The Observation Deck

2017 Maserati GranTurismo Sport RWD 2D Coupe







MSRP: From $132,975
Horsepower: 454 hp
MPG: Up to 13 city / 21 highway
Curb weight: 4,145 to 4,365 lbs
Dimensions: 192-194″ L x 75″ W x 53″ H

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Saw this on election day. How old?








1991 Nissan Figaro

In 1990 Nissan decided to join the movement to old style cars, like the Mini, Renault, Citroen, etc.

They built the Figaro.

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2018, BMW i8, price $164.000, top speed 156 mph.

From "Car and Driver"
Three pistons combusting internally, a dash of electrons, and lots of aluminum and carbon fiber are the i8’s ingredients. The coupe’s eye-catching style is straight out of a sci-fi flick, and the open-top roadster model is edgier still. Its 369-hp hybrid powertrain drives all four wheels, and EV range was upped to 18 miles for 2019. We saw 36 mpg on our 200-mile test run in a 2016 car. The poised chassis and sharp steering are fun, but eco-friendly tires and re-gen braking hinder performance.

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This morning while walking out of Lion and Blue I couldn't help but notice the car behind me had no grill, no radiator, and was not your normal car. Walking up to it I found a new Tesla Model 3.



Tesla Model 3, MSTP $49,000 - $70,000, Battery charge time: 12h at 220V, Horsepower: 271 hp







Behind the wheel...



Under the hood!

I am struck by the austere dashboard. For decades we've been conditioned to think that the more razzle dazzle on the dash made the car seem more sophisticated.

First one of these I have seen.


The Maserati Levante
The ultimate combination of leading on-road performance and off-road capabilities in a Maserati SUV.

About the same price as a Land Rover or Mercedes, hmmmmmmmmm.

https://www.maseratiusa.com/maserati/us ... ls/levante


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when I saw those portholes scroll up I thought it was a lower level Buick

I should have stored the 1963 Studebaker Avanti, maroon with black leather, 1966 GTO Convertible, 389, green with white interior and the 1969 Dodge Charger, 440, white w/white vinyl roof, black strip on her arse with R/T cut out, green leather interior. Then I discovered sailboats and cars were little more than transportation. You can like a car but you can always love a sailboat.

Richard Baker wrote:I should have stored the 1963 Studebaker Avanti, maroon with black leather, 1966 GTO Convertible, 389, green with white interior and the 1969 Dodge Charger, 440, white w/white vinyl roof, black strip on her arse with R/T cut out, green leather interior. Then I discovered sailboats and cars were little more than transportation. You can like a car but you can always love a sailboat.

Richard

Well the GTO you would have done OK with.

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Well the GTO you would have done OK with.

Jim, you liked the goat, did you. I bought the GTO and the Charger off the showroom floor.
Oddly, enough I pulled Lyman lapstrake 16 ft boat with a 70 hp Mercury behind it water ski on Grapevine Lake, TX The club like the boat because you couldn't pull the it's arse around in water ski slalom course.
Alas, it was the life, before children.

Richard Baker wrote:Well the GTO you would have done OK with.

Jim, you liked the goat, did you. I bought the GTO and the Charger off the showroom floor.
Oddly, enough I pulled Lyman lapstrake 16 ft boat with a 70 hp Mercury behind it water ski on Grapevine Lake, TX The club like the boat because you couldn't pull the it's arse around in water ski slalom course.
Alas, it was the life, before children.

No the only one to actually appreciate a far value over the years. I had a 67, traded it for a 1957 Cadillac Limo.

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The 1974 Datsun 260Z (Fairlady in Japan)


Described as the Japanese Corvette.


Americans including me laughed.


But soon enough, they started winning races in IMSA, beating Corvettes soundly.


Including a couple National Championships at the hands of Paul Newman the actor.


In 1974 approximately 4,500 Datsun 260Zs were sold in America.



Specifications (from Hemmings Motor News)
Engine: Inline SOHC six, water-cooled, iron block and aluminum head
Horsepower: 139 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque: 137-lbs.ft. @ 4,400 rpm
Gearbox: Four-speed manual, all-synchro
Ratios, 1st: 3.59:1
2nd: 2.25:1
3rd: 1.42:1
4th: 1.00:1
Performance: 0-60 in 10.3 seconds
Quarter-mile: 17.8 seconds at 80.8 mph
Top Speed: 117 mph
Dimensions: (two-seat 4-speed 1974 model)
Length: 169.1 inches
Width: 64.1 inches
Height: 50.6 inches
Curb Weight: 2,660 pounds

Read all about it here: https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/datsun-260z-2/

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Bentley Bentayga, 600 horsepower 6.0-liter W12 engine and a 187 mph top speed. Starting price $230,000. Also available in a V8 model for $170,000



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Up next is the Bentley 2-Door Coupe.


Classic Bentley Grill.


On a 2-Door chassis.


What's it worth? Well this is where the story gets interesting.


A new 2019 Bentley 2-Door Coupe could sell for $300,000 or more depending on what you have in it.


But a used Bentley 2-Door Coupe could be had for as little as $20,000 for a 2004.

Should you buy a $300,000 Bentley for $30,000? Experts say, "Better to keep your 2016 Jeep Wrangler."

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Why the depreciation? Broke rear seat speaker?