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| While we all like to envision
ourselves driving a high performance vehicle, Miles Cook, Feature Editor at Edmunds.com,
not only envisions them, he has driven them. Many of them. From the Corvette Z06,
and Viper ACR, to the Mustang Cobra R and BMW M5, he has been behind the wheel
of these awesome cars. If you want to know about the newest high performance vehicles
from America and overseas, don't hesitate to Ask Miles! |
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Miles Cook - Features Editor, Edmunds.com.
Dreaming of writing about cars all through his college days, features editor,
Miles Cook has been doing that in some form or another since breaking into the
glamorous and glitzy world of automotive publishing in 1992. After miraculously
graduating from San Diego State with a B.A. in English somewhere in the dark recesses
of the early '90s, staffer Cook started out as an assistant editor for the Specialty
Equipment Market Association's trade magazine SEMA News. The trade side of the
aftermarket industry was soon supplanted by a chance to indulge in import overload
with a one-year stint at Turbo & High Tech Performance magazine as an associate
editor. There, Miles learned more than he ever thought he would when it comes
to making Hondas, Acura's and other imports go fast. As is the case with staffers
Romans and Brauer, Miles also spent a considerable amount of time at Petersen
Publishing (now known as emap USA) working for six years on the staffs of Car
Craft and Super Ford magazines. For five years, he was on the muscle car scene
as a feature and tech editor before immersing himself in the world of Mustangs
and high-performance Fords of all colors and stripes. Now writing about new cars,
again of all colors and stripes, Miles is forever curious as to what the automakers
are going to come up with next.
As a result of his penchant for old Fords (but still a big Corvette nut), Miles
has two never-ending projects. Both late-model EFI 5.0-liter Mustang-powered,
the small but never-boring stable includes a '66 Mustang fastback and a '64 Fairlane
500. |
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Chat Transcript |
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<Edmunds_Moderator> Welcome to our Special Event Chat with Miles
Cook, Features Editor, Edmunds.com. We're glad you joined us. Miles is here to
answer your questions about high performance vehicles, such as Corvettes, BMW's
and more.
<Edmunds_Moderator> Welcome, Miles!
<miles_cook> Hello everybody, glad you could make it!
<Edmunds_Moderator> If you have a question for Miles, please type
a "?" on a line by itself. We'll call on you in order and your question can be
asked you are called on. Miles will answer as many of your questions as he can
this evening.
<Edmunds_Moderator> Miles, how long have you had an interest in cars
and why?
<miles_cook> I'm sure Edmunds regulars are excited to see the American
Exotic Test that'll be posted to www.edmunds.com soon.
<miles_cook> Corvette ZO6, Mustang Cobra R and the Viper ACR are
the cars that are included in that article.
<miles_cook> As far as those cars go, and others, I'm ready to answer
your questions.
<Edmunds_Moderator> How long have you had an interest in cars and
why?
<miles_cook> Most of my life, when I was 4 and 5 years old I was
playing with matchbox cars and hot wheels and stuff like that.
<miles_cook> As I got older, I got interested in radio-controlled
cars. I raced R/C cars for a number of years, which is kind of like slot cars
in a way.
<miles_cook> As I got older I thought about a way that I could be
involved with the cars other than as a race driver or an engineer and so I got
interested in writing about cars.
<b1345> I want to know how often you get to test drive these cars
and so far which is your favorite one?
<miles_cook> As far as how often-- any particular car? How it works
is that you get a car, drive it, and write up a road test on it.
<b1345> Yea how often do you get to do that? I am interested in cars
like the vette.
<miles_cook> But that's a one time deal. In other words, you're not
going to drive a Corvette ZO6 more than once in a year.
<miles_cook> As far as my favorite ones, currently two of my big
favorites are the Corvette ZO6 and the BMW M5.
<miles_cook> There's so many wonderful cars on the market today,
it's hard to say which one exactly is the best.
<miles_cook> Yesterday I drove an Audi S4 Avant. It's like a station
wagon version of the Audi S4. Think of a wagon version of the BMW M3 (not that
they're making a wagon version of that particular model.)
<jersey Jack> There are several high performance cars on the market,
which has the most economical price tag?
<miles_cook> In terms of bang for the buck, it's hard to beat the
Camaro Z28 and the Pontiac Firebird Formula.
<miles_cook> The current Mustang GT is also a very good overall performance
package-- you get a lot for your money.
<miles_cook> Although it's considerably more money, the car that's
the top of the heap worldwide is the Corvette ZO6. Because for less than $50K,
it performs equal to or better than $175K Ferrari 360 Modena or a Porsche 911
Turbo, or lots of other expensive exotic European cars.
<b1345> I just read some on the Z06 and wondering what about it made
it one of your favorites? Wish I could afford one, but bet I can't!
<miles_cook> I guess for one thing, I'm biased towards Corvettes
in general. They've always been one of my all time favorite cars.
<miles_cook> It has a unique engine, separate from the regular C5
Corvette...
<miles_cook> The transmission has different gear ratios than the
regular C5s, it has bigger wheels and tires, it has several different features
to help reduce weight.
<miles_cook> As you might already know, it's only available in the
hardtop body style.
<miles_cook> The Z06 went from 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds. It did
the quarter mile in about 12.8 seconds, at 112 MPH, probably one of the quickest
Corvettes ever, if not THE quickest.
<jersey Jack> What is the difference between the Mustang Cobra and
the Mustang GT?
<miles_cook> The main difference is the GT has a single overhead
Cam 4.6 liter V8 that makes 260 HP.
<miles_cook> A Cobra has a double overhead cam V8 (the same size)
and makes 320 HP.
<miles_cook> The other main difference is the Cobra R has independent
rear suspension whereas the GT just has a solid rear axle.
<Edmunds_Moderator> I love the look of the Viper, but how does it
stack up against the Corvette performance-wise?
<miles_cook> Certainly the Viper generates more impressive numbers.
It's quicker, it makes a lot more power, and its basically "Larger Than Life"
overall, but on a day-to-day basis it's not as easy to live with.
<jersey Jack> How do you think the Corvette CO6 stacks up against
cars of old with the same performance measures?
<miles_cook> Overall, it's just a much more well rounded package.
<miles_cook> Anything built in the mid-to-late 60s that's as fast
as a zo6 would never have the mild-mannered side that this car does, or any new
car nowadays, for that matter.
<miles_cook> Today's high performance cars are an amazing combination
of day-to-day drivability and spectacular performance.
<Edmunds_Moderator> Have you had a chance to look at or drive the
new BMW M5 and if so what can you tell us about it?
<miles_cook> Yes, the road test I wrote on the M5 is on the site.
I drove it for a couple of days. It's one of the most amazing cars ever made.
<Edmunds_Moderator> And, dare I ask, how much does it cost?
<miles_cook> It goes fast, it looks good, it handles like a racecar,
it has an endless array of luxury amenities, and it's built like a bank vault.
<miles_cook> It has outstanding braking capability...It has just
about anything you could ask for in a car compared to cars that cost 3X as much
money, it's an amazing bargain, when you compare it to cars that cost $200-300,000.
<miles_cook> Sticker price is about $70,000-- you could probably
get one for $80-85K. Not cheap, but certainly cheaper than a Rolls Royce or a
Bentley, and you get a better car.
<jersey Jack> Which in your opinion is a better car, the BMW 330ci
or the Audi A4 2.8 Quattro?
<miles_cook> The Audi A4, for foul weather climates, is probably
the way to go.
<miles_cook> They're both very comparable, but if the cars are basically
the same price (I'm not sure that they are) I would probably choose the BMW.
<b1345> I know you said you started out loving cars, but do you just
do it in your job or are you a big car nut like me? I mean in your personal life
too.
<miles_cook> I definitely am a car nut. I was interested in cars
before I started doing this type of work.
<miles_cook> For many years I had an interest in older cars, in old
muscle cars and things like that. I'm not just interested in new cars. I've had
several older cars like early Mustangs and Corvettes.
<miles_cook> I've always had an interest in restoring them, taking
them to shows, things like that.
<Edmunds_Moderator> If you have a question for Miles, please type
a "?" on a line by itself. We'll call on you in order and your question can be
asked you are called on.
<Edmunds_Moderator> Go ahead, Jack.
<miles_cook> Hi core ford.
<jersey Jack> Is the BMW 323 a chick car...no offense ladies. lol
<miles_cook> Not really. It depends on who's driving it!
<jersey Jack> LOL!
<miles_cook> Whether it's a car that's more popular with women--
that's not something that I'd know.
<Edmunds_Moderator> If you have a question for Miles, please type
a "?" on a line by itself. We'll call on you in order and your question can be
asked you are called on.
<Edmunds_Moderator> When will the new BMW Z8 Roadster be available
to the public if they are not already?
<miles_cook> They're available right now. I was just at a BMW dealership
the other day and there was one on the showroom floor.
<miles_cook> If you've got $250,000 burning a hole in your pocket,
the car's all yours. The sticker price is about $130K, so the dealer markup is
basically double.
<jersey Jack> Besides the Corvette and Mustang what is the best performance
level car under $50/40K with average options?
<miles_cook> For under $50K sticker, the new M3 is going to be hard
to beat. For under $40K, a Lexus IS 300 is a good deal.
<miles_cook> A VERY impressive new car is the Subaru WRX, which is
going to be under $25K.
<miles_cook> We had a chat with Mike Whelan from Subaru about that
car a few weeks back (the transcript is up on the site, look for the link under
Town Hall).
<Edmunds_Moderator> When test driving a performance car, what should
you look for?
<miles_cook> Probably how is the car going to be to live with on
a day-to-day basis is the most important question to ask yourself, besides just
how well it performs.How does the car feel in your hands?
<miles_cook> Look at it from a practical standpoint, if it's going
to be your primary car.
<Edmunds_Moderator> If money weren't an issue, which performance
car would you most want to have for yourself?
<miles_cook> Probably the new Porsche 911 GT2 would be at the top
of the list. We have info on that car in the Detroit Auto show coverage at edmunds.com.
<justlisten> Time for me to say something. Any opinion about the
Lexus Hardtop convertible?
<miles_cook> It's a lightened rear-wheel drive version of the 911
Turbo. It's 456 HP and it's going to be one of the most amazing cars ever built
by Porsche.
<justlisten> What do you think about the Lexus convertible?
<miles_cook> The Lexus SC 430, it has the same engine as the GS430.
I'm not real crazy about the way it looks. There's a "First Drive" on Edmunds.com
on it.
<lady_k72> I am here to listen and hope I can pick up some info on
cars before I go to trade mine in.
<Edmunds_Moderator> What, in your opinion is the direction and the
future of the automotive industry in terms of the consumer and what can we look
forward to price wise?
<miles_cook> In general, the best cars ever are being made today.
The typical buyer has an amazing number of choices. From cars, trucks, SUVS and
everything in between.
<miles_cook> You've got a Corvette you can buy off the showroom floor
that does a 12 second quarter mile.and you've got a Honda Insight that gets 70
MPG.
<miles_cook> And there's pickup trucks and SUVs that can tow 10,000
lbs and carry 9 people. So I would say the auto industry right now is more diverse
and more dynamic than it's ever been.
<miles_cook> As far as price, the average price of a new car is over
$20,000 now, which is unfortunate. But when you look at the features that are
available on those cars, it's an amazing thing.
<justlisten> Any comment about the Lexus convertible?
<miles_cook> I don't really know that much about it. It has the same
engine as the GS 30, which is a very smooth running V8.
<justlisten> I like the picture from the magazine, and would love
to own one.
<miles_cook> Best thing to do would be to check out the First Drive
article on our site.
<lady_k72> Any comments on the Ford Escape or Ford vehicles in general?
<miles_cook> The Ford Escape's fraternal twin the Mazda Tribute was
just added to our long-term fleet, so there will be a wealth of information being
generated as we drive that vehicle.
<miles_cook> The Ford Escape and the Mazda Tribute are essentially
the exact same vehicle. Basically, the Escape is a very nice package overall.
It has a 200 HP V6 and a 3-liter V6.
<miles_cook> It has the most power of any mini-SUV so it has the
most HP of any vehicle in its class.
<miles_cook> We have "First Drive" articles on both he Escape and
the Tribute on www.edmunds.com.
<miles_cook> I just wrote a Road Test on the Tribute- that'll be
posted to the site in the next week or so.
<miles_cook> As far as Ford vehicles in general. They're probably
the healthiest American automaker right now
<miles_cook> When you look at the fact that out of the 10 best selling
vehicles in this country, 5 of them are Fords.including the F- Series trucks,
the Explorer and the Taurus and the Focus.
<miles_cook> I think the Ford Ranger pickup is also in the top 10.
General commentary on any Ford vehicle is they're all good.
<miles_cook> Basically when you look at sales numbers on F- series
trucks, Ford sells an F- series truck about every 3 seconds.
<miles_cook> About 60,000 a month. That's a lot of Ford Trucks!
<Edmunds_Moderator> I'm curious about what you think of the Pontiac
Aztek? It looks an odd vehicle to me.
<miles_cook> The Aztek... I know it's been sent back to the design
table for some updates (there was a story in Automotive News).
<miles_cook> I've driven one, and they're actually very pleasant
to drive.
<miles_cook> If you don't like the way it looks, just wait for the
upcoming Buick Rendezvous, which is the mechanical twin to the Aztek. It's going
to be Buick's first SUV.
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