent time figuring out what oil filler cap I want (I want blue anodized Mugen yo!).

 

Pretty sure an S600 already exists... They're just custom ordered or something.

 

I meant it being the next base model.

The S430, S500, S550 were the base models. I was saying the s600 will be the next base model.

I know they have the v12 s600, the amgs etc.

 

I believe Ferrari is has publicly stated that they were back into making the quickest accelerating cars, not just top speed. I believe one of their newer cars was praised for how light it was etc?

 

The only reason the S550 is called an S500 all over the world... People in America don't want to look at a newer model and see a smaller number designation hence the S550. Also the new CL550's and soon to be every "550" will carry their new 429 horsepower 4.6 liter Twin Turbo. They should, according to their designation, go back to calling it a CL460. But Americans don't want to buy a newer model and see that their neighbor has a higher denomination and an older car. The new 5.5 engine that AMG is getting is TT as well but will still carry the 63 designation. The highest AMG car was a SL73 sold in very few numbers in the US and yes it did have the same 7.3 engine that MB provides to Pagani for their 'Zonda' model. I know too much about MB's.

 

Nah, none of their newer models can come close to being considered lightweight cars.

The S550 is called the S550 b/c it has a 5.5 litre V8. The current S600 is called 600 for historical reasons, ditto all the models with the "63" designation (the recent AMG engine was only 6.2 litres). There's been no SL73 sold as a production vehicle in the US and it wasn't even close to as powerful as the more recent SL65 AMG or Black Series model.

 

It does all "depend." But the idea that you can never experience the benefits of a car with higher limits on the street is an ignorant statement. Ever merged on a freeway? I'm guessing you haven't because you stated you will never get close to the limits of your car. Those of us who have merged onto freeways have indeed experienced the limits of our cars.

Ever passed a car on a two-lane road? I'm guessing you haven't, because you stated "On the street I will never be anywhere near the limit of what my car is capable of." Those of us who drive two lane roads have actually approached the limits of our cars' limitations while passing, in the interest of passing safely.

Ever had someone on a multi-lane road cross into your lane? Unless you piled into them because your car could not brake fast enough or maneuver out of the way while maintaining control, you've benefitted from driving a car with higher limits, with a larger performance envelope than other cars. It is the height of ignorance to suggest that 0-60 is the ultimate and encompassing measure of a car's total performance. And that attitude is what leads people to think that "You can never use it's potential on the street."

Ever have a deer cross the road while you are driving and been able to avoid it? I am guessing not, because anyone who has will testify to the responsiveness and stabilty of their vehicle for avoiding the accident.

Don't comment on things you know nothing about. Your theory that nobody ever approaches the limit of their car on public roads is a theory formulated by someone who has a very limited experience of driving. This apparently describes you, by your own testimony. So in the future please refrain from thinking your input is relevant.

 

Err isn't the S350 the base?

 

Err isn't the S350 the base?
[/quote]

Not in the US. In the US the base model is the S550. A 6 cylinder S Class sedan hasn't been sold in the US since the 90s (S320).