OT: Talking Cars Tuesday - What's next?
Easy idea for this week - what's your next automotive purchase? You may have just bought a car, but there's always time to think about what's next. Maybe one of the kids is getting a license, so they can have your sedan and you can get that fun car! Maybe there's another kid on the way and you're minivan hunting (or 3 row crossover hunting, but you should be minivan hunting. Hooray marketing). Maybe you're actually car shopping soon... there's always a next car.
(Note, probably no thread from me next week, I'll be at one of the Big 3 #supplierlife)
Clearly those pictures feature a heavily modified version, but it's OK...for a four-door car, I guess.
I'm a two-door car guy.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/geneva-auto-show/news/a32827/2017…
According to link above that is the production version that will be sold in the US.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:22 PM ^
to wait about six more months or so to see if any major quality concerns show up, and if not I'm going all in on an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. I currently have a pair of 2009 BMWs (335 daily, M3 summer / fun) which are getting up there in both miles and maintenance costs. I'd like to go from 2 cars to 1, and based on reviews and my own 5 minute test drive this seems like the spiritual successor to the old M3s.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^
Is that an Alfa Romero's version of the smart car?
April 18th, 2017 at 12:40 PM ^
i'm not too good with pictures...here's a link to the C&D review. I swear it is not a smart car!
I know, I was just busting balls.
I was very intrigued when I first saw a commercial for it. Twin turbo V6! Sounds like a fun car.
I want to like this, but can't. Styling is off. The doors are not the right size. It's weird. Do not want.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:27 PM ^
Moving to the Great White North, so will upgrade my winter driving machine to a Subaru Outback. Consumer Reports convinced me with their AWD comparison between Subaru and various other somewhat comparable vehicles. I'm willing to listen to other opinions, though. Will stick with the wagon or small SUV segment now. A pickup will probably be my next vehicle after I milk 200K from the Outback.
Do you actually like it? I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the AWD thing. Modern AWD and 4WD systems should be sufficient for most drivers' winter needs, especially with winter tires. (You should have winter tires.)
I'm more of a utilitarian car guy, so the Outback is at the top of the pack for various reasons. I was really intrigued by the Mazda CX-5 for a bit more fun-to-drive factor, but I don't fit well in it. Really liked a Ford Escape rental a few years back, but the Outback seems to have the best combo of cargo space, gas mileage, AWD performance, and towing capacity (much better towing than most other small wagons/SUVs - need to occasionally tow snowmobile, ATV, or smallish boat). I think I'm sold.
Crosstrek - smaller but better looking!
we started out looking at the crosstrek (as in, certain that's what we would buy if we got a subaru). and i had made fun of my sister and brother-in-law for getting an outback, since they seemed so huge. but then we opened the trunk of the crosstrek and.... it's just so tiny. of course, the salesman had a forester at a really good price if we wanted to test drive that - which we did, and felt like, maybe the space would be nice. the next time we went to the dealership, driving an outback seemed like a good idea - and were just hooked by the space. but we go up north at least every few months with a bike, and now with a kid have other junk to take, so it's worked out really well for us. but if we didn't have a kid, i think we would have gone with the crosstrek.
Really like it for all of the reasons you cite. I got the V6 (peppier, albeit with a slight mileage trade off). The safety gear and easy-to operate dash are pluses.
we just got an outback last june, so we've been thru one winter with it. we actually got some input from these threads before we bought, and got the same advice - just get winter tires! and i have no doubt everyone is right and knows what they're talking about - but man. the awd. it was such a difference driving in the snow. i grew up in michigan, feel pretty comfortable driving in snow and ice, and i had a car that i thought handled reasonably well in the snow. but driving the outback just made it feel like weather was a non-issue when considering going out. it felt really comfortable and responsive, no matter the conditions. and... why not just have awd AND winter tires? also, the space is wonderful for taking a bunch of gear up north (both outdoor and baby related for us)
Will definitely get winter tires.
I, too, grew up in a very snowy climate. Used to frequently drive in my Dad's 2WD (meaning rear wheel drive!) GMC S-15, so I know how to handle snowy conditions with a terrible handling vehicle. But I'll be putting a lot of highway miles on during the winter months, and everything I've heard about the Outback's performance aligns with your experience.
And sitting in an Outback feels like luxury to me. It's spacious, the seat seemed damn comfortable (looking at the Limited trim), and everyone who has one raves aobut it. I'm pulling the trigger before the snow flies next year.
equals one good feeling in slippery stuff.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:27 PM ^
For Mrs/Dr. Gopoohgo to replace her A4.
Have not thought that far ahead re; replacing my Ghibli SQ4
April 18th, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^
I just entered the market for my first truck and have emailed out 2 dozen or so dealers. This is also my first time buying through a dealer instead of private sale. Looking mostly at F150's and Sliv1500's in the 2-4 year old range. Any advice for me on making sure I get the best deal possible?
April 18th, 2017 at 12:57 PM ^
Be willing to walk out. Do your research. Get all offers in writing.
I know you are looking used but for new:
1. If you are a Costco member look into their buying program
2. Depending on where you work you may be eligible for a supplier discount
3. Check every relative for possible employee pricing.
For used:
I would use Carguru's, Cars.com, Craigslist, Autotrader and set-up alerts for trucks that match your needs. I would also get CarFax 5 pack or whatever it is to check on ones you are really considering. Make sure they have a clean title
Use TrueCar of KBB to see what the average selling price is so you have an idea of what you should pay.
If you can find an Auto Broker you could also try something like the Flint auto auction. I got a 2 year old car there and had good luck.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
April 18th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
Have the Cherokee in the shop being lifted. Should get it back Friday in time to hit a mountain trail this weekend!
April 18th, 2017 at 12:33 PM ^
Not in the market for a new car. Both vehicles are paid off, run great, and will stay the course for a few years hopefully.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:34 PM ^
This, in my dreams.
What came first? This or the Mazda CX- 5/9 which was very similar front end design.
The Mazda (recently), unless you count the 30+ years of Volvo wagon hoods from the Tank Box 240's to the current/previous gen, which have the curve. Biggest difference is that this is a wagon while the Mazda's are technically crossover's or real SUV's (feel free to correct me Auto Engineers).
This design is more true of the older, beloved boxy Volvo wagons going all the way back to the 1960's models.
Even more Wagon-y V90. I think the above picture was from the press releases and has the larger tires.
I know Volvo station wagons have been around forever. Had couple friends who had it growing up.
I was just talking about the front end design only. They almost look interchangeable.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:36 PM ^
April 18th, 2017 at 12:37 PM ^
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but while it is mechanically sound and kind of Honda-convenient (I'm also an Odyssey owner), the IT system is still a work in progress - distracting flat face interface and choppy signal. It also drives mushy, but anything that big tends to get that way.
I might reconsider it if the IT gets refined.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:38 PM ^
I'm in the infancy stages of buying my first new car, and I was wondering if yall could provide some good points and tips. As far as the car, it will be for sure a Ford (my uncle works there so we get a family discount). I don't need anything fancy, so I was looking cheap. What are your thoughts on the Fiesta?
April 18th, 2017 at 12:48 PM ^
I rented a Fiesta and I thought it was way underpowered. Maybe check out the Focus or Fusion instead.
April 19th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
Are you a point A to point B person? Do you like to drive like an asshole (me)? Do you need space? Handling? Do you park in the city? Do you live in snow?
For Ford, the Fusion with AWD and as big a motor as you can get is a decent all around vehicle in northern states. The Mustang GT is fun for the torque addict. Explorers are good SUV's with some nice lux touches. The edge is a solid vehicle too. The RS Focus could be a ton of fun.
Again, its about wants/needs.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:40 PM ^
I'm going Korean for my next car. The Equus has the size and features of an S-Class Merc at half the price. And their resale value sucks, so I should be able to get a nice used one for less than 20k by the time I'm in the market.
I'll never sell my G37. I'll rebuild it from the ground up if I have to.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:56 PM ^
That Tau motor is a beast and you won't be disappointed. Plus you can get some cool mustang 5.0L badges for it
And they're way under 20k. The V8 seems to be sort of rare though. Looks like most had the 6.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:58 PM ^
Ol' GMC pickup is still running well, and the mini van is still absorbing damage from my kids, so no new cars for a couple years maybe. Instead of buying something new, I'm bringing back to life something old.... 1980 FJ40. Here is the end vision:
April 18th, 2017 at 11:27 PM ^
I'll admit, they're lineups the past decade or so has been horrible (save for the Tacoma, 4runner, Land Cruiser, and newish gt-86). However, go back to the years of the 60s-80s - think corola, celica, FJ40/45, FJ60, FJ80, supra plus some others scattered in there.
Seriously looking at the Chevy Bolt. It gets over 200 miles on a charge. The whole electric or dead thing scares me. The Chevy Volt will always run as long as you have gas and is a safer option. I'm getting closer to going the electric route, but am not quite there yet.
I'm right there with you. I'm hoping my car last a few more years to see if there's more advancement in electric cars. The Bolt is getting close for me.
but next car for us will most likely be a minivan or third row suv when we decide trying to put three car seats across is ridiculous. i grew up with ford aerostars until they came out with the windstar and i'm a little scarred, so i have a fantasy about avoiding a minivan but seems like that's what most people end up with. anyone get a minivan and wish they got something different? anyone get a third row suv and wish they got a minivan? anything coming down the pipeline that is intriguing?
The Pacifica is new and the hybrid version is coming soon. Also Honda has a new-for-2018MY Oddessy that's going to be good.
Also also:
http://jalopnik.com/if-youre-a-real-grown-up-minivans-are-cooler-than-cros-1764226230
http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/parents-just-buy-the-damn-minivan-1597502940
those were good reads. we're ultimately practical people, so feels like we're minivan bound. sounds like things are better than the aerostar days, though.
April 19th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
Minivans have a stigma.
In the end they are just really efficient people and stuff haulers with good driving dynamics for their size and volume.
Dear Lord, this isn't '84 where a Minivan was powered by a carbuerated 4 cylinder with 86hp.
I was just talking with my brother about cars like the Journey and Venza. They are essentially minivans; but for people who don't want to buy a minivan. Except they aren't as efficient as minivans.
I got a mini van......and wish I had gotten a bullet in the head instead. Just kidding. Mostly.
Pacifica looks like a nicer option, but the bar for "nicer" is pretty low.
The list of potentials I have in mind:
2017 Mustang 5.0 (With the refresh for '18 I think the '17 will be incentivized enough to fall into my lap)
2018 Regal TourX (I currently have a Regal and come from a GM family, plus me likey wagon)
2017 Taurus SHO (If insurance on the Mustang is too high. DAMN YOU MICHIGAN AND YOUR NO FAULT LAWS)
2017 GMC Sierra (I've always wanted a pickup, GF drives a '16 Silverado and I really enjoy it)
2017 GMC Acadia (Again, like the Taurus backup, insurance/gas/etc could prevent me from choice A)
I'm probably going to be buying a minivan in the next year or two. though the wife doesn't want one. What should I be looking at instead?