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

laurasdada

Driving east on the Mass Pike, on the westbound side, a black Jag XE. First I've seen in the wild. I suppose I am predisposed to spot Jags, but to me it did have presence. Of course, but a fleeting glimpse. More to come, I"m sure.

magnette

Saw a Bentley Betayga this week in town - first one I've seen apart from at Frankfurt show last September.

fintail

Fun coincidence, today saw a white Model X and a black new style Targa.

texases

Nothing special, a new Pilot. What surprises me is how few I see. New CR-Vs all over the place, new Pilots maybe once a month.

Michaell

texases said:

Nothing special, a new Pilot. What surprises me is how few I see. New CR-Vs all over the place, new Pilots maybe once a month.

There was one parked at the house across the street last weekend. Wife thought it was a Subaru.

berri

I don't find the Pilot is a vehicle that sticks out. They also look chopped off to me.

fintail

I see new Pilots now and then, tons of CRVs as it is a vehicle of choice among some local demographics. I am surprised that I see very few HR-Vs, maybe as they are seen as a little expensive for their size vs a CR-V.,

Michaell

fintail said:

I see new Pilots now and then, tons of CRVs as it is a vehicle of choice among some local demographics. I am surprised that I see very few HR-Vs, maybe as they are seen as a little expensive for their size vs a CR-V.,

I don't think the HR-V is as popular as Honda had hoped. What is the best selling small (tiny?) ute? I'd guess the Buick Encore based on how many I see around here.

texases

I'm seeing some CX-3s, but I'd get the CX-5.

stickguy

I think a lot of people look at the HRV compared to the CRV, in terms of what you get and the cost, and deem the CRV to be a better deal.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I think a lot of people look at the HRV compared to the CRV, in terms of what you get and the cost, and deem the CRV to be a better deal.

Sure - bigger engine, more interior space, not that much more money.

texases said:

I'm seeing some CX-3s, but I'd get the CX-5.

Same with the Mazda, though I did see a CX-3 today and admired its looks.

I could live with a CX-3 FWD Touring.

stickguy

I liked the CX3, but seem to recall it was a little tight up front? small seat or something. I am fine with the overall size, but still need enough room up front to be comfy. I have no problem sacrificing back seat room though. I don't sit back there.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I liked the CX3, but seem to recall it was a little tight up front? small seat or something. I am fine with the overall size, but still need enough room up front to be comfy. I have no problem sacrificing back seat room though. I don't sit back there.

I test drove the CX-3 and didn't notice any issues with comfort behind the wheel. Of course, it was a 10 minute test drive.

stickguy

they will both be on my list for next year. Of course, very few things won't be on the list.

Next February the car show will be an all day event. Have to drag the wife along this year, and sit in everything. and make notes. She is going to have so much fun! Might need to do cheesesteaks and beer before the show, instead of after like we usually do.

fintail

I definitely see more Encores than HR-Vs, although I suspect some of the former might be rentals.

Michaell

stickguy said:

they will both be on my list for next year. Of course, very few things won't be on the list.

Next February the car show will be an all day event. Have to drag the wife along this year, and sit in everything. and make notes. She is going to have so much fun! Might need to do cheesesteaks and beer before the show, instead of after like we usually do.

Yeah, I was hoping to drag @breld around this summer, test driving everything under the sun.

That plan, obviously, has been scrapped.

stickguy

Lots of new stuff today. Stopped at the Buick dealer (was next door getting touch up paint for the Sonata) and sat in a Cascada (I liked it, and could even see out the windshield without looking at the header!). Small trunk, so would take creative luggage selection. Not bad for the MSRP (base car so 33K).

also sat in an Envision (the new mid size CUV). Pretty nice inside, comfy seats, and seemed to be about the same size and cargo room as our RDX (maybe a smidge bigger trunk). But was 46k sticker (premium II), and it didn't even have a moonroof. Considering everything on the sticker (engine/trans/body/assembly) said China, I don't think so. Nice looking design though.

then went to the Honda dealer. Sat in a Ridgeline. Much nicer looking than the old one. Seemed plenty big to me, without being huge and cumbersome. Could even see out of it OK. Roomy inside, back seat seemed fine but I did not play much. Black edition, MSRP 43k. I think these will sell well, if they start bringing in more mid-level models for less money.

tjc78

46k?? Wow our Enclave was 47 and change with Nav, Bose, Moonroof and pano roof over the second row. FWD, though.

tjc78

Some bucks on this car carrier. @fintail would approve.

tjc78

stickguy

so, you were counting the cars on the NJ turnpike?

tjc78

Lol, yes had to run up to East Brunswick. Been awhile, love the new lanes. So much nicer now that the construction is done.

stickguy

I was going back and forth on a weekly basis to NY for a while over the last couple of years with Parents issues. Starting in the middle of the construction, which was ugly. But once they finished and opened up the new lanes, it was nirvana. It is so incredibly better I can't believe it. No more 2 mile backup at exit 8A ("the merge"). It is downright pleasant at this point!

Michaell

stickguy said:

I was going back and forth on a weekly basis to NY for a while over the last couple of years with Parents issues. Starting in the middle of the construction, which was ugly. But once they finished and opened up the new lanes, it was nirvana. It is so incredibly better I can't believe it. No more 2 mile backup at exit 8A ("the merge"). It is downright pleasant at this point!

Did you just use the word "pleasant" to describe the NJ Turnpike?

It's been years since I've had to drive it. Is it that much better?

stickguy

yes, the improvement was amazing on the stretch between the Philly area and around the Garden state parkway exit. They eliminated around West Windsor where it dropped from 6 to 3 lanes, and used to back up for miles when busy. Plus the road is smooth, and various other improvements.

they basically extended the truck lanes all the way down, instead of bringing the 2 sections together.

Mr_Shiftright

There's a half-million insurance settlement!

fintail

Yesterday I dropped off the loaner I had while the dashcam was being moved to the new car. I got a ride there in a 2014 E63S, high option car, probably stickered at 110-115K or so. At 11K miles, they want 75K for it, and I know you could knock that down a bit. Cool car and sounds amazing, almost crashed it as the lot attendant guy/kid didn't look both ways when pulling out of a driveway. That would have been awkward.

My C300 loaner:



Or is it an E or an S? At some angles and distances, not easy. Definitely in the same sausage-different lengths ideal that BMW has used for a little while, and Audi has used for years.

I drove it under 20 miles, so I can't make a real impression, but it seemed OK. It wasn't loaded, but the seats are nice. Thigh support extensions, BMW has done it for ages, why did it take MB so long to get on board?

fintail

I think that's an S on the back, GLC below it. Not something you see every day.

tjc78 said:

tjc78 said:

Some bucks on this car carrier. @fintail would approve.

Sandman6472

While at the Honda store moving vehicles yesterday, saw a couple test driving a new white HR-V. Doesn't look that nice in white but they have a dark green color which is really nice. Haven't had aa chance to drive one yet as we have none in our fleet. The couple of Encores I have driven have been very nice and are tuned softer than the Chevy Trax. Do see more Encore's then either HR-V's or Trax's for some reason. Am hoping that they add knobs to the infotainment systems on the HR-V EX and EX-L eventually when I am in the market again. I actually like a hatchback style just for the extra cargo area. The small size is just a bonus.

The Sandman

stever

Met a woman tonight with a white HR-V. Loves it. Said the AC worked fine (that was an issue with our tester). Said it was the perfect size for her and that the CR-V was just a tad too big.

stickguy

I found the HRV to be plenty roomy when I sat in it. Never drove one though.

ab348

stickguy said:

I found the HRV to be plenty roomy when I sat in it. Never drove one though.

Curious. All the reviews I have read have commented/complained about the lack or room or packaging issues inside.

stever

I wonder if you are thinking of, say, the CX-3?

"With the rear seats up on a front-drive HR-V, there are 24.3 cubic feet of luggage space available. Folding the seats flat opens 58.8 cubic feet, which is excellent for this class."

That's similar to the Kia Soul (even better with the seats up):

"One of the benefits of the Soul's boxy design is an abundance of head- and legroom, even in the backseat. Behind the rear seatbacks you'll find 19 cubic feet of cargo room, which grows to 61 cubic feet with both sections of the 60/40-split rear seatbacks folded down. This is greater than compact hatchbacks and on par with some SUVs."

Both quotes from reviews here.

ab348

stever said:

I wonder if you are thinking of, say, the CX-3?

Y'know, I think you're right.

I think the negatives on the HRV I've read are related to the powertrain and driving experience IIRC.

stever

ab348 said:

stever said:

I wonder if you are thinking of, say, the CX-3?

Y'know, I think you're right.

I think the negatives on the HRV I've read are related to the powertrain and driving experience IIRC.

The AC couldn't keep up on our test drive but the owner I met claimed hers was just fine. Other than the AC concerns, we liked it a lot on our short test drive.

tjc78

As a whole the AC in the newer cars isn't that great IMO. I'm sure between the change from R12 and more efficient compressors that it will be that way going forward. They do the job but no where near the freezers of the 70s/80s and early 90s (I think 93 was the last year the EPA allowed R12).

stever

Dunno, we've tested quite a few in 90+ temps out here and that was the only one that didn't seem to keep up. The old van's AC does fine too. Then again I'm cold natured and the house feels chilly to me with the AC on 77°.

tjc78

Don't get me wrong, the last few cars we have had "do the job" but none get absolutely frigid like the old cars. My 04 MGM is pretty darn cold but I remember my 79 Continental would literally blow frost on a humid day. I also recall my moms 92 Caravan was also extremely cold (people in the third row used to say they were cold and it didn't have ducts back there).

I'd put the AC on 68 in the house if I thought it would keep up and I didn't want a $500 electric bill. 73/74 has to do.

ab348

tjc78 said:

I'd put the AC on 68 in the house if I thought it would keep up and I didn't want a $500 electric bill. 73/74 has to do.

Ha! That's funny and it reminds me of when I went on vacation with my parents when I was a kid. We would check into a motel that had A/C and I would always have it on full blast. Since it was fairly unique back then even in commercial buildings up here I was fascinated by it.

Years later me and 2 other guys went of a business trip to Florida in June 1988. Both heat and humidity were 90+ all the time we were there. All 3 of us had out hotel rooms set at 68 degrees. The local folks we were meeting with could not understand that. We could not understand why all the local guys we were meeting with were all wearing cotton undershirts in that heat until they explained to us it helped with the perspiration. It was news to us.

Mr_Shiftright

What did I see?

It looked like a Toyota FR-S but the only badging said "GT". I thought that was a 2017 model not out yet?

Pretty neat looking little coupe..reminds me a little of the Porsche 944 in profile.

odie6l

I've seen three of the new Ridgeline's out in the wild now (not just on dealer lots). They do look a lot nicer than the
previous version. Two were normal trims, one was a Black edition.

Odie

ab348

odie6l said:

I've seen three of the new Ridgeline's out in the wild now (not just on dealer lots). They do look a lot nicer than the previous version.

Well in fairness, I dunno if it would be possible to look worse.

stickguy

Vert day. First a nice white BMW 428i, with the top down (always nice to see, but not actually that common). Then a smoke gray M235i. that was sharp.

and a guy in my neighborhood must be doing OK. saw him out detailing a newish Maserati coupe. Also white.

fintail

Model X, no front plate, this was one of the few with an excuse - it was a demo out for a drive.

Michaell

fintail said:

Model X, no front plate, this was one of the few with an excuse - it was a demo out for a drive.

I saw one (!) Model X yesterday in the Bay Area. Given that I was in the heart of Silicon Valley, I was kind of surprised.

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

Vert day. First a nice white BMW 428i, with the top down (always nice to see, but not actually that common). Then a smoke gray M235i. that was sharp.

and a guy in my neighborhood must be doing OK. saw him out detailing a newish Maserati coupe. Also white.

Nah....$3300 down and about $700 a month for a new Maserati on a lease.

fintail

Of course, that 700/month is a base Ghibli, right?

Some of the Seattle area is Silicon Valley north, with all the good and all the bad, so Model X makes sense here. Model S are now a dime a dozen, only catching my eye when driven poorly.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, a measly base model Maserati. But they depreciate pretty hard, and many people don't necessarily know that a 2006 model is a 2006 model that you can buy for south of $15K. I'm seeing 2015s with very low miles already in the mid $50Ks. so figure original owner took a $20K hit the first year. I wouldn't mind having one for the right price.

qbrozen

I think I've said it before, but I always keep my eye on the Quattroportes. These days, you can find a 2008 with fewer than 45k miles for $30k-$32k. Low mileage 2010s are in the mid $40s, so not really worth the bump, IMHO.

fintail

Local Maserati dealer has very low payments on Ghibli, but I suspect they have few to no options, and I know they are 5000 mile/year (!) limits. Ghibli, while it still has a fun exhaust note, is the "affordable" model.

The coupes are the ones that say "money" to me. I bet depreciation on all of them would make even the Germans cringe.