Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

kyfdx

Macan PDK

Not an expert. But, the PDK in our base Macan is great. No hunting or hesitation. No hard shifting. It's 7-speeds and is way better than the last 10-speed auto we had in the X3. I'm not sure about the DSG thing, but the transmission requires removal from the vehicle at 40K miles for service, so that has me doubting that part, a little bit. I've only tried the paddle shifters, once, so no report on that.

Could be different for different engine models.

Also, the dash indicates which gear you are in, even in automatic mode. I like that.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

I think my wife might be getting interested in an upgrade. I keep dropping new features to intrigue her (not that she would know how to use them). She did like our daughter's new car that we saw this weekend. So I need to find something she will actually like and find comfortable and be willing to drive, that is also something I want to drive. Another compact CUV makes no sense (well, maybe a Mecan!)....

What features might she like to have that she doesn't have on her loaded RDX? How many miles are on her Acura?

stickguy

So far just the 360 camera. I will mention ventilated seats when it warms up. And I think we have about 26k on it.

stickguy

Removing the transmission at 40k at a Porsche dealer? How many $1000s does that cost?

ab348

stickguy said:

So far just the 360 camera. I will mention ventilated seats when it warms up. And I think we have about 26k on it.

Has it had its first oil change yet?

This sounds like a bad case of breld-itis, where you are just changing vehicles because the novelty has worn off and you have the means to do so. But it is your money.

The socials inform me that Keith Hernandez of the Mets is selling his Florida condo. Looks like a nice place. Maybe burn your excess cash on real estate?

https://t.co/VZ1G4Ah4RZ

qbrozen

@stickguy said:
at the risk of getting flamed, given the familial relationship, I always assumed that the Porsche PDK was basically just the Audi DSG. And Corvette, I would bet that the difference is all in the software. Maybe can get the Q5 tuned to make it work better.

Story is the PDK was in development in house at Porsche long before Borg Wagner developed the DSG. And both were in production vehicles prior to Porsche and Audi started sharing production responsibilities.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

So far just the 360 camera. I will mention ventilated seats when it warms up. And I think we have about 26k on it.

When I got a loaded RDX as a loaner while the Acura dealer was doing warranty work on my TLX, I really liked how that thing drove. It was my first time driving the super-handling awd system, and it seemed very nice and rather fun. Felt different from anything else I've ever driven. Sound system was excellent. With only 26k miles after 5 years your RDX still likely has many miles and some years of trouble-free life left.

Just my 2 cents, of course, but I feel like it might be good to look for a sporty car for yourself. You have a loaded and functional small truck, but a sporty vehicle that's more fun to drive seems like it might be a good idea. Now that used prices have come down somewhat, I wonder if a Porsche might be something to consider?

stickguy

I don’t want to park anything nice outside. But if I found a cheapish but not rotted out used truck for work duties that could sit out with a sports car inside.

Which is why converting the RDX into a sports sedan solves multiple issues!

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

Macan PDK

Not an expert. But, the PDK in our base Macan is great. No hunting or hesitation. No hard shifting. It's 7-speeds and is way better than the last 10-speed auto we had in the X3. I'm not sure about the DSG thing, but the transmission requires removal from the vehicle at 40K miles for service, so that has me doubting that part, a little bit. I've only tried the paddle shifters, once, so no report on that.

Could be different for different engine models.

Also, the dash indicates which gear you are in, even in automatic mode. I like that.

Don't forget the spark plugs need to be replaced at 40K miles as well

benjaminh

stickguy said:

I don’t want to park anything nice outside. But if I found a cheapish but not rotted out used truck for work duties that could sit out with a sports car inside.

Which is why converting the RDX into a sports sedan solves multiple issues!

So does this mean you're thinking of letting go of your Maverick hybrid as well? Or would you have two trucks?

benjaminh

With our c. $900 annual Costco check we are getting a hitch and bike rack for our Outback. Appointment to get it installed is this Thursday. I like to bike, but this is mainly for the next generation, who want to borrow the Subaru for a biking/camping trip.

stickguy

@nyccarguy said:
Don't forget the spark plugs need to be replaced at 40K miles as well

Easy to do while you have the drivetrain out already!

stickguy

@benjaminh said:
So does this mean you're thinking of letting go of your Maverick hybrid as well? Or would you have two trucks?

I truck is more than enough. If I got a fun car for my regular use a truck would barely get used anyway. We really put few miles on the entire fleet now. Actually a good reason to go EV.

ab348

Rare photo of @stickguy planning his latest scheme:

stickguy

Checks out.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Removing the transmission at 40k at a Porsche dealer? How many $1000s does that cost?

Didn't want to know. She wanted that car, so she got that car.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

I truck is more than enough. If I got a fun car for my regular use a truck would barely get used anyway. We really put few miles on the entire fleet now. Actually a good reason to go EV.

I would think that the less you drive the less sense an EV makes in terms of economics, but perhaps I'm missing something?

But anyway, onward with the scheme! So you sell/trade-in both your nearly pristine low-mile RDX and nearly-new Maverick, and then get a used truck, a sports sedan, and what else?

pensfan83

The 360 cam on the MDX converted us, it's great to have.

explorerx4

My new truck doesn't have a 360 camera setup but I have found it pretty easy to back into it's parking spot next to the garage using the right side mirror to line it up with the lawn.
The last few feet, I use backup camera to get close to the fence behind it.

stickguy

@benjaminh said:
I would think that the less you drive the less sense an EV makes in terms of economics, but perhaps I'm missing something?

But anyway, onward with the scheme! So you sell/trade-in both your nearly pristine low-mile RDX and nearly-new Maverick, and then get a used truck, a sports sedan, and what else?

Isn’t that enough?

I can simplify the whole process by getting something like a BMW 3 series (in concept) to replace the CUV. a fun car kind of toy that my wife will actually drive.

For an EV I don’t look at it in terms of payback (especially on a lease). More that our use case makes an EV very practical since we don’t need it for long distance travel. So if that is the car I want to have no reason not to get one. My friend always leases a BMW for himself (business reasons! And his most recent (to replace the small sedan that is basically a
Mini underneath) is the EV version of the 3 series. He seems to love it.

jmonroe1

benjaminh said:

stickguy said:

So far just the 360 camera. I will mention ventilated seats when it warms up. And I think we have about 26k on it.

When I got a loaded RDX as a loaner while the Acura dealer was doing warranty work on my TLX, I really liked how that thing drove. It was my first time driving the super-handling awd system, and it seemed very nice and rather fun. Felt different from anything else I've ever driven. Sound system was excellent. With only 26k miles after 5 years your RDX still likely has many miles and some years of trouble-free life left.

Just my 2 cents, of course, but I feel like it might be good to look for a sporty car for yourself. You have a loaded and functional small truck, but a sporty vehicle that's more fun to drive seems like it might be a good idea. Now that used prices have come down somewhat, I wonder if a Porsche might be something to consider?

————————————————
Everyone needs some one like you in their corner. If you were the opposite sex @stickguy would get a divorce and marry you by sundown.

jmonroe

benjaminh

Yes, low EV lease rates and mostly short trips does mean that an EV makes sense. I get it!

A Mini EV does sound like fun. What are lease rates like on those?

xwesx

fintail said:

Advice sought - not sure how many here keep a car long enough to need tire replacement. I will be switching the winter tires out for the wagon in a few weeks, and I need to replace at least two of the normal/all-season tires, as last year I had damage on an inner sidewall resulting in a slow leak that can't be repaired. The tires are original to the car, 2018 date code, no visible rot or similar as I keep the tires conditioned and the car is garaged. The tires have maybe 30K miles on them, 5mm tread depth, which is apparently still acceptable. Would you replace them all or just the two it needs, and wait for the others?

I would replace them all. Even if the one tire wasn't damaged, I think that 5/32 is time to replace, as they have a distinct drop in performance under 6/32 (particularly in wet or slick conditions).

xwesx

stickguy said:

it is the same unit in different models. And they tune them as they see fit in different applications. So it is doing it that way for a reason, either because they want it to function like that, or sometimes because the trans isn't able to handle the weight maybe so they have to build in a delay?

It is most often about fuel economy, which is the same reason that the automated manuals were invented in the first place. Each might only be from one to fractions of a mile-per-gallon, but every little bit matters. Aftermarket tuning of the transmission map can work wonders!

pensfan83

I'm in Philadelphia until tomorrow night before flying to Chicago and went to grab lunch at Reading Termina (Uncle Gus's Steaks). It's been quite awhile since I've been there but I forgot how much I liked it. It's like Westside Market in Cleveland, but bigger I think.

greg1288

explorerx4 said:

My new truck doesn't have a 360 camera setup but I have found it pretty easy to back into it's parking spot next to the garage using the right side mirror to line it up with the lawn.
The last few feet, I use backup camera to get close to the fence behind it.

When pulling into a parking space I would normally open the door to see if the car is straight, within the lines and not too close or too far from the front line (or curb). Now with the 360 camera looking down
on the car, the space and the pavement lines in real time you can easily fit into it perfectly which is very convenient.

stickguy

pensfan83 said:

I'm in Philadelphia until tomorrow night before flying to Chicago and went to grab lunch at Reading Termina (Uncle Gus's Steaks). It's been quite awhile since I've been there but I forgot how much I liked it. It's like Westside Market in Cleveland, but bigger I think.

I do miss the terminal market. Is the pretzel booth still there with the Amish (or Amish light) girls making the pretzels still there? One of those pretzels hot out of the oven was to die for.

some of the cheesesteaks were very good also.

Car related, the convention center next door is where the Philly auto show is. Part of the show was actually on the floor above the market at one point (I think it shrunk since then)

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
I watched a video today where it was noted that the Coyote in the Mustang and the F-150 have different firing orders.
Firing order in the Mustang is more for horsepower and in the F-150 is more torque oriented.
The Mustang does beat the F-150 in absolute numbers.

That sounds logical given the different purposes. I’m sure there are other dedicated differences in tuning as well.

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

Advice sought - not sure how many here keep a car long enough to need tire replacement. I will be switching the winter tires out for the wagon in a few weeks, and I need to replace at least two of the normal/all-season tires, as last year I had damage on an inner sidewall resulting in a slow leak that can't be repaired. The tires are original to the car, 2018 date code, no visible rot or similar as I keep the tires conditioned and the car is garaged. The tires have maybe 30K miles on them, 5mm tread depth, which is apparently still acceptable. Would you replace them all or just the two it needs, and wait for the others?

I guess for best handling you should do all four but if you’re cheap like me just do two unless your car is AWD.

oldfarmer50

“ . But if I found a cheapish but not rotted out used truck for work duties that could sit out with a sports car inside.”

You need to get busy scouring Craigslist and Marketplace. Go on a few road trips and be ready to crawl under some vehicles with a flashlight.

Would you like me to find out if my coworker’s 2005 Ranger is still available? It was the least rusty 20 year old truck I’ve ever seen.

tjc78

stickguy said:

pensfan83 said:

I'm in Philadelphia until tomorrow night before flying to Chicago and went to grab lunch at Reading Termina (Uncle Gus's Steaks). It's been quite awhile since I've been there but I forgot how much I liked it. It's like Westside Market in Cleveland, but bigger I think.

I do miss the terminal market. Is the pretzel booth still there with the Amish (or Amish light) girls making the pretzels still there? One of those pretzels hot out of the oven was to die for.

some of the cheesesteaks were very good also.

Car related, the convention center next door is where the Philly auto show is. Part of the show was actually on the floor above the market at one point (I think it shrunk since then)

Dinic's Roast Pork......

Sandman6472

Finally hit 79K yesterday and it's driving like a champ so far. Looks like the day I drove it home. Right now, the only other vehicle I'd get is a Mini Cooper, which ever size drove the best. But in reality, think getting a GTI would make the most sense. As we have decided to put moving back on the table, makes even more sense to go with the GTI as we'd be somewhere between Orlando & St. Augustine depending on when we do start looking. Would like to live close to both girls as we miss them a lot. And setting my sites on this all going down sometime between 2027 & 2028. My wife wants to stay with her part time employer another 18 to 24 months if possible. Her TurboTax gig can be done from anywhere luckily.

At this point, with the small amount of miles I drive each year, could possibly still have my current Golf at that time. Have learned finally, to never say never in life because it can be taken from us so quickly. And as long as it's running, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world but, think it's getting almost time to get a new one. So, we shall see how things play out!

corvette

When I was in Philly, the Eastern State Penitentiary museum was an unexpected highlight. I appreciate that they are trying to preserve it in its present state rather than restore it, and that you get to see pretty much all of it (as opposed to many attractions, where entire sections are closed off). PMA and the Rodin museum were also great!

qbrozen

Let me throw this out here and see what happens.

Let’s assume either of these is $16k. Which is the better option?

2012 Cayenne S (nonturbo v8) with 69k miles
2017 F-pace 35t (supercharged 3.0 v6) with 62k

They are virtually neck and neck performance-wise, although the Jag is far easier to tune for an advantage in that department.

I’m fairly confident the Porsche would retain value better, although its advanced age could prove a problem. From all I have found, I don’t believe reliability would be a deciding factor.

Porsche weighs about 500 lbs more but (at least one I have my eye on) has the PASM system. For looks, I gotta give Jag the nod. I have never been a big fan of the Cayenne for aesthetics. I’m sure the v8 sounds worlds better than the SC V6, however. Cayenne goes more than a ton more, but I’d likely never need more than the 5300-lb capacity of the Jag.

Michaell

Decades ago, on a trip to Philadelphia, my dad's cousin took me to see part of the original ENIAC computer, at the University of Pennsylvania.

Pretty amazing how much space it took, and how rudimentary the calculations were. I understand a majority of the system was sent to the Smithsonian.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Let me throw this out here and see what happens.

Let’s assume either of these is $16k. Which is the better option?

2012 Cayenne S (nonturbo v8) with 69k miles

2017 F-pace 35t (supercharged 3.0 v6) with 62k

They are virtually neck and neck performance-wise, although the Jag is far easier to tune for an advantage in that department.

I’m fairly confident the Porsche would retain value better, although its advanced age could prove a problem. From all I have found, I don’t believe reliability would be a deciding factor.

Porsche weighs about 500 lbs more but (at least one I have my eye on) has the PASM system. For looks, I gotta give Jag the nod. I have never been a big fan of the Cayenne for aesthetics. I’m sure the v8 sounds worlds better than the SC V6, however. Cayenne goes more than a ton more, but I’d likely never need more than the 5300-lb capacity of the Jag.

Which one do you feel more confident in working on? Both maybe very needy cars and I assume you’d want to do your own repairs rather than pay a fortune to the dealer. How about parts availability? Are they easier to source on one over the other?

fintail

stickguy said:

fintail said:

stickguy said:

Fin, add me to the list of recommending just getting all 4 tires. That is past the point in years and tread ware that I would be comfortable with it. Maybe if you were struggling to feed the family but probably would not be driving a MB wagon if so!

and at the miles you put on, the car will be well over 10 years old before you need to worry about it again. Just get them the same and enjoy!

Sounds good, thanks - yeah at over 6 years old (my anniversary with the car is in a few weeks), it probably can't hurt anyway. Not an expense I love, but you gotta pay to play. Fingers crossed no damage for several more years.

look at it this way. a new set of tires is what, 2 payments on a new car?

Maybe 3 payments with the high price of so many new cars - the OEM type tires are not cheap. The last time I bought tires for a modern car was in 2010, which adds to sticker shock just a little.

stickguy

same here on tires. I think the last tires I bought were for my 2013 RDX, so probably around 2018? I do shop for my cars occasionally just to be prepared (on the truck, not sure why!) and have noticed that prices are up quick a bit (at least 2-300 more per set at tire rack prices).

tifighter

FWIW, OE tires are made for govt fuel economy tests, and little else. I’d go read one of the big comparisons on Tire Rack and choose one of the top performers. I’d gladly give up 2-3 mpg for shorter braking distance and better wet performance.

stickguy

For Bradd. Was reading the consumers reports auto issue tonight. And their top pick small car was the Sentra. Above ave reliability and a pretty high road test overall score. Very complimentary of comfort, ride and features.

fintail

OEM tires on the car are Goodyear Eagle Sports - Tire Rack price is almost exactly $400 per tire (runflats and 19" wheels). These tires were softer feeling than prior runflats I dealt with on other cars - still a little harshness though. I am leery of switching to conventional tires as roads here are not the best, and I don't want to lug a spare in the luggage area (and would have to buy a wheel).

corvette

@fintail - a lot of cars are now being sold with non-RFTs, no spare, and an inflator kit. My Volt was that way, as is the Ariya. It may not be the same compromise as the car was when you bought it, but it might also be one you're willing to make.

qbrozen

Just now realized autocorrect botched my last sentence. It should be:

Cayenne TOWS more than a ton more, but I’d likely never need more than the 5300-lb capacity of the Jag.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

Let me throw this out here and see what happens.

Let’s assume either of these is $16k. Which is the better option?

2012 Cayenne S (nonturbo v8) with 69k miles

2017 F-pace 35t (supercharged 3.0 v6) with 62k

They are virtually neck and neck performance-wise, although the Jag is far easier to tune for an advantage in that department.

I’m fairly confident the Porsche would retain value better, although its advanced age could prove a problem. From all I have found, I don’t believe reliability would be a deciding factor.

Porsche weighs about 500 lbs more but (at least one I have my eye on) has the PASM system. For looks, I gotta give Jag the nod. I have never been a big fan of the Cayenne for aesthetics. I’m sure the v8 sounds worlds better than the SC V6, however. Cayenne goes more than a ton more, but I’d likely never need more than the 5300-lb capacity of the Jag.

I vote for the Cayenne S. The PASM is supposed to be pretty incredible. I have a friend who is a Porsche guy. He was specifically looking for a base Boxster with PASM. He found one with PASM, a 6-Speed, and not too many other options. The PASM wasn't working. He replaced something (not the shocks) for a few hundred bucks and LOVES it!

venture

qbrozen said:

Just now realized autocorrect botched my last sentence. It should be:

Cayenne TOWS more than a ton more, but I’d likely never need more than the 5300-lb capacity of the Jag.

I could never spell well so, as far as autocorrect, I'm eternally grapefruit.

qbrozen

Found something kind of intriguing. Sort of. Maybe. A 2014 Charger R/T with AWD and under 45k miles. Would probably be the most reliable and cheapest upkeep. Not as quick as the other options, at least in stock form. It has a large trunk but doing away with a pickup and not getting at least an SUV might make me regret it. The claimed towing capacity is not to be believed. The car was rated 3500 when they bothered rating it. Dropped to 1000 when they stopped caring. There is a 4500-lb hitch available.

au1994

Have you thought about getting a new truck and writing it off through your business?

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Found something kind of intriguing. Sort of. Maybe. A 2014 Charger R/T with AWD and under 45k miles. Would probably be the most reliable and cheapest upkeep. Not as quick as the other options, at least in stock form. It has a large trunk but doing away with a pickup and not getting at least an SUV might make me regret it. The claimed towing capacity is not to be believed. The car was rated 3500 when they bothered rating it. Dropped to 1000 when they stopped caring. There is a 4500-lb hitch available.

Why are you considering getting rid of your truck after doing all that rehab on it? Doesn’t your van have enough towing capacity?

nyccarguy

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

Found something kind of intriguing. Sort of. Maybe. A 2014 Charger R/T with AWD and under 45k miles. Would probably be the most reliable and cheapest upkeep. Not as quick as the other options, at least in stock form. It has a large trunk but doing away with a pickup and not getting at least an SUV might make me regret it. The claimed towing capacity is not to be believed. The car was rated 3500 when they bothered rating it. Dropped to 1000 when they stopped caring. There is a 4500-lb hitch available.

Why are you considering getting rid of your truck after doing all that rehab on it? Doesn’t your van have enough towing capacity?

The van with something in tow is too long he has said in the past!

stickguy

I changed my plan to buying nothing and planting a garden instead. To make up for loses thanks to the recession.

Easy come easy go.

Should have coffee canned it all when I had the chance.