I spotted a NEW (insert make/model) today!

ateixeira

Starting to see a lot of these. Saw a couple today, then a Lexus GS, and noticed that from the rear view, there is a resemblance.

kyfdx

Audi A5
Audi A4
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Jaguar XK coupe..

ateixeira

Saw a Genesis coupe also.

I gotta say, it has grown on me. That dog-legged rear window definitely stands out.

I wonder if the lightning-bolt on the Odyssey will grow on me, as well? Right now I find it awkward.

anythngbutgm

Followed a brand new Sonata home on the highway. Dealer plates and everything.

Impressions? It looks pretty good from the back, lots of detail. The side profile, meh,but in the rear view the nose on it is a mess. It looks like a Zamboni with stretched eyes and a large grill. Now, this was a lower trim model with a single exhaust and base wheels (no hubcaps) so maybe a V6 model will look a little more agressive with bigger wheels and duallys out back.

Overall though it is actually a small car, more inline with the first generation Mazda 6 than a late model Accord or Taurus. It wasn't as striking as I expected it to be.

qbrozen

Followed a brand new Sonata home on the highway.

You followed it home? Did it ask its mommy if it could keep you? :P

anythngbutgm

LOL!

ateixeira

I saw some pics of a loaded up V6 that was lowered a bit and had big rims. It looked SOOOOO much better.

It has that coupe-like silhouette so big wheel gaps (i.e. base models) sort of spoil the whole look.

british_rover

I didn't think the Sonata was getting a V6 for the new version. Something about DI Turbo 4s instead.

fintail

Yeah, I think that's right, no V6 in the new model.

anythngbutgm

No V6, I just meant a higher trim level with bigger wheels and foglights and other exterior sporty touches might be beneficial to the looks.

ateixeira

Found that pic I mentioned, looks much better lowered and with rims that fill up those wheel wells:



That's customized but Hyundai should consider offering a Sport model that's similar.

anythngbutgm

Oooo, now that works. Much better.

fintail

Are those wheels on some kind of camber kit, or is it a photochop job? Something just doesn't look right. Either way, that thing would ride way too rough for the average beige Sonata/Camcord buyer. That one also seems to have sprouted some weird fender bling.

Do those actually have a pano roof option, or it just faux-painted?

This is more along the lines of what a nicely equipped Sonata will resemble:

ateixeira

Ah, yes, Americanized. Big wheel gaps, tacky faux chrome grille.

Hyundai should take photos from a top angle, they look better than this ground level shot.

Not sure about the roof, I just saw the image somewhere else and felt like sharing.

qbrozen

yikes!
Looks like a Chinese knockoff of a Korean knockoff of a German car.

fintail

I suspect the body color grille and black roof treatment are custom and unavailable from the manufacturer. I think this new Sonata will be something that is interesting from some angles...and not so much from others. It's an odd design. But, a lot more engaging than the current wannabe- 2003 Accord style.

White is very trendy on highline cars in the past few years, especially with black roof, especially on MB and BMW.

ateixeira

That one-off was probably mimicking the M3 coupe, which has a neat carbon fiber roof. They should have painted that effect while they were at it.

fintail

I've seen the new M3 with that black and white theme too...the one in my apartment parking garage is that scheme. Also seen on pano roof E-class from 2003-onwards, pano roof W204 C-class, custom W221 S class and CLS, 6ers, probably on other BMWs too.

Fake carbon fiber paint might actually be worse than fake pano roof look...hard to tell.

fintail

Yesterday evening - Audi Q5, new E-class coupe already dirty and not looking cared for, Panamera with dealer plates, this morning spotted an Alfa 8C eastbound on I90.

boomchek

8C; that's a rare sighting, especially at ths time of the year!!

fintail

I had to do a double take...it was black. Awesome day for a drive in that thing.

I know there's another one in the area too, darkish red.

ateixeira

Saw a Q5 yesterday, parked in front of my house (not mine).

Do they share a platform with the Tiguan?

fintail

I don't think they do...A5 seems to look like it is one size up.

ateixeira

A5? Was that a typo? I meant Q5, the little crossover.

fintail

Yep, typo

fintail

Spotted one of the Lincoln big butt Ford Flex things today.

anythngbutgm

3 new 4runners on my way into work, two Limiteds and a bare bones looking Sport model with flat black wheels. The one Limited I saw in a dark Carbon gray looked really sharp. My only beef with the new model is the minimal rear bumper protection which looks like a fender bender could be costly.

ateixeira

Temp tags and all. Silver.

I didn't notice before, but the chrome door strip extends all the way forward, splitting the hood from the front fender. Interesting and unique styling cue.

boomchek

Never seen those on the road yet.

fintail

There were 3 of them hanging around the local dealer the other day. Odd design.

I'm seeing the new W212 E pretty often now, not a remarkable sighting anymore...they must be selling.

boomchek

I see more coupes than sedans of the W212.

fintail

I see mainly lesser-trimmed sedans (no LEDs). I have seen a few coupes though. At the local dealer sedans outnumber coupes probably 3 or 4:1.

british_rover

There is actually an economic observation that sedans typically sell better then coupes in a recession or bad economic times.

Similar to how skirts get longer in bad economic times and shorter the hotter the economy is going.

It is called the hemline index for skirts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/weekinreview/19lewin.html

lemko

It's probably because people become more conservative and cautious when times are tough. A flashy sports car seems frivolous in light of today's economic climate. When I see everybody driving minivans, I'll know the economy's in the toilet.

fintail

Yeah, when the going gets tough, conspicuous consumption becomes undesireable...hasn't seemed to stop the local Bentley/Lamborghini/faux Tuscan villa McMansion set though :lemon:

lemko

...somebody at the end of the block on the next street over just bought a new silver Buick LaCrosse CXL. Better not let the wife see or she'll be wanting one too!

ateixeira

Is there a "Most Improved" award? It would win it.

lemko

The new LaCrosse makes her 2005 look downright OLD. Then again, the 2005 LaCrosse was a vast improvement over the 2004 Century.

qbrozen

Saw my first ISF .... well, at least that I noticed. I approached it from behind on the highway. I'm not really sure what tipped me off, but when I looked down and saw the quad tailpipes, I knew. It is a shame the owner drives it like a broken schoolbus in the left lane.

ateixeira

I think this actually looks worse in person, out on the roads.

Like a bloated, pregnant Accord.

fintail

I saw a few ZDX at the local dealer yesterday. Same disease, different patient.

I also saw a one-tone Audi R8...that on the other hand, I'd be more than happy to drive.

british_rover

They actually have a 2010 G550 on the showroom floor for 110,000 dollars. I thought those were now special custom order only. Who in their right mind would order one for stock?

Someone must have ordered it then backed out.

fintail

I can't remember the last time I saw a G at the local dealer...those things seem really 2004 these days.

That dealer is going to be stuck unless someone with way too much money and not enough taste or sense comes along. Lucky for him, those do seem to exist together all too often.

british_rover

I wish I had looked at the build date on that car when I was there but forgot too. I might have a chance to check it when I go back to pick up the E-Class.

fintail

Good point, it might not exactly be new, unless it really was a custom build car. I doubt there's much demand for those things now outside of the Arabian peninsula.

There was a loaded brown W212 E-class hanging around my local MB dealer not long ago...I have to believe it was a special order too, but it is gone now, so someone must have wanted it. The W212 E63 is also now sitting outside with the normal cars...maybe they'd give me a deal on it :shades:

ateixeira

I like the R8's carbon fiber panel, it distinguishes the whole car.

kyfdx

Accelerating away from a light,at full V-8 howl...

Don't love these... but, sounded pretty nice!

texases

What's not to like about the sound of a Ferrari Maserati?

kyfdx

Not quite Ferrari-quality sound..

To me, Maserati is an Italian Jaguar..

texases

I'm sure they tune it differently, but those Maseratis use a Ferrari-based engine...