Calgary Car Talk - Page 10

kw5150 · #**181** Posted **Aug 24, 2012, 3:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

This came up on the Top Gear page today:

• Video Link

DROOOOOOOL!

I still like my "fast" 325 better.....

Jimby · #**182** Posted **Oct 19, 2012, 9:40 PM**

To follow up from last winter:
I wasn't able to get winter tires for my new car last December so I figured the new tires the car came with would get me through the winter. They are ok on dry pavement but somewhat treacherous on snow and ice. Luckily it was a mild winter.

The other day I bought Michelin Latitude Alpin HP (buy 3 get one free) and 4 steel rims. I didn't buy sensors so I have an orange warning light on the dash until the other tires are put back on with the rims with the sensors.

I'm impressed with how quiet the Michelins were on the QE2 and how they ride around town. Now I'm ready for what ever kind of a winter we get!

suburbia · #**183** Posted **Oct 19, 2012, 11:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

I still like my "fast" 325 better.....

To each their own I suppose.

Anyway, I was talking to Tony Dilawri recently and he said they are planning to be in the core till December and that they are month to month lease after that. Didn't have a chance to ask how things were going in that location as the conversation shifted.

Me&You · #**184** Posted **Oct 20, 2012, 11:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbia

To each their own I suppose.

Anyway, I was talking to Tony Dilawri recently and he said they are planning to be in the core till December and that they are month to month lease after that. Didn't have a chance to ask how things were going in that location as the conversation shifted.

The story that was shared at the Vanquish party was that the space was actively being marketed for a restaurant. It's a cool concept, but you can tell just looking at the space that it's temporary. Sales are crap, the store is mostly filled with gawkers and the staff dreads their mandated time there.

Jimby - thank you for buying proper winter tires. I've always had dedicated snows on my cars during the winter, whether a rwd sports car or a awd SUV, and the difference between proper tires and "all seasons" is greater than the difference between awd and rwd... It's really astonishing that anyone would go without in our climate.

earl69 · #**185** Posted **Oct 21, 2012, 12:00 AM**

What is the story with the Ferrari dealer on Blackfoot/Heritage?

suburbia · #**186** Posted **Oct 21, 2012, 3:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by earl69

What is the story with the Ferrari dealer on Blackfoot/Heritage?

Which one is that?

Envision is around there, but it is mostly a used car shop with most product being US auction cars purchased in liquidation and brought up to Calgary.

From what I know, the higher volume Ferrari dealers in Calgary are:

http://www.ferrariofalberta.com/contactUs/index.asp

http://www.zrauto.ca/

ZR being the more famous, or infamous, depending how you see it.

Me&You · #**187** Posted **Oct 21, 2012, 1:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbia

Which one is that?

Envision is around there, but it is mostly a used car shop with most product being US auction cars purchased in liquidation and brought up to Calgary.

From what I know, the higher volume Ferrari dealers in Calgary are:

http://www.ferrariofalberta.com/contactUs/index.asp

http://www.zrauto.ca/

ZR being the more famous, or infamous, depending how you see it.

Ferrari Alberta is constructing a new facility at Blackfoot and Heritage. Their current building off Barlow was a "trial" to measure the market, before they jumped in with both feet (which was silly, because for years prior to there being an actual dealer here, both the Vancouver and TO dealers sold a substantial portion of their allocations - like 1/3 to 1/2 - to Calgary anyways).

Weissach from Vancouver will also be constructing a new Lamborghini and Lotus showroom and be bringing their used Porsche specialty along as well. Same story with their sales - they were one of the largest volume Lambo dealers in North America last year and a good portion of those come to Calgary.

The Porsche dealer is also considering a move to that corner, though I haven't heard any details on that for a while.

Lastly, you're a little off on the Ferrari sales... FoA does OK, ZR barely registers (definitely more infamous than famous). Kulu blows them both out of the water.

CorporateWhore · #**188** Posted **Oct 21, 2012, 3:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me&You

Weissach from Vancouver will also be constructing a new Lamborghini and Lotus showroom and be bringing their used Porsche specialty along as well.

Uh oh. This does not bare well for my finances in the future!

Innersoul1 · #**189** Posted **Oct 21, 2012, 6:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimby

To follow up from last winter:
I wasn't able to get winter tires for my new car last December so I figured the new tires the car came with would get me through the winter. They are ok on dry pavement but somewhat treacherous on snow and ice. Luckily it was a mild winter.

The other day I bought Michelin Latitude Alpin HP (buy 3 get one free) and 4 steel rims. I didn't buy sensors so I have an orange warning light on the dash until the other tires are put back on with the rims with the sensors.

I'm impressed with how quiet the Michelins were on the QE2 and how they ride around town. Now I'm ready for what ever kind of a winter we get!

I was running Nitto Motivos as my all season performance tire. They are brilliant tires and I strongly recommend then if you are in the market for new all seasons. Although they are decent for light snow everything I have read suggests that they won't handle the full winter snow in Calgary.

I was just out in Victoria an didn't want to risk driving through the mountains on the Nittos so I put my Bridgestone Blizzak LM 4x4s on (they came with the Acura). Very good for highway driving. Also very quiet. Paid off through Rogers Pass for sure! I was hoping for some snow through the "highway through hell" no dice but I did see "the rotator" helping out a semi.

Jimby · #**190** Posted **Oct 21, 2012, 6:34 PM**

I like that show! The human aspects are kind of corny but I like the scenes of deep snow, stuck trucks, and crashes. I can recognize lots of the places they show.

Everyone I know who has Blizzaks are happy with them.

I wonder how many of the vehicles involved in the 70 crashes the police responded to yesterday had winter tires?
I am feeling very smug and self-righteous, sorry!

suburbia · #**191** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 9:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimby

I like that show! The human aspects are kind of corny but I like the scenes of deep snow, stuck trucks, and crashes. I can recognize lots of the places they show.

Everyone I know who has Blizzaks are happy with them.

I wonder how many of the vehicles involved in the 70 crashes the police responded to yesterday had winter tires?
I am feeling very smug and self-righteous, sorry!

The statistics would be very interesting indeed. Of course, sometimes we learn things that seem counter-intuitive. You may recall when anti-lock brakes first came out. The rates of accidents where braking was a factor actually increased, precisely because people were over-confident!

Jimby · #**192** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 9:19 PM**

Over-confidence or lack of understanding of how ABS works? The first time I drove a car with ABS and the system engaged and made a horrible grinding sound I wanted to take my foot off the brake but I didn't.

Also I wonder if there are any statistics from Quebec showing a lessening of the number of winter crashes since they made winter tires mandatory a few years ago?

Calgarian · #**193** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 9:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimby

Over-confidence or lack of understanding of how ABS works? The first time I drove a car with ABS and the system engaged and made a horrible grinding sound I wanted to take my foot off the brake but I didn't.

i'm going to guess it was overconfidence, just like how most of the vehicles you see in the ditch or wrapped around a telephone pole here are SUVs with AWD. Some people think AWD with traction control and winter tires mean you are now invincible and using your brain while driving in a snowstorm is no longer required lol.

Quote:

Also I wonder if there are any statistics from Quebec showing a lessening of the number of winter crashes since they made winter tires mandatory a few years ago?

I would be interested to see this as well. It's a great tool, but as I aluded to above, you still have to know how to drive with them on.

Jimby · #**194** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 10:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

i'm going to guess it was overconfidence, just like how most of the vehicles you see in the ditch or wrapped around a telephone pole here are SUVs with AWD.

.

I feel a tiny bit of schadenfreud when I see that happen.

suburbia · #**195** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 11:37 PM**

yeah - it is human psyche. Get pills for cholesterol and suddenly instead of watching out for the cream, you're looking for it!

LFRENCH · #**196** Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 12:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimby

Everyone I know who has Blizzaks are happy with them.

I had them and didn't care for them, although they are incredibly popular with those that use them.

I work in a tire shop, We are backed up to Thurs-Friday when you leave your car with us. Its amazing how rude people are when they wait to long and now are stuck.

Ramsayfarian · #**197** Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 1:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimby

I like that show! The human aspects are kind of corny but I like the scenes of deep snow, stuck trucks, and crashes. I can recognize lots of the places they show.

Everyone I know who has Blizzaks are happy with them.

I wonder how many of the vehicles involved in the 70 crashes the police responded to yesterday had winter tires?
I am feeling very smug and self-righteous, sorry!

I had Blizzaks and hated them with a passion, worst winter tire I've ever owned. Have Toyos on this vehicle and love them.

Full Mountain · #**198** Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 1:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFRENCH

I had them and didn't care for them, although they are incredibly popular with those that use them.

I work in a tire shop, We are backed up to Thurs-Friday when you leave your car with us. Its amazing how rude people are when they wait to long and now are stuck.

This is why I change my own!

Innersoul1 · #**199** Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 4:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

I had Blizzaks and hated them with a passion, worst winter tire I've ever owned. Have Toyos on this vehicle and love them.

We will see how the blizzaks do in the snow tomorrow morning. I am running the Yokohama Ice Guards on my Altima, stellar tires!

Ramsayfarian · #**200** Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 5:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

We will see how the blizzaks do in the snow tomorrow morning. I am running the Yokohama Ice Guards on my Altima, stellar tires!

I would have given my right arm for some Blizzaks this morning. I booked an appointment to get my tires switched over yesterday morning and the can't get me in until tomorrow afternoon.

I just have summer tires on my car and they are completely useless. Luckily I didn't have far to go, but I've cancelled anything that requires me to drive to.