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

fintail

Stopped by the MB dealer to get a keyfob battery (free), and this was in the showroom:







AMG GT "4 door coupe", the Panamera competitor I guess. No Monroney, apparently this is a "training" car, with manufacturer/distributor plates. Appears to be fully loaded. I can't say I am in love with it, in fact, I am a little offended by the fender "vents".

Michaell

fintail said:

Stopped by the MB dealer to get a keyfob battery (free), and this was in the showroom:







AMG GT "4 door coupe", the Panamera competitor I guess. No Monroney, apparently this is a "training" car, with manufacturer/distributor plates. Appears to be fully loaded. I can't say I am in love with it, in fact, I am a little offended by the fender "vents".

Is that a hatchback?

Looks sufficiently aggressive, though I imagine that rear seat headroom is only good for kids under the age of 12.

tifighter

The word "severe' comes to mind...

fintail

Yep I believe it is a hatchback, same hatch as on the actual coupe version of the AMG GT.

And the fender vents, unless I overlooked something, completely fake.

texases

The 4-doors AMG GT is more based on the CLS, right?

berri

Fin, kind of hard to criticize Toyota and not this MB. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose or different strokes for different folks.

fintail

I criticized it. Those fender vents, ugh. But at least it isn't slashed about on the sides.

Yes, I believe this is related to the CLS, both of which have an E-class basis - so instead of costing twice as much as a basic E, this will cost thrice as much.

texases

I drove next to its competition on the way home - the new Panamera. Much better proportions than the prior one. First one I've seen.

berri

But at least it isn't slashed about on the sides.

Just like NYC and West Side Story - wait, you're probably too young for that

ab348

What's with all the angry/scary front ends these days? Not a good trend.

fintail

Seems hard to find a car without leering eyes, not to mention an entire scowling face, these days. Let's make our bland reliable products look aggressive lol.

texases

Mazda seems to have some of the most balanced styling out there right now.

texases

First new NSX in the wild today. I like the look. I actually wasn't a big fan of the 1st gen NSX styling. Great car, but the styling never grabbed me.

laurasdada

texases said:

First new NSX in the wild today. I like the look. I actually wasn't a big fan of the 1st gen NSX styling. Great car, but the styling never grabbed me.

I agree about the first gen NSX styling. The back of the car seemed a bit too extended to me. I'd still take one, though!

bhill2

fintail said:

Stopped by the MB dealer to get a keyfob battery (free), and this was in the showroom:







AMG GT "4 door coupe", the Panamera competitor I guess. No Monroney, apparently this is a "training" car, with manufacturer/distributor plates. Appears to be fully loaded. I can't say I am in love with it, in fact, I am a little offended by the fender "vents".

I am waiting with bated breath for the arrival of the AMG E53 sedan. It may easily induce me to pull a trigger that I only pull every 10 years or so (sedan purchase). The BMW 335i is getting a little elderly, and God I love straight sixes (especially ones with 429 horsepower).

texases

First time, an "e-Golf", followed it in today. Has a range of about 130 miles, apparently. Not for sale here: "Sorry, the e-Golf will be available only at participating dealers in California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, DC."

fintail

First MB I6 in around 20 years, IIRC. Should be pretty nice, I will be interested to see how they hold their value, as a new one will be too rich for my blood.

bhill2 said:

I am waiting with bated breath for the arrival of the AMG E53 sedan. It may easily induce me to pull a trigger that I only pull every 10 years or so (sedan purchase). The BMW 335i is getting a little elderly, and God I love straight sixes (especially ones with 429 horsepower).

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

First MB I6 in around 20 years, IIRC. Should be pretty nice, I will be interested to see how they hold their value, as a new one will be too rich for my blood.

bhill2 said:

I am waiting with bated breath for the arrival of the AMG E53 sedan. It may easily induce me to pull a trigger that I only pull every 10 years or so (sedan purchase). The BMW 335i is getting a little elderly, and God I love straight sixes (especially ones with 429 horsepower).

Well you know---new AMGs tend to take a beating in depreciation during the first few years and most continue to drop. A C43 AMG can be had for around $7500 median at auction, and they are rare, too.

fintail

That seems to be around the depreciation floor for old AMGs - you can go cheaper, but I wouldn't recommend it. I wouldn't be shopping for a 20 year old car though. I had a C43 once, the V8 W202, that is. For that model, I think around 400-500 units per year on average were brought over. AMGs from around 2003 onwards were generally sold in significantly higher numbers.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well you know---new AMGs tend to take a beating in depreciation during the first few years and most continue to drop. A C43 AMG can be had for around $7500 median at auction, and they are rare, too.

fintail

Saw not one but two Jeeps with dorky clip on plastic angry faces today - I'd be just a little embarrassed to have this:

bhill2

fintail said:

That seems to be around the depreciation floor for old AMGs - you can go cheaper, but I wouldn't recommend it. I wouldn't be shopping for a 20 year old car though. I had a C43 once, the V8 W202, that is. For that model, I think around 400-500 units per year on average were brought over. AMGs from around 2003 onwards were generally sold in significantly higher numbers.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well you know---new AMGs tend to take a beating in depreciation during the first few years and most continue to drop. A C43 AMG can be had for around $7500 median at auction, and they are rare, too.

Excuse me, but you guys are raining on my parade. You're probably right though. *sigh*.

fintail

If you bought a nice car 20 years ago for 50K (approximate price of a new C43 then), drove it, and it is still worth $7500, I think you did fairly well. 20 years is a long time.

A new E53 will never be a real collectible, so if you want one, get one and enjoy it. Or order one in a spec I would choose, baby it, and sell it to me in a few years when the worst depreciation has taken its toll

bhill2 said:

Excuse me, but you guys are raining on my parade. You're probably right though. *sigh*.

Mr_Shiftright

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

That seems to be around the depreciation floor for old AMGs - you can go cheaper, but I wouldn't recommend it. I wouldn't be shopping for a 20 year old car though. I had a C43 once, the V8 W202, that is. For that model, I think around 400-500 units per year on average were brought over. AMGs from around 2003 onwards were generally sold in significantly higher numbers.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well you know---new AMGs tend to take a beating in depreciation during the first few years and most continue to drop. A C43 AMG can be had for around $7500 median at auction, and they are rare, too.

Excuse me, but you guys are raining on my parade. You're probably right though. *sigh*.

No rain intended. We're just telling you to bring an umbrella, just in case.

RE: Jeep with funky grille. --- they're trying to imitate those Ultra4 desert racers, I think. The bumper decal is hysterical ---"safaripal"-----really? Is that like "Everest Summit Buddy"?

fintail

Decked out Jeeps with dopey grilles are the Seattle/Bellevue equivalent to overcompensating brotrucks. Trying to look menacing, lolol.

Saw a new style E coupe pulling out of the building where I live, either someone has a fancy new car or it was a visitor, never seen it before. Gotta look around.

bhill2

fintail said:

If you bought a nice car 20 years ago for 50K (approximate price of a new C43 then), drove it, and it is still worth $7500, I think you did fairly well. 20 years is a long time.

A new E53 will never be a real collectible, so if you want one, get one and enjoy it. Or order one in a spec I would choose, baby it, and sell it to me in a few years when the worst depreciation has taken its toll

bhill2 said:

Excuse me, but you guys are raining on my parade. You're probably right though. *sigh*.

It’s a thought, Fin, but I should warn you that the last Mercedes we bought we kept for 26 years, and it would have been longer if the old girl had not been toasted. Oh, and it was used when we bought it.

fintail

Oh yeah, your W126

Maybe you should try to find another similar car. Nice ones are out there. It'd be easy to learn, maybe more relaxing to drive, and the best-of-the-best 126s are becoming sought after, and have definitely stopped depreciating.

bhill2 said:

It’s a thought, Fin, but I should warn you that the last Mercedes we bought we kept for 26 years, and it would have been longer if the old girl had not been toasted. Oh, and it was used when we bought it.

bhill2

fintail said:

Oh yeah, your W126

Maybe you should try to find another similar car. Nice ones are out there. It'd be easy to learn, maybe more relaxing to drive, and the best-of-the-best 126s are becoming sought after, and have definitely stopped depreciating.

bhill2 said:

It’s a thought, Fin, but I should warn you that the last Mercedes we bought we kept for 26 years, and it would have been longer if the old girl had not been toasted. Oh, and it was used when we bought it.

You know, Fin, I have considered that maybe for our second/pleasure car. We loved that old tank, it had become a trusted family member. If I were to go looking, my impression is that I would be better served by a 420 than a 560 because of less complication. Also, I assume that the later ones (say '89 - '91) would be preferable. Am I on the right track?

fintail

I'd support that decision, but you probably already know that.

I don't know if maintenance would be a big deal between a 420 and 560, if a limited use car. These days, I would choose the nicest car possible rather than limiting it by engine. The I6 300SE/SEL is even easier to maintain, but the trimmings are only maybe 90% as fancy (different wood, a couple less gadgets) than a 560, but they will be slower. The 89+ cars are probably the most refined, as that year there was a mild facelift with revised steering wheel and upholstery, and passenger airbags became more common. Budget maybe 15K for a fairly pristine car, or 10K or so for one that gets driven more. These prices are for cars with few to no needs. They can be found much cheaper, but I think you personally really want a minter.

bhill2 said:

You know, Fin, I have considered that maybe for our second/pleasure car. We loved that old tank, it had become a trusted family member. If I were to go looking, my impression is that I would be better served by a 420 than a 560 because of less complication. Also, I assume that the later ones (say '89 - '91) would be preferable. Am I on the right track?

Michaell

Spotted this today:

explorerx4

@micheall,
Did you give it a go to see if it was real or faux?

qbrozen

My 280hp Alfa has bigger tailpipes than that. Just sayin.

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

@micheall,
Did you give it a go to see if it was real or faux?

No.

He turned left, and I made a U-Turn.

Also, I was in the Jetta; most everything can take me.

stickguy

wife and I saw an X4 at the dealer on Saturday. She asked what the heck it was. Did not find it attractive at all. Yet she loved the X2.

explorerx4

@michaell,
I was just having a little fun. Feel the same way driving my Fusion, still like it though.

tjc78

I’m sure your truck could win a few stop light challenges.

texases

No problem beating one of these, followed a new one in today. It's SMALL!

fushigi

Mirage is cheap (starts at $13,395) and reasonably fuel efficient (37/43) but I don't think it represents a good value. I'd recommend a lightly used compact like Elantra or Sentra over it.

My sighting today was a presumably not-new Acura ZDX in front of me. Had to pass it quick to avoid having to look at it for too long & risk my eyes burning.

explorerx4

@tjc78,
That's all rumor and speculation.

fintail

At least the BMW wasn't an X6, maybe the only way it could have more potential to offend.

boomchek

Some of the Mirages come with front power windows and rear roll ups. Kind of like the Neons or SX 2.0's from years ago. I guess they have to cut costs somewhere. The 3 cylinder engine under the hood looks like a lawnmower engine. I think they started at $9,995 CDN when they were relaunched a few years ago.

boomchek

fushigi said:

Mirage is cheap (starts at $13,395) and reasonably fuel efficient (37/43) but I don't think it represents a good value. I'd recommend a lightly used compact like Elantra or Sentra over it.

My sighting today was a presumably not-new Acura ZDX in front of me. Had to pass it quick to avoid having to look at it for too long & risk my eyes burning.

The ZDX kind of grew on me. I think it looks better than the X6 for a "SUV coupe".

Speaking of SUVs, I saw the new Discovery on the road for the first time few weeks ago and it looks very oddly proportioned from the rear. Narrow and tall. Land Rover has a really nice looking lineup imo but the Disco just looks odd. It probably didn't help that suspension was set to off road as it was riding super high and gave it an even more awkward appearance.

texases

Reminds me of the too-narrow first-gen SRX:

boomchek

Funny thing I rarely see any first gen SRXs on the road anymore. There used to be quite a few of them out there but from experience in the auto business they weren't the most reliable Caddys.

fintail

Those are getting rare. I know someone who's mom bought/leased one new. They had more than a couple issues with it. It was replaced by a Crosstour, which was awkward looking but had no issues. Now they have a current model Pilot.

boomchek

Crosstours are pretty obscure as well.

fintail

Most days at work I see a Crosstour or ZDX in the parking garage. This area has plenty of issues, but a lack of unusual cars isn't one of them.

tjc78

My Mom had the Toyota equivalent of those for awhile.   It actually was a fairly versatile vehicle with tons of room inside.  IMO the Venza was the best looking iteration of the tall station wagons. 

fushigi

One neighbor has - and likes - a Crosstour so I see one daily. He's not really a car guy and is, I think, content with having a little more utility than an Accord without having to go all the way to an SUV or minivan (which his wife drives).

Most of my immediate neighbors are in the minivan + 'other' camp where other might be another minivan, a sedan, or a SUV. As the kids are growing & some are off to college it'll be interesting to see if the car choices change. One did exchange their minivan for a Traverse; I expect that sort of exchange to continue.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

My Mom had the Toyota equivalent of those for awhile.   It actually was a fairly versatile vehicle with tons of room inside.  IMO the Venza was the best looking iteration of the tall station wagons. 

I think the Venza has better packaging for passengers and cargo. Not so sloped.

tjc78

fushigi said:

One neighbor has - and likes - a Crosstour so I see one daily. He's not really a car guy and is, I think, content with having a little more utility than an Accord without having to go all the way to an SUV or minivan (which his wife drives). Most of my immediate neighbors are in the minivan + 'other' camp where other might be another minivan, a sedan, or a SUV. As the kids are growing & some are off to college it'll be interesting to see if the car choices change. One did exchange their minivan for a Traverse; I expect that sort of exchange to continue.

My wife has told me she wants an SUV for the foreseeable future.  

I will most likely keep a car for my driving.   We work in the same office so minimum 3/5 days we ride in together and take her car.  

My kids are still small and in car seats (my son is pretty much ready for a booster but still fits) so the three row SUV is nice to have.