thoughts on the '09 redline

[lorennerol]

Originally Posted by soltino

Thought i read here that it was only avalable in Canada, though thinking back on it that makes no sense.

I guess i should have asked then.


tino

The red/red/black combo was originally available only in Canada. It was added for the 2008 U.S. model year as a $590 'color override' option. The override also lets you combine other non-standard combinations like yellow/red/black, green/red/black, etc.

[soltino]

Originally Posted by lorennerol

The red/red/black combo was originally available only in Canada. It was added for the 2008 U.S. model year as a $590 'color override' option. The override also lets you combine other non-standard combinations like yellow/red/black, green/red/black, etc.

That must be what confused me.

Do you confirm that Black Top and Exterior on Red/Blk interior has been available without extra cost since day one in the US?

tino

[Darkwing]

Originally Posted by soltino

That must be what confused me.

Do you confirm that Black Top and Exterior on Red/Blk interior has been available without extra cost since day one in the US?

tino

Mine was at no extra cost.

[lorennerol]

Originally Posted by soltino

That must be what confused me.

Do you confirm that Black Top and Exterior on Red/Blk interior has been available without extra cost since day one in the US?

tino

That's my understanding.

[mazzella]

Hot car, congrats! Must say, though, that wilw b/r/b is indeed flashy. B/tan/b will be timeless!

[ChgoBlues]

Originally Posted by stealthsky

It seems pretty close. its been off about 1 mpg on the high side

I'm finding mine is about .5-1 mpg off for combined driving. The instant is taking into account only what is going on with the car where the longterm takes into your average speed and mileage.

I'm tracking mine on a spreadsheet and so far, it's been pretty close and not too far off from the EPA estimate either so their new calculation formula seems to be more realistic as well.

[uranium-238]

Originally Posted by ChgoBlues

I'm tracking mine on a spreadsheet and so far, it's been pretty close and not too far off from the EPA estimate either so their new calculation formula seems to be more realistic as well.

On the Civic, I was getting 30 mpg with an even mix of city/highway driving. Dead center of the new 2008 26-34 EPA estimate. Before it was suppsed to get 30-36, so the new system is definitely more accurate.

[fr0stb1t3]

Originally Posted by uranium-238

On the Civic, I was getting 30 mpg with an even mix of city/highway driving. Dead center of the new 2008 26-34 EPA estimate. Before it was suppsed to get 30-36, so the new system is definitely more accurate.

Interestingly, the change in the system was designed to be more accurate for lead footed drivers (most). Says a lot about who it is accurate for. (notably they changed the speed in which the drivers accelerate).

[uranium-238]

Actually, I tend to be a little lead footed when accelerating, especially if i'm merging into traffic. I'd shift at about 5-6k when merging, 3.5-4k under normal conditions. Redline on that thing was like 6.8k

[fr0stb1t3]

* Testing at higher speeds (up to 80 mph). Previously, speeds were limited to 55 mph to match the speed limit of the 1970s.
* More aggressive acceleration and deceleration (up to 8 mph per second rather than just 3.3 mph per second). The previous tests did not match today's hectic traffic patterns.
* Hot-weather testing and measuring vehicle fuel economy while using the vehicle's air conditioner.
* Testing in cold-weather temperatures while the vehicle's heater and defroster are operating.

[JoeBIII]

Originally Posted by uranium-238

Well, here are some things I've noticed about the '09 models that some folks might be interested in knowing.


9. Yeah, it's hard to see any of the LCD displays with the top down. But, while they're hard to see, they can still be read.

...

Does the '09 have LCD displays? if so that would be an improvement over what's in the '07. The amber disappears with the top down on a sunny day. LCD may perform better with the top down.

[uranium-238]

Originally Posted by JoeBIII

Does the '09 have LCD displays? if so that would be an improvement over what's in the '07. The amber disappears with the top down on a sunny day. LCD may perform better with the top down.

Nope, it's the same amber-colored liquid crystal display the '07's have.

[lorennerol]

Originally Posted by uranium-238

Nope, it's the same amber-colored liquid crystal display the '07's have.

It's not an LCD at all. At best it's LED, and I'm not sure it's even that.

[uranium-238]

It's definitely not LED. And you're right, technically it's not an LCD either, that would require a backlight...as an electronics technician/EE-in-training I should have known that. (yeah, been a While since the electronics classes, and at work I work with computers...)

Regardless of what it is, it's not bright enough. Still somewhat readable as long as there's no glare spot on it.

My one complaint about this car so far: no adjustable headrest. No biggie.

Oh, and today was the first really nice day with the Sky, 85 degrees and no humidity. Can't wait till fall.

[WishfulThinking]

Originally Posted by uranium-238

It's definitely not LED. And you're right, technically it's not an LCD either, that would require a backlight...as an electronics technician/EE-in-training I should have known that. (yeah, been a While since the electronics classes, and at work I work with computers...)...

Vacuum Fluorescent Display VFD?

Is it just the intensity, or is it also the color? Do you think the blue version from the Buicks would be any better?

[lorennerol]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinking

Do you think the blue version from the Buicks would be any better?

It wouldn't. You'd be trying to outshine direct sunlight, which isn't going to happen. LCD is the only thing that would really work well.

Edit to add...I think this technology would also work:

[uranium-238]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinking

Vacuum Fluorescent Display VFD?

Is it just the intensity, or is it also the color? Do you think the blue version from the Buicks would be any better?

Both. Judging from my experience in a '07 Civic Ex with the fancy digital speedo with a white/blue color scheme, blue would be just as bad as the amber. In that car you could have the cover over the sunroof and still you couldn't see the display if the sun was behind you. Straight-up red would in my mind be the ideal color, but it would really clash with the rest of the interior lighting.

[air1kdf]

Originally Posted by SKY888

are the new 09 sky redlines have HID lights?

It's so weird that 08s don't have any HID lights coming from the factory

My 08 RL has HID

[Booster_RL]

Originally Posted by uranium-238

And last but not least, it's simply the best looking roadster since the Jaguar E-type, (Series I and II) at least in my eyes. This car certainly has looks worthy of a Ferrari badge, or any other exotic car.

Agreed... and my garage has had some of the best mid-range sports cars in it (E46 M3s, Vette Z06, Supra TT, S2K, etc.) It absolutely amazes me how many people watch this car driving by, you would think we were riding an exotic by the amount of looks I get in traffic.

If GM can survive this current tailspin they should treat this vehicle much like the Vette and make it the start of a niche branding strategy. The Sky RL particularly should start rolling off production with more horses since the target audience is interested in that and probably wouldn't mind a price increase for some factory ponies.

[ChgoBlues]

Originally Posted by Booster_RL

Agreed... and my garage has had some of the best mid-range sports cars in it (E46 M3s, Vette Z06, Supra TT, S2K, etc.) It absolutely amazes me how many people watch this car driving by, you would think we were riding an exotic by the amount of looks I get in traffic.

If GM can survive this current tailspin they should treat this vehicle much like the Vette and make it the start of a niche branding strategy. The Sky RL particularly should start rolling off production with more horses since the target audience is interested in that and probably wouldn't mind a price increase for some factory ponies.

Any higher in the price point and you might as well buy the new Camaro or a base Vette. Part of the attraction for the Sky/Sol cars is the price point, even with the existing hp. Any higher in price I would have passed on it and searched for a good used 2001/2002 Ram Air Trans Am instead.

Of the people I've encountered asking me about my car, some feel even the 33K (loaded/TTL) price tag is more than they are willing to cough up for it. The current economy can't support it. Granted the cars are already a niche vehicle with somewhat low production numbers, no sense lowering the production numbers even more by pricing it out of people's affordability.