"That extra 150 or so HP from AMG will get the costs up above $40K pretty quickly"

As has been mentioned repeatedly, they made a copy of the dude's ID. I'm a native Texan, and dealerships have done that every single time I've test-driven a car. A few have asked for copies of my auto insurance card, too.

"Top of the line trim - Beige, silver, black, white, and maybe a "ruby" metallic. And I never got why they would do this."

"Toyota's product is still a little old and, as much as they seem to be earnestly working to improve it, they're not there yet. So how do they manage to beat everyone else?"

Neutral: How Will Mercedes Compete? The C Class is entering a suddenly competitive market, what do you think their strategy is? Do you think it'll work?

"This is a shop-vac hooked up to your wallet."

I know SH 130 has the highest speed limit in the U.S. — and as a Texan I've had the pleasure of driving it many a time — but what's this business about "redlining it and not going to jail"?? Do you seriously believe that road isn't constantly patrolled by local sheriffs and Texas DPS? Or are you trying to argue 85mph…

What's the fastest you've legally driven? If you're in the U.S., probably 75 MPH. Well, if you got a fast car you want to redline it without going to jail I would recommend a trip to any of these ten locations.

Two words: market cannibalization. BMW is acutely aware that offering certain features on certain vehicles will result in reduced sales of said vehicles. This is the entire reason why, for instance, BMW's 7-speed DCT has never been made available in the 3-series (excepting the limited-production 335is) — even though…

When did I say my thoughts were "fact"? I assumed it was obvious that it was opinion. Granted, I think it's an opinion shared by many more people than you think, which is likely the reason the cars are languishing on dealer lots (that and the fact that the slushbox transmission completely blows).

A Taurus SHO would give you the fast. And a usable back seat.

"There is something that the 2014 model has that this one doesn't, I just can't put my finger on it."

Okay, really? You think the average Mustang buyer "doesn't want to be noticed"? If you want an anonymous-looking vehicle, Ford will happily sell you a Taurus instead.

Hey, I completely agree as to "different strokes for different folks." As for "noisy," the Toyobaru has a four-cylinder engine and not much in the way of NVH suppression. By "noisy" I meant more like "buzzy."

Gee, how constructive. There are dozens of cars, including the majority of performance-oriented vehicles, with substantial power in lower RPM ranges. Some people like their power curves above 6000 rpm; some don't. AND NEITHER OF THESE VIEWS IS "WRONG."

"Some of us don't aspire to live life one quarter mile at a time."

Um, no...

"0-60 in 6.5s and 200hp is not 'underpowered' unless you drive some sort of exotic vehicle to work every day."

To each his own, I guess. I'm personally partial to engines with a broad power band across the RPM spectrum; I'd say BMW's 3.5-liter engine, available in most of its lineup save the 7-series (in the U.S., at least), is pretty much ideal in that respect.

...the fuck? Revving *is* a pain in the ass, at least in day-to-day driving versus on a track. I prefer my torque at a much lower RPM, thanks, where it's vastly more useful.