Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by karl262

I've been noticing more of the new design language Range Rovers on the road lately and they just don't look right to me. They made the lights far too small looking, especially the taillights. The last major refresh was for the 2013 year and it looked fantastic, it feels like the changes for the 2022 year that we have now were thought out poorly. Almost like they felt they needed to change the look drastically to differentiate but didn't really know what to do.

TBH, there's a lot of recent vehicles that look like they were designed rendered with a PSX. Lots of blocky, odd ratio and pixelated design elements going on. I don't like it and I don't think it'll age well.

[WideReceiver]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I think the autotrader website has the ability for you to type in some basic information about a vehicle and then it would give an estimate or idea of what such a vehicle could potentially be advertising for on their website?

That’s what I was going to try; thank you.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by karl262

I've been noticing more of the new design language Range Rovers on the road lately and they just don't look right to me. They made the lights far too small looking, especially the taillights. The last major refresh was for the 2013 year and it looked fantastic, it feels like the changes for the 2022 year that we have now were thought out poorly. Almost like they felt they needed to change the look drastically to differentiate but didn't really know what to do.

Agreed, I have a difficult time liking the design of the new ones, they're too minimalist to me. The L322 (02-12) and L405 (13-21) look so statesmanly and the new one just... misses the mark.

The real miss, IMO, was the new Range Rover Sport (L461). I was behind one the other day at a light and I just couldn't get over how underwhelming the design is.

Spoiler!

The L494 RRS was a MUCH better-looking car.

Spoiler!

[Table 5]

I think one of the most defining features of the classic Range Rovers was their relatively tall greenhouse. They all had this distinctive top-heavy glass-observatory look. You saw it in the Ranger Rovers and the Discos up until a couple of generations ago, and they had an air of going on a (very classy) safari. I was a huge fan.

I think it started with the Evoque, but they've all transition to having a high-beltline and low roof, which eroded that special quality...instead of an observatory, they now feel more like a tank. It doesn't help that many other manufacturers aped their designs (ie Ford Explorer), and/or share the same high beltline/low roof ratio. They all kind of look like mommy mobiles now.

[PepsiFree]

The Range Rover hasn’t looked good since 2012. It hasn’t looked great since 2001.

[DoubleF]

IMO, the new Range Rovers look like a cross between a FJ Cruiser and a die cast car.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by bossy22

Does anyone have a recommendation for a body shop that will do a small job? Essentially a 4 inch gouge on the back of my van. It's pretty deep. I don't think it'll buff out. I tried to put some touch up paint in there and it looks like ####.

Car Stars at CMP did the hail repair on my truck.

My wife then took the truck to scout camp, she pulled their utility trailer. Trailer jumped off the hitch and hit the bumper and destroyed the left exhaust. They repaired and painted the bumper and replaced the exhaust and did another great job.

My truck does fine when I drive it, I’m not letting anyone else near it, lol.

[karl262]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Agreed, I have a difficult time liking the design of the new ones, they're too minimalist to me. The L322 (02-12) and L405 (13-21) look so statesmanly and the new one just... misses the mark.

The real miss, IMO, was the new Range Rover Sport (L461). I was behind one the other day at a light and I just couldn't get over how underwhelming the design is.

Spoiler!

The L494 RRS was a MUCH better-looking car.

Spoiler!

Yeah the Sport is probably the most significant esthetic downfall.

At least with the full size it's still distinctive from the lineup even if it looks awful. I think the 2018 Velar really started this new design trend. They released it, sold lots, then doubled down.

I dunno, maybe it doesn't matter to people buying $200k SUV's what they look like but it matters to me dammit!

NSFW!

[Sliver]

Meh, looks fine to me.

I can't think of a single SUV I love. They mostly look NPC to me. This is better than the current peers (visually). I don't like what BMW or Mercedes are doing. Audi is meh. I like the new gen Lexus GX, but I'd be scared of that engine. Mind you, I guess I'd trust Lexus to take care of me and resolve issues moreso than Range Rover, so I'd take the Lexus over the Range Rover all day everyday.

The only SUV I look at and think, 'that'd be fun AF' is the two-door manual transmission Bronco. I could see myself enjoying that.

I wouldn't want that Range Rover, but it's fine and looks every bit as luxurious/rich as I'd expect out of Range Rover.

Other SUV I think I'd be content with is an Explorer ST. That seems to have a good compromise between value, performance and practicality.

[Wormius]

It looks like a futuristic Saab.

[Table 5]

Agree with the GX...love how that looks, but not crazy about the new engine options in those things. Still would rather spend the money on a previous gen GX with the bulletproof V8, or the last gen full-size Landcruiser.

The one SUV that intrigues me enough to maybe swap out my old LX, is the Ineos Grenadier. I'm fan of almost everything about it, apart from the BMW drivetrain, which kind of kills it in terms of long-term reliability for me. A NA Toyota engine would be the ultimate, but I'd take a Ford or GM engine since you can get those fixed pretty much anywhere. Great looking truck though.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Table 5

The one SUV that intrigues me is the Ineos Grenadier. I'm fan of almost everything about it, apart from the BMW drivetrain, which kind of kills it in terms of long-term reliability for me. .

My boss has one, he loves it.

But it is less than 1 yr old.

Time will tell.

Are Range Rovers still a quality nightmare?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Meh, looks fine to me.

I can't think of a single SUV I love. They mostly look NPC to me. This is better than the current peers (visually). I don't like what BMW or Mercedes are doing. Audi is meh. I like the new gen Lexus GX, but I'd be scared of that engine. Mind you, I guess I'd trust Lexus to take care of me and resolve issues moreso than Range Rover, so I'd take the Lexus over the Range Rover all day everyday.

The only SUV I look at and think, 'that'd be fun AF' is the two-door manual transmission Bronco. I could see myself enjoying that.

I wouldn't want that Range Rover, but it's fine and looks every bit as luxurious/rich as I'd expect out of Range Rover.

Other SUV I think I'd be content with is an Explorer ST. That seems to have a good compromise between value, performance and practicality.

I feel like we have hit a time where automakers have run out of ideas for SUV styling. To me Genesis SUV's look pretty decent but Audi keeps recycling the same look over several generations to the point you can't tell old from new models. MB's jelly bean shape styling looks just okay. BMW is all over the place with black plastics and grilles. I actually don't mind the looks of the new Range Rover Sport as it's super clean and they aren't throwing in truck grilles, weird angles, and shapes. The Japanese SUV's all look ultra-bland. Honda continues to be way too conservative with their SUV designs. Subaru just gave up and started copying Ford SUV designs. The upcoming RAV4 looks like a mishmash of EV SUV cues and a serving of last decade giant grille trend.

[TorqueDog]

The Grenadier, I just want to drive one. They look so slick.

Originally Posted by Sliver

Meh, looks fine to me.

I can't think of a single SUV I love. They mostly look NPC to me. This is better than the current peers (visually). I don't like what BMW or Mercedes are doing. Audi is meh. I like the new gen Lexus GX, but I'd be scared of that engine. Mind you, I guess I'd trust Lexus to take care of me and resolve issues moreso than Range Rover, so I'd take the Lexus over the Range Rover all day everyday.

The only SUV I look at and think, 'that'd be fun AF' is the two-door manual transmission Bronco. I could see myself enjoying that.

I wouldn't want that Range Rover, but it's fine and looks every bit as luxurious/rich as I'd expect out of Range Rover.

Other SUV I think I'd be content with is an Explorer ST. That seems to have a good compromise between value, performance and practicality.

BMW is the worst offender amongst the European brands for their current design language being horrid to look at, with the stupid angles, weird ridges and scoops, and making the kidney grilles look more like mutant beaver teeth than they ever have before. Meanwhile, Mercedes is going too far in the opposite direction, like a watch case that has been carelessly polished so all the edges are too rounded and smoothed out. G-Class aside, they are all starting to take on the shape of jelly beans on wheels. Audi... I think Audi's doing pretty good things at the moment. Not too excessive like BMW, not too bland like Mercedes.

As for Toyota/Lexus, their design language -- especially on their SUVs and trucks -- is dreadful these days, just overdesigned garbage. Like, I never knew BMW had a Japanese cousin until now. The Lexus GX is okay (and certainly the better choice powertrain-wise versus the buzzy crap they put in the LandCruiser), and it's miles better looking than the LX, which is unfortunate since the LX is the only option for the real LandCruiser in North America.

[Table 5]

I keep passing a blue Grenadier on my way to work. I gave him a thumbs up a couple of times but he wasn't having it.

[dammage79]

Man, I'd kill to be able to get a new Lexus gx550 over trail+.

That's the perfect new SUV in my mind. Do we really need to shell out 130k for one though? No. But if all of Toyota's offerings in that segment are over boosted 4 cylinders that eat fuel consumer rate to a 1980s Chevy big block, what's the point. I don't have a ton of faith long term in those small turbo 4 clinider engines over a long time.

But the GX has the v6 and a new 6 speed transmission.

I'd love a new Sequoia as well but theyre super overpriced.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Man, I'd kill to be able to get a new Lexus gx550 over trail+.

That's the perfect new SUV in my mind. Do we really need to shell out 130k for one though? No. But if all of Toyota's offerings in that segment are over boosted 4 cylinders that eat fuel consumer rate to a 1980s Chevy big block, what's the point. I don't have a ton of faith long term in those small turbo 4 clinider engines over a long time.

The twin turbo V6's haven't necessarily gotten off to a stellar start either...plenty of bearing issues in the Tundra with that engine. In 20 years, we may see more previous gen J150 GX's on the road than the J250s...those NA V8's are still classic bulletproof Toyota. Doesn't look as cool, but that's the one I'd target personally for long-term ownership.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Table 5

The twin turbo V6's haven't necessarily gotten off to a stellar start either...plenty of bearing issues in the Tundra with that engine. In 20 years, we may see more previous gen J150 GX's on the road than the J250s...those NA V8's are still classic bulletproof Toyota. Doesn't look as cool, but that's the one I'd target personally for long-term ownership.

Since Toyota already services the B58 engine in Supras, they should have just contracted BMW to supply their six cylinder turbo engines. BTW that's something I never thought I would type 15 years ago but the reality is that it's a much better engine than any current Toyota turbo engine.

[DoubleF]

The analog and digital cross over features in some vehicles throw me off. "What does this red toggle by the vent do if turned to blue...? WTF, why does it affect the air temp that much???"

With climate control, why the heck is this a feature? I thought my AC was low and probably needed a top up. Same question as to why the door lock/unlock button is right there beside this toggle at the centre console, just below the hazards light switch. Why did they decide on this design?

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

The Grenadier, I just want to drive one. They look so slick.

BMW is the worst offender amongst the European brands for their current design language being horrid to look at, with the stupid angles, weird ridges and scoops, and making the kidney grilles look more like mutant beaver teeth than they ever have before. Meanwhile, Mercedes is going too far in the opposite direction, like a watch case that has been carelessly polished so all the edges are too rounded and smoothed out. G-Class aside, they are all starting to take on the shape of jelly beans on wheels. Audi... I think Audi's doing pretty good things at the moment. Not too excessive like BMW, not too bland like Mercedes.

As for Toyota/Lexus, their design language -- especially on their SUVs and trucks -- is dreadful these days, just overdesigned garbage. Like, I never knew BMW had a Japanese cousin until now. The Lexus GX is okay (and certainly the better choice powertrain-wise versus the buzzy crap they put in the LandCruiser), and it's miles better looking than the LX, which is unfortunate since the LX is the only option for the real LandCruiser in North America.

Picked up a GLC 43 a while back and while the exterior is rather boring, the interior is what sold me. I have to look at the interior all day so that was most important, Audi and BMW just seemed weirdboring for interiors.
Feel like if I lowered the GLC an inch or two it would make a huge difference in the apperance.