The Car Thread ... !

[iLog.Genius]

Edit: Their interior/exterior combo restrictions are pathetic too. Brown leather is restricted to white or black exterior. wtf?

Maybe people would be willing to overlook the hideous grill if these cars actually had some luxurious features.

I think this is severely overlooked and is one reason why I stick with BMW instead of considering Mercedes and Audi. Yes, BMW likes to nickel/dime for features but at the end of the day, I can customize the car they way I want it. There are some restrictions with exterior and interior colours but its still a lot more options than competing brands. If I want the exterior to be black, white, grey or blue, I know I still have a relatively large selection of leather choices and colours.

 

[A.Goldberg]

It's unfortunate that Acura STILL doesn't have some typical luxury features.

Panoramic roof, rear AC vents (RDX didn't until the facelift), adaptive HID/LED Headlights, headlamp washers, color HUD, massage seats, multi way power passenger seats, connected tech, air suspension, etc.

Edit: Their interior/exterior combo restrictions are pathetic too. Brown leather is restricted to white or black exterior. wtf?

Maybe people would be willing to overlook the hideous grill if these cars actually had some luxurious features.

Oh right there's another thing. She wanted a white exterior. Sadly Acura only offers/offered a tan interior, whereas she preferred black or brown. Acura at least had the decency to put in a brown, albeit light brown, carpet. Anyone who buys white/light tan carpet in New England is looking for trouble. It turns brown very quickly.

The lack of a panoroof was a big minus on the RDX. Sure, the cost is a bit less tha. Some of the completion. But having the ability to spec in the reasonable luxury options would probably be quite welcome.

The 2015 RDX she looked at had less features than her 2009 ES350 (which dates back to 2007). And so the Allroad was purchased...

 

[2298754]

The lack of a panoroof was a big minus on the RDX. Sure, the cost is a bit less tha. Some of the completion. But having the ability to spec in the reasonable luxury options would probably be quite welcome.

It's pretty sad when even the cheaper RAV4 can be optioned with a Panoroof. The Hyundai Tuscon comes with pano roof, heated rear seats, etc. Same with a loaded Sante Fe.
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I think this is severely overlooked and is one reason why I stick with BMW instead of considering Mercedes and Audi. Yes, BMW likes to nickel/dime for features but at the end of the day, I can customize the car they way I want it. There are some restrictions with exterior and interior colours but its still a lot more options than competing brands. If I want the exterior to be black, white, grey or blue, I know I still have a relatively large selection of leather choices and colours.

Yeah, the Germans are really become flexible. Audi Exclusive and BMW Individual offer so many interior/exterior color options and upgraded leathers.

If you desire, they'll even let you get a yellow car with red leather.

 

[0388631]

I really liked the 3TL from like 2005-2010. Before the beak came. That was a great car.

I'd forgotten about that. The RSX was popular with youth buyers, wasn't it? A money maker for Acura.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

There's a police joke to be made here.

Yes, I know what that sounded like xD. In all seriousness, the owner's son (who was selling it along with his grandpa) drifted the thing after it had received new tires. (What an inconsiderate jerk.) So, we got new tires... that are pretty bald.

 

[daneoni]

I give BMW a lot of credit. The 335/340 is a great car, as are the M models, but let's be completely open on this, BMW is diluting the crap out of its brand. It's really not even the same thing anymore. Get a fully loaded consumer level midsize before wasting your time with a 320i.

Sadly this is true. German brands used to be very exclusive and driving/owning one made you feel a certain kind of special. As i sit at this desk i can count 6 BMWs, 4 Mercs and 3 Audis parked around. None of them have engines bigger than 2litres, and majority are entry level trims.

I get emails from BMW and Audi about brand-new pre-registered vehicles waiting to be flogged off the line...as long as you have decent credit. BMW in particular. Audi still like to pretend about exclusivity with their elevated pricing which i find funny since its mostly a rebadged VW you're buying in the entry level segment. That said since diesel-gate even they've been dropping prices and giving away their cars.

The germans have indeed diluted their brands/lineup to make them more accessible and have as a result taken over the market from the Japanese here. But on the flip side you're now mostly buying a badge rather than any particular experience. Unless you go significantly higher up the food chain or buy performance models. And even then you have to be ready for ridiculous depreciation because the market is flooded.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Sadly this is true. German brands used to be very exclusive and driving/owning one made you feel a certain kind of special. As i sit at this desk i can count 6 BMWs, 4 Mercs and 3 Audis parked around. None of them have engines bigger than 2litres, and majority are entry level trims.

But that's how it always was, at least here in Canada which was likely mirrored in the states. With the E46, it was all about the 320, 323 and 325 as the volume models and occasionally you'll see the 330i. With the E90 and now F30, I'm pretty sure the ratio of 320i/325i/328i to 330i/335i is the same as it was in the past. The reason why this has got more attention is because BMW's popularity has skyrocketed but their operations in terms of sales and models have been consistent.

But that's not to say BMW and the rest of the German brands haven't changed - they have. But it's all for different reasons and factors. Strictly speaking about BMW, it's extremely harder for them since they're the independent manufacturer having to find ways to innovate and compete with Mercedes and Audi without the benefit of platform and resource sharing from their parent and related companies. I don't exactly like how some BMW's of today drive, but I respect them a lot more because they have to do everything independently. In contrast, you have to ask why Audi isn't walking all over BMW and Mercedes being under the VW banner when they have brain trust from Porsche, Bugatti, Lambourghini, etc. available (yes, I understand that they're still operated on their own but you can't tell me that the R&D isn't shared it the slightest bit between the brands where it's applicable).

 

[AustinIllini]

But that's not to say BMW and the rest of the German brands haven't changed - they have. But it's all for different reasons and factors. Strictly speaking about BMW, it's extremely harder for them since they're the independent manufacturer having to find ways to innovate and compete with Mercedes and Audi without the benefit of platform and resource sharing from their parent and related companies. I don't exactly like how some BMW's of today drive, but I respect them a lot more because they have to do everything independently. In contrast, you have to ask why Audi isn't walking all over BMW and Mercedes being under the VW banner when they have brain trust from Porsche, Bugatti, Lambourghini, etc. available (yes, I understand that they're still operated on their own but you can't tell me that the R&D isn't shared it the slightest bit between the brands where it's applicable).

In return for the security of the larger parent company, Audi has some odd philosophies for a brand so far upmarket. The FWD platform is completely inexcusable and some of the engines set Audi back. And now, because of some poor choices by the parent company, Audi is taking a major hit globally from the emissions scandal. I mean, yes, this can happen anywhere, but Audi could probably exist on its own without much trouble.

 

[0388631]

Don't forget it took them a long time to dump CVTs.

 

[lowendlinux]

Sadly this is true. German brands used to be very exclusive and driving/owning one made you feel a certain kind of special. As i sit at this desk i can count 6 BMWs, 4 Mercs and 3 Audis parked around. None of them have engines bigger than 2litres, and majority are entry level trims.

I get emails from BMW and Audi about brand-new pre-registered vehicles waiting to be flogged off the line...as long as you have decent credit. BMW in particular. Audi still like to pretend about exclusivity with their elevated pricing which i find funny since its mostly a rebadged VW you're buying in the entry level segment. That said since diesel-gate even they've been dropping prices and giving away their cars.

The germans have indeed diluted their brands/lineup to make them more accessible and have as a result taken over the market from the Japanese here. But on the flip side you're now mostly buying a badge rather than any particular experience. Unless you go significantly higher up the food chain or buy performance models. And even then you have to be ready for ridiculous depreciation because the market is flooded.

They're not diluting their brand their brand wasn't that special to begin with. Outside the States BMW and Mercedes are cabs and police cars even I have one.

 

[0388631]

But are they the very same car to a tee as the export model? I can't speak for BMW, but when in Europe and having relied on taxis to get around, MBZ taxis were quite different than what you could get here. Base models with cloth interiors, small engines or diesel powered, very limited luxury items, etc.

BMW has since the 80s if not the 70s had a large breadth of models to pick and choose from. The notion of diluting their brand isn't particularly new. In '75 the E21 designation came out with 3 models and in the new few years several others came out. As did the E12 and E28, the executive (5 series) range of BMW.

 

[lowendlinux]

But are they the very same car to a tee as the export model? I can't speak for BMW, but when in Europe and having relied on taxis to get around, MBZ taxis were quite different than what you could get here. Base models with cloth interiors, small engines or diesel powered, very limited luxury items, etc.

BMW has since the 80s if not the 70s had a large breadth of models to pick and choose from. The notion of diluting their brand isn't particularly new. In '75 the E21 designation came out with 3 models and in the new few years several others came out. As did the E12 and E28, the executive (5 series) range of BMW.

I don't know how many export models are actually built here..

You largely missed the point Americans are really the only people that view Mercedes or BMW as special to most of the world they're just cars.

 

[0388631]

I don't know how many export models are actually built here..

You largely missed the point Americans are really the only people that view Mercedes or BMW as special to most of the world they're just cars.

Maybe if they're younger buyers; 28 and under and don't have much money to begin with. Middle America may hold that view, but German cars have outnumbered Japanese or domestics here in this part of California since I moved here. To me they're just cards too save for the occasional model that can make a grown man swoon a bit.

There was a period of time in the 80s when Americans couldn't get over Volvos. It was a dark period of time. I like older Volvos as much as the next man, but that was a weird period.

 

[2298754]

Middle America may hold that view, but German cars have outnumbered Japanese or domestics here in this part of California since I moved here.

Yeah, the Germans outnumber most brands around here too. Subarus and Toyotas are dime a dozen, but you can't walk more than a few feet and NOT run into some sort of BMW/Audi/MB/Porsche

 

[2298754]

They're not diluting their brand their brand wasn't that special to begin with. Outside the States BMW and Mercedes are cabs and police cars even I have one.

What does that have to do with anything?

You can't purchase those fleet models in North America. Europe has always gotten a variety of options from their own OEMs. Tiny 4 banger diesels, cloth seats, hubcaps, etc

 

[2298754]

And now, because of some poor choices by the parent company, Audi is taking a major hit globally from the emissions scandal.

That's probably true, but their US sales have largely been unaffected by the emissions scandal.

https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/ne...sets-june-sales-record-66th-consecutive-month

They still hold the longest consecutive sales record in the industry. They're on their 66th month right now? Probably 67th straight month after sales data is released later today.

edit: looks like I was right

https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/ne...7th-straight-monthly-u-s-sales-record-in-july

Another record sales month for them

 

[2298754]

. In contrast, you have to ask why Audi isn't walking all over BMW and Mercedes being under the VW banner when they have brain trust from Porsche, Bugatti, Lambourghini, etc. available

Well, even they have stated that they are NOT pushing volume in North America because they can make more money in Asia or Europe.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz have resorted to large incentives and highly subsidized lease programs to push volume, which, in turn, has completely ruined their long-term resale.

Audi doesn't discount their cars as much and have better resale. ALG backs this up. They're the only German brand in the top 3. Behind LR and Lexus.

https://www.alg.com/residual-value-awards.html

 

[2298754]

There was a period of time in the 80s when Americans couldn't get over Volvos. It was a dark period of time. I like older Volvos as much as the next man, but that was a weird period.

Give it a few more years. I think we will see a huge Volvo resurgence. The new XC90 is everywhere and they look fantastic.

But the all 4-cyl lineup is inexcusable. Hopefully they come to their senses soon.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Give it a few more years. I think we will see a huge Volvo resurgence. The new XC90 is everywhere and they look fantastic.

But the all 4-cyl lineup is inexcusable. Hopefully they come to their senses soon.

Yeah it's too bad the new Volvos are only 4 bangers. I feel like that approach must alienate a sizable population.

In parts of CT, the Volvo craze never left.

 

[2298754]

Saw this beauty last night.

Too bad the current XJ is trash

 

[D.T.]

I must be the only person out there that hates the Miata.

I'm kind of ambivalent at best, I mean, I "get it", but THAT Miata isn't ANY Miata

 

[0388631]

I don't like the Miata myself. To me, it comes across as a chick car and the whole Miata movement is rather surprising to me. But I suppose due to its price, it fits the role of a cheap small roadster and thus it sells.


The emissions scandal is great for those wanting a sporty VW like the GTI or the MK7 R. Before the scandal, the MK7 R was selling for above MSRP, that isn't the case now.

The Focus RS is more interesting. I've read of people supposedly paying 20K above MSRP for them once dealers realized how much of a hot ticket car they were.

Yeah, the Germans outnumber most brands around here too. Subarus and Toyotas are dime a dozen, but you can't walk more than a few feet and NOT run into some sort of BMW/Audi/MB/Porsche

Funny you bring this up. There is a Subaru dealership two cities over, but everytime I pass by their lot they've got tumbleweeds blowing past, so to speak. In the last 10 years alone I've seen less than a dozen Subari's on the streets. They're not very popular here, except for the WRX and the STD variant.

Well, even they have stated that they are NOT pushing volume in North America because they can make more money in Asia or Europe.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz have resorted to large incentives and highly subsidized lease programs to push volume, which, in turn, has completely ruined their long-term resale.

Audi doesn't discount their cars as much and have better resale. ALG backs this up. They're the only German brand in the top 3. Behind LR and Lexus.

https://www.alg.com/residual-value-awards.html

Makes me wonder what sort of return I'll see in 2019/2020 when I sell off the future Dad Power Wagon TM.

Give it a few more years. I think we will see a huge Volvo resurgence. The new XC90 is everywhere and they look fantastic.

But the all 4-cyl lineup is inexcusable. Hopefully they come to their senses soon.

Ever since Goldberg brought it up pages ago I took look around the net and came across a Volvo forum. Looking through the XC90 category, the problems with the car seem to be a dime a dozen.

Saw this beauty last night.

Too bad the current XJ is trash

I had a loaner of these for a few weeks years ago. The X300 variant, issues here and there but it was quite nice to drive. At low speeds, it was apt to driving a boat, but a very nice and luxurious boat. Dark green on cream or tan. Also guzzled gas, but gas was very cheap back then. Good times.

 

[Alphazoid]

My Pastor has the X350 with a supercharged V8, he's had it for 11yrs and it is in pristine condition. Funny enough the vice pastor also has a Jag, the X300. Also well taken care of. Both cars first made me curious about the brand. But then that interest was dulled when the abomination that is the S-type came out.

Shame about the direction Jaguar went with the X351. Its probably the ugliest luxury sedan in the segment. Especially in the rear. Should've done what Bentley and Porsche do and stick to a signature core design with subtle changes each generation and a revise interiors.

That said the XE, XJ, F-series are one of the best looking designs in their segment.

 

[2298754]

The emissions scandal is great for those wanting a sporty VW like the GTI or the MK7 R. Before the scandal, the MK7 R was selling for above MSRP, that isn't the case now.

You are correct. I've been seeing GTIs for $4-5k off sticker. There was a NoVA dealer offering $6-7k off Autobahn trim GTIs a few weeks ago. Quite tempting in the low $20s. I had a MKV GTI 4dr briefly and loved it.

Golf Rs are $1k off sticker on the lower end model around here. MSRP for the higher trim DCC/NAV model.

The Focus RS is more interesting. I've read of people supposedly paying 20K above MSRP for them once dealers realized how much of a hot ticket car they were.

The Focus RS is a pretty cool car, but I can't get over the mid-life crisis boy racer looks and the mediocre Ford interior (Sync especially.) The Golf R might be slower, but it's a more comfortable DD with a higher quality interior.

I would love to get into a Golf R (or Mini) sometime down the line.

Ever since Goldberg brought it up pages ago I took look around the net and came across a Volvo forum. Looking through the XC90 category, the problems with the car seem to be a dime a dozen.

Yup, awful initial quality so far, as reported on Swedespeed. I guess that's what happens when you buy an all-new car with all-new engine/platform in its first model year. It's a recipe for disaster.
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Shame about the direction Jaguar went with the X351. Its probably the ugliest luxury sedan in the segment. Especially in the rear. Should've done what Bentley and Porsche do and stick to a signature core design with subtle changes each generation and a revise interiors.

All of this. The current XJ is awful.

That said the XE, XF, F-series are one of the best looking designs in their segment.

The XE looks pretty lame IRL, but I do dig the rest of their lineup. XF, F-Pace, F-Type... all great looking cars.

Jaguar wants way too much money for the new XF. Almost $75k. Jeez

 

[A.Goldberg]

Saw this beauty last night.

Too bad the current XJ is trash

Is that Chestnut Hill? Aka Wegmans??

I was actually admiring that sexy Taurus myself. Didn't even notice the Jag