Morgan84 Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Thats what happens when a Insignia and a 5 series spend too much time together !
gtd2000 Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 It wasn't actualy too bad to be honest - felt a bit under-powered but I've been used to much more powerful engines of late so it was probably just the difference from driving a V6 and then driving a 4 cylinder for a change. When I first set off in it - it reminded me a bit of the current KIA Optima or Hyundai Sonata to drive... I'm back in a Nissan Maxima now
Madman Of The People Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 The Malibu is built on the same platform as the Insignia, which is also sold in America as the Buick Regal.
cort16 Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 The americans have lost the plot none of these cars are hideous enough.
gtd2000 Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 The americans have lost the plot none of these cars are hideous enough. When I look at most modern American market cars - be they domestic or foreign origin marques, it's almost as if they styled the car first, then gave the whole design a blast of compressed air to blast it outwards and look more bulbous.
cort16 Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 I'm in Orlando the 2nd week of February with work for a few days. Any ideas of places I could hire a Camero and not end up with a Sebring?
gtd2000 Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 I'm in Orlando the 2nd week of February with work for a few days. Any ideas of places I could hire a Camero and not end up with a Sebring? I use National for car rentals - they usually have a good selection in Florida due to the number of tourists. They definitely have the Camaro available in the fleet but I've newer been able to pick one up yet - at San Francisco airport, it's usually only the dullest selection of shite imaginable when I fly in. I've been advised to pop back at the weekends to get the best cars - so might give them a call this weekend to see what I can pickup.
Station Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 That looks nice - it looks like every other car on the road though.
cort16 Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 I thought there's be a market for renting out Camero's and the like to gullible tourist like me but not many seem to specifically do it. I am technically at a car trade show so i'm hoping there might be some chance to sit in and view some US shite.
Lukas Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 This one is officially available in the EU too, for example in Austria: https://www.chevrolet.at/fahrzeuge/malibu/ I think it´s sad that there are more and more "global cars". The Malibu is built on the Insignia-platform, designed for all markets around the world (more or less ), there is no yankee-shite-soul in these cars. Remember the 80s when US-cars were very special, japanese cars had their own soul and style, german cars were recognisable by a blind man etc.? Those times will never come back. Now it´s Us-cars designed in Korea, based on a german car, built somewhere and sold everywhere. Remember the Buick Park Avenue, that was officially sold in Europe in the mid-90s? This one? One of the last if not the very last "real" US-car!
morris_ital_lover Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 The americans have lost the plot none of these cars are hideous enough. Indeed sir, but at least for us shiters, they are bland enough. I agree Lukas, American cars as part of the more general shift towards a more unified global style of "car" have definitely lost their touch its only the "special" models that retain it (Mustang/Camaro/Challenger) and hideous pickups no-one else buys. Its only the french with the successful retention of fugly looks and regular, sudden and dramatic car implosions that have retained their "touch".
Lukas Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 100% agree! Just look at the Ford-US-car-lineup: http://www.ford.com/ There is the Mustang and the Taurus, all other cars are the same as sold here in Europe. The Fusion will be our next Mondeo. Sad times for someone who is not interested in SUVs and Pick-Ups.
gtd2000 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Posted January 25, 2013 I thought there's be a market for renting out Camero's and the like to gullible tourist like me but not many seem to specifically do it. I am technically at a car trade show so i'm hoping there might be some chance to sit in and view some US shite. If you book the car online before you go - I'm pretty sure a call could be made to reserve a Camaro if they have them at that franchise. Hertz and Avis both offer guarantees of specific vehicle types. With Hertz they're called Collection Vehicles, and with Avis they're called Cool Cars. Keep in mind though that these types of vehicles can be more costly than simply reserving a standard car type. National also offers what's known as the Emerald Isle to their Emerald Club members. When you are a member of National's Emerald Club and reserve a midsize or larger vehicle, you can choose from any vehicle in the Emerald Isle. Selections vary based on availability, but sometimes you can score a nice upgrade. I'm in the Emerald Club so can take anything I like, that's on the lot. I'll call up and ask if I can book a specific car and let you know how that goes.
cort16 Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 Cheers! I've got a lot to fit in to a few days but I really would like a shot of one of these while I'm over.
gtd2000 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Posted January 25, 2013 No answer on the phone - left a voicemail and sent an email to ask how you do this.
willswitchengage Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 That interior - not just for an American car - looks brilliant.
gtd2000 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Posted January 25, 2013 That interior - not just for an American car - looks brilliant. American cars are improving drastically (IMO) - not that long ago I'd take a KIA over pretty much anything American... wherever possible. The biggest quality improvement for me has been with Chrysler - most of the guys I work with think the current 300 is best car they've driven. I couldn't imagine saying that a couple of years ago!
cort16 Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 They still seem obsessed with that shit fake wood though.
gtd2000 Posted January 25, 2013 Author Posted January 25, 2013 They still seem obsessed with that shit fake wood though. Took them a long time to give up flares in the 1980's as well from memory too I just got this reply back from National about reserving a specific car: Unfortunately can’t guarantee specific model Whatever we have in the lot he can choose from the category that he reserved
Junkman Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 American cars are improving drastically (IMO)... Yes, one or two of them are now almost as good as what the Chinese build.However, I oddly like the Maleeboo. It was always shite, it is shite, and it will forever be shite.
MikeKnight Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS SO MANY BUTTONS
chaseracer Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 Because that is what it will cost in eight years' time...
Largactil Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 I'm in Orlando the 2nd week of February with work for a few days. Any ideas of places I could hire a Camero and not end up with a Sebring? If you're feeling flush, Hertz will rent you a 400 bhp Camaro SS convertible for £99 per day from Orlando Airport (Or a Corvette COOP for £94 per day - Or a Mustang Convertible for a much more reasonable £57.50 per day...Albeit a V6 rather than a V8). Just go onto hertz.com, bash your dates in, and select 'fun collection'. I got a Mustang for a bit less than that - Booked months & months beforehand, and think I googled a discount code...?
RichardMoss Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 I tried a Malibu a while back - it wasn't bad at all. The only real downside for me is that the top of the front screen is a bit low and it makes me feel like I'm looking through a letterbox and that I want to duck down for a better view. The Lumina (Holden Commodore) and Caprice are much better - rear wheel drive, V6 or V8 and like most American cars are very comfortable places to spend a journey.
gtd2000 Posted January 27, 2013 Author Posted January 27, 2013 Yes, one or two of them are now almost as good as what the Chinese build. Haha!
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