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

ateixeira

Probably written by the guy who sells advertising space.

Or a blind writer.

anythngbutgm

My little 2007 Impreza died today. Went to fill her up at the gas station and she would not turnover afterward... dead battery

I'm a little disappointed, but I guess is was my fault as I let it go a few thousand miles more than I should have. So 106 thousand miles, I needed a new pulse...

Still, waiting for AAA to show up to give me a jump start gave me some time for some spotting:

New CLS
(2) new E-class Cabrios
bunch of new X3's, Explorers, and Audi Q5's.
A slew of new Imprezas, CR-V's and new Camrys
(2) new Escapes
(3) new Mazda CX-5's
New, updated Porsche Boxster
Maserati Quattroporte
Honda Ridgeline Sport
A carrier full of new Fiat Darts
Carrier full of VW Tiguans, Passats and a yellow Toureg hangin off the back.

And lastly, I was pulling out of the station as a Fire truck was showing up to take care of the lady next to me with a dripping fuel tank in her Chevy Traverse. Too bad she didn't figure it out till after she pumped 5 gallons of fuel in the tank before I let her know there might be a problem when a puddle was forming underneath...

Amazing how the other folks around me paid no attention to the smell when she pulled in... :lemon:

anythngbutgm

New FR-S, Silver

ateixeira

Lemme guess, 60 month warranty from the battery manufacturer?

Amazing how they can program them to die exactly when the warranty expires!

Had you been adding distilled water? A lot of people forget they're not entirely maintenance-free.

ateixeira

Mini Cooper Coupes.

Mini is funny. Here's how they innovate.

4 door. Cute.

Convertible. Neat.

3 door. Wow.

LWB 4 door. AWD even.

Ready world? 2 door.

2 door convertible.

Seems they innovate by changing the number of doors.

ateixeira

I've seen only 2 of these so far. I guess the recall stalled the launch. They goofed the Focus launch as well, if you recall.

I have yet to see a Dart, even unsold. Weird.

stickguy

I have seen just a couple of escapes out in the wild.

and 1 Dart on the road. Dark gray. At least they finally have something besides bright red sticks to offer!

tjc78

New ILX on I 95 near Philly. Looked pretty nice, was a Hybrid according to the badging.

fintail

Not brand new, but I saw another debadged Genesis today. I thought only Euro buyers were supposed to be overcompensating badge snobs? Looks like some can't deal with looking at a badge either, compensating in another direction.

anythngbutgm

Came up on a sleek, svelt, "Silver Bullet", S55 AMG (big, chrome quad-exhaust, wide dished wheels, tight wheel well gaps) this morning only to find as I got closer that there was some serious cancer around the rear wheel wells and the bottom of the door skins

Also not very noticable, but saw my first Volvo S60-T5 AWD. Man, I would love to see Volvo bring back a wagon version of this thing because it really is a sharp looking car.

Lastly, I saw a red RR Evoque which is beautiful but that rear visibility must be the worst of any vehicle ever made.

Oh ya and speaking of rear visibility, anyone ever see the size of the rear wiper on the CT200h? It's so tiny and barely cleans 50% of the rear window, due to the squashed rear window which limits the swing radius.

qbrozen

Have seen a couple of the Accent 5-doors. Good looking car.

Also saw a DB9 on the way to work today. Rare sight.

ateixeira

Why not go all the way and glue on the fake flying lady from the Equus?

Perception lags about ~5 years behind reality, but IMHO ain't no shame in the Hyundai name any more.

I'd keep the badge. It's a way to own a nice car and not have your brother ask you to lend him money.

ateixeira

Evoque does have poor visibility, but that way they can upsell you on a backup cam package for several thousand bucks.

It's genius.

Frank, Bob, and I checked one out at the auto show, the surprise to me was that interior space is actually decent. It's roomier than an EX35 or Juke (by far).

Posh Spice is their spokesperson. How well suited...

ateixeira

ain't no shame in the Hyundai name any more.

The French seem to agree:

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/10/france-requests-eu-surveil-s-korean-imports/

Protectionism rears its ugly head.

Europe is a tough nut to crack, too.

fintail

S55 is at newest built almost 7 years ago, and could be as old as 13 years. Some MB from the turn of the century that are unlucky enough to live in harsh winter climates do have a knack for getting bubbly.

fintail

I'd be eyeing them for dumping. I am still not convinced that the Genesis sedan is being sold at a profit.

But anyway, I wouldn't see the shame in the badge either. I saw a rebadged Elantra not long ago too - the same weird winged shield as seen on the Genesis, with the KDM nameplate.

ateixeira

Selling the LS at lower-than-expected prices worked to get Lexus started. The LS is $70k now for starters. It was less than half that at launch.

ateixeira

1. Midsize Car: Chrysler 200

Average Discount: 14.7 percent. Deal: $3,500 cash or $2,000 cash and 0.0 percent financing to 72 months.

2. Large Truck: Nissan Titan

Average Discount: 13.5 percent. Deal: $3,000 cash (PRO-4X $4,000 cash) or 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 0.9 to 60 months, 1.9 to 72 months.

3. Small SUV: Jeep Liberty

Average Discount: 12.2 percent. Deal: $3,000 cash or $2,000 cash and 0.0 percent financing to 60 months, 1.9 to 72 months.

4. Minivan: Nissan Quest

Average Discount: 11.5 percent. Deal: $2,750 cash (S; $1,000 cash) or $500 cash and 0.0 percent financing to 60 months, 1.9 to 72 months; SL: $1,750 additional dealer discount; S: $1,500 additional dealer discount.

5. Large Car: Dodge Charger

Average Discount: 9.9 percent. Deal: $2,000 cash or $1,000 cash and 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 0.9 to 48 months, 1.9 to 60 months, 3.9 to 72 months (except SRT8).

6. Small Truck: Nissan Frontier

Average Discount: 9.7 percent. Deal: $1,500 cash (PRO-4X $2,000 cash) or $500 cash and 0.0 percent financing to 60 months, 1.9 to 72 months.

7. Midsize SUV: Nissan Murano

Average Discount: 9.4 percent. Deal: $2,000 cash or $500 cash and 0.0 percent financing to 60 months, 1.9 to 72 months.

8. Small Car: Nissan Sentra

Average Discount: 9.2 percent. Deal: $2,000 cash or $500 cash and 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 1.9 to 60 months.

9. Luxury Car: Infiniti M37

Average Discount: 8.6 percent. Deal: $5,000 additional dealer discount and 1.9 percent financing to 66 months, 2.9 to 72 months.

10. Luxury Sports Car: Infiniti G37 Coupe/Convertible

Average Discount: 8.3 percent. Deal: $3,000 additional dealer discount and 1.9 percent financing to 66 months, 2.9 to 72 months.

11. Luxury SUV: Acura MDX

Average Discount: 7.6 percent. Deal: $1,500 additional dealer discount and 0.9 percent financing to 60 months.

12. Large SUV: Nissan Armada

Average Discount: 7.2 percent. Deal: $3,500 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 0.9 to 60 months, 1.9 to 72 months.

13. Sports Car: Dodge Challenger

Average Discount: 5.7 percent. Deal: $1,500 cash or $500 and 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 0.9 to 48 months, 1.9 to 60 months, 3.9 to 72 months; SRT 392: $2,000 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 0.9 to 48 months, 1.9 to 60 months, 3.9 to 72 months.

14. Subcompact Car: Fiat 500

Average Discount: 3.5 percent. Deal: $1,350 leasing cash; Convertibles: $750 leasing cash

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehmk45hlkd/1-midsize-car-chrysler-200/#gallerycon- tent

Wow, I just looked and you can get a leather package Quest SV for under $28k no haggle, freight included. A Sienna like that would run mid 30s.

fintail

Lots of unloved models there, no surprise.

Regarding the LS, no doubt it was dumped (even if real world MSRPs were closer to 40K in 1990 dollars than the mythical 34K cars, a window sticker for which I have never seen)

stever

The Liberty is going away; already closing the factory in Toledo for retooling for whatever is going to replace it next year.

Lots of Nissans on that list; wonder if a new Quest would run as good as my current one.

ateixeira

Dart-based crossover, right?

I looked at the Quest when it came out - interior is nice, but the cargo area is about 10" shorter than the competition, and 3rd row folds forward, which is a bit odd.

I'm not a fan of the exterior styling, but with an $8k or so advantage I'd have to look at one.

stever

The shortness doesn't bother me (actually that could be a plus), but I miss the days when you could get a base Caravan or Voyager that leaned more toward cargo than people hauling. We didn't get a Sienna in '98 because it was too plush and we knew we'd trash it. We use the big empty in the Quest all the time, but rarely have any passengers.

We need a C-Max "shooting brake" with a folding jump seat and lots of flat floor.

ateixeira

It's not too plush any more - the new one suffered cost cutting. I'd say the Nissan's interior has the slight edge.

stever

Wonder how much it would cost me to Rhino line my next car? :-)

ateixeira

Inside? Outside?

Better yet - both!

stever

Probably would be a bit noisy, but I could just tell folks it's a Honda. :P

fintail

Saw a new style Escape today, along with a base trim Lexus GS - those things really need the F-sport package to look good.

fintail

Saw a 2013 SL today, MSRP something like 116K. Parked next to an unrestored 300SL roadster.

lemko

...two Chevrolet Volts! They are out there!

fushigi

I see Volts around here (Chicago 'burbs) with relative frequency. Black, silver, red so I know it's not the same one. Also saw a couple of fleet Volts @ ComEd (electric utility a.k.a. Exelon) sites.

We did see an Elantra Coupe on Friday.

fintail

Saw a pearl white XTS and an unplated 61 Plymouth grille (need to think of a name for this) RX hybrid, probably on a demo run.

kyfdx

Cheap leases.... relatively...

I think you'll see more..

anythngbutgm

I noticed the business across the street from me, the owner (I assume since it was parked right up front) appears to have bought a new Scion FR-S. For the past year or so, he had a new Camaro but not anymore.

Also, an unsual sighting on my way home yesterday. Stopped at a light and at the intersection was not 1, not 2 but 3! Mazda Millenias! Anyone remember those? Heck has there ever been a moment in history where you would see 3 of them at the same time?

lol, I thought there was some sort of Club meet going on...

stickguy

spotted one on the lot at my local dealer, so stopped in. Turns out they got it Tuesday, and it was there first one. But, available to drive and buy (not a no-sale demo like some makers send out for display purposes). Supplies should be rolling in now, but not sure how quickly.

They did have a decent supply of left over 2012s too, so that could be interesting soon.

stickguy

I assume it was one of this new version, since I have no idea where the old style (Australian or Asian) version would have come from!

But, on I95 in delware, I saw a Chevy Captiva with Illinois plates.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/03/the-saturn-vue-is-back-as-the-2012-ch- evrolet-captiva-sport-.html

imidazol97

I saw a Captiva at the airport last Tuesday. I had to work to read the label because I didn't recognize the name. I assume it was heading toward the rental holding lots off to the right, but rental returns are in front of the terminal.

fintail

Saw a new style SLK55 at the dealer today - sticker at something like 76K. Virtually the same price for a well equipped C63. Also saw another XTS sitting at the dealer.

lemko

I believe I've seen a new black Nissan Altima from the rear yesterday. I didn't know they were already out. It looks very different from the 2012 Altima from the rear.

ateixeira

3! Mazda Millenias!

Interesting cars, but I don't think Mazda had the marketing backing for so many different powertrains (Miller Cycle, rotary, tiny V6s, etc).

Back then they were arguably the most interesting Japanese brand out there, but they really spread themselves too thin.

ateixeira

Saw about 3 new Ford Escapes last week, while on vacation. They look good on the road, certainly much more modern than the outgoing model.

Ford kinda botched the launch (again) but once again they have an interesting product. I wonder how sales will compare to the old one, which relied on low prices and fleet sales?

Also saw my first Elantra GT in the flesh, loaded to the gills, panoramic moonroof and all. Those sticker for $24something, so not bad given the content level.

fintail

Saw a new Allroad, and a base looking GS - like many in that segment, it dearly needs the sport trim package.

boomchek

Not sure if I like the new SLK models. Or the new SL. Even though the SL was a full redesign it doesn't look that different from the previous gen.

robr2

Ford kinda botched the launch (again) but once again they have an interesting product. I wonder how sales will compare to the old one, which relied on low prices and fleet sales?

I think Ford is relying on higher prices overall to drive a higher profit margin even with incentives.

berri

I looked at the new Escape. I thought it looked nice, but 2-3 G's over a loaded CRV, I don't think so: less room, less comfortable leather seating, and didn't seem to really have that much difference in zoom. I believe Ford and GM are stepping on it with their pricing vice Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc. If you comparison shop, either they'll have to throw a lot of promotional bucks once the vehicle has been out a bit, or settle for lower volume. Personally, I'm very disappointed that D3 didn't get more aggressive and competitive while they had the opportunity. With all of the new transplants and their vendor systems, I don't think there will be another bailout for them if they don't get it right.

fintail

I think they are both kind of too big. Neither are anything I want to buy though - new or use, so I guess it's no matter. The tall SLK nose makes it easy to distinguish, but the detailing on the 2013 model is indeed very close to the 2012.

fintail

Hmm...there was that local lot trying to flip a Scion Freeze for 10K over MSRP (initially) - then they lowered it...and now the lot is empty. No cars to be found, nothing in showroom. Maybe some bad risks were taken.

ateixeira

A sucker is born every minute.

A long-time Subaru Crew member just got a BRZ. He got lucky in that it was a cancelled order and he just walked in at the right time.

lemko

Black Hyundai Equus near the NE corner of Cottman and Rising Sun in NE Philly.

fintail

I bet it didn't sell. The dealership apparently failed. Maybe some karma for being a speculator.

robr2

I looked at the new Escape. I thought it looked nice, but 2-3 G's over a loaded CRV, I don't think so:

I drove the new CRV my parents just got. IMHO, it was OK. It's a perfectly fine vehicle but it didn't make any kind of impression on me. The styling is a little funky - every time I see one I think of Marvin the Martian. At least the new Escape has some appealing styling.