Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options

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

1174175177179180366

Comments

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I think aftermarket leather used to be a bit more common before people got worried about side airbags and sensors built into the passenger seats.

    Or maybe after they price something like Katskins, they figure it's not much more money just to get the option package with the other stuff.
  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,597
    OEM stuff probably isn't genuine leather, is it? Probably some premium vinyl.

    Well, I could have misunderstood her or she may have been mistaken. In any case she couldn't get the Prius she wanted with leather seats and so got aftermarket ones. In any case, as much as I like leather seats it seems a little offbeat to me.

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    Nope, it's 'premium leather-trimmed interior upgrade'. As with my ES300, I imagine it's just the seating surface, not the sides of the seats.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmm, Toyota.com calls it SofTex:

    SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat

    That's for the current Prius Five.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    This AM.

    Perfect convertible day here in DC, a little cool, not humid for once. Everyone had the top down. :shades:
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    edited June 2012
    I think the SofTex may be the standard stuff, the quote I had for the leather was for the leather option on the Prius V. So it could have either.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    "Tex"....hmm...I think I have seen that name used for pleather before :shades:

    Saw a new style Escape today, sitting at the dealer...already in the National fleet from what I have read. And surprise of surprises, that Scion Breeze is still sitting at that used car lot.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've seen Vinyl-tex in fabric stores. Got some to make a grille cover. So the term may be fairly common, the 'tex being short for Latex.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    Not latex, more likely textile. Unless you're into that kind of thing... :surprise:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Definitely no, but I try not to judge those who are! :D

    Textile...I stand corrected. I wonder how broadly the term is/was used?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited June 2012
    It doesn't stand for "Texas" - as in, you live in Texas and the sun will kill leather, so choose "MB-Tex" instead? :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Or my great grandfather invented it but they misspelled our last name. :D

    I think Toyota should have called it "PETA Don't Sue". ;)
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,659
    Yup... sounds like vinyl..

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    It makes sense in something eco-weenie like a Prius...no animals killed for your seats :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bingo, that's what I was referring to.

    No animals were killed in the making of your seat.

    As opposed to Bentley or Rolls, where 16 young hides were hand selected to wrap the center console alone. :D
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I saw that red V at another tourist spot last night but didn't get a chance to quiz the owners. Was surprised that the driver was a pretty hairy guy, about 6'4". Wife and teen daughter in the car; had to be moteling it because there wasn't much stuff inside.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    I was pretty underwhelmed after being in a V for about 80 miles, 1/2 driving.
    Too much engine, road and wind noise.
    Eco mode really sucked.
    Maybe my expectations were too high.
    I did wash it, so it a least looked nice.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    To save weight most hybrids do with less sound insulation. And I bet the hard tires don't help.

    They're more at home in the city, anyway. For a trip car you want a big engine with really tall gearing and a long wheelbase....

    Like the GS350 AWD I saw this morning. F Sport package. Not crazy about the rear bumper and the exhaust diffusers, but I did like the gunmetal wheels.

    Now that would be a nice road trip car, especially if you go to Canada in winter.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,350
    from what I have read, the RDX my wife is in love with is supposed to be a good highway car. Reasonable MPG, quiet, powerful, probably loafs along at high speeds, even a balanced ride (fancy dual stage shocks or something) so smooth without being floaty.

    and of course, the most important aspect, comfortable seats.

    Just danged expensive!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm sure that big V6 will hum down the highway smoothly and at low revs.

    I bet it's geared taller than the outgoing turbo 4 was. Don't really need to look at the spec sheet to tell you that.

    My son really liked the RDX, but he was comparing it to the Equinox, Sonic, and Cruze that were in the same display. He's still in Elementary School, but I show him cars every chance I get. :shades:
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,786
    I have the 1st gen RDX and it does longer trips pretty well. Seats are good, stereo is very good. Around 2400 rpm at 65-70, and the turbo engine torque is there for passing (unlike almost every Honda made). The notorious firm ride, well, the best move I ever made there was to buy the Miata; it makes the RDX feel like a quiet, supple luxury car...its all perspective.

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    For a trip car you want a big engine with really tall gearing and a long wheelbase....

    A Prius would make me more efficient in more ways than gas savings (assuming I didn't double my road trip frequency).

    We went camping the last few days and I spent a lot of time digging around the back of the minivan looking for stuff I had just tossed in. Figures, since I packed all the camping gear, food, bikes and canoe in just an hour or so.

    Back in my sedan road-tripping days, I'd sort my lists by what part of the car gear was packed in and could always put my hands on whatever we needed in a few minutes. The big empty of a minivan has just made me lazier than usual.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Miata makes a great 2nd vehicle, I always tell people. As a primary I'd tire of the ride pretty quickly.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Saw a 2013 Malibu today, dealer plates. Not bad looking, but kind of a "meh" new design, like the new Camry. Seeing that's the target, maybe it makes sense.

    Was a ways behind a car I could see had temp registration, large and obscenely bland looking. I first thought Equus, but saw that someone actually bought a new LS, which is very aged now and needs a huge refresh or replacement....it's 2012, not 2007.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,350
    I parked next to a new malibu a few days ago. Noticed the style difference, but actually thought it was a Cruz, but it seemed to big. THen I noticed the name on the back.

    not unattractive, but nothing that would make me want to spend money on one.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...red Buick Veranno on Oxford Avenue near Rising Sun in NE Philly.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,958
    I parked next to one in the same color as my LaCrosse. It really looked like a "mini-me".

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    now I know. McLaren MP4. It looked great.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited June 2012
    White Scion Breeze is still sitting on that used lot. Someone at work has a new blue Fiat 500, someone in my building just got a red Civic coupe.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,958
    Someone at work just got a new Civic 4 door in a nice burgundy color. Must be a base model (hubcaps). I don't understand why all the recent bashing is about. It looks like a decent little ride.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited June 2012
    No worse than a Corolla/Sentra/Elantra I am sure. Civic just seems to have got kind of dull and not exactly pretty over the past few years. Once, it was easily the sharpest small car in a few ways.
  • iwant12iwant12 Member Posts: 269
    Saw a new Altima this morning while getting some breakfast. Thought at fist it was a Maxima, until I got closer to it. Not a bad looking ride. Can't wait til the new Fusion hits the streets.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    Didn't get a close look at it as I was driving.
    Do keys count?
    I spotted the keys to 6 BMW's, an Audi, a Lexus and a Mercedes hanging in the kitchen.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited July 2012
    Visited the local MB dealer today - pretty bad selection - one single E sedan (bluetec, non sport, base wheels, no pano, tex, but had the deluxe steering wheel), a few C coupes and a couple sedans, no E wagons, one each of all SUVs, a 2012 SL (gonna be hard to move it), SLK, and a fairly base SLS (195K). Most interesting thing was an unusual red CLS. I don't recall an S or CL in public view. Porsche dealer across the street had a 2013 Lexus GS on its used car lot - odd. In comparison, local Lexus, Audi, BMW dealers are much better stocked. Going to be hard to find that quartz blue on beige or almond E350 bluetec with pano and P2 that they will sell or lease me at an insane loss leading price :shades:
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Saw a trio of late model Ferraris (including a California) and a new style 911 today. First half bonuses from our FIRE industry offices? All ethically bought, for sure :shades:
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    White. Appeared loaded but I missed the model tag on the back. Looked really sharp.

    A few Infiniti JX models this morning, funny all the ones I see are black.

    Couple of new Ford Escapes, I still think it looks like they were trying to "out-style" the Kia Sportage.

    Toyota dealer in town has another FR-S on the display out front. I need to get down and drive one of those.

    Went into Boston for the 4th and saw a couple of RR Evoques. They did a really good job on the looks IMO. Also saw a few new Lexus GS's, the Carbon Gray really works for the profile. Also saw a new SLK350 parked in the Back Bay.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Got behind a freshly plated Scion Freeze today - driver seemed to be breaking it in gently or something - accelerating like my grandmother.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    This past weekend, I went to the Mopar show in Carlisle, PA. They had a Dart there that you could sit in. I'm kinda rooting for the Dart, but was worried about some of the pics I've seen. At some angles, the roofline makes me think of the previous-generation Hyundai Elantra. But, in person, I think the car looks a LOT better than in the pics. I sat in it, and was impressed with the front seat room. It still feels like a compact car IMO, but a fairly roomy compact car. And, with the seat adjusted all the way back for my 6'3" frame, I could still fit in the back seat. However, it was a bit tight, and I had to straddle the front seatback to do it. Compared to a Chevy Cruze, I'd say it felt a bit bigger in front, but a bit tighter in back. The trunk was about average for this class of car I'd guess. Definitely smaller than a Cruze, and it had some gooseneck hinges that looked pretty intrusive.

    My opinion of the car is still a little mixed. Definitely a valiant effort for Chrysler, and a huge improvement over the old Neon and Calibre. But, somehow, I just got the impression that if I bought a car like this, I'd be settling, somehow, and constantly second-guessing myself. But, I think that might be more me than the car. I'm simply used to bigger cars.

    This evening, I went with a friend of mine to go pick up his '06 Xterra from servicing at the dealer. He had a 2012 or older Altima for a loaner. Hate to say it, but the more I get hands-on experience with the Altima, the less I like it. To be fair though, this was a cheap trim level. The interior didn't seem bad, but the seats just seem small, like they put compact car seats in a midsize. It was a bit rough-riding, and on rough roads I noticed something I haven't seen on modern cars in a long, long time. Hood-shimmy. It wasn't nearly as extreme as, say, a '76 Eldorado convertible, but I could see it was there.

    Sometimes, ignorance is bliss, I guess. I kinda miss the old days, before I knew what orange peel was, or knew to look for fit and finish issues, body flex, etc. The more you learn about that kind of stuff, the more you notice it.

    Another thing I wasn't so crazy about, was that the seats seemed really low. The driver's side did have a lever that would ratchet the seat up and down, but as it came up, it seemed to pitch forward a bit. Maybe a power seat would correct that? On the plus side though, the car was eerily quiet, and had good power.

    When we got to the Nissan dealer, I noticed they had a 2013 Altima there. it was a V-6 model. Leather, sunroof, but no nav. Sticker price of $31,400. This was another car that I wasn't so crazy about when I saw it in pictures. But, like the Dart, I think it looks a LOT better in person. And, $31,400 actually doesn't sound half bad. I'll have to check this one out when I'm in the market for a new car.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,958
    The Dart absolutely looks like a previous gen Elantra, I think we talked about that somewhere here on the boards.

    As for the Altima. I've had considerable seat time in both a V6 and the 4. Both were loaded to the gills with NAV. I never thought they were a bad car, but the NVH levels are higher than the Camry (on par with Accord) and while plenty of leg room I was never completely comfortable. The CVT is annoying and the ride is firm (especially in the V6) for my tastes.

    If I was going midsize Altima would probably be pretty far down on my list.

    When you are looking for a new ride, I have to recommend the current LaCrosse. I really love mine. It retains a very nice ride while dialing out some of the "float" plenty of power and decent MPG for a 4000lb+ car.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • hoosiergrandadhoosiergrandad Member Posts: 96
    Don't know that Chrysler would appreciate you describing the effort they put into the new Dart as "valiant".
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    The Dart absolutely looks like a previous gen Elantra, I think we talked about that somewhere here on the boards.

    Yep, in fact it was you that first brought my attention to it. I had forgotten what the previous-gen Elantra looked like, but was thinking that something about the Dart seemed a bit Hyundai-ish. And then, that evening, I saw a previous-gen Elantra in the parking lot at work and thought crap, it's a dead ringer!

    But, in person I do think it looks a lot better.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    Don't know that Chrysler would appreciate you describing the effort they put into the new Dart as "valiant".

    I dunno...you think they'd really be all that furyous about it? I think the Dart could be a pretty good challenger in this field. Some might find the looks a bit polaraizing though.

    Sorry, I think that's the heat stroke talking. :P
  • hoosiergrandadhoosiergrandad Member Posts: 96
    Just kidding ,Andre.......if Chrysler views their effort on the original Valiant with pride, I don't guess they'd mind.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,958
    I dunno...you think they'd really be all that furyous about it? I think the Dart could be a pretty good challenger in this field. Some might find the looks a bit polaraizing though.


    I think they should advertise them with Neon lights, create a Dynasty and people will come in Caravans to buy them.

    ducking and running

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    The compact market is interesting because D3 offers what seems to me to be 3 very different choices: Dart, Focus and Cruze. Cars are individual things. Personally, with the great 4 bangers out there these days I don't see the reason not to go a bit larger than a compact. I don't think the total cost of ownership is big enough versus the tradeoffs.

    As for the Altima, I like them but to me they are more tiresome on a long trip than a Camry. The Malibu had nice seats and legroom even if the vehicle was a bit narrow. However, I didn't feel the 2.4L 4 banger was as smooth as some of the alternatives. I haven't driven the brand new model yet though and expect the 2.5L will be a better driver.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,350
    at this point, the Dart to me is above a compact. More like a mid-size. and a Camry/Accord are pretty much full size at this point!

    and, not everyone actually wants a bigger car (footprint) even if the cost is not that much higher. But, you do have a point in that at least basedon the EPA #s, some of the larger options get nearly the same mileage 9at least on the highway) as smaller cars.

    also, one thing I have seen mentioned in all the Altima reviews is how comfortable the new front seats are. I will be interested in trying them out myself.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    I'll be interested in that new seat technology. But I'm not sure it was the seats. More like the chassis ride and maybe the transaxle droning that I got tired of after awhile. I never really was bothered by CVT shifting though. I think the Nissan's get a lot of different opinions by people who drive them for whatever reasons. As for seats, one thing I don't like in a lot of Asian seats is that many seem to have short seat bottoms and backs. Reminds me of why I'm not all that fond of being a passenger in a 737.
  • zeeboyzeeboy Member Posts: 25
    Honda must have missed the mark to redesign the Civic after one model year.

    Right now, the Yaris and the Fit are better than their compact siblings (Corolla/Civic)

    In 2013 when the Corolla and Civics are redesigned perhaps that'll change.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited July 2012
    I have to believe the new Altima will be worlds better, much like the 02 leapfrogged the 01. The 2012 Altima is like an Asian branded Impala, much of them are rental fodder, solid but less than appealing for enthusiasts.

    Speaking of Nissan, saw an Infiniti JX today, with the different for the sake of different rear kink...the market doesn't have enough heavy estrogen laden CUVs. Also saw a Lexus IS cabrio, top up of course, going way under the limit, driver sitting about 2" from the wheel.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,350
    the 2013 new model. Saw it drive by, then parked in a driveway. I like it, but have not gotten up close or inside it yet.

    strikingly different than the outgoing model.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

Sign In or Register to comment.