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

kyfdx

These are truly stunning!

However, the LED DRLs have got to go... They are so hokey looking... Plus, whenever they use the turn signal, the one on that side goes out.. :surprise:

boomchek

Plus, whenever they use the turn signal, the one on that side goes out..

The Dodge Rams have the same feature. I think so that the turn signal is more visible by oncoming traffic.

kyfdx

Yeah... I knew why.. :shades:

Still... tacky..

texases

I always notice those LEDs on the A-4 replacing the C-class commercial. Not a good look

andys120

I'm noticing a lot of new Ford Flexes recently. My wife says it looks like a Mini Cooper on steroids. I guess Ford is keeping those Exploder buyers in the fold, Ive seen a few Taurus Xs lately too.

I got a good look at a Hyundai Azera today and I was pretty impressed by the quality of the (silver) paint as well as the tight shutlines . I wonder why it doesn't sell better as it would seen a good alternative to buyers of Centuries, Sables and the like.

ateixeira

I parked next to one - at a Chuck E. Cheese!

lemko

I spotted a tiny white Daihatsu Midget II pickup truck near Five Points by Cottman, Rising Sun, and Oxford in NE Philly at lunchtime today.

davethecarnut

I saw one from the back and almost thought it was a Maserati Quattroporte. At least by the shape of the taillights.

davethecarnut

Starting to see these alot in So. Cal. Saw the SRT, the RT and even the base SE.
Good looking cars. I hope they help Chrysler.

boomchek

We just got some Challenger R/Ts, one in the Titanium Grey with crhome wheels. Very nice looking.

fintail

I've seen a ton of new Mazda 6s lately...I suspect some are in a rental fleet.

explorerx4

i saw a black challenger parked near the street, which looked ok. then i saw a sliver one with some dark stripes on the hood which looked really good.
i really think that car needs some contrasting stripes on it, no matter what color.

lemko

...it was called a GEM which stood for "Global Electric Motors" a Daimler-Chrysler Company.

guss

My local Dodge dealer was carrying these(until they went out of business). Basically a golf cart on steroids. The top speed is 35mph and can go up to 40 miles on a charge.

boomchek

Saw a bunch of Ford Edges, new Aston DBS, some nice Alfas.

I think Ford has a deal with the Bond franchise provide their cars. Casion Royale had the new euro Mondeo in it. This time the Edges get lots of screen play.

bumpy

with the wannabe-Audi Malibu Stacey front end.

davethecarnut

Aston used to be a part of Ford

boomchek

Aston used to be a part of Ford

I remember when in early 90s I had a buyer's guide and there was a picture of an Aston Martin Virage interior, and the steering wheel was straight out of the Taurus.

fintail

No way, that has to be photoshopped

stever

Here's a '91 - different wheel.

Here's a '92 - different wheel.

Here's a '95 with a suspicious looking wheel. :shades:

fintail

Ouch! That's just shameful.

boomchek

Yes way Fintail.. I think the Astons that were sold in markets that required a driver's side airbag, came with the FoMo corporate wheel. Probably cheaper to install then to reengineer a new one.

If I'd be the owner the first thing I'd do is swap it for a Momo wheel or something.

This is not the first time that an exotic shared parts with a lowline car.

Check this out: Lotus Esprit vs Saturn SC1 coupe.

fintail

I can see sharing parts, like Ferraris that have had Fiat switchgear...but the steering wheel! For all that money couldn't something exclusive be designed?

I always thought it was amusing that early MB R129 have the same steering wheel as later W126 cars, but those ones you post are just insane. I honestly had no idea about that Aston or the Lotus.

boomchek

Yeah it's funny. Good thing it has sorta went away.

I think the big reason the steering wheels were shared was for the airbags, as initially they were big and bulky, and you wouldn't be able to fit one in a smaller sports type steering wheel.

The Aston/Taurus steering is probably the most extreme and ugliest example of parts sharing.

fintail

That Taurus wheel irks me...my mom had a Taurus of the generation that had that wheel, and although it dodged the common maladies (trannies and head gaskets)...it wasn't exactly a leather lined luxo cruiser like the Aston is supposed to be. I can't imagine any of those still wear that wheel...if the owner realizes where it came from, anyway.

Does anything like that exist today at all?

boomchek

Maybe secretly, the Taurus owners bought these cars to feel like they're in an Aston

kyfdx

In black... stunning!

explorerx4

i just posted over on new car sales, that i saw an S5(black) at the auto show, and that it was my favorite.
i don't think i was influenced by the tv commercial.

explorerx4

i still see the steering wheel with the rectangular center every time i get in my 1991 mustang!

fintail

I saw a red Audi R8 today, all body color, no odd trim. The driver looked like Jeremy Clarkson...in another 20 years with maybe 50 more pounds.

kyfdx

Not sure what all they hype is about... It looks a little like an RX330... And, the Taurus X and the Pacifica have done the wagon thing, already...

It is fairly attractive for a whatever it is..

fintail

It's a minivan/SUV hybrid...for those without the self-confidence to drive a minivan, but who fear the social stigma of an SUV. Brilliant target marketing, dumb name, Toyota looks.

fintail

Saw a new TL today....man, that's a weird looking car, and not in a good way.

ateixeira

I like it except for the overdone grille, but what I don't get is why is costs a LOT more than the Sienna despite sharing an engine and being smaller.

fintail

A white R8 just drove by my window...I saw a blue one on Saturday

kyfdx

Lotus Elise... in orange.. Guess he was picking up a bolt... or one screw.. :surprise:

Looking down into the car... It looks like the seats ride about 6" off the pavement.. I'm not even sure I could get in and out of it.. (though, I wouldn't mind trying..)

imidazol97

How does that Lotus handle in snow. We had a coating on Saturday and all the idiot drivers around here were playing bumper pool.

kyfdx

Yeah.. I was wondering... I'm sure that it would come with summer tires.. Can't really see someone switching out for winters on a Lotus..

I did find out that the stock tires on my new AWD Subie are really crappy in the snow... which makes no sense at all.

Messing around with my son... driving down the street... almost took out a neighbor's mailbox... :surprise: So much for fun in the snow..

imidazol97

>. Can't really see someone switching out for winters on a Lotus..

I asked the local Ford dealer a couple years back about the GT they had in the showroom and if snowtires were available for it. I'd imagine it's like driving a Firebird on snow.

The salesman didn't seem very amused. Maybe that's why they're closed.

kyfdx

It seems that 20%-30% of our local Ford dealers are gone, including some bigger ones that I wouldn't have guessed..

I think Ford has been really aggressive about buying back dealerships... that's the one way they can actually get rid of them...

andys120

A couple of near exotics:

-Aston-Martin DB9 Cabriolet, seen parked w top up, gorgeous, as are all current A-Ms.

-Nissan GT-R, it looks more exotic shooting thru traffic than when standing next to a parked one.

ateixeira

I saw an R8 yesterday, while driving home. Amazing presence on the road. Looks much better out in the real world.

lemko

Spotted both a new orange Mustang GT and a yellow Challenger on the PA Turnpike. Also spotted a Smart car on a secondary road outside of Elkins Park, PA.

guss

I think the new 370Z is better looking.

texases

Saw first one, at lunch, silver with dk grey wheels (don't like that color on wheels, looks like they're dirty). Doesn't look like much, but I'd be happy to have one... Coincidence - saw the Top Gear last night where they raced one across Japan against a bullet train, etc. Funny!

ateixeira

Coupes, two of them yesterday.

berri

Is it just me, or is the new Challenger too tall and squat? It reminds me more of an old Duster than Barraccuda or Challenger.

boomchek

I know what you're saying. From some angles it does look tall and narrow.

andys120

I agree, the noveau Challenger just doesn't have the rounded curves that distinguished the original, It's as if they'd squared it off and besides, it's too big.

lemko

...red-orange metallic BMW 1-Series. In this case a 135i.