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  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    edited November 2010
    No, I have the Goodyear UGI on my wife's Forester. I wish I had some video of me driving. Between me and that car, we go. ;)

    Oh, here you go.... another one showing someone ice skating on a road! Seriously.... that's a good idea. I probably could have made it to work faster on Monday (by quite a bit) if I had done that!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    NO question, I'd take good tires on an FWD car over a 4x4 with all seasons any day. We went from abnormal warm fall weather to pure ice in 3 days. Always takes a little for some people to remember how to drive in winter and this year it was made worse by the instant change. We are averaging about 3 "went into the ditch and rolled vehicle accidents per night." over the past five days. We usually see 1-2 per week.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    You're sounding like an old guy I ran into about 30 years ago, who could not understand why someone would buy a (then new) Honda Accord, when they could go out and spend roughly the same amount of money on a (then new—and much larger) 1980 Chevrolet Caprice. :)

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.egmcartech.com/2010/11/29/volvo-ceo-lets-ditch-this-talk-about-premiu- m-brand/

    Sounds like they've learned this from Subaru.

    Bob
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Sounds like they've learned this from Subaru.

    IMHO, not really. Subaru left the premium track because they realized they couldn't move up that ladder. Volvo is evaluating the premium track they've always been in but have not kept pace with. 30 years ago, they may have been BMW or MB competitors but they lost it in that time and can't keep up with those brands in terms of cache.

    They are more of a premium light brand competing with the likes of Acura and Infiniti.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's a bit different - Mini isn't exactly known for winning quality awards. They do well in the APEAL study, though.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, they're sort of stuck in the middle between mainstream and luxury brands.

    Under Ford they were also limited by Jaguar - they always had to offer less. Now there is no such restriction.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I was referring to to your comment about buying vehicles by the pound or square/cubic feet. Some people just can't comprehend why something so small, can cost so much.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I can understand $30k, but $47k? Seriously? That'll buy you a nice condo in Florida nowadays.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/video-motor-trend-pits-ferrari-458-italia-aga- inst-ducati/#continued

    Not surprised, really. I've long felt that bikes were faster than cars.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm not surprised, either.

    I liked the episode where Top Gear put a superbike up against an Atom, though.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    How do you justify the price or anything small and expensive? It's only worth it if the customer feels it's worth it. What you think as being outrageous, others might consider worth it.

    Aston Martin Cygnet, anyone? Well, maybe not anyone following this thread—but someone wealthy might see the value.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I hear you, but Mini is simply pushing the boundaries on premium pricing for a small car - a bit beyond sanity IMHO.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Maybe, but I bet they won't be the only ones. Cadillac showed a Smart-sized min at LA. It wouldn't surprise me if it, or something like it, gets green-lighted by GM for production.

    Bob
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    Hi all- hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving! We got snowed in- 6" stops everything in Seattle for days! (we have lots of hills and 2 snow plows for all of Washington!- ok, maybe 3)

    I think practically the Mini is pushing it at $20k, let alone $40. But hey, it's worth whatever anyone will pay for it.

    They are fun to drive!

    tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I liked it, but they won't produce it.

    You can get an A3 TDI for $32k, and that's list. I can't see how the Mini is $15 grand more than that.
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    You can get an A3 TDI for $32k, and that's list.

    But a typical Audi has a large number of add-on items that cost as much as a cheap used car!
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    The corner speeds & forces surprised me a bit. I knew the bike could out-accelerate the car, easily, and would lose just as badly under braking.

    But I thought the car would have a much greater advantage in corners. Other car vs bike shootouts normally do show that.
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I got this game for my kids and it's really neat! The graphics are incredible- but it takes forever to load the game. I think I could read a book chapter between races!

    It has a few go kart events which are really fun! Anyone else have a chance to play?

    tom
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,604
    .. will buy you a loaded AWD Countryman S model..

    I guess you could check every single box and get to $47K, just like you can get to almost $57K on an X3...

    But, you'd have to be an idiot to do that...

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  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,604
    .. will buy you a loaded AWD Countryman S model..

    I guess you could check every single box and get to $47K, just like you can get to almost $57K on an X3...

    But, you'd have to be an idiot to do that...

    Not that $35K isn't expensive for a MINI.. :P

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  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    edited November 2010
    .. will buy you a loaded AWD Countryman S model..

    I guess you could check every single box and get to $47K,

    But you can't. I built one on the configurator and ticked every option including accessories and only hit around $42K. I think the original autoblog story must've been wrong.

    Not that $42K isn't expensive but I doubt that they'll get anyone ticking every box.
  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    No AWD for any Audi TDI in the USA, though. They say the loss of one MPG is why they don't offer it.
    In the NW USA, no AWD is asking to get stuck in winter (many Jettas, Audis and other FWD's share that fate).
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    Huh, I've never previously heard it was because of mpg but that may be plausible. I kind of thought it was to keep a lid on prices and options. TDI models cost about the same as gas + 4Motion / Quattro models as it is.

    The only TDI AWD vehicle in the US is the Toureg / Q7, and they are serious coin... $50k and up. Ouch.
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    edited November 2010
    Tom,

    My son is 3.5, so I'll be getting the game at some point for myself. He watched me race a little in the most recent NFS however, and caused some commotion at a family dinner with the following proclimation: "Daddy crashed his white racecar!"

    A week prior I happened to be racing a white Evo that looked quite a bit like my own car, and yep, I had botched a S curve and rear-ended a competitor. But my real car was fine. :)

    Anyway, I didn't actually expect GT5 to ever ship or to be any good. I was sitting on the fence for sure. Early reviews are generally favorable but don't look like Game-of-the-Year potential, so I'll probably pick up a pre-owned copy in a few months at Gamestop.

    Glad you're enjoying it. I loved GT 1-3. GT4 was not that great... And like I said, the long delays scared me off as an early adopter of GT5.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Toureg / Q7, and they are serious coin... $50k and up

    That's only $3000 more than a loaded MINI.

    KIDDING. :D
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A friend has been trying to get me into racing games, but I think I'd get addicted so quickly you guys would never hear from me again! :D
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    edited November 2010
    You might be okay if you don't buy a race controller with steering wheel and pedals. I have tried Forza 3, but hated using a regular controller so I didn't get hooked.
    Shame because I can no longer keep up with the boys on shooters, so I was looking to preserve my pride by beating them on the track.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I don't know how you came up with $47K? I just did it (build your own), filled out everything and opting for the most expensive option choices I could find and I came up with $38,992 for a Mini Copper S Countryman All4.

    Bob
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    I don't think AJ did, I think that was what Autoblog came up with. They are notorious for dinking around with configurators when they first are available and they select every option. This tends to find issues with items that should be exclusive, but the configurator tool doesn't work properly and instead lets you pile up redundant / exclusive options.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, I was joking, plus we think Autoblog may have made a mistake.

    IMHO that MINI belongs in the $30-35k price territory.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    And that's certainly possible. Remember, I added everything I could to come up with that number. If I were actually ordering one for myself, the figure would be much lower.

    Bob
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    What about MB? They offer a few 4Matic diesels up here. Still not bargains though and I don't think they offer anything small like the Mini.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    edited November 2010
    My wife called me this afternoon and said, "The car is broken. There's a big brown puddle under it!" :sick:

    Hahahah, well, of course, it is simple to diagnose the problem with a description like that! So, I guess I know what I'll be doing tonight: Lying on my back on the snowpack in the driveway at -30F trying to figure out what fluid is leaking and where it originated.

    At this point, I'm hoping a seal or gasket failed as a result of the cold weather. Other than than the inconvenience, I say, "eh - that is why new cars come with warranties!"

    Better this week than last, though... when we had the incredibly icy roads.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    isn't it almost time for us to spend our $100,000 on the Christmas cars?
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Already have mine lined up... but I'll wait :)
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    I've been waiting six months! :)
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yes it is, and my choices are:

    2011 WRX Limited 5-door w/NAVI ~ $32K

    2011 Outback 3.6 Limited w/NAVI ~ $37K

    2011 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 SV V6 ~ $28K

    That's a bit under $100K.

    Bob
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    That's a nice list, Bob. You'd buy a 2011 WRX though, with a vastly improved version Coming Soon™?

    Here's mine... it's short and sweet. And yes-- I'd really buy these if I had $100k to spend. In 3 years would I regret it? :) Nah, but I seriously doubt either of these could go 7 yrs / 100k miles with no repairs like my current car.

    2011 Audi S4 w/ S-tronic automatic, sport differential, 19" wheels = $51k
    2011 VW Touareg TDI = $49k
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    As I recall, the list is based on what's now available in showrooms, not what's down the road.

    Bob
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    Totally agree, but you'd still buy one rather than a totally different car? That's what I was getting at. I think you're saying, yes, you would. :)
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    edited December 2010
    Turned out to be the best possible scenario for a bad oil leak on an engine! Quite surprisingly, the oil filter had worked itself loose (after 6,000 miles of being on there)! I imagine all the big swings in temperature must have simply taken their toll on the connection between the aluminum block and the steel filter housing. That's a first for me, though. I have changed dozens of filters on my cars, all of which have seen temperatures (and temperature swings) like we're seeing now or worse, and this is the first one that has ever come loose unintended.

    I pulled it off, checked the integrity of the seal, then reinstalled it: Problem solved. That now stands at both the cheapest and fastest repair for my fleet! :blush:
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    Wow-- I've never had a oil filter get loose, either. As a young man, however, I had oil filters get stuck in place on two occasions and I had to cut the filter body away with tin snips and then create a rig to spin the filter mount. I can't remember for sure if both of them were installed by servicers or not, but I think so.

    Since then I've done all my own changes and carefully tightened by hand with no leaks and no stuck filters.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    I'll have to think about this one a little more. $100K; that sure doesn't buy what it used to buy! :P
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Well, it's a newer (and better) version of what I already have—and which I like a lot.

    The improvements (as I speced it) are:

    • Better looks
    • Improved handling
    • HIDs
    • Built-in NAVI (which I prefer)
    • Bluetooth
    • Leather interior

    Yeah, all just refinements, but they add to what I already have/like. Now if only the STI 5-door came with a moonroof... ;)

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    pulled it off, checked the integrity of the seal, then reinstalled it: Problem solved.

    Hopefully you added oil, too! :P
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    had oil filters get stuck in place on two occasions

    That happened to my Sienna, and the worst part was it's a canister-style filter, so it's a metal filter holder that you have to re-use!

    It took a pretty huge set of lock-jaw pliers and a hammer to tap it/yank it loose.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited December 2010
    How about two loaded MINIs:

    Clubman S JCW with everything ~$50k
    Countryman S JCW with everything ~$50k

    KIDDING!

    Boy, I'm not letting this one go, am I?

    Off to do some pricing research. What makes it hard for me is that there is no current minivan that I'm in love with, and we still need a people mover.
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    That's where I started, Juice. It still wouldn't spin, and eventually the filter body was crushed beyond usefulness. That's when the tin snips came out...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wow, this is tough. Honda forces you to get a Touring to get the 6EAT, and the van is ugly to me, like it was sawed in half.

    As much as it pains me, it's the least-bad choice right now, since the Sienna was cheapened and no longer has a real 8th seat, and neither does any other competitor, even the new Quest, Dodge, and Kia - all ruled out. I'd probably buy a 2010 CPO Sienna 8 passenger, but rules are New only, so I have to cave in and choose the ugly Ody.

    $41,535 Ody Touring

    Wifey loves her Forester, so let's get her another one, maybe this:

    $27,281 Forester X Limited Navi PZEV

    I still need my commuter/toy convertible:

    $30,144 Miata PRHT Manual Grand Touring

    I'd buy a trio of Nuvi 1490LMTs from Sam's Club and still have change for gas!

    Happy Holidays folks!
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