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I don't think the standard R/T would ever be enough for me, personally. Scat Pack or nothing. Honestly, though, I have a really hard time navigating the Dodge build page to figure out the differences in models other than engine.
But equipping an R/T with Tech, Premium, and Nav gets $43,595 while a Scat Pack is $45,175 with Tech ... but I can't get Nav in that car?? And somehow leather seats are bundled in the Tech pack with the Scat Pack but not the Tech pack in the R/T. SSSOOOO confusing.
Oh, wait, found the Nav as a standalone option on the Scat Pack. So total is $45,870. Only $2300 more than a regular old R/T? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I'll take a Challenger RT Shaker with the driver convenience group (blind spot warning, rear camera & the better stereo). 6 Speed Stick. $38K sticker price. Drooling at what I could get it for with my F & F discount plus USAA plus regular incentives
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Q, you just got out of the Mustang. Really want to get back into a Pony (well, more like a Horse, but you get the drift!)
I could not see using a Challenger as a DD. Just the giant doors would grow tiresome real quick I think.
I liked the WRX I saw a few weeks back at the Sube dealer. not sure what level, but it had a moonroof, and IIRC was right about at 30K sticker. 6 speed of course. I was afraid to drive it, for obvious reasons.
Granted, the R/T isn't all that fast(0-60 in 5.1 seconds) but I'd think that demo R/T manual I found would be a good deal at around $33k. H-K sound, heated/cooled seats, heated wheel, Super Track Pack, summer tires- nicely equipped, in other words. And Dodge has a few performance pieces that add about 20 hp without affecting the warranty. I still have the CPO '15 WRX STI to check out. I didn't know that the vanilla WRX got EPS while the STI tiller is still hydraulic. A BIG plus for me(along with the Brembo Brakes, no hole in the roof, and configurable torque split). And I like the 7 yr./100k mile Subaru CPO warranty. It's a great time to be shopping for entertaining cars.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Subaru really needs to either develop a good dual clutch automated transmission unit, or just license the use of Audi/VW version. Some of us are less then die-hards, and use our "fun" vehicle in day to day driving and tremendous high traffic situations which would make using a manual unpleasant at times. They went from an ancient low efficiency 4-speed automatic to CVT; not exactly progress. Now when I have the garage space and unlimited bank account I'll have the R8 for weekends and the S4 can be grocery hauler. If I needed something really big then a Q7 or Toureg would be nice with the 3.0 diesel unit.
Anyone ever see a Golf R on the road or in a dealership yet? It seems to be a unicorn.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I have no complaints about the CVT in my Legacy. It is smooth, linear, & responsive. My biggest complaint is the 175 hp engine that the CVT is hooked up to
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
@markcincinnati - here's what I don't get. You have 2 what I would categorize as "pretty awesome cars," yet you rented a Jetta for a 700 mile road trip? Even if you were to go over your lease miles by 700, that's what $175 at $.25 per mile. You're most likely going to get another Audi, so they might wave the excess miles or the dealership which you've bought 29 of your Audis from will do something for you to make it right.
DRIVE IT LIKE YOU LIVE
This trip was a business trip -- a second demonstration of software my company sells to a large prospect. A very good revenue opportunity. I am one of the owners of the company and the CEO. The CTO of the company and I were going to make a two-hour presentation and move the needle toward "buy." When we travel for marketing reasons we figure any flight takes about 4 hours all in. Chicago, drive. Cleveland, drive. New York, fly. Nashville @ 3:45, drive (and besides the cost of 2 round trip tickets was over $2K). We pay $.55 per mile for using "your" personal car. The rental plus gas for this trip was about $150, hotel another $240 (we stayed at the "Maxwell House"). At over 600 miles total, there would have been a significant cost increase in using a personal vehicle.
What kind of example would it set if I used a personal car and charged the company @$.55 per mile x 600+ miles? The next trip to, er, Pittsburgh where I am not going would cost what?
So, driving it like I live is EXACTLY what I did.
Now, were I to return to Nashville for a pleasure trip (and Nashville is worthy of such a trip if you axed me), I would take either the S4 or the SQ5.
By the way, the return trip, at 85mph further solidified my opinion that even a bare bones Jetta really is in no danger of being called the enemy of great -- this car IS great.
While in Nasville, I saw and looked into a new Maxima -- in some kind of deep red-wine metallic color with sick wheels. Wow -- this is a looker, I'll give it that. And, afterwards I went on-line to "build" one -- they can be had fully decked out in sport trim for an MSRP under $40K. Actual prices, I would assume would be less. Of course, looks can be superficial -- but to repeat, this car has the looks.
In any case, given the circumstances, would you have said to your colleagues, "the most expensive way to get to and from Nashville, by car, is the way we're gonna do it?"
Business trip is a different story for sure. My (large) company doesn't even allow it. Last time I went to our office in VA I decided to drive, and had to rent a car locally.
Good to hear the Maxima's pictures don't do the car justice, as they aren't flattering, at all. I just came from Nashville for a conference, myself. Nashville is one of those places that are a "tweener" for me. It's right between "do I fly? do I drive?"
Given that the conference was being held in the Gaylord (where parking is $25/nt), 1 work day lost driving up and back, which is the real cost of driving. Cheap airfare ($350). I flew. Left at :6:30 a.m., arrived in time for a full dya's work, using the hotel's airport shuttle. That doesn't even count the gas, wear, etc.
Chicago is another one that's a tweener, especially if you're staying downtown, where parking can run $50/day.
BTW...was next door to your Audi dealer last night meeting some friends at a "Grinder" joint. I parked right behind two S4s, one blue, one white. They haven't changed at all since I had mine ('13).
Can't wait to see the interior of the new B9 A4/S4/Q5/SQ5 line -- hopefully it will not have the stooopid pop up nav/info screen seen in the A6 and A3 lines. But, something tells me it will.
Darn things look so 1980's aftermarket to me -- I like the integrated look. The Porsche Macan has the dashboard look I would prefer -- but someone, somewhere has decreed the pop-up screens to be coool, I guess.
@markcincinnati - business trip is a whole different ball game. No need for further explanation. Glad you enjoyed the Jetta. If you can enjoy a car in it's base form, you'll be sure to like the way the sportier model drives.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Can't wait to see the interior of the new B9 A4/S4/Q5/SQ5 line -- hopefully it will not have the stooopid pop up nav/info screen seen in the A6 and A3 lines. But, something tells me it will.
Darn things look so 1980's aftermarket to me -- I like the integrated look. The Porsche Macan has the dashboard look I would prefer -- but someone, somewhere has decreed the pop-up screens to be coool, I guess.
Beer was indeed cold, and the Grinders were indeed good. Can't ask for much more than that. Sat outside looking at the Audis come and go.
Saw lots of cars come and go (Grinders parking lot must be a dealer "turnaround point") with dealer tags stuck haphazardly to their rears...mostly Chevies, Caddys, Audis and Mercedes. Dealers within a 3-4 mile radius of the Grinder place.
Observations...
-As big as the new Chevy Tahoe is, it's a looker. -Escalade must be doing well. We saw 4 of them turnaround with dealer tags....big and lit up like Christmas -saw one Mercedes CLS (very sharp), 2 CLAs, and one C Class that hooked like demos pulling in and out of the parking lot -numerous A4s, a6s and whatever the small SUV is that Audi is selling pulling in and out of their dealer
That small CUV is a Q3 which we had overnight as a loaner -- very very nice -- too bad it is underpowered. It seems to have the VW 2.0T version, not the Audi 2.0T what with its 220HP and 258lb/ft. My guess is the Q3 will get the Audi engine SOON. Of course, then I'd probably complain that it needs the 8-spd, being the kind of guy who is never happy (well, not really, jus' a little bit).
Can't wait to see the interior of the new B9 A4/S4/Q5/SQ5 line -- hopefully it will not have the stooopid pop up nav/info screen seen in the A6 and A3 lines. But, something tells me it will.
Darn things look so 1980's aftermarket to me -- I like the integrated look. The Porsche Macan has the dashboard look I would prefer -- but someone, somewhere has decreed the pop-up screens to be coool, I guess.
Yes, I know -- what a world, what a world. The only one I ever saw that I thought looked good was Cadillac's "elevator" lift screen. Since "no one" never drives their cars with the screens NOT popped up, why aren't they integrated into the dash (like Porsche or the way Audi and BMW used to be?)
rental situation- unless it's a special trip I'm looking for a deal - why spend extra on a car you don't own....:go mark- if I had a choice or renting a charger or a mustang / Camaro v6 models I would never go charger - thing looks cool but it's a boat in standard form.
"It's the new Jetta, only betta" i had a jetta GLI 2003 with the vr6 and never got over 25 mpg- so the mileage posted at speed is amazing with the new transmission and gas engine . My Jetta had its bugs (right speaker issues, thin tires loved potholes) BUT it was a nice driving car, engine revved but in 6th on highwY was very quiet (comp to g35). Quick yes, torque stear you bet but solid feeling that mark talks of. I had the car for its 4 year warrantee and 35k? Miles and was told by a Vw guy to get out and I did. Prob due the same when the s4 is up on warrantee and prob go back to Japanese to spead the love and know after said warrantee I won't get banged with German bills.
Can you name the song and artist for the lyrics below? You get an LOL badge or something. (No google search please)
Rhyme - "I'll give you twenty g's if you snitch on your homie"
Yes, I know -- what a world, what a world. The only one I ever saw that I thought looked good was Cadillac's "elevator" lift screen. Since "no one" never drives their cars with the screens NOT popped up, why aren't they integrated into the dash (like Porsche or the way Audi and BMW used to be?)
Mark...asking you this question given how much you love Audi. Am I reading correctly that the new A4s are dropping HP and torque to go to a less powerful 4 cyl motor? That seems to fly in the face of everything the other ELLPS competitors are doing.
I have been told by my rep at The Audi Connection that HP & Torque of ALL the [US] Audi power-plants will increase. We saw, already, the 2016 A6 3.0T adopt the S4 tuning (raised the A6 to 333 HP, just like my A4), and the S6/S7 cranked up the HP or Torque or both, too.
The little engine that could (the 2.0T) has had its power bumped from 200, to 211, to 220 and I believe will be again goosed to 240. Under the four-rings, the torque was always pretty strong at 258 at sub 2,000 RPMs.
And, without breaking a sweat, apparently, Audi really goosed the 4-cylinder to just south of 300HP for the S3, even though there is a lame-o 2.0T (at 200HP and 207lb/ft) in the Q3 (this, I am assured, is temporary, the Q3 will soon come with the beefier 2.0T).
My dealer rep says, too, that "it just won't do" for the A6 and the S4 to share the same power rating -- if only for marketing reasons (which is not the case), so the S4 (upcoming) will have more HP and Torque. Of course another reason for the bump in power for the S4 is to make sure that as one aspires to the next Audi up the ladder -- say from S3, to S4, to S6/S7 to S8, etc. -- that the S3 doesn't outgun the S4 (which either it does currently or can, according to the test reports in the big auto magazines). The S6 has to beat the S4, too, in terms of power and measured acceleration times. And so on and so forth. . . .
I would look over a couple year period for the performance envelope to be pushed (upward) by increases, across the lineup, of HP and Torque.
Now, of course, we will have engines other than gas and hybrids and so on -- my assumption is that if the diesel SQ5 were to be offered (in the US) even though it's HP would be down, its torque would be up and through tuning and transmission choices, the "S" - ness of the vehicle would not be compromised.
Probably wishful thinking on my part to imagine Audi of America would actually bring the SQ5 in diesel trim to the US.
Look for all of the Europeans, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and VW to name just a few, to continue the march upward in HP and Torque achieved using 4, 5 and 6 cylinder engines and dropping or reducing the number of and application of V8s, V10s, V12s and W12s.
I have not heard anything about decreasing the power,
Of course, you could be thinking of the smaller displacement engines Audi (among others) offers in markets other than the US. There are smaller (than 2.0T) engines offered by Audi in some of its cars in Europe, for example -- both in gas and diesel configurations.
My answer assumes you were talking about US bound Audi engine offerings.
"My dealer rep says, too, that "it just won't do" for the A6 and the S4 to share the same power rating -- if only for marketing reasons (which is not the case), so the S4 (upcoming) will have more HP and Torque. Of course another reason for the bump in power for the S4 is to make sure that as one aspires to the next Audi up the ladder -- say from S3, to S4, to S6/S7 to S8, etc. -- that the S3 doesn't outgun the S4 (which either it does currently or can, according to the test reports in the big auto magazines). The S6 has to beat the S4, too, in terms of power and measured acceleration times. And so on and so forth. "
Sounds/looks like they are tripping over themselves.
Volvo has gone to all 4 cyl. based engines now. Even in the new XC90.
Don't they still leave the option for a turbocharged V6? I seemed to see a few a couple weeks ago (T6 Drivetrain; AWD).
I've read in at least one if not two car mags that they were getting 0-60 times out of the S-tronic equipped S4's at 4.5 seconds. A nice performance advantage over other cars in the 50K arena if you ask me. Is the S3 really going to outperform the S4, or just maybe keep up?
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Volvo is phasing out the 5 and 6 cyl. engines. the S60 is in transition, but the new XC90 is all 4 cyl. Though variations of turbo, supercharged (or both) and electric assist. so you can get a lot of power out of the little motor!
For some reason I thought Volvo ceased making cars altogether. Good to hear they are still around and I hope the new interior dash actually has less buttons and more style.
Two Audis, the S4 and the S8 significantly outperform their MFGR 0-62MPH times -- but the published specs seem to suggest the S3 is, in comparison, the king of the hill next to the S4. This, my dealer says, will not continue as of the 2017's.
How he/they know is beyond my sleuthing abilities.
I am, however, looking forward to the B9 when it finally hits our shores in early 2016.
I'm at 30K miles on my 2014 S4 -- and I must say, every time I get behind the wheel is better than the time before.
Now, this is NOT to suggest that a Volvo or BMW or even a Hyundai wouldn't provide the same joy. My cousin in law just bought his second KIA Optima (is that spelled right) and he thinks it is close to the performance available in the Lexus IS cars.
And, that (the Lexus) is the car that Car and Driver crowned king of the hill over the BMW 3.
Things are really getting interesting -- wonder how the Millenial's feel?
"I'm at 30K miles on my 2014 S4 -- and I must say, every time I get behind the wheel is better than the time before."
That's what I like to hear. Automotive happiness.
My affection for the MS3 was described by an inverted bell curve from around 20k miles to 80k miles- since then I've liked it more and more(especially after I dialed in the suspension to my liking- FSDs, 50% more rear roll stiffness and a set of PSS tires worked wonders). The Club Sport and Wrangler? Always loved them, always will- never selling them.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
thanks to his Jetta, my son is firmly hooked on German cars (once you go German, you can't go back!). Pretty much set that when his lease is up, it will be replaced by something else from the Fatterland. Maybe a GTI or GLI, but he really has his heart set on an A3 of some sort.
I am hooked- I cannot/will not go back to Acura- the straight 6 in the F10 is so sweet. My wife will be in the market shortly and I am trying to convince her on a 335 XI. I am not going to force the car unto to her but I am hoping she yields willfully.
I did like, very much, my TL SH-AWD, also liked my wife's Infiniti FX -- the engine in the FX did seem a bit more coarse than something that had an MSRP of $50K ought to have had, however. Both of us wanted to love our Japanese vehicles. There was really nothing wrong with either one of them, but they could not hold us since they lacked that je ne sais quoi that even a stripped Jetta is imbued with.
You can -- and some folks here do -- remark on either the reliability or durability or both sometimes associated with owning a German car. Our experience with German cars has been very positive overall. Yet, we know about the rumors swirling around about the eventual breathtakingly expensive maintenance and repairs that we surely will face if we keep our Germans beyond, 60,000, 70,000 or even more miles.
I can't argue that these dire consequences don't await us, for the highest mileage we've ever kept a German car has been 66K miles -- and that Audi felt "new" to me the day I traded it in (on another Audi).
The European cars, most notably the German ones are, somehow, addictive to drive. I would suspect the Japanese cars still haven't cracked the code of how to be a driver's car -- no matter how highly contented or carefree they may ultimately be.
For instance: The Golf R or GTI seem to be quite the bargains, and the car magazines do shower them with many positive comments and pounds of prose extolling their driving virtues. It seems to be that the same is said less often about cars from the other continents.
I do understand, support and agree with everyone's right to choose to drive what Automobile or Car & Driver, et al, magazine would call 'boring cars,' but I do wonder if those who decry my critical comments about said 'boring cars' have actually spent much time behind the wheel of one of the German cars (from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche) so often fawned over by enthusiast magazine journalists? If I have misread this, I apologize without further ado.
You may love your fill-in-the-blank and think my [admittedly] biased perspectives elitist or even ignorant, and that is fine with me -- I leave this post, however, once again urging you to test drive, test drive, test drive and keep test driving as many cars as possible. Makes the weekends very interesting, that much is certain.
A friend of mine always ends up buying/leasing KIA's and/or Mazda's all the while waxing darn near poetic on the virtues of Audis, BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches and even a few of VW's offerings. He always wants to "test" my cars -- and then ultimately goes for the KIA Optima or the Mazda 3 or 6 citing that he is "too frugal" to go for the "superior sports sedan"-- electing to go for the Optima which he says is better than they used to be in the suspension department and since they poached the car's designer from Audi AG, well, "the KIA Optima is great looking too."
I can't find fault with him for wanting to be frugal -- I really don't find fault at all with his designation of what to spend his money on, of course. I do find myself confused -- I would think he (or anyone who seems to say one thing and do another) must suffer from chronic cognitive dissonance, however.
Life IS too short to buy [admittedly] boring cars.
My current work commute is over double what it was when I first purchased my S4. I now have 25,000 miles already! While you only live once, this kind of mileage is racking up serious depreciation that my frugal side wasn't anticipating. I think I might have the wife get a new car so I can use her '07 Civic EX sedan as my high mileage beater. It also gets great gas mileage. With the saved fuel, maybe I'll spring for the REVO Stage 1+ pulley upgrade kit that takes the S4 to RS4 levels..... and perhaps beyond....
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I can't find fault with him for wanting to be frugal -- I really don't find fault at all with his designation of what to spend his money on, of course. I do find myself confused -- I would think he (or anyone who seems to say one thing and do another) must suffer from chronic cognitive dissonance, however.
You never bought a single thing you knew was inferior to something more expensive, but were to cheap to shell out the money? A washing machine? Toaster? T-shirt? Shoes? Couch? Jacket? Furniture? There you go. That's that guy in you. However, if you truly always buy what you think is best, then you're not from this planet, Mark.
Either way, we all try to move (or plod) through life seeking those things we consider most important. Some of us leave the rest of us alone.
Others don't.
I won't go political by commenting on which of us thinks the rest of us should do it their way, but I think you get the drift.
Then there's the totally plausible notion that some people truly do acquire the best of everything and don't understand why everyone else doesn't. These people are considered (by some, not by me) "tone deaf." It often works. That said, eating cake. . .
I often look at value. When comparing the TL-SH-AWD to the S4, I think no one would argue the S4 isn't better, the argument comes in on whether it is 10,000 or 15,000 dollars better. For me the answer was yes, in my opinion the S4 provided more bang for the buck "value" than did the TL. A lot of shoppers probably go off of value, and if the best product presents a law of diminishing returns, then one might just settle on a lower priced option that isn't as good, but provides better "value."
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
My current work commute is over double what it was when I first purchased my S4. I now have 25,000 miles already! While you only live once, this kind of mileage is racking up serious depreciation that my frugal side wasn't anticipating. I think I might have the wife get a new car so I can use her '07 Civic EX sedan as my high mileage beater. It also gets great gas mileage. With the saved fuel, maybe I'll spring for the REVO Stage 1+ pulley upgrade kit that takes the S4 to RS4 levels..... and perhaps beyond....
Don't do it.
1. You LOVE that S4. You are going to despise every mile you put on that '07 Civic while your S4 sits at home in your garage. Cars are meant to be driven.
2. While your S4 will depreciate more so than a similar car with less miles, it won't be worth $25,000 less. What are you going to do, lease or buy your wife a Civic, Accord, or CRV?
3. The extra mileage the Civic gets will not offset the cost of acquiring another vehicle?
Now, if you want to talk about a car that performs at or above the level of an S4 (which you will appreciate given the fact that you do track your car) and doesn't depreciate nearly as much, get yourself a WRX STi;)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Dino: I do believe we all pick and choose which objet petit a for which we will pony up the biggest bucks.
Perhaps in addition to being confused by my friend's decision to go with the thing he thinks is inferior to the BMW (or whatever) he really wants, I am made somewhat sad that he -- a very close friend -- seems to have such passion for something that is not the thing he will go ahead and spend on.
There is always somewhat of a tone, a lament, as he apparently rationalizes not going for the "thing" about which he waxes oh so poetic and is also very knowledgeable about. He cites chapter and verse the performance stats and specifications of this, that and the other Porsche or BMW, etc, then apologizes for the KIA. This is a very successful and well educated guy. Perhaps it is that this behavior seems out of character.
He has no need to apologize -- to me at least -- for his decision. Our friendship is not based upon his possessions -- and there is no way he could think that the case. Had I the means and a spouse who would permit, I'd get him an M3 or 5 series for pity's sake and hopefully enjoy -- vicariously -- him drive it.
I guess a perspective could be that we all settle -- but I don't think that is the planet you are referring to. I do believe most people, most of the time, seek out and acquire the best "things" they can.
If we all hyper-extended ourselves, we all could -- for a time -- live well beyond our means. I believe most of us with decent incomes and relatively to very good credit scores could "score" a $100,000 car. I assume, considering that most of us here are discussing cars that have a median or even mean cost of $50,000+/-, we could "get a $100K car done." By that standard, I would have to concede I have settled. I don't live or think that way -- in the particular case of the car, every mile I drive in my car has, so far, been better than the last. I'm driving what I want to drive (not that I don't also have interest in something better).
Actually, it was the emotional impact of my friend, rather than touting the virtues of his new Optima, chose lamenting that it wasn't a BMW (5 series, as I recall). That's what got to me.
Every mile a smile, as my wife says. If someone willfully, knowingly and deliberately starts down a path that they think will be every mile a "frown", well that too would be some other planet than the one I've lived on for some six decades.
Comments
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
But equipping an R/T with Tech, Premium, and Nav gets $43,595
while a Scat Pack is $45,175 with Tech ... but I can't get Nav in that car?? And somehow leather seats are bundled in the Tech pack with the Scat Pack but not the Tech pack in the R/T. SSSOOOO confusing.
Oh, wait, found the Nav as a standalone option on the Scat Pack. So total is $45,870. Only $2300 more than a regular old R/T? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
I could not see using a Challenger as a DD. Just the giant doors would grow tiresome real quick I think.
I liked the WRX I saw a few weeks back at the Sube dealer. not sure what level, but it had a moonroof, and IIRC was right about at 30K sticker. 6 speed of course. I was afraid to drive it, for obvious reasons.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I still have the CPO '15 WRX STI to check out. I didn't know that the vanilla WRX got EPS while the STI tiller is still hydraulic. A BIG plus for me(along with the Brembo Brakes, no hole in the roof, and configurable torque split). And I like the 7 yr./100k mile Subaru CPO warranty.
It's a great time to be shopping for entertaining cars.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Anyone ever see a Golf R on the road or in a dealership yet? It seems to be a unicorn.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
What kind of example would it set if I used a personal car and charged the company @$.55 per mile x 600+ miles? The next trip to, er, Pittsburgh where I am not going would cost what?
So, driving it like I live is EXACTLY what I did.
Now, were I to return to Nashville for a pleasure trip (and Nashville is worthy of such a trip if you axed me), I would take either the S4 or the SQ5.
By the way, the return trip, at 85mph further solidified my opinion that even a bare bones Jetta really is in no danger of being called the enemy of great -- this car IS great.
While in Nasville, I saw and looked into a new Maxima -- in some kind of deep red-wine metallic color with sick wheels. Wow -- this is a looker, I'll give it that. And, afterwards I went on-line to "build" one -- they can be had fully decked out in sport trim for an MSRP under $40K. Actual prices, I would assume would be less. Of course, looks can be superficial -- but to repeat, this car has the looks.
In any case, given the circumstances, would you have said to your colleagues, "the most expensive way to get to and from Nashville, by car, is the way we're gonna do it?"
Not if you drive it like you live, you wouldn't.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Good to hear the Maxima's pictures don't do the car justice, as they aren't flattering, at all. I just came from Nashville for a conference, myself. Nashville is one of those places that are a "tweener" for me. It's right between "do I fly? do I drive?"
Given that the conference was being held in the Gaylord (where parking is $25/nt), 1 work day lost driving up and back, which is the real cost of driving. Cheap airfare ($350). I flew. Left at :6:30 a.m., arrived in time for a full dya's work, using the hotel's airport shuttle. That doesn't even count the gas, wear, etc.
Chicago is another one that's a tweener, especially if you're staying downtown, where parking can run $50/day.
BTW...was next door to your Audi dealer last night meeting some friends at a "Grinder" joint. I parked right behind two S4s, one blue, one white. They haven't changed at all since I had mine ('13).
Can't wait to see the interior of the new B9 A4/S4/Q5/SQ5 line -- hopefully it will not have the stooopid pop up nav/info screen seen in the A6 and A3 lines. But, something tells me it will.
Darn things look so 1980's aftermarket to me -- I like the integrated look. The Porsche Macan has the dashboard look I would prefer -- but someone, somewhere has decreed the pop-up screens to be coool, I guess.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Saw lots of cars come and go (Grinders parking lot must be a dealer "turnaround point") with dealer tags stuck haphazardly to their rears...mostly Chevies, Caddys, Audis and Mercedes. Dealers within a 3-4 mile radius of the Grinder place.
Observations...
-As big as the new Chevy Tahoe is, it's a looker.
-Escalade must be doing well. We saw 4 of them turnaround with dealer tags....big and lit up like Christmas
-saw one Mercedes CLS (very sharp), 2 CLAs, and one C Class that hooked like demos pulling in and out of the parking lot
-numerous A4s, a6s and whatever the small SUV is that Audi is selling pulling in and out of their dealer
"It's the new Jetta, only betta" i had a jetta GLI 2003 with the vr6 and never got over 25 mpg- so the mileage posted at speed is amazing with the new transmission and gas engine . My Jetta had its bugs (right speaker issues, thin tires loved potholes) BUT it was a nice driving car, engine revved but in 6th on highwY was very quiet (comp to g35). Quick yes, torque stear you bet but solid feeling that mark talks of. I had the car for its 4 year warrantee and 35k? Miles and was told by a Vw guy to get out and I did. Prob due the same when the s4 is up on warrantee and prob go back to Japanese to spead the love and know after said warrantee I won't get banged with German bills.
Can you name the song and artist for the lyrics below? You get an LOL badge or something. (No google search please)
Rhyme - "I'll give you twenty g's if you snitch on your homie"
dre & snoop
We'll put you in a home & make your life plush. Oh yeah, but you got to sell dope for us
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
The little engine that could (the 2.0T) has had its power bumped from 200, to 211, to 220 and I believe will be again goosed to 240. Under the four-rings, the torque was always pretty strong at 258 at sub 2,000 RPMs.
And, without breaking a sweat, apparently, Audi really goosed the 4-cylinder to just south of 300HP for the S3, even though there is a lame-o 2.0T (at 200HP and 207lb/ft) in the Q3 (this, I am assured, is temporary, the Q3 will soon come with the beefier 2.0T).
My dealer rep says, too, that "it just won't do" for the A6 and the S4 to share the same power rating -- if only for marketing reasons (which is not the case), so the S4 (upcoming) will have more HP and Torque. Of course another reason for the bump in power for the S4 is to make sure that as one aspires to the next Audi up the ladder -- say from S3, to S4, to S6/S7 to S8, etc. -- that the S3 doesn't outgun the S4 (which either it does currently or can, according to the test reports in the big auto magazines). The S6 has to beat the S4, too, in terms of power and measured acceleration times. And so on and so forth. . . .
I would look over a couple year period for the performance envelope to be pushed (upward) by increases, across the lineup, of HP and Torque.
Now, of course, we will have engines other than gas and hybrids and so on -- my assumption is that if the diesel SQ5 were to be offered (in the US) even though it's HP would be down, its torque would be up and through tuning and transmission choices, the "S" - ness of the vehicle would not be compromised.
Probably wishful thinking on my part to imagine Audi of America would actually bring the SQ5 in diesel trim to the US.
Look for all of the Europeans, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and VW to name just a few, to continue the march upward in HP and Torque achieved using 4, 5 and 6 cylinder engines and dropping or reducing the number of and application of V8s, V10s, V12s and W12s.
I have not heard anything about decreasing the power,
Of course, you could be thinking of the smaller displacement engines Audi (among others) offers in markets other than the US. There are smaller (than 2.0T) engines offered by Audi in some of its cars in Europe, for example -- both in gas and diesel configurations.
My answer assumes you were talking about US bound Audi engine offerings.
Sounds/looks like they are tripping over themselves.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I've read in at least one if not two car mags that they were getting 0-60 times out of the S-tronic equipped S4's at 4.5 seconds. A nice performance advantage over other cars in the 50K arena if you ask me. Is the S3 really going to outperform the S4, or just maybe keep up?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
How he/they know is beyond my sleuthing abilities.
I am, however, looking forward to the B9 when it finally hits our shores in early 2016.
I'm at 30K miles on my 2014 S4 -- and I must say, every time I get behind the wheel is better than the time before.
Now, this is NOT to suggest that a Volvo or BMW or even a Hyundai wouldn't provide the same joy. My cousin in law just bought his second KIA Optima (is that spelled right) and he thinks it is close to the performance available in the Lexus IS cars.
And, that (the Lexus) is the car that Car and Driver crowned king of the hill over the BMW 3.
Things are really getting interesting -- wonder how the Millenial's feel?
That's what I like to hear. Automotive happiness.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
The Club Sport and Wrangler? Always loved them, always will- never selling them.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Maybe a 2 year old Mercedes. Some of those I like.
much more likely we get another Acura, but have another 2 years before it becomes an issue to decide!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My wife will be in the market shortly and I am trying to convince her on a 335 XI.
I am not going to force the car unto to her but I am hoping she yields willfully.
You can -- and some folks here do -- remark on either the reliability or durability or both sometimes associated with owning a German car. Our experience with German cars has been very positive overall. Yet, we know about the rumors swirling around about the eventual breathtakingly expensive maintenance and repairs that we surely will face if we keep our Germans beyond, 60,000, 70,000 or even more miles.
I can't argue that these dire consequences don't await us, for the highest mileage we've ever kept a German car has been 66K miles -- and that Audi felt "new" to me the day I traded it in (on another Audi).
The European cars, most notably the German ones are, somehow, addictive to drive. I would suspect the Japanese cars still haven't cracked the code of how to be a driver's car -- no matter how highly contented or carefree they may ultimately be.
For instance: The Golf R or GTI seem to be quite the bargains, and the car magazines do shower them with many positive comments and pounds of prose extolling their driving virtues. It seems to be that the same is said less often about cars from the other continents.
I do understand, support and agree with everyone's right to choose to drive what Automobile or Car & Driver, et al, magazine would call 'boring cars,' but I do wonder if those who decry my critical comments about said 'boring cars' have actually spent much time behind the wheel of one of the German cars (from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche) so often fawned over by enthusiast magazine journalists? If I have misread this, I apologize without further ado.
You may love your fill-in-the-blank and think my [admittedly] biased perspectives elitist or even ignorant, and that is fine with me -- I leave this post, however, once again urging you to test drive, test drive, test drive and keep test driving as many cars as possible. Makes the weekends very interesting, that much is certain.
A friend of mine always ends up buying/leasing KIA's and/or Mazda's all the while waxing darn near poetic on the virtues of Audis, BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches and even a few of VW's offerings. He always wants to "test" my cars -- and then ultimately goes for the KIA Optima or the Mazda 3 or 6 citing that he is "too frugal" to go for the "superior sports sedan"-- electing to go for the Optima which he says is better than they used to be in the suspension department and since they poached the car's designer from Audi AG, well, "the KIA Optima is great looking too."
I can't find fault with him for wanting to be frugal -- I really don't find fault at all with his designation of what to spend his money on, of course. I do find myself confused -- I would think he (or anyone who seems to say one thing and do another) must suffer from chronic cognitive dissonance, however.
Life IS too short to buy [admittedly] boring cars.
No excuses.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Or, maybe, . . . served.
Either way, we all try to move (or plod) through life seeking those things we consider most important. Some of us leave the rest of us alone.
Others don't.
I won't go political by commenting on which of us thinks the rest of us should do it their way, but I think you get the drift.
Then there's the totally plausible notion that some people truly do acquire the best of everything and don't understand why everyone else doesn't. These people are considered (by some, not by me) "tone deaf." It often works. That said, eating cake. . .
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
1. You LOVE that S4. You are going to despise every mile you put on that '07 Civic while your S4 sits at home in your garage. Cars are meant to be driven.
2. While your S4 will depreciate more so than a similar car with less miles, it won't be worth $25,000 less. What are you going to do, lease or buy your wife a Civic, Accord, or CRV?
3. The extra mileage the Civic gets will not offset the cost of acquiring another vehicle?
Now, if you want to talk about a car that performs at or above the level of an S4 (which you will appreciate given the fact that you do track your car) and doesn't depreciate nearly as much, get yourself a WRX STi;)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
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Perhaps in addition to being confused by my friend's decision to go with the thing he thinks is inferior to the BMW (or whatever) he really wants, I am made somewhat sad that he -- a very close friend -- seems to have such passion for something that is not the thing he will go ahead and spend on.
There is always somewhat of a tone, a lament, as he apparently rationalizes not going for the "thing" about which he waxes oh so poetic and is also very knowledgeable about. He cites chapter and verse the performance stats and specifications of this, that and the other Porsche or BMW, etc, then apologizes for the KIA. This is a very successful and well educated guy. Perhaps it is that this behavior seems out of character.
He has no need to apologize -- to me at least -- for his decision. Our friendship is not based upon his possessions -- and there is no way he could think that the case. Had I the means and a spouse who would permit, I'd get him an M3 or 5 series for pity's sake and hopefully enjoy -- vicariously -- him drive it.
I guess a perspective could be that we all settle -- but I don't think that is the planet you are referring to. I do believe most people, most of the time, seek out and acquire the best "things" they can.
If we all hyper-extended ourselves, we all could -- for a time -- live well beyond our means. I believe most of us with decent incomes and relatively to very good credit scores could "score" a $100,000 car. I assume, considering that most of us here are discussing cars that have a median or even mean cost of $50,000+/-, we could "get a $100K car done." By that standard, I would have to concede I have settled. I don't live or think that way -- in the particular case of the car, every mile I drive in my car has, so far, been better than the last. I'm driving what I want to drive (not that I don't also have interest in something better).
Actually, it was the emotional impact of my friend, rather than touting the virtues of his new Optima, chose lamenting that it wasn't a BMW (5 series, as I recall). That's what got to me.
Every mile a smile, as my wife says. If someone willfully, knowingly and deliberately starts down a path that they think will be every mile a "frown", well that too would be some other planet than the one I've lived on for some six decades.