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

stickguy

Saw a new style 5 series, in silver. Looked just like my BILs new one. Except for the bling wheels.

God awful things. Probably 22s, but the looked like giant pizza pans (round side out). It was terrible moving, probably even worse standing still.

And way to take one of the best ride/handling combos ever, and make it drive like a checker cab!

gsemike

In the same parking lot, I saw a new MDX aqnd a new Veracruz.

The MDX is a mess. The color of the rear bumper cover did not blend well into the body paint at all and it just looked like a overdone mess. One thing I noticed is that there is a trend towards lips over the wheel wells that are very tall and flattended out. The MDX has it as does the Altima. I don't like it.

The Veracruz on the other hand looked quite nice. It looks to be as big as an Explorer with very nice flowing lines. Hyundai has really come a long way.

fintail

I saw 3 new CLK63s at the dealer today. Amusing that a car that bases at nearly 90K has navi as an option.

Also, an Altima coupe and about 20 new MDXs.

british_rover

I saw 3 new CLK63s at the dealer today. Amusing that a car that bases at nearly 90K has navi as an option.


Thats Mercedes for you...

I just sold a LR2 to a guy that has a 2007 CLK550 with the full AMG package but no AMG badging thank god. He just likes the look of the AMG wheels and grill and doesn't care about the extra hundred something horsepower. There isn't any place to use it around here anyway.

fintail

The CLKs seem to get that package much more often than the sedans. I've only seen one E350 with that stuff.

I do like the E63 wheels, I think they'd look OK on my car.

This dealer also had an S550 loaded up with AMG package and many other toys, pushed the sticker to something like 115K.

teds1

I always see CLS s with the AMG trim package (even a badge)
I guess if it is factory it isn't as offensive

fintail

It could be worse, but it could be better by not existing at all. AMG is now used as a trim package and a cash grab. I miss the old days when it was something really exclusive that you didn't see every day. I remember back in 1996 when I saw my first C36 in traffic, I took photos of it!

kyfdx

..just because I can..

A base Cayman is pretty well equipped at $55K..they had 3 of them for around that MSRP. And, there was a well equipped Cayman S for $63K.. CHEAP!

The last time I stopped by this winter, all they had were loaded up S models for over $70K...

So, with my CR-V trade... hmmm...

british_rover

The regular Cayman is fine and I can't ever see spending over $70k to get the one we took in trade.

ateixeira

$63k is cheap?

That's roughly the balance on my beach condo mortgage.

So I can keep my Miata and drive it to the beach, or get the Porsche and drive to the beach and be homeless.

british_rover

Ahh but to be homeless with a Porsche at the beach...

I think I take the Porsche.

kyfdx

Yeah... I've been to the beach lots of times.. never needed a house. I've got one of those, already..

ateixeira

I guess all things are relative, and if you were used to seeing prices in the $70s then low $60s seems "cheap".

That's my problem, though, I'm way too practical.

I got a 3 series convertible brochure. Tempting. But then I think of what else I could do for $50 grand plus. No way.

Maybe a used Elise for $20k or so. Have they dropped that far in price yet?

kyfdx

Elise for $20K? Don't think so..

I'm with you on the 3-series convertible.. For $50K+, I'd probably get a.... CAYMAN

ateixeira

You know how cheap Saab leases are, maybe I should lease a 9-3 'vert.

Nah, I keep my cars a long time. My Miata is 14 years old, and I bought it used. To be honest there's nothing wrong with it now.

kyfdx

My wife got her convertible on a cheap lease (relatively speaking... it's still a load).

But, it's her daily driver.... so, for a little more, she gets fun in the sun!!

Really... I need a Cayman...

ateixeira

I'd rather have a Boxster. I know I don't have the time to take it to the track, and couldn't risk damaging something that valuable on the track anyway.

I look at the Cayman and think, that would look great as a roadster.

Plus, since when does the coupe cost MORE than the roadster? It should be the other way around.

Sure, it's more rigid, and that matters on the track, but how often on public roads will you exceed a Boxster S' capabilities? Plus, with the top down, you feel the experience a whole lot more. Better visibility, better sounds, immerse yourself in the drive.

I dunno, my Miata feels faster than it is because you become part of the environment around you. I guess I just like open air cars.

kyfdx

We've had the convertible for about 1.5 years, and I'm over it... I like it.. but, I'd rather have the coupe.

I think just the opposite.. I really like the look of the Cayman over the Boxster. I'm not sure of the price difference, but it's really small... The cars are within a couple thousand of each other.

I'll be honest... the chances of me tracking a $50K+ car are between slim and none.. But, it isn't about maximum capabilities... The chassis flex, noise, visibility, etc.. are completely different between a coupe and convertible.

I'd just rather have the coupe. (in this case, disregard visibility.. it isn't that great in the Cayman, either).

I'll be honest, again... The chances of me getting a Cayman are pretty slim... I'll have to wait until at least 2011, before a used one will drop into my price range.

regards,
kyfdx

ateixeira

Taurus - with the Mach III shaving system grille. Convenient if you forget to shave.

CX7 - like those, but hate the small interior.

SL - top down.

Aston Martin convertible - yowsah! Makes the Benz look invisible. Real head turner.

british_rover

Which Aston was it?

I don't think the Vanquish Roadsters are out yet so it had to be a Volante DB9.

anythngbutgm

Those cars are like sex on wheels, the proportions are just about perfect...

I followed a new SLK55 for a while on my way yesterday, that is a great looking roadster. I almost would prefer it over the larger SL.

Also saw a couple of CX-9 utes, a revised Tribeca and a bunch of Civic Si couples and sedans.

Regarding the Cayman, I like it better than the Boxster too. The body lines are better and I like the muscular fender flares over the rear wheels. But that gearbox, ugh...

I guess I am just spoiled by the S2000 6-speeder :shades:

british_rover

those cars are like sex on wheels, the proportions are just about perfect...

Topless sex on wheels I say.

anythngbutgm

lol, yeah, I'd agree to that! :shades:

ateixeira

That was it.

It's funny, you see that and then nothing else does it for you. I stopped looking for new cars after I saw that. You're just done looking when you've found one.

bumpy

Scion xB. What's the deal with the single big backup light mounted in the left side of the bumper?

andys120

I would get the Cayman, it's just a fantastic looking car, even better looking than the Boxster.

However I come from the era when "sports car" meant
roadster. I've owned a couple of two-seaters from the 60s and 70s and I'm definitely planning on adding a Boxster to my stable, I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the DSG-equipped model in 2009 or 10.

ateixeira

Wow again. Never ceases to take my breath away.

This one was a Vanquish coupe.

anythngbutgm

I saw a couple of new Highlanders on the highway heading the other direction, one in silver and one in a lighter blue. Yah know, they don't look all that bland as I thought they were in the pics. Kinda nice actually. My only beef was the large rear overhang which made the back look ungainly.

fintail

SLR McLaren, grey with black wheels, to go with the black one I see aound town now and then

ateixeira

Saw 2 Versa sedans. Odd proportions on that one. I prefer the hatch.

This is funny - my next door neighbor has twin boys. Identical. So I've seen an Elantra 4 door parked outside once in a while. They're in their 20s.

Well, for the first time I saw 2 Elantras parked outside. Didn't realize, but they each own one. Identical twins, identical cars!

At least they got different colors. One is light blue, the other dark blue.

fintail

Bentley Flying Spur, in a very unusual metallic light blue.

teds1

OK I don't know what it is but there are THE MOST RIDICULOUS CARS IN MONTREAL!!! Maybe it's b/c of Formula 1 or the tremblent track... but seriously... come on it's just silly

On the drive up I saw a yellow Diablo, black aston db9 and a red 360 convertible.
Within minutes of arriving though I saw the grand prize of the weekend.... Black RHD R-32 Skyline. I just about wet myself.
I also saw over the next day, a Lotus Esprit, RUF Porsche, Triple Black Z-06 parked behind a db9 coupe, a 2006 911 turbo parked behind a DB7, a Blue F-430 spyder, and a black Gallardo convertible. Also a chain of nice lowriders going up St. Laurent an Rs4, and one more Db9 convertible on my way out of town. I am not mentioning any Porsches sub Turbo or tuners but there were A LOT of those as well.

That is less than 48 hours in Monreal for you.

teds1

Oh and a bunch of Bentley continental variants (spur, convertible, coupe)

fintail

Last night I saw that same blue Flying Spur again, also a yellow Murcielago convertible, and a black DB9 convertible.

There's some kind of souped up late model (back to the oval headlamps) Porsche with a big spoiler that races up and down my street now than then too. It's white, not my first choice.

kyfdx

Mercedes B-class.. (looks like an R-class with the rear chopped off, but smaller).

A couple of Smart ForTwo. Have you noticed? These are really small!!

anythngbutgm

Wow, that sounds like my kinda place! I'll have to get up there sometime. Sounds like a great place for sightings. :shades:

ateixeira

Vantage coupe this time.

I'm finally seeing more Ford Edges, and some MKXs too.

ateixeira

Must be Aston week here in DC.

Or maybe I've seen a run of them and I'm just keeping my eye out for them.

Also saw a CR-V LX, with steelies. Not too common, I'd say about 99% of the ones I see have alloys.

lemko

...saw a dark blue Dodge Nitro on the way to work this morning. Also, somebody at work bought a new light blue Chrysler Sebring sedan.

anythngbutgm

What do you think of this story out of the WP?

link title

The environmental movement is commendable, but vandalism is a bit extreme.

Regarding the topic, I've managed to time my commute most mornings where I end up being passed by the same RS4 doing about a buck-20 up the highway. But this morning I saw an RS6 as well as a Gallardo Spyder. Pretty cool sightings...

lemko

I can't stand Hummers myself, but I never would vandalize somebody else's private property regardless of how I felt. I wonder how the vandal who did this would feel if somebody did the same thing to his Prius and carved "Eco-Weenie" into the finish?

anythngbutgm

Yeah, good call. I'd agree. It's amazing how much emotion and anger gets stirred up over a car. I would think the gas bill alone would be painful enough!

Kidding aside, it was probably some punk kid with nothing better to do.

qbrozen

yet they never think of the fact that fixing the car (forging new glass, making the paint, spraying the paint, etc) is going to hurt their precious environment even more.

enviro-morons

ateixeira

Vandalism is just plain stupid. There are other, productive ways to get the message across.

First off, the car was already produced, so it's going to consume gas, whether that owner keeps it or sells it makes no difference. Even if it is totalled and the insurance company sells it.

Second, there will be an incredible waste of ENERGY to produce new glass, take the bends out of that sheetmetal, re-paint, fix, etc.

It's like that group that torched a bunch of Excursions when those came out. The fire alone caused more pollution than the trucks would have caused in their lifetime. The environment only suffered.

Who won? The car dealer. They cashed in on the insurance they had, and get this - they got MSRP! It created HUGE profits for a dealer selling those behemoths.

Law of unintended consequences takes over when stupidity reigns, and vandalism of any kind is just plain stupid.

This guy will probably take a check from insurance. They'll auction it off, someone will buy it cheap and fix it themselves, and keep driving it. This will not take an H2 off the roads.

It will help H2 suppliers that sell replacement parts, though.

qbrozen beat me to it. Morons.

anythngbutgm

This will not take an H2 off the roads.

I'm sorry, I just had to laugh at this. No pun intended?

fintail

I saw an 08 C300 today, sitting at the local dealer. I had to go take a look, and a salesman I have talked to before came out and chatted with me. I sat in it...I am fairly impressed. It has a really cool nav system in it too. I think it looks a lot better than the W203 C-class. It should be a decent success.

I also saw some kind of brand new Aston convertible, didn't even have plates yet.

anythngbutgm

Must've been a 911/Porsche event in my area as I saw a bunch of them, new and Vintage. Further solidifies my decision to upgrade to one if I ever have a spot next to my pride and joy S2000. Especially that 911 GT3 in triple black... wow.

I had a pretty cool sighting as well which was not a car, but car related. Met Tom Magliozi, one of the Click and Clack guys while in Harvard SQ. It was only a short intro, but he was very polite and courteous. As an avid listener to Car talk it was pretty cool to meet him.

british_rover

The Aston was probably a V8 Vantage Roadster. I think those are just hitting the ground now.

The only other Aston Convertible is the DB9 Volante.

ateixeira

Follow-up to that story, apparently a bunch of H2 owners got together in a public parking lot (in Georgetown IIRC) with their H2s to show that owner support in what they called "solidarity".

Sighting today: VW Eos, female blonde behind the wheel applying mascara in traffic. :sick:

fintail

Light grey Bentley GTC, dark tinted windows, black top. Kind of a cheap looking color combination.