Topic: Interesting things seen on the way to work thread

[OliverD]

I saw a Honda Crosstour this morning.  I used to think these were such an abomination back when they were released.  Now, with all the hunchback styling and AWD vehicle popularity, the Crosstour might actually do OK in today's market.  Better than in 2010 anyway.

I always thought that if Honda had just made it an Outback clone they would have had a huge hit on their hands.

[ArticSteve]

I saw a Honda Crosstour this morning.  I used to think these were such an abomination back when they were released.  Now, with all the hunchback styling and AWD vehicle popularity, the Crosstour might actually do OK in today's market.  Better than in 2010 anyway.

They had a huge price tag on them back then.

[tortoise]

Just looked it up, they were not much cheaper than a Pilot from the era. That has to hurt sales.

I always wished they made it a proper looking wagon.

[ktm525]

LCBO is probably the premium booze delivery system in the world.  They are the largest single buyer on booze in the world.

From NYC to Newport Beach CA and all points in between.   In comparison to LCBO, just pathetic.  Same with all Provinces with the exception of Quebec, but still nowhere near Ontario.

The LCBO name originates from the olden days.  When I was 16 one entered the building.  Nothing on display.  You went to the counter and got a paper slip and a pencil.  Then you were required to write down what you wanted and hand that slip to a dude behind the counter and he would disappear into the back and come back with the bottle already in a paper bag.

If you could not speak English or write English, and many people in Toronto could not, the guys would fill it out for you.  I never got asked for ID, but the guys behind the counter, usually 5, in my case due to my height, didn't give a hoot.  I was very popular in grade 12 and 13.

Largest buyer of booze? Compared to US Costco?   

[tortoise]

LCBO does 9.2 billion USD in sales.

Costco does 5 billion in the US.

[rrocket]

I saw a Honda Crosstour this morning.  I used to think these were such an abomination back when they were released.  Now, with all the hunchback styling and AWD vehicle popularity, the Crosstour might actually do OK in today's market.  Better than in 2010 anyway.

I totally dig the Acura ZDX

[ktm525]

LCBO does 9.2 billion USD in sales.

Costco does 5 billion in the US.

Really?

From LCBO FY: 2021-22 says $7.34 Billion Cdn. =   $5.2 Billion US. Where is the missing 4 billion?  Am I missing something? Is that you Chrystia Freeland?

It's still a big number. Didn't realize LCBO was also the supplier for bars, restaurants and retail. But why oh why would you want a crown corporation running things? I guess it's a profit centre and Canadians love their taxes.

Costco only had $4.4 Billion US in alcohol sales.  Considering what booze costs in the US though it's probably about double or triple the volume of the LCBO.   

[ktm525]

Wow  the LCBO bends over the captive market in Ontario. I just priced shopped my go to Scotch. 

[tortoise]

I just did a quick Google search, should have dug a bit deeper.

Either way, the point remains. It's crazy how big they are.

[Blueprint]

Monday was our first day with that white slop coming down and someone was commuting in a minty Sunfire convertible. Not that these things are Pebble-Beach worthy, just that they are getting rare! Spotted a Sunfire coupe too the day prior - Ponchos are out there!

[valuator]

I saw a Honda Crosstour this morning.  I used to think these were such an abomination back when they were released.  Now, with all the hunchback styling and AWD vehicle popularity, the Crosstour might actually do OK in today's market.  Better than in 2010 anyway.

I always thought that if Honda had just made it an Outback clone they would have had a huge hit on their hands.

Agreed.  Comparing how out Outback has aged & held up to our Pilot, it's no comparison.  Other than rust on the rear hatch of the Pilot (a known issue), the Pilot does not look or feel like it has 160,000km on it when it's been cleaned up.  The Outback has 100k and feels tired in many ways.

[PJungnitsch]

Just looked it up, they were not much cheaper than a Pilot from the era. That has to hurt sales.

I always wished they made it a proper looking wagon.

Might have made a difference. For some reason Americans tend to not buy anything that looks like a hatchback. Even the Venza, which seemed to be in every second driveway here in Edmonton at one time, sold poorly in the US

[ktm525]

Just looked it up, they were not much cheaper than a Pilot from the era. That has to hurt sales.

I always wished they made it a proper looking wagon.

Might have made a difference. For some reason Americans tend to not buy anything that looks like a hatchback. Even the Venza, which seemed to be in every second driveway here in Edmonton at one time, sold poorly in the US

I think it is the shape. A long time ago I compared a Volvo X70 (wagon sort of) to an XC60. Similar powertrains. The XC60 just seemed to have more useable space in places that were needed. The wagon had space in a long sausage type envelope.

Same thing with the Audi A4 all road vs the Q5. Q5 was the better "space shape". Sales have confirmed this.

[OliverD]

Just looked it up, they were not much cheaper than a Pilot from the era. That has to hurt sales.

I always wished they made it a proper looking wagon.

Might have made a difference. For some reason Americans tend to not buy anything that looks like a hatchback. Even the Venza, which seemed to be in every second driveway here in Edmonton at one time, sold poorly in the US

I think it is the shape. A long time ago I compared a Volvo X70 (wagon sort of) to an XC60. Similar powertrains. The XC60 just seemed to have more useable space in places that were needed. The wagon had space in a long sausage type envelope.

Same thing with the Audi A4 all road vs the Q5. Q5 was the better "space shape". Sales have confirmed this.

I dunno, do you really think people are buying Q5s because the interior space is more practical? They're buying them because they think wagons aren't cool and CUVs are.

[ArticSteve]

I just did a quick Google search, should have dug a bit deeper.

Either way, the point remains. It's crazy how big they are.

They do a fantastic job.  Best in the world.  The prices are all tax driven.

Staff are also paid well and don't suffer the usual government employee attitude.

If this Crown Corporation was run by the Federal Government then yes, it would be a train wreck.

[ktm525]

Just looked it up, they were not much cheaper than a Pilot from the era. That has to hurt sales.

I always wished they made it a proper looking wagon.

Might have made a difference. For some reason Americans tend to not buy anything that looks like a hatchback. Even the Venza, which seemed to be in every second driveway here in Edmonton at one time, sold poorly in the US

I think it is the shape. A long time ago I compared a Volvo X70 (wagon sort of) to an XC60. Similar powertrains. The XC60 just seemed to have more useable space in places that were needed. The wagon had space in a long sausage type envelope.

Same thing with the Audi A4 all road vs the Q5. Q5 was the better "space shape". Sales have confirmed this.

I dunno, do you really think people are buying Q5s because the interior space is more practical? They're buying them because they think wagons aren't cool and CUVs are.

I dunno.I didn't see much difference between the A4 all road and the Q5. IIRC the Q5 had higher ride height and a more livable rear. Other than that they are both egg shaped hatchbacky type things. Neither is a sportwagon. 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

These are pics from the engineering report for a jobsite I'll be attending.  Sad. 

[sailor723]

OUCH! 

[Blueprint]

If this was a 356 or 911, you’d get at least $5k for it on BaT 

[draghon]

First time seeing a Bronco Raptor IRL this morning. Wow is it comically wide with the extended fender flares and wide stance.