The stories will sure help sell a lot of Prii. Even some Volts.
Thought I saw a Smart car on the last leg home yesterday, but noted as it passed that it was another iQ.
Not long after that my wife had to brake hard to avoid three deer running across the road at midday. Two more were loitering on the shoulder ten minutes later. Even the minivan isn't big enough for smashing into one of those.
well, I can say that MPG is a big consideration as my wife and I look for the next vehicle to replace the minivan. Within reason, that is.
If I really was concerned, we would be going even smaller to eke out better MPG (a mazda 3 hatch, maybe a Jetta wagon, or something small car like).
So we are still shopping in a class that overall does not get as good mileage (compact/midsize CUV), but within the class, there is a pretty big spread.
Right now, the mazda CX-5 is looking good. My wife also wants to scope out a CR-V. But something like a Highlander is out (too big and trucky anyway). As is the Pilot.
at year end when I get a car for myself that will likely come into play also, but not as much (since I likely will be buying used, and don't put on many miles).
Wifey has a Forester, it's a good "medium", i.e. right-sized. Not too big, but not too small. The CX5 is close in size, so it should serve well all around.
The Sienna is huge, but we've used every bit of space it has. Plus I don't have to drive it in the city. Around here it feels big and clumsy, but out on the highway it's great - a smooth and comfy way to eat up the miles on long trips.
My MX-5 is definitely small. It's my daily/commuter.
I'm not sure which car I'll replace next. To be honest I'm happy with all of them. I'd like a more tolerant ride (the Miata has the big rims and sport suspension), but every time I think about trading I get a nice sunny day and that desire goes away.
We have had a GREAT spring for convertibles.
Back to NEW cars, I'd love to see a SkyActiv Miata. :shades:
Local Lexus dealer still has a good 8-10 or more new GS on the lot - either there are no more "supply issues" to fall back on to defend weak sales, or these things aren't selling. Maybe customers are holding off until the newness declines and prices become negotiable.
Also saw a couple C coupes, a few new Camrys, and a Leaf that was filthy with a couple scrapes and a hood that apparently didn't latch correctly.
Two of them over the weekend. I can see them selling well if the price of gas keeps going up this summer. For a basic city car for a single individual it's perfect. Gotta wonder what is going to happen to Smart sales tho...
I haven't seen one driving yet, which is surprising as I live close to the dealer. What did they sell in Feb 11 - 20 units? The gain has to be massive...I'd have to question anyone who bought the old one at the end of the run, as it was so terribly outclassed and invisible compared to virtually every competitor.
I think the old one lost massively with each new year after the updated style, so there is only one way to go - up. The new one looks competitive - so it should put up a fight, especially if it can undercut just a little price-wise. Maybe there will be some good end year lease deals.
Quick searches for press releases, let's see, the first February for the last model was 2006 and they sold 2049, and that includes hybrids+V6+V8. By 2007 it had cooled to 1563 sales, and by 2011 just 349. Ouch!
New one sold 2396 with just a V6 model. So it already beat the record for the last one by 20% with no hybrid out yet.
They will have to sustain those sales, though, with constant improvements, and maybe new model intros (hybrid, V8?).
I'd like to talk to those 349 people. Family of dealers or dealers themselves maybe? Seems fishy. I can't imagine a normal consumer who would want to go that way.
Hybrid is coming, but I bet there's a good chance there will be no V8.
Some people have no idea of upcoming models. They walk into the dealership and buy what they see.
The previous gen GS might not have been a class leader, or heck even relevant compared to the competition, but to most people it still was/is a really nice car.
I think once the new IS arrives, they should put a V8 in the GS. Even if it's a low volume GS-F.
If you look at the volume models in the segment, they offer multiple engine options and even wagon body styles. GS can only do so much with a pair of sedans.
GS-F wouldn't have to just be a V8, but a completely tuned car - or it will be laughed at by the E63/M5/S-RS6. Might not be where Lexus wants to go, and I think the market is slowly moving away from V8s in those cars anyway - V8 cars in the competition are less and less common over time. W212 E550 and 550i are seldom seen, where in the past V8 E and 5 were much more common.
The competition does have more styles, something Lexus hasn't traditionally done for any model. That won't be happening. GS will likely be just the 6 and the hybrid - if a V8 does come around I'd wager it is no more than 5% of sales.
A lot can be done with a 6, and there's not a lot of need for a V8 these days anyway (my next car probably won't be one)...they could make a "super" 6, but if they go the F route with that, they better be careful, as it will be compared to other tuned cars, and won't match up.
I don't see Lexus even doing that though. The new GS is a fine car and will sell well, competition won't be redone for several years yet, so it won't be quite as tight as the previous model.
I think they need to avoid what happened to Acura - no V8 flagship meant a sinking image.
They have the LS, though. Plus they try to pitch the hybrid as more than a V6, but a lot of people (myself included) have trouble seeing it that way, since it's heavy.
To date hybrid+economy has worked, hybrid+performance has not worked. I'm not convinced the GS will change that trend.
Is the updated high tech RL even made anymore? I've seen used ones for like 15K. It vanished.
Yeah, their hybrid is in a tough position, like it is for the white elephant LS600h. Minor performance improvement, negligible mileage gain, significant price jump. I don't think most will run for it. So far for GS stats I have seen something like 10% or so mileage gain, but similar price gain, and I doubt any better performance.
RL is a used bargain though, can get one that looks almost new for the price of a nicely equipped Rio. Should be dead reliable if not a bit bland. Bang for the buck.
I wonder what the take rate is on the M hybrid, even 10%? The old GS had a (non selling) hybrid variant too, so it's nothing new for them.
Hybrid luxury has to offer more than 1 extra mpg or .1 less 0-60 for less than 10K.
Correct on both counts. If I was used car shopping right now, I'd definitely take one for a drive. 300hp with AWD, looks that aren't exciting but have aged well, tech that isn't obsolete, high build quality and reliability, priced in the mid teens - this is why I don't like new cars.
Depreciation floor for the new style - slow to fall. One just a couple years older is worth half that, they go for nothing - but they are pretty old looking nowadays.
I bet you could find one with 50K or even less on it for 1K more. And that price is a base iQ - one I saw on the lot here was over 20K! Bang for the buck is seldom brand new.
Nor would you be forced to take on a few grand worth of mandatory "optional" accessories - although from what I hear, a base Prius C is pretty rare too.
Smart failed at something like 12K, can't see how the iQ will cut it for much more.
I think base sticker was 12-13 at most. Probably like some other cars, hard to find a base one, dealers want the profit margins.
Now that we are finally getting decent enough small cars - all of them from all makers seem to be much improved, buying a tiny city car like a Smart or iQ is only for image or if you really need the smaller footprint - as the normal car often has just as good mileage, not to mention comfort and practicality.
These are trendy cars that probably make sense for a small business owner to advertise on the cars with those huge stick-on banners. They certainly get attention.
Most ForTwos I've seen were that way, some small business plastered on the side.
Today's sub-compacts are actually decent cars, though. Direct injection engines and more features than an 80s luxury car, they're not the wheezy econoboxes I saw back in college. Remember the 4 on the floor, vinyl seats, and passenger side mirror optional?
I remember a local "green car" dealer was grey market importing them and asking like 25-27K! This was back around when the housing market peaked too - maybe not unconnected.
Of course, back in the summer of 2000 people were paying that for loaded PT Cruisers, too.
Not that it is a new vehicle anymore... but rather has become a rare sighting nowadays.
Is there something going on with these things? When they first came out, I saw them all over the place, now I rarely see one in an entire week! :confuse:
saw a temp tag Veloster on the turnpike last weekend. early middle aged couple driving it (say, early 30s?) I actually kind of like it, then again, I really like the Kia Soul too!
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Thought I saw a Smart car on the last leg home yesterday, but noted as it passed that it was another iQ.
Not long after that my wife had to brake hard to avoid three deer running across the road at midday. Two more were loitering on the shoulder ten minutes later. Even the minivan isn't big enough for smashing into one of those.
We haven't seen cheap gas in so long that many are putting a higher priority on MPG. Greedy oil barons may not have their cake and eat it this time.
If I really was concerned, we would be going even smaller to eke out better MPG (a mazda 3 hatch, maybe a Jetta wagon, or something small car like).
So we are still shopping in a class that overall does not get as good mileage (compact/midsize CUV), but within the class, there is a pretty big spread.
Right now, the mazda CX-5 is looking good. My wife also wants to scope out a CR-V. But something like a Highlander is out (too big and trucky anyway). As is the Pilot.
at year end when I get a car for myself that will likely come into play also, but not as much (since I likely will be buying used, and don't put on many miles).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Wifey has a Forester, it's a good "medium", i.e. right-sized. Not too big, but not too small. The CX5 is close in size, so it should serve well all around.
The Sienna is huge, but we've used every bit of space it has. Plus I don't have to drive it in the city. Around here it feels big and clumsy, but out on the highway it's great - a smooth and comfy way to eat up the miles on long trips.
My MX-5 is definitely small. It's my daily/commuter.
I'm not sure which car I'll replace next. To be honest I'm happy with all of them. I'd like a more tolerant ride (the Miata has the big rims and sport suspension), but every time I think about trading I get a nice sunny day and that desire goes away.
We have had a GREAT spring for convertibles.
Back to NEW cars, I'd love to see a SkyActiv Miata. :shades:
Also saw a couple C coupes, a few new Camrys, and a Leaf that was filthy with a couple scrapes and a hood that apparently didn't latch correctly.
February sales were up 587% for the model. Not bad...
Feb 2011 was pre-tsunami, too. For the next few months we should see huge gains across the board for Lexus.
Saw a trunkback Sonic today that wasn't a rental.
GS seems to be building share, though, which is something its predecessor never did.
They won't exceed the class leaders but at least they would show up in a pie chart now.
New one sold 2396 with just a V6 model. So it already beat the record for the last one by 20% with no hybrid out yet.
They will have to sustain those sales, though, with constant improvements, and maybe new model intros (hybrid, V8?).
A good start, though.
Hybrid is coming, but I bet there's a good chance there will be no V8.
Some people have no idea of upcoming models. They walk into the dealership and buy what they see.
The previous gen GS might not have been a class leader, or heck even relevant compared to the competition, but to most people it still was/is a really nice car.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
If you look at the volume models in the segment, they offer multiple engine options and even wagon body styles. GS can only do so much with a pair of sedans.
The competition does have more styles, something Lexus hasn't traditionally done for any model. That won't be happening. GS will likely be just the 6 and the hybrid - if a V8 does come around I'd wager it is no more than 5% of sales.
349 sounds more like a yearly sales total for the end of that line. It just got overwhelmed, where even when new it didn't exceed.
I don't see Lexus even doing that though. The new GS is a fine car and will sell well, competition won't be redone for several years yet, so it won't be quite as tight as the previous model.
They have the LS, though. Plus they try to pitch the hybrid as more than a V6, but a lot of people (myself included) have trouble seeing it that way, since it's heavy.
To date hybrid+economy has worked, hybrid+performance has not worked. I'm not convinced the GS will change that trend.
Yeah, their hybrid is in a tough position, like it is for the white elephant LS600h. Minor performance improvement, negligible mileage gain, significant price jump. I don't think most will run for it. So far for GS stats I have seen something like 10% or so mileage gain, but similar price gain, and I doubt any better performance.
Infiniti shook up the segment with the M hybrid, so Lexus had to respond if only to defend its turf.
We'll see how it shakes out, but to me "hybrid luxury" is still an oxymoron.
I thought the LS600h came first.
I wonder what the take rate is on the M hybrid, even 10%? The old GS had a (non selling) hybrid variant too, so it's nothing new for them.
Hybrid luxury has to offer more than 1 extra mpg or .1 less 0-60 for less than 10K.
Usually the hybrid uses some fuel sipper Atkinson cycle version of the donor engine, de-tuned to get good MPG.
That was a $50k car new. For less than 1/3rd the price of new, and it's got tons of life left in it.
I looked at these in '09 when my wife was shopping. She wanted a new car and you know what they say, happy wife happy life.
At least she picked a new car with very strong residual value.
I bet you can get them even cheaper, too.
Funny thing is back in 2009 they didn't cost a lot more than that - some were already under $20k.
For the cost of a Scion iQ I'd take the RL SH-AWD with 80k miles, yeah....
Smart failed at something like 12K, can't see how the iQ will cut it for much more.
http://fitzmall.com/ has 4 iQs but they're all $16.2-16.4k, so probably un-customized.
Even at that price a Yaris makes so much more sense.
Now that we are finally getting decent enough small cars - all of them from all makers seem to be much improved, buying a tiny city car like a Smart or iQ is only for image or if you really need the smaller footprint - as the normal car often has just as good mileage, not to mention comfort and practicality.
Of course dealers were asking $22k+ in the 'good old days'. :sick:
Most ForTwos I've seen were that way, some small business plastered on the side.
Today's sub-compacts are actually decent cars, though. Direct injection engines and more features than an 80s luxury car, they're not the wheezy econoboxes I saw back in college. Remember the 4 on the floor, vinyl seats, and passenger side mirror optional?
Kids these days...they have it good!
Of course, back in the summer of 2000 people were paying that for loaded PT Cruisers, too.
The good old days aren't always good...music and movies were better then anyway :shades:
Is there something going on with these things? When they first came out, I saw them all over the place, now I rarely see one in an entire week! :confuse:
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
No WAY am I asking you to describe me! Early 30s = middle age?
What you would call them then? Not kids (that they target these cars to), but not old farts (that actually end up buying them).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.