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| Thread: Bugatti Veyron -- Test Drive & Purchase | |
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vesuvius
Hero of Order
Honor Above all Else
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posted April 24, 2007 07:18 AM |
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Edited by vesuvius at 07:19, 24 Apr 2007.
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Bugatti Veyron -- Test Drive & Purchase
VIDEO
 
 
This is the 'tester' Bugatti Veyron, made available for 3 days for select buyers of the car. It was being shipped back to France the next day.
Pierre, a former Formula 1 driver, gives an initial drive with the car, detailing all the unique features and history of the car. He then demonstrates the acceleration, speed, and cornering performance of the car. Then its your turn to drive, to get the feel and test the car's incredible power & grace.
They are building only 300 of these amazing cars, and as of this post, about 45 of them exist, 16 of which are owned here in the US. They plan to build 70 a year (max), but may stop production if the car's demand is significantly lower (unlikely). So purchasing one of these cars, makes you part of an exclusive group, of which no more than 300 will exist.
For those of you who do not know the specs of the car, and why it is almost 'unnatural':
0-60mph in 2.5 seconds
0-150mph in 11 seconds!!!
top speed: 257 mph.
1001 horsepower
While sitting as the passenger, the g-force feel on launch, was incredible, like nothing I've experienced before. Compared to takeoff on a jumbo jet, the forces felt even stronger. Driving it -- taking it to 140mph -- it felt like you were going 45mph in a regular car. And getting there is so quick, that it almost feels impossible.
It has 3 modes -- 'comfort', 'sport', and 'manual'. It is a fully automatic car, with dual clutch transmission. What makes it unnatural is how smooth it changes gears, you do not hear or feel it one bit.
The sport mode keeps the car under high RPM no matter what speed, and manual allows you to change gears instantly. There is the rev limiter in manual mode.
At 130mph+, the spoiler comes out, and the car takes a more aggressive stance by lowering its front end.
You can also keep it in that position with a special button. There is also a launch control button, which we never applied in the test drive, but will give the additional boost on launch.
To bring the car past the 220mph limit (caused by drag) -- you need to use a special key while stopped, which changes the conformation of the car, thereby reducing drag and allowing it to go to its 257mph top speed. The car theoretically can go even faster, but the governor is in place at that speed (for 'safety' reasons).
To make it able to launch without losing traction, they made it all wheel drive -- and the rear tires are an unnatural 365's in width!! They look like steamrollers.
Comfort -- It is quite luxurious inside, they spared no expense. No carbon fiber interior, but top-quality leather, and body parts made from the more expensive Titanium & Magnesium. They literally spared no expense. It can act like a daily driver, whether in the hottest desert, or in the coldest winter.
Take note -- the gas octane rating is 93: so you cannot use the 91 -- and it is barely 7mpg, if you drive it 'casually'. 25gallon tank however, so you don't run out too quick. So gassing up the car may be an issue depending on where you live.
There is an almost unlimited combination of colors you can choose on purchase. Mostly two-tone, but you can have it all in one color. They mentioned that the black on red was so popular, that Bugatti is literally begging for people to stop ordering that color set.
How much is it? 1.1 million Euros, which comes out to be about 1.4 million dollars. With taxes, registration, duties etc... it will be about $1.48 million. The deposit alone is 300,000 euros, or about $400,000.
How long does it take to get after ordering? It will be about 14 months from deposit before you can own one, and you must pay in full 6 months prior to its finish.
They invite you to come to the factory (in France), to see its production, and to more visualize/appreciate what goes into making one of these. It is said that the car takes over $5 mil to build, and the original R&D costs were astronomical. Their goal here is not to make money from this venture, but to bring back the Bugatti name brand. At the end of the test drive, there are some questions you are asked (what cars you drive, what you liked, didn't like) and most importantly -- what sort of car would you like to see Bugatti build beyond the Veyron.
You are also invited, once purchasing the car, to drive it on the VW test track, potentially up to its 257 mph top speed (still in planning stages).
I haven't decided on a color set yet, but I have my sights on this one:
I expect to have my car by late 2008.
How does it compare to my SLR McLaren or my Lamborghini Murcielago?
A hell of a lot faster than either -- but comfort wise it is similar to the SLR -- and its handling is superior to both, and very light! When you brake from 140 to 0, you don't even need to hold the steering wheel. Incredible. The sound is similar to the SLR -- very quiet even more quiet than the SLR, but very 'jet engine' sounding. Almost unnatural but incredible to hear.
The only minus here -- the blind spots are very signifcant on the rear/side because of the large obstructions from the engine. Murcielago compensates by the very long side view mirrors, and the SLR really has no obstructions.
A really cool feature -- a portable datapad that gives you navigation, tire pressure, other statisics, and through your rearview mirror, you get navigation as well. Audio/AC all the good stuff is top notch.
The car is nearly 4000lbs, so you feel the weight, but its so nimble, the steering feels lighter than the SLR, and most definitely lighter than the Murc.
So who owns a Veyron? Initially I thought Tom Cruise & Jay Leno have one -- but Jay has not bought one yet, and Tom Cruise 'borrowed' a tester Veyron for 4 days.
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Aculias
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Pretty Boy Angel Sacraficer
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posted April 24, 2007 07:21 AM |
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Man Rob.
Nice ride.
OK if I become emperor & win Caesars...
You have to by me a new car of my pick 
Joking but I am going t get my new com soon & I cant wait to be part of the action once again.
Robs got no worries because he is in no hurry
Cause he knows he can always go DOWNTOWN.....
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Dreaming of a Better World
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Rethwen
Adventuring Hero
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posted April 26, 2007 01:09 AM |
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Heck, and I thought the Viper was nice and special when I had to get the mold done for custom fitted seats. At my age, however, I would look like silly. Thanks for the notice though--I never realized you were into cars.
Reth
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angelito
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
proud father of a princess
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posted April 26, 2007 11:02 AM |
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Just out of curiosity...How much is the insurance each year?
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Better judged by 12 than carried by 6.
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vesuvius
Hero of Order
Honor Above all Else
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posted April 26, 2007 10:35 PM |
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Most if not all companies will not insure it. So I will be self-insuring it thru the state of NV.
The SLR's insurance is $4000/year thru Farmers Insurance.
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insatiable
Supreme Hero
Ultimate N00bidity
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posted April 27, 2007 04:04 PM |
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dont like that silverish interior mask, quite kitsch
.. and im sure one can buy much more stylish car with that money instead of that enlarged miniature-model car
ves look more attractive in live action that stills, dont he? 
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Strawdozz
Hired Hero
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posted April 29, 2007 09:24 PM |
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Actually, thats one thing I never understood.
I have been driving some cars in my life and indeed, the better the car is, the less you feel the speed in it. Which also means that its more comfortable to drive a good car on high speed.
I was sitting in a Fiat Polski once which went with only 40mph; I felt speed a lot and I had feared for my life in every moment (especially when the guy showed me how to do curves on two wheels). I drove a much better car myself at 130mph in Germany and it was cool but still not as much adrenaline.
So, my question is, what exactly do you enjoy in driving such a super-car? I mean, with speed limits, you wont even feel that you are driving. Which would be cool if it would be about safe comfortable driving but I guess its not. Is it just about being very expensive?
Then again, I never understood why people watch Formula One.
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Straw
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vesuvius
Hero of Order
Honor Above all Else
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posted April 30, 2007 07:55 PM |
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its the same question when motorcycle enthusiasts are asked whey they like riding one (I personally don't like them).
Besides the looks/value etc... its the feeling you get when youre driving at speed around corners, launching from a full stop, and so on. Why else would one play a racing computer game for example? You don't feel the speed there either. Call it an expensive 'Toy', with just a lot more responsibility. Most people who get these cars though, drive it very little, and mostly for show (valet to restaurant, club, etc..).
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morgan_le_fey
Famous Hero
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posted May 04, 2007 09:06 AM |
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1.4 million to buy and $4000 for insurance? you must mean liability and not collision.
i bet at least 20% of those end up getting wrecked within 5 years...thats like the old corvettes...too much car and not enough driver in many cases.
morgan le fey
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insatiable
Supreme Hero
Ultimate N00bidity
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posted May 04, 2007 06:25 PM |
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Quote:
not enough
its enought.. but, what do you know of h5.. nothing 
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vesuvius
Hero of Order
Honor Above all Else
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posted May 04, 2007 07:27 PM |
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Edited by vesuvius at 08:07, 17 May 2007.
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its funny when guys who have no clue talk about things they don't compehend... like they've been there, done that.
Anyways Morgan, if you read my post above fooboy I said my SLR's insurance (a $460,000 car) is $4000 a month EDIT: i meant $4000 a year oops. Yes its full coverage, and its due to the fact that I have excellent history, a multi car discount, homeowners' discount, and a professional (dentists) discount.
The Veyron will probably be self-insured.
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morgan_le_fey
Famous Hero
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posted May 17, 2007 06:43 AM |
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haha well im glad im not in the insurance business then or need you drilling on my teeth.
morgan le fey
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jb239
Famous Hero
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posted May 25, 2007 11:41 PM |
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Damn Vesuvius you are totally Ballin haha
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I will not lose.
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mklthrkngl
Known Hero
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posted May 28, 2007 04:39 AM |
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what the?!
Holy crap!! was that JB239 i just saw drive by post on this topic?!! good to see yer still alive buddy, had some of us worried 
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AL_Killmore
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 22, 2008 11:11 AM |
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Hope you enjoy your new car.
It looks like it's a nice ride.
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iohann
Hired Hero
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posted September 23, 2008 02:03 PM |
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Edited by iohann at 14:04, 23 Sep 2008.
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Geez, what a toy
Vesuvius, may I ask you a frank question (and get a frank answer)?
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