I don't think it was really unique in that regard. Double digit "economy" wasn't exactly high on the priority list back before the oil crisis. Certainly not in a land-crushing luxo-barge such as this.

Fair enough. I still think it should have some extra ponies to be really worthwhile - but I never like the idea of "well it has potential once the tuners get a hold of it". As far as I am concerned, if it isn't running at full potential out of the box, then that is the end of it. I won't let a "tuner" anywhere near…

To a lesser degree, I saw this around my alma matter (McGill) as well. I recall one kid who had a DB7 Volante and would tool around campus with it. Another in my hometown uni had a brand new M3, in a town where BMWs in general were rare.

I didn't see anyone nominate the 1960s Lincoln Continental. The most restrained, elegant and classy of all Americuhn land barges.

Out of the current crop I'd probably say the Chevy Sonic Turbo mill. It has the exact same hp as the base motor but costs significantly more to purchase. The marketing seems to go along the lines of "yes, but TURBO!" and then hopes you open your wallet before you read the spec sheet. More efficient maybe, but also…

Actually the car pictured is exactly what I would have suggested. Specifically a 300SEL 6.3, because it embodies all you speak of and has a honking great V8 from a limo that turns it into a high speed autobahn cruising machine.

Rational JEC says CP all the way, it's a slow V6 poseur supercar built by lazy Italians with French running gear.

Interesting approach. Personally I would work on upgrading the 916 mill, but it depends on your definition of sufficient power. You can get 130-140hp reliably (with good torque) if you throw enough money at it and have it built by a pro. The Desmoquattro is a more raw, visceral motor. I've always liked it more than…

That's exactly how I would have optioned out the car if I had been buying it (except I would have chosen black paint)... So NP. But the real object of attainable lust for me is a 540i wagon with a stick.

Kei cars are cool but it is the sort of thing that would be hard to translate in the US of A. There is a similar class of sportbikes in the sub 400cc class made for the Japanese market to dodge big-bike testing regimens. They are superb scaled down superbikes with bleeding edge tech and amazing performance,…

Same here, my dad bought a 2002 G35 after sampling the paltry competition. The only problem I found with it was it had poor wet grip, something many complain about. She'll swap ends like a Fox Mustang if you goof around with the TCS off in the rain.

Hard to pin down... Do you say traditional everyman car (so anything Kei and boxy), hoonigan's wet dream (GT-R), luxury that we never see (any V8 powered quasi-limo that we may or may not see imported as a Lexus or Infiniti or Acura).

It's my opinion that Infiniti in general has been unfairly ignored or underrated by the auto press who are too busy sucking up to BMW to notice that Nissan created a superb, high powered sport sedan lineup at bargain prices right under their noses.

Re: no. 6 - Every year at the Montreal Grand Prix they hold Ferrari Challenge races before the main event (along with Porsche Cup, and Vintage Grand Prix on Friday-Saturday). To be entirely honest, the FC races are usually more entertaining than the F1. Some of the drivers are ridiculously aggressive. Last year we had…

I need to change my underwear now. Thanks.

NP all the way... However, if you save up an extra g-note or two, you could find yourself in a similar-condition (serviceable but not perfect) GTV6. And listening to an Alfa V6 sing makes a dandy substitute for sex.

Here's one just for heresy. VH45DE V8 from an Infiniti Q45 shoehorned into an S14 with some extra boost. It's crazy to chose this low-production, complex motor for swapping vs a SBC, but many S14 and Z/ZX modders do, and my hat is off to those crazy fuggers. I love that sound, makes me miss my Q45 (until I remember…

How about we change the cliche to ripping burlap?

It got old after a few dozen times to be honest. At least I got to try out the latest-n-greatest models as soon as they arrived.

Hypothetical unfortunately. I saw it done but once, and it wasn't a pretty job. The only evidence provided was a shitty cellphone video, and all you could hear was the "race clutch" rattling itself to death as he pootled around a suburban block.