Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

For those who don't follow the CCBA topic...
After nearly 18 months of looking, I finally found a replacement for the Mazdaspeed- a Certified Pre-Owned 2014 M235i. I’ll admit to heresy- it is an automatic. Used M235is are not exactly easy to find. In the entire United States I found a grand total of 26 2014 and 2015 CPO cars; out of those 4 were sticks, and all of them were located pretty far away. The upside of the autobox is that it is faster than the manual in most conditions and it will also give my ever-patient bride another car to drive if her X3 is in the shop. And of course I love CPO cars- depreciation is my friend.
Methinks it will prove to be the best of both worlds- you can adjust the suspension, steering, and throttle mapping from relatively sedate geezer calibrations to full-tilt boogie track mode. It is pretty well equipped but thankfully it is missing the suite of electronic nannies that nag you about lane departure, blind spots, and similar. It’s an order of magnitude quicker than my Mazdaspeed, which itself was no slouch. The only thing it lacks is a limited slip differential. Maybe someday…
One reason I waited so long was my hope that Mazda would build the rumored 300+ hp AWD Mazdaspeed 3; sadly, that car is apparently vaporware…
As for the other contenders, the new Mustang GT ran a very, VERY close second. I had found two reasonably priced CPO cars optioned exactly as I would have ordered them. The first one got away because I stupidly decided to “think it over,” while the other was on the lot of a very sketchy Indianapolis Ford dealer who ticked us off so much that we walked. That said, if I’d had a considerably larger budget I’d have nabbed a new GT350. I also liked the upcoming Focus RS, but it would have been likely that I wouldn’t have been able to get one before fall.
The Camaro SS 1LE was a riot, but visibility was a joke. The Challenger SRT was also sweet, but at 4200 pounds it really burns through tires(and brakes) on the track- and those tires alone run upwards of $900 per set. The WRX STI was a lot of fun, but in the end was just a bit too similar to the MS3.
Long shots were used examples of the Cayman S, C6 Z06, and the Lotus Elise, but I finally decided I needed at least a small rear seat- along with ample cargo space.
So I’m very happy about my decision; time will tell, but keeping it for a decade or more seems entirely possible- I drove my Mazdaspeed for almost nine years, while the Club Sport has been in the garage since 1995 and the Wrangler since 2002…

Boy does that sound cool. How does a 2 differ from a 1 series? They look similar.

abacomike

@oldfarmer50:

Payment buyers and/or leasers acquire cars/SUV's by fitting the payments into an existing budget.  They know little, if anything, about lease inception fees, cap cost reduction, money-factors, dealer fees, interest rates, terms, etc.  Those few who do it the right way start with the cap cost of the lease (selling price).  Then, they research the money factor (interest rate).  They acquire vehicles the same way as car buyers - using the Internet and learning the terms used and how to negotiate the lease from a variety of perspectives.

The concept of buying vs. leasing is difficult for the average car buyer to understand.  Using sites like Edmunds and manufacturers' websites for specials and tactics is a strategy that can only be learned, not assumed.

explorerx4

@michaell,
Add me to those expressing their condolences for the loss of your Dad.
Enjoy your trip to CA, it will be good to meet people who knew him and good for them to see you.

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

@michaell,
Add me to those expressing their condolences for the loss of your Dad.
Enjoy your trip to CA, it will be good to meet people who knew him and good for them to see you.

Thanks so much.

I'm afraid half the town may show up. My dad was a very outgoing person who made friends easy. I'm pretty sure some relatives from out of town will be showing up as well - just have to wait and see.

bwia

Mr_Shiftright said:

It is pretty amazing, when you step back and think about it---when you are driving, there are 2-ton vehicles hurtling at you at 55 mph, often a mere 5-6 feet away on 2-lane roads without a divider.

Now why did I bring that up--I'll be nervous for a week.

I can do did bad all by myself.

Just returned from the Caribbean and what do you know. I scrapped the rear passenger side of my LaCrosse on a concrete pillar in an underground parking lot at work. Bummer!

Having gotten accustomed to driving my litre pint size RAV4 in the Caribbean I forgot to take a wider turn down the spiral driveway. And in an instant I had that cracked eggshell feeling in the pit of my stomach. I got out, surveyed the damage, and was pissed off for the entire day. Don't know how much it will cost, but I would conservatively estimate $2,500.

Now, I need a legitimate explanation to file an insurance claim to repair the damage. Can anybody help?

oldfarmer50

bwia said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

It is pretty amazing, when you step back and think about it---when you are driving, there are 2-ton vehicles hurtling at you at 55 mph, often a mere 5-6 feet away on 2-lane roads without a divider.

Now why did I bring that up--I'll be nervous for a week.

I can do did bad all by myself.

Just returned from the Caribbean and what do you know. I scrapped the rear passenger side of my LaCrosse on a concrete pillar in an underground parking lot at work. Bummer!

Having gotten accustomed to driving my litre pint size RAV4 in the Caribbean I forgot to take a wider turn down the spiral driveway. And in an instant I had that cracked eggshell feeling in the pit of my stomach. I got out, surveyed the damage, and was pissed off for the entire day. Don't know how much it will cost, but I would conservatively estimate $2,500.

Now, I need a legitimate explanation to file an insurance claim to repair the damage. Can anybody help?

Tell them that the pillar darted out from the side while the sun was in your eyes. I'm sure they'll accept that.

stickguy

I believe the 2 series is just the replacement for the older style 1 series. Not to be confused with the 4 series that used to be a 3 series.

andres3

graphicguy said:

Catching up. I've been working for about 2 weeks in Austin, TX.

Michaell....so sorry about your loss. Condolences!

I was renting an Altima while I was gone. I remember a point in time that Nissan's cars were considered the sporty brand a decade or so again. I've rented Sentras. and now an Altima. The Sentra really felt like a cheap car.

The Altima's steering is more of a point and guess where you're going. The steering was also darty. It took effort just to keep it in its lane. IT was slow, not all that comfortable. Even the brakes weren't very responsive. Not seeing who would buy the Altima.

Mike....as bad as my '14 CTS was, the '16 is the exact opposite. It drives better, everything works, and not even a sniff of a reason to go back to the dealership. Love the white pearl paint....one of the best paint jobs I've seen on any car.

I agree 100% on the Altima; I too, suffered through an Altima rental when my S4 was banged up. I had to floor the CVT just to get out of my own way (coming from an S4), and the corresponding fuel mileage was pretty bad; certainly nowhere near the EPA numbers. My '14 Accord Sport test drive was night and day better.

stickguy

Just another car for people that want a lot of space, comfy ride, good feature content, and want it cheap, and don't give a hoot about driving dynamics.

Nissan can make a ton of them, and sells them cheap. So they sell a boatload.

stever

bwia said:

Now, I need a legitimate explanation to file an insurance claim to repair the damage. Can anybody help?

There was a bee in the car.

Uh, one you brought back in your luggage....

abacomike

bwia said:

It is pretty amazing, when you step back and think about it---when you are driving, there are 2-ton vehicles hurtling at you at 55 mph, often a mere 5-6 feet away on 2-lane roads without a divider. Now why did I bring that up--I'll be nervous for a week.

I can do did bad all by myself. Just returned from the Caribbean and what do you know. I scrapped the rear passenger side of my LaCrosse on a concrete pillar in an underground parking lot at work. Bummer! Having gotten accustomed to driving my litre pint size RAV4 in the Caribbean I forgot to take a wider turn down the spiral driveway. And in an instant I had that cracked eggshell feeling in the pit of my stomach. I got out, surveyed the damage, and was pissed off for the entire day. Don't know how much it will cost, but I would conservatively estimate $2,500. Now, I need a legitimate explanation to file an insurance claim to repair the damage. Can anybody help?

First, I would get two estimates on the repairs and paint.  It might only be $1500.  I keep a $1000 deductible on my collision since I carry insurance for serious damage, not $1500-$3000 in damage.  I would just pay for it myself and not report it to insurance.  You will get a rate increase that could, over 2-4 years, cost more than repairing it yourself.

Just my opinion!

[Deleted User]

Congrats on the BMW, roadburner. The M version is very, very well respected.

PF_Flyer

Mr_Shiftright said:

It is pretty amazing, when you step back and think about it---when you are driving, there are 2-ton vehicles hurtling at you at 55 mph, often a mere 5-6 feet away on 2-lane roads without a divider.

Now why did I bring that up--I'll be nervous for a week.

My sister once talked about how she was scared driving in a construction zone where they had you directed into one lane with concrete jersey barriers on each side. I asked her if she would ever drive towards an object at 100 mph and pass within 6 feet of it if she couldn't be sure if it would stay still until she passed. She said, NO WAY. I told her she does it every day driving the 45 mph two-lane near her house, where everyone is going 50+ in both directions.

Frame of reference strikes again

cdnpinhead

I squared B, otherwise known as ignorance is bliss.

There's lots to know that would make your hair curl, as they used to say. Fortunately, most people don't know any of it, or if they do/did, they've forgotten.

cdnpinhead

I squared B, otherwise known as ignorance is bliss.

There's lots to know that would make your hair curl, as they used to say. Fortunately, most people don't know any of it, or if they do/did, they've forgotten.

suydam

stever said:

bwia said:

Now, I need a legitimate explanation to file an insurance claim to repair the damage. Can anybody help?

There was a bee in the car.

Uh, one you brought back in your luggage....

You may have a good future as a storyteller!

stickguy

Nothing like getting stuck in a cattle shoot next to a semi. talk about no margin for error!

that happened to me on the PA turnpike (bottom of NE extension). for years they were working on same stretch, and had barriers right on the edge line (no concept of shoulder). And I had to drive the big Diesel Freightliner ryder truck through that stretch (which already completely filled up the lane) and of course got stuck next to another truck. Those beasts are not that easy to keep in a straight line to start with, and that got nerve racking. Probably a few inches on either side, and bouncing around like crazy on the beat up pavement.

Good times. Good times. I miss that truck.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

Boy does that sound cool. How does a 2 differ from a 1 series? They look similar.

The previous 1 Series Coupe was a bit smaller and lighter. In Europe the 1 is still available, but only
as a rather oddly styled hatch:

stickguy

Oh man, I want that hatch. bad.

RB, I can't recall now. Is your new wheels RWD or Xdrive?

tjc78

He mentioned adding a limited slip diff, so I'm gonna say it's RWD.

stickguy

well, that would make sense.

roadburner

Right; RWD- I only like xDrive in the SUVs...

nyccarguy

roadburner said:

Right; RWD- I only like xDrive in the SUVs...

How many miles are on that bad boy @roadburner?

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

roadburner said:

Right; RWD- I only like xDrive in the SUVs...

How many miles are on that bad boy @roadburner?

15,500...

oldfarmer50

andres3 said:

graphicguy said:

Catching up. I've been working for about 2 weeks in Austin, TX.

Michaell....so sorry about your loss. Condolences!

I was renting an Altima while I was gone. I remember a point in time that Nissan's cars were considered the sporty brand a decade or so again. I've rented Sentras. and now an Altima. The Sentra really felt like a cheap car.

The Altima's steering is more of a point and guess where you're going. The steering was also darty. It took effort just to keep it in its lane. IT was slow, not all that comfortable. Even the brakes weren't very responsive. Not seeing who would buy the Altima.

Mike....as bad as my '14 CTS was, the '16 is the exact opposite. It drives better, everything works, and not even a sniff of a reason to go back to the dealership. Love the white pearl paint....one of the best paint jobs I've seen on any car.

I agree 100% on the Altima; I too, suffered through an Altima rental when my S4 was banged up. I had to floor the CVT just to get out of my own way (coming from an S4), and the corresponding fuel mileage was pretty bad; certainly nowhere near the EPA numbers. My '14 Accord Sport test drive was night and day better.

My BIL's 2015 3.5 Altima seems to have plenty of power. I think it has a CVT but I couldn't tell the difference.

stickguy

It is, based on the test results, on the quicker side of the class. About same as an accord.

graphicguy

Stick...I don't know what those Altimas sell for, but unless they are in Smart Car pricing territory, I wouldn't even consider one. But, you're right. I see a ton of them on the road. I'm surprised most people don't care about the diving dynamics, as they're pretty bad.

There are a lot of cars I consider better than the Altima. Someone mentioned an Accord, which would be worlds better to drive. The Malibu would be a much better choice, too. Throw in the Fusion, and there are quite a few cars I'd consider well before the Altima. Even the milque toast Camry is better.

RB....I really, really love the M235i. I think it's the best car BMW is making right now, quite frankly. Great job. I looked at one very seriously when they first came out. Decided I needed a bigger car (which is debateable). Have fun with it, as I'm sure you will.

stickguy

I did test drive an Altima 2 years back when I was shopping. Just a short local roads drive, but I seem to recall thinking it was nicer than I expected. Good MPG ratings if nothing else!

andres3

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:

graphicguy said:

Catching up. I've been working for about 2 weeks in Austin, TX.

Michaell....so sorry about your loss. Condolences!

I was renting an Altima while I was gone. I remember a point in time that Nissan's cars were considered the sporty brand a decade or so again. I've rented Sentras. and now an Altima. The Sentra really felt like a cheap car.

The Altima's steering is more of a point and guess where you're going. The steering was also darty. It took effort just to keep it in its lane. IT was slow, not all that comfortable. Even the brakes weren't very responsive. Not seeing who would buy the Altima.

Mike....as bad as my '14 CTS was, the '16 is the exact opposite. It drives better, everything works, and not even a sniff of a reason to go back to the dealership. Love the white pearl paint....one of the best paint jobs I've seen on any car.

I agree 100% on the Altima; I too, suffered through an Altima rental when my S4 was banged up. I had to floor the CVT just to get out of my own way (coming from an S4), and the corresponding fuel mileage was pretty bad; certainly nowhere near the EPA numbers. My '14 Accord Sport test drive was night and day better.

My BIL's 2015 3.5 Altima seems to have plenty of power. I think it has a CVT but I couldn't tell the difference.

Oh, the rental special Altima's don't get the 3.5 V6 which is peppy, even in the Maxima I didn't like it was fast; in a straight line. The 4-cylinder coupled to CVT is the one I think being dogged in here.

bwia

I want to like the MB GLC 4Matic SUV but although the base price is tantalizing at $40K, however, a reasonably equipped model will set you back $46k +. What's up with that nickle and dime pricing formula.

At $40k, a premium SUV should offer as standard, at least heated seats and heated steering, blind side detection, full leather interior, HID, front & rear parking sensors, and 4WD. But not so with the GLC. If you want these basic creature comforts, offered by lesser brands by the likes of Hyundai and Chevy, you have to pay and arm and a leg. Truly this pricing formula is downright deceptive and there should be a law against it.

With that said, has anyone, seen or test driven the GLC? At 183" long and 74" wide it sounds spacious enough for a six footer. MBUSA does not show front leg room. To be fair, the GLC's interior looks gorgeous, even with the smallish 7" screen. Pricey options such as designo magno Dakota Brown exterior paint will set you back another four grand and saddle leather (or something close) comes packaged for even more mucho dollars. Oh well, aspirational branding and pricing are well tested gimmicks in marketing.

stickguy

MB and BMW are both bad with this, but MB seems worse now. Their packages are really bad. Can usually save a lot getting (still overpriced) ad-hoc options, which are the key things, just giving up a few frills to save major money.

I agree though that some stuff they don't have standard at that price point is shocking. No back up camera in a 40k SUV? Really?

andres3

stickguy said:

MB and BMW are both bad with this, but MB seems worse now. Their packages are really bad. Can usually save a lot getting (still overpriced) ad-hoc options, which are the key things, just giving up a few frills to save major money.

I agree though that some stuff they don't have standard at that price point is shocking. No back up camera in a 40k SUV? Really?

It comes down to if you think the bones of the car are worth the theoretically "low" starting price as a good value. Options are always expensive, for all the luxury car makers especially.

I know I'd rather have a $50K stripper S4 than a loaded to the gills $50K A4. I can live without Nav and a back-up camera in exchange for a supercharged V6, 7-speed dual clutch auto, and more. If the starting price is low enough to attract bargain shoppers looking for good value, then there is nothing wrong with not having "everything" standard.

tjc78

I thought Backup cams were to be standard equipment soon, you think they would just bite the bullet. 

abacomike

bwia said:

I want to like the MB GLC 4Matic SUV but although the base price is tantalizing at $40K, however, a reasonably equipped model will set you back $46k +. What's up with that nickle and dime pricing formula. At $40k, a premium SUV should offer as standard, at least heated seats and heated steering, blind side detection, full leather interior, HID, front & rear parking sensors, and 4WD. But not so with the GLC. If you want these basic creature comforts, offered by lesser brands by the likes of Hyundai and Chevy, you have to pay and arm and a leg. Truly this pricing formula is downright deceptive and there should be a law against it. With that said, has anyone, seen or test driven the GLC? At 183" long and 74" wide it sounds spacious enough for a six footer. MBUSA does not show front leg room. To be fair, the GLC's interior looks gorgeous, even with the smallish 7" screen. Pricey options such as designo magno Dakota Brown exterior paint will set you back another four grand and saddle leather (or something close) comes packaged for even more mucho dollars. Oh well, aspirational branding and pricing are well tested gimmicks in marketing.

First of all, you are buying a top-line German engineered vehicle - safety built in and designed to handle like a vehicle should handle.  

I don't add those high priced learher interiors (regular leather is fine) and I don't add $4000 paint jobs ($750 for Designo Diamond White Metallic is worth it).  If you buy their premium package, it includes most features people like.  I did pay $790 for the Lane Tracking/Blind Spot monitors - definitely worth it.

I had one as a loaner when they first came out - not bad but I liked the GLK more.

You are also quoting MSRP numbers - you can buy most MB vehicles at tremendous discounts - and there is trunk money available on most models.

bwia - you are looking at a MB, not a Honda or a Dodge.  Drive it first - then drive a Honda or a Dodge or a Nissan.  Then decide which is the better vehicle.  You pay a premium to drive a MB or a BMW or an Audi. 

bwia

abacomike said:

bwia said:

I want to like the MB GLC 4Matic SUV but although the base price is tantalizing at $40K, however, a reasonably equipped model will set you back $46k +. What's up with that nickle and dime pricing formula.

bwia - you are looking at a MB, not a Honda or a Dodge.  Drive it first - then drive a Honda or a Dodge or a Nissan.  Then decide which is the better vehicle.  You pay a premium to drive a MB or a BMW or an Audi. 


Agreed somewhat. But there is a difference between perceived quality, refinement & handling and reality. Add to that our nature of aspiring to buy what we cannot afford is the secret sauce to aspirational branding. A MB, BMW or Audi may be premium but at double the price of functionally a similar vehicle is hard to justify. Private colleges do it all the time. A Harvard undergraduate education is no better than Umass, but parents swear by it because of the cache and status it projects in the minds of the petit bourgeois.

cdnpinhead

bwia said:

But there is a difference between perceived quality, refinement & handling and reality. Add to that our nature of aspiring to buy what we cannot afford is the secret sauce to aspirational branding.

Aspirational branding -- brilliant! Works nearly every time it's tried. Explains Rolex all day long, given that Timex keeps at least as good time, and that your cell phone keeps perfect time.

Mr_Shiftright

Marketing is ultimately infinitely postponed satisfaction. No sooner do you have the 2016 Blivet XT500 then they come out with a marginally nicer or marginally better 2017 Blivet XT501. And while you're buying that, you just know the 2018 Blivet XT502 with neutron-drive is already in the works.

abacomike

bwia said:

bwia said:

I want to like the MB GLC 4Matic SUV but although the base price is tantalizing at $40K, however, a reasonably equipped model will set you back $46k +. What's up with that nickle and dime pricing formula.

bwia - you are looking at a MB, not a Honda or a Dodge.  Drive it first - then drive a Honda or a Dodge or a Nissan.  Then decide which is the better vehicle.  You pay a premium to drive a MB or a BMW or an Audi. 

Agreed somewhat. But there is a difference between perceived quality, refinement & handling and reality. Add to that our nature of aspiring to buy what we cannot afford is the secret sauce to aspirational branding. A MB, BMW or Audi may be premium but at double the price of functionally a similar vehicle is hard to justify. Private colleges do it all the time. A Harvard undergraduate education is no better than Umass, but parents swear by it because of the cache and status it projects in the minds of the petit bourgeois.

You are correct in your comparisons and analogies.  Yes, a college degree is a college degree - it depends on what a prospective employer is looking at and/or what they are looking for.  A Harvard degree can get you in the door for an interview, but a degree from CFSU (Central Florida State University) may not.

As for automobiles or SUV's, a car is a car - it's basic transportation - gets you from one place to another.  If that was all there was to it, we might all be driving Toyota Camry's.  But there obviously is more to it than that.  Things like quality, handling, comfort, ease of operation, power and acceleration, looks and styling, to name a few, are important variables to many, many drivers.

But if you are looking for a vehicle to merely get you to the store or a movie, some of those variables may be unimportant.  It's all a matter of taste and perspective, bwia. 

stever

My neighbor claims that autonomous cars that you summon as needed will never catch on because then we'd have nothing in our garage to impress our neighbors with.

imidazol97

abacomike said:

what a prospective employer is looking at and/or what they are looking for.  A Harvard degree can get you in the door for an interview, but a degree from CFSU (Central Florida State University) may not.

Within areas of study, the grade point average affects getting the interview. An ivy league college with a reputation in that field of study will get you an interview with a lower grade point than if your degree were from a rated public college. The slightly higher grade point will be required for those Big 10 colleges, e.g., and an even higher grade point if your record is from a college group ranked below the big public universities.

abacomike

stever said:

My neighbor claims that autonomous cars that you summon as needed will never catch on because then we'd have nothing in our garage to impress our neighbors with.

To many people, that statement is true.  I drive a Mercedes-Benz, not to impress my neighbors (they drive Camry's and Accords and don't travel much and could care less what other people drive), but rather to enjoy the handling, technology, safety, quality of build, and the tremendous satisfaction I derive from driving a well engineered vehicle that fits with 95% of my personal needs and physical needs. 

I've driven just about everything, but I keep buying Mercedes-Benz automobiles because I have found them to be trouble free, dependable modes of transportation that fit my physical being comfortably.

houdini1

Mr_Shiftright said:

Marketing is ultimately infinitely postponed satisfaction. No sooner do you have the 2016 Blivet XT500 then they come out with a marginally nicer or marginally better 2017 Blivet XT501. And while you're buying that, you just know the 2018 Blivet XT502 with neutron-drive is already in the works.

Yes, we are all suckers to some extent. That begs the question, if you know you are being a sucker, are you really a sucker?

abacomike

houdini1 said:

Marketing is ultimately infinitely postponed satisfaction. No sooner do you have the 2016 Blivet XT500 then they come out with a marginally nicer or marginally better 2017 Blivet XT501. And while you're buying that, you just know the 2018 Blivet XT502 with neutron-drive is already in the works.

Yes, we are all suckers to some extent. That begs the question, if you know you are being a sucker, are you really a sucker?

I guess you could say that if you "know" you are a "sucker", does that make you a "suckee"? 

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

stever said:

My neighbor claims that autonomous cars that you summon as needed will never catch on because then we'd have nothing in our garage to impress our neighbors with.

To many people, that statement is true.  I drive a Mercedes-Benz, not to impress my neighbors (they drive Camry's and Accords and don't travel much and could care less what other people drive), but rather to enjoy the handling, technology, safety, quality of build, and the tremendous satisfaction I derive from driving a well engineered vehicle that fits with 95% of my personal needs and physical needs. 

I've driven just about everything, but I keep buying Mercedes-Benz automobiles because I have found them to be trouble free, dependable modes of transportation that fit my physical being comfortably.

I think most people buy to suit their own needs and desires but the positive attention of others is a definite bonus. I also enjoy the attention of people who look at some of my vehicles and say "you drive THAT"?

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, that's easy. What you do is look around and try to spot the sucker in the game. If you don't see a sucker, then it's YOU!

houdini1 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Marketing is ultimately infinitely postponed satisfaction. No sooner do you have the 2016 Blivet XT500 then they come out with a marginally nicer or marginally better 2017 Blivet XT501. And while you're buying that, you just know the 2018 Blivet XT502 with neutron-drive is already in the works.

Yes, we are all suckers to some extent. That begs the question, if you know you are being a sucker, are you really a sucker?

Mr_Shiftright

I looked around here in Forums and on Repairpal and True Delta, and didn't see any unusual patterns for rear hub failure. Looks like most of the complaints are related to electrical issues on your car. There were a few isolated notations of the ABS ring breaking on a rear hub and of a front wheel bearing going out.

ab348

Last week we had a couple of nice days and when I got gas I decided to treat the ATS to a brushless wash to get rid of the road grime and salt of the last couple of months. Since then it has mostly sat, even through a snowfall on Saturday followed by a subsequent melt. Today was a another sunny, dry day and I needed some things so it came out. What a sight when I would walk back to it from the stores I visited! The red paint just glistened in the sun and it stood out even more than usual since it was the cleanest car in the lot. Made me happy to drive such a good-looking car.

explorerx4

Looking forward to taking the F-150 on 120 mile or so round trip tomorrow. Some more 'get acquainted' time.

iluvmysephia1

What a sight when I would walk back to it from the stores I visited! The red paint just glistened in the sun and it stood out even more than usual since it was the cleanest car in the lot. Made me happy to drive such a good-looking car.

And that is a big part of it to me - I love to love the looks of what I drive. And it might seem strange to a lot of people that I not only enjoy driving my 2011 Kia Soul 5-speed but I love the quirky (not just a box) body design to it. And I love the 2014/and on Kia Soul body design just as much. I love cars and I love to love the looks of the one I have. I went through this when I had the '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. Loved it's Rally Red paint job and the great body design Mitsubishi designers came up with. And it was an automatic CVT tranny with paddle shifters that worked very well.

Mitsubishi mega - Company apparently laughs at all the dorky American writers who claim they're doomed in the U.S. The success of the mini-car Mirage from 2014 and/on is further cementing their stay in the NA car market, too.

imidazol97

@AB348's and @iluvmysephia1 posts about their cars giving them excitement reminds me
of the CTS advertisement from 2008 about when you turn your car on does it return the favor!!!

Click to view video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkEw1rsBUak