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

ateixeira

Looks better out on the road than in photos. The area below the C-pillar still looks too bulky, though.

Also saw a new Explorer, but they're not as common as I thought they'd be.

-juice

anythngbutgm

I've got a group of people around my office who are wondering where that extremely loud burst of laughter came from... That was hilarious.

navigator89

a beige Maserati Quattroporte, my second since Tuesday. Also a white Avalon.

And when I went to Starbucks, I saw a black 2007 Mercedes S500 with Saudi plates. Probably belonged to some rich oil sheik. Anyway the car really is big and looks much better than it did in the recent Edmunds Full Test. The interior is really nice, even though it's styling is heavily borrowed from the BMW 7 Series. I like the exterior styling, even though many others dont.

natenj1971

Yesterday I saw a gray (they call is grigio touring) Maserati Quattroporte in Secaucus. Nice looking older (60s)couple in the front. Sharp car.

This morning I saw Mercedes-Benz 350R Class in black speeding eastward on 57th (and 3rd) older guy - 60s. Looks like a minivan to me (it's a lot larger in person - and extremly unattractive).

prosa

Today's Wall Street Journal listed the ten quickest-selling cars in the United States, measured by the average number of days spent on dealers' lots. All three Scion models were included but shouldn't really count given the company's sales practices. Most of the others were about what you'd expect; there was the Solstice and Prius of course, and the new/newly restyled IS350, RAV4 and Civic. I was more surprised to see the Range Rover Sport, given its high price. But the hot-selling model that really surprised me was, of all things, the Saturn VUE. Who would have imagined it?

gsemike

VUEs start off really cheap. That counts for something. I'm not crazy about the new grille, but of the vue/equinox/torrent family, the vue is the best option.

ateixeira

In hot demand? Did they have a problem with supply or something? :confuse:

How bizarre. It just got a face-lift but I'm very surprised demand is high like that.

-juice

210delray

Hard to believe, but GM made the VUE's front end even uglier than it was before.

teds1

I finally saw a fusion in the wild last night in a very nice red. Maybe it was the glossy new paint but even my girlfriend (who couldn't care less about cars and whined that I made her watch part of the awesome TOP GEAR Marathon on discovery last night) thought it was a damn fine looking car. The irony is that they had to make it look Japanese to finally get some attractive styling on a Ford. It is better looking than any Toyota at the moment for sure. I hope it works out for them. I have seen the other versions already (Milan Zephyr) and I was way less impressed. The chrome add ons just hide the basic fusion shape which is nice. Plus if you bought it you could save on Mach III razor blade replacements with that grill.

nweaver

New to this site. Hope someone can help. Saw two new Fords today in the UP of Michigan winter testing I guess. One a white 4 door Ranger like pick up truck. That I figured out, the other looked like the size of an Escape but it carried it's spare tire on the outside with the license plate off set in the rear door. It had a roof spoiler like they put on Windstars too. 4 doors with clear lights like is all the rage now. Both were masked but there was one Ford sticker on the pickup. I didn't know that they were doing anything to the Escape. Any ideas?? Thanks. NW :confuse:

jcat707

Could that Escape looking vehicle have been a Freelander. That truck has a spare tire on the back and it's pretty much the same size as the Escape.

PF_Flyer

Driving home on a rural two lane, 45mph limit, I found myself behind an Insight. Nothing really unusual in that, but then he started accelerating... up to 60 mph and stayed that way until he reached his driveway where he slowed down sharply to turn in.

Not exactly hypermiling...LOL

navigator89

a Lamborghini Murcielago merging on the highway. I dislike the color, it was a greyish silver. IMO the Murcielago should only be in red, black, orange or yellow.

Also a Rolls Royce, driven by a woman, in a weird color, blue-green.

Also saw a Hyundai Sonata today...but it was a taxi. Pretty odd and rare to see them being used as taxis.
Usually taxis are Corollas, Crown Victorias, Camrys, Lancer..

guss

That may have been a Ford Edge. It's in addition to the Escape, not a replacement.

I did not think they were hanging the spare on the outside though.

fintail

I saw 4 or 5 new Impalas over the weekend. They were ALL rentals. This fleet thing really needs to be modified.

In contrast, probably only half the G6 I see are rentals, and even less of the LaCrosse/Lucernes I have seen have been rentals. I see quite a few private Cobalts too.

I also saw another lowline hubcap wearing Passat, and a hubcap wearing new Jetta too. These hubcap cars look cheap, the hubcaps are just so plain. Some caps look like wheels in a way...not these.

gsemike

Where do you live where they use Corollas and Lancers for taxies?

I saw a Licoln Zephyr today. As a Mercury it would be fine but it just does not look like a premium car. It's a step back from the LS which was bigger and rear drive w a V8 option.

navigator89

Look at my profile, I live in Kuwait.

imidazol97

I looked closely as I passed a Hertz rental. It had two Camrys, a Corolla, a Kia van, an Impala. I don't know what units they had out on rental, of course. But I notice more and more this location has foreign brands. But people may not be choosing them and taking others instead. I'll check the next time I'm going by this outstation.

ateixeira

Could also be the new SporTrac, just out, and the new Edge crossover.

Zephyr name is dead, ain't that funny? MKS now, I believe, with the 3.5l. So just one model year for the Zephyr.

-juice

teds1

So I saw a really lovely 760i in a parking lot in Long Island this weekend. I got to take a look at it up close and it is of course very nice (with the rear fridge option). I paused though when I saw the baseball hat in the rear window. It said "No Coal No Electricity." Now I'm a petrolhead like anyone one else, but I do consider myself environmentally aware. It sort of struck me that this guy has an incredibly powerful and not particularly efficient engine to pull his 5000 lb luxo sled which he never probably gets over 80 mph, and is glorifying dirty fuel consumption at the same time. It's just so arrogant, like idling an H2 filled with premium just because you can.
Probably one of Cheney's hunting buddies.
little rant there sorry, I do like the car.

navigator89

"Zephyr name is dead, ain't that funny? MKS now, I believe, with the 3.5l. So just one model year for the Zephyr. "

Actually, the Zephyr has been renamed the MKZ. The MKS is another sedan that will go into production in early 2008. We saw it at the Detroit Auto Show.

imidazol97

The coal use in electricity production is controlled and the output is scrubbed so that the idea it's environmentally bad no longer exists, not anymore than building dams and disrupting the environment is good for the environment.

As for the political comments: how do you know it's not one of Hillary's or Shumer's buddies saying one thing in sound bites but doing another in real life!!! grin... :shades:

teds1

Ok I stand corrected on the coal issue, it is probably better than some of the other options out there. But the way the message was presented, flaunted on a baseball cap in the back window of a V12 german luxury car with a fridge, was a little "let them eat cake." given our current slate of global issues. Probably the wrong forum for this anyway. It is a rare car though and is worthy of a post just for the sighting.

fintail

I'd wonder about anyone who puts a baseball cap in the window of a highline V12 BMW...

210delray

Maybe a former blue collar worker who won the lottery?

ateixeira

Sounds like a level of speed. I stand corrected.

Saw a new Civic sedan, a Sonata, and then a RAV4 out on a test drive.

-juice

ghulet

Just went to the Chicago Auto Show yesterday, so saw some new stuff. A few observations:

-liked the Toyota Yaris, and was quite impressed that the 3-door hatch starts at $11k with a/c (though if history is any indication, good luck finding a stripper), though the rear seat is laughable. Perfect car for someone who thinks the current Civics and Corollas are still a bit too much car to drive alone, park on city streets or schlep to the train. The sedan looks almost the size of a Corolla, but for a bit less money (and with a bit less engine--it has the 106hp unit from the Scions, which IIRC was the Echo engine). Speaking of Scions, the xA was one of my S.O.'s favorites, though it's been out two years. The Yaris is a bit more 'fresh', but with the xA, you don't have to mess with Toyota's maddening options bundling/unavailability, they come with everything for $133xx.

Surprisingly, I wasn't too impressed with the Hondas; the Civics seem too big, still hate the dash, and they're expensive ($17800 for an LX?). The Accords seemed pricey too (except for the EXV6 6-speed sedan, which I love, and seems a bargain at $28xxx); even the VP, with its black trim, cheapo wheel covers and two speakers MSRP was $197xx. I know most aren't paying MSRP, but still.

-I wasn't impressed with the new Camry, don't like the styling and the new trend toward the silvery plastic everything interior is not good, IMO. It looks smaller than the outgoing model.

navigator89

while at Starbucks, a light blue Bentley Continental GT coupe. Since it was parked across from my car I got a good look at and in it. The interior is really lavish and the leather of the seats looks unbelievable. Ah, the perfect fusion of leather, chrome and wood.

Also saw two Avalons, in beige and dark blue, two Sonatas in silver and an S Class. Not sure if it was 350 or 500.

Finally a white Passat 2.0, my first Passat seen on the road.

odie6l

does anybody know if the Camaro concept if floating around on the streets? I could have swore I saw one yesterday up near Hershey,Pa on my way to work. It looked like a vette that had a one night stand with a Caddy. I thought it was a vette at first until it turned into the Chevrolet of Hershey dealership and I got a better side profile look, but I could not slow down to take a real good look due to traffic behind me.

It was a Dark Cherry Red, and it looked really nice.

Odie

navigator89

The Camaro concept as far as I know isnt on the streets. A story on Inside Line says that it wont see production until 2010. By then it would be old news. No one would want it. A new Mustang would be out then.

Maybe you were mistaken on what you saw?

odie6l

Well what-ever the car was, it wasn't anywhere in sight when I went past last night, but there was a very large blocked off cubicle that was covered in the center of the showroom. I know GM is planning a big announcement concerning our new Penn State Children's Hospital that we will be building in the new few years (to separate the Children's Hospital and the Main Medical Center). Rumor has it GM is going to be making a monster donation ($5 million+). And don't forget GM is the Primary sponser of Hershey Food, Hersheypark, Penn State, The Medical Center, The Hershey Hotel, and The Chevrolet of Hershey is the only Dealership in the entire Hershey city limits. Plus inside Hersheypark, they always showcase new or upcomming models through-out the year.

Odie

fintail

I saw another Lucerne last night, in a nice looking silver. It suited the car well. I think styling is quickly evolving away from huge light assemblies though, so this car should get a facelift soon.

teds1

I have seen a few lucernes now and I think it could be a sleeper hit. I thought is was another underpowered poorly constructed GM luxo sedan for the baby boomer's parents down in Boca at first but I saw a few live and they look pretty decent. The interior is classy without being showy and they have a crisp shape. What impressed me most was the commercial where they said it starts at $26k. The small print said the "as shown" model was $31k with a V8. Supposedly they are "Lexus Quiet," as well. All of a sudden their market becomes very clear. Anyone buying an ES350/ avalon would really have to think about getting the larger more powerful buick (brand image aside). That pricing makes it really competetive since it is based on the $50k plus DTS. Now I hate soft quiet cars like that, so it is'nt for me but I know a lot of people with the es350 and this would really fit their needs well. Good job GM on this b/c the lacrosse isn't doing squat for Buick.

natenj1971

maybe you saw the caddy xlr?

imidazol97

I see a lot of LaCrosses around our area. I don't know why you would say it's not doing anything. A lot of them spend time in their garages here and are driven by people commuting to work.

ghulet

I saw it at the Chicago Auto Show, and have to say I wasn't impressed, at least not by the body (didn't check out the interior, unfortunately). Looks a bit too much like someone at Nissan figured the styling that suits the larger Altima and Maxima would carry over to a much smaller car. Not so, IMO, it looks awkward.

navigator89

a beige Kia Sedona EX with a family sitting comfortably inside. The new one looks really big from the outside, about the same as the Odyssey. Styling is good too.

Also saw two refreshed Honda Accords, in silver and beige.

210delray

This was only my second sighting. What a sexy looking car! It's obvious why they are selling so well, considering their price.

This one was black, parked on the street in Arlington, VA.

fintail

I saw one of the new oval grilled Jag XKs today...it was less Taurus-like than I expected.

lemko

...spotted a Lincoln Mark LT and a Hummer H-1.

rockylee

Lemko,

What does the Mark LT look like in person ??? :confuse:
Better or Worse ?????

Rocky

lemko

...trucks like this never appealed to me. If I want a truck, I want the most basic one I can find with heavy-duty vinyl seats, and thick rubber floor mats. I'd be using the vehicle for work.

A far as the LT's appearance, it looks better than the silly Blackwood and actually has a functional bed. However, I wouldn't dream of taking such a plush ride onto a construction site.

rockylee

Well you should see the Rich farmers down here drive their Escalades, and EXT's to the farm :surprise:

A $50-60K farm vehicle I told my FIL don't you wish you were that rich of a farmer to do that ???? He says that's what my Vette is for. :confuse:

Must be nice to have the "luxury" to have a luxury or sports car as a work vehicle for buisness and pleasure.

Rocky

rockylee

They are pretty darn expensive if you ask me. I'd take a Slade any day over the Mark LT. But hey the Mark Lt. seams alright.

Rocky

guss

This is kind of cheating because it was sitting in a Ford dealers showroom with a $15K market adjustment sticker(total price $181K). I asked the salesman if I could just sit in. After a quizzical look he said he would need permission from the GM. I just told him not to bother.

I have seen picture of it in the auto magazines but did not realize how low to the ground it really is.

jcat707

I think I saw the new RAV4. It was red like the official pics I've seen here on Edmunds. I only got a chance to see it fro the side and the rear. I think it was the new model because it had the angled rear quarter windows like the Murano. Anyway, it looked okay. I do like the fact that it is available with the 3.5 liter engine but I still would not buy it.

natenj1971

Saw it on third ave. It passed the slow poke MTA bus I was on, so I sorta has an arial view - it was flint grey metallic and not as unattractive as I thought it was in the pics I had seen. The trunk is odd (like bmw bangle butt odd) but I must say it looked fun weaving in and out of traffic on the east side.

210delray

Hey you think like me. Why put carpeting and leather in a truck? I'd gladly take the thick rubber mats, but I think I'd rather stick with cloth seats (I can keep my jeans clean enough, and if not, I can always put a towel on the seat).

My Frontier is pretty basic, but it still has carpeting.

navigator89

a silver Ferrari 360 Spider as it zoomed by me on the highway.

Also two new S Class, in black and white. Didnt get to see if they were S350 or S500.

210delray

Obviously, the people of Kuwait much better off as a whole than the US population. Sightings like yours could only be matched in Beverly Hills/Bel Air, Westchester County, etc.