A few random observations while driving down the road.

The new Beetle is a big improvement over the last. Amazing how it does look more masculine and less "chick car" than the first new Beetle. I love the baby moon wheels they have. I'd be interested to see if they improved the horrendous interior as well. I would actually drive one though without feeling like I was driving a teenage girl's car.

http://www.zercustoms.com/news/image...tible-UK-1.jpg

What is the deal with EVERY car manufacturer adding Audi style accent LED's to the headlights of most of their redesigned cars? (See above, the V-Dub has them too.) Is this a new DOT requirement or is this just another Altezza phase in automotive styling?

http://image.dashzracing.com/frame/e...Audi_LED_1.jpg

Who else thinks the Infiniti QX56 is the ugliest thing on the road since the Aztec?

I've seen quite a few of these around and they are massive, ugly and tacky. It looks like it was designed by committee with so many in-cohesive design elements that it makes me nauseous. What is the appeal when their are so many better looking vehicles out there? Especially at that price level. I mean this thing is absolutely the ugliest vehicle in new car show rooms right now. Don't ya think?

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/...oem/193334.jpg

The Aztec is still the ugliest car ever.

Sorry, BR, but nothing can out-ugly the Pontiac Asstek. Not surprised the VW and Audi are sharing styling cues. And, yes... the new new beetle is a marked improvement.

It's not just German cars. Kia, jaguar and others have copied the led front clip.

The qx56 looks to me a cross between an orca and a beluga whale. Pretty hideous.

The Aztec was gross but you all realize it nearly shares the same body style as a Prius... Same rear window rake with a small vertical window in the back. Granted its a car and not suv but you see the similarities, right?

No comment on beetle.

The Prius is not exactly the king of sexy...

http://www.blackbookmag.com/polopoly..._411/image.jpg

If I watched SNL I might have a reference to redmence's photo. It looks like a weekend update character.

I wasn't trying to suggest the QX56 was uglier than the Aztec. The Infiniti is just the ugliest new vehicle out there. The Ass-tec has to be one of the worst but there are plenty of worthy contenders in the past.

...and yes, it isn't just zee Germans zat are doing zee little LED track lighting. I've seen it on Fords, Jeeps, Lexus, KIA, etc... It's becoming ubiquitous.

Agree completely. New beetle is gorgeous, oddly enough. Just enough old school. Still wouldn't be caught driving one. The 'naked' leds are hideous. They look like a cheap knockoff of something from a supercar. Even the nice Audis look cheezy with them. If they added a diffuser on top of the LEDs they would be awesome, but raw LEDs, cheap looking.

Those new infinity's, along with their big brothers whatever their name, look like a nice design undergoing anaphylactic shock after stung by a bee...or that nice looking girl in highschool that's put on 80lbs before the 10 year reunion. They're a tragedy compared with the other gorgeous Infinity SUVs of late.

Ironically aztecs are badass vehicles, they have a very well thought out interior and trunk. Kind of like a jumbo element. The designer also did the c6 :P

^I own an element...and comparing to its styling is not exactly a complement, lol.

Don't forget this:
http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/x...28675035_n.jpg

I was referring to the interior setup not the exterior.

I do agree that the convertible murano is one of the worst things ever created haha.

Those LEDs act as DRLs and draw less power than a standard headlamp.

Apparently when you finally get to work after day-dreaming on your way there, you don't have much to do...

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Originally Posted by miataspeedracer

Apparently when you finally get to work after day-dreaming on your way there, you don't have much to do...

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Nah... this shit has been bugging me for months. I just remembered to post it today.

My mom had the first gen new Beetle convertible and absolutely loved it. Said she hated the blind spots with the top up, but that was her only complaint.

She traded it in for the new-new Beetle hardtop, and says she likes it more than her old one, except for looks. She says she is really unhappy with how it looks. I don't know why she traded a car she loved the looks of for one she isn't so fond of, but I guess I basically did the same thing when I sold my Z and bought the Miata shortly after. I digress.

Personally, I agree with my mother on this one. I don't care for either body style, but I certainly "like" the original new Beetle more than the new-new one.

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Originally Posted by motorollow

The Aztec is still the ugliest car ever.

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Originally Posted by 91NA6

The Aztec was gross but you all realize it nearly shares the same body style as a Prius... Same rear window rake with a small vertical window in the back. Granted its a car and not suv but you see the similarities, right?

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

The Prius is not exactly the king of sexy...

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Problems with the Kamm Tail? Honda CRX was cool.

I get upset when I think about how the new beetle drives around backwards.

My mom recently picked up a new Beetle convertible... I spent a couple hundred miles in the passenger seat with her while in CA visiting last week and was pretty impressed for what it is. Did not get the chance to drive it though.

One of my wife's tennis buddies picked up the new Beetle drop top too. She likes it, and it's roomier than I expected.

I do like the retro body vs. the older egg shaped one.

I guess I like the New New Beetle better than the Old New Beetle, but I don't really like either one. Besides that, the whole retro thing is wearing on me. I mean, if Ford keeps doing retro Stangs, what are they gonna do when it's time to make a new Mustang II Ghia with a half vinyl roof and purple velour interior?

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Originally Posted by Trendie

I get upset when I think about how the new beetle drives around backwards.

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:clap::clap::clap:

I like the original Beetle and had owned 2 of them in the past. However, it could be a PIA to drive. It was way under power. In cross wind situation, I almost ended in the ditch several times! :-) .... I still love them ... perhaps time makes every things look better .... like after a couple drinks, every girls are hot!

Update: I saw a new beetle tonight with the headlights on, guess I didn't notice it before but the stupid LEDs look terrible and way out of place. Made the whole car look stupid. That's all.