SX4 is roomy up front, sure, but the back seat is a little tight, and the cargo area with 4 seats in use fits maybe one large suitcase. He definitely needs more room since our parents/friends travel often, and he's the airport shuttle.
Bummer Subaru no longer sells a Legacy wagon in the USA. The Outback is tarted up and costs a bunch more than the Legacy, pushing it out of his price range.
He had a roommate with a Volvo that nearly bankrupted him, so no go no matter what, even if it was a free car.
I suggested Audi. Oddly the Audi guys told me the V8 was the most reliable engine, so we looked at used S4s. Problem is, 13mpg city on premium fuel. Lovely, lovely car, I've done a road trip in one, but doesn't really meet his FE wants.
Used RAV4 would be an option. Toyota dropped the manual for the current generation, though.
Rogue only comes in CVT, I believe.
Used CR-V, yeah, but I think he'd rather have something that is a current model, at least. Our other brother has a new CR-V and he wouldn't want to be upstaged.
Actually when I included trucks, a few more appeared - Wrangler, XTerra, and FJ all come in manuals. They're a bit expensive, though, so it would have to be used, and then the FE numbers were poor, as well. He drives TONS of miles. His 04 had 123k IIRC.
And what a coincidence that the guy works for the only dealer group in town that has a manual SX4 and a manual Legacy. We went to another Subaru dealer first!
I'd say an Evo as a manual and AWD are standard and a sunroof is available. But if the Outback is priced out of his range then the Evo would be as well. And on the inside it's not particularly spacious or luxurious.
Yep, meets the criteria, though it would have to be used to fall in his price range.
He found the Kizashi a bit small, though, so I imagine he'd feel the same about the Lancer/EVO.
Ralliart model - does it come with a true manual? When I searched I only found dual-clutch ones.
Impreza also fits but again, he's sort of leaning toward something bigger now. He liked the Sportage, but the manual only comes in FWD. He'll drive a Forester this week if he can find a manual Premium model.
Manuals are rare, it's ridiculous! Demand is there, just no supply.
2 Mini Cooper Clubmans. Though I guess they're not exactly new any more, since the Countryman is out and I've seen one of those in the flesh.
New Benz C class with the 7 LEDs in the front. I'm not sure I like it when you can count the number of LED bulbs. They should be close together enough to avoid that.
Brand new Ford Explorer as well.
When I went to test drive the Escape with my brother, the dealer told me those are in short supply, and that most are pre-sold before they even arrive.
Somebody did have an old-school Honda Insight out the other day. This little "bullet car" has a lot more character than the Prius clone that now passes for an Insight.
Seen a couple of Sonata Turbos, really sharp looking car. One of the sleekest in its class IMO.
Also while not new, it was quite hilarious I saw Government Motors symbol of ridiculous excess this morning, a Hummer H2 in the slow lane on the highway doing about 10 mph under the speed limit... Hypermiling?
First, Kia was created under a partnership with Ford, Nissan, I think maybe Mazda? and 2 or 3 other companies which I don't recall at the moment. It has been operating since the 80's/early 90's and was even behind the original Ford Festiva and/or Fiesta subcompacts.
Second, Hyundai does not own Kia, this is merely a rumor. Actually up until recently, I believe Kia was a separate entity that was on it's own or had very little influence from Hyundai motor.
At the moment, I believe Hyundai has 30 or so % interest in them. True, they do share a lot of commonality but they are not "owned" by Hyundai per se.
I may be wrong in all this, so I apologize in advance. My Hyundai knowledge is kinda limited...
Maybe the best cronyism? It's not exactly a business culture free from ethical issues. HyunKia has a virtual monopoly of the market at home. It's received plenty of pampering from the homeland.
Daihatsu is Japanese with large scale Toyota influence, I'm pretty sure.
Daihutsu's not Korean. It's Japanese and under the umbrella of Toyota. I do remember the short-lived Charade and Rocky in the early 1990s. Does Ssangyong still exist? Does Samsung still make cars?
Saw a newish Yukon today. Not remarkable for anything but that it was broken down in an intersection, hazards on. Driver was cranking and cranking but it wouldn't start. Appears to have stalled out at a light.
It was kind of a bright yellow green, or at least it looked that way from a distance. That color will be a tough sell, I don't know if the tapwater bland average Lexus buyer would be into that.
On the new car front, saw a new Elantra this morning, couldn't tell if it was fleet or not
It gas goes back to the old "free" levels then it won't.
It could make the HS redundant. In fact the HS had its worst month ever probably because Lexus customers know the CT is coming and may have post-poned their purchase.
Comments
Bummer Subaru no longer sells a Legacy wagon in the USA. The Outback is tarted up and costs a bunch more than the Legacy, pushing it out of his price range.
He had a roommate with a Volvo that nearly bankrupted him, so no go no matter what, even if it was a free car.
I suggested Audi. Oddly the Audi guys told me the V8 was the most reliable engine, so we looked at used S4s. Problem is, 13mpg city on premium fuel. Lovely, lovely car, I've done a road trip in one, but doesn't really meet his FE wants.
Used RAV4 would be an option. Toyota dropped the manual for the current generation, though.
Rogue only comes in CVT, I believe.
Used CR-V, yeah, but I think he'd rather have something that is a current model, at least. Our other brother has a new CR-V and he wouldn't want to be upstaged.
And what a coincidence that the guy works for the only dealer group in town that has a manual SX4 and a manual Legacy. We went to another Subaru dealer first!
Now it would have been funny if he had been test driving a Bentley or something :shades:
Maybe only to ask for Grey Poupon!
The passer probably would have done the same thing, some people are hopeless.
He found the Kizashi a bit small, though, so I imagine he'd feel the same about the Lancer/EVO.
Ralliart model - does it come with a true manual? When I searched I only found dual-clutch ones.
Impreza also fits but again, he's sort of leaning toward something bigger now. He liked the Sportage, but the manual only comes in FWD. He'll drive a Forester this week if he can find a manual Premium model.
Manuals are rare, it's ridiculous! Demand is there, just no supply.
New Benz C class with the 7 LEDs in the front. I'm not sure I like it when you can count the number of LED bulbs. They should be close together enough to avoid that.
Brand new Ford Explorer as well.
When I went to test drive the Escape with my brother, the dealer told me those are in short supply, and that most are pre-sold before they even arrive.
Hybrid Lexus hybrid HSD hybrid HS250 hybrid hybrid.
Oil over $100 a barrel so get used to seeing more of those.
I see an old Insight now and then on my street too.
Also while not new, it was quite hilarious I saw Government Motors symbol of ridiculous excess this morning, a Hummer H2 in the slow lane on the highway doing about 10 mph under the speed limit... Hypermiling?
Another great success story for Ford. :shades:
I guess it's ok as long as it is on someone elses dime.
2 things:
First, Kia was created under a partnership with Ford, Nissan, I think maybe Mazda? and 2 or 3 other companies which I don't recall at the moment. It has been operating since the 80's/early 90's and was even behind the original Ford Festiva and/or Fiesta subcompacts.
Second, Hyundai does not own Kia, this is merely a rumor. Actually up until recently, I believe Kia was a separate entity that was on it's own or had very little influence from Hyundai motor.
At the moment, I believe Hyundai has 30 or so % interest in them. True, they do share a lot of commonality but they are not "owned" by Hyundai per se.
I may be wrong in all this, so I apologize in advance. My Hyundai knowledge is kinda limited...
Hyundai's doing something right...
Daihatsu is Japanese with large scale Toyota influence, I'm pretty sure.
They have a "ute" they sell there, a car-based pickup a-la-Subaru Baja. Funky looking thing.
Chrysler has hit some home runs lately, but the 200 is a bunt.
Funny thing is they had to use it in the Eminem ads because it's one of the few new cars they actually build in Michigan.
I think the Fusion and Malibu became competitive years ago, 200 still isn't.
Chrysler isn't really competitive in most passenger car segments right now anyway.
Maybe Fiat can help them.
Maybe they can but when I see Chrysler 200s being rebadged as Lancias, that's not a good sign.
They should offer a Fiat Diesel in the Jeep Wrangler.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
My brother briefly considered a Wrangler and then saw the deal-killer (to him) gas mileage.
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They probably want colors that remind you it's a hybrid.
On the new car front, saw a new Elantra this morning, couldn't tell if it was fleet or not
Daybreak Yellow Mica. Definitely out of character for a normally conservative brand.
It's not quite baby diarrhea green, though. More Mountain Dew-ish.
I guess it's their idea of edgy.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
Mountain Dew-Doo.
Saw a Sonata with temp tags today. Of course nowadays I see about 874 per day so only the temp tags tell me it's actually brand new.
I see many new style Sonata too, although I'd say at least 1 in 4 or 5 is a rental.
It gas goes back to the old "free" levels then it won't.
It could make the HS redundant. In fact the HS had its worst month ever probably because Lexus customers know the CT is coming and may have post-poned their purchase.