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

fintail · January 2017

Taurinental

tjc78 · January 2017

I put that series of Continental right up there with the Cimarron. Better car, but still a disaster. Let's take a Taurus, put the trouble prone but not much more powerful 3.8 and load it up with options and air suspension. What could go wrong?

I've owned a 3.8 Taurus LX so I know the pain.

Mr_Shiftright · January 2017

Haven't driven the new Lincoln, no. I've seen it--it's a BIG car. The only review I've read in detail is from Car & Driver, and they deemed it "a work in progress".

fintail · January 2017

You never see them anymore, even here. All junked due to suspension or head gasket failure, no doubt.

My mom had a 3.8 Taurus, puked up a head gasket by 80K miles. She went to Toyota and never looked back.

tjc78 said:
I put that series of Continental right up there with the Cimarron. Better car, but still a disaster. Let's take a Taurus, put the trouble prone but not much more powerful 3.8 and load it up with options and air suspension. What could go wrong?

I've owned a 3.8 Taurus LX so I know the pain.

stickguy · January 2017

saw another Ridgeline parked yesterday (outside LL Bean, so seems appropriate!). Did not seem anywhere near as outsized as a domestic 1/2 ton in a modern parking lot. Even fit in 1 spot! I do like these. Not sure I could ever sell the wife on it though.

tjc78 · January 2017

If you notice you also never see a 92-95 Taurus LX either. Most of them were the 3.8, so same issues. Mine blew the head gasket right around the same miles.

Neighbor has a 96 with the 3.0 Vulcan. He told me he is driving it until it blows up. I told him the car will fall apart and the engine will still be going.

fintail · January 2017

I think I see more 86-91s still on the road than 2nd gen - maybe due to the 3.8 becoming more common. My uncle had an early 86 with the 3.0, which I guess was the Vulcan even then (?). I don't think he had engine issues, but at a little over 100K, the transmission went out - I remember this as I was in the car at the time. My grandma has an ~03 Taurus with the Vulcan, I think she put about 35K miles on it, and now my uncle drives her places in it. Never had a mechanical issue, and few other issues. Not the most sophisticated car, but they could be had cheap even when new, and seem to hold up with maintenance.

On the new car front, saw a few new Volvo S90s sitting on the lot, and a new E-class in traffic.

tjc78 · January 2017

Saw an RLX this morning on the AC Expressway. @fintail what are we up to now? 5?

laurasdada · January 2017

Saw an RLX Friday at the New England Auto Show. Does that count? Acura would probably say, "yes!"

stickguy · January 2017

Last time i was at dealer, in December, they had one on the floor. Does have a nice interior.

fintail · January 2017

With all these RLX sightings, we might be approaching triple digit sales volumes for the ~2 years it has been on the market. Maybe it leases well.

kyfdx · January 2017

fintail said:
With all these RLX sightings, we might be approaching triple digit sales volumes for the ~2 years it has been on the market. Maybe it leases well.

It doesn't lease well

Michaell · January 2017

fintail said:
With all these RLX sightings, we might be approaching triple digit sales volumes for the ~2 years it has been on the market. Maybe it leases well.

Not really. Lousy residuals (< 50% for 36/15) but massive lease cash (either $7750 or $8250, depending on trim).

fintail · January 2017

Maybe these are all lease returns or dealer employees/relatives. I am sure it is a nice car, but I am a little mystified how it sells compared to the GS (as I suspect the target buyer has little interest in the harder to live with Germans).

Saw a facelift CLS on the road this morning, haven't seen many of them.

stickguy · January 2017

saw a new GLC today. I really like these. Look a bit like a nicer version of my RDX outside, and I just love the interior. Maybe next year a CPO will be within budget.

fintail · January 2017

Saw one of the big late model Rolls Royce coupes in the evening gridlock here. Even in this insane area, it seems a bit much. Also IMO kind of more reminiscent of older MBs than Rolls Royce.

anythngbutgm · January 2017

Spent the weekend in Rye, NY (Very nice place btw) and man, you cannot go anywhere there without seeing a high dollar vehicles. RR, Jag, BMW, Merc, Audi, Volvo, Lexus, Tesla are as common as Hondas and Toyotas, and I also saw quite a few rarities as well, some of them I was shocked to see out in the wintertime.

Jag F-type R convertible
Couple of Bentley Conti GT's
(2) Merc AMG GT's (ridiculously nice in person)
Maserati Levante (Looks really nice in person actually)
A dozen or so Ghiblis and Quattroportes
Aston Martins of all types including a 4 door (forgot the name)

There were definitely others, but TBH I think I was so enamoured with the homes and neighborhoods that looked like they were straight out of a Norman Rockwell card that it didn't register to me, some of the cars I was seeing.

laurasdada · January 2017

Rye, NY: The home of Playland! A stone's throw from Greenwich, CT, probably where many of those were purchased (and/or in Manhattan).

The AM is the Rapide.

fintail · January 2017

Geez I hope this is a typo

qbrozen · January 2017

the few at the bottom are all over $100k. Maybe it isn't in US $?

fintail · January 2017

It's weird. Loaded car, but an E63 wagon could be had for that. That's 40K or more over a loaded sedan.

stickguy · January 2017

just out of curiousity, I build a V6 wagon. Not hard to add the options that one has and push 75K. And looks like that AMG version starts at $105K! Ouch. Actually, the E35 is overpriced too.

texases · January 2017

All 4 of their E350 wagons are over $100k, while the most expensive E350 sedan is about $70k. Something weird going on, it seems.

jpp75 · January 2017

tjc78 said:
I put that series of Continental right up there with the Cimarron. Better car, but still a disaster. Let's take a Taurus, put the trouble prone but not much more powerful 3.8 and load it up with options and air suspension. What could go wrong?

I've owned a 3.8 Taurus LX so I know the pain.

We had one of those Continentals when I was in high school. A/C compressor, air suspension, head gaskets, we had all of those problems. Basically anything that could fail did, and usually more than once.

stickguy · January 2017

texases said:
All 4 of their E350 wagons are over $100k, while the most expensive E350 sedan is about $70k. Something weird going on, it seems.

you can't get a sticker nearly that high. Unless they are adding a 30K ADM, or the prices are for an AMG model.

fintail · January 2017

It must be an error of some kind. I built one to my liking, pretty loaded (not completely), 75K.

Also saw a C cabrio on the road.

kyfdx · January 2017

Says 329 HP.. that's not the E350 motor, is it?

texases · January 2017

Now a turbo 3.0 l, so I bet it puts out 329 hp.

kyfdx · January 2017

texases said:
Now a turbo 3.0 l, so I bet it puts out 329 hp.

Ahh.. that makes sense.. the base engine is a turbo four, now.

texases · January 2017

Now I'm more confused. MBUSA listed the E350 wagon with the 302 hp NA 3.5l engine, so the dealer's listing is doubly wrong, it seems. The turbo 3.0 V6 is in the E400...

Mr_Shiftright · January 2017

Depreciate much?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2016-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-E-350-4MATIC-Wagon-t58304

Mr_Shiftright · January 2017

It must be wrong. I just built a 2017 wagon 4Matic and I loaded it with every conceivable option and only got to around $83,000.

stickguy · January 2017

Been seeing a lot of new style Ford Edge lately. I really like the look of these.

and I think my neighbor might have gotten a new Lexus RX (I think the mid size one) CUV. she has an older model (2nd generation I believe) and this morning I noticed a new one in the driveway, iced over so was there overnight. So either a new one, or a service loaner. Will find out later.

stickguy · January 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:
Depreciate much?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2016-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-E-350-4MATIC-Wagon-t58304

well, pictures don't match the car. not sure what original sticker was, but with clearance pricing, not losing much.

this one, is what, about 70% depreciation?

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-mercedes~benz-e~class-certified_e550_v8_amg_sport_convertible_p2_navi-used-15881259.html

or go 2 more years older, next to no miles, under factory warranty for another year plus, and chop another $25,000 off the price.

http://www.aviautosales.com/2014_MercedesBenz_EClass_Magnolia_NJ_7234984.veh

Mr_Shiftright · January 2017

Ah, wrong link. This was the one---$61K.

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=25431683&Year=2016&Make=Mercedes-Benz&Model=E-Class

qbrozen · January 2017

yesterday on the turnpike, I saw what appeared to be an AMG G-wagon that was lowered with black wheels, black badging, and flat gray paint or wrap. Sad.

texases · January 2017

The AMG G-wagon: how to prove you have no good ideas on how to flush your money down the drain.

fintail · January 2017

Something else I noticed - the MBUSA configurator doesn't have the same option formats for the wagon as it does for the sedan, but the options on the 100K++ car are packaged like on the sedan. Something does not compute.

I also noticed the local dealer site has Tex cars listed as "leather", so who knows.

W212/C209 cars will depreciate harshly for a bit, as they are both the old model.

ab348 · January 2017

On clear but salt-covered roads today, spotted a M-B SLC250, looked as new, dark blue, driven by a middle-aged lady. Tracked along with me for a while before she pulled into a driveway in a middle-class part of town. Seemed a shame to drive a car that looked that nice in a Maritime winter.

stickguy · January 2017

first new CRV. drove past and only caught a quick glimpse, but looks sharp. Looking forward to checking it out next weekend at the car show.

and parked in Philly, a white Mazda CX-9, That was really good looking. also looking forward to seeing the insides next week.

Michaell · January 2017

stickguy said:
first new CRV. drove past and only caught a quick glimpse, but looks sharp. Looking forward to checking it out next weekend at the car show.

and parked in Philly, a white Mazda CX-9, That was really good looking. also looking forward to seeing the insides next week.

Grrr. Denver Auto Show is not until early April.

tjc78 · January 2017

New S60 at a neighbors house in a nice blue. I wouldn't throw it out of my driveway.

stickguy · January 2017

my son tested the new S60 before getting his Audi. I was seriously impressed. even have a model with real room in the back seat now!

stickguy · January 2017

saw a new Civic hatch today, at the supermarket. Nose in, so clear view of the butt. In a real light blue (maybe silvery blue). it was, well, not that attractive. Just seemed overdone to me. The spoiler did not help. Probably would be better in a darker color. I think if I get a Civic, will probably stick with the sedan.

Michaell · January 2017

stickguy said:
saw a new Civic hatch today, at the supermarket. Nose in, so clear view of the butt. In a real light blue (maybe silvery blue). it was, well, not that attractive. Just seemed overdone to me. The spoiler did not help. Probably would be better in a darker color. I think if I get a Civic, will probably stick with the sedan.

You can tell the difference from the rear?

fintail · January 2017

Ridgeline with a canopy, so a Pilot with no rear seat.

ab348 · January 2017

stickguy said:
saw a new Civic hatch today, at the supermarket. Nose in, so clear view of the butt. In a real light blue (maybe silvery blue). it was, well, not that attractive.

There's the understatement of the year so far.

stickguy · January 2017

Michaell said:

stickguy said:
saw a new Civic hatch today, at the supermarket. Nose in, so clear view of the butt. In a real light blue (maybe silvery blue). it was, well, not that attractive. Just seemed overdone to me. The spoiler did not help. Probably would be better in a darker color. I think if I get a Civic, will probably stick with the sedan.
You can tell the difference from the rear?

yeah, it is a bit different. And more fussy details. including a spoiler running across the window

explorerx4 · January 2017

Black XE and XF.

tlong · January 2017

Yeah, I find the new Civic kind of hideous. It went from attractive in the mid 2000s, to bland, and now to overdone ugly. IMHO.

I have managed to get another rental Dodge Dart while visiting my mom in Northern California.

In addition to the observations I had with my previous Dart rental (sea of black, poor ergonomics, rear view mirror in the near-center of the windshield), another item to add-

The tach and speedometers are so far apart (with the speedo on the right) that if I adjust the steering wheel to where I want it, it cuts the upper right portion of the speedo off, meaning I either lean down to see the speedo or raise the steering wheel higher than it should be. And of course this is the portion of the speedo that shows 50-80 or so mph, which is right where you normally need to see it while on the highway.

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

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