Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

venture

stickguy said:

well, don't take this personally, but I put it in the user error category! It does have normal cruise (well, my Acuras do, so I assume all cars do, but it is an Audi, so maybe not smart?) You just didn't feel like looking in the manual to see how to do it.

so still IMO a plus. You get the plain old version, but when weather cooperates, also get the fancy one. So you aren't losing anything with the new tech.

I still don't like cruise anyway, and I definitely never use it in bad weather. Too stressful, since I drive with my foot hovering over the brake anyway.

I was on the interstate last summer using ACC when traffic ahead was stopped. The car started to slow down so I left it go, while having my foot on the brake pedal, to see what would happen. It slowed down gently and stopped - by itself.

oldfarmer50

“ Crazy stuff, though: He had a 2000 Chevy Silverado, 90's forest green, since it was new. 21 years old, 100,000 miles, and it was in just incredibly good shape. About five weeks ago, a crew of people descended upon it in the parking lot at his office and stole it in the middle of the day.”

Well, Hoovie just bought a 90s Surburban because he says those truck based Chevys and GMCs are becoming collectible. Maybe the thieves saw his video and figured a Silverado was close enough. :@

https://youtu.be/J52PN4oQIqc

ab348

stickguy said:

xwesx said:

Whoops. I just realized that I posted my original comment on needing to take my Q7 to Anchorage for service on this thread, but I posted my follow up on the "Road Trip" thread. I guess I was thinking about the Q5 loaner, and we had been talking about rentals over there.

Anyhow, here's the link if you're interested in the follow up.

just read it. I now kinda recall you having an issue with something but fuzzy on the details. Man, if it was mine, that dog would not be coming back from Anchorage. I would trade it in on something else. Not even sure I would care what it was!

Yeah, I would think having a finicky Audi a 6-hour trip away from the dealer would be a pretty good incentive to get something a bit more mainstream. I can understand not wanting a second Subaru but there are plenty of other alternatives. Surely they have something nice that is non-Audi on their used lot?

au1994

stickguy said:

xwesx said:

Whoops. I just realized that I posted my original comment on needing to take my Q7 to Anchorage for service on this thread, but I posted my follow up on the "Road Trip" thread. I guess I was thinking about the Q5 loaner, and we had been talking about rentals over there.

Anyhow, here's the link if you're interested in the follow up.

just read it. I now kinda recall you having an issue with something but fuzzy on the details. Man, if it was mine, that dog would not be coming back from Anchorage. I would trade it in on something else. Not even sure I would care what it was!

I agree. Heck its concerns like this that have kept me from getting an Alfa. Kinda had the wife interested in a Stelvio back when those were leasing great. Originally had a dealer ~20 min away at the Ferrari/Maserati dealer (boy those would have been fun service visits!!) but now the nearest is about 45 min on a good day in Atlanta traffic. Which never happens btw. That and the fact that my wife doesn’t have a lot of tolerance for vehicle maladies no matter how small kept us from moving forward.

kyfdx

If I drove enough miles to make a lease palatable, I'd be all over an Alfa. Assuming they would guarantee me a loaner car for service appointments.

tjc78

oldfarmer50 said:

“ Crazy stuff, though: He had a 2000 Chevy Silverado, 90's forest green, since it was new. 21 years old, 100,000 miles, and it was in just incredibly good shape. About five weeks ago, a crew of people descended upon it in the parking lot at his office and stole it in the middle of the day.”

Well, Hoovie just bought a 90s Surburban because he says those truck based Chevys and GMCs are becoming collectible. Maybe the thieves saw his video and figured a Silverado was close enough. :@

https://youtu.be/J52PN4oQIqc

They were good trucks with good old fashioned pushrod V8s and 4 speed autos. Very roomy too.... but collectible? IDK about that.

They make great towing rigs too, so I’m thinking the uptick in prices just has to do with the overall increase in travel trailer sales, and those types of vacations.

roadburner

kyfdx said:

If I drove enough miles to make a lease palatable, I'd be all over an Alfa. Assuming they would guarantee me a loaner car for service appointments.

There is a lot of conjecture about what Stellantis is going to do with their North American product mix. FIAT is almost certainly gone, and Alfa and Maserati may not be far behind. A few analysts think Chrysler will get the axe and that the Pacifica will be badged as a Dodge.

sda

I don't think ACC is able to be switched to standard cruise. I have checked the owner's manual in the VW and it makes no mention of that. Only how to turn the ACC On/Off by the controls on the steering wheel, set distance, set speed, resume. Disappointing. I have used ACC a couple of times in the Passat. Seems to work well and appreciate the ability to slow down, speed up, keep proper distance from vehicles.

sda

@xwesx , What is your overall impression of the Q5?

ab348

Honda having more problems up in Canada, possibly in cold weather areas of the US too?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/honda-crv-civic-heater-1.5960676

Complaints posted online to Transport Canada and consumer advocacy groups show Haugen and Beaulieu are two of hundreds of Honda owners stuck with a heating system that doesn't work properly when the temperatures dip on certain popular models — some 2017 and 2018 Honda CR-Vs and the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Honda Civic with the 1.5 L turbo engine.

Honda says the lack of heat is part of a problem involving excessive engine oil dilution, and announced a vehicle update campaign in late 2018 that was supposed to fix it. The update included new software, an oil change and, in some cases, a new air conditioning control unit. But automotive consumer advocate George Iny says, in some cases like Beaulieu and Haugen's, it didn't work.

stickguy

Sounds like the fix was to keep more heat in the engine, so less available to go into the heater core.

tjc78

sda said:

I don't think ACC is able to be switched to standard cruise. I have checked the owner's manual in the VW and it makes no mention of that. Only how to turn the ACC On/Off by the controls on the steering wheel, set distance, set speed, resume. Disappointing. I have used ACC a couple of times in the Passat. Seems to work well and appreciate the ability to slow down, speed up, keep proper distance from vehicles.

Strange. In our XC90 there is a setting to change it to conventional cruise in the menu. There are actually three settings. Standard cruise, ACC and Pro Pilot (assisted drive).

explorerx4

I've never had a vehicle with ACC that could not also be switched to conventional cruise

stickguy

sda said:

I don't think ACC is able to be switched to standard cruise. I have checked the owner's manual in the VW and it makes no mention of that. Only how to turn the ACC On/Off by the controls on the steering wheel, set distance, set speed, resume. Disappointing. I have used ACC a couple of times in the Passat. Seems to work well and appreciate the ability to slow down, speed up, keep proper distance from vehicles.

I did some looking. Seems like it might be a VGA specific thing. Watched a YouTube on a recent Golf and it can’t be converted. So likely your car can’t either.

sda

Not being able to switch to standard cruise is a real draw back, especially in conditions that @xwesx experienced. Consider me not impressed.

stickguy

I just look at it as not being a good idea to use cruise in those conditions, so no problem for me!

Michaell

Hmm, I never thought about Eyesight in the Outback being able to function as standard CC. Guess I'll have to dig out the manual and find out if it's an option.

Not that I'd likely use it in that mode, however.

fintail

I think it's the same in MBs with distronic, unless I have missed a setting - ACC or nothing. Distronic is great in either very dense traffic or wide open roads, but in moderate traffic, it can be irritating, (as no doubt via legalities), it doesn't follow close enough, and you end up becoming a pylon, with people moving in front of you, which makes the car panic and apply brakes, allowing even more to cut in, creating more braking, etc.

sda said:

I don't think ACC is able to be switched to standard cruise. I have checked the owner's manual in the VW and it makes no mention of that. Only how to turn the ACC On/Off by the controls on the steering wheel, set distance, set speed, resume. Disappointing. I have used ACC a couple of times in the Passat. Seems to work well and appreciate the ability to slow down, speed up, keep proper distance from vehicles.

breld

Picked up my son's Tiguan last night and he's very pleased (as he should be!).

Not that it's anything unique, but I'll post some pics this weekend.

While we were waiting for the car to be ready, I got to take the ID4 out for a quick test drive. It may suffer a bit in comparison to a Tesla or the very good Mach E, but I was thoroughly impressed. The dual motor AWD version is not available yet, so this is the RWD single motor and it felt plenty quick and every bit as smooth as you'd expect from a modern EV. The extra 100 hp for the AWD version should be plenty.

The styling is sharp - much more of a traditional SUV packaging than the other current offerings.

It does lack a real one-pedal driving mode like the E-Tron, so IMO that is the biggest miss.

ronsteve

Cross-posted from RWTIV... The Carvana number on my RDX says they're in a buying mood, and the Audi seems surprisingly non-inflated. What do the Audi-philes think of the '16 allroad? I mean, it's a proper wagon, but how many Euro makes fall into the "never own out of warranty" adage?

So being a vague CCB at heart, just for sh*ts and giggles I entered my RDX into Carvana and Vroom the other day... it's a '15 AWD Tech with 77K. I was thinking maybe in the 13s but Vroom was just north of 14 and Carvana was 15,4! Can't say I was in the market, but at what point is the number big enough that it's a good opportunity to sell high?

And it wasn't too long ago that I had it in for routine service and I noticed a '16 Allroad on the lot... is it the right time and price for a proper wagon again? https://www.acuraatoxmoor.com/used-Louisville-2016-Audi-allroad-20T+Premium+Plus+quattro-WA1UFAFL8GA017439

stickguy

Nice looking car. Pretty much just an A4 wagon. At least it doesn’t have the awful 2.7v6 motor the old ones had! A bit more miles than I prefer, but less than you have now,
Plus it’s newer, so if you want it, get it! Still seems like it should be less, but that’s probably just because I’m cheap.

stickguy

Shoot for trade + $5k to start, grudgingly come up to $6k if you really gotta have it!

explorerx4

Didn't the allroad used to be based on the A6?

nyccarguy

ronsteve said:

Cross-posted from RWTIV... The Carvana number on my RDX says they're in a buying mood, and the Audi seems surprisingly non-inflated. What do the Audi-philes think of the '16 allroad? I mean, it's a proper wagon, but how many Euro makes fall into the "never own out of warranty" adage?

So being a vague CCB at heart, just for sh*ts and giggles I entered my RDX into Carvana and Vroom the other day... it's a '15 AWD Tech with 77K. I was thinking maybe in the 13s but Vroom was just north of 14 and Carvana was 15,4! Can't say I was in the market, but at what point is the number big enough that it's a good opportunity to sell high?

And it wasn't too long ago that I had it in for routine service and I noticed a '16 Allroad on the lot... is it the right time and price for a proper wagon again? https://www.acuraatoxmoor.com/used-Louisville-2016-Audi-allroad-20T+Premium+Plus+quattro-WA1UFAFL8GA017439

Nice lookin' allroad. Looks like it is in nice shape. Don't kid yourself though. Traded in with 52,000 miles. Just out of warranty, right at about the time when German car$ need $ome good old fa$hioned maintenance to keep 'em in tip top $hape. In all seriousness, I'm not saying it is a bad car. Just do some research and know what you are getting into.

stickguy

explorerx4 said:

Didn't the allroad used to be based on the A6?

The old ones were. Maybe I’m wrong, I thought this generation was on the 4. But admittedly I never really looked at them closely or considered getting one.

I’d go with a nice V60 instead.

stickguy

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/1677520#vehicle-details

stickguy

They have a couple not reserved. Nice thing there, get a trade in credit, and they drop off the new one when they come to pick up the old one.

au1994

ronsteve said:

Cross-posted from RWTIV... The Carvana number on my RDX says they're in a buying mood, and the Audi seems surprisingly non-inflated. What do the Audi-philes think of the '16 allroad? I mean, it's a proper wagon, but how many Euro makes fall into the "never own out of warranty" adage?

So being a vague CCB at heart, just for sh*ts and giggles I entered my RDX into Carvana and Vroom the other day... it's a '15 AWD Tech with 77K. I was thinking maybe in the 13s but Vroom was just north of 14 and Carvana was 15,4! Can't say I was in the market, but at what point is the number big enough that it's a good opportunity to sell high?

And it wasn't too long ago that I had it in for routine service and I noticed a '16 Allroad on the lot... is it the right time and price for a proper wagon again? https://www.acuraatoxmoor.com/used-Louisville-2016-Audi-allroad-20T+Premium+Plus+quattro-WA1UFAFL8GA017439

Always thought they were really cool looking. I prefer the 2 tone paint scheme. That 2.0T is pretty well proven but as mentioned here many times, PPI is your friend on any high end German make and model with miles. It’s not that they are all bad and prone to problems, they are just expensive when they do.

xwesx

ab348 said:

Yeah, I would think having a finicky Audi a 6-hour trip away from the dealer would be a pretty good incentive to get something a bit more mainstream. I can understand not wanting a second Subaru but there are plenty of other alternatives. Surely they have something nice that is non-Audi on their used lot?

Maybe. But not much with a diesel engine, and I want my diesel.

xwesx

sda said:

I don't think ACC is able to be switched to standard cruise. I have checked the owner's manual in the VW and it makes no mention of that. Only how to turn the ACC On/Off by the controls on the steering wheel, set distance, set speed, resume. Disappointing. I have used ACC a couple of times in the Passat. Seems to work well and appreciate the ability to slow down, speed up, keep proper distance from vehicles.

I agree that there is no "off" option for it. I could find no mention in the owner manual, and no mention anywhere online that you *can* do it (though lots of mentions that you cannot).

Funny... Audi themselves state that the system is highly weather resistant and has heating elements to prevent ice build up. Nein. It quickly fails in such conditions, as yesterday demonstrated!

au1994

In a heavy rain I would get a message that Eyesight wasn’t functioning in the Crosstrek.

A little annoying since inclement weather is when you would typically welcome the nannies interventions.

au1994

Honda Pilot’s sure are leasing well right now. Not that I’ve gone down the rabbit hole or anything.

xwesx

sda said:

@xwesx , What is your overall impression of the Q5?

Hmm. Well, I hate the shifter (I know I have never mentioned this before, so I just wanted to get it out of the way before I forgot).

Good:

• It's incredibly quiet - even moreso than my Q7, so I guess sound deadening has come along in the last eight model years.
  
• The Quattro system is impressive; I think this, too, works better than the Q7, as the car was able to navigate my driveway without issue despite the OEM all season tires, 3" of wet, slippery snow, and about 8" of softening hardpack under that!
  
• Steering has good feedback for a drive-by-wire system.
  
• The multi (3) zone climate control operates quite well and the operation of the system is tactile and intuitive.
  
• The B&O (Bang & Olufsen) sounds system is seductive. It makes me wonder why my Q7 has a "crappy" Bose system in comparison.
  
• The drivetrain (I think with the 2.0T) is surprisingly peppy, but also quite fuel efficient. It matched, and perhaps slightly exceeded, my Q7's economy on the trip by posting 27.4 mpg on the drive home (Q7 said 27.0 mpg last I noticed it before entering Anchorage). I left the drive mode in 'auto' rather than selecting something like 'eco' or 'dynamic.' Still, the car has impressive scoot, especially for passing (it can go from 70 to OMGOMG in no time at all - just punch 'go' and hang on!).
  
• Glass roof is yummy. If you like them, you will love this one. It has an opaque cover, though. I prefer the perforated shade that my Q7 has, but I'm sure my wife would really like this one because she could pretend that it has no glass up there at all.
  
• The ride is firm, yet compliant. 245/45/R20 tires.
  

Bad/Meh:

• No SD card slot. I was forced to listen to public radio, where reception allowed, outside Anchorage/Fairbanks areas. It has a USB connector (not included on prior VAGs), but I didn't have a USB stick, I had my trusty SD card from the Q7! I shall never forgive them.
  
• Tablet-glued-to-the-dash-look. I don't like it and probably never will. But, the system is intuitive and easy to reach/see from the driving position. Lots of feature lock-outs while driving, though. Many more than the Q7.
  
• Coffin-dark interior. I prefer a little pizazz. It's a good thing the roof lets some light through, or you might just get lost in the dark in there.
  
• Shifter is not intuitive at all, but I'll not bore with the details.
  
• Flat, hard seat bottoms. I like firm and supportive; this seems to go more for the "park bench" approach.
  
• 
  

qbrozen

stickguy said:

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/1677520#vehicle-details

Decent price. I think this or XC60 is definitely the wife’s next vehicle. Problem with v60 is the ‘19 would be a must-have for the facelift. The Xc60 got the facelift for 2018 models.

pensfan83

@xwesx the base seats are miserable. The sport seats are much more supportive, at least they were in my '14 A4. Good take though, I like the Q5 a lot.

sda

I find the seat backs in the Q5 and Passat very comfortable but the seat bottoms both on the firm side, perhaps too much so.

au1994

pensfan83 said:

@xwesx the base seats are miserable. The sport seats are much more supportive, at least they were in my '14 A4. Good take though, I like the Q5 a lot.

It is nice looking and the Audi interior is one of the best. Not a huge fan of the iPad on the dash look either but looks like its here to stay in several makes and models.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

explorerx4 said:

Didn't the allroad used to be based on the A6?

The old ones were. Maybe I’m wrong, I thought this generation was on the 4. But admittedly I never really looked at them closely or considered getting one.

I’d go with a nice V60 instead.

You can now get the allroad in either 4 or 6 variety

stickguy

I meant A4 platform.

ab348

xwesx said:

ab348 said:

Yeah, I would think having a finicky Audi a 6-hour trip away from the dealer would be a pretty good incentive to get something a bit more mainstream. I can understand not wanting a second Subaru but there are plenty of other alternatives. Surely they have something nice that is non-Audi on their used lot?

Maybe. But not much with a diesel engine, and I want my diesel.

Yeah, well, if that is your #1 criterion, then you could be buying the Q7 a good many birthday cards. Not many diesels left.

stickguy

So many horror stories. I wouldn’t touch a modern diesel.

xwesx

sda said:

I find the seat backs in the Q5 and Passat very comfortable but the seat bottoms both on the firm side, perhaps too much so.

Yes! The seat back is just fine; there's just no bolstering on the bottom (or anything of significance). The car is really new, though, so a little break-in might help to increase the comfort level a bit.

xwesx

ab348 said:

xwesx said:

ab348 said:

Yeah, I would think having a finicky Audi a 6-hour trip away from the dealer would be a pretty good incentive to get something a bit more mainstream. I can understand not wanting a second Subaru but there are plenty of other alternatives. Surely they have something nice that is non-Audi on their used lot?

Maybe. But not much with a diesel engine, and I want my diesel.

Yeah, well, if that is your #1 criterion, then you could be buying the Q7 a good many birthday cards. Not many diesels left.

No, it's really just that I already have it. Better to have the beast you know than the one you don't. I don't mind birthday cards for cars. A few of mine have more birthday cards from me than my wife has anniversary cards.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I meant A4 platform.

Yeah, in both A4 and A6 platforms. 2 different models

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

kyfdx said:

If I drove enough miles to make a lease palatable, I'd be all over an Alfa. Assuming they would guarantee me a loaner car for service appointments.

There is a lot of conjecture about what Stellantis is going to do with their North American product mix. FIAT is almost certainly gone, and Alfa and Maserati may not be far behind. A few analysts think Chrysler will get the axe and that the Pacifica will be badged as a Dodge.

Chrysler is already calling the lower trim levels of the Pacifica the Voyager so maybe the next step is to make those Voyager trims a Dodge.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

Honda having more problems up in Canada, possibly in cold weather areas of the US too?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/honda-crv-civic-heater-1.5960676

Complaints posted online to Transport Canada and consumer advocacy groups show Haugen and Beaulieu are two of hundreds of Honda owners stuck with a heating system that doesn't work properly when the temperatures dip on certain popular models — some 2017 and 2018 Honda CR-Vs and the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Honda Civic with the 1.5 L turbo engine.

Honda says the lack of heat is part of a problem involving excessive engine oil dilution, and announced a vehicle update campaign in late 2018 that was supposed to fix it. The update included new software, an oil change and, in some cases, a new air conditioning control unit. But automotive consumer advocate George Iny says, in some cases like Beaulieu and Haugen's, it didn't work.

I don’t buy that “engine is too efficient” baloney. Any engine will produce a ton of heat as it burns fuel.

I love the advice “don’t stop while you’re driving”. I’m not sure the guy you rear-end will be sympathetic when you tell him you were following factory advice.

corvette

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

kyfdx said:

If I drove enough miles to make a lease palatable, I'd be all over an Alfa. Assuming they would guarantee me a loaner car for service appointments.

There is a lot of conjecture about what Stellantis is going to do with their North American product mix. FIAT is almost certainly gone, and Alfa and Maserati may not be far behind. A few analysts think Chrysler will get the axe and that the Pacifica will be badged as a Dodge.

Chrysler is already calling the lower trim levels of the Pacifica the Voyager so maybe the next step is to make those Voyager trims a Dodge.

It is the best looking minivan on the market, although I guess that is damning with faint praise.

nyccarguy

@xwesx - good job chronicling your journey to and from the dealer. Audi does a great job at keeping their cars looking current. That Q5 loaner you have is sharp. I like it. Good to know the Quattro works as advertised, even with “crappy 3 season tires.” Is it different than the system in your Q7?

I understand your attachment to the Q7 TDI. A good customer of mine has a Cayenne Diesel with over 180K miles. He can well afford something new (He has his eye on the Cayenne S Coupe), but he says there is something about the Diesel that he just LOVES.

carnaught

Well, busy work day and chores. Here’s the punch. More details tomorrow.

nyccarguy

carnaught said:

Well, busy work day and chores. Here’s the punch. More details tomorrow.

Wow! Very nice! We need details! Congrats on the punch!