The Automobile Thread

Bought a VW Touareg new in 2004 (same platform as the Porsche Cayenne), and kept it until 2020. It was a great vehicle. Could fit two modern geometry MTBs with front wheels removed and mounted upright side-by-side in fork mounts inside (handlebars a bit overlapping, of course). Front wheels bungeed to the frames. Still enough space to pack in coolers, suitcases, etc. for lengthy road trips. Anyway, for what it's worth.

Not part of your question at all, but have you considered a Mazda CX-9? Not in the same class as the ones you've mentioned, but I have had really good experiences with Mazda vehicles.
 
Runs with Scissors said:
I'd recommend any equivalent-sized Mazda, but it won't meet the snobbery test. :laugh:

I'm on my second CX-5 and can't think of any reason I won't have a third.
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Mazda has been making great cars for a bit now. My 2010 3 was zero hassles ever. Just basic maintenance and a couple of recalls. My biggest gripe was that the leather on the steering wheel begain to peel after about a year.

Sold it with about 185k miles. The guy who bought it had owned the same car in his home country-I forget where he was from.
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Anyone got opinions or experience with any of the following?
Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Volvo XC90, Range Rover Sport?
Looking at 2014-2018ish and buying privately cos I only have about 20k tops.
Heard the Audi eats brakes and tyres. 2016-17 XC90 is a lemon and the Rangies british so is going to experience a failure to proceed at some point (but its so good looking).
Not interested in BMW, VW or Mercedes equivalents unless someone can convince me their utter blandness can be ignored for stellar reliability.

If you know someone selling drop me a pm. Cash buyer!

Missus experienced a sudden loss of talent and totaled our Ford exploder :facepalm:
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I don't have experience is these, but my nexdoor neighbor buys and sells cars. I mention this because he has a Range Rover sport for sale, and it's a good looking mini SUV. My impression has always been they aren't the most reliable, but they definitely do look good. If you are at all interested shoot me a text and I'll hook you guys up. could be a good deal.

And don't dog my Beemer, I love, uh, like, that car :cool:. grip of fun to drive!
 
Runs with Scissors said:
I'd recommend any equivalent-sized Mazda, but it won't meet the snobbery test. :laugh:

I'm on my second CX-5 and can't think of any reason I won't have a third.
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Nice try with the barb, but my current ride is a Mazda (albeit with a Ford badge on the front) :Roflmao. I'm actually a bit of a fan of Mazda after working with them on the global compact pickup truck program. Got to visit Hiroshima a few times as a consequence.

Looked at the CX-9. Doesn't float my boat. Seems a little underpowered for the size of the thing.

@Danimal I'll send you a text for sure. Btw I ain't ragging on all beamers, just the X5. The original was on the money but for me they've lost their way (or everyone else has caught up). Truth be told I'm trying to steer the missus back into something fun and interesting and more car shaped but she likes being in an SUV.
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Anyone got opinions or experience with any of the following?
Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Volvo XC90, Range Rover Sport?
Looking at 2014-2018ish and buying privately cos I only have about 20k tops.
Heard the Audi eats brakes and tyres. 2016-17 XC90 is a lemon and the Rangies british so is going to experience a failure to proceed at some point (but its so good looking).
Not interested in BMW, VW or Mercedes equivalents unless someone can convince me their utter blandness can be ignored for stellar reliability.

If you know someone selling drop me a pm. Cash buyer!

Missus experienced a sudden loss of talent and totaled our Ford exploder :facepalm:
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The 2013 X5 is the last of the E platform BMWs. It has hydraulic power steering not electric, so gives what I consider better road feel. Has gauges and buttons, not screens. But still looks good IMO. N55 engine is pretty solid minus requisite BMW oil leaks. I can go on and on about them, LMK if you are interested at all and I can go over pos/negs.
Come out to the IE and I'll happily let you test drive this one!

53356172016_0c336a948d_b.jpg


53967063166_194a6e904c_c.jpg


Here's a low mileage '12 currently on CL with sport package (notice the seats) and maybe comfort access (soft close doors): https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/d/pasadena-2012-bmw-x5-xdrive-35i-awd/7801983640.html

00y0y_XnT6zokJ5P_0CI0t2_1200x900.jpg
 
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Lost Kiwi said:
Nice try with the barb, but my current ride is a Mazda (albeit with a Ford badge on the front) :Roflmao. I'm actually a bit of a fan of Mazda after working with them on the global compact pickup truck program. Got to visit Hiroshima a few times as a consequence.

Looked at the CX-9. Doesn't float my boat. Seems a little underpowered for the size of the thing.

@Danimal I'll send you a text for sure. Btw I ain't ragging on all beamers, just the X5. The original was on the money but for me they've lost their way (or everyone else has caught up). Truth be told I'm trying to steer the missus back into something fun and interesting and more car shaped but she likes being in an SUV.
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The RR is in my parking lot, so easy to see!
 
Cyclotourist said:
The 2013 X5 is the last of the E platform BMWs. It has hydraulic power steering not electric, so gives what I consider better road feel. Has gauges and buttons, not screens. But still looks good IMO. N55 engine is pretty solid minus requisite BMW oil leaks. I can go on and on about them, LMK if you are interested at all and I can go over pos/negs.
Come out to the IE and I'll happily let you test drive this one!
Click to expand...
The problem is trying to find one of those now that hasn't done big miles. But yeah, those are the last ones I'm a fan of.
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Anyone got opinions or experience with any of the following?
Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Volvo XC90, Range Rover Sport?
Looking at 2014-2018ish and buying privately cos I only have about 20k tops.
Heard the Audi eats brakes and tyres. 2016-17 XC90 is a lemon and the Rangies british so is going to experience a failure to proceed at some point (but its so good looking).
Not interested in BMW, VW or Mercedes equivalents unless someone can convince me their utter blandness can be ignored for stellar reliability.

If you know someone selling drop me a pm. Cash buyer!

Missus experienced a sudden loss of talent and totaled our Ford exploder :facepalm:
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I think Steve has a newer Q7. Text him about it.
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Anyone got opinions or experience with any of the following?
Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Volvo XC90, Range Rover Sport?
Looking at 2014-2018ish and buying privately cos I only have about 20k tops.
Heard the Audi eats brakes and tyres. 2016-17 XC90 is a lemon and the Rangies british so is going to experience a failure to proceed at some point (but its so good looking).
Not interested in BMW, VW or Mercedes equivalents unless someone can convince me their utter blandness can be ignored for stellar reliability.

If you know someone selling drop me a pm. Cash buyer!

Missus experienced a sudden loss of talent and totaled our Ford exploder :facepalm:
Click to expand...
My Audi Q8 and Q5s have been solid. They drive really well. Maybe not as reliable as Japanese, but close. No huge issues, and no frequent nagging things. I replaced my Q5 tires Sunday after 3 years of driving 6o miles a day minimum. I wouldn't call that eating tires. Granted, the Q7 is a much larger and heavier car so maybe not an apt comparison

The Q8 is about the same size and weight as the Q7. I do need to do the front brakes on the Q8, but we've had that for a year and a half now, and we bought it used. We've done one longer trip in the Q8, and a lot of local driving with a ton of brake usage. It's hilly here.
 
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herzalot said:
My Audi Q8 and Q5s have been solid. They drive really well. Maybe not as reliable as Japanese, but close. No huge issues, and no frequent nagging things. I replaced my Q5 tires Sunday after 3 years of driving 6o miles a day minimum. I wouldn't call that eating tires.
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My 335is has 255/35 rear tires and is just about due for new meat ... after under 10k miles ( normal for these) But it's oh so worth every s/mile :)!

Sometimes it's about the fun :thumbsup:
 
herzalot said:
My Audi Q8 and Q5s have been solid. They drive really well. Maybe not as reliable as Japanese, but close. No huge issues, and no frequent nagging things. I replaced my Q5 tires Sunday after 3 years of driving 6o miles a day minimum. I wouldn't call that eating tires. Granted, the Q7 is a much larger and heavier car so maybe not an apt comparison

The Q8 is about the same size and weight as the Q7. I do need to do the front brakes on the Q8, but we've had that for a year and a half now, and we bought it used. We've done one longer trip in the Q8, and a lot of local driving with a ton of brake usage. It's hilly here.
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"60 miles a day "minimum"?! Please explain.

That's more than I drive a day and I own a mobile service business.
 
SnakeCharmer said:
"60 miles a day "minimum"?! Please explain.

That's more than I drive a day and I own a mobile service business.
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It's 30 miles to work. I usually come home (albeit, after 8 pm). That makes it 60.

On the weekends, I usually drive to go ride or surf, which isn't that far (5-10 miles each way) but I also often drive to Mt. High - which is about 90 miles away (180 round trip).
 
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herzalot said:
It's 30 miles to work. I usually come home (albeit, after 8 pm). That makes it 60.

On the weekends, I usually drive to go ride or surf, which isn't that far (5-10 miles each way) but I also often drive to Mt. High - which is about 90 miles away (180 round trip).
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Where do you work, Watts? I thought you worked in your local school district.

Is there gonna be a season at Mountain High since the fire rolled through there?
 
Danmtchl said:
My commute is a brutal 3 miles each way. But I travel a lot to ride and surf, so I put about 10K a year on my truck.
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My wife's commute is 3 miles round trip. The Titan has just over 16k in 3 1/2 years and that includes a trip to Oregon and a couple of trips to Arizona. At the last service, the service advisor said we don't drive it enough.
 
Put on 30k miles a year for the 10 years commuting from OC to Coarsegold on the weekends. My 2012 Accord has over 350k miles and still drives well. I will need to change the CV axles in the next 3 months or so as they started to make a little noise. I do all the work on the car that has been needed to date.
When the motor dies I will be replacing it with a JDM unit that should be $1 - 1.5k. Alot less money than a new car.
I am looking for an older jeep to play with up here, but talk about money pits..
 
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