The Car Thread ... !

[44267547]

I'm not sure how clear I can be. Let's try this again. Until there's a physical car, available for purchase, with Car Play, I'm choosing to ignore Toyota's confirmations. Why? Because Toyota has said they'd incorporate it in the past. Mazda has been confirming CarPlay and Android Auto for a couple years now. Mazda won't be releasing the upcoming 6 refresh with either system. At the 2017 LA Auto Show, Mazda confirmed they'd bring one or both systems to their vehicles in 2018. Mazda is still ambiguous of when exactly and which models will get the third party system. Mazda also confirmed that Car Play was coming back in March. They were announced as a CarPlay partner back in July 2014, and have confirmed at least a dozen times since then they'd incorporate Car Play in the very near future.
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Ultimately, I don't have a reason to not believe that they would not introduce CarPlay after making the announcement during NAIA for the Avalon. I think the pressure has been a Toyota for quite some time to make the transition and they have been stubborn to do so, and the time has come where they need to open up choices for consumers who are seeking CarPlay as an alternative compared to the competition who has already moved forward with CarPlay integration.

I'm not sure if you've used the latest Entune or even Enform on Lexus vehicles, but it's slow and you can see motion lag while switching radio stations or moving through menus. .

As previously mentioned, I do not have experience with Entune, but for those that do have experience that I have discussed with (And read about) , they have not had good things to say about the user interface, random crashing, disconnect from Bluetooth intermittently, Lag, etc. I think CarPlay is a huge step forward for Toyota, but long overdue to continue forward.

 

[0388631]

Ultimately, I don't have a reason to not believe that they would not introduce CarPlay after making the announcement during NAIA for the Avalon. I think the pressure has been a Toyota for quite some time to make the transition and they have been stubborn to do so, and the time has come where they need to open up choices for consumers who are seeking CarPlay as an alternative compared to the competition who has already moved forward with CarPlay integration.

Like I said, I'll wait to see a physical product. Though they can gimp the success of CarPlay. The MY2018 Camry's have the necessary hardware and OS software in their headunits to support CarPlay, but Toyota won't be bothering with them. Only releasing it for their Avalon. The Avalon isn't a high sales car. They sold about 33K of them in 2017. Which the Lexus ES eclipsed by over 20K vehicles. They sold about 216K Highlanders in 2017. Sold 111K Siennas, that's a minivan, a dying market in relation to crossovers. Even the Sequoia and Land Cruiser sold healthy amounts for their price points. The Camry sold over 10x that amount.

Buying an Avalon used to mean something years ago. It was the upmarket Toyota. Today, its interior is not too unlike a premium Camry. It's got more eyecandy, but it's just a tarted up Camry.

As previously mentioned, I do not have experience with Entune, but for those that do have experience that I have discussed with (And read about) , they have not had good things to say about the user interface, random crashing, disconnect from Bluetooth intermittently, Lag, etc. I think CarPlay is a huge step forward for Toyota, but long overdue to continue forward.

Yep, it's garbage. The Enform units are awful, and it's really the only reason I won't buy another Lexus. Apart from the gaping frontend.

 

[D.T.]

Some manufacturers have been sued in the past because they use soy or other nut/seed based compounds to coat their wiring and harnesses, or the plastic around the wire is based off an edible oil.

Oh, no ****, hahaha, that's like a open invite to varmints

 

[D.T.]

I have a friend who swears by this stuff - he and I were both former Zaino disciples (which was always a PITA, available direct sales only), but at some point I just started using the higher end products of more mainstream commercial suppliers and continues to tell me Car Guys products are the second coming ...

OK, since I am getting low on supplies, maybe this time I'll give this a shot - I checked on Amazon, and the 18oz CarGuys Hybrid Wax Sealant (with towel) is $18.99, http://a.co/hpu6bSY and the 8oz Liquid Wax is $24.95 (with an applicator and polishing towel), http://a.co/7tbDbyR

Lighting deal on the CarGuys Hybrid Wax Sealant right now, 74% claimed, $15.19!

 

[quagmire]

I'd stuff the hole or whatever with steel wool and then cover as you normally would. Some manufacturers have been sued in the past because they use soy or other nut/seed based compounds to coat their wiring and harnesses, or the plastic around the wire is based off an edible oil.

Just did that today. Stuffed the hole with steel wheel and covered it in that expanding foam.

Now to see if they have another place to get in....

 

[SactoGuy18]

Speaking of Toyota, a really critical vehicle for that company--at least in the USA--could be the long-awaited next-generation RAV4 due later this year. The current model is starting to look dated compared to the Honda CR-V.

 

[0388631]

The Rav4 has always been an awesome little car. Especially the first generation when it went against the nimble and boxy CR-V. Though, unless things have changed in the last year, the Rav4 will be the better deal overall. Better resale, solid engine and an eight speed auto. Whereas the CRV's and some models of the Pilot's problem is their CVT. The new Accord isn't doing so hot in that department (and engine), which is a damn shame because I think the Accord looks a hell of a lot better than the Camry.

Not to mention the Rav4 interior looks better than the CR-V's.

 

[AustinIllini]

That CR-V CVT sucks, but the CR-V is better than the Rav4 in almost every category.

Rav4 lost its way a long time ago.

 

[Strelok]

I will never touch a CVT again. My friend let me borrow their car and it had a CVT (Nissan Altima). It was completely broken, randomly not shifting and not accelerating, then revving super high. It wasn’t a super old car either, 50k miles or so. That was the scariest 2 hour trip of my life.

I’ll also probably avoid DSG’s for my everyday car. It’s great when you get on the power and in “regular” driving. But in heavy traffic where first and second gear are important it can lurch a bit. Automatics for everyday, DSG for performance and for the purists, manual.

 

[0388631]

Sure if you account that the Rav-4 platform is about six years old now. The new one will best the CR-V, not like the old one has problems.

I will never touch a CVT again. My friend let me borrow their car and it had a CVT (Nissan Altima). It was completely broken, randomly not shifting and not accelerating, then revving super high. It wasn’t a super old car either, 50k miles or so. That was the scariest 2 hour trip of my life.

I’ll also probably avoid DSG’s for my everyday car. It’s great when you get on the power and in “regular” driving. But in heavy traffic where first and second gear are important it can lurch a bit. Automatics for everyday, DSG for performance and for the purists, manual.

Sounds like most CVTs. A lot of the companies now cite Audi's use of them for about a decade as a reason they're using them. As in, "If the Germans use it in their performance sedans, so can we!" Except they forget that Audi dropped using CVTs because of how problematic they were. In my opinion, CVTs are a fad with companies that will eventually get phased out. They're great for economy or entry commuter cars. Their quality varies between manufacturer. FCA uses Jatco CVTs, the same ones found in Nissans. They're not reliable. I'd suspect an Aisin CVT would be more reliable in the long run than what Honda puts out, mostly because Lexus has been using their own CVTs in their hybrids for a while now. The Toyota CVTs are about as solid as you can get.


I've never driven a DSG dual clutch long term before or short term to experience that, but I've read that is an issue with most dual clutches, including PDK. The DSG is a solid transmission, though, and I suspect the low adoption rate in some models is because of its price to option out plus the initial near $900 fluid rate change including labor for the Golf R, and about half that for the other VW vehicles, unless yours has a dry clutch.

 

[Strelok]

My GTI has about 34k miles on it now, and I’ve been lucky to have mostly driven longer distances with it so it’s been pretty good. That said i have been stuck in stop and go traffic before and the shift into second gear is always pretty rough in those conditions. I’m not sure why they put it in some non-performance cars.

 

[0388631]

My GTI has about 34k miles on it now, and I’ve been lucky to have mostly driven longer distances with it so it’s been pretty good. That said i have been stuck in stop and go traffic before and the shift into second gear is always pretty rough in those conditions. I’m not sure why they put it in some non-performance cars.

Because the GTI is a hot-hatch. So, it is a performance hatch. You should drive a sports car with multi-mode driving and see how harsh its DCT system is when you're not at WOT. It's harsh enough to give some people whiplash.

The real beauty of the GTI and the R is that their internals including the DSG are strong enough to handle a large bump in power. This is why a lot of people opt for the APR stuff. The M DCTs and in general, the ZF8 can take stupid amounts of power before they break. ZF8 is a traditional auto.

 

[Strelok]

Because the GTI is a hot-hatch. So, it is a performance hatch. You should drive a sports car with multi-mode driving and see how harsh its DCT system is when you're not at WOT. It's harsh enough to give some people whiplash.

Oh I didn’t mean the GTI. I meant some of the A3/A4’s as well as the Jetta/Passat.

 

[0388631]

Oh I didn’t mean the GTI. I meant some of the A3/A4’s as well as the Jetta/Passat.

Jetta/Passat use a different model of DSG, IIRC. Those cars in general had both 1st gen and 2nd gen DSG. 2nd gen DSG resolves most of the issues with the 1st gen. I've test driven a few of the newer Audis and don't notice that problem with cars that come with the S-Tronic or whatever they call their DSG.

 

[Alphazoid]

Nissan CVTs are terrible and unreliable especially in the Altimas. But Toyota's CVTs are superior in almost every way.

Give me a standard torque converter any day though personally.

 

[44267547]

Speaking of Toyota, a really critical vehicle for that company--at least in the USA--could be the long-awaited next-generation RAV4 due later this year. The current model is starting to look dated compared to the Honda CR-V.

I have some friends that work at a dealership in the city where I live, and they don't even recommend the RAV4. Basically, they were saying that as reliable as it is, Toyota has cheapened their interior with harder plastics and the aesthetics isn't really appealing. I definitely think the CR-V would be the more clear choice, especially offering CarPlay, better ergonomics and accessibility.

Although, I don't think it's too late for the RAV4, if they can offer something with a decent refresh, include CarPlay, incorporate better materials and an upgraded interior. Thinking more about it, I don't see as many Rav4's like I used to. But I am partial to the Toyota Highlander, which I think is a very nice looking vehicle for the money.

 

[0388631]

Which isn't surprising because the current Rav-4 is nearly six years old. If they work at a Toyota dealership, they should know the car and platform are old and can't be equally compared to a new vehicle. The current CR-V just came out last year. The prior generation CR-V had hard plastics all around, improving upon the prior generation to that, which didn't even use soft touch materials. The new CR-V uses some soft touch leatherette like material, and the other majority is a compacted cushion stamped with a leather like texture and faux stitching. It's a new material they, Toyota and really all the other Asian marques have been using for a few short years. Jury's out on the long term quality of the material.

If wanting to go Honda is a high priority, pony up extra for the Pilot. I just checked them and it looks like they dumped the CVT and the crappy 9 speed for the Pilot and offer a six speed auto now for 2018 vehicles. Its direct competitor is the Highlander, which is also outdated and due for a refresh, and also offers CarPlay and Android Auto.

My point is that Honda has bean counters just like other companies. If they can save a buck or two a car on a few parts that may require more maintenance in the long run, they'll use it over a longer lasting and more expensive part.

The CVT isn't new tech by any means. It's just never been used in mass selling Hondas, and there's not enough CVT equipped Hondas on the road with high mileage to gather data from. A few anecdotal new, high mileage accounts mean jack.

Spending anywhere from $16,000 to 36,000 on a potentially ticking "time bomb" isn't smart. Most people have already played hot potato with Hondas and weird, faulty transmissions.

 

[44267547]

2017 Ford GT sold at Barrett Jackson for 2.5 million. Insane. All the proceeds are donated from the buyer to an autism awareness Organization.

 

[0388631]

That's awesome. Way better way to use the proceeds than pocket the cash.


The Galaxie on the stage now looks amazing.

 

[Strelok]

I thought the price was crazy at first, but I actually like these kinds of auctions. Car collectors get a one of a kind car/special edition and a charity benefits from it. Win-win in my opinion!

 

[0388631]

Sure, but it's also the new GT, and it's amazing.

The Corvette up now is sweet. Not too hot on the color. The 993 Turbo is going to be amazing.
[doublepost=1516507831][/doublepost]Wow. Just 115K...

Those turbos are worth way more. Those things usually sell for 150-160K at dealers here that take in inventory like that with mileage like it has. One of our local Porsche dealers has a sweet 930 Slant Turbo going for a 430K.

 

[D.T.]

Those turbos are worth way more.

Yep, the last air cooled, some Porsche aficionados consider a water cooled 911 a blasphemy

 

[puma1552]

8000 mile review on my '17 Tig SEL 4MO.

First, obligatory pics:

Review:

Really loving this thing 8000 miles and 8 months in. I feel genuinely spoiled that driving dynamics and fit and finish like this are obtainable for under $32k after discounts - I don't think you can get these kind of dynamics in any other SUV sub $55k-$60k (SQ5 and Macan come to mind). 20/24 mpg, 91 octane minimum requirement, small size, and 255 tires - all things that would (and have) turned off the average buyer in this segment, but all things that show what a driver oriented package this is. It really is a lifted GTI. Handling is excellent and pickup is quite good also.

The ergonomics inside are good and despite the 10 year old interior layout, it still looks and feels good. Material quality and fit and finish is on point. My only complaint is the ugly steering wheel that all PQ35 chassis cars got (would've been nice if VW had updated the steering wheel in later years but oh well).

The car goes excellent in snow with the Nokians, no drama at all and the extra ground clearance is great, especially coupled with the great approach angle - can bomb on and off driveways without thinking about it like I always have had to do in the past.

I also like that there are no safety nannies other than a rear view camera (which is quite handy day to day). Was just backing my dad's '14 Edge into his tight garage for him this morning and all the parking aids were going nuts when I wasn't even going to hit anything, super annoying. Glad I don't have any of that crap. Nor auto start/stop like the new ones.

My only gripe so far is the sunroof seems to have days that are better than others. Most days it's dead quiet, but every so often it doesn't necessarily rattle, but it just makes some noise over bumps and ruts. Definitely not anything I would be willing to have the dealer tear apart the headliner and interior for yet (ewww, no thank you), but just keeping an eye on it for now. Hasn't gotten any worse from summer to deep freeze winter temps which is good - it's within the 'livable' category on its bad days, worst case I just crank up that great 400W Fender stereo, which I normally have up pretty loud anyway. If anything it sounds like it comes from where the two panels meet, so it might be as simple as lubing the seals, haven't tried that yet. Other than that no issues yet.

Ultimately amidst VW's identity crisis of big n cheap Americanized models, this seems like a holdback from a better era of VW - one of the only German built VWs you can still get here in America; one that hasn't been cheapened, decontented, and supersized. It's truly a European market VW imported to America with no real concessions made for the American market.

You buy this Tiguan because you just like it, not for any other reason. Quite happy with my choice so far. The best way to sum it up is that everything that makes it completely non-competitive in its segment is exactly what makes it so great. The problem is, I really like driving SUVs now...so I have absolutely no idea what I'll get after this because I probably won't be spending no 60 large on a Macan (I buy, not lease). Maybe this Tiguan has ruined me by spoiling me? Truly a driver's gem at this price point.

For the record, this new one is some homely looking rig IMO, even in this top spec SEL-P:

 

[AustinIllini]

I had a Tiguan as a rental once and I LOVED it. VW just gets driving dynamics.

 

[puma1552]

I had a Tiguan as a rental once and I LOVED it. VW just gets driving dynamics.

I think if this thing got totaled tomorrow I'd have a hard time choosing a replacement. Maybe a GTI or Golf R, or maybe, just maybe, an A4 P+ (honestly it would probably be hard to lay out $41k for a Golf R (gotta pay sticker) when an A4 just how I want it is about the same price after modest discounts). Again noting there are no SUVs for less than about double this that even come close in dynamics so I'd probably have to go back to a car.