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

boomchek

Usually with Hondas when a new model comes out, there are wait lists for it. Not so much with the Crosstour. :lemon:

fintail

Europe gets a manual diesel Accord wagon, we get that....yeah, that's fair :shades:

lemko

...a black Audi Q7 going west on Levick Street near Tabor Road and a white Maserrati Quattroporte turning north onto Bingham Street from Robbins Ave in NE Philly.

ateixeira

I'd be test driving one the first day it arrived, but Americans generally avoid 3 things:

* diesels
* wagons
* manual transmissions

That's 3 strikes. They'd sell about 2 of them (yours and mine).

fintail

Remember when it was rumored we'd get an Accord diesel? I was actually thinking about looking at it when it came out. Instead, we get the Crosstour and a blandified Acura wagon.

ateixeira

Is the TSX wagon going to be auto only?

With that 4 banger you really need the manual.

anythngbutgm

Yup

ateixeira

Weaksauce.

The Mazda6 wagon was offered with a V6 and a manual.

That was cancelled too, and the Legacy wagon is gone.

Passat?

qbrozen

Jetta TDI sportwagon 6-speed manual, FTW!!!


And, at under $26k, doesn't seem like a bad deal.

ateixeira

I hear you...it's a liiiiiiiiiiii-ittle bit small but nice enough that I may be able to overlook that.

I sat in one at the auto show that was optioned up to $28k and still had cloth. Gotta pick options carefully, but it sure is a lot nicer than the Tiguan inside.

kyfdx

TSX wagon is V-6 and slushbox only...

ateixeira

Really? Ok, I was under the impression it would only be the 4 banger. That should perform fine, but now I'm a bit worried about price. I'm afraid to even ask.

No wonder everybody buys a CR-V. Those things top out in the 20s even loaded.

kyfdx

Probably $35K-$36K.... more, if you get the Tech package..

Kind of defeats the purpose, huh?

texases

From autoblog:
"From all appearances, the only differences between the Euro Accord wagon and the TSX Sport Wagon are the addition of Acura badges and a slightly more upscale interior. Powering the Sport Wagon is the same 2.4-liter inline-four found in the sedan, mated exclusively to a five-speed automatic transmission. Official fuel economy numbers haven't been finalized just yet, but Acura claims that the wagon will achieve around 30 miles per gallon on the highway."

So this says the 4-banger.

qbrozen

Ya know, I may be missing something, but can you even GET leather in the Jetta? I'm checking out the VW website and it seems like options are auto trans, panoramic moonroof, and a few choices of wheels. That's about it. Anything else is just accessories.

Sizewise, I think it is pretty big in its latest interation. I think it is at least as big as the previous gen Passat, ain't it?

kyfdx

The TDI? I think leather might be standard... (but, see above.. I'm often mistaken..)

stickguy

pretty sure that the leatherette is standard across the line in the jetta. wouldn't be surprised if they don't have leather at all.

kyfdx

I think you are right... the Jetta GLI used to have optional leather...

You know what else the Jetta isn't available with? The 2.0T gas engine.. It's all 2.5 5-cylinders or the diesel..

stickguy

I came close to getting a jetta GLI back in late 2005 (it was a 2006). 6 speed model of course. ended up cheaping out with the 2005 Accord instead (and just a touch of VW phobia). Probably should have done it anyway, but oh well.

Now, I would be willing to get a diesel, but no interest in that 2.5 engine.

I did see a 5 speed jetta 2.5 for sale today. Was at the honda dealer for an oil change, and always cruise the used lot. They had a 2007 Wolfsburg edition. Roof, 5 speed. Nice gray color. Somewhat of an odd ball.

anythngbutgm

But my co-worker brought in a brand new Acura TSX today after trading in his 2001 Accord V6 that just bumped 250 thousand miles. The Accord was apparently bouncing back an engine code for a misfire and the mileage wasn't so hot so he moved on the Acura. The car was flawless up until a few weeks ago.

And the legendary Honda resale value kicked in as well. Got 2500 bucks trade in value. :shades:

boomchek

That's actually really good money for a miled up Accord. I'm sure someone who swears by Hondas will pick it up and drive it some more after a tune up.

ateixeira

Let's see Hyundai try a Sonata wagon, DI 200hp 4 banger with a 6 speed manual. I'd test drive that!

fintail

Or a Sonata wagon with that rumored 270+hp turbo 4 and a manual

ateixeira

First let's see if they can tame torque steer in the turbo sedan. It sure does seem promising.

fintail

The torque steer might make it more fun :shades:

stickguy

Still remember the first time I test drove a '98 maxima SE 5 speed. Coming up an on ramp, and punched it. damn near ended up in the weeds, but man, it merged fast!

I did end up buying one, but made sure to be careful in the lower gears.

ateixeira

I hope Hyundai at least offers a real limited-slip.

kyfdx

Don't see too many of the new model.. Spotted two of them, yesterday... One red, one black..

Big improvement in looks from the 350Z... butt is much less droopy..

anythngbutgm

I agree completely, the original Z was a C+ from a styling standpoint and about the same in quality. Timeless engine, excellent chassis, chintzy interior and porky looks. The convertible with it's bubbly butt did the profile zero justice. My S2k club commonly refers to it as the "Wide [non-permissible content removed] Z"

The new one looks so much tauter and much more solidly built right down to the sheen of the paint. Interior is greatly improved as well. The convertible looks to be more purposeful rather than an afterthought like the last one.

qbrozen

Eh. I like the 350 better. Still one of the best looking cars on the road. I like the improvements on the 370, but not so much the looks. I just can't get used to the funky lights.

fintail

Saw a Ferrari 599 today, along with a 2011 Sonata - with no license plate frames and a bar code on the back side window.

kyfdx

Sonata is probably a rental car..

ateixeira

Saw 3 Sonatas over the weekend, all with temp tags.

That one leaped out of the starting gate and fast.

fushigi

Could be. My wife has an '11 Sonata as a loaner from our dealer while we await parts to come in for her '01 Elantra (subframe rust recall). Parts are back-ordered; she's had the loaner for about a week already.

The Sonata is getting better MPG than her Elantra.

fintail

Yeah, definite rental, which is a good ploy by Hyundai, putting their latest and greatest into the mass market fleets. I have seen high spec previous generation Sonatas in local fleets too. The Camrys I see in local fleets are all SE models as well.

fintail

Spotted a Lexus IS retractable today...just doesn't look right to me.

ateixeira

Looks OK top down.

A lot of the folding hardtops look awkward.

I think they look better in darker colors because you don't notice the trunk seams.

boomchek

I don't like the back half. It looks very bulky. BMW did a much better job with their 3 series folding hardtop.

ateixeira

The 3 is probably the cleanest execution of a 4 seat folding hardtop.

anythngbutgm

The 3 is well done but I like the G37 myself. :shades:

Ya, let's stick with the link instead...

boomchek

When the top is closed on the G, it looks a bit akward. Probably because we're used to the sleek C pillar of the G coupe. The 3 series is closest to looking like the coupe.

fintail

Saw a dark grey 5er GT today...don't call it a hatchback!

ateixeira

The G (and IS for that matter) folding hardtops have no back seat at all. Pointless - just get a roadster and save weight/cost.

The 3 at least has a back seat for kids.

ateixeira

Another one with temporary tags. They're becoming ubiquitous.

fintail

Saw what looked like a late open Ferrari F430 on my street today...I've read these things are piling up at dealerships with the new generation of Ferraris in force. The guy driving it didn't look particularly thrilled...the guy in the 560SL a few cars behind him looked to be enjoying himself more,

Also saw another rental Sonata.

fintail

Saw another Sonata rental today, this one in white. I wonder who has that fleet...I have to rent a car next month, and I'd be interested to have one of those. Of course, I'll end up with a neglected Spectra reading 45K on the odo.

ateixeira

In a nice red.

Also spotted a Honda Fit in that neat blue color. I still like the old Fit better, though.

fintail

Saw 2 more new Sonatas today - one I am pretty sure was a rental (black, no license plate frame, plain looking), the other was kind of a beige-bronze and had a plate frame, so probably a private car. Also, a new style Sienna.

stever

still like the old Fit better

Honda changed the Fit already? (has the NA version caught up now or something?)

Just did a 3+ day road trip over to Yellowstone and the Tetons. Only new car I spotted looked like a lifted Corvette from the back. Was a Camaro. Looked a bit like the Charger but I like the Camaro better.

fintail

There's a new style Tucson in my parking garage, strangely in the spot where a new Tiguan was for a couple months. I wonder if something fell through or if the VW didn't make it to its usual 40K mile point.