Cars We Drive!

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mafoofan said:

Sorry, guys. The 6-series in any form is a ******* land barge.

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What's a land barge?

gran coupe 4 lyfe



mafoofan said:

Sorry, guys. The 6-series in any form is a ******* land barge.

Click to expand...

Said the guys who want a g wagon

Audi SQ5 announced to be coming stateside. Looks pretty sharp.

Need some ideas for vehicles with the following criteria: 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs, ~$55K Max, no van. Ideas so far have been of the smaller SUV or wagon variety. Audi A4 Wagon, Audi Q5, BMW 328 Wagon, MB GLK, MB E-wagon (certified used), Subaru WRX (their US website still shows the WRX in hatchback form), Volvo (what happened to their S60 Wagon?). Also based in the US so some autos will not be available that other countries have.

We are sticking to a certain type but are we forgetting anything? Seems like we could get some large SUV from a lower brand but would rather have a wagon than a SUV. I was thinking we could get a loaded VW Jetta wagon but don't like the idea of making a $16K car into a >$30K car as it will still be a Jetta. Just tossing around ideas currently to see what else we are forgetting.

Also any experience with Certified Used from the German brands? If we do buy new from a German brand should we buy the X years free maintenance package?

I don't know what type of dog we are talking, but the boot in the a4 is pity full at best, the boot in a golf wagon is bigger, I would personally go Benz wagon big boot and lots of room in the interior.

Volvo S = sedan, c = coupe/cab/hatchback and v = wagon, there's a "new" V60 out here in Europe and its a great looking car, but volvox aren't what they used to be big rectangular boxes.

I got a CPO 08 passat sedan 2.0t a couple years ago, Its no A6 but its a great highway ride, I've taken it from 22k to 100k. there were a few hiccups that I had taken care of under warranty but nothing that worried me enough to dump it before the warranty ran out. Its been going strong. I'm planning on an Audi for the next car so I havnt been scared off of the VAG brand.

touareg fits right along side the q5, actually a bit bigger and just as well appointed,
volvo XC60 or XC70? forester?

GLK is rather small IMHO but I'm 6'1"

GLK is way small for that lot. With 55k you can get into an 09 or 10 GL.



Find Finn said:

Said the guys who want a g wagon

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The G-class is supposed to be a land barge. You buy it for it's offroad ability and build quality, and accept compromises to comfort, drivability, spacing, etc.

The 6-series, along with all other current BMWs, reflect significant divergences from what has made BMW a great, distinct maker. They have gotten too heavy and large. So, even as power has increased proportionately, driving dynamics have suffered. Yes, the new cars are faster, but the key is that they no longer feel the same. The numbers were never what gave BMW credible claim to the title "The Ultimate Driving Machine" they use in marketing. It was how much control and feel and confidence the cars gave to their drivers. Technological driving aids are arguably necessary for the average driver to handle increased power. However, the older BMW would have insisted they are not making cars for average drivers and such aids would also have been less needed because so much power wouldn't be needed to move so much weight. The current switch from hydraulic steering assist to electronic assist (not exclusive to BMW) has been particularly detrimental. By all accounts, BMW's famed steering feel is no more.

Even the current, outgoing M3--as great as a car as it is--is nonetheless a serious departure from the original. So much so that the 1-series M coupe was created to be a better facsimile.

Some will argue that this all has to be, due to changing markets, regulations, etc. They are probably right. But that doesn't change the fact that BMW no longer makes the sort of car that they built their reputation on.

Volvo has the XC70 still, but no longer sells the V70 in the States.

There is also the XC60.

Audi has the new "Allroad" which seems like a slightly beefed up A4 Avant. The XC70 has loads more room.

*edit* Seems like Volvo has an optional Polestar package you can add to any of their Turbo engines. Bumps the T6 in the XC70 to 325 hp and 354 lb. ft. of torque; not too shabby.

Did Volvo stop making the XC90?



Piobaire said:

Did Volvo stop making the XC90?

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They still offer it, but it hasn't changed much since it was first introduced. I believe it is set for a complete redesign to be revealed in 2014.



mafoofan said:

The G-class is supposed to be a land barge. You buy it for it's offroad ability and build quality, and accept compromises to comfort, drivability, spacing, etc.

The 6-series, along with all other current BMWs, reflect significant divergences from what has made BMW a great, distinct maker. They have gotten too heavy and large. So, even as power has increased proportionately, driving dynamics have suffered. Yes, the new cars are faster, but the key is that they no longer feel the same. The numbers were never what gave BMW credible claim to the title "The Ultimate Driving Machine" they use in marketing. It was how much control and feel and confidence the cars gave to their drivers. Technological driving aids are arguably necessary for the average driver to handle increased power. However, the older BMW would have insisted they are not making cars for average drivers and such aids would also have been less needed because so much power wouldn't be needed to move so much weight. The current switch from hydraulic steering assist to electronic assist (not exclusive to BMW) has been particularly detrimental. By all accounts, BMW's famed steering feel is no more.

Even the current, outgoing M3--as great as a car as it is--is nonetheless a serious departure from the original. So much so that the 1-series M coupe was created to be a better facsimile.

Some will argue that this all has to be, due to changing markets, regulations, etc. They are probably right. But that doesn't change the fact that BMW no longer makes the sort of car that they built their reputation on.

Click to expand...

Wait until we're all in the electric motor age where each wheel can all act completely independently, screw rear diff..., car will perform better for sure by then, though you would probably hate them even more (computer nanny state). Also they won't have more than 2 forward driven gear if it's electric...