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

stever

Walked by a new MDX an hour ago. Temp tags. Kind of a red wine color.

stickguy

parked next to a new Mustang today. Real dark green, a GT (stickshift even). really, really sharp.

fintail

I saw a CX-3 today, too.

iluvmysephia1

Did you drive an automatic CX-3, Michaell? Does Mazda even offer a stick CX-3?

explorerx4

Last night at a holiday party, an Acura RLX(?). The big one.

stickguy

No stick shift option on the CX-3. Automatic only.

Michaell

iluvmysephia1 said:

Did you drive an automatic CX-3, Michaell? Does Mazda even offer a stick CX-3?

Automatic. 

iluvmysephia1

No stick shift option on the CX-3. Automatic only.

I knew there was something else I read about the 2016 Mazda CX-3 that I couldn't live with. Ugh. Because I do like the design. To spend $25,000 on one of these was not something I had totally crossed off my list because I really love the design of the little hatchback. It's just that lack of a stick shift thing - that does cross it off my list totally. Thanks for the information, guys!

robr2

fintail said:

That reminds me, I saw a GLA45 AMG .

$50K for a FWD bias, compact SUV. Ouch.

fintail

And they can hit 60K without a ton of effort.

robr2 said:

$50K for a FWD bias, compact SUV. Ouch.

Michaell

fintail said:

And they can hit 60K without a ton of effort.

robr2 said:

$50K for a FWD bias, compact SUV. Ouch.

Guess I'm a bit surprised that there isn't an X1M from BMW to compete against the GLA45 and SQ5

kyfdx

They haven't done an X3M, yet..

texases

New S550 coupe, all the windows down - does MB make the only true hardtop coupes now (no 'B' pillar)? Nice look, distinctive rear lights, not just a 2-door version of the sedan.

PF_Flyer

Out for breakfast and a red Soul parked outside the window I was sitting at. Thought it looked really sharp with the black trim. I wonder if some tasteful white pinstriping would enhance it!

stickguy

Read a review recently in local paper on a soul (the papers road test guy). Liked it a lot. Seems that the 14/15 were a big improvement over the prior iteration.

PF_Flyer

Hamsters were NOT driving it

ab348

stickguy said:

Read a review recently in local paper on a soul (the papers road test guy). Liked it a lot. Seems that the 14/15 were a big improvement over the prior iteration.

I see a lot of them around and don't mind them, but they always look to me like they would blow over in a crosswind.

stever

This rental Prius is working well. Some real irritants, like the stupid location of the USB plug - if it was ours, an extension cable will live there permanently. The overall impression is yep, it's a car. More comfy than the current van, not quite as comfy as the Quest was.

Wish I could do a long road trip driving a Soul now.

Spotted a new Highlander this morning with temp tags.

explorerx4

In the parking lot at work, a JGC SRT 8.

fintail

Is the Bentley Continental a HT?

MB has had at least one 2 door HT model in continuous production since 1961.

texases said:

New S550 coupe, all the windows down - does MB make the only true hardtop coupes now (no 'B' pillar)? Nice look, distinctive rear lights, not just a 2-door version of the sedan.

Mr_Shiftright

It looks like its a HT--I can't see a B pillar in the photos. Lovely car, and man, does it scoot! I'm sure I'll trip over one in Marin County soon enough and I'll be sure to ask the owner.

texases

Yes, looks like the Continental is a hardtop, I just can't find a picture with the windows down.

fintail

Here's a dealer pic:

texases

Bingo!

PF_Flyer

Not particularly special, just weird. On the way back from the gym this morning, I found myself on the rural road that leads back out to my place in a strange 4 car parade of vehicles. I was vehicle #2. 1,3, & 4 were all dark blue Hyundai Elantras. I think they were 2011-2012 range. Only wish I had been standing roadside with my camera

berri

Do you think they were fleet or rental cars maybe?

PF_Flyer

Nope, just folks driving in the same direction for a bit. One turned off just before my neighborhood, one into my neighborhood, and the other continued on. Just a really strange happenstance

Mr_Shiftright

Must have been the Hyundai Elantra Nationals. Very intense competition.

PF_Flyer

Mr_Shiftright said:

Must have been the Hyundai Elantra Nationals. Very intense competition.

Ya, the Bulgarian judge is particularly hash

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, yes, don't get judged by Yovkov!

stickguy

Same vein, at supermarket yesterday, a nice white TLX (still don't see many of them). And about 3 spits down, an identical one!

Michaell

stickguy said:

Same vein, at supermarket yesterday, a nice white TLX (still don't see many of them). And about 3 spits down, an identical one!

I've seen a couple of TLXs around the last week or two. Starting to grow on me.

stickguy

I like them. Still on short list for next car in 2 years. Though that list tends to be quite fluid.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I like them. Still on short list for next car in 2 years. Though that list tends to be quite fluid.

stick, you and I are in the same boat, just a year apart.

Tell me (well, us) - is there anything that is absolutely not on your list when you lease again?

stickguy

Well, hopefully I don't lease. But either way, not much! It won't be big though. Very possibly slightly used.

I can't wait to find out myself!

Mr_Shiftright

Audi R8---not many details on engine or year---went by too fast!

stever

2004ish Buick Century in white this morning. That one and the similar era "Taurus" type of sedan reminds me of the puffy car we saw at a museum earlier this week:

Mr_Shiftright

I warned them not to dial in too much boost.

tjc78

stickguy said:

Well, hopefully I don't lease. But either way, not much! It won't be big though. Very possibly slightly used.

I can't wait to find out myself!

You would cringe at my driveway with my two tanks! When is the Sonata's lease up?

stickguy

November 2017. So I got time.

Could be another full size mid sizer (what I consider the Sonata class these days), but ideally either a sporty car or a more compact (Jetta/A3/G37/S60) size sedan.

Michaell

stickguy said:

November 2017. So I got time.

Could be another full size mid sizer (what I consider the Sonata class these days), but ideally either a sporty car or a more compact (Jetta/A3/G37/S60) size sedan.

I think the G37 is a fairly large car compared to the others you've listed.

I'm a year ahead of you - the lease on the Elantra GT is up November 2016. No idea what I'll replace it with.

stickguy

G37 I think is about 184"? Not really much bigger than a Jetta. That size range is fine to me. The "mama bear" size.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

G37 I think is about 184"? Not really much bigger than a Jetta. That size range is fine to me. The "mama bear" size.

Yeah... in real-world experience, the G seem fairly compact. It's a big heavy pig, though..

stickguy

well, if the MPG doesn't bother you, the 337 HP can probably haul the pork around just fine.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

well, if the MPG doesn't bother you, the 337 HP can probably haul the pork around just fine.

I've had my daily driver for 5.5 years (235 HP), and it has a top speed of over 150 MPH, and yet, have never touched 100 MPH, even once.

But, the G37, which we had on a three year lease? At least a dozen times.. It was just too easy.

fintail

Saw a couple new Civics at the dealer today. Looks a lot bigger, not sure if I am convinced by that window design.

stickguy

I still haven't seen one up close in person. Soon enough. Car show is only 6 weeks away!

seeing a ton of new Pilots. at least 2 in my neighborhood now. And a few houses up, someone has a new design maxima. Odd looking beast.

texases

Really strange that I haven't seen a single new Pilot. 

qbrozen

I spotted something new last night I wasn't even aware of. It was dark and I was on the highway, so I didn't get the best look. But I was cruising along when I spotted an odd-looking SUV coming up the onramp near me. I kept staring at it trying to figure it out. Looked to be some sort of Kia but also a bit Evoque'ish. Later down the highway, it passed me. It was a new Discovery Sport.

berri

For a vehicle that has been out several years now, I also don't seem to see all those many Highlanders. But then, so many cars really don't seem to have styling that stands out, so maybe we actually see more new vehicles than we think?