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

texases

Parked next to a Dawn this weekend, in an office parking lot on a Sunday. Wonder why it was there:

explorerx4

A new Raptor in white.

andres3

The B9 A4 makes for a very capable daily driver that gives you luxury and sport at the same time. It is a very capable car.

At the limits, the brakes will eventually overheat and fade a bit, and the OEM tires are not too happy once they get extremely hot. However, for 99.999% of drivers, this won't matter. I doubt A4 buyers will be tracking the A4, and if they do, I recommend brake pad and tire upgrades at a minimum.

93 MPH to hit 2,000 RPM in top gear (7th gear).

Cruise control can be set to 100 MPH and you'll get 26 to 27 MPG.

I personally prefer the interior layout, style, and quality of the B8 an B8.5 S4 more than this newer version in the A4. I feel like the materials quality is down a bit, and I'm not a fan of the I-Pad on the dash look, nor its functionality.

However, the car is definitely more balanced and lighter when pushed around turns.

Mr_Shiftright

texases said:

Parked next to a Dawn this weekend, in an office parking lot on a Sunday. Wonder why it was there:

Pardon me, but I think this car's front end design is hideous. Did they farm out the styling department to a kit car company?

Well. I'm sure the seats are nice.

fintail

Today: 2x newer style Audi R8 (one at work, someone is doing well), 2x BMW 7er - one a fancy Rolls-Royce Ghost variant (more revenge for 1945 ) , 2x new CRV.

kyfdx

Nissan Murano Cross Cabrio.

Michaell

kyfdx said:

Nissan Murano Cross Cabrio.

I was behind one over the weekend - with the top down.

They beat it with an ugly stick until that stick broke, then they got something worse.

But, in a strange way, I can sort of understand the concept here in Colorado - SUV with AWD for winter, top down fun in the summer.

What other cars can do that?

Audi Cabriolets - not much ground clearance
Jeep Wrangler - punishing ride

Murano CC offers the best of both worlds.

laurasdada

Well, Land Rover must have thought the Murano Cabrio a good idea as they now have one of their own: the Evoque convertible. Saw one from a distance yesterday.

texases

Even more general - what other drop tops can comfortably fit 4 adults?

kyfdx

laurasdada said:

Well, Land Rover must have thought the Murano Cabrio a good idea as they now have one of their own: the Evoque convertible. Saw one from a distance yesterday.

Well... they are pretty famous for over-the-top ostentation (is that a word?).

kyfdx

texases said:

Even more general - what other drop tops can comfortably fit 4 adults?

Mercedes S-Class?

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

Nissan Murano Cross Cabrio.

Are you recovered yet?

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

kyfdx said:

Nissan Murano Cross Cabrio.

Are you recovered yet?

Immediately afterward, a BMW i3 crossed in front of me, and looked like an Aston Martin, in comparison.

texases

I've seen a few more of the i3, but still looks goofy, to me. The new Bolt is much better, IMO:

kyfdx

texases said:

I've seen a few more of the i3, but still looks goofy, to me. The new Bolt is much better, IMO:

The Bolt and Volt are decent looking vehicles.

texases

Two new ones: one rare, a Levante, one common, a Mustang GT. The thing with this (and many other) Mustangs was a TERRIBLE exhaust system. Loud, but not in any good way. Sounded like a couple of Civics with cheap 'fart can' mufflers. Obnoxious just keeping up with traffic. Why????

PF_Flyer

texases said:

Two new ones: one rare, a Levante, one common, a Mustang GT. The thing with this (and many other) Mustangs was a TERRIBLE exhaust system. Loud, but not in any good way. Sounded like a couple of Civics with cheap 'fart can' mufflers. Obnoxious just keeping up with traffic. Why????

Some of the items that wind up on cars are head-scratchers for sure

ab348

Sure it was a Mustang GT and not an Ecoboost 4-banger?

texases

It was a GT, said so right between the taillights! It was so loud, it made me wonder if the owner had removed the cats.

And it's not only Mustangs, a number of Challengers I come across have super loud exhausts, including one of my neighbors I'm surprised I see/hear so few Camaros with loud pipes.

kyfdx

I had a Challenger go past me on I-75.. Every 20 seconds or so, he would punch the throttle, even though there was no place to go.. vroom.. vroom, vroom.. did it about 20 times. Seems like that would get boring.

explorerx4

Moved.

stickguy

GM did a few of those. I think based on the Firebird. Though likely there was a Camaro variant too.

fintail

Saw an AMG GT today.

jpp75

I saw a Bolt today in San Francisco. I don't care for the looks of it personally.

Mr_Shiftright

It's awkward-looking but not really offensive.

jpp75

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's awkward-looking but not really offensive.

That's actually a perfect description.

texases

Do folks prefer the looks of the Bolt or the i3?

kyfdx

I think the Bolt looks like a normal car.. The i3, not so much.

Not sure which I like less, though.

Mr_Shiftright

Just me personally, I'd feel like a dork driving an i3---like I was on a Segway or driving a Smart car wearing clothes from LL Bean. The Bolt is no beauty but it's a little more "normal" looking.

laurasdada

So, Mr._S, the Bolt, you ain't a beauty, but, hey, you're all right?

fintail

Saw a Bentayga on the road today. The perfect car if you live in France - in 1788.

andres3

Too bad Bugatti doesn't disclose how expensive it is to go 200+ MPH, and how quickly a tank of fuel disappears while doing that exercise.

fintail

Saw another Bentayga today.

PF_Flyer

Driving along withe a Tesla Model S. First one I've seen here in central PA, and it was silver, first one I've seen that wasn't black

fintail

Saw a red new E300 today, loaded with drivers assist and full LED gauges. The high option cars are uncommon, especially in an odd color.

ab348

In the showroom of the dealer where I bought my ATS, a 2017 Camaro 50th Anniversary edition priced at a cool $60K Cdn. Strangely for a 50th anniversary there is no gold anywhere I saw. Based on a SS convertible, it was metallic gray with a black convertible top and black interior, lots of special badges and embroidery. The option package is a $7400 option. Left me rather cold like all Camaros currently do.

explorerx4

A new Lacrosse on the way back from the airport. Not so sure about the grille, but the rest of it looks good.

Mr_Shiftright

The Lacrosse gets pretty good reviews but if you pack it up with AWD, driver assist, special wheels and suspension, and all the comfort goodies, you can break the $50K barrier. Seems like the lower end is the better buy (only has one engine option).

ab348

I hear the bigger wheels/sport suspension on the Lacrosse really mess up the ride too.

Mr_Shiftright

Yep, those 20" wheels are going to hammer you.

andres3

Yesterday I saw a black VW Passat 3.6 SE. I have to think these big engine 3.6 V6 Passat's are even a lot more rare than a recent model V6 Accord.

I bet the 3.6 Passat is a compelling package at its price point, but greenies don't want V6's anymore.

iluvmysephia1

I spotted a 2017 Toyota Yaris iA in a muted, earthtone color, on 135th heading towards I-35 Olathe. I love that car! The gaping maw, in real life, just comes off as cute.

Great Mazda mechanicals. To get the automatic in this iA would be silly. Go for the manual, for sure for sure!

ab348

On Wednesday I was at my GM dealer and got to sit in a new Camaro SS with the 50th Anniversary package. First time I sat in one of the current-gen Camaros and visibility is as bad as you hear. However even though the dash looks a lot like the previous-gen model, up close it looks a lot better with better materials and design. The seats in this one were a subtle 2-tone black and dark gray leather with red stitching. A bit too understated for my tastes but not awful. It was painted a dark metallic gray which again was understated but under the showroom lights all the angles and bodylines really made it look good.

They had another SS there in black, which didn't look as good to me on the outside, but which had red inserts in the seats and door panels. With a different exterior color that one might have been really handsome.

berri

Visibility - how about the basics of getting in and out of it

Mr_Shiftright

Well just plan your day so as to limit the number of times you have to exit. You could, for instance, only eat from drive-ins, use automatic car washes without having the interior cleaned, and I think Walgreen's has curbside service now. With a reclining seat and some necessities for nature's call, I don't see why you'd even have to leave that car for 24 hours.

fintail

Saw an Alfa Giulia and a MB C43.

stickguy

A few new Ioniqs. Look sharp in person. I like them. also a couple new Tiquans. Look so much bigger than the old model (which makes sense, since it is!) but very attractive, classy styling. Sadly that sticks out now in a sea of overwrought, Japanese oragami styling.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

A few new Ioniqs. Look sharp in person. I like them. also a couple new Tiquans. Look so much bigger than the old model (which makes sense, since it is!) but very attractive, classy styling. Sadly that sticks out now in a sea of overwrought, Japanese oragami styling.

The new Tiguan is out? Didn't know that, and I was at a VW dealership, last week.

explorerx4

The local dealer VW had a big ad in the paper yesterday saying all 2015 diesels are on sale.

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

The local dealer VW had a big ad in the paper yesterday saying all 2015 diesels are on sale.

Yeah, that's why I was there, last week.