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

ateixeira

On every one I've seen.

I want alternatives to another Miata, yet none of the ones I've seen even pass a casual inspection.

The Journey is out, by the way. My dealer had 2 last time I was there.

andre1969

if the Journey is any good? I read an Edmund's write-up on it, and it just seemed kinda so-so. I do like the style of it though. I think it's a bit too big to stick it with a 2.4 as standard equipment, though.

As for the Miata, I don't really like the style of the new ones. Looks like a cross between a Saturn and a Good & Plenty. I thought it was pretty comfy to sit in, though. It seemed to be more comfy than the Solstice/Sky.

ateixeira

Yeah, I actually commented that the Ibuki concept car that inspired the Miata "looked like a pill". It's a bit bulbous, especially the front.

I do prefer the styling on the Solistice, by far, but...

1. You can't drop the top without getting out of the car! DUH! :mad:
2. See #1, this is a roadster for God's sake.
3. Every top I've seen is wrinkled, you wonder about the seal, cracking, fit, etc.
4. Did I mention you can't open this convertible while driving?

So, so stupid.

At least give it a power fold option or something.

qbrozen

I might take a look at a journey if my wife's car needs another service visit before lease end (which it should). The mags I've read have all said its the best fit and finish of any chrysler in history and it is the quietest sub-$30k ride they've ever experienced.

I agree about the 2.4, though. That is just ridiculous in a near 2-ton vehicle.

ateixeira

I have to see those in person. I think other recent Chrysler interiors have gone downhill, in fact it's hard to imagine cheaper interiors in some cases.

The dealer I mentioned had one for $26k and another for $31k, so they had better be nice.

I guess since it is based on the Stratus I expected much lower pricing, maybe $18-25k, tops.

qbrozen

oh yeah. we did talk about this here before, huh?

Now I can't remember the numbers exactly, but I believe a V6 AWD model starts at like $24k?

ateixeira

Sure did.

I promise not to bring it up a 3rd time until I sample that interior in person.

guss

New Miata's have a pretty good lease deals going on right now, $199/mo for 27 months with $2100 down, I think the mileage is only 10,500 pre year though.

The definitely have more room in them than my '97, except with the top up , one of the braces lands right where my head is. The Solstice I could get used to it's size, but I prefer to wait a few years and pick one up much cheaper.

guss

looks like a tall Avenger wagon. I don't know why they needed a new name for it. I have no problems with a Avenger wagon as a name but I guess the wagon body style is not as sexy as Crossover .

qbrozen

my memory ain't what it used to be.

qbrozen

probably not the best place for this ... but since we were just talking about it ...

Plans were to go to the NYAIS today, but that kind of fell apart. So I went to the volvo dealer instead. This dealer is the one I bought my S70 from all those years ago. They had an '04 S60R 6-speed advertised on their site. Of course, I found out that was sold. But they were kind enough to allow me to test drive a C30 2.0 6-speed demo. It was OK. I'm not enamored with the tranny. The clutch, however, is very very light. Maybe too light. The car felt tight, light, and fairly well balanced. Power was adequate. Problem was, I didn't fit comfortably. Its just a smidge off. I could almost live with the leg room, but the big problem was how tight it was under the dash. My size 14s would get caught up under there every time I needed to shift or move to the brake.

They were then kind enough to let me drive an '04 automatic S60R they had with 69k miles on the clock. Honestly, I'm in love! And all the bad things I've read about the auto tranny in that car I feel are completely unwarranted. It is NOT slow! And WOW do I love that adjustable suspension. It feels like a Lexus in the comfort setting, a bimmer in the Sport setting, and a kit car in the Advanced setting. This thing is FUN FUN FUN! The grip is just amazing. I kept trying to induce some sort of sliding, but it just refused. That is, at least, at the speeds I was driving, which was about the max I am comfortable with on public roads. I think this is going to be the car. After driving a used 330i a month or so ago, I thought that would be the one, but, at the same time, I didn't feel like I HAD to have one. This car is different. It is calling to me.

The 2 that they had were both wrong for me, which is probably a good thing. 69k miles is too many and the other one was an '06 with 14k miles, so that was too expensive. They say they'll call if another comes around. I'd like to try the 6-speed, but I think I may be perfectly happy with the auto.

fintail

I saw one of those new Jag sedans on the road today...maybe half a mile from the Jag dealer, so I assume it was on a test drive.

magnette

Cheating a bit, because it was in the dealers window, but it's the first time I've seen a Bugatti Veyron, in Britain. It was in the showroom at Berkeley Square, the main West End dealers for Bentley. Their website says they've sold about 15, so far.
Somehow it looked smaller than I imagined,

andys120

Automatic gearboxes with their Torque Converters are sometimes better matched to Turbo drivetrain characteristics as the TC absorbs some of the snatchiness inherent when the boos comes on suddenly. At least that was the case when I drove a 9000 Turbo A/T after owning a couple of 9000T 5-speeds.

british_rover

Ahh I noticed that with one of the C30s I drove too. Was the C30 you drove Cosmic white with the chocolate colored body molding? If so it was one of the official Demo cars that Volvo gave to all the dealers and it has the LED interior lighting package.I have size 13s but wear boots almost everywhere so on the 2.0 C30 I drove my toe kept hitting one of the LED modules above the pedals. The 1.0 I drove first didn't have the LED package so there wasn't anything for me to hit my feet on.

The S60R is a very cool car and that active chassis really does work. Torque is limited somewhat in first gear but you won't really notice that unless you drive a manual S60R back to back with an auto and give both of them sustained WOT.

In the advanced setting it will actually pump up the trailing outside shock absorber to help with turn in.

texases

Just saw the Top Gear where they 'raced' the Veyron against the RAF jet - great show!

ateixeira

Sounds like a future purchase to me.

I've heard great things about them. About the only criticism is their relatively high curb weight, but that could be seen as a good thing (beefy feel, crash protection, etc).

Saw an STS-4 today. Most of the ones I see are RWD.

qbrozen

ahhh... interesting info, BR ... on both counts.

The one I drove wasn't the white one I've seen pics of. I don't remember the color, but I think it was blue. Now, the one in the showroom was a 1.0 and I tried that one out, too, and I still had the toe problem. But I did feel a tad more comfy in it. I thought it may have been the manual seat, for some reason, but maybe it is what you point out.

qbrozen

I thought the same thing when I saw the curb weight (3700 lbs!). But, ya know, I guess it comes down to how it "feels" rather than reality. By the tale of the tape, my 350Z was a porker, too. As heavy as my S70 and my current Accord. But it certainly didn't feel that way.

qbrozen

sorry for keeping this off topic ... but I'm having trouble finding this info and you seem to know a bit about these cars, BR. What happened with the R in '06? They switched to a 6-speed auto. Does that model have full power available? If so, I might have to suck it up and wait for an '06.

british_rover

Yeah I am pretty sure the 06 and up Rs with the 6 speed auto get full power in first gear and full torque. I need to ask one of the guys down at Volvo to be sure though. The torque number for the manual equipped S60s is 295 ft-lbs at 1,800 rpms or so. I guess try and look up an old test of an automatic equipped S60R and see if they list a different spec.

EDIT:

I think I found what you were looking for.

It is impressive stuff, even if the R's 235/40R18 performance rubber does not offer the ultimate grip of an M3. There is more than enough control for the most spirited of street squids (a descriptor I never thought I would use in a Volvo road test) — especially since the engine's 295 pound-feet of torque (in the new six-speed manual guise anyway; 258 with the five-speed Geartronic automatic) are transmitted through all four of the S60R's tires. More sophisticated than the XC70's system, the S60 can transfer almost 70 percent of its power to the rear wheels, reducing the understeer that plagues lesser Volvos when they are pushed around fast corners.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=80020

The 06 and 07 Rs seem to have a 295 ft-lb rating even with the automatic.

qbrozen

Thanks. Yeah, I finally found some info, too. The '06 auto is almost as fast as the manual tranny, supposedly. AND they changed the AWD a bit. Something about the '06+ Haldex being pre-loaded.

So I think this all clinches it. I gotta go for an '06. Good news is the value isn't astronomically different. I was looking at about $21-$22k for an '04 vs about $27k on an '06. Just means I may have to wait a bit longer, but I think it would be well worth it.

lemko

...champagne colored Cadillac CTS this morning on my way to work.

mikeyb2

Ok, so not really on the road, but at the NY Auto Show, I saw the 09 Nissan GT-R. What a hot looking car! Don't know how practical it is for me, but very nice to look at.
http://www.expotv.com/videos/expo/203/207/Auto-Show-2009-Nissan-GT-R/257086

stever

In case you missed it, a couple of editors are on a short road trip with a new GT-R.

The blog posts are coming fast, but this will get you started ok:

2009 Nissan GT-R Road Trip: So Long Santa Monica

They are even letting some Inside Line readers drive it.

guss

My invitation must have been lost in the e-mail.

The GT-R looks alot like a 350Zwith a new front bumper. You would have thought they would have gone a little more exotic.

lemko

...cream-colored Chrysler Aspen. Wow! Somebody actually bought one!

andys120

They sold two,! I saw one the other day for the 1st time.

british_rover

I have seen at least ten of them since they first came out. They probably were bought by the dozen people in the focus group. :surprise:

magnette

If they are passing through east London, ask them to drop in...

magnette

Yeah, I saw that one a bit back - the plane was good too - Eurofighter Typhoon I think...

tlcruz

Saw the first 1 series today @ work. Silver 128CI ..... Now if I could only get one as a demo, lol :P

fintail

A few new faces at the 2008 Vancouver auto show

Pics aren't so hot as the batteries in my normal camera crapped out, so these are from a phone. Decent for a phone, I guess.

My favorite cars to sit in - Audi R8 and a typical S550...just so comfortable. The R8 wasn't bad inside either, I am relatively tall and not gangly, and I fit just fine. I also say in a CLS63...nice trim, but those slit windows annoy me. The Skyline looks pretty cool...but of course, not open for sittings.

I tried to get pics of some models or names or trim levels not usually seen in the American market, too.

lemko

...despite the high fuel costs, some people still have the disposable income to run these beasts - spotted a black Nissan Murano with a very odd aftermarket grille and blingy wheels and the "pickup" version of a Hummer H2.

ateixeira

H2 SUT.

My Exxonn stock thanks him.

guss

it was the 2 door hatch in black. I almost hurt my neck watching it drive by. I thought it looked really good, I can't believe Saturn is not trying to sell more of them.

teds1

I have seen a New M3 coupe, Saturn Astra, Several Smarts, and a new SL 63 on the street in recent days. Also the new Maserati GT-S in the showroom.

At the NYAIS I saw everything... Some highlights

MRAP military vehicle... sooooo huge
Hyundai Genesis Coupe- significant car, great looking, great stats, sick value. This one will change your opinion of Korean cars - Mustang Killer
Literally Everything in the Audi Booth (except Q7) was amazing this year. The new A4/A4 avant are gorgeous as is S5
CTS-V/CTS Coupe- both great variants on an impressive car
New M3 sedan and convertible, 335
Merc CL Coupe- plutocrats dream, makes you feel like "The Boss"
C-63- looks so fun to drive
Nissan GT-R - Drew a huuuge crowd
Mazda Furai concept - completely amazing looking car
Volvo XC60 concept - they will sell a ton of these, better looking than the XC90 by far.
Lambo Gallardo LP 560 4
Aston Vantage - They had a DBS too but I like the "baby" best in that family
New Challenger - I'll never buy one but I would Looove to rent one, even the base model.

Lowlights
X6- even worse looking in person
New WRXs
Evos - I don't love where they went with the styling this time
Jag XF- I wanted to love it but found it underwhelming
Garish stickers promting green credentials on hulking GM SUVs... give it a rest guys, no one is fooled
Saab- Total lack of relevance sadly
Mini Clubman - not really a big deal, you only gain about a foot of trunk space and you still can't carry much
Smart Car, just sit in it and try rocking from side to side... scary
SLR convertible. - Honestly most people ignored it. The new SL looks similar (new side vents) and has similar performance at 2/5 the price
Ferrari booth - lone rotating 430 with no signage (not an offically sponsored booth but still...come on that doesn't look good for them)

ateixeira

At a dealer. Looks good.

Also saw a new Lexus LX on out the roads. Looks better in person, out on public streets. It seems more massive.

guss

Must be selling pretty well because I have seen 4 this week.

ateixeira

Saw a new Murano yesterday...

...and then a Rogue today.

magnette

Starting to see a few Lincoln Navigators locally - generally with very bling wheels.. This isn't a model sold here through regular dealers, so must be special imports, but I've seen three different ones this week.
Also a Hummer H3 today - yellow - that is sold here but very rare, really.

On a different note the new Jag XF seems to be getting more common here, but we have got a Jag dealers half a mile up the road.

ateixeira

Saw a new XF parked here in DC, actually, just yesterday.

Looks good. Enough to save Jaguar? Time will tell.

andys120

Pontiac G8, at a dealer, displayed front and center. Looks good in black but needed a good clean and wax. IMO this car is simply too big to be a proper Sports Sedan.

BMW One Series Coupe, Sedona Red, driving on street (first I've seen outside a showroom). Sedona Red looks better uder the AZ sunshine than under harsh show lighting but I guess that's appropos.

fintail

I saw some kind of late model Aston on the road today - they are all starting to look the same to me, so I don't know what it was.

I also saw a young woman in a custom painted E63. It was a magenta/pink color. Pretty hard on the eyes, and I am not convinced about the quality of the paint...it didn't seem as shiny as a factory job.

lemko

...dark blue Chevrolet Malibu and medium blue Chrysler Sebring sedan. I heard a rumor that they were going to discontinue the Sebring sedan.

ateixeira

Few will miss it.

alltorque

We now have a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and an Aston Martin DB9 around here. Not bad for a sleepy English village - and a friend has just bought an Audi RS4 Avant.

lemko

...red Cadillac CTS next to me in traffic and a new gray Buick LaCrosse parked behind my car. I really like that new grille on the LaCrosse!

andre1969

I've been seeing a lot of Dodge Avengers lately. Is Chrysler dumping them into rental fleets or something?

Oh, out in the parking lot at work is a fairly new Cadillac STS with...a carriage roof!! I thought GM was trying to discourage that.

ateixeira

Saw a new Mercedes ML-based pope-mobile from my office window yesterday!

Also saw a new Murano.