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

ab348

I used to see a fair number of the original Highlander, but later/larger models are almost non-existent around here. They seem to have gotten quite expensive.

Mr_Shiftright

I think the base LE in the real world runs around $35K out the door but the hybrid models just get started at $50K. I loaded one up online and ran it to $55K, before taxes.

jpp75

stickguy said:

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

Yep, my only issue with my G37x was fuel economy, but everything else more than made up for it. I miss that car.

berri

This weekend I saw a new Lexus RX and what I'm pretty sure was the new Maxima. What in the heck is going on with front end styling anymore - hideous, putrid, vile... These cars will look like '61 Plymouth's in a few years!

Mr_Shiftright

I think designers are finally running out of ideas....or at least ideas that can be built efficiently.

PF_Flyer

Mr_Shiftright said:

I think designers are finally running out of ideas....or at least ideas that can be built efficiently.

Movie and music maker s seem to be running out of ideas, can't imagine that designers would be as well. But seriously, a LOT of ideas have been tried already, so we are down to variations on themes. Maybe fins aren't going to come back, but some vestige or variation of fins in combination with other design elements could lead to something that's pleasing to the eye. Sometimes the attempt isn't quite a box office boffo smash (think Aztek) but I like that they at least tried. I really didn't like it when everyone was on the aerodynamic jellybean kick and all the cars were starting to look like Tauruses that had gotten different amounts of water!

stever

Not much else they can do until we go magnetic or whatever and lose the wheels.

berri

Talk about running out of ideas - what are there, something like 4 different cable TV series dealing with Alaska and a bunch more about outdoors and northwoods? A year or so ago it was a bunch about the southern boonies. I suppose next year it will tons of big city shows? Maybe this is what happens when the government moves education from critical thinking and creativity to standardized multiple choice tests.

stever

Follow the money.

Alaska provides big subsidies to the TV/Movie industry and reality shows are cheap to make.

fintail

The design industry also seems to be inhabited by a lot of sycophants and copycats - one does it, the rest join in, or does things to agree with and impress their boss or professor.

Regarding TV, indeed, reality is cheaper - no actors, no special effects, no highly developed scripts (just lowly developed scripts). And the masses watch it. The old timers who grew up in such a more strenuous education environment (yeah right) are still in control and are approving all this stuff, you know.

Mr_Shiftright said:

I think designers are finally running out of ideas....or at least ideas that can be built efficiently.

berri

I just can't fathom how people can watch these cable channels of the same show over and over on a given night. Maybe I've just got ADD or something.

fintail

Remember what Elvis did to his TV

stever

lol, had to look that one up. Thought I knew a lot of E.A.'s trivia, being from that part of the world, but I missed that one.

The show about the wilderness homesteaders is typical of the fakery. We've stayed at that place (Jewel's family owns it), and it's like 7 seven miles down a paved road from Homer. When you get bored from filming, you can pop into the Salty Dawg for a brew in about ten minutes. .

texases

"Regarding TV, indeed, reality is cheaper - no actors, no special effects, no highly developed scripts (just lowly developed scripts)."

And no reality! Read an interesting article on how 'House Hunters International' is pretty much 100% staged and scripted, sellers aren't real, buyers aren't real, maybe the house/condo/hovel actually did sell, but not by them or to them.

anythngbutgm

Saw a few new RX's this weekend. Hard to distinguish it from the NX when it's coming at you. Still not sure what this fad is with the broken D-pillar as it looks odd and probably doesn't save much on weight.

Speaking of which, also saw a few new Murano's, again the broken D-pillar...

fintail

House Hunters and similar shows are just propaganda for the real estate and connected industries. There's a large and financially influential/controlling demographic out there who is addicted to houses and all that stuff, so it works. Keeps the money flowing. Eventually you get an economy dependent on it.

On topic, lots of realtors seem to drive Lexus RX, which is a new car that will sell out for the honeymoon period.

Michaell

fintail said:

House Hunters and similar shows are just propaganda for the real estate and connected industries. There's a large and financially influential/controlling demographic out there who is addicted to houses and all that stuff, so it works. Keeps the money flowing. Eventually you get an economy dependent on it.

On topic, lots of realtors seem to drive Lexus RX, which is a new car that will sell out for the honeymoon period.

Our realtor bought a new car earlier this year ... Ford Explorer.

Mr_Shiftright

I think cars are becoming to each other like computers and tablets have become to each other. Probably the Italians are the only ones willing to go way out there on design. In the JDM, there's some pretty wild stuff being conceptualized, but it rarely comes to market.

explorerx4

I think the exterior of the NX looks good, but the interior is a disaster.

Mr_Shiftright

The NAV looks like something somebody made in shop class.

ab348

Come on, Shifty, wagons are the new Hemis!

Mr_Shiftright

Maybe when the nerds take over the world and give up on their Pacers and Dodge Darts.

iluvmysephia1

Maybe when the nerds take over the world and give up on their Pacers and Dodge Darts.

Don't forget their AMC Gremlins!

stickguy

wait, I had a Gremlin and a Dart (well, technically a Duster, but close enough)! And a Hornet for good measure.

iluvmysephia1

Yeah, I had a Plymouth Gold Duster, if we're confessing Mopar possessions.

stever

lol, '89 Voyager here.

And the minivan was the new hemi and saved Chrysler. For a while.

Mr_Shiftright

But Lexus has no excuse for design like this. They aren't a cash-starved entity like AMC was back when. I'm sure the NAV system is not held up by double-sided tape, but I'm going to look for myself, just in case.

laurasdada

My Mopar moment, '99 Chrysler 300M (preceded by company car Dodge Intrepid). Both, somewhat poorly screwed together, but reliable and fun. For grande sedans...

tifighter

I saw a Chevrolet SS in silver. That has to be a fairly rare bird; I've never actually seen one until now.

tjc78

I saw five of them the other day.... In a line all with Police badging.  Must have been new fleet additions. 

stickguy

yesterday on I287 in Jersey (the northern part where the money is!), not 1, but 2 Maserati Ghiblis, in the space of about 5 minutes. Sharp car.

tifighter

There's a house I drive past on the way to the office that looks pretty divey, but has a white Ghibli and a new Camaro with a matte blue wrap in the driveway. I want to know what's going on there, until I realize I probably don't want to know.

explorerx4

In the parking lot at work.. a new XC90.
On the way home, I saw a new Prius or Volt, not sure which.

fintail

New style 7er, with the chrome hockey stick on the side. Structurally interesting car, will need good luck to fight the S-class.

Mr_Shiftright

Also the 7 series needs to continue to ramp up reliability. This car is still shaking off a terrible reputation from the past.

texases

While I haven't seen the new 7 on the road, the photos make it look just like the current 5 and 3. Not very high end...

fintail

The new 7 is pretty anonymous, the hockey stick is the key. I think the F01 was reliable enough, but the previous two could be troublesome.

Saw a new RX slowly going around a corner, followed by a loud HONK that made me laugh. Also a new XC90, this one caught my eye as it had very noticeable rear bumper fitment issues. I assume it got hit (or backed into something, this is Bellevue) rather than was made that way.

stever

Designed in Germany, Built in Chattanooga.

2016 Passat in the lobby of the Chattanooga airport.

explorerx4

Our local Hartford area airport has Fiats, Jags and Maserati's.

stever

Airports are kind of dangerous places to park a new car.

Woman Returns Rental Car to Baggage Claim (Fox)

stickguy

seems logical to me.

what can you expect from an oldster driving a minivan, right Steve?

explorerx4

Hmm, I wonder if my F 150 will fit through doors so I can get close to the baggage carousel?

stever

stickguy said:

what can you expect from an oldster driving a minivan, right Steve?

lol, now you know why I had to move from Boise.

My brother took off to Florida and left me the keys to his house and car. They are pulling the popup with their F-150 so I get to drive ... wait for it ... their 2013 Odyssey.

fintail

Good security there

berri

Now that's curbside service. hahaha

Mr_Shiftright

Good thing she didn't rent an F350

PF_Flyer

Well at least she actually saw another car there and not some giant poster of a car

qbrozen

i saw my first GLE coupe in the flesh on the road yesterday (a 450, to be exact). Man, that thing is UGLY!

Mr_Shiftright

It bears an uncomfortable resemblance at certain angles to a Pontiac Aztek.

stickguy

can't wait to cruise the MB display at the car show in a few weeks.