The Car Thread ... !

[2298754]

RS5 Sportback is here!

https://jalopnik.com/the-2019-audi-rs-5-sportback-is-a-sleek-coupe-that-can-1824127821

The five-door coupe’s design is sleek and clean, but it packs a punch. Inside there’s a 2.9 liter TFSI V6 biturbo engine, delivering 444 hp and 443 lb ft of torque from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm.

All together, the RS 5 can gallop to 60 in less than 4 seconds, and has a top track speed of 155 mph, with the option of what Audi calls the “Dynamic plus package.” If you’re feeling spicy and pay for that, you’ll be able to hit 174 mph. Audi says the drive force is distributed asymmetrically—40:60—on the axles to boost handling and performance.

 

[0388631]

Is that a speaker on the pillar? I'm kind of surprised (not) they put alcantara on the door, where it's most likely going to rub off and get matted from your arm but not the headliner that won't be touched. Ever. Carbon fiber is a little too much. Good looking car, though. I like the vent/slat throwbacks to older Audis.

Edit: What color is that?

 

[2298754]

Edit: What color is that?

Sonoma Green

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2018-audi-rs5-coupe-first-drive-review/

 

[0388631]

Sonoma Green

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2018-audi-rs5-coupe-first-drive-review/

Is that the same launch color for the RS5? They had that blue, too.


Side note: Our friend, bumbleshmumble is keeping pretty mum about the new Model 3 delays announced days ago. 30K cars a week by year's end!

 

[AustinIllini]

Oh ****. Give me all of that RS5

 

[0388631]

Oh ****. Give me all of that RS5

The RS3 is offered in something similar to acid green. I think the RS5 would look great in that color. And, most importantly, look great in your driveway next to your A4, and whatever your wife drives.
[doublepost=1522197635][/doublepost]The 2018 Touareg looks killer. Too bad it won't be coming to our shores.

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/theres-all-new-vw-touareg-its-not-us

Meanwhile, somewhere in the cold and dark northeast, a certain someone is cursing under his breath for not having bought a TDI when given the chance. Again.

 

[AustinIllini]

I'll be honest with you, the RS3 is enticing, but the lack of memory seats is an odd exclusion.

 

[0388631]

I'll be honest with you, the RS3 is enticing, but the lack of memory seats is an odd exclusion.

That's why you go with the RS5.

 

[AustinIllini]

That's why you go with the RS5.

lol that's only 10-20 grand for memory seats
[doublepost=1522199177][/doublepost]So I just built one on Audi's website. $70,000. No thanks. The more I think about it, the more I think an S4 or an SQ5 is in my future. I just don't like the look of the RS3 exterior. If it were a wagon, I'd be all over it.

 

[0388631]

lol that's only 10-20 grand for memory seats
[doublepost=1522199177][/doublepost]So I just built one on Audi's website. $70,000. No thanks. The more I think about it, the more I think an S4 or an SQ5 is in my future. I just don't like the look of the RS3 exterior. If it were a wagon, I'd be all over it.

Think of me as the red-tinted, sharp horn devil on your shoulder trying to convince you whilst choking the angel on your other shoulder. I think we'll see more and more of this from Audi as they step up the luxury ladder. Though, BMW will remain in the past when it comes to tying in things.

The RS6 Avant appeals to me. Admittedly, it looks more of a sleeper compared to its competitors. No one takes a second look at an Audi unless it's very special. Though there's an S6 Avant coming out late next year in Europe. No word on the US market, but I'm going with a "no" on this because wagons aren't hot like crossovers. The big three would need a huge tripartisan advertising campaign to get people hooked into the idea. There's nothing a crossover has on a wagon apart from height.

If Porsche can make a wagon, then so can everyone else. Better yet, the fact that Ferrari is building their own SUV as well as Rolls Royce says that old ideals have been tossed out the window.

The majority of crossovers are bland and boring. They are the minivans of this century. They are the wagons from the 60-80s.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Speaking of which, Toyota just revealed the new 2019 RAV4. Based on the TNGA platform, the new RAV4 is based on the FT-AC concept car shown a few months ago, and the main drivetrain is likely the one from the Toyota Camry, the new 2.5-liter I-4 rated at (probably) 200 bhp and eight speed automatic. Here's a picture of the new model:

 

[0388631]

I like it. A lot. Wow, not only does it look good (I'll ignore the floating c-pillar), but the interior looks modern. I agree it looks mostly like the concept. Also, it features an optional 800 watt JBL audio system, but most importantly, CarPlay will be standard. No Android Auto, though. Kind of surprising given Android's market share. Toyota claims they were hesitant on both services because of the data they take. I place as much faith in Apple's words of them not mining customer data as I have faith I'll see the real Santa Claus one day.

 

[44267547]

Overall, I like what Toyota did with the Rav 4. I don’t care for the chrome pocked marked Grill in Sacto’s above Photo, I think the black Grill matches with the rest of the black contrast pieces with the vehicle Better. The front of New Rav 4 makes Think Toyota borrowed the face lift from the 4Runner in a very slight way. I really like the redesign of the tail lights and the dual exhaust.



The Interior looks minimalistic and the center armrest looks ridiculously long. Otherwise the center display appears somewhat intrusive being how high it sits, but at least it includes CarPlay. I would say I am more impressed with the exterior than I am the interior.

 

[BarracksSi]

Where do you live? Could be weather affecting [your CR-V's] battery. For what it's worth, while battery drain has been all but limited in new cars that sit still for weeks, it's still an issue. You could take it in so a tech could look at it.

My new Civic, which we bought on the same day, didn't have the same problem (in fact, my older car could sit for at least two months with no battery issues). I took the CR-V in for its first [free] oil change and asked them to check on it, and they only checked the battery. They didn't say anything about whether or not there was a current drain when the car was turned off.

I'll try checking it myself, and we'll also start taking it to a different dealer; their service department has been better at listening to my issues and attempting fixes (they replaced my Civic's "Body Control Module" to resolve a door lock problem whereas the first dealership simply brushed me off).

**** Speaking of warranty work, I asked the service rep at the second dealership about whether my warranty would be affected if I do the maintenance work myself. I have access to a garage with a lift and all kinds of tools, so I can do almost anything this side of total disassembly and paint. He said that as long as I have receipts and records of what I bought and when I did the work (such as receipts for oil and filters, etc), then I'd be fine. Legit? Or b***sh**?

 

[D.T.]

Speaking of warranty work, I asked the service rep at the second dealership about whether my warranty would be affected if I do the maintenance work myself. I have access to a garage with a lift and all kinds of tools, so I can do almost anything this side of total disassembly and paint. He said that as long as I have receipts and records of what I bought and when I did the work (such as receipts for oil and filters, etc), then I'd be fine. Legit? Or b***sh**?

When I have cars under warranty I just let the dealer do everything, then there's no questions in the event something catastrophic happens. I know you can save some bucks, but no hassles is very valuable for me (vs. my time and effort).

Hahaha, this reminded me of this one time where I took one of Vettes up to a Chevy service center where a buddy worked, he wanted to check it out - the thing is: it had a head/cam installed, so I pulled into the service area and the manager came out, "How can we help you?", I couldn't miss this opportunity, "Well, my Corvette is idling really weird, can you hear that?". Of course, it's got a _nasty_ and super obvious lope, his face went totally blank, "Umm, yeah, what did you do to it?", "Nothing, I've never modified a car, and it's still under warranty."

*15 seconds of bewildered silence*

Hahahaha, I let the guy off the hook, he laughed, and wanted to check it out too, my buddy told me later the service manager told that story to everyone at the dealer

Miss that dealer too, they were awesome, my current local, not so much (which impacts choosing a Chevy product for the SUV ...)

 

[BarracksSi]

When I have cars under warranty I just let the dealer do everything, then there's no questions in the event something catastrophic happens. I know you can save some bucks, but no hassles is very valuable for me (vs. my time and effort).

Yeah, I'm still a little wary of the CVT's durability -- I trust that Honda really beats stuff up during development, but this is still a new drivetrain platform, after all -- so I don't want them to have any ammo for denying a warranty claim.

Hahaha, this reminded me of this one time where I took one of Vettes up to a Chevy service center where a buddy worked, he wanted to check it out - the thing is: it had a head/cam installed, so I pulled into the service area and the manager came out, "How can we help you?", I couldn't miss this opportunity, "Well, my Corvette is idling really weird, can you hear that?". Of course, it's got a _nasty_ and super obvious lope, his face went totally blank, "Umm, yeah, what did you do to it?", "Nothing, I've never modified a car, and it's still under warranty."

I've largely resigned myself to never owning a car with a fat, lopey idle (and stinky exhaust, too). Like Mr. Regular said in the video about the big-block swapped Camaro, just the sound boosts your testosterone level. That's one of the things I enjoyed at the dragstrip.

 

[elf69]

It is hard to find a good dealer in uk.
one that knows their stuff and not rip you off.

My local hyundai dealer is great.
The parts guy is a big coupe (tibby) fan and loves to chat about them.

Coz he loves them too he bend over backward to help us get the bit we need.

Even had a bonnet (hood) weather seal shipped in from germany and only £48 total.
I have a friend who owns a garage who does most my repairs as my 2001 hyundai loooooong out of warranty so it dont matter who fixes it.

My neighbour has a new car (vauxhall moka, a crossover) always at dealer getting fixed!

 

[Alphazoid]

C63 facelift. My current dream car. Dont like the new wheel design Merc has been pushing from the GT R. But dig the new grill. Probably the last Merc design i'll like for a while.

 

[2298754]

The Panamericana grill is hideous, especially on that C63. Pre facelift is far cleaner.

 

[0388631]

It only works on the GT. I have no idea what MBZ designers were smoking when they thought it'd look great on other vehicles. The only benefit I can imagine is greater cooling and probably more room to place sensors and radar units. Big thumbs down.

And unless things have changed with this facelift, it still uses the pre-revised M177 engine.

 

[Alphazoid]

I find the grill ugly in other models outside the GT but the C63 just about pulls it off for me. Would probably look better if blacked out.

 

[0388631]

MBZ offers an AMG night package which darkens certain areas. This doesn't affect the grill. Though you can always get a tint wrap for it. Not to be confused with the illuminated star, which is available for the C base all the way to the C63 S. Though I can't imagine why anyone would want that since it prevents you from getting the driver assistance package which offers a lot of usable driver goodies.

I'm not a huge fan of the star and would prefer the old hood ornament and the old school grills. Something something pedestrian safety, blah blah blah.

 

[SactoGuy18]

There's only one problem with the new RAV4: sales won't start until late this year.

But another model I may have an interest in is Hyundai's new Kona small SUV, which should start to be available now. Testers who've driven the Kona say the versions with the 175 bhp turbocharged engine are quite competent cars.

 

[D.T.]

So I was moaning and groaning about there not being a more sporty looking package for the MDX, particularly, the Sport Hybrid - so I get stoked when I see there's an A-Spec package releasing soon (saw the model variant in the CarPlay article just posted) ... but, and this is about as dumb as it gets, it's NOT available on the Sport Hybrid[?]

WTSF.

re: new C63

Red interior + yellow calipers. Just stop it ...

 

[44267547]

Not familiar with the Kona. After researching it, reviews are decent. It makes me think of the Jeep Cherokee Sport from the headlight perspective. Its Either offered in a 2.0 L in-line four-cylinder or 1.6 turbo charged in line four-cylinder. Interestingly enough, the 1.6 L turbo offers a dual clutch automatic transmission (Which I imagine is a totally different driving experience), as to where the 2.0 L is only offered in a six speed automatic. I Personally would opt for all wheel drive, as it seems front wheel drive is standard unless specified otherwise. Not shocking, but it’s also rumored that the 2019 Kona will offer an all electric version at some point.

Styling wise, I think the new RAV4 is much more attractive, where the Kona seems to have an off-beat style that’s not for me. And I don’t know what to make of the rear of the Kona, At all. However, the Kona will start at a cheaper price point Under the RAV4 around $20,000, where the RAV4 will start somewhere around where the 2018 model did at $25,000. Also, the Kona does offer CarPlay and Android Auto.
[doublepost=1522310998][/doublepost]So had the GT hood installed on Sunday and Now it’s in the shop being re-tuned with the additional modifications. But what I didn’t know, was that you cannot apply any waxes, synthetic waxes or any type of formulated spray/topical wax on a fiberglass laid hood after its been freshly painted for approximately six weeks. The issue is that the fresh paint is still technically hardening and waxes will lock Air out from curing the Hood, Which can cause a ripple or a bubbling affect with temperature change.

That said, one reliable detailing shop in my city suggested ‘Wizards Mist N’ Shine’ detailer. It does not contain any type of oil‘s or silicone bases, and is completely safe for freshly painted surfaces. Not one retail shop had Wizards detailer available for sale in my area, ordered online, although expensive, seems this is my only solution for the next six weeks.