i saw one last week, it was a dark silver sedan and looked fairly good. Saab is on the financial ropes now and will probably go the way of Packard, Studebaker, Duesenberg, Cord, Auburn, Plymouth, Mercury, Triumph, Sunbeam, DeSoto etc. etc.
I've noticed the bulging lights too. Seems like it would expose the lenses to more wear and greater risk of damage. Another wonderful Asian brand styling theme...
I've seen several new Focus on the road in the past couple days.
I guess the alternative are the side marker lamps common on European cars, but they you have to add a whole extra light and cut an extra hole in the sheetmetal.
You've gotta admit - Toyota's solution is more elegant.
Bulging light assemblies from a company that led the way for huge hilariously stretched out light assemblies? I am not seeing the elegance, nor anything about better visibility - this isn't the response to a mandate like side marker lights, just a new styling trend of questionable at best aesthetics.. It's the product a designer with his own sense of taste and a suit who agrees.
New categories - "we have 12 mostly new categories like Most Wanted Car We Can't Have, Most Wanted Exotic, Most Wanted Cheap Car, Most Wanted Fuel Sipper, Most Wanted Hatchback, Most Wanted Hot Rod Division things you actually care about."
Actually, I saw another one today, and then the look that it replaced. I think the update looks a little better. Both set of lights bulge out, but the new one has more shape to it.
But I really don't think I've ever seen one of these in person until today... a Jag X-type wagon. Took me a minute to figure it out since I completely forgot they even made one.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Having Jaguar slotted above Ford really hurt Ford products. It limited what they could be. It was also a reason to withhold the best Ford products from Europe.
Saw my first 500 on local roads, red. Also a rental new style Charger, a loaded looking new 300 with dealer plates apparently on a demo run, and an Explorer Limited.
There is an endless list of large corporations with headquarters or major operations within a few miles of where I live. It is a rental car mecca indeed. With a little observation (lack of license plate frame, recently issued plates, barcode) I can keep up with the fleets anyway, interesting car spotting.
got 2 of the Honda products serviced yesterday, so since I was there I sat in a new Civic.
Blah.
pretty much had to see them side by side to even notice it was different. Interior very similar too, but the seats seemed to be slightly more comfortable (still not good, just better).
Overall, seemed like much more of a MMC than a new model.
And IMO will only appeal to the people that liked the current car and want more of the same. if you didn't like the outgoing model, you ain't gonna like this one!
Overall, seemed like much more of a MMC than a new model.
I believe that is all that it is. A full model change won't happen till the next round.
I am anxious to drive the K24 in the new Si. I've driven multiple TSX's with it and it's damn near perfect if you are like me and enjoy working to get the most power. The 34lb/ft increase in torque should be a welcomed improvement. :shades:
The wife wanted an SUV... she got the X3.... there is no going back. Don't know if we can afford another X3, once her lease is up.. but, it will definitely be a small/mid-sized crossover..
She is hooked on the seating position, visibility and bad weather traction..
I've been shopping heavily, as she only has 5 months to go.... lol...
I was about to mention the Forester - my son and I just drove his to Dallas from LA, it did great. I'll have to give one some thought next time for my wife and I...
In this segment, I am a big fan of the XC60 and Infiniti EX35. The latter for me, because I don't have kids and it drives like a G coupe (goes like stink). But the airy cabin and giant moonroof on the XC would seal the deal if it were my wife
great, you can do the research for me. whenever we finally are able to get out of th eminivan ($ issue now, not space needs really!) my wife wants some kind of cross over.
I also relaly like the XC60 (as did the wife), and the X3 is really nice. One decision will end up being exactly how small to go. Might need to stay with something about the size of the Highlander, though most of them weigh as much as the van. if not more.
The Hyundai santa fe is also a very nice (and well priced) option.
The EX35 would be a great choice for her.... and, they sometimes have giveaway lease deals, because it hasn't been very popular.. But, the first three times I pointed it out, she said, "That's not an SUV, it's a wagon."
I guess it just doesn't have the look for her... Of course, we all know that wagons are the coolest..... but, she ain't buyin it...
Now that she works from home, and her mileage has dropped from 16K/yr to about 10K/year, we may look closer into buying new or CPO... I like the XC60, and it comes with 5yr/60K warranty and maintenance.... , which we've grown to love with BMWs...
Only child leaves for college in 2012... plus, he already has his own car...
The EX35 would be big enough for us... Yeah, it's not going to fit the 52" LCD (still in the box) from Best Buy, like the X3... but, it will haul our little bit of crap...
I find the EX to be tiny, but I have kids and drive a minivan now.
Still, we think our Foresters is borderline, just barely big enough. We wouldn't go any smaller.
I like the XC60. My favorite in its class as far as styling goes.
Anyone considering a Santa Fe should also look at the Kia Sorento, which is a clone but is a fresher design. It's bigger than any of the above, though.
Comments
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Local Saab dealer has a host of the new cars on his forecourt...must be a brutally tough sell. Orphan baggage already, endlessly different, not cheap.
It got the bulging lights that's common on Toyota's now (also on Camry, Sienna, 4Runner).
Definitely looks better in person.
I've seen several new Focus on the road in the past couple days.
You've gotta admit - Toyota's solution is more elegant.
This is just a styling refresh, right? Seems like Toyota is doing a Bettle like model cycle on this one! Man is it outdated.
Or did they really release a new model, and just no one noticed?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2011 Edmunds' Inside Line Readers' Most Wanted Awards
Actually, I saw another one today, and then the look that it replaced. I think the update looks a little better. Both set of lights bulge out, but the new one has more shape to it.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Having Jaguar slotted above Ford really hurt Ford products. It limited what they could be. It was also a reason to withhold the best Ford products from Europe.
Good riddance.
I don't think I've seen as many rentals cars in my life as you have the past week or so.
I also got a quick glance at a new Fiat 500 on the NYS Thruway near Kingston. It looked just like the Cabrio tested by Inside Line >
I wonder if it was the same car.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I like the slide-back top, takes up no space. Of course it does block the rear view...can't have it all.
The Leaf wasn't plugged in, but the owner was refueling (I saw it in a Burger King parking lot).
Blah.
pretty much had to see them side by side to even notice it was different. Interior very similar too, but the seats seemed to be slightly more comfortable (still not good, just better).
Overall, seemed like much more of a MMC than a new model.
And IMO will only appeal to the people that liked the current car and want more of the same. if you didn't like the outgoing model, you ain't gonna like this one!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I believe that is all that it is. A full model change won't happen till the next round.
I am anxious to drive the K24 in the new Si. I've driven multiple TSX's with it and it's damn near perfect if you are like me and enjoy working to get the most power. The 34lb/ft increase in torque should be a welcomed improvement. :shades:
The only notable difference is the tail lights, and oddly enough they remind me of the Neon.
I probably see a dozen or so Q5s per day.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The prior proliferation was due to killer lease deals, which have yet to appear on the new ones... I wouldn't look for too many more sightings...
I love the Q5... leases out higher than the X3, though.... too rich for us.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
No AWD on the GTI, though. Wait for the R.
She is hooked on the seating position, visibility and bad weather traction..
I've been shopping heavily, as she only has 5 months to go.... lol...
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Same with my wife. Substitute "X3" with "Forester". She had a wagon before, but no way she's going back.
Add easy ingress/egress to that list.
But not very BMW-like...
I also relaly like the XC60 (as did the wife), and the X3 is really nice. One decision will end up being exactly how small to go. Might need to stay with something about the size of the Highlander, though most of them weigh as much as the van. if not more.
The Hyundai santa fe is also a very nice (and well priced) option.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I guess it just doesn't have the look for her... Of course, we all know that wagons are the coolest..... but, she ain't buyin it...
Now that she works from home, and her mileage has dropped from 16K/yr to about 10K/year, we may look closer into buying new or CPO... I like the XC60, and it comes with 5yr/60K warranty and maintenance.... , which we've grown to love with BMWs...
We'll see how it goes..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The EX35 would be big enough for us... Yeah, it's not going to fit the 52" LCD (still in the box) from Best Buy, like the X3... but, it will haul our little bit of crap...
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Still, we think our Foresters is borderline, just barely big enough. We wouldn't go any smaller.
I like the XC60. My favorite in its class as far as styling goes.
Anyone considering a Santa Fe should also look at the Kia Sorento, which is a clone but is a fresher design. It's bigger than any of the above, though.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Ford Explorer, then another. They're not uncommon now.
Toyota Highlander, the refreshed one.
M-B E350 4Matic wagon.
Elantras left and right. I see a couple of day now.
Drif-tastic Lexus GX at the beach.
This morning on the way in, saw a 550i sedan, then a new X3.