Stonehauler
Well-Known Member
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I went to the DC auto show today to look at some of the new vehicles, and to start the (very) long process of finding and buying my next car. I looked at the traditional 3, plus a huge host of others. Here are the ones I found interesting. As an FYI, Mercedes, BMW, and Cadillac were not there.
I am fairly tall (6'2", but with a long torso, so if you are shorter, things I mark as too small may appeal to you
Acura - TLX was ok, but the RLX was a bit better. Mostly from the standpoint of the seats. Problem is, while both are AWD, the last time I took one for a test drive, it was bland and had no soul. I would probably pass on these unless they have gotten better recently
Alpha Romeo - Giulia - I can't fit in it, too small
Audi - The seats in the S5 and RS5 were nice sitting, but the RS seats with very gaudy. Decent trunk space and good horsepower. Great horsepower is expensive though.
Buick - Regal GS - this reminded me of the Pontiac Grand Prix GTPs, but with better interiors. Very nice midsize vehicle, suitable for families, and the occasional adult couples night out. My wife and I had a GTP and we loved it then. 3.6L turbo engine. I would definately take it for a test drive.
Chevrolet - Corvette still has the best seats I've ever sat in, and because I have a bad back, I try a LOT of different car seats. 10/10 for seat comfort. Unfortunately, I am too tall and it's too impractical except as a 2nd car. It has a great "cockpit" feel to it for the controls.
Camaro - I will discuss this at the end when comparing the "big 3" relevant to this forum.
Chrysler - 300C was nice, but it's a very...bland car. If you are looking for a good sleeper, it would be ok, but it won't be as powerful as the Charger.
Dodge - Charger was nice., but I wish the interior was a bit more upscale. It seems very plastic/rubbery inside the car, and a bit plain jane.
Challenger - I will discuss this at the end when comparing the "big 3" relevant to this forum.
Fiat - 124 Spider - too small, same goes for both Mazda MX-5 models.
Ford - Mustangs I will discuss this at the end when comparing the "big 3" relevant to this forum. That said, I loved the bullet and the GT both. They had the GT500 on display and it looked really nice. But at 700+ hp, it's just not a good fit
Fusion - A good car, and with a 325 HP engine, not a bad little car for a family. That said, it's a bit too...blah for me. I would definitely give it a test drive though
Genesis - all 3 cars have backseat issues, even the G90 which is HUGE. But, I found this car to be a luxury wannabe. the interior looked ok, but it felt...cheap? I am not sure it would hold together over the long term.
Honda - Accord...yep, it's an Accord. Let's move on.
Infinity - Q60 nice interior, it has my interest. Nice seats, smaller trunk, but inline with the mustang I think. Back seat is good for a dog to stretch out on, but not suitable for humans. Cockpit is nice.
Q70 - We saw the L version, but the backseat was huge. Seats not as nice as the Q60, but the trunk was also very nice. I think the Q70 and the Q60 are nice and probably get a second look from me.
Jaguar - the XE was nice, but a little on the small side for me
The XF was very nice indeed, and the only car I didn't hit my head on the roof in the back seat. This will probably get a second look during my buying process
Kia - Stinger was nice, but seats were not great for me, the backseat was tight, and a smaller trunk.
Lexus RC/RC F - I actually preferred the regular RC, because the seats were better. I am a little wide (not a lot), but seats on the normal RF felt more supportive. That said, the cockpit layout was filled with small buttons and felt overly complex.
GS 350F - seats were ok and the back seat was pretty decent. I would bump my head going over a pothole, but otherwise it would just mess my hair. Trunk was nice sized and visibility was excellent. However, the layout in the cockpit is not the best.
Lincoln - MKZ If you like the Fusion, give the Lincoln a look. It has more powerful engine and it felt better inside. That said, it's Lincoln, so buying a 2 year old one might be better as the value of the car drops a lot in the first few years.
Subaru WRX - just don't see myself in it, others might love it.
BRZ/Toyota 86. Too small for me to fit
Toyota Supra - VERY nice looking car on the outside. I wish I could have sat in it, but it's probably too small anyway.
Volkswagon Arteon - Big plus,l it doesn't look like a volkswagon. It's pretty nice, but the seats are only so so, as is the visibility
Volvo S90 - Umm, only saw the V90, but that was a NICE wagon. If you are in the lookout for a full sized wagon, this is your car.
NOW:
The big 3 comparison
First off, it's not a great comparison. This is really two pony cars, and a muscle car, not 3 pony cars.
Appearance - the Camaro is the most visually appealing car on the outside, followed by the Mustang and then Challenger. My wife rated it Camaro, Challenger, Mustang because she does not like the grill on the Mustang. That said, she thinks the Challenger is butt ugly too. - Point Camaro
Interior - The Camaro interior is comparable to the Dodge, and both are lower in quality than the Mustang. - Point Mustang.
Front Seats - Camaro was an 8.5 with the normal, a 7 with the Recaro seats Both were tight fits with me to the ceiling. Delete the moon roof for me to fit in either. But both the wife and I liked the Mustang seats better. Dodge was a distant third - Point Mustang
Back seats. Good for a dog in both Camaro and Mustang. Usable in the Challenger. - Point Challenger
Visibility - The Camaro is a tank slit in the back, and the blind spots are huge. Mustang was better, but the Challenger was better still. None were great though. The Camaro had the best wing mirrors. - Point Challenger
Cockpit layout - Layout was slightly better on the Challenger, but the poor quality of the interior was distracting. Point Mustang.
Fit Finish - all three were decent.
Trunk - Camaro was horrible and would be hard to get anything in/out of it. Mustang was pretty good for the size, but the Challenger had a very nice sized trunk - Point Challenger
Performance - none could be driven as it is an auto show, but I would deem all three worthy of a test drive.
Personal notes. If I were to get one, I would probably look at the Challenger/Charger and the Mustang. Both are at least decent looking for me, but the interior quality is what would get me to try the Mustang, while the size and usability/cruiser qualities of the Challenger would be the reason I would look at that. I need to have both practicality and function, and ideally both for my cars. I think the Mustang falls a bit on practicality, but wins on function. The Challenger falls on interior quality, but would be a practical car.
Best thing about going to a car show...seeing all the cars. Second best thing about going to a car show...you feel comfortable talking to anyone and everyone because we are all there because we love cars.
Feel free to post your opinions
I am fairly tall (6'2", but with a long torso, so if you are shorter, things I mark as too small may appeal to you
Acura - TLX was ok, but the RLX was a bit better. Mostly from the standpoint of the seats. Problem is, while both are AWD, the last time I took one for a test drive, it was bland and had no soul. I would probably pass on these unless they have gotten better recently
Alpha Romeo - Giulia - I can't fit in it, too small
Audi - The seats in the S5 and RS5 were nice sitting, but the RS seats with very gaudy. Decent trunk space and good horsepower. Great horsepower is expensive though.
Buick - Regal GS - this reminded me of the Pontiac Grand Prix GTPs, but with better interiors. Very nice midsize vehicle, suitable for families, and the occasional adult couples night out. My wife and I had a GTP and we loved it then. 3.6L turbo engine. I would definately take it for a test drive.
Chevrolet - Corvette still has the best seats I've ever sat in, and because I have a bad back, I try a LOT of different car seats. 10/10 for seat comfort. Unfortunately, I am too tall and it's too impractical except as a 2nd car. It has a great "cockpit" feel to it for the controls.
Camaro - I will discuss this at the end when comparing the "big 3" relevant to this forum.
Chrysler - 300C was nice, but it's a very...bland car. If you are looking for a good sleeper, it would be ok, but it won't be as powerful as the Charger.
Dodge - Charger was nice., but I wish the interior was a bit more upscale. It seems very plastic/rubbery inside the car, and a bit plain jane.
Challenger - I will discuss this at the end when comparing the "big 3" relevant to this forum.
Fiat - 124 Spider - too small, same goes for both Mazda MX-5 models.
Ford - Mustangs I will discuss this at the end when comparing the "big 3" relevant to this forum. That said, I loved the bullet and the GT both. They had the GT500 on display and it looked really nice. But at 700+ hp, it's just not a good fit
Fusion - A good car, and with a 325 HP engine, not a bad little car for a family. That said, it's a bit too...blah for me. I would definitely give it a test drive though
Genesis - all 3 cars have backseat issues, even the G90 which is HUGE. But, I found this car to be a luxury wannabe. the interior looked ok, but it felt...cheap? I am not sure it would hold together over the long term.
Honda - Accord...yep, it's an Accord. Let's move on.
Infinity - Q60 nice interior, it has my interest. Nice seats, smaller trunk, but inline with the mustang I think. Back seat is good for a dog to stretch out on, but not suitable for humans. Cockpit is nice.
Q70 - We saw the L version, but the backseat was huge. Seats not as nice as the Q60, but the trunk was also very nice. I think the Q70 and the Q60 are nice and probably get a second look from me.
Jaguar - the XE was nice, but a little on the small side for me
The XF was very nice indeed, and the only car I didn't hit my head on the roof in the back seat. This will probably get a second look during my buying process
Kia - Stinger was nice, but seats were not great for me, the backseat was tight, and a smaller trunk.
Lexus RC/RC F - I actually preferred the regular RC, because the seats were better. I am a little wide (not a lot), but seats on the normal RF felt more supportive. That said, the cockpit layout was filled with small buttons and felt overly complex.
GS 350F - seats were ok and the back seat was pretty decent. I would bump my head going over a pothole, but otherwise it would just mess my hair. Trunk was nice sized and visibility was excellent. However, the layout in the cockpit is not the best.
Lincoln - MKZ If you like the Fusion, give the Lincoln a look. It has more powerful engine and it felt better inside. That said, it's Lincoln, so buying a 2 year old one might be better as the value of the car drops a lot in the first few years.
Subaru WRX - just don't see myself in it, others might love it.
BRZ/Toyota 86. Too small for me to fit
Toyota Supra - VERY nice looking car on the outside. I wish I could have sat in it, but it's probably too small anyway.
Volkswagon Arteon - Big plus,l it doesn't look like a volkswagon. It's pretty nice, but the seats are only so so, as is the visibility
Volvo S90 - Umm, only saw the V90, but that was a NICE wagon. If you are in the lookout for a full sized wagon, this is your car.
NOW:
The big 3 comparison
First off, it's not a great comparison. This is really two pony cars, and a muscle car, not 3 pony cars.
Appearance - the Camaro is the most visually appealing car on the outside, followed by the Mustang and then Challenger. My wife rated it Camaro, Challenger, Mustang because she does not like the grill on the Mustang. That said, she thinks the Challenger is butt ugly too. - Point Camaro
Interior - The Camaro interior is comparable to the Dodge, and both are lower in quality than the Mustang. - Point Mustang.
Front Seats - Camaro was an 8.5 with the normal, a 7 with the Recaro seats Both were tight fits with me to the ceiling. Delete the moon roof for me to fit in either. But both the wife and I liked the Mustang seats better. Dodge was a distant third - Point Mustang
Back seats. Good for a dog in both Camaro and Mustang. Usable in the Challenger. - Point Challenger
Visibility - The Camaro is a tank slit in the back, and the blind spots are huge. Mustang was better, but the Challenger was better still. None were great though. The Camaro had the best wing mirrors. - Point Challenger
Cockpit layout - Layout was slightly better on the Challenger, but the poor quality of the interior was distracting. Point Mustang.
Fit Finish - all three were decent.
Trunk - Camaro was horrible and would be hard to get anything in/out of it. Mustang was pretty good for the size, but the Challenger had a very nice sized trunk - Point Challenger
Performance - none could be driven as it is an auto show, but I would deem all three worthy of a test drive.
Personal notes. If I were to get one, I would probably look at the Challenger/Charger and the Mustang. Both are at least decent looking for me, but the interior quality is what would get me to try the Mustang, while the size and usability/cruiser qualities of the Challenger would be the reason I would look at that. I need to have both practicality and function, and ideally both for my cars. I think the Mustang falls a bit on practicality, but wins on function. The Challenger falls on interior quality, but would be a practical car.
Best thing about going to a car show...seeing all the cars. Second best thing about going to a car show...you feel comfortable talking to anyone and everyone because we are all there because we love cars.
Feel free to post your opinions
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