Got two new cars in November- a 2014 Cadillac ATS with 2.0 liter turbo for my wife. Solid handling and performing car. Got myself a 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. One word comment-WOW!
quote:Originally posted by Stefania Wine:
still humming along with the FJ. I did get a letter from Toyota though offering to buy the now 7 year old 120,000 mile car back from me at 85% of what I paid for it 7 years ago. By my math that makes the effective cost of the vehicle for the past 7 years $50.59 a month. My kind of car payment.
Paul, what's the scoop with that. That's amazing? Has this become a collector's item of sorts? Don't even know if they still make this model
quote:Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
Just to add a little more colour, the suspension was a little rough (not firm and sporty, more just a bad case of poorly set-up dampers, it came into its own on good fast back roads). The gearbox, which is the best auto around and used by jag, aston martin etc. is again set-up poorly. Slow shifts, a little hesitant etc. You can't tell it's the same transmission as used elsewhere. The steering is also absolutely dead.
The car could be a lot better than it is (and will probably evolve to be that way) but the engineers took great parts off the shelf and set them up poorly. The Alfa 4C apparently suffers from the same fate (esp. the steering). It's been deadened and slowed down.
heh sounds like a rebadged Lincoln town car
quote:Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:quote:Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:quote:Originally posted by Parcival:quote:Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
I gave the Maserati a good going over last week and my verdict is stay away unless you are doing short term leasing and have no children. It's a flimsy car and as pretty as it is, I wouldn't do it, I have the feeling they will (very unfortunately) be yet another in the string of Maser lemons that fall apart.
The Macan is a Q5 but the rear is smaller. I have a 3.5 year old and he would be claustrophobic in the back. Still Porsche will sell a lot of them and again, no kids, want to sit high and need/want a small SUV, it suits well.
If you want something small and fun what about a GLA45 or CLA45?
Rob . . . what's the issue you ran into with the Maserati? I test drove the Ghibli but only for ~90 minutes. Obviously, there's a lot that goes unnoticed in that short a period of time, but interested to hear what signs you picked up on that suggest poor durability
I'll write more tomorrow when I'm not on my iPad but the gauge of the sheet metal is very thin, the doors were poorly done, the door handles were already loose and close to broken. The interior had had a number of people going through it but it was already worn.
Just to add a little more colour, the suspension was a little rough (not firm and sporty, more just a bad case of poorly set-up dampers, it came into its own on good fast back roads). The gearbox, which is the best auto around and used by jag, aston martin etc. is again set-up poorly. Slow shifts, a little hesitant etc. You can't tell it's the same transmission as used elsewhere. The steering is also absolutely dead.
The car could be a lot better than it is (and will probably evolve to be that way) but the engineers took great parts off the shelf and set them up poorly. The Alfa 4C apparently suffers from the same fate (esp. the steering). It's been deadened and slowed down.
I'm going to have to try to get a weekend loan on this. This wasn't my experience at all, but I didn't have that much time in it. Admittedly, I was also wowed by the look of the car and perhaps influenced by the fact that it was parked besides a McLaren and a Ferrari (Maserati dealer here is also a Jag, Lambo, Rolls, Bentley . . . and re-seller of all other exotics)
quote:Originally posted by Parcival:
Paul, what's the scoop with that. That's amazing? Has this become a collector's item of sorts? Don't even know if they still make this model
It is pretty limited in production and demand is high. It started as and remains kind of a pet project at Toyota so the car is built way over its price point.
I had some work done on it at a body shop 4 years ago and the guys there told me they were anxious to get it on the lift and see the suspension. They'd just gotten back from the Detroit Auto show and their comment was "It's the best production suspension in the world". It was designed to out do the Jeep Rubicon for trail performance and do it off the lot.
When I bought mine they were cheap. I put every option on it they had at the time and paid $24,500. They now run about $35,000, if you can find them, most dealers have waiting lists. The high resale is really that demand and the increase in price on the new ones. I have no doubt the dealer would get more for it than I paid originally. Mine is also a little more valuable because it's blue. Toyota is retiring colors after they sell 10,000 units.
It's really freaking amazing. I have 120,000 miles and I've replace a fuel pump $300 and put on new tires $1200. Other than that it's only needed regular maintenance. I have a friend with one and he finally had to replace break pads at 150,000 miles.
It's a billy goat in the mountains. I've been passed twice in seven years on the road up to the winery, both times by a Ferrari. It loves to be off road and I've had it in some nasty situations, including backing up 1/2 mile on a single lane dirt track with a trailer on the back in the pouring rain.
I haul grapes with it, it's rated at 5,000 pounds and I usually haul 3000 pounds at a time. I mean you all have nice cars, but there is not one of them that can haul 1 1/2 tons of grapes over 5 miles of dirt road including crossing two streams. I get 19mph all the time. Actually higher when I tow because I'm going slower.
When I had it in for my last oil change I asked my mechanic if he thought I could get 300,000 miles out of it and he said, "Go for 500,000" it should make that."
It's not perfect. I joke it's like driving a moving blind spot. Everyone who owns one dings the bumper on the right rear at least once. If you need luxury, well it's designed with a drain hole in the floor so you can hose it out. Not exactly a luxury feature
quote:Originally posted by Stefania Wine:quote:Originally posted by Parcival:
Paul, what's the scoop with that. That's amazing? Has this become a collector's item of sorts? Don't even know if they still make this model
It is pretty limited in production and demand is high. It started as and remains kind of a pet project at Toyota so the car is built way over its price point.
I had some work done on it at a body shop 4 years ago and the guys there told me they were anxious to get it on the lift and see the suspension. They'd just gotten back from the Detroit Auto show and their comment was "It's the best production suspension in the world". It was designed to out do the Jeep Rubicon for trail performance and do it off the lot.
When I bought mine they were cheap. I put every option on it they had at the time and paid $24,500. They now run about $35,000, if you can find them, most dealers have waiting lists. The high resale is really that demand and the increase in price on the new ones. I have no doubt the dealer would get more for it than I paid originally. Mine is also a little more valuable because it's blue. Toyota is retiring colors after they sell 10,000 units.
It's really freaking amazing. I have 120,000 miles and I've replace a fuel pump $300 and put on new tires $1200. Other than that it's only needed regular maintenance. I have a friend with one and he finally had to replace break pads at 150,000 miles.
It's a billy goat in the mountains. I've been passed twice in seven years on the road up to the winery, both times by a Ferrari. It loves to be off road and I've had it in some nasty situations, including backing up 1/2 mile on a single lane dirt track with a trailer on the back in the pouring rain.
I haul grapes with it, it's rated at 5,000 pounds and I usually haul 3000 pounds at a time. I mean you all have nice cars, but there is not one of them that can haul 1 1/2 tons of grapes over 5 miles of dirt road including crossing two streams. I get 19mph all the time. Actually higher when I tow because I'm going slower.
When I had it in for my last oil change I asked my mechanic if he thought I could get 300,000 miles out of it and he said, "Go for 500,000" it should make that."
It's not perfect. I joke it's like driving a moving blind spot. Everyone who owns one dings the bumper on the right rear at least once. If you need luxury, well it's designed with a drain hole in the floor so you can hose it out. Not exactly a luxury feature
Hah, I actually got a similar offer from my dealer on my Scion.
Drove beside an Enzo Ferrari today... My goodness, talk about sheer automotive perfection.
quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
My goodness, talk about sheer automotive perfection.
no,
that'd be me in a speedo
quote:Originally posted by Parcival:quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
Parcival- get the model S. Seriously, you will love it. Maintenance is practically non-existent, plenty of room with front and rear trunks, and just an incredible drive. Next time you are out in SF, you can take mine for a nice drive up to napa, and you will be hooked.
I'll gladly take you up on that offer!
Can I hitch a ride in the trunk? Well, actually that would put me in the front of the vehicle...
quote:Originally posted by Eb56:quote:Originally posted by Parcival:quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
Parcival- get the model S. Seriously, you will love it. Maintenance is practically non-existent, plenty of room with front and rear trunks, and just an incredible drive. Next time you are out in SF, you can take mine for a nice drive up to napa, and you will be hooked.
I'll gladly take you up on that offer!
Can I hitch a ride in the trunk? Well, actually that would put me in the front of the vehicle...
front or back
engine is attached directly to the back wheel axel
quote:Originally posted by g-man:quote:Originally posted by Eb56:quote:Originally posted by Parcival:quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
Parcival- get the model S. Seriously, you will love it. Maintenance is practically non-existent, plenty of room with front and rear trunks, and just an incredible drive. Next time you are out in SF, you can take mine for a nice drive up to napa, and you will be hooked.
I'll gladly take you up on that offer!
Can I hitch a ride in the trunk? Well, actually that would put me in the front of the vehicle...
front or back
engine is attached directly to the back wheel axel
Yea, we can get EB56 in the front, g-man I'm the back.
quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:quote:Originally posted by g-man:quote:Originally posted by Eb56:quote:Originally posted by Parcival:quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
Parcival- get the model S. Seriously, you will love it. Maintenance is practically non-existent, plenty of room with front and rear trunks, and just an incredible drive. Next time you are out in SF, you can take mine for a nice drive up to napa, and you will be hooked.
I'll gladly take you up on that offer!
Can I hitch a ride in the trunk? Well, actually that would put me in the front of the vehicle...
front or back
engine is attached directly to the back wheel axel
Yea, we can get EB56 in the front, g-man I'm the back.
Since the trunks are taken, I call shotgun.
quote:Originally posted by Jcocktosten:
Hah, I actually got a similar offer from my dealer on my Scion.
The ugly-cheap car duo strikes again!
Picked up a new Audi Q5 3.0 this week. More room for the car seat and all the little ones other stuff compared to my little Acura and enough speed that its still fun to drive. Very happy with it so far.
I drove the Macan as well. It was fun to drive obviously, but it was a little to small for what we needed.
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Picked up a new Audi Q5 3.0 this week. More room for the car seat and all the little ones other stuff compared to my little Acura and enough speed that its still fun to drive. Very happy with it so far.
Look at who is getting all domesticated!
I have a friend who bought one a few weeks ago. He drives like an old lady so I doubt the car will ever hit 60 mph.
Hope it serves you well.
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
I drove the Macan as well. It was fun to drive obviously, but it was a little to small for what we needed.
Test drove the Macan turbo ~4 weeks ago. Incredibly fast for such a heavy car and handles much more like a sedan than a mini-SUV. Strongly considering this
We currently have the Q5 3.0 (first model year) and have loved all 4 years of this car so far.
quote:Originally posted by Parcival:quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
I drove the Macan as well. It was fun to drive obviously, but it was a little to small for what we needed.
Test drove the Macan turbo ~4 weeks ago. Incredibly fast for such a heavy car and handles much more like a sedan than a mini-SUV. Strongly considering this
We currently have the Q5 3.0 (first model year) and have loved all 4 years of this car so far.
Just bought the Q5 for my wife a few weeks ago, and I'm jealous. Love the way it drives and perfect for us and our 2 young boys.
She won the 'I'm not a minivan mom' battle, but now has nothing to say about my purchases
quote:Originally posted by patespo1:
She won the 'I'm not a minivan mom' battle, but now has nothing to say about my purchases
I'm in the same enviable position. Though not in the Audi league, we just traded up for a Chrysler 300C with a 5.7 ltr HEMI engine. Needless to say, she now has power to spare. Hopefully I won't hear any protests for a while when I grab a Dom. Serene Evenstad off the shelf.
quote:Originally posted by mneeley490:quote:Originally posted by patespo1:
She won the 'I'm not a minivan mom' battle, but now has nothing to say about my purchases
I'm in the same enviable position. Though not in the Audi league, we just traded up for a Chrysler 300C with a 5.7 ltr HEMI engine. Needless to say, she now has power to spare. Hopefully I won't hear any protests for a while when I grab a Dom. Serene Evenstad off the shelf.
I have a colleague who also bought a fully-loaded Chrysler 300C with the same engine last year, and he loves it. It's a great highway cruiser, lots of comfort and power. I think you get a lot of car for your money with this model.
I'm looking to buy an eco-friendly small car to use in town to drive back and forth to work. What are people's thoughts on the Fiat 500? Any other suggestions?
quote:Originally posted by DoktaP:
I'm looking to buy an eco-friendly small car to use in town to drive back and forth to work. What are people's thoughts on the Fiat 500? Any other suggestions?
Have a Mini Cooper S convertible in Taiwan and I love it as a city car.
quote:Originally posted by Seaquam:quote:Originally posted by mneeley490:quote:Originally posted by patespo1:
She won the 'I'm not a minivan mom' battle, but now has nothing to say about my purchases
I'm in the same enviable position. Though not in the Audi league, we just traded up for a Chrysler 300C with a 5.7 ltr HEMI engine. Needless to say, she now has power to spare. Hopefully I won't hear any protests for a while when I grab a Dom. Serene Evenstad off the shelf.
I have a colleague who also bought a fully-loaded Chrysler 300C with the same engine last year, and he loves it. It's a great highway cruiser, lots of comfort and power. I think you get a lot of car for your money with this model.
Yes, it's solidly built, extremely comfortable, and made in Canada, btw. So don't let it be said that I hold any grudges.
quote:Originally posted by Seaquam:
I have a colleague who also bought a fully-loaded Chrysler 300C with the same engine last year, and he loves it. It's a great highway cruiser, lots of comfort and power. I think you get a lot of car for your money with this model.
Test drove one last year and enjoyed it, but for not all that much more, got a loaded CTS-V Coupe. If Dodge had a more realistic lease price on the car, I might have gotten it. The V had a sticker price $32k higher.
I am looking to buy a new car for my son, who will soon be getting his driver's license.
Right now it looks like either the Subaru Legacy or the Mazda 6. Both of the new models have an automatic braking system (if the car detects a possible collision), along with lane departure warnings, blind spot alerts, rear view camera, etc...
I figure the new safety technology is worth the price; as much as I wish I could just buy him an old clunker instead, like my first car.
Right now it looks like either the Subaru Legacy or the Mazda 6. Both of the new models have an automatic braking system (if the car detects a possible collision), along with lane departure warnings, blind spot alerts, rear view camera, etc...
I figure the new safety technology is worth the price; as much as I wish I could just buy him an old clunker instead, like my first car.
quote:Originally posted by Rothko:
...Both of the new models have an automatic braking system...
Actually, neither does. Both are available with Forward Collision Warning which provides visual and audible cues in case of impending front end collision. Forward Collision Mitigation (auto braking) is typically found on significantly more expensive makes that Mazda or Subaru.
Having raised (and taught to drive) two daughters, I'll throw this out. There is no technology that is nearly as valuable as a good driver. If you don't have the time or inclination to teach him yourself, find an excellent "advanced skills" driving school in your area and spend a few bucks there. These are not the "teach you enough to pass the state test" schools, but handle things like rain/show/ice driving, dealing with tail-gaters, nighttime issues, etc... Money well spent if you get the right instructor.
PH
quote:Originally posted by PurpleHaze:quote:Originally posted by Rothko:
...Both of the new models have an automatic braking system...
Actually, neither does. Both are available with Forward Collision Warning which provides visual and audible cues in case of impending front end collision. Forward Collision Mitigation (auto braking) is typically found on significantly more expensive makes that Mazda or Subaru.
Having raised (and taught to drive) two daughters, I'll throw this out. There is no technology that is nearly as valuable as a good driver. If you don't have the time or inclination to teach him yourself, find an excellent "advanced skills" driving school in your area and spend a few bucks there. These are not the "teach you enough to pass the state test" schools, but handle things like rain/show/ice driving, dealing with tail-gaters, nighttime issues, etc... Money well spent if you get the right instructor.
PH
edit.... I was incorrect on the Legacy. It apparently can be equipped with auto-braking. The Mazda is FCW only.
Actually the Mazda has Smart City Braking, which is also an auto-braking system. It only works at lower speeds, however. At higher speeds it only gives a warning.
The Subaru works at all speeds, although it won't guarantee a full stop at higher speeds. In other words, it may slow the car down, but may not be able to stop an impact.
The Subaru works at all speeds, although it won't guarantee a full stop at higher speeds. In other words, it may slow the car down, but may not be able to stop an impact.
I appreciate the thoughts about an "advanced skills" course. I agree that that is money well spent.
Although there's not much need for the snow/ice training down here in South Florida.
Although there's not much need for the snow/ice training down here in South Florida.
quote:Originally posted by Rothko:
Although there's not much need for the snow/ice training down here in South Florida.
Unless he every moves! And hydroplaning skills translate well to ice driving.
PH
quote:Originally posted by DoktaP:
I'm looking to buy an eco-friendly small car to use in town to drive back and forth to work. What are people's thoughts on the Fiat 500? Any other suggestions?
Fiat 500 (the two door) is a great little thing. If you're looking for small and practical you can never go wrong with a VW golf (or I guess if you want to go there a diesel beetle). A mercedes B class is a nice step up and still gets great gas mileage. I haven't driven one but you could look at a lexus CT200h which is a hybrid.
Of course if you want small none of these are compared to older cars (just put a new Fiat 500 wagon or Mini Clubman next to a car from the 90's or 80's...) and a new car is inherently more ecologically damaging than existing car. So really if you want a little commuter car which is small, eco-friendly, fantastic in winter (lots of weight over the drive wheels), exceptionally cheap to run, had zero depreciation (actually beginning to appreciate in value) and still a lot of fun I will tell you what I tell everyone else.
Buy a 1987-1989 Porsche Carrera. If you need/want automatic buy a 1990-1994 C2 or C4 (4 wheel drive) with the mercedes automatic in it.
Simple, air/oil cooled, dead cheap to run (replace the front brakes for $50 a corner), fantastic in the winter, sounds sporty, not fast but feels it, small and easy to park, huge amount of parts, never break. Buy it, drive it everyday and never loose a penny on it.
quote:Originally posted by DoktaP:
I'm looking to buy an eco-friendly small car to use in town to drive back and forth to work. What are people's thoughts on the Fiat 500? Any other suggestions?
Well I'm exceptionally biased, but I'd go with a MINI, especially the new generation 3-cylinder. Fiat has the industry's worst customer satisfaction in Canada, if that plays a role..
quote:Originally posted by shavez:quote:Originally posted by DoktaP:
I'm looking to buy an eco-friendly small car to use in town to drive back and forth to work. What are people's thoughts on the Fiat 500? Any other suggestions?
Well I'm exceptionally biased, but I'd go with a MINI, especially the new generation 3-cylinder. Fiat has the industry's worst customer satisfaction in Canada, if that plays a role..
Dok, Mini over the Fiat any day of the week, and I can totally see you in a mini (tweed cap et al)
quote:Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
...really if you want a little commuter car which is small, eco-friendly, fantastic in winter (lots of weight over the drive wheels), exceptionally cheap to run, had zero depreciation (actually beginning to appreciate in value) and still a lot of fun I will tell you what I tell everyone else.
Buy a 1987-1989 Porsche Carrera. If you need/want automatic buy a 1990-1994 C2 or C4 (4 wheel drive) with the mercedes automatic in it.
Simple, air/oil cooled, dead cheap to run (replace the front brakes for $50 a corner), fantastic in the winter, sounds sporty, not fast but feels it, small and easy to park, huge amount of parts, never break. Buy it, drive it everyday and never loose a penny on it.
Hemmings agrees with you, Rob
We just did a twofer in AZ. I bought an AWD Highlander Limited to replace a Buick Enclave. I looked at a few other SUVs, including the Acura MDX. The Highlander has almost all the new bells and whistles and has done a really good job on the electronics which is what helped make the decision.
We also got a 2002 Audi TT turbo/quattro convertible, as we needed another car to get around while my wife's BMW is in Houston. It is a fun little car, with quite a bit of power. It was pretty cheap at $8k, but it has over 100k miles.
We also got a 2002 Audi TT turbo/quattro convertible, as we needed another car to get around while my wife's BMW is in Houston. It is a fun little car, with quite a bit of power. It was pretty cheap at $8k, but it has over 100k miles.
Trying to come up with reasons not to buy the new Tesla P85D and not coming up with many. 4-wheel drive, 691bhp, 670ft/lbs, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and I can get to the cottage and back without plugging in.
I'm probably in the minority, but I think it's time for a makeover of the tesla S body style. I see some many of them out here now for the last couple of year that it almost seems dated at this point. I always thought the interior was better than the exterior of the tesla, but now even more so.
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
I'm probably in the minority, but I think it's time for a makeover of the tesla S body style. I see some many of them out here now for the last couple of year that it almost seems dated at this point. I always thought the interior was better than the exterior of the tesla, but now even more so.
GlennK- Southern California and Northern California are the minority- they are very hard to spot in other states. And the car's exterior is not as impressive as the interior, but close. The recessed handles that open as you approach, the exceptional handling of te tires, the low center of gravity- the car is perfect. Rob- there are no reasons not to get the new 85. It will be hard to ever drive another car again.