CT6E - didn't just spot it, but rode in it. A friend of mine spotted a somewhat decent lease offer on this rare bird, and wanted to take a test drive. I went with him.
Pros: Nice build and material quality. I spotted no assembly issues. This is the kind of Made in China car you want, as QC will be thorough. Lots of tech and gadgetry. The camera mirror doesn't fail to be cool, and with HUD, night vision, nannies, etc, it can be fun to play with. Also more USBs than I have ever seen in a car. Extremely smooth and quiet for something with a turbo 4 assist. We took it out with an empty battery, so always using the engine, and it was barely perceptible. I have to imagine it can be eerily silent in EV mode. Lines softened since the "art and science" days look nicer, and should age better.
Cons: High price, and junky ADM. The local dealer slaps an additional sticker on most of its cars, for nitrogen filled tires, door edge guards, etc, - 5K in many cases. Funny I don't see those shenanigans at the Audi/BMW/MB dealer. Old habits. Low availability - the one we looked at was claimed to be the only E model in the area. It was black, which my friend doesn't want, and also makes it look like a livery color.
He didn't sit down and deal, as his Lincoln lease isn't all the way up, and he doesn't want to commit yet. He says the Lincoln dealer says they will give him a very good deal on an 18 MKZ, so he is waiting.
My friend wants something with hybrid or EV tech, so the Continental doesn't work for him. He's happy with the MKZ, other than the drone of the gasoline engine.
Yesterday's Wall Street Journal had an article on the new (or at least heavily revised) Honda Odyssey. What I found interesting was that it said the 10 speed transmission allowed it to cruise at Interstate speeds at only around 2250 on the tach. What I found amusing was way back when we had kids at home or in college I owned a 2004 Ody with a 5 speed transmission. It cruised on the Interstate at around 2250 rpm. So what is the point of the added complexity???
Yesterday's Wall Street Journal had an article on the new (or at least heavily revised) Honda Odyssey. What I found interesting was that it said the 10 speed transmission allowed it to cruise at Interstate speeds at only around 2250 on the tach. What I found amusing was way back when we had kids at home or in college I owned a 2004 Ody with a 5 speed transmission. It cruised on the Interstate at around 2250 rpm. So what is the point of the added complexity???
Only partially related, but C&D has a comparison of the new Odyssey vs the Sienna vs the Pacifica. The Pacifica won and the Toyota was last.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Only partially related, but C&D has a comparison of the new Odyssey vs the Sienna vs the Pacifica. The Pacifica won and the Toyota was last
I can see that based on driving a new minivan. But I think that ranking would flip after around 5 years.
I saw a brand new one yesterday. In black. Looked exactly like a hearse, complete with an accent line that resembled a landau bar.
I have a problem getting into the Ody exterior too. What is more troubling to me is that the interior, including the past comfortable seating position and seats seem to have taken a step backwards.
I'm not sure on that MB coupe Fin. I think I'd have to see it in person to really decide. That, what appears to be a rear side vent window, makes me think a bit modern day 49 Ford 2dr sedan in the greenhouse.
It's a true hardtop, but I think the angle of the window and the space below might not allow the entire window to roll down, so there's a soft pillar to divide it. The rear glass section is fixed, as far as I know.
I'm not sure on that MB coupe Fin. I think I'd have to see it in person to really decide. That, what appears to be a rear side vent window, makes me think a bit modern day 49 Ford 2dr sedan in the greenhouse.
Fewer dead zones I guess. But I suspect that is 80+. So I like their highways.
I saw a brand new one yesterday. In black. Looked exactly like a hearse, complete with an accent line that resembled a landau bar.
It was awful.
I had the same thought when I saw the first all black one. I would imagine a modern Addams Family would drive around in it. Apparently I'm not the only one to make the connection:
Yesterday's Wall Street Journal had an article on the new (or at least heavily revised) Honda Odyssey. What I found interesting was that it said the 10 speed transmission allowed it to cruise at Interstate speeds at only around 2250 on the tach. What I found amusing was way back when we had kids at home or in college I owned a 2004 Ody with a 5 speed transmission. It cruised on the Interstate at around 2250 rpm. So what is the point of the added complexity???
My '17 AWD QX60 with a CVT does around 2100 RPM at 80 MPH & 2400 at 90. The Ody, in Touring or Elite trim, is actually heavier by a few pounds.
Heck, that guy won't spend much time in the slammer. The gov doesn't want to pay for the room and board, let alone his psychiatric treatment. Now if this happened across the lake in Seattle, the guy would be a victim and they would be going after the dealership for having an attractive nuisance
Funny, Seattle doesn't have a dealer for those makes - although it is the largest regional city, all of the money isn't there. Little in the way of mental health services either, of course, because that would be socialist, un-American, etc.
And even with its faults, thousands of skilled intelligent productive people continue to move to Seattle (and here) each month.
Mental health might be the get out of jail free card in this case, and this is a somewhat more developed-world type of location. And financially, you can't get blood out of a turnip
Honestly, states and cities are budget strained, so jail sentences, parole and the like factor economics into their decisions. Not unusual to get a tough appearing sentence and then be out of jail way earlier. The whole judge sentencing thing has become a bit of a fraud at times.
Honestly, states and cities are budget strained, so jail sentences, parole and the like factor economics into their decisions. Not unusual to get a tough appearing sentence and then be out of jail way earlier. The whole judge sentencing thing has become a bit of a fraud at times.
I thought we were at full nearly 100% employment? How can Cities and States still be "budget" strained?
How is it when I call the CA Franchise Tax Board (FTB) on Monday morning they have the technology to put you in the que for a call back (after wasting 5 minutes going through the maze of menu selections for the automated telephone answering system), but the wait or call back time is 3 hours!
Get disconnected before they confirm your phone number again? No call back. Try again. Call at 3 PM because the website says the waiting time for a call back is down to 1 hour 11 minutes, and they don't close until 5 PM.
Machine says "Due to volume of phone calls, you are screwed, and we don't give a damn."
OK, I paraphrased, it said that you should call back another time. As if they had long hours to begin with, or were available weekends! Last time it was so hard to reach an entity that wanted to get paid money, it was the Municipal Courts (Traffic Courts). They've also pulled the "we are getting too many calls, so were not answering the phone anymore during our business hours" message routine.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
1) Contempt for the whole charade parading and pretending to be "justice."
2) Intimidation from the formality of it all, the experienced opposition/prosecution/officer, and the tendency for the judge to take on the role of Prosecutor since there is no DA in traffic court.
When in court I try to hide my contempt as best I can, but probably some of it oozes out in my demeanor, body language, tone of voice, and hence, maybe/probably that's why some judges have really handed it to me!
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Saw a white Giulia today, turn signal not in use. So, either a former BMW/Audi driver, or the signal didn't work, equal chance
I'd like to see turn signal enforcement from the traffic cops. Not a common enough violation down here in Sunshine State to have seen it carried out right in front of a cops nose though.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I'd like to see turn signal enforcement from the traffic cops. Not a common enough violation down here in Sunshine State to have seen it carried out right in front of a cops nose though.
I'd like to see turn signal enforcement from the traffic cops. Not a common enough violation down here in Sunshine State to have seen it carried out right in front of a cops nose though.
Lack of turn signals is not tolerated in my area. I'll honk every time for that violation. I'll probably only notice it if it impedes my travel.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Yesterday I spotted me one of my late-model lovelies. A Frosty white 2016 Scion iA. Oh yeah. That car, as it approached me in the '11 Kia Soul, just sucked me in. Oh yeah, tractor beam! That widemouth guppy front looks even better in person. The white looks great on that car.
Now to get a job so I can consider a purchase. Tomorrow I am getting a planned interview call from Wenatchee, WA's, hospital, and Jefferson City, MO's, hospital. And also an introductory "get to know me" call from the Lab Manager in Littleton, NH's hospital. Sheesh. When the sun shines it shines really bright, gentlemen!
Went out looking around today, stopped a few dealerships. It's funny how an AMG GT Cabrio seems like a good value at 135K compared to the C63 Cabrio that stickered at around 100K, and a couple M4s at 90K. MB dealer also had a nice E400 wagon, but not too loaded, 68K. The showroom also contained a launch edition E400 coupe, loaded, 78K. BMW had a loaded 750 for 116K, and a lot of new 5ers. Audi had a couple of A5 and S6 that caught my eye.
Went out looking around today, stopped a few dealerships. It's funny how an AMG GT Cabrio seems like a good value at 135K compared to the C63 Cabrio that stickered at around 100K, and a couple M4s at 90K. MB dealer also had a nice E400 wagon, but not too loaded, 68K. The showroom also contained a launch edition E400 coupe, loaded, 78K. BMW had a loaded 750 for 116K, and a lot of new 5ers. Audi had a couple of A5 and S6 that caught my eye.
Yes, Caddy's brilliance at (pricing) creating the "Halo" car; Allante, XLR, ELR...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Comments
Pros:
Nice build and material quality. I spotted no assembly issues. This is the kind of Made in China car you want, as QC will be thorough.
Lots of tech and gadgetry. The camera mirror doesn't fail to be cool, and with HUD, night vision, nannies, etc, it can be fun to play with. Also more USBs than I have ever seen in a car.
Extremely smooth and quiet for something with a turbo 4 assist. We took it out with an empty battery, so always using the engine, and it was barely perceptible. I have to imagine it can be eerily silent in EV mode.
Lines softened since the "art and science" days look nicer, and should age better.
Cons:
High price, and junky ADM. The local dealer slaps an additional sticker on most of its cars, for nitrogen filled tires, door edge guards, etc, - 5K in many cases. Funny I don't see those shenanigans at the Audi/BMW/MB dealer. Old habits.
Low availability - the one we looked at was claimed to be the only E model in the area. It was black, which my friend doesn't want, and also makes it look like a livery color.
He didn't sit down and deal, as his Lincoln lease isn't all the way up, and he doesn't want to commit yet. He says the Lincoln dealer says they will give him a very good deal on an 18 MKZ, so he is waiting.
I saw my first Alfa Giulia today. It is in a neighbors driveway but could not see which model. It does have a flat black hood for some reason.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I agree on the ADM thing, cheesy.
I saw a brand new one yesterday. In black. Looked exactly like a hearse, complete with an accent line that resembled a landau bar.
It was awful.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Kind of a mini S-class coupe now
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I can see that based on driving a new minivan. But I think that ranking would flip after around 5 years.
I saw a brand new one yesterday. In black. Looked exactly like a hearse, complete with an accent line that resembled a landau bar.
I have a problem getting into the Ody exterior too. What is more troubling to me is that the interior, including the past comfortable seating position and seats seem to have taken a step backwards.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
MB has had at least one hardtop in the range since the 1961 model year.
The ad says: "A minivan for your weird family".
Shame, local black money will have to find other cars. Knowing local contemptible judges, bail was set at $5 or $5MM.
And even with its faults, thousands of skilled intelligent productive people continue to move to Seattle (and here) each month.
How is it when I call the CA Franchise Tax Board (FTB) on Monday morning they have the technology to put you in the que for a call back (after wasting 5 minutes going through the maze of menu selections for the automated telephone answering system), but the wait or call back time is 3 hours!
Get disconnected before they confirm your phone number again? No call back. Try again. Call at 3 PM because the website says the waiting time for a call back is down to 1 hour 11 minutes, and they don't close until 5 PM.
Machine says "Due to volume of phone calls, you are screwed, and we don't give a damn."
OK, I paraphrased, it said that you should call back another time. As if they had long hours to begin with, or were available weekends! Last time it was so hard to reach an entity that wanted to get paid money, it was the Municipal Courts (Traffic Courts). They've also pulled the "we are getting too many calls, so were not answering the phone anymore during our business hours" message routine.
I've always found "contempt of court" to be a funny kangaroo court style charge, as contempt should be a natural reaction if one is paying attention.
1) Contempt for the whole charade parading and pretending to be "justice."
2) Intimidation from the formality of it all, the experienced opposition/prosecution/officer, and the tendency for the judge to take on the role of Prosecutor since there is no DA in traffic court.
When in court I try to hide my contempt as best I can, but probably some of it oozes out in my demeanor, body language, tone of voice, and hence, maybe/probably that's why some judges have really handed it to me!
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
New sighting, Lacrosse, probable rental.
Now to get a job so I can consider a purchase. Tomorrow I am getting a planned interview call from Wenatchee, WA's, hospital, and Jefferson City, MO's, hospital. And also an introductory "get to know me" call from the Lab Manager in Littleton, NH's hospital. Sheesh. When the sun shines it shines really bright, gentlemen!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-Cadillac-XLR-d150#listing=183619398
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)