Automobiles

[sk_tle]

Appart from the 911 that keeps classic inspiration I don't think there is any decent looking car right now. They all look like robotech euroncap inspired thingies. I think the BMW i8 was the nicest modern design but it is already discontinued.

But maybe I just converted to an old grump.

[robin3mj]

[Saab2000]

You just get this?

[robin3mj]

You just get this?

Ha, no.
I was providing a counterpoint to Thomas' observation.
I'm largely with him that most cars these days are interchangeable, amoeba-like shapes, but the 911, this Mazda, new Bronco, and others still resonate.

I would love a hard-top Miata, but need a couple more good years of padding the college fund before I'd feel comfortable putting one in the garage.

[j44ke]

Ha, no.
I was providing a counterpoint to Thomas' observation.
I'm largely with him that most cars these days are interchangeable, amoeba-like shapes, but the 911, this Mazda, new Bronco, and others still resonate.

I would love a hard-top Miata, but need a couple more good years of padding the college fund before I'd feel comfortable putting one in the garage.

The Bronco doesn't look too bad, though that may be mostly because it is based on a great design from years ago.

[vertical_doug]

Thanks. Never seen one. I think I would remember that taillight.

Car design is a lot like carbon bike frame design right now. Everyone is designing towards each other, possibly for the same reasons - aerodynamics - creating a lot of same with minor injections of different.

What is the best looking car right now?

The new Honda e. It's so ugly, you love it like a toy car.

[robin3mj]

The Bronco doesn't look too bad, though that may be mostly because it is based on a great design from years ago.

Agreed- they did a great job with the design. Though now that they're out and available (and crazy expensive), I think they're just going to turn into yet another version of the 4-dr Wrangler, with billions of them with the off-road packages doing nothing more than driving to Little League games with the top down. I'm a little too eco-conscious to ever justify it anyway. Our neighbors have one, and as big as it is, there is no way I'd even be able to fit 3 booster seats across the back row.

[swt]

We just plunked down a deposit on a soon-to-be-ours 2022 XC60 plug in hybrid. We absolutely, positively, had to go +1 for our 4 driver family and I just handed over my f-150 to my son. My wife laid down the law that we are never buying another all-gas car so this is where we landed.Definitely a strange time to be getting a new car.

[echappist]

We just plunked down a deposit on a soon-to-be-ours 2022 XC60 plug in hybrid. We absolutely, positively, had to go +1 for our 4 driver family and I just handed over my f-150 to my son. My wife laid down the law that we are never buying another all-gas car so this is where we landed.Definitely a strange time to be getting a new car.

other than the tax credit, was there any incentive from the dealership?

[Saab2000]

Ha, no.
I was providing a counterpoint to Thomas' observation.
I'm largely with him that most cars these days are interchangeable, amoeba-like shapes, but the 911, this Mazda, new Bronco, and others still resonate.

I would love a hard-top Miata, but need a couple more good years of padding the college fund before I'd feel comfortable putting one in the garage.

I want a Porsche 718 4.0 but a Miata makes so much more sense at every level. I owned a 1990 and really enjoyed it. Underpowered but light and a bunch of fun. And a surprisingly reasonable car for most daily errands and not even bad at road trips.

[swt]

There was a state (CA) incentive of less than $1k. Other than that every other similar car around here is selling for over MSRP. We got ours a bit under. No negotiating though... Difference between XC60's and Q5 PHEVs is that there are actually XC60s to be had. Audi dealer told me that after the summer batches (which are all sold, and a deep wait list for fall-throughs), he doesn't know if they will get any cars in the latter half of the year.

[SeanEasley]

Yea, it's getting stupid around where I am trying to get a lowly RAV4 hybrid. Dealers are basically taking deposits or just saying it's first come-first served with call-ups to all interested buyers whenever they get one. Which is to say there is no negotiating the mark-ups. Some of them are even acting kind of indignant at times since they are finally have the advantage.

[j44ke]

We just plunked down a deposit on a soon-to-be-ours 2022 XC60 plug in hybrid. We absolutely, positively, had to go +1 for our 4 driver family and I just handed over my f-150 to my son. My wife laid down the law that we are never buying another all-gas car so this is where we landed.Definitely a strange time to be getting a new car.

Will be very interested in hearing a usage review in a few months!

[robin3mj]

Never seen one of these before. Like a VW only more stylish.
https://www.slashgear.com/807696/the...-knew-existed/

[SeanEasley]

merc-camino

[nelzvelo]

Video, Please!

I will work on putting together some video footage. I love driving this car but can't afford the gas because of the cost of the car! Lol!

[rwsaunders]

Old Ford trucks get a yellow line hall pass.

[72gmc]

Cafe Racer logo on the door?

[echappist]

Just put down a deposit for a CPO Volvo V60 CC wagon. I have yet to see it with my own eyes, but I hope the vehicle is in generally good condition. Years ago, when I helped a family friend buy a CPO Lexus (a purchase I insisted the family friend to walk away from), that Lexus came with all sorts of minor dings and dents that weren't obvious in a somewhat dark showroom but became visible under sunlight. I'm really hoping that this V60 CC doesn't fall into this category (though it won't surprise me).

Even factoring in the inflated pricing I get from selling my current 12-yr old vehicle (~$3.5k more than what it's worth in normal times), the CPO V60 is about $3k-4k more than what it should have cost during normal times. OTOH, for $7k more, we could have gotten a new V60 CC (at ~5% below MSRP). While the latter is a "better deal", it just didn't seem worth it, when that $7k could be used elsewhere. We reasoned whereas the "better deal" part is illusory, the $7k difference is actually tangible.

All in all, not very amused by any of this. I just hope I can drive this one for a good ten years without too much issue... After all, I had intended to keep my current car, a Camry V6, for a good long time, but a persisting issue that has cost $1k so far and is still yet to be fixed put me "over the edge".

Pictures to come when I take delivery.

[rwsaunders]

Cafe Racer logo on the door?

Sounds like you know the truck, Dan…photo taken on a side street in Capitol Hill.