[Shotimes] new to mailing list

[Ron Nottingham]

----- Original Message -----
From: <ianf@eden.rutgers.edu>


>
> so you are esentially supporting what I am saying. The Maxima has more
> potential and is a better base to start with for mods or just plain
> reliability. I classify the SHO's water pump and T-stat failures, rod
> bearing maintenance issues, etc as mechanical failures. Yeah, some of
> it is related to how well the owner cares for the car, but Nissan can
> build a motor that any idiot can own and not maintain yet they won't
> have problems with the car ever.
>

Let the timing belt break on a Maxima, then see how cheap they are ;-)

>
> Ditto on soul. Everyone has a different opinion of soul, but I have a
> feeling that people equate noise (hearing the engine, etc) to soul. If
> you want to hear the engine on any car, add a simple intake with a cone
> filter. I think that my friend Steve's 97 SE with full suspension,
> intake, exhaust, brakes, wheels, tires, etc has a LOT of soul.
>

No, hearing the engine does not equate to "soul" for me.  NVH does not
equate to "soul".  Old versus new cars...  Just because a car is new does
not mean it does not have "soul", nor does an old car always have "soul".
I'm not knocking Japanese cars, heck I've owned a couple of really cool
300ZX turbos, but they just didn't seem to have "something".  It's hard to
quantify that "something".  It's just that some cars just "feel" like
appliances.  Most Japanese cars just feel like appliances.  One of my best
friends has a 95 RX7 R2.  Full suspension, exhaust, brakes, wheels, tires,
MAJOR engine mods, the works.  It makes lots of noise, speed, g's, etc, but
it just doesn't have the "feel" or any "soul".  It feels like an appliance,
one heck of a FAST and nimble appliance, but an appliance none the less.
Logically, the Maxima SE is truly a better car than the SHO.  I will be one
of the first to admit, that I like the Maxima SE much more than the Taurus
SHO, but the Max just does not have "something" the SHO does have.  I can't
quantify it.  I can't say exactly what it is.  I wouldn't even know where to
begin looking for that "something" that gives some cars character, while
others lack it.

It's kind of like all the major car manufacturers want a BMW 3-Series-like
car.  Many have stepped up to the plate with faster cars, better handling
cars, etc, all on paper, but none have been as effective as the 3-Series on
the road.  Just what makes a 3-Series so great?  On paper, it is really lack
luster.  I don't know, but the boys in Munich know.

Ron N. - Dalton, GA
90 SHO
89 325i
"It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile"