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What car are you buying/test driving?

robsutherlandrobsutherlandMember
quote:
Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:

Rob- there are no reasons not to get the new 85. It will be hard to ever drive another car again.


The only compelling reason is it's actually more expensive than a GL63. I've been looking at a GL350 diesel but if I'm going to spend that kind of money there IS something to be said for a big snorting V8...
S spoMember
quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
quote:
Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
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.


Stop trying to think of one. Sounds like there are none.


I just watched a video about the P85D. The sensor that recognizes cars, pedestrians etc. is pretty cool. They said that it is not safe enough yet to where you can get in and sleep, then wake up at your destination but they are working on it and the redundancy. I wonder how long long till it is capable of being fully automatic. 5-10 years? Sooner?
T thistlintomMember
quote:
Originally posted by spo:
quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
quote:
Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
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.


Stop trying to think of one. Sounds like there are none.


I just watched a video about the P85D. The sensor that recognizes cars, pedestrians etc. is pretty cool. They said that it is not safe enough yet to where you can get in and sleep, then wake up at your destination but they are working on it and the redundancy. I wonder how long long till it is capable of being fully automatic. 5-10 years? Sooner?


I wonder how far the car companies will go towards full automation. They would probably have to assume the liability of crashes..
G g-manMember
quote:
Originally posted by ThistlinTom:
quote:
Originally posted by spo:
quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
quote:
Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
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.


Stop trying to think of one. Sounds like there are none.


I just watched a video about the P85D. The sensor that recognizes cars, pedestrians etc. is pretty cool. They said that it is not safe enough yet to where you can get in and sleep, then wake up at your destination but they are working on it and the redundancy. I wonder how long long till it is capable of being fully automatic. 5-10 years? Sooner?


I wonder how far the car companies will go towards full automation. They would probably have to assume the liability of crashes..


it's too bad we dont have the resources to think about more efficient methods of mass transit

i personally want something like an HOV lane for automated cars.

you only allow automated cars and automated buses/mass transit vehicles and they set to go at a higher speed since you dont have to worry bout idiots in front of you braking. everyone else who chooses to drive can't get in, no matter what.

you ensure the automated lane now moves at grid speed and eliminate traffic jams completely.
vintvintMember
quote:
Originally posted by JDWest:
Just bought a Toyota Highlander for the Mrs., kid, dog, bikes, skis, clubs, racquets, etc, etc and the schlep up the 400 to the cottage every weekend.

Saved me from the mini-van...for now.

Good call. I've had Highlanders as rentals a couple of times and really enjoyed them.
T thistlintomMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
quote:
Originally posted by JDWest:
Just bought a Toyota Highlander for the Mrs., kid, dog, bikes, skis, clubs, racquets, etc, etc and the schlep up the 400 to the cottage every weekend.

Saved me from the mini-van...for now.

Good call. I've had Highlanders as rentals a couple of times and really enjoyed them.


I was looking at the MDX but went with Highlander and am quite happy. Rides nice, decent and smooth acceleration and the electronics are good.
J jdwestMember
quote:
Originally posted by ThistlinTom:
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
quote:
Originally posted by JDWest:
Just bought a Toyota Highlander for the Mrs., kid, dog, bikes, skis, clubs, racquets, etc, etc and the schlep up the 400 to the cottage every weekend.

Saved me from the mini-van...for now.

Good call. I've had Highlanders as rentals a couple of times and really enjoyed them.


I was looking at the MDX but went with Highlander and am quite happy. Rides nice, decent and smooth acceleration and the electronics are good.


Good to hear guys. We too looked at the MDX and loved it, but couldn't justify the premium and to me it felt a little tighter inside.

Happy with our decision, now need to wait 3 months for it to be delivered…crazy.
S seaquamMember
quote:
Originally posted by irwin:
Just bought a 2015 Subaru Forrester Touring 2.5i model. Jasmine Green.


My brother-in-law is on his 3rd or 4th Forester, and he abuses the hell out of them. He says he's never had a single mechanical or electrical problem (just lots of paint and/or bodywork), and just loves them. Hope yours proves to be as reliable, irwin.
irwinirwinMember
quote:
Originally posted by Seaquam:
quote:
Originally posted by irwin:
Just bought a 2015 Subaru Forrester Touring 2.5i model. Jasmine Green.


My brother-in-law is on his 3rd or 4th Forester, and he abuses the hell out of them. He says he's never had a single mechanical or electrical problem (just lots of paint and/or bodywork), and just loves them. Hope yours proves to be as reliable, irwin.


Thanks, Seaquam. This will be my wife's car. They offered a deal as follows: For a one time payment of $499 they will fix any dings, dents, scratches, window chips, etc. for 7 years for free, so long as the ding, etc. is no bigger than a credit card. No deductible.
Sounded good to me, so we did that.
I can guarantee that we'll use that deal a few times.
V vinobevoMember
quote:
Originally posted by KSC02:
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) Wink

Ditto Dok - D. has driven them for 5 years now and loves it. She started with the straight up Cooper and moved to the Cooper S Countryman a couple years ago. Fun to drive and (knock on wood) we have yet to have any issues with the single exception of the tire pressure sensors being a little overly sensitive.
J jorgerunfastMember
First off, I drive a Fiat 500, so I'll have to disagree with some of the sentiment in this thread. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. If I were to do it again, I'd opt for the Turbo (wasn't available when I purchased mine) or even the Abarth (wasn't available yet, either) just to give it a bit more pep. Otherwise, it's a fun little car, and I think it's better-styled than the MINI.

Secondly, I'm looking into the MINI Countryman because I need something bigger, and I find the 4-door Fiat pretty disagreeable.

Thirdly, I'm thinking of splurging and am looking at the Audi S4 or BMW 335i. Coming from a 101hp Fiat, these 300hp+ cars are outright wild for me.

Test drove a 428i GC this weekend, and thought it was nice, but overpriced (I really want a 435i GC, but it's just way too new, so dealers are impossible)

Also took the Lexus GS350 for a spin, which drove incredibly smoothly and quietly. Talk about a pure luxury, cruising, sedan.

I'll follow up next week, but the Audi S4 seems to be in the lead right now.
bomba503bomba503Member
quote:
Originally posted by Jorgerunfast:
First off, I drive a Fiat 500, so I'll have to disagree with some of the sentiment in this thread. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. If I were to do it again, I'd opt for the Turbo (wasn't available when I purchased mine) or even the Abarth (wasn't available yet, either) just to give it a bit more pep. Otherwise, it's a fun little car, and I think it's better-styled than the MINI.

Secondly, I'm looking into the MINI Countryman because I need something bigger, and I find the 4-door Fiat pretty disagreeable.

Thirdly, I'm thinking of splurging and am looking at the Audi S4 or BMW 335i. Coming from a 101hp Fiat, these 300hp+ cars are outright wild for me.

Test drove a 428i GC this weekend, and thought it was nice, but overpriced (I really want a 435i GC, but it's just way too new, so dealers are impossible)

Also took the Lexus GS350 for a spin, which drove incredibly smoothly and quietly. Talk about a pure luxury, cruising, sedan.

I'll follow up next week, but the Audi S4 seems to be in the lead right now.


I love my 335i. Only complaint was the performance run flat tires which were $1500 to $2000 a set and lasted less than 15K miles. Bridgestone just came out with touring drive flat tires (model is DriveGuard) that come with 50K mile guarantee under $1000/set. They arent nearly as responsive and it changed the ride a lot but saving $3500 over 3 years of driving is worth it to me.

My best friend just got rid of his 328 and got the GS350. He loves it so far
mimikmimikMember
quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
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.


Just helped a poor girl from Texas get her 300c out from being stuck in the snow. I don't know if they make the car with front wheel or all-wheel-drive drive but rear wheel drive is a no-no for northern climates.
mimikmimikMember
quote:
Originally posted by KSC02:
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) Wink


At a higher price range, though, check out the BMW i3 all electric hatchbsck. It says DoktaP and mrs P. all over itWink
T tdubMember
quote:
Originally posted by Jorgerunfast:
Thanks guys, good to hear on all counts.

I've also just thrown the Lexus IS350 F-Sport into the mix, and sort of removed the GS350 (it's a bit too "grown up" for me). A family friend owns a dealership, and the numbers on the IS are incredible

In the coming days I'll test drive the IS350 and S4 and be sure to report back.


Jorge; can't say enough great things about my S4. Most fun car I've ever owned and fast fast fast! Very easy to mod and tune as well. For a small price you can literally turn them into super cars. At least here Audi seems to be the "in" vehicle so to speak.

If you need anymore feedback you know where to find me.
K ksc02Member
quote:
Originally posted by Jorgerunfast:
First off, I drive a Fiat 500, so I'll have to disagree with some of the sentiment in this thread. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. If I were to do it again, I'd opt for the Turbo (wasn't available when I purchased mine) or even the Abarth (wasn't available yet, either) just to give it a bit more pep.

While a turbo does provide the pep I would reccomend avoiding a turbo on all but a 911, at least for something that you plan to keep for a long time. They age an engine prematurely.
winetarelliwinetarelliMember
quote:
Originally posted by KSC02:
quote:
Originally posted by Jorgerunfast:
First off, I drive a Fiat 500, so I'll have to disagree with some of the sentiment in this thread. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. If I were to do it again, I'd opt for the Turbo (wasn't available when I purchased mine) or even the Abarth (wasn't available yet, either) just to give it a bit more pep.

While a turbo does provide the pep I would reccomend avoiding a turbo on all but a 911, at least for something that you plan to keep for a long time. They age an engine prematurely.

I have not had this experience with an Audi (2.0T) at all. That said, other things (fuel pumps, etc) have given me headaches walletaches with the car.

Audi and BMW have both gone almost exclusively to turbo, and the engines are great. They also use less gas than a normally aspirated engine capable of producing the same thrust.
robsutherlandrobsutherlandMember
quote:
Originally posted by Jorgerunfast:
Thanks guys, good to hear on all counts.

I've also just thrown the Lexus IS350 F-Sport into the mix, and sort of removed the GS350 (it's a bit too "grown up" for me). A family friend owns a dealership, and the numbers on the IS are incredible.

In the coming days I'll test drive the IS350 and S4 and be sure to report back.


Take a look at the new CLA 45. I don't normally go for a 4-banger in a sedan, but I drove one of these and they are a hoot! Too small for my needs but super fun and quite zippy.
flwinoflwinoMember
quote:
Audi and BMW have both gone almost exclusively to turbo, and the engines are great. They also use less gas than a normally aspirated engine capable of producing the same thrust.


Caveat here. In normal COMFORT mode yes they have great MPG. For the old zip you need to switch to the SPORT mode. Less MPG.

Speak from experience I have a BMW 528i. In the ECO mode it is great for MPG but can't get out of the way of a turtle.
T tdubMember
quote:
Originally posted by winetarelli:

Audi and BMW have both gone almost exclusively to turbo, and the engines are great. They also use less gas than a normally aspirated engine capable of producing the same thrust.


Audi in it's midsize sports sedans is still using a supercharger not a turbo. I love the sound that baby makes when it's all spun up.
winetarelliwinetarelliMember
quote:
Originally posted by T Dub:
quote:
Originally posted by winetarelli:

Audi and BMW have both gone almost exclusively to turbo, and the engines are great. They also use less gas than a normally aspirated engine capable of producing the same thrust.


Audi in it's midsize sports sedans is still using a supercharger not a turbo. I love the sound that baby makes when it's all spun up.


Actually... not any more. The only sedan Audi makes without a turbo engine now is the A8L W12. But that might be a pretty new development -- I think the A7 had the supercharged engine just a couple of years ago? Even the base A8 is now using the 3.0T.
T tdubMember
quote:
Originally posted by winetarelli:
quote:
Originally posted by T Dub:
quote:
Originally posted by winetarelli:

Audi and BMW have both gone almost exclusively to turbo, and the engines are great. They also use less gas than a normally aspirated engine capable of producing the same thrust.




Audi in it's midsize sports sedans is still using a supercharger not a turbo. I love the sound that baby makes when it's all spun up.


Actually... not any more. The only sedan Audi makes without a turbo engine now is the A8L W12. But that might be a pretty new development -- I think the A7 had the supercharged engine just a couple of years ago? Even the base A8 is now using the 3.0T.


The T on 3.0T does not stand for turbo. The S4 and S5 their mid size are both supercharged. The T is used by Audi to designate a tuned engine. The A6 is also using a supercharged 3.0T as an option as is the A7 and A8. The 3.0T supercharged engine has been named repeatedly one of the best engines in the world.
Last edited by tdub
winetarelliwinetarelliMember
quote:
Originally posted by T Dub:
quote:
Originally posted by winetarelli:
quote:
Originally posted by T Dub:
quote:
Originally posted by winetarelli:

Audi and BMW have both gone almost exclusively to turbo, and the engines are great. They also use less gas than a normally aspirated engine capable of producing the same thrust.




Audi in it's midsize sports sedans is still using a supercharger not a turbo. I love the sound that baby makes when it's all spun up.


Actually... not any more. The only sedan Audi makes without a turbo engine now is the A8L W12. But that might be a pretty new development -- I think the A7 had the supercharged engine just a couple of years ago? Even the base A8 is now using the 3.0T.


The T on 3.0T does not stand for turbo. The S4 and S5 their mid size are both supercharged. The T is used by Audi to designate a tuned engine. The A6 is also using a supercharged 3.0T as an option as is the A7 and A8. The 3.0T supercharged engine has been named repeatedly one of the best engines in the world.

Eek Eek

I stand corrected! Since the 2.0T and 4.0T are turbos I just assumed the 3.0T is as well... but you're totally right! Wow, to get that much power out of a 3 liter engine without turbo-charging it is definitely impressive!
K ksc02Member
quote:
Originally posted by winetarelli:
quote:
Originally posted by KSC02:
While a turbo does provide the pep I would reccomend avoiding a turbo on all but a 911, at least for something that you plan to keep for a long time. They age an engine prematurely.

I have not had this experience with an Audi (2.0T) at all. That said, other things (fuel pumps, etc) have given me headaches walletaches with the car.

Audi and BMW have both gone almost exclusively to turbo, and the engines are great. They also use less gas than a normally aspirated engine capable of producing the same thrust.

I'm happy to see your 2.0T performing well. I can only speak from the experience of designing engines (including turbo units) for several years in a previous life. Granted that was back in the 80s. Last engine development I was involved with was the first Viper V10 (turbo not required Big Grin ). Technology may have improved this but unless there have been significant advancements with this technology in lining/strengthening basic engine core it's still the simple physics of recycling waste exhaust gases and recycling under high pressure which is very hard on the basic engine structure. This won't show in a couple of years. It would start to show as the engine ages (but it will then age very quickly vs progressively) and require a replace. Again, technology may have improved this greatly. If so, terrific. Personally, I wouldn't consider purchasing one. But, then, I'm also not a fan of Audi due to very unsatisfied past customer experiences Wink
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