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

laurasdada

Another unicorn, saw my first ELR on Saturday. Can't believe people buy them.


There is one where I work. A security guard told me the "guy paid like $90k for it." If true, mistake. Big mistake. Local dealer is advertising $31k off msrp on 5 remaining '14s. Nice looks and interior. But, a toy Volt.

And, TLong, I too had an '05 TL. Abyss Blue with the gray interior. As you note, along with the original Legend Coupe, imo, the only (mainstream) Acura's of style. It really pained me to trade the TL, with only 85k miles on it for the Jag XK. But, the looks, sound and performance of the XK somewhat eased that pain!

My '13 Jag XF has a black interior. But it is well broken up by the aluminum (a-lew-minium), chrome and wood sprinkled throughout the interior. While maybe not as ergonomic as an E, 5 or A6; style!

fintail

Saw a G63 in traffic today, that's the newest variant I guess. Also a 4er Gran Coupe.

boomchek

I took my 5 year old son to Wilkinson's Automobilia yesterday, as they're shutting down at the end of the month, and after we took a drive down the street to see a new row of mega dealerships that were recently opened. Huge MB dealer, about 2 city blocks long, a Porsche dealer next to it, and a recently opened Acura dealer next to them. Funny enough Acura had their grand opening, but had not one live soul in it. The Porsche dealer seemed like it was busy with a few customers looking like they were working deals in a few offices, and the MB dealer had a ton of customers in it. I don't know what it is with Acura, it seems like after they come out with new products, they get stale so fast and have no new offerings. There was an RLX hybrid priced at a whopping $75k.

When I walked into Acura, it appeared the sales guys got excited that a potential client was in the showroom. When I told the lady at the front desk I'm only here because my 5 year old wanted to see cars, their enthusiasm wound down right away.

fintail

75K loonies is about 60K greenbacks these days, I guess it evens out. Still a lot to spend on a 4:3 scale Accord. The model that irks me most is the ILX - they have finally given it some substance, but it still looks forgettable, I don't like that C-pillar either.

I've seen that monolithic set of showrooms, Terminal Dr? Given some demographic aspects of the lower mainland, it makes sense to put a lot in one easy area.

All of the beauty and grace of an X6, in smaller form

boomchek

Yes it's on Terminal. Just a short 3 minute drive from where the Auto Show used to be at BC Place. If you're going to be in town you should also check out (if you'll be in the area) autoform dealership, just a short drive from terminal ave over an overpass and right on Clark Drive. They have pre owned luxury cars and some cool classics like older Maseratis, a Jag E Type, and a bunch of Astons.

fintail

I liked the show more at BC Place - easier access and parking. That dealer sounds like a cool place, never heard of it.

Unfortunately, I doubt I will be able to make it for the show, work has spiraled out of control and I need at least one free day per week. But this'll blow over eventually, and maybe I'll take a long weekend up there, or meet you if you come south - I have those Yesteryears boxed up if you still want them, cheap

boomchek said:

Yes it's on Terminal. Just a short 3 minute drive from where the Auto Show used to be at BC Place. If you're going to be in town you should also check out (if you'll be in the area) autoform dealership, just a short drive from terminal ave over an overpass and right on Clark Drive. They have pre owned luxury cars and some cool classics like older Maseratis, a Jag E Type, and a bunch of Astons.

boomchek

Ok I'll let you know when. I'm actually going down tomorrow as we're bringing a few trucks across to the Manheim auction but it'll be a rushed day so I won't have time tomorrow.

boomchek

And yes I like the show at BC place more as well. Last year there was an hour long lineup just for tickets. They had only one booth for cash, one for debit, and a handful self serve credit card stations. I wrote and complained that for a "international" world class type show they should have planned this a bit better. I know they encourage online purchasing but for those that are in the area and happen to want to go see the show, which makes online purchasing impossible.

fintail

No worries, I can keep them for you. I'll probably make it up there sometime this spring or summer, too.

Last year, I got to the show before it opened, used the credit card machine for no line, even found street parking not far away. But I could always do that at BC Place, too.

boomchek said:

Ok I'll let you know when. I'm actually going down tomorrow as we're bringing a few trucks across to the Manheim auction but it'll be a rushed day so I won't have time tomorrow.

boomchek

Spotted a new 2015 Yukon Denali. Ok, more than just spotted, drove in it, wife drove it as she was a designated driver for us and our friend (who just bought it a few days ago) when we went to a bday party. He traded his fully loaded 2014 X5 XDrive50i that he bought only about 6 months ago.

Nice SUV, very spacious, lots of tech in it, and comfortable. Has 4 or 6 USB outlets which makes charging electronics a breeze too.

Personally I'd keep the X5 but he has 2 kids and found rear seat room in the X5 was tight for a baby seat and a booster seat. Plus when we go on holidays they like to take their boat and end up leaving the X5 at home and driving his 2014 Ram truck. This way with the Yukon he can take his family and tow easily. He was reluctant to do it because he loved the way the X5 handled and drove but likes the looks of the Yukon and the space and capability of it. Even though operating costs and gas aren't an issue for him, he was complaining that his performance summer tires on the X5 wore quickly in a short 20,000kms (12k miles).

Before the X5 he had a 2014 Mercedes GL diesel for about 8 months, and before that a 2011 or 2012 Durango Citadel with all options so he likes to switch his cars often.

boomchek

Auto Show observations. Took my wife and son to the annual Vancouver Auto Show. Lots of new cool and interesting cars:

-new Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Pathfinder, Mitsubishi Outlander. My wife is tired of our 07 BMW 328i and wants an SUV. She loved the Kia Sorento and the new Hyundai Santa Fe. Fully loaded they're about $45-$8k CDN which in my opinion is steep for a Hyundai or Kia but I'll have to admit they're very stylish and well finished and equipped. Pathfinder seems plain inside in comparison. The fully loaded Outlander even more so. I told her for this kind of money we could get a slightly used X5, but after 4 years in a BMW she really just wants something different.

-Lincoln MKZ. Nice car but the huge glass sunroof panel that slides over the rear window looks a bit odd when opened. I wonder what the aerodynamic drag and wind noise is when it's fully opened as it's not flush with the rest of the car but sits a few inches over the rear window.

-Mercedes G Class. The car feels like a vault. The rear door is alike a door from a bank safe to open and close, probably because of the full size spare on it. One of my favorites.

-Honda HRV. Cool looking tiny cross over. Nissan Juke size, maybe a bit roomier. Should sell well as it's attractive. Same for the Mazda CX3 they had (Japanese RHD model). These will attract customers who want to sit a bit higher like in a crossover but don't necessarily want a crossover size vehicle.

-Nissan Xterra. Same design for about 10 years now but finally they started putting extras in it like heated seats and leather. I had a new 2011 Xterra before as a demo, and even in its fully loaded form it had cloth interior and no heated seats, which was surpring because it's a SUV that you'd want to take skiing and after a whole day in the snow you'd want your behind warmed up on the way home.

-new Honda Pilot. Very attractive looking, and totally moving away from the boxy styling. Large size, looks bigger than the Pathfinder.

robr2

On the G Wagon, I would expect the door to be like a bank vault - they cost as much as one and get similar fuel economy.

The XTerra is gone after this year so jump on it now if you want a new one.

I had not heard of the CX3. I presume it's Canada only?

boomchek

I liked the Xterra I had as a demo and it plowed through heavy snow with ease. It's a great off road vehicle but one huge drawback was the fuel economy it got.

The CX3 is same class and size as a Honda HRV that's coming out.

Michaell

CX-3 will be available in the US. 

fintail

Fun stuff, wish I could have been there, maybe next year's show.

I recently took my car in for the recall fix, and sat in a G in the showroom. Surprisingly un-roomy in the driver's seat, compared to the size of the vehicle. W204 HVAC controls are out of place in a 100K++ vehicle. But I am sure a local "entrepreneur" (sarcasm) will find it stylish and pay sticker.

I still remember reading about the HRV when it hit Britain ages ago - "CAR" or "Top Gear" called it the "Hormone Replacement Vehicle", which probably suits the demographic.

boomchek

Yeah the old HRV was a 2 door SUV and I think later on it came in 4 doors as well. They were sold in Europe and Asia but never in North America,

Yes the driver's compartment in the G Class is tight. Probably because the overall body/frame design is about 100 years old lol, ok 40 years old. Keep in mind the first G's, which the current one is based off had bare interiors, less bulky door panels and dashboards because of fewer safety regulations so they probably felt roomier.

texases

Went to the Dallas auto show today - biggest disappointment was the Mazda 6. Even without the sunroof, not enough headroom. The roof lowers right over the front seat area...grrrrr.

fintail

Good call boomchek - the door panel area is something that caught my eye, seemed so close to the seat. No doubt that design wasn't intended to be loaded up with all the crap seen on the 2015 model.

Saw the heavily styled new Murano on the road today.

explorerx4

In the parking lot at work...
A new black Impala replacing an early/mid 2000's black Impala. An orange Dodge Challenger with gray stripes and sunroof, probably some type of Hemi variation.

fintail

Saw a Bentley Mulsanne with what looked like 24" wheels on it today - money and taste and sense so often diverge after a certain level. I expected it to be driven by someone who looked like they are in the "entertainment" industry", but it wasn't.

andys120

Fiat 500s are everywhere in the Phoenix metro these days, mostly the basic model but I do see the occasional Abarth model or convertible. The popularity of the little Italian is a real surprise to me in an area that tends to like big pickups and SUVs.

They're catching the Mini in numbers!

fintail

Saw a GLA45 AMG today at the dealer, had a weird kind of goofy decal stripe package on the side. 63K, I think.

tlong

I spent some of last week in the Bay Area and was driving in Silicon Valley on the 101. There is a carpool lane that also accepts certain "green" vehicles - which includes electrics. I was astonished at how many Nissan Leafs I saw - I counted around 12 in a one hour time frame. Also saw 3 Teslas in only the first 15 minutes on the road.

Mr_Shiftright

They're also battling the Mini for the lower rungs of the reliability charts. Can Mini make the leap from 25th place to 27th and knock Fiat upstairs?

andys120 said:

Fiat 500s are everywhere in the Phoenix metro these days, mostly the basic model but I do see the occasional Abarth model or convertible. The popularity of the little Italian is a real surprise to me in an area that tends to like big pickups and SUVs.

They're catching the Mini in numbers!

fintail

I don't think a day goes by that I don't see a dozen Teslas here- the salespeople are doing pretty well. The lucky affluent middle aged tech dorks finally found a nicer thing to drive than a loaded Prius.

Mr_Shiftright

Good For Haulin' Croissants and Kale Back to the Ranch?

boomchek

Lot of Teslas around Vancouver as well. It must be a North West sorta thing.

fintail

Saw a new Murano (now with more styling!) today, and an B-Class Electric that sped way up while being passed and then dropped back, because subconscious Seattle passive-aggressiveneess.

tlong

Got my first look at a new C-class today. Can't say I like those taillights.

robr2

tlong said:

Got my first look at a new C-class today. Can't say I like those taillights.

I agree. MB styling as of late seems to have become a exercise in adding another line or swoosh. IMHO, they are losing their Germanic sensibility.

ab348

M-B's current corporate rear-end styling across their sedans seems very bar-of-soapy. I don't like the droopy rear quarters look.

andys120

ab348 said:

M-B's current corporate rear-end styling across their sedans seems very bar-of-soapy. I don't like the droopy rear quarters look.

Ditto.

fintail

It's like they are trying to make the "arc" greenhouse now go from front to back. CLA has an especially melty rear.

Even with the nose job, the E is probably the most coherent and sound looking MB - as it predates the new design language.

fintail

Out for a drive today, did a little car browsing . Seeing a couple Porsche Macan sitting on the lot, one with MSRP nearly twice the other, was amusing. Nothing too insane at MB, but a loaded nearly 90K CLS was a looker. BMW had a ~$1200 lease offer on a leftover 14 M6 Gran Coupe, still seems a bit dear. Saw a Hybrid Jetta at VW, where I explained what "airscarf" is on a used E350 cabrio, then guesstimated original MSRP within a grand or so. Toyota had TONS of Prius.

qbrozen

Recent spottings in the wild:

Saw a Ghibli 2 weeks ago with NY plates (forgot to report it).
On Saturday, I spotted a new Renegade.
And, finally, today, a GLA250.

fintail

I've seen a couple Lexus NX without the F-Sport trim lately - that thing needs the extra garnish, it kind of looks like an overstyled RAV4 without it.

stickguy

2 Murano convertibles. In the same day. 1 even with top down. Being driven by a man no less.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

2 Murano convertibles. In the same day. 1 even with top down. Being driven by a man no less.

He should turn in his card..

explorerx4

In the parking lot at work...
A silver Jeep Cherokee and gray Explorer Sport.

andys120

Recently I've seen two Hyundai Equus (Equusses?). At first I mistook them for a Genesis until I realized they were larger. The styling is reminiscent of the original Lexus LS-400, with bits and pieces of various Honda, BMW and Mercedes models mixed in. One of them even had a stand-up hood ornament that looked like the Spirit of Ecstasy seen on Roll-radiators.

A little more originality please Hyundai, if you can do it with an Accent, surely you can with your flagship.

robr2

I think Hyundai realizes that buyers of $60K+ vehicles typically aren't looking for distinctive styling. Understated is what sells in that price point.

fintail

Equus is a parallel universe Lexus LS. The hood ornament is especially tacky.

Daring styling might not be a selling point in the luxobarge market, but this thing is barely selling compared to both the price point competition and the size competition. I suspect depreciation for this is catastrophic, and even worse for the Kia K9. Only selling to dealers/families and proud people from the homeland, and maybe a few pseudo-frugal oldsters.

Spotted a RC-F yesterday. It's still better in person than in pics, but not pretty. Definitely going after the 3er/4er coupe and A5 demographic, in a few ways.

ab348

The big Koreans seem to be finding a niche in the livery market with the demise of the Lincoln Town Car. Probably a good use for them, if they can last for a few hundred thousand miles.

boomchek

That's what they're best suited for, livery market. For businesses looking to shuttle clients around, these have the space and features of $100k plus luxury sedans, at roughly 60% of the cost. Since most people don't care about cars, they probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference if they're in the back of a Hyundai Equus or a Town Car, or something else.

fintail

Yeah, I have seen at least 1 Equus with livery plates. Makes sense there.

robr2

IIRC, Hyundai's sales goal for the Equus was about 2,500 units per year.

They sold 3475 in 2013 and 3415 in 2014. Through February of 2015 they sold 427 which targets out to 2562 units for the year.

fintail

And how many to private buyers not connected to the dealer?

Recent auction sales would be amusing, too.

boomchek

Those are strong numbers for that car. And speaking of Kia K9 I saw one on the road a few months ago, and I'm not sure it has the presence of the Equus or other full size vehicles in this class.

stickguy

a guy that lives just outside my neighborhood (older gent) has an Equus. Black. I always thought it odd, because he is in quite a modest house, and none of the neighbors have anything close to that fancy!

texases

Years ago on my drive home I'd pass a modest house that had a new BMW 850i parked in front. I always wondered about that...