Forbes Pick the Best Cars of 2005

[Joey D]

I don't like the Veyron because it's not impressive at all. I can take any car, slap some turbos on it and boost it to a 1000 poines...all it takes is a massive amount of money, which is all Bugatti did. They built an overly expensive car that will never be driven by most of the people who buy them.

 

[Poverty]

You missed the whole point of the car then.

 

[Joey D]

No I didn't, they did it because they could, big deal. I don't like it and if I had the money I wouldn't be bothered with one.

 

[Poverty]

LOL you missed the whole point of the car.

 

[Joey D]

No it's been said that they wanted to prove to the world they could build a car with 1000hp, the VAG president said it or something. They did it because they wanted to prove they could, they built it for Bugatti not for the people.

 

[JCE]

or all those other class leading german cars.

+1 to my ego. Thanks.

all it takes is a massive amount of money, which is all Bugatti did. They built an overly expensive car that will never be driven by most of the people who buy them.

The Veyron costs Bugatti/Volkswagon 5m quid from each car sold. It was simply an exercise in not only PERFORMANCE but prestige and styling as well. I think it is a success--I mean look at everyone across the world talking about it. Hate it or love it VAG succeeded.

I think just for status alone and the fact that they actually completed it and sold it that it is the car of the year. I can't remember in recent history a car that was talked about so much. The Enzo is the closest thing that comes to mind.

 

[Joey D]

Did Bugatti suceed? Yes. Do I think it's pointless? Yes.

 

[YSSMAN]

1) I know Top Gear is hugely expensive in the US, but I have been known to pick up CAR Magazine (imported from the UK) occasionally, just to read about the little European K-cars every once in a while...

2) The Veyron's purpose was to prove that a 1001-hp car could be built, and the 250mph mark could be broken. There really wassent any other point behind it other than VW looking for a use for their newly aquired Bugatti marque.

3) Americans will never understand Europeans, and Europeans will never understand Americans because the areas we live in are so incredibly different. You folks will never understand why we buy Silverado 3500 Duramax work trucks, and we wont understand why you buy the SMART ForTwo.... Id say the only foreign country that comes close to the US in any type of automotive way is Australia.

 

[JCE]

1)3) Americans will never understand Europeans, and Europeans will never understand Americans because the areas we live in are so incredibly different. You folks will never understand why we buy Silverado 3500 Duramax work trucks, and we wont understand why you buy the SMART ForTwo.... Id say the only foreign country that comes close to the US in any type of automotive way is Australia.

Problem is they both are somewhat stubborn and set in thier ways. Unless you grow up in both areas or spent some time in each you really won't give it an honest effort or benefit of the doubt. I like Aussie cars, I don't think there is anything wrong with most of them. But that begs the question why Europeans always refer to Aussie cars and US cars as "big" when there are plenty of large cars in Europe.

 

[Poverty]

Beacuse the average size car in the UK is about the size of 3 series. The average size car in the US is like bigger than a 5 series but smaller than a 7.

 

[YSSMAN]

Beacuse the average size car in the UK is about the size of 3 series. The average size car in the US is like bigger than a 5 series but smaller than a 7.

How the hell did you come up with that idea? Have you actually been to the United States?

The majority of the people in the US drive mid size family sedans like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, Saab 9-3, Ford Fusion, Murcury Milan, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Stratus, etc... Hardly large cars in any instance as they are all about the same size as the BMW 3-series...

 

[Poverty]

It must be because ive only been to florida then.
But why do you guys moan so much about legroom etc of the 3 series.

 

[YSSMAN]

In case you havent noticed, Americans generally are bigger people than the rest of the world... Both in height and in girth... As a 6ft 170lb male, I find many back seats to be a bit uncomfortable (hell, even the fronts), and although my expieriences have mostly been limited to E46 3-series models, I would agree that they are a bit cramped. The fronts are fine, but the back is a bit tight, and there isnt too much room for my feet on the floor.

Personaly, I like the 3-series. If anything, its one of the best cars Ive ever driven. But given the choise, I would much rather have a Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird in my garage over a 325ci or 330ci... Guess that makes me a stupid American...

 

[JCE]

In case you havent noticed, Americans generally are bigger people than the rest of the world... Both in height and in girth... As a 6ft 170lb male, I find many back seats to be a bit uncomfortable (hell, even the fronts), and although my expieriences have mostly been limited to E46 3-series models, I would agree that they are a bit cramped. The fronts are fine, but the back is a bit tight, and there isnt too much room for my feet on the floor.

Personaly, I like the 3-series. If anything, its one of the best cars Ive ever driven. But given the choise, I would much rather have a Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird in my garage over a 325ci or 330ci... Guess that makes me a stupid American...

Right now I'm exactly 6ft ¼in & 235lbs (damn Holiday food) and I can tell you that the 3-series isn't as comfortable as a Maxima, Volkswagen Phaeton (I finally got to sit in one last week), or a Toyota Camry even. The 3-series disappoints me--they should of just thrown out the Bangle design and started over and hired a German or Brittish car designer for the job. The 6, 5, and Z series seem to be the only Bangle designs that aren't hideous in my (and alot of other people)'s opinion.

 

[YSSMAN]

The 3-series disappoints me--they should of just thrown out the Bangle design and started over and hired a German or Brittish car designer for the job. The 6, 5, and Z series seem to be the only Bangle designs that aren't hideous in my (and alot of other people)'s opinion.

I personally think the 3-series is the best looking BMW out there with the 6-series close behind. I dont care much for the look of the updated 7-series (although it is better with the new changes), and the 5-series is just so "blah"... With the Z4, its tough. I like the look overall, but I would have preferd more of a Z8 look IMO.

Bangle hasnt completely ruined all of BMW, its just he didnt do what people had expected. The previous generation cars for all the models were damn near perfect, espically the old 5-series and 7-series when equipped with BBS-style rims.

 

[Poverty]

The Z is ugly and the 3 series just looks boring and not sporty enough. The 5 is very nice I find now. There are loads of them in the UK and most of them have a deep dammed front bumper which makes them look a bit like a M5 from a distance.

The 7 series is ok and looks nice with chrome rims but Id rather have a S-class or audi a8.

In case you havent noticed, Americans generally are bigger people than the rest of the world... Both in height and in girth

You do know how america came about right? You are basically just europeans. So I will give you the undeniable girth advantage but height you gotta be kidding me. In some other countries you are small if you are only 6ft.

I would much rather have a Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird in my garage over a 325ci or 330ci... Guess that makes me a stupid American...

But the camaro doesnt do corners...Dont know anything about the pontiac other than that its a pontiac.

 

[Joey D]

But the camaro doesnt do corners...Dont know anything about the pontiac other than that its a pontiac.

Once again some idiot assuming because it's American it can't go around a corner. And the Camaro is a Chevy not a Pontiac. But don't make comments like that because it just futhers my belief that you do nothing but bash American cars and are frankly uneducated about them.

 

[Poverty]

Mate im just going by what ive read in reviews otherwise I wouldnt comment at all. And re read what I said. I know that the camaro was a chevy.

You really do have a chip on your shoulder. You only days ago said you dont like any european cars yet you go about calling me an american basher when the only thing american Ive bashed is that god awful Chrysler Imperial. I take it you just cant take the truth. You are a true fanboy.

 

[s0nny80y]

I'e always figured the Acura TL to make it on that list.

 

[Emohawk]

The 6, 5, and Z series seem to be the only Bangle designs that aren't hideous in my (and alot of other people)'s opinion.

Bangle didn't do the 6, that's why it looks so good.

 

[YSSMAN]

The Camaro was a great handler considering its use of a solid rear axle instead of going IRS... The Z/28 convertable was able to obtain a .84g skidpad rating and a lane change speed of 59.5mph on 245/50ZR-16 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, wich is pretty damn good considering it was a convertable and the tires arent as grippy as todays new tires.

I havent been able to locate my older issues of Motor Trend or Car and Driver with their 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe tests (that was the top performing model available), nor that of the 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM WS6 (the fastest Firebird of them, besides the Firehawk of course), but they were performance benchmarks in their time.

...Poverty, Pontiac is a division of GM... Is kinda like how Vauxhaull is to Opel, as Pontiac is to Chevrolet. They are pretty much the same company, but Pontiac is called "The Excitement Division" and throughout it's history has been known to make more radical cars than it's Chevrolet sisters.

 

[Joey D]

Mate im just going by what ive read in reviews otherwise I wouldnt comment at all. And re read what I said. I know that the camaro was a chevy.

You really do have a chip on your shoulder. You only days ago said you dont like any european cars yet you go about calling me an american basher when the only thing american Ive bashed is that god awful Chrysler Imperial. I take it you just cant take the truth. You are a true fanboy.

I don't like European cars, but I never said they were good. They are great but I don't care for their looks or anything like that. There are some that perform just fine while others just suck, same with anything.

And I promise you a Camaro can turn just fine.

 

[YSSMAN]

Funny that Poverty complains about Blazin being anti-European when he himself is obviously anti-American...

Pot called the kettle black?