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

kyfdx

Audi Q8. Great proportions vs the Q7. I can see why it’s popular.

fintail

Saw another E wagon on the highway this morning. I tried to catch up for maybe some brotherhood recognition, but I had to exit.

I've also seen a ton of the big boy Subaru lately.

stickguy

a new RAV4. In Cab service in NYC.

fintail

I've seen a couple Ford Ecosport lately, more than I have seen before. Those small SWB CUVs still don't look right to me, like they are intended for a less developed market. Then again, given some socio-economics, maybe that's good planning.

Michaell

fintail said:

I've seen a couple Ford Ecosport lately, more than I have seen before. Those small SWB CUVs still don't look right to me, like they are intended for a less developed market. Then again, given some socio-economics, maybe that's good planning.

Weren't they originally for India?

fintail

I think you may be correct, it has that or a China look to it.

Michaell said:

Weren't they originally for India?

thebean

Michaell said:

fintail said:

I've seen a couple Ford Ecosport lately, more than I have seen before. Those small SWB CUVs still don't look right to me, like they are intended for a less developed market. Then again, given some socio-economics, maybe that's good planning.

Weren't they originally for India?

I’m pretty sure they originated in India.

kyfdx

The slowest car that C&D tested last year.

explorerx4

Ecosport made in India.
Saw a Titan XD.

tifighter

Toyota Mirai. Burgundy color.

tlong

uplanderguy said:

I like Chevys, lifelong thing the way other people like a sports team, and have had good service with them, but I just can't like the new Blazer. I think "Nissan" when I look at one, with the quarter panel kick-up. Made in Mexico, too.

RE.: Your wife being a 'brand snob'; I am too, but a reverse-brand snob, LOL. I'm proud that the most I ever paid for a new vehicle was $24K and that was our '05 Uplander van. Our '19 Equinox LT was two grand below that. And I think that's too much money, LOL.

Another Chevy I just can't like : Camaro. I've tried. I don't.

On the other hand, I very-much like the C7 Corvette in base trim. A good buy too in that class I think.

I read they take their last C7 orders on June 23.

I agree that the Camaro is ugly and the Corvette is gorgeous.

tlong

A BMW 228i. Looked older, like a 5-10 yo 3-series. Was this a 3 series with a smaller engine from overseas? Or a different series?

explorerx4

My next door neighbor brought home a new A220 sedan.
sat in the passenger seat to check it out a bit, seems nice.
It's red, but almost exactly the same color as the 10 year old 3 series she sold, kind of amazing.
I told her Mercedes really wanted her to buy one of their cars, so they made one in her color.

stickguy

I liked that car when we saw it at the car show.

fintail

Saw a new style G-Wagen on the road today, and yet another new Corolla.

thebean

A red Civic Type R shined up to beat the band. Man, that wing is big.

stickguy

I’ve seen a couple new corollas. And a few altimas. Was expecting more of them, but might just not notice them.

ab348

The other day in a parking lot I walked behind a new Camry - I think it was the top-line model, the XSE. White with a black roof IIRC. But since I went behind it I got to see those black things hanging down from the taillights.



I was surprised to see they are apparently black plastic fake slit vents. They have louvers of a sort molded into them. Once again I am reminded of Nancy Kerrigan: "Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?"

stickguy

Sporty!

tjc78

Over styling at it's finest.

explorerx4

The new Camry does have a sporty design, but those fake vents and taillight corners that look like the red broke off diminish the look.

tifighter

I was in Japan again two weeks ago and saw a number of US Camrys being used for taxi service. Mostly hybrids, but still a big car in Japan. I was a little surprised.

berri

Those aren't plastic slit vents, they are tears of joy

fintail

Saw a Karma Revero on the road today, appeared to be an almost 50s looking pale blue color.

explorerx4

Video of new Explorer being assembled, about 5-6 minutes long.
https://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/67366-2020-explorer-production-video/

explorerx4

My neighbor who bought the red A220, is now driving a black CLA
After 5 days, SRS and service required popped up.
So now waiting of some part.

thebean

explorerx4 said:

My neighbor who bought the red A220, is now driving a black CLA
After 5 days, SRS and service required popped up.
So now waiting of some part.

Have them call @driver100 and he can explain the many advantages to owning a Benz. That should make them feel much better.

tjc78

.... pass the popcorn. This is gonna be good

fintail

First year model might have a quirk here and there, breaking news?

I am surprised at the very few A sedans I have seen on the road. But maybe not, given the CUV craze still in high gear.

tjc78

Sedans just don’t sell.

I was having a conversation with a guy at work about this the other day. If you want an SUV you have tons of choices, sedans are much more limited.

At least they are discounted well.

motoent

Yeah, same problem abroad. In Germany, it's station wagon central. They had to invent the four-door "coupe"--like the Mercedes CLS or BMW gran coupe--to get people to buy a four-door car with a trunk again, just as long as it's not called a sedan.

Of course, you can combine the two concepts and then you end up with the "shooting brake," which brings me to my spot ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2d9Kn5iqlI

fintail

I think trunkback sedans have an old people stigma in some places - I know in Germany, an E sedan is considered a "Rentnertraum" - pensioner's dream. Traditional sedans seem to carry the best lease deals on this side of the pond, anyway.

Wagons have an even worse image in the US, BMW dropped the 5er wagon for NA a decade ago, and E wagons make up a whopping 4% of E sales. I drivee an E wagon, and more than one co-worker gave me a funny look when I told them about it - they all wanted me to get some kind of SUV. No surprise, the ones I even kind of like, I can't afford.

Cool video, makes me want to go back to Germany asap. Lane discipline, such a weird concept.

andres3

Audi won't even bring the RS4 Avant (wagon) to us in the USA

fintail

MB won'y give us a C wagon of any flavor - and the killer is they are sold in Canada.

bhill2

fintail said:

MB won'y give us a C wagon of any flavor - and the killer is they are sold in Canada.

I was an adolescent during a period when the fashion among young men was pants so tight that going downstairs could ultimately substitute for a vasectomy. It's amazing what people will do or not do in the name of looking good.

berri

A220 is the new Canadian, now Airbus jet Delta just started flying. Even though smaller than a B737, Boeing tried to claim it was unfair competition.

fintail

Gotta keep those sweet GLA/GLC profit margins. I am quite surprised we get the A trunkback sedan.

Canada also gets the E53 wagon. I like the I6, but I am not sold on the sport trim and suspension, I prefer the lux trim on my car.

Got behind a C63S coupe in traffic while in the fintail today. Talk about extremes. Also several new Corollas, all rentals. Lots of festivals etc in this region for the week, so we are loaded up with tourists. Tons of Altima rentals, too.

bhill2 said:

I was an adolescent during a period when the fashion among young men was pants so tight that going downstairs could ultimately substitute for a vasectomy. It's amazing what people will do or not do in the name of looking good.

fintail

Had a few minutes to pass today, stopped by MB, Porsche, BMW, and Audi lots (they are all within a couple miles here). MB highlights were a white on white S560 cabrio ($156K), white AMG GT 4 door coupe ($162K),
unusually lightly equipped S560 coupe that I think was around $130K (not showing up in inventory) and an assortment of usual cars - no wagons on site. Porsche appeared to have received a full day's production of Macan - every color and variety stacked like firewood around the lot, barely room to move. Audi had a similar volume of Q5 to the point where parking was hard to find. BMW had a couple of new M340 sedans in the $60-65K range, a M3 CS for something like $120K, X7 at $110K.

fintail

Saw a goodie at the grocery store today. E400 wagon, 17-18 model. Grey, lux trim like mine, 18" wheels (mine are 19"), but apparent full load otherwise, I could see it had distronic and HUD, and the big deal, a Designo interior. Someone paid up for that baby when new, probably around 90K.

berri

...and are still paying for it with the dollars in depreciation

fintail

Those who actually buy one can afford it

IIRC E wagon buyers have been the wealthiest MB customer demographic for some time. I came along to lower the numbers a little

berri

Personally, I think MB wagons look better than their SUV/CUV companions. The wagon has a sleekness to it.

fintail

I won't disagree. Although I like G-Wagens for what they are, I think the best looking normal MB SUV/CUV is the GLC - and it resembles a lifted C wagon. I am still irked that the hardworking MBA braintrust at MBUSA doesn't offer the C wagon here, but I suppose the profit margins are larger on the bloatlings.

tifighter

Silver MB EQC while in Amsterdam. The new electric one. GLC sized. Not the prettiest face.

sda

On my drive home from picking up my daughter near Atlanta, a very nice black with black vinyl top, tear drop factory alloys with correct whitewalls, a 93 Cadillac Fleetwood fwd. It had N.C. plates and was keeping up with the 75 mph traffic. It was 90 degrees out, ac must have been working, windows were closed and the driver looked relaxed and enjoying the drive.

fintail

On the road today new Mazda 3 super blind spot edition, and at the visitor parking area at work, an E450 cabrio in dark blue on white with a white steering wheel.

texases

I was stunned when I saw pics of that Mazda, and not in a good way.

stickguy

at Lowe's, a Corolla hatch with temp tags. Actually not too bad looking, but I only saw it from the rear and side!

tjc78

Most Toyota’s look ok....until you see the front.

They are “butta-faces”

fintail

Maybe the Corolla was a west coast launch, seeing numerous sedans on the road now, lots of rentals. Also saw a hatch model today.