OT: Last Leg of I-15 Finally Opens!!!

[paramount]

Wow. I can’t believe it. I really can’t believe it.

Countless hours sitting in I-15 traffic, cutting through Escondido. Watching the Construction for literally a decade – up close and personal.

Temecula Valley Commuters, 78 Corridor Commuters – our day has finally arrived!!!

This should increase home values in Temecula by 10% overnight!!

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/12/last-leg-i-15-express-lanes-dedicated-opens-jan-16/

[temeculaguy]

Thank God!!!

On a side note for those of us in the exhurbs, these new cars are going to change the game a little as well. Have you seen the new Ford Fusion plug in that gets the equivalent to 100 mpg, it looks like a cross between an aston martin and a jaguar XF and gets 100 mpgs and will be out in months not years.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/2013-ford-fusion-debuts-along-with-47-mpg-fusion-hybrid-100-mpg/

[svelte]

We can’t believe it ourselves. It is simply amazing that it’s finally done.

My wife and I often joked that there must be Caltrans employees out there who must have the following conversation at dinner parties:
Guest: So, what do you do for a living?
Caltrans Employee: I-15

We’ve got FasTrak and are ready to go. Downside? when we really REALLY need FasTrak, the signs read “HOV Only” and we can’t use it anyway!!!

And yes, TG, I’ve been watching that new Fusion very very carefully. It is simply amazing the MPG or equivalent that are coming out now…and the looks of that car are simply stunning. Ford, I humbly bow to your talent.

Not only that, the HP numbers have been jumping off the charts the last 5 years or so. I mean the new Mustang V6 makes more HP than my wifes 5 year old Mustang GT V8!!! You can go out and by cars off the showroom floor with 500, 600, pushing 700 HP now. Un freaking believable.

Yes, it is a great time to be a car guy.

To paraphrase an old expression, so many cars so little time.

[Coronita]

[quote=temeculaguy]Thank God!!!

On a side note for those of us in the exhurbs, these new cars are going to change the game a little as well. Have you seen the new Ford Fusion plug in that gets the equivalent to 100 mpg, it looks like a cross between an aston martin and a jaguar XF and gets 100 mpgs and will be out in months not years.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/2013-ford-fusion-debuts-along-with-47-mpg-fusion-hybrid-100-mpg/%5B/quote%5D

Yeah, I really like this. Ford’s got it going on…

The other interesting thing that’s coming out in 2013. Autonomous driving in stop and go traffic.
Audi Traffic Jam Assist (not kidding)

http://www.insideline.com/audi/audi-previews-traffic-jam-assistant-at-2012-ces.html

[EconProf]

Congrats to Ford for trumping the competition in the fuel-saving race.
One question though. Why is GM (Government Motors) having so much trouble with their Volt even after huge taxpayer subsidies and a bailout three years ago–a bailout that Ford did not get?
This seems to be more evidence that the free market works, if only we would try it.

[svelte]

[quote=EconProf] Why is GM (Government Motors) having so much trouble with their Volt even after huge taxpayer subsidies and a bailout three years ago–a bailout that Ford did not get?
…[/quote]

Define “so much trouble”. The only problem I’ve read about is the potential for fire after the battery is damaged in a major side impact. And they’ve got a fix for that.

Not sure if you’re aware, but the stats are in. Guess what manufacturer had the largest number of recalled vehicles in 2011? Not GM. Not Ford. It was Toyota.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/airbag-recall-forces-honda-past-toyota-in-total-recalls-for-2012/

Who, by the way, asked for a bailout from Japan:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/03/toyota-seeks-bailout-from_n_171303.html

And according to this article, received aid from the US:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/01/AR2010120106870.html

[EconProf]

Svelte: Not sure of your point here.
Mine was that Ford apparently is producing a great product without subsidies (as far as I know). GM got subsidies amounting to tens of thousands of $ per vehicle and still put out a flawed product. Maybe they fixed the flaw, but does that make the subsidies OK?
BTW, the average Volt buyer makes $170k per year. Why should we subsidize their purchase?

[svelte]

[quote=EconProf]Svelte: Not sure of your point here.
Mine was that Ford apparently is producing a great product without subsidies (as far as I know). GM got subsidies amounting to tens of thousands of $ per vehicle and still put out a flawed product. Maybe they fixed the flaw, but does that make the subsidies OK?
[/quote]

EconProf: We were talking about I-15 easing conjestion and how Temecula would become even more desirable given the easier commute and that fuel costs would go down due to fuel efficient vehicles such as the new Ford Fusion.

Then you lob a bailout grenade in, which didn’t fit the discussion at all.

We weren’t talking about subsidies in the least, and to drag that into the conversation is just asking for a car fight. 🙂 I’m certainly willing to oblige by pointing out that Toyota had their fingers in the till too.

And lobbing another grenade, you state that GM released a “flawed product”. I just proved to you that Toyota unleashed more flawed product on the public than GM by responding to your statement that GM was having “so much trouble” with the Volt. One problem!

And to correct my prior statement, it was Honda that had the most recalled product last year. Toyota was #2. Toyota was #1 in 2009 and 2010.

If you want to bring bailouts and production flaws into the discussion, let’s talk about them thoroughly.

[paramount]

Well I’m certainly glad I motor in a BMW now; a truly incredible vehicle. I’ve never driven anything like it before – incredible capabilities coupled with an unmatched driving experience.

I bought the BMW so I could enjoy my ride down to SD on the new lanes – well worth it.

Tomorrow is the inaugural day, although traffic should be light for the holiday, so we won’t get the full benefit until Tuesday.

[scaredyclassic]

I need a new car.

[Coronita]

[quote=walterwhite]I need a new car.[/quote]

Well, like I said, refinance and get what you want.

I love the fusion design… I just wish they had one with something other than a 4 banger.If it were me, I’d get one and try to stuff a Boss engine in it…But it’s cool there’s an AWD option.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/frpp-boss-engine.html

Oh yeah, I also wish it was made in usa. (It’s not)

(The Lincoln MKZ, on the other hand imho, looks like a piece of crap)

I have to say, especially in blue, this thing looks really sexy…

Meanwhile, folks, you should 15 gets patrolled really really well these days (ok, not as much as the 56 but close)….So if you’re planning to do speed runs on the 56 or 15, don’t…Unless you like tickets…

[temeculaguy]

You know flu, the old fusion was made in Mexico, this new one will be made in Michigan. You are right, it’s going to be a 4 banger, even BMW’s 3 series is going 4 banger, MPG’s is the mass market now and they are getting more out of them than the 6’s of a few years ago.

In still haven’t bought that garage queen I’ve been shopping, I’m down to about 50 days when my youngest takes over the current garage queen. I’ve read and re-read the car threads, I’ve test driven quie a few and I’m still without a clue as to what I’m going to buy, I keep changing my mind. Since I’ll only drive it on weekends and usually not too far, I’m thinking of taking advantage of the race for mpg’s and getting a discounted gas guzzler with a terrible maintenance record. If I had to drive it to work I’d go bmw cpo or infiniti, but my peculiar needs has me looking at a few unorthodox sleds. Here is the question, assuming used and an under 30k budget, driving about 2k to 4k miles per year, keeping it 5-10 years and needing it to still be relevent and fun. Here are the finalists:

1. 2006 mercedes cls
2. 2004-2006 BMW 6 series coupe or convertable
3. 2008 BMW 5 series (CPO)
4. 2008-2009 Infiniti G37-S Coupe
5. 1999-2001 carera convertable
6. 2008 E class (cpo)
7. 2010 c class (cpo)
8. 2009 3 series (cpo)
9. 2004-2007 vette
10. 2010 camaro ragtop

I had to drop the 2003-2005 jag xke because I don’t fit in it, I’m too tall. The 3 series and the c class I have similar issues but not as bad. cpo doesn’t seem like much of a deal for me because it will expire long before I get many miles on it. I’m a yearly oil change guy, this is a second car for me, my employer provides me with an incredibly boring commuter vehicle and gas for m-f. So if you were me (and I can fix most things on a car), what would you get.

Surprisingly, the g-37 coupe is the fastest of the bunch, and when I say 3 series, I mean 328, not 335 or M (too pricy, but for a daily driver they would win). Audi’s don’t do it for me, so skip them. Lexus lacks hp’s and handling, they are out too. No SUV’s, it’s hard enough for me to get a car with a fixed roof. I’s like to try and stay at or under 70k miles and under $30k, so no supercars, this isn’t a “who’s best” it’s a specific price point “what’s best.” To be honest, the cls, 5 and 6 series and the g37 are the ones I keep debating myself about, then I see a carrera and get all confused again.

[Coronita]

[quote=temeculaguy]You know flu, the old fusion was made in Mexico, this new one will be made in Michigan. You are right, it’s going to be a 4 banger, even BMW’s 3 series is going 4 banger, MPG’s is the mass market now and they are getting more out of them than the 6’s of a few years ago.
[/quote]

Not initially, we’ll have to wait before that happens…
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/01/ford-introduces-new-fusion-midsize-sedan-with-new-hybrid-and-energi-plug-in-hybrid-versions.html

Fusion will be produced at Ford’s Hermosillo, Mexico, manufacturing facility, soon adding production at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

One can hope SVT develops a GT version of it.

[quote]
In still haven’t bought that garage queen I’ve been shopping, I’m down to about 50 days when my youngest takes over the current garage queen. I’ve read and re-read the car threads, I’ve test driven quie a few and I’m still without a clue as to what I’m going to buy, I keep changing my mind. Since I’ll only drive it on weekends and usually not too far, I’m thinking of taking advantage of the race for mpg’s and getting a discounted gas guzzler with a terrible maintenance record. If I had to drive it to work I’d go bmw cpo or infiniti, but my peculiar needs has me looking at a few unorthodox sleds. Here is the question, assuming used and an under 30k budget, driving about 2k to 4k miles per year, keeping it 5-10 years and needing it to still be relevent and fun. Here are the finalists:

1. 2006 mercedes cls
2. 2004-2006 BMW 6 series coupe or convertable
3. 2008 BMW 5 series (CPO)
4. 2008-2009 Infiniti G37-S Coupe
5. 1999-2001 carera convertable
6. 2008 E class (cpo)
7. 2010 c class (cpo)
8. 2009 3 series (cpo)
9. 2004-2007 vette
10. 2010 camaro ragtop

I had to drop the 2003-2005 jag xke because I don’t fit in it, I’m too tall. The 3 series and the c class I have similar issues but not as bad. cpo doesn’t seem like much of a deal for me because it will expire long before I get many miles on it. I’m a yearly oil change guy, this is a second car for me, my employer provides me with an incredibly boring commuter vehicle and gas for m-f. So if you were me (and I can fix most things on a car), what would you get.
Surprisingly, the g-37 coupe is the fastest of the bunch, and when I say 3 series, I mean 328, not 335 or M (too pricy, but for a daily driver they would win). Audi’s don’t do it for me, so skip them. Lexus lacks hp’s and handling, they are out too. No SUV’s, it’s hard enough for me to get a car with a fixed roof. I’s like to try and stay at or under 70k miles and under $30k, so no supercars, this isn’t a “who’s best” it’s a specific price point “what’s best.” To be honest, the cls, 5 and 6 series and the g37 are the ones I keep debating myself about, then I see a carrera and get all confused again.[/quote]

Get the carrera… 🙂

[scaredyclassic]

I got a little freaked out the other day. I was stopped in a left turn lane and these massive SUVs were barreling past me to the right and to the left oncoming. I felt tiny and exposed like I was standing naked on the freeway.

I suddenyly felt like my car was maybe stupid.

For the last 24 years I’ve been oblivious to auto risk.

Then I was recently googling colonoscopy risks. There is danger everywhere.

Maybe a chevy suburban.

[scaredyclassic]

I think I read somewhere a BMW 5 series is the safest car there is. Ok then ivwant that.

[Author]

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