The Car Thread ... !

[0388631]

Christ on a bike. What the hell have they done? Why is there black plastic trim?

 

[2298754]

Christ on a bike. What the hell have they done? Why is there black plastic trim?

Just a (slightly) jacked up E Class wagon for us New Englanders

 

[0388631]

Just a (slightly) jacked up E Class wagon for us New Englanders

I should have read the VW Vortex thread. Haven't used that site in years. Is this even coming to the US? Looks like they'll be offering the normal estate. I take issue with excess black plastic trim. It's a remnant of the 80s and something Volvo does on the all terrain estates or whatever their jacked up estate is called. XC90?

 

[2298754]

Mr. AutoUnion must realize his lust for a working Maserati. His frustration stems from a the money pit and nightmare that was his QP. He's been trying to get me to get one so he can vicariously drive it.

Please get a Ghibli so I can laugh at all the Dodge RAM/Dart/decade old Daimler trim pieces.

 

[0388631]

Imagine his transmission malfunctions and pins you to a brick wall. Too soon to make jokes about that actor?

The XJ or F Pace may suite him fine. Plus, he can let you borrow it.

 

[2298754]

You know, the 2017 Genesis are about to go on sale, you could pick one up on lease if you don't want to commit to it. Or rather, attempt to get a weekend driveaway from a dealer and report back how it compares to the Germans' offerings.

I wonder if Enterprise has them. I've been seeing a lot of Hyundai/KIA rentals these days.

RE the fancy Taurus, I was a little amused the speakers in front looked very similar to what MBZ and BMW are doing in terms of design.

Yeah, I noticed that too. I'm sure it's just bling to "justify" its absurd price-tag. The Continental is still riddled with parts-bin Ford switchgear off a Fusion/Taurus.

 

[0388631]

I wonder if Enterprise has them. I've been seeing a lot of Hyundai/KIA rentals these days.

Enterprise Premium or Enterprise Luxury. You'll have to use their online locator for that. I can't blame them. The Koreans are moving along at a startling pace in the luxury department (or premium if you're anal about definitions), plus they probably get a good deal buying in bulk units and the warranty is solid.

Yeah, I noticed that too. I'm sure it's just superficial bling to "justify" its absurd price-tag.

Actually, I thought about it and it could be a sound company requirement; if you want to use our product in your cars it has to look this way. Think about it, when you get into a car, there's a ton of branding. It makes sense. And yes, bling for GM and Ford and their underlings is Chromeing everything including your first born.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Christ on a bike. What the hell have they done? Why is there black plastic trim?

Just keeping up with the Jones'

Audi:
A4/A6 Avant --- Audi Allroad
(They also offered a Q5 off-road appearance package with similar details to the Allroad)

Volvo:
V60 ---- V60 XC
V70 ---- XC70 (or previously V70 XC)
S60 ---- S60 XC

VW
Jetta SportWagen --- Jetta Alltrack

Subaru: (in a previous life)
Legacy --- Outback (both sedan and wagon)
Impreza Hatchback--- Outback Sport
(Subaru has done some bizzare things with their nomenclature over the years)

Saab: (back when Saab existed)
9-3 SportCombi --- 9-3X

Mercedes-Benz
E-Class Wagon --- E-Class "All Terrain"*

*Awful name btw.

Note the black plastic wheel arches and other "off-road" asthetic details are only on E-Wag "All Terrain" models. Not across the board.

Get with the times Zenny. Station wagons are cool again.

 

[kryten42]

Just a (slightly) jacked up E Class wagon for us New Englanders

I HATE the All Road Audi and the Volvo Cross Country. Why can't I just get a good selection of Wagons (Estates) here in the US? I can get the E400 now and the 3er wagon, but why not the 5er wagon or the Jaguar XF Sportbrake (ok, that was killed off in UK too, but still). Even the Subaru legacy wagon (not outback) and base A6 wagon's.

Happy to see that Volvo are bringing the V90 to the US, and hopefully the Polestar version too Maybe in a few years that will be what I'll get.

Right now I'm bucking the trend and going for a BMW 640 xDrive Gran Coupe. Just waiting for a good pre-owned one to appear with the options etc I want. Giving my Lexus RX350 to my other half and trading her Buick Regal Turbo in.

 

[2298754]

I HATE the All Road Audi and the Volvo Cross Country. Why can't I just get a good selection of Wagons (Estates) here in the US? I can get the E400 now and the 3er wagon, but why not the 5er wagon or the Jaguar XF Sportbrake (ok, that was killed off in UK too, but still). Even the Subaru legacy wagon (not outback) and base A6 wagon's.

Well, they did bring us 5 and A6 wagons, but no one bought them. We, as the buying public, are to blame for their demise.

The cladding seems to be helping sales. The B8 Avant's sales skyrocketed once they got rid of the regular Allroad and brought the A4 Allroad.

Happy to see that Volvo are bringing the V90 to the US, and hopefully the Polestar version too Maybe in a few years that will be what I'll get.

Great looking car, but I'm not sold on Volvo quality or the 4 banger engine lineup. No thanks.

I would spend the money on the upcoming E43 AMG wagon instead.

Right now I'm bucking the trend and going for a BMW 640 xDrive Gran Coupe. Just waiting for a good pre-owned one to appear with the options etc I want.

Good luck with that

I've had Autotrader/Carguru alerts setup for almost two years on a 640xi GC. Every car that has popped up was out of warranty, lacked basic options, or was just some hideous color.

I want a Deep Sea Blue 640xi GC with the brown full leather interior.

 

[kryten42]

Great looking car, but I'm not sold on Volvo quality or the 4 banger engine lineup. No thanks.

I would spend the money on the upcoming E43 AMG wagon instead.



Good luck with that

I've had Autotrader/Carguru alerts setup for almost two years on a 640xi GC. Every car that has popped up was out of warranty, lacked basic options, or was just some hideous color.

I want a Deep Sea Blue 640xi GC with the brown full leather interior.

I have not tried the 4-cyl gas engine, but the 4-cyl diesel in the XC90 worked well for the one I put 1200 miles on as a rental last month in the UK I would be worried about the amount of boosting etc on the gas version though, especially the hybrid unit that the Polestar will use.

For the 640 GC, I hate that most seem to be white or sapphire black. I want Tanzanite Blue, Seep Sea Blue, Carbon Black as my preference, with the cinnamon or "brown" leather like you. I am only looking at 2014 onwards as want iDrive 4.2 and want some manufacturers warranty remaining (or buying CPO). I will then extend warranty without a doubt as they are not a cheap car to fix. I am sticking with 640 as the N55 engine is a LOT more reliable than the V8 (even the "T" version). I have searches going for within 500 miles of me (MA/RI area) as well as in Florida where I could visit relatives and collect it and drive it back (again if CPO).

As for AMG, I am not a big fan of MB cars of recent, they just seem lacking in interior, especially the technology. I have a Lexus and that is not exactly the most technologically advanced, but still seems ahead of most MB models.

 

[iLog.Genius]

For the 640 GC, I hate that most seem to be white or sapphire black. I want Tanzanite Blue, Seep Sea Blue, Carbon Black as my preference, with the cinnamon or "brown" leather like you. I am only looking at 2014 onwards as want iDrive 4.2 and want some manufacturers warranty remaining (or buying CPO). I will then extend warranty without a doubt as they are not a cheap car to fix. I am sticking with 640 as the N55 engine is a LOT more reliable than the V8 (even the "T" version). I have searches going for within 500 miles of me (MA/RI area) as well as in Florida where I could visit relatives and collect it and drive it back (again if CPO).

You're going to love the Gran Coupe. Everything about the interior and seating position for a GT is just perfect and its something that needs to be experience and not explained. The 6er GC is easily the best in the segment (IMO of course) with the CLS a close second.

 

[lowendlinux]

I installed some overpriced DOM in my douche ride today

 

[kryten42]

You're going to love the Gran Coupe. Everything about the interior and seating position for a GT is just perfect and its something that needs to be experience and not explained. The 6er GC is easily the best in the segment (IMO of course) with the CLS a close second.

Yeah, they are great looking both outside and in. Biggest concern for me will be reliability, but I'll buy under new car warranty (<4 years / 50k) and will extend warranty. Ideally CPO if I can get one at a decent price.

The CLS just doesn't do that much for me, not bad but again it is the interior and features I do not like, just too many small things missing compared to the BMW, or are less likely to be added options. The CLS is a LOT cheaper though in comparison for the basic starting point

 

[quagmire]

Christ on a bike. What the hell have they done? Why is there black plastic trim?

They hired all the old Pontiac designers?

 

[kryten42]

The CLS just doesn't do that much for me, not bad but again it is the interior and features I do not like, just too many small things missing compared to the BMW, or are less likely to be added options. The CLS is a LOT cheaper though in comparison for the basic starting point

Ok, I just took a look at the CLS online, they are nicer than I remember outside, the dashboard still needs some work and now Head Up Display that I see on the 400 or digital dash option. I did see a 2016 that had most options on (missing the driver assistance package) that was $59k with around 9k miles on. Certainly cheaper than the 640, but that is some serious depreciation as was around $84k new a few months ago!!!

 

[2298754]

Audi is bringing back the manual for the B9 A4 for MY17. Available across the line. All trim levels. It's nice to see that the option still exists

https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/ne...09/2017-audi-a4-six-speed-manual-transmission

-The A4’s redesigned six-speed manual transmission features an extensive use of magnesium and a smaller clutch, giving the A4 an improved power-to-weight ratio

-The Sport plus package includes S line interior, dynamic steering, sport adaptive suspension, and 18” wheels with summer tires for maximum performance from an A4

-The 2017 A4 with manual transmission sprints from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, a 0.7 second improvement over the previous generation

The 2017 Audi A4 with available six-speed manual transmission and quattro® with ultra® technology, and exclusive Sport plus package offers the design and performance of an S model in an entry level variant. No other luxury manufacturer in the A4’s competitive segment offers a manual transmission sedan with all-wheel drive capability.

The greater performance enabled by the newly-redesigned, six-speed manual transmission is due primarily to its spur-gear stage which replaces the shaft to the front-axle differential used on the previous models. The 2017 A4 with six-speed manual sprints from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, an improvement of 0.7 seconds over the previous generation.

Extensive use of magnesium, combined with open gearwheels, hollow shafts and a smaller clutch, reduce the weight of the transmission by 35.3 pounds compared to its predecessor, and further serve to enhance performance by giving the A4 an improved power-to-weight ratio.

Exclusively available on the A4 quattro manual is a Sport plus package featuring flow formed cast aluminum 18” 5-double-spoke-star design wheels, available Daytona Gray exterior paint, S line leather/Alcantara® interior with sport seats, stainless steel pedal caps, flat-bottom steering wheel and brushed aluminum decorative inlays. Also included is Audi dynamic steering and sport adaptive suspension (-23mm ride height), both of which were previously reserved only for S4 models.

The new six-speed manual transmission complements the performance produced by the A4’s 2.0 TFSI® engine which generates 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. A significant weight savings was achieved across the A4 model-line through the lightweight construction. The front five-link suspension continues to allow for greater steering precision and excellent handling through optimized steering-rack placement direct at wheel centers.

The A4 with manual transmission also features a new quattro all-wheel drive system with ultra technology that is optimized for fully-variable torque distribution and efficiency. The new drivetrain utilizes an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch at the rear end of the transmission along with an integrated decoupler in the rear axle differential and weighs 8.8 pounds less than the previous quattro system. This quattro system with ultra technology allows for intelligent, proactive control of the all-wheel drive system to predictively modify the torque application as the driving situation or road conditions require.

For customers who do not prefer the traditional manual-shifting driving experience, the 2017 A4 is also available with a seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch automatic transmission with front-wheel drive or available quattro® all-wheel drive.

 

[0388631]

Sounds good. I find it funny how Audi offers leather standard on the A4 while it's difficult to obtain for the 3 and 4 from BMW and you're stuck with Tex with Merc.

 

[2298754]

Sounds good. I find it funny how Audi offers leather standard on the A4 while it's difficult to obtain for the 3 and 4 from BMW and you're stuck with Tex with Merc.

Standard HIDs (LEDs on the higher trims), sunroof, and forward collision warning too

All options on the F30 and W205

 

[0388631]

Those too. Not all of us are Audicts. Get it? Audi offers a paint color called Nardo Grey on some of their cars and it reminds me a lot of this solid gray color metal typewriters had a long time ago. They also came in drab green. They were heavy and awful, but they were fantastic horsing around "weapons."

 

[2298754]

Audi offers a paint color called Nardo Grey on some of their cars and it reminds me a lot of this solid gray color metal typewriters had a long time ago.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of Nardo Grey. It looks like primer to me

Suzuka Grey is the nicer color IMO.

The best grey is probably Daytona though

[doublepost=1474498986][/doublepost]

I am only looking at 2014 onwards as want iDrive 4.2 and want some manufacturers warranty remaining (or buying CPO). I will then extend warranty without a doubt as they are not a cheap car to fix. I am sticking with 640 as the N55 engine is a LOT more reliable than the V8 (even the "T" version). I have searches going for within 500 miles of me (MA/RI area) as well as in Florida where I could visit relatives and collect it and drive it back (again if CPO).

You also want the M Sport Edition because it comes with the full-LCD cluster. I'm in the same area as you. They're hard to find.

Deep Sea/Carbon Black/Mediterranean Blue are all beautiful. I think Tanzanite might be an Individual color, so even rarer. For the interior, I love the Cognac/Black Bi-Color Nappa or Cinnamon. They go great with any dark blue exterior.

As for AMG, I am not a big fan of MB cars of recent, they just seem lacking in interior, especially the technology. I have a Lexus and that is not exactly the most technologically advanced, but still seems ahead of most MB models.

Mercedes COMMAND feels archaic compared to BMW iDrive or Audi MMI. They keep adding new features to it, but haven't simplified it (like BMW/Audi have)
[doublepost=1474499436][/doublepost]

Yeah, they are great looking both outside and in. Biggest concern for me will be reliability, but I'll buy under new car warranty (<4 years / 50k) and will extend warranty. Ideally CPO if I can get one at a decent price.

I wouldn't buy one without CPO, but they should be fine (reliability wise), if you get the 640i.

IMO, the 6 Gran Coupé is best looking car in their lineup. Amazing road presence

[doublepost=1474499549][/doublepost]

Ok, I just took a look at the CLS online, they are nicer than I remember outside, the dashboard still needs some work and now Head Up Display that I see on the 400 or digital dash option.

We should see a new CLS soon because the E-Klassé just got redesigned. The screen placement in the current CLS looks awful.

[doublepost=1474499829][/doublepost]

Certainly cheaper than the 640, but that is some serious depreciation as was around $84k new a few months ago!!!

I always felt the 6GC was about $15-20k too expensive. Almost $100k for a 6 cylinder model? Not worth buying new.

 

[0388631]

Suzuka Grey is lighter and on the metallic side, isn't it? Looks white under certain conditions? Daytona reminds me of Lexus' Nebula Gray.

 

[determined09]

Lexus gray very nice looking color.

 

[0388631]

Atomic Silver is nice as well. The base silver is hideous. Lexus recently brought in a color for their RCF called Caviar, I believe. It's said to resemble a blend between Sevruga and Beluga caviar. Leave it to the Japanese to come up with complicated descriptions.

@AutoUnion39 I think Nardo Gray suits the RS line of cars well. It's distinct but not in your face. I can't say I have much trouble with Merc's infotainment system, but I'll admit the Audi one is nice and simple, easier on the eyes too. In my Lexus test recently, I found their infotainment system lacking and lagging in speed.

 

[lowendlinux]

My wife loves that Nardo grey