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

anythngbutgm

Sorry, forgot to include that he rolled in the sales tax in the purchase price (Didn't get into the nitty gritty details about it).

Little pricey, maybe but this thing is decked out to the gills and has AWD, something even the most decked out Camry doesn't offer.

I also consider the Venza to be more like an Avalon wagon than a Camry. That huge glass roof and the spacious interior I think elevate its status, at least in Limited form which I think his is...

texases

"Still, 33k is a lot of dough for a Camry wagon in drag."

I imagine you can option a Camry up to $33k. And it's that or a Highlander, I'd go for the Venza (no use for a tight 3rd row).

anythngbutgm

Also, consider the Outback H6 ($35 large with similar equipment) or the Volvo XC70 T6 which can break into the 40's after you grab the comparable options, I'd say the Venza at that price is reasonable.

But MSRP? No way...

fintail

Sounds like the type shown in the marketing propaganda. But I'd take a Venza over a Highlander, too.

I've seen a few rental Mazda 5s with the overdone side detailing in the past few days.

ateixeira

Wow, 33k ain't much nowadays.

I just looked and a loaded Outback is $33.4k, with tax $35.4k here in MD.

I guess that is a good price. I'd compare the price of a Crosstour but unfortunately I'm not blind.

odie6l

I wish I could have gotten a picture of it, but I saw a Venza with the fake vinyl roofing done to it. it was classy, yet hideous all at the same time.

Odie

berri

I'd probably go with the Highlander. For very little more out the door you get more room and better trade value down the road. For better or worse, depending on your perspective, the US market has moved away from wagons.

texases

We looked at the Highlander, but were turned off by the interior, just seemed kind of plasticky. No Venza was available at that time, but the ones I've sat in since have a classier interior, IMHO.

explorerx4

Lot's of Bimmers. A black Fiat 500. Audi A7(nice!)

berri

I think you're smart to drive them back to back. I haven't seen the 13 Venza, but the only problem I saw on the previous model was driver's legroom was a bit tight if you're a six footer. Highlander also needs to get a six speed auto like the competition. Even though its smaller than an Explorer or Traverse, it's current AWD EPA gas mileage isn't much different.

ateixeira

fake vinyl roofing

And probably a retiree inside.

I've heard them marketed as "simulated convertibles", LOL. As a convertible owner the last thing I want is a top-UP look on a car.

Inside the Venza is nicer than the Highlander for sure, but I'd still opt for the extra cargo space of the HL if I had to choose between the two. Sienna crushes both - tons more space and you really don't sacrifice much dynamically, and it actually cost less back in 2007.

lemko

Red Nissan Versa.
Silver Ford Focus.
Red Nissan Cube.
Silver Honda Insight.

kyfdx

I don't think the Focus is a subcompact.... that would be the Fiesta.

I really like the 5-door hatchback version.... it's a nice looking vehicle!

ateixeira

I like Ford's new styling themes. Fiesta, Focus, and especially the upcoming Fusion. Even the new Escape looks nice.

odie6l

I've seen my first iQ (I pronounce it ICK) out on the road. Thought the little old lady was going to have a heart attack when me in "The Beast" and a Excursion pulled up on each side of her.

Odie

fintail

Ick...that's great. I've only seen one base model, the loaded ones on the lot for 20K seem like the worst way imaginable to spend such money, you can get a proper car that gets similar mileage for no more.

fushigi

I just looked and a loaded Outback is $33.4k, with tax $35.4k here in MD.

From the Subaru site:
Outback 3.6R Limited w/sunroof & navi = $35.4K + tax.
Add a trailer hitch, mud flaps, and a couple other accessories and I'm at $36.9K + tax for how I'd equip it. And that's still not "fully" loaded.

Two and a half years ago when I bought my Outlander the Outback was considered but the price took it off my list.

My next door neighbor has a Cross-eyed-tour. And he loves it. :sick:

qbrozen

first one I've spotted (or noticed). Its actually far far better looking than the standard Prius. This one was black with temp tag. It is quite small, though.

ateixeira

I wasn't using MSRP - a local dealer has no-haggle prices, so I picked their most expensive Outback in stock.

Much smaller discounts than the Venza...then again it's selling well so maybe they don't need to give 'em away.

ateixeira

I think so, too, plus it's some 500 lbs lighter. It uses a smaller battery pack and is a lot shorter. Makes sense for a city car.

I saw one, to, in bright orange. Toyota calls the color "habanero" as in the pepper.

fintail

Saw a loaded Optima hybrid today, with brand new temporary registration, and a new E wagon, the latter of which somehow to me reeks more of money than a new S-class.

ateixeira

I saw it's Hyundai clone (also hybrid).

kyfdx

Wow!

fintail

Saw an iQ on the road today, a nice A7, and a facelift Taurus.

tjc78

Saw a whole truckload of the new Infiniti SUV (JX?) on the road yesterday. Looks nice, but the front grill may be a tad much.

ateixeira

Pathfinder will be a toned-down clone for less.

They ditched the body-on-frame and went with the mainstream unibody competitors. One look at sales, and you can't blame 'em.

Nissan has about a billion unibody crossovers now, though - Juke, Rogue, Murano, Pathfinder, EX, JX, FX, did I get 'em all?

To me the funny thing is the JX costs less than the FX despite being a lot bigger.

fintail

Visited the local MB dealer yesterday - a few oddities on the lot. E Bluetec without sport package, which is less common. Well optioned CL63, 166K sticker, didn't care for the white on black scheme. Nicely equipped E wagon, wheel package and pano among other niceties. And the oddball of the lot was a new style ML63, loaded, designo, something like 105K. Ludicrously expensive, very rare with the options.

ateixeira

First for me...I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot of these as I'm only about 2 miles from an Infiniti dealer.

Also spotted another Prius c.

fintail

Oh yeah, also got behind a Fiesta - barely seeing any of these, maybe not surprisingly as a similar Focus can be had for very little more Refreshingly, in my area anyway, very few of the awkward trunkback Focus too, the hatch has won.

ateixeira

Love the 5 door's styling. Best in class vote from me.

fintail

It's so European, pleasant surprise it has been accepted here.

My sister has an 04 ZX5 that I think she's miled up to about 160K now, almost trouble free.

ateixeira

My little brother has a sedan in Brazil, bought used and still going strong. No idea how many KMs.

robr2

Got to ride in one yesterday - it's my Dad's new car.

EX - Twilight blue. Perfect for the folks - easy entry/exit, economical and I expect mind numbingly reliable. It's their 3rd CRV.

berri

Those Honda CRV's hold their resale value very well.

anythngbutgm

Spotted a black Nissan Murano Cabrio on Sunday. Top up, ugly as ever. Even with the matching top...

Also a new JX in a neighborhood in town. Driven by a younger looking couple, car seat in the back.

Then there is the invasion of new CR-V's... Wow.

ateixeira

Another new new Beetle, black with tinted out windows.

I know they want us to think it's manlier, but I'd say less girly instead.

Also saw a Mazda2. They very badly need SkyActiv on that model, it's still very rare, yet I see the Mazda3 all over the place.

New Impreza sedan at Home Depot. Odd - for the first time ever, I think the sedan looks better than the wagon/hatch. I'm a 5 door kinda guy, too.

fintail

Funny I mentioned the Focus trunkback yesterday - saw 2 this morning, but at least one was a rental.

I've seen a Fisker Karma every day since Sunday, too - a dealer just opened several blocks from me, I suspect they are being driven just to get exposure.

I agree about the Beetle being less girly rather than manly, and about the Impreza sedan too, it is actually a fairly nice looking car. The rear end of the hatch seems too blocky or something.

ateixeira

The concept was gorgeous, lemme find it...

http://www.thetorquereport.com/subaru_impreza_design_concept_5.jpg

I expected changes like a higher roof line and door handles and mirrors, but I was hoping they'd keep it closer to that design.

The hatch is chunkier.

fintail

Not even really a concept, just cgi. The Japanese makes are pretty good at wooing us with cool ideas then blanding it up a bit when reality sets in.

ateixeira

First one that I noticed at least. Didn't realize these were out.

Another CR-V.

Camry SE.

stickguy

anyone anxiously waiting for something new to show up to take a look at?

At this point, I really want to see the new Escape (This month? June?), the Dart (June) and Santa Fe (probably September). I think though that is all of the pending stuff that I have an interest in seeing, for a practical reason, other than seeing something new!

Only found out yesterday that the Santa Fe is going to come in 2 models (standard 5 seats with 4 cyl power, and a stretched 3 row model with V6).

tjc78

About the only thing I am interested in seeing is the new Avalon. From the pics so far the front end looks like crap, but you never know until you see the real thing.

The new Sante Fe may be a candidate for the Fiancé but she told me she doesn't want another Hyundai.

stever

the Santa Fe is going to come in 2 models

Yeah, the Santa Fe Sport is the original Santa Fe. The 2013 Santa Fe is the old Veracruz, 3 rows only.

I think....

stickguy

pretty much. Both old models are being replaced, and I am pretty sure it is really just a stretch job (think tahoe and suburban).

different engines too. I am interested in seeing the sport with the 4cy turbo motot. Should be a good compromise.

stever

I'm not sure I agree with the naming convention.

Kind of like a Mitsu Montero and Montero Sport. Just breeds confusion. Lots of people say Jeep Cherokee when they really mean Grand Cherokee but at least the Cherokee is defunct now the Liberty.

ateixeira

I would consider the 3-row Santa Fe if I had to replace the minivan right now (not that I'm looking).

The new Sienna suffered cost cutting, the Ody is ugly, the Quest is small, the Kia is dated, the Dodge was only half-updated.

There's no van out there now that appeals to me, plus the Hyundai gets way better gas mileage than any of them, costs less, and looks better.

What I'd like to see is for Kia to hit a home run with the Sedona replacement, I really liked the KV7 concept:

http://www.insideline.com/kia/kia-kv7-concept-2011-detroit-auto-show.html

Not that it would look like that, but still...

ateixeira

Another one, still kind of rare in DC, though.

anythngbutgm

Not one but 2 new Mazda CX-5's. Guess it breaks up the monotony of all the CR-V's...

Brand new Mercedes SL roaring down the highway, I believe it was a decked out AMG. Mean looking but the front overhang is really pronounced with the redesign.

Oh and another not so common sighting, a new Z4 in Blue. Twin turbo version.

stever

Well, as much as I love them, vans never have been especially good looking. Just functional. I like the styling of the Caravans best, but could live with a slab sided Odyssey just fine.

I remember seeing the KV7 concept at the Detroit show, but the door was a killer. Be good for keeping the rain off but not so good in the garage and I don't know why they bothered with them even on a concept. Liked it enough to take a pic of it though:



Next big thing for a minivan would be pocket doors. Hide the gas filler cap behind one of the taillights.

Maybe the VW Bus concept will reappear and they'll dump the Routan.

ateixeira

No way would the doors make production, but the overall shape hopefully would. That plus a DI engine and much improved MPG/range.