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The PT Cruiser grew out of a collaboration among Robert A. Lutz, who was an executive at Chrysler at the time, Bryan Nesbitt, a designer, and Dr. Clotaire Rapaille, a French-born medical anthropologist and psychiatrist, who is hired by corporations to tell them what Americans like. Dr. Rapaille interviewed customers lying back in a dark room about their automotive psychological associations, seeking the primal appeal to the part of the mind and brain he called the “reptilian.” He also advised other companies, such as Kraft — on American perceptions of cheese — and grew into a corporate prophet. “The Wizard of Lizard” one headline called him.
link title
I would speculate that your Toyota is in fact an "Ultimate Reliable Green Transportation Module" as my experience has been "driving" is very low on the list of things the Prius does well.
The main factor CR cited as affecting the "lowest cost of ownership" is resale value. I think that won't be true again until gas exceeds $4, which may be this summer, maybe not.
A thoroughbred who gave birth and name to the "quattro" stable.
Regards,
Jose
You`v come a long way-----Everything you have posted, picure wise, has been most appreciated, but this one I`m not high on...To each his own.
How is the roof project coming along? find the same type of trracarta? that can be an unexpected challenge sometimes...
I really thought the Mercedes convertable (that Edmonds has on the opening page) is quite beautiful---from that angle....I don`t know about the top, if it a hard top that folds, or a canvas top? But I think you would look spledidly in it driving around Spain---at lest in my imagination--- Tony
Since you said no major complaints, were there minor complaints?
Electronic glitches?
I myself might test the RX tomorrow.
Lexus LS 460
With a road-test score of 99 out of 100, this is our highest-scoring vehicle. It provides a luxurious, uncompromising driving environment, with a supremely comfortable ride and a roomy, well-finished, and exceptionally quiet interior. The LS is brimming with electronic amenities, yet the controls are easy to use. Its 380-hp, 4.6-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission deliver smooth, quick acceleration and relatively good fuel economy. All-wheel drive is available for 2009. Price: $64,000 to $77,000.
That's almost a perfect score.
I got this from Mr.Deweys link.
I'd rather but a honda accord then a used luxury car."
What's funny is that I have used this EXACT same comment, but in the reverse. I would much rather spend $30K for a hardly used $80K car like an A8, XJ-L, etc, than to drive around in a new Accord. These luxury cars drop so much, so fast, it really is hardly used at all.
May be this link offers more appreciative photos:
Owners Club
Anyhow, I agree with you in that the E Class Cabrio as depicted in Edmunds is really good looking:
Thanks for the link.
My roof is made of black-grayish slates, really; I've had no difficulties in replacing those "gone with the wind". Money, money, money, is all I need. :sick:
Regards,
Jose
I thought that was a great line and was reminded of the moment I brought a MazdaSpeed6 home for so my wife could take a look. A 15 minute ride around the neighborhood was enough for her to determine that it "is a speeding ticket waiting to happen."
I don't understand these comments. I don't understand blaming the car for the speeding ticket, just like I don't understand the people who blame the bankers for their getting a house they couldn't afford. People were buying because they were expecting to make money on the house. It was a gamble, and they lost. Hell, I lost too, but I didn't go overboard like some people.
Back to the car, I have been driving only V8 powered cars for the past 12 years (94 Caddy SLS, 98 Lexus GS400, 05 Audi A8L), and I have not had a single speeding ticket in any of these cars... knock on wood. I did get three speeding tickets in my 93 Mazda MX6 4 cylinder. Almost any car can easily exceed the speed limit, it is the drivers responsibility to keep it at a reasonable speed.
Your supplied picture of the red Mercedes is again quite attractive...May not look so good in real life, but that picture sure does...Tony
I suppose Vauxhall will keep with Opel in this proceeding.
Opel cars have a lot of credit in Europe, yet Opel is having tough times due to dropping sales, as every carmaker is. Who will be the real survivor, Opel or GM? A couple of months ago I bet for Opel but, who knows better?
Regards,
Jose
Yep. The current V6 RAV4 Sport has gotten excellent reviews, and is considered one of the best driving and handling Toyota products in quite awhile. The RAV4's V6 is down a few horses and a bit of torque compared to the 2010 RX350, and it has a 5-speed rather than the RX's 6-speed. The RX is nearly 1000lbs. heavier though, so it's slower than the RAV4, and will likely have significantly more body roll in corners, and the usual RX lifeless steering.
I just got an email from our Audi shop saying Q5s are now in and ready for test drives. My wife and I will definitely be checking one out soon, as she is anxious to get rid of her X3.
So far it seems like the Q5 is the one to beat in the compact-lux segment. The GLK is ugly and has that weird '80s interior, and is a bit of a gas guzzler. The XC60 isn't bad looking, but Volvo's future is more than a little questionable. On top of that, it's also a gas hog, and has Volvo's horrendous NAV system. She uses the rear seats occasionally, so that eliminates the EX35.
I don't understand these comments. I don't understand blaming the car for the speeding ticket, just like I don't understand the people who blame the bankers for their getting a house they couldn't afford. People were buying because they were expecting to make money on the house. It was a gamble, and they lost. Hell, I lost too, but I didn't go overboard like some people.
These comments were tongue-in-cheek I don't think the blame was set on the vehicle, but I have noticed that relatively light, fun to drive vehicles seem to find meetings with local enforcement more often the the lifeless barges.
I think GM is still learning how to utilize a world platform. The Catera didn't go so well for them, and the Saturn Vauxhall Astra has been a relatively slow seller (which given the market, might not be a fault of the car). I am worried about GM, Toyota is big into the "world car" concept and Ford seems to be getting much closer to the right formula (oh there is a long list of Euro Fords that came over, starting with the 60s Lotus Cortina, the Capri, the Merkur XR4Ti which was funky looking but would lay the smack down on a 318i of the time, the Contour, and the Focus and a few more).
I don't see it. It's far less ugly than the coupe, but like the IS convertible, there's far too much body above the rear wheel, which has the effect of making the wheel look several inches smaller than the front wheel. The A5 and 3 convertibles look much better with their tops down.
Agreed. You've got the good eye for proportions. That rear wheel is looking smaller than the front one. It looks as ridiculously small as the rear wheels of German trucks. Yet the flank of the car is appealing to my eyes. I must to say I have not seen her front. May be the grille and the front lights ensemble are awful, like it is the case for the Coupe.
One thing I've always admired in British lux. cars is the big size of their wheels as compared to the continentals. These big wheels are part of the classic power and distinctiveness of the Jags, Martins, RR, Bentleys, etc.
Regards,
Jose
I know you said you just replaced key fob battery. 1st time? Any issues with bulbs or anything else? Just curious.
So, yes, I like it... but I am less thrilled with the Coupe. But... I'd much rather take the new Audi S5 Convertible in a nano-second. And, I still like the M3 as well.
My ranking of those three convertibles...
Appearance...
1. S5
2. M3
3. E
Predicted Drive (subject to verification)
1. M3
2. S5
3. E
TM
I just like the picture, but if the car looks as good as in the picture, then it is the first car I have seen in a long time that caught my attention....I`m sure it is just the picture
Plus, got a kick out of the pics showing 4 adults in the car. I'd like to know if anyone was taller then Ben Stiller et al. I know @ 6'1'', & my driving position, anyone who had ideas of legs touching floor better get used to yoga or taxi. :-)
In Southern California today. Yes, great weather at 70 degrees. However, I think we've actually got a little rain coming next week up north.
Enjoy that snow. Spring is only 3 weeks away!
TM
TM
Supposedly there's going to be an A7 cabrio, which may be more of a true 4 seat convertible. The XK's rear seats have always been for amputees only.
RX is slower than the Rav4 :sick:
RX has more body roll than the Rav4 :surprise:
RX has a lifeless steering
Since you guys are planning to test the Q5, aren't you also going to take a look at the new RX?
After you mentioned all the things above, I'll say no.
We have different opinions. I prefer everything to be new, When something goes wrong with a used luxury, then you'll pay the price for it.
I know you said you just replaced key fob battery. 1st time? Any issues with bulbs or anything else? Just curious.
I know this wasn't addressed to me but I have been driving my CPO A8 for 8 months now, but the car is coming up on 4 years old. I personally had an issue with the power door closer on the driver side, ABS light, trunk hinges, and rear parking sensors were not working. 3 were just simple sensors, trunk hinges are a known problem. Being under warranty it didn't cost me a penny but I'm sure it would have been expensive without a warranty. I expect that I will have a couple more of these types of issues over the next 8 years, but hopefully nothing major. My 98 GS400 had virtually nothing go wrong over 10 years and 140K miles.
Still, I love the comfort of the A8L, as well as how it drives, that I am willing to deal with SMALL issues.
Gen C vs. G37
And they take it back if you loose your income?...the heck with Infiniti!
Regards,
OW
We have different opinions. I prefer everything to be new, When something goes wrong with a used luxury, then you'll pay the price for it.
I don't blame you, there is nothing wrong with buying new. I would never buy any car without a warranty. My A8L purchase had 1 year left on the standard warranty and then 2 years CPO coverage from Audi for a 3 year total. The savings on the car along with a 3 year warranty gives my peace of mind. Off warranty all cars are expensive, with the luxury cars being a decent jump up from an Accord.
My wife has pretty much the same taste in cars. She likes her '07 ES 350 but often says that her previous car, a '99 ES 300, was exactly the right size for her.
We test-drove the new RX a few days ago - not because we're in the market now but to qualify for a $75 gift card from Lexus. Although she liked the RX's ride & handling, which are, predictably enough, very close to what she's used to, she was put off by its additional width. We couldn't buy this car without ordering the package that includes power folding side mirrors. Otherwise, she'd be afraid to pull into the garage.
Still, I think that this will be a huge success for Toyota/Lexus. While the styling breaks no new ground, it's a big improvement over the old RX. Viewed from the rear, the new RX is much better looking. Build quality is top drawer, & it has everything that a luxury SUV buyer could want. Although I've made my dislike of SUVs clear, I would have no trouble living with this one.
...Howard, I`m not so sure we would like a car of that nature today..Even the Aston Martin was a bit clunky...I personally would like a well made --good materials, but less gadgets-thrifty over powered good gas milage car
It only gets cool down here after it rains and a cold front moves in behind it. We had some rain this morning, so tomorrow will only get up to 59 degrees. Playing golf anyway tomorrow. Beats the 6-10 inches of snow back home in NYC tonight. We have had an unusual amount of rain, during this, the "dry" season, which explains why temperatures have averaged lower than normal over the last several months. Last week we had 75-82 degrees practically all week, which was nice (no rain).
I recently got in from washing the 328i-about an hour ago-looks stunning after a good washing-my Alpine White beauty glistening in the post-rain sunshine. Spent a lot of time on removing all the brake dust from the wheels-the fate of all BMW owners.
Prince Charles owns a 38 year old Aston Martin recently converted to run on fuel made from surplus British wine!
The closest I have ever gotten to the Monarchy is the Royal Screwing I have been known to get at my BMW service center.
Regards,
Hpowders
How much snow did you get where you live? A new batch of snow has been spreading into NJ and NY City this morning. I believe you live near the coast close to Atlantic City. If so, you probably don't have too much on the ground. The corridor from Providence to Boston will be the hardest hit and will end up with about 16 inches of wind driven snow by later today. The snow has ended there for now, but the next batch will be moving into that area from the southwest by about Noon.
Here in the Midwest we can look forward to temperatures rising to the 60s as far north as Des Moines by later this week.
Unlike you Jimbres we were not $75 richer as a result of that test drive. But at least we did not become poorer since it was a weekend and the stockmarkets were closed.
This has everything a crossover should have. Reliable, good in snow, ample passenger space, the RX450h has 30 percent better city fuel economy than a AWD Toyota Matrix, fantastic quality and "fit and finish" detail, very luxurious, enough power, great cargo space and features galore.
Cant figure out why anyone would buy a BMW X3 or X5 (without the useless 3rd row) or a Audi Q5? These vehicles dont have much more space than a BMW touring or Audi Avant wagon. Most people will buy a BMW X or Audi Q instead of a Lexus RX because of performance/handling reasons. But to me that rings a bit hollow especially if such drivers are intentionally overlooking far better performing/handling Audi Avant and BMW Touring wagons without much sacrifice in terms of space.
I saw the Audi Q5 at the Toronto Auto Show and it was completely useless for a fifth passenger. The rear had a huge hump at the centre and an oversized and highly intrusinve rear heating/ac system control panel that would cause major leg cramps for any middle rear seat passenger who happens to be taller than four feet high and reult in putting his knees in front of his face or instead spreading his legs around the hump in the middle and sqeezing the legs of both his neighboring passengers.
THe Lexus RX is designed for comfort (rear and front) for tall drivers who who dont like sadistically punishing fifth passengers. This vehicle has no pretensions of performance like the German marques and in fact I find that good. The dependable high quality RX is what MB shoould be making instead of the ML or GL. or God-forbid the GLK.
I may cancel my Prius order and instead get a Lexus RX450h. If I become afflicted with performance/handling urges I can always drive the 530xi Touring (not as exciting as my BMW 335i but it will do).
I was very impressed.
You are obviously in total agreement with me. We test drove it (already posted earlier) a week ago this past Friday and we loved it. This past Friday, we went a step further. Even though the pricing and some of the details are not yet out for the RX450h, we went ahead and ordered it so that it will get here hopefully with the first batch of RX450h's to the dealer in late April or May. We ordered it with all the options with the exception of the rear seat entertainment (dvd screens). I even ordered the Heads Up Display. We are very much looking forward to it. We are going with the one payment lease option for 3 years.
Just curious, have you tested the Highlander Limited Edition Hybrid yet?
TM
So you would go from a wise economic decision to a foolish one?
According to a Consumer Reports study, it would take you about 1 year, give or take, to recoup the Prius' premium cost; it would take around 8 years for the RX 450h.
If you want an RX, the RX 350 is much cheaper over the long run than the RX 450h.
One gets around 23 mpg in the RX 450h and 19-20 mpg in the RX 350. There is not that much of a difference in mpg to justify the RX 400h's stiff premium.
If you are simply a "green" fanatic, go for the RX 450h; but don't expect the RX 450h to save you money over the RX 350.
In addition, do you think you could really be happy driving an RX vehicle? Quite a change coming from the ethereal pantheon of sublime German performance that is BMW.
"2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h push bland to new heights." (Jalopnik) :surprise:
In addition, Dewey's multitude of former posts all point to the preference for not purchasing the excesses associated with a Lexus, as opposed to a Toyota.
He is way off his original game plan if he moves from vehicles like a Honda Fit (which sends the wrong "image" to clients) and an Insight, and a Prius.
The RX is a nice vehicle, perhaps, but the 2010 Prius is exactly what Dewey wants, based upon a substantial history of his posts. I think he would let himself down if he were to stray from getting one. I hope he doesn't derail. I think he might have a salesman inside his mind, capable of selling himself on other cars... and losing sight of his own best interest.
Hopefully, he will stay focused.
TM
No this is not economic decision believe me it isn't.
But since we are discussing economics of a RX350 vs. RX450h why not?
The price differential between a comparably equipped RX350 and RX450h (I was assured the Canadian 450h price will not be raised as prices were not raised for the new RX350 model ) is a whopping 1K dollars. Why? Because I get provincial hybrid tax credits when I purchase a 450h.
At 28MPG vs. 18 MPG city and yes almost all my driving is in the city. At 16000 miles annually with 3.00 gas per gallon (which in Canada is likely to be higher since we have higher gas taxes than USA I save about $1100 annually.
So economics dictates that a RX450H is far more economical than a RX350.
HUGE DIFFERENCE!
My idealism dictates a Honda Fit as a far more reasonable car than a Prius based merely on economics and the fun factor(manual tranny and fun car to whip around in the city).
My idealism dictates a Prius as a far more reasonable vehicle than a RX 450h.
I've lived with spartanly equipped BMWs and Acuras and Audis with minimal options all my life. Now I am middle aged with taller kids and more needs for space so I feel it is no shame to buy a comfortable car that is comfortable in such a high quality way and loaded with so many features and gizmos. (IMO at least).
Before bombarding me with harsh judgements why dont you take a test drive. A hybrid version of that test drive is exactly the kind of vehicle I want.
Recurring traffic court visits, a crappy lemony performance car and snow immobility are all factors in my decision.
Idealism versus comfort? My verdict has not been made yet. I will still have to wait until I test drive a 3rd gen Prius.
Put the economics aside and realize you have gone from the very-cool 2010 Prius to Mom's soccer-mobile... meaning an SUV. I say that with respect for the RX, because it is indeed very popular with so many women, and even some men as well.
Are you really posting that you actually want an SUV now? :surprise:
And to think I was envious of the Prius.
Well... whatever you get, I sincerely wish you a great experience with it, and I mean that.
My idealism dictates a Prius as a far more reasonable vehicle than a RX 450h
Now you're talking.
Idealism versus comfort?
I'll bet lots of green that the 2010 Prius is very comfy and very cool.
TM
All I know is, in the USA, anyone attempting to save money by buying an RX 450h over an RX 350 is making a big mistake. Many articles have been written to support this view.
I am determined to drive the new Lexus HS 250h when it comes out this summer. I even had Lexus put me on their mailing list to let me know when I can drive it. I hope they don't cross-reference their enemies list with their mailing list... if they do, I will never get notified! :sick: