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

qbrozen

XLR wasn't the Volt, shifty. That's the ELR. The XLR was on the corvette platform but with a northstar engine. Yikes.

Andres, I would not quite put it in the same boat. The XLR was a sporty 2-seater. The Ciel was supposed to be a big 4-seater luxo-cruiser. More like a cutrate Bentley Continental droptop, methinks.

fintail

Saw a new style XC60 today, also what looked like a S65 coupe, yes please.

stickguy

did not realize the new XC60 was out already. Something else to stop and look at one of these days!

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

XLR wasn't the Volt, shifty. That's the ELR. The XLR was on the corvette platform but with a northstar engine. Yikes.

Andres, I would not quite put it in the same boat. The XLR was a sporty 2-seater. The Ciel was supposed to be a big 4-seater luxo-cruiser. More like a cutrate Bentley Continental droptop, methinks.

Oops! My mistake, Read the letters too fast!

But you know, the same problem applies. Cadillac comes in at the wrong price point, and the competition (in the case of the XLR, Benz, in the case of the ELR, their own parent company!) just kills it.

Cadillac was trying to build a 70s era Mercedes 450SL, and Mercedes was just about to launch a 90s era 500SL.

On top of all that, the vaunted Northstar turned out to be a bit of a dud.

qbrozen

Reread my post and realized it may not have come across as intended. Just to clarify, my "yikes" was in regard to the northstar engine, not the xlr/elr mixup.

fintail

Funny how nobody has been able to really answer the SL. Allante came and went, XLR came and went, SC430 came and went, and the boulevard cruiser cruises on.

Mr_Shiftright

Not only that, their answers were pretty awful. Hard to believe, but the "SL" debuted in 1954! That's a might long run!

texases

Hard for anyone else to compensate for the huge 'it' factor of the SL. It would take a GREAT car, but none have been.

fintail

I wonder if the "it" factor can survive new generations. MB doesn't seem to really be losing cachet even with cheaper models, maybe it can. Right now, people under 50 will see an SL as an old persons car - perfect for the Lucille Bluth set or a nice rich retired doctor in LaJolla or Boca.

On the road today saw a non-AMG C cabrio and a Lexus LC.

Mr_Shiftright

New white Chevy Suburban LS 4X4---all 5800 lbs. of it crossing the front of my Mini--for a minute there I thought it was a tidal wave about to hit. That thing is BIG. (225") , and 6ft 3in high.

andres3

Speaking of big, it has been a very long time since I've seen a Hummer H1 or H2 out in the wild. H3's don't count, but those are rare too.

texases

Mr_Shiftright said:

New white Chevy Suburban LS 4X4---all 5800 lbs. of it crossing the front of my Mini--for a minute there I thought it was a tidal wave about to hit. That thing is BIG. (225") , and 6ft 3in high.

Did you feel a gravitational tug?

qbrozen

andres3 said:

Speaking of big, it has been a very long time since I've seen a Hummer H1 or H2 out in the wild. H3's don't count, but those are rare too.

I see H2s fairly often around here. Just saw a metallic tan one on my way home this evening, as a matter of fact. Not as common as Tesla sightings, but I'd guesstimate I see 2/month.

fintail

Not new, but a new experience for me - I drove a co-worker's 2 or 3 year old F150 King Ranch Ecoboost. Surprisingly easy to drive, as I haven't driven anything that size in ages. Made getting back in my car feel like being a go-kart.

berri

That's a big 10-4 Buddy

fintail

No CB, but it does have a bullbar and winch etc. Easy to drive, I was always mindful of the dimensions, however.

I saw another Lexus LC on the road.

stickguy

I had a rental Uhaul Ford Transit last weekend. Drove really nice. handled well, smooth engine. Light years ahead of the GMC van I had a year ago. And also better than the Euro style Dodge van I had recently.

yeah it was big, but didn't feel it.

the thing that bothers me about PUs these days isn't the length, it is the giant high rise hoods that make it hard to know where the front end is. Must be used to shorter, sloped hoods!

Michaell

There is an H3 down the block from me, and an H2 pickup on the next block over.

fintail

H2s and H3s aren't insanely rare even here, although the H3 pickup is a bit of a unicorn. Definitely see more Teslas than either. Both are obnoxious in their own way.

Michaell

fintail said:

H2s and H3s aren't insanely rare even here, although the H3 pickup is a bit of a unicorn. Definitely see more Teslas than either. Both are obnoxious in their own way.

I'd agree - I see more Teslas than Hummers here in Colorado, as well.

Of course, Colorado has one of the largest state level tax incentives for hybrids in the country.

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

fintail said:

H2s and H3s aren't insanely rare even here, although the H3 pickup is a bit of a unicorn. Definitely see more Teslas than either. Both are obnoxious in their own way.

I'd agree - I see more Teslas than Hummers here in Colorado, as well.

Of course, Colorado has one of the largest state level tax incentives for hybrids in the country.

What a porkbarrel.

ab348

Michaell said:

fintail said:

H2s and H3s aren't insanely rare even here, although the H3 pickup is a bit of a unicorn. Definitely see more Teslas than either. Both are obnoxious in their own way.

I'd agree - I see more Teslas than Hummers here in Colorado, as well.

Of course, Colorado has one of the largest state level tax incentives for hybrids in the country.

And all that weed cash needs to be put into something.

kyfdx

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

fintail said:

H2s and H3s aren't insanely rare even here, although the H3 pickup is a bit of a unicorn. Definitely see more Teslas than either. Both are obnoxious in their own way.

I'd agree - I see more Teslas than Hummers here in Colorado, as well.

Of course, Colorado has one of the largest state level tax incentives for hybrids in the country.

And all that weed cash needs to be put into something.

Doritos

Michaell

kyfdx said:

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

fintail said:

H2s and H3s aren't insanely rare even here, although the H3 pickup is a bit of a unicorn. Definitely see more Teslas than either. Both are obnoxious in their own way.

I'd agree - I see more Teslas than Hummers here in Colorado, as well.

Of course, Colorado has one of the largest state level tax incentives for hybrids in the country.

And all that weed cash needs to be put into something.

Doritos

Technically, the sales tax from marijuana sales is put into K-12 education, but I see your point.

Mr_Shiftright

texases said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

New white Chevy Suburban LS 4X4---all 5800 lbs. of it crossing the front of my Mini--for a minute there I thought it was a tidal wave about to hit. That thing is BIG. (225") , and 6ft 3in high.

Did you feel a gravitational tug?

Man if that thing hit me they wouldn't even know it until I texted them from under the truck.

fintail

Saw an Evoque cabrio today, for the spoiled coed spawn of a Supercharged Range Rover driver.

fintail

I can't wait for that ridiculous break to end. I don't know if people will learn that trickle down doesn't work, and those things aren't "zero emissions". Around here, they seem to emit more lack of self-awareness smug emissions than Prius.

Regarding pot taxes, I have no idea where they go here, obviously not into infrastructure.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:

fintail said:

H2s and H3s aren't insanely rare even here, although the H3 pickup is a bit of a unicorn. Definitely see more Teslas than either. Both are obnoxious in their own way.

I'd agree - I see more Teslas than Hummers here in Colorado, as well.

Of course, Colorado has one of the largest state level tax incentives for hybrids in the country.

What a porkbarrel.

Michaell

fintail said:

I can't wait for that ridiculous break to end. I don't know if people will learn that trickle down doesn't work, and those things aren't "zero emissions". Around here, they seem to emit more lack of self-awareness smug emissions than Prius.

Regarding pot taxes, I have no idea where they go here, obviously not into infrastructure.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:

fintail said:

H2s and H3s aren't insanely rare even here, although the H3 pickup is a bit of a unicorn. Definitely see more Teslas than either. Both are obnoxious in their own way.

I'd agree - I see more Teslas than Hummers here in Colorado, as well.

Of course, Colorado has one of the largest state level tax incentives for hybrids in the country.

What a porkbarrel.

Free market - yeah, right.

The same folks who would scream bloody murder about the EV "rebates" being pulled are the same folks whinging about welfare.

fintail

Those who preach free markets are often the last to practice them.

I don't have real issue with a minor incentive for commuter box type cars, but when 100K+ fancy toys sometimes receive five figures worth of combined breaks, it's insane, especially at a time when there's a housing crisis, socio-economic chasm, etc. No doubt the recipients feel it is a reward for "sacrifice", let them eat cake.

Michaell said:

Free market - yeah, right.

The same folks who would scream bloody murder about the EV "rebates" being pulled are the same folks whinging about welfare.

explorerx4

A red Buick Cascada with the top down.

Mr_Shiftright

I don't see a bright future for that car. Opel-based, slower than a UPS truck, and not cheap.

ab348

I think rental car agencies like them.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

I think rental car agencies like them.

There you go--didn't think of that. Perfect Hawaii/Florida rental car.

imidazol97

Michaell said:

Technically, the sales tax from marijuana sales is put into K-12 education, but I see your point.

Yup. The lottery money in Ohio decades ago was supposed to go for secondary education. That was the main tenet for the lobby for the lottery. However, they put the money into secondary education and took away an equivalent amount of state funding so the schools got the same from the state portion of their funding.

Michaell

imidazol97 said:

Michaell said:

Technically, the sales tax from marijuana sales is put into K-12 education, but I see your point.

Yup. The lottery money in Ohio decades ago was supposed to go for secondary education. That was the main tenet for the lobby for the lottery. However, they put the money into secondary education and took away an equivalent amount of state funding so the schools got the same from the state portion of their funding.

I think that's what has happened here - the MJ taxes aren't being added to the budget, and what would normally be directed to K-12 is now going other places.

At the moment, the big need here in CO is infrastructure - the legislature has tried for a couple of years to pass a bill to fund transportation projects, but haven't been able to reach an agreement. It may go to the voters next year.

kyfdx

imidazol97 said:

Michaell said:

Technically, the sales tax from marijuana sales is put into K-12 education, but I see your point.

Yup. The lottery money in Ohio decades ago was supposed to go for secondary education. That was the main tenet for the lobby for the lottery. However, they put the money into secondary education and took away an equivalent amount of state funding so the schools got the same from the state portion of their funding.

All I have to say about that is: Duh...

Just change "Ohio" to the state of your choice. (mine included)

explorerx4

A dark blue Kia Niro and a silver Alpina B7.

stickguy

a burnt orange Chevy SS. Did not look as big as I expected. Not bad looking really. and passing by, a bright orange Lambo of some kind (a newer one).

fintail

Saw another new style XC60, this one with CA "distributor" plates.

fintail

Saw a new Camry on the road - rental.

explorerx4

In the parking lot at work, a new white Mercedes X6 clone and a black Jeep GC SRT8.

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

In the parking lot at work, a new white Mercedes X6 clone and a black Jeep GC SRT8.

GLE Coupe, I'd guess, if it's the same size.

Otherwise, GLC Coupe

stickguy

I was next to a GLE coupe last week. surprisingly tall. and not at all attractive.

fintail

Funny how MB and BMW sometimes copy each other. MB makes CLS, eventually BMW makes 6er Gran Coupe. BMW makes X6/X4, MB makes GLC/GLE "coupes". MB makes B-class, BMW makes 2er "Active Tourer". And so on.

Speaking of BMWs, I got behind a Rolls-Royce Ghost today, it was only going about 20 over.

berri

'18 Camry rental on the street already. I suppose it is a way to get some miles on a newly released vehicle quickly for feedback.

texases

I've read a number of good reviews of the Camry, make it sound like a legit Mazda6 competitor in terms of ride and handling.

fintail

This was my second spotting of a new Camry rental. Maybe production has ramped up. For all the snark about GM and rental cars, Toyota, Nissan, and Hyunkia now are equally as involved.

ab348

In traffic about a block from my house, a nice-looking Bentley Continental coupe in a pretty light metallic blue. Couldn't see the license plate so no idea if it is a local. If it was, most people here would think the owner must have done something wrong in order to have it.

texases

Not yet. I don't understand "M" versions of the X5 or X6, or the top end AMG versions of MB's GLE or GLS vehicles, either.

fintail

You often don't get that kind of money by following the rules

To be fair, the typical black money set on the west coast seems to prefer German cars, aside from high spec Maserati, Range Rovers and maybe a few AMs or Rolls-Royce.

ab348 said:

In traffic about a block from my house, a nice-looking Bentley Continental coupe in a pretty light metallic blue. Couldn't see the license plate so no idea if it is a local. If it was, most people here would think the owner must have done something wrong in order to have it.