Gpivovarov and Bartlettab Argue about Cars

"Gpivovarov" (Gpivovarov) 02/03/2014 at 16:56 • Filed to: Carguments

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Welcome to Gpivovarov and Bartlettab Argue about Cars , where two overly opinionated Opponauts (who have driven 0% of the cars they talk about) attempt to force their opinions upon each other for the entertainment of the Opposphere.

This week - Fast Sedans. (Except the M5, because it's godly, so we'd both pick it)

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : I'm going to go ahead and start with what I think is one of the best looking sedans you can buy today. And yes it's German, of course it's German, because the Germans know what's up and they're the kings (fuhrers) of fast sedans. I can't say it's the fastest, or the newest, or the most exciting, but what I can say, is that it's an Audi S6.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : Where I would normally pitt the M3 up against something smaller, like an RS4, I think the 4 door E90 will be able to go toe to toe with the S6 just fine as a daily driver. Not to mention, it's a scientific fact that the M3 is the most enjoyable performance sedan in the world when you put your foot down, because let's not forget that while Germany has Audis for all wheel drive and Mercedes for muscle, there's only one ultimate driving machine coming out of the factories.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : Yes yes yes I can't deny that the M3 is an insane tire-smoking monster, but to me it seems like a blunt instrument. Yes it has a V8 and RWD and it can drift for hours on end (the world !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is held by an M5), but doesn't that all seem childish? The Audi's not a car for smoking around corners and scaring the bejeezus out of old ladies. It's a well-made, well thought-out gentleman's cruiser. It's a car that does more wafting and less tearing off the line, and isn't that what you want as a DD? Oh, plus it has Quattro, so given that we both live in the Northeast, I'd like to see which is more composed in a nor'easter.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : Before I agree with your point about our geographic location I'd like to get it out of the way for anyone reading that these two cars have near as makes no difference, the same size engines putting out roughly the same number of horsepowers. Before calling the BMW the childish one, however, remember that your posh audi puts out roughly 100 more torques, which is best for what? turning tires to smoke? And though they'll both do the job of getting kids to school, the Audi will never be as sensational to drive as the BMW on the way to golf course they will inevitably both find their way to. Everyone will know the two owners have vaguely similar payrolls, and even similar taste in cars, but the one with the car that's more fun to drive will always be more pleasant to be around, even if he (or she) just got done nearly wrapping their M3 around every lamp post they passed on their way home from work.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : First of all, the Audi has 6 more hp, so ha! And of course it has 100 more torques, it weighs 850lb more, and it has to drive all four wheels at once. It also means that despite the added chub, the Audi can absolutely hold a candle to the M3. Plus, if the BMW had that much torque you would spend more money on tires than you would on groceries...for your whole family. And your grandparents. And aunts. And uncles. And all their friends. And their dogs.

And at this hypothetical (and probably pretty sweet) golf club, the M3's going to be the one minorly intoxicated, doing donuts in the parking lot, while the S6 will be off to the side, smoking a cigar and discussing his most recent stock acquisitions with his buddies. Maybe this is like when Jeremy !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and said he had the "grown up car", maybe I'm wrong, but the Audi just feels so much more composed and elegant; it's not a car for hooligans.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : I believe you mean hoonigans, and my sincerest apologies for being one.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : Oh c'mon, you can be a hoonigan all you want, I have great respect for the M3 and what it can do, but on a daily basis as a car to own, I'd pick the S6 every time. Also it's prettier. Like a lot prettier.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : I think we should ask a few females which they find more visually appealing. Any Opponette's who stumble on this should absolutely leave us a comment. That being said, any readers should comment and feel free to argue with either of us, we'll do our best to respond. Just remember that this contest doesn't have to be mutually exclusive.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : You think women have a better taste in art? SEXIST. But yeah to be honest both of us would love to own either of these cars, we could argue both sides. But trust us, our bits in the future will be much more split.

For Sweden > Gpivovarov 02/03/2014 at 17:02

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S8 or ban

For Sweden > Gpivovarov 02/03/2014 at 17:08

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I also find your lack of Falcon disturbing.

Gpivovarov > For Sweden 02/03/2014 at 17:35

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S8's enormous. I'm super jealous of it's power but it's too big to want to drive on a daily basis. I would, however, love to spend my days in the back of an A8 L though.

Gpivovarov > For Sweden 02/03/2014 at 17:36

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Can't deny it's awesome but you can't get one in the US, which is a darn shame. Closest we can do is a Chevy SS and that's just not good enough.

STREPITUS > Gpivovarov 02/03/2014 at 17:37

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You can however get a Lincoln MKZ. And a Ford 5.0 crate motor...... How hard could it be?

Gpivovarov > STREPITUS 02/03/2014 at 17:39

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Weekend project?

STREPITUS > Gpivovarov 02/03/2014 at 17:41

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Piece of cake.

Gpivovarov > For Sweden 02/03/2014 at 17:42

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And at some point we'll do an executive saloons section, so this option will be discussed at length

I_AmDeath > Gpivovarov 02/03/2014 at 21:39

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You guys should do a podcast. I'd listen to it. It would be better then the hooniverse podcast for sure.

Gpivovarov > I_AmDeath 02/03/2014 at 21:41

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Why thank you. We'll do some more of these weekly bits and see how it goes.

bartlettab > I_AmDeath 02/03/2014 at 23:53

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that's certainly an interesting idea. I'd be interested but like Gary said, we'll do some more of these and see how much of an interest people take.

bartlettab > For Sweden 02/03/2014 at 23:55

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Yes that's a car I like but I think it's more suited to go up against a Vauxhall VXR8, a Dogde Charger, or maybe even a 4-door Subaru Impreza WRX.

bartlettab > STREPITUS 02/04/2014 at 00:00

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The thought of this makes my dislike for American cars tingle -_-

STREPITUS > bartlettab 02/04/2014 at 00:10

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Whats said dislike for American cars based on? American cars are making a comeback while the Germans are hitting the shitter big time. Especially quality wise. I was extremely unimpressed with the materials, feel, and design interior of the M235 when I sat in it, and would go for an ATS Coupe any day (looks wise - I'll wait for the ATS-V to come out before making any claims about driving dynamics). And this is coming from a Ford engineer. The dark days of the late 70s-early 2000s are behind us. American cars no longer have shit plastic boxes sawed in half as the interior. American cars no longer have the build quality that plagued them in the 90s. Yes, Lincoln is a bit behind the curve right now, but the revitalization effort is in full swing.

I know where you're coming from, I too hated all American cars and thought that European cars are inherently better. My first 2 cars were both Audis. Both were nightmares. My 3rd car was a new Mustang and it surprised me a lot with how well put together it was. And the new one is going to be even better. Ask your buddy Gpivovarov to remind me to swing by with the Mustang when I'll be in town this summer. If that exhaust note and acceleration feel doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will.

EDIT: Sorry about the rant thats largely random points and disconnected to say the least. Its past midnight and I've been at work for the better part of 17 hours so I can't really think anymore.

bartlettab > STREPITUS 02/04/2014 at 18:41

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It's funny that you should mention the Mustang, as while I agree that American cars are on the up and up, the Mustang is far and wide my least favorite. I will admit, it's a petty dislike that's hardly founded in anything fact-based and I have nothing against those that love them (muscle cars in general don't sit well with me, but I realize that's a personal issue and have learned to keep it to myself). I think it's mostly been the lack of power American engineers have pulled from engines in the past. From 2000-2010 there wasn't a car company who could get 200HP out of anything smaller than a 3L V6 (rough estimate) meanwhile the Japanese were getting well more than that out of 2L engines and we all know how the Germans were getting on. Times are changing though. Chrysler and Cadillac are improving build quality and Ford seems to have remembered what an engine is. (the engines in their new pickups are superb and while you would never see me buy anything with a bed that didn't say Toyota on the front, I'm hoping they'll keep improving their work and perhaps do a rework of the new GT40 as that could compete with some much faster cars if it were handed a better engine and a bit more attention to the steering and suspension) P.S. I always make it a note to try and race anyone I come across on the highway in a Mustang. Partially because of my grudge, and partially because I love the idea of them realizing that they may have spent their money unwisely when they discover that they don't have the cojones to outrun a 13 year old Saab. (tried to get someone in a new challenger to put their foot down just the other day and they wouldn't even break the speed-limit...)

STREPITUS > bartlettab 02/04/2014 at 18:58

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Maybe because racing on the highway is utterly moronic. Unless you have some absurd stage 3 boosted Saab putting down 500hp, I'm 100% positive my 420hp bone stock Mustang would destroy it. However, if you tried to get me to race you on the highway in the manner described, I too would let you fly away without even putting up a fight.

bartlettab > STREPITUS 02/04/2014 at 19:06

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No you would absolutely leave me in the dust because you wouldn't mind putting your mustang to proper use. It's not like I'm trying to do anything serious, I just like to find people who are willing to put their right foot on the floor for a few miles to keep long drives more interesting for myself. (my car has nothing special going for it, just a good radar detector on the windshield and an imbecile at the wheel)

STREPITUS > bartlettab 02/04/2014 at 19:13

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Except I wouldn't. I'm not an imbecile, nor did I buy my car to race imbeciles in 13 year old Saabs.

bartlettab > STREPITUS 02/04/2014 at 19:35

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I hope you at least bought it to drive quickly. Because it saddens me to see fast cars driven slowly. There are other cars built to be slow that do that job just fine.

yamahog > bartlettab 02/04/2014 at 19:50

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Sounds like your ego's writing checks your 13-year-old Saab can't cash.

bartlettab > yamahog 02/04/2014 at 20:14

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hahahaha. If you're saying I think my car is fast, that's a funny one. It's not slow by any means, but fast? no no. I just drive it the way I do because it gets me to where I'm going sooner and because frankly I find it fun. I appreciate my car for what it is and simply wish more people would treat their cars the way they were designed and built to be treated. You said you're a Ford engineer? What's the mustang built for? The right lane, or the left lane?

bartlettab > bartlettab 02/04/2014 at 20:17

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sorry, didn't realize this was posted by someone else...

STREPITUS > bartlettab 02/04/2014 at 20:26

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What the hell does that even mean? Built for the left lane or right lane? Do you understand how highways work? The left lane is a passing lane. It doesn't matter if I'm driving my Mustang, my dads Rav4 or my grandmas Civic, I stay out of the left lane until I need to pass.

bartlettab > STREPITUS 02/04/2014 at 20:35

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Ahhh, you just put such a smile on my face (quite honestly my BIGGEST pet peeve is people riding in the left lane when they're not passing) my point was simply that I would be sad to see your shiny new Mustang moping along being overtaken by the occasional minivan. If doing the speed limit is your slice of pie and you got your car for its good looks, I can respect that, but I just wouldn't get one to use puttering around town or driving to work if I wasn't going to do so quickly, like I said, there are other cars for doing that job slowly. It's probably more a matter of personal opinion. (it was a figure of speech, and this is merely an internet, don't get too rustled, friend.)