The cars and bikes thread!

[Raza]

I've read that too. I use organic juice and don't agree with the sweetie type flavourings. I still think that there's less damaging shit in e-cig juice so, in the long term, they can't be worse.

Time will tell, I suppose. After it's done making fools of us all, that is.


Anyway, post-spreadsheet, two frontrunners have emerged: the Audi SQ5 and the Jaguar F-Pace. We'll probably go take a look weekend after next.

[Blanchy]

On the topic of SUVs I like the look of the new Seat Ateca


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[Raza]

On the topic of SUVs I like the look of the new Seat Ateca


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That's quite nice. Most of the VW Group companies put out handsome cars.

[Strela167]

Anyone had a test drive in the new hybrid yet

[Samanator]

I've found, through test driving with my kids, that there is a huge difference in CVTs. For example, the one in my son's Impreza isn't so horrible; however, the ones I've had in Nissans were wretched--it was like driving a sewing machine. Ugh. None of them can match a decent manual or even a conventional automatic, though.

Interesting, the one in my niece's Juke actually impress me over any other CVT I've ever driven. It actually downshifted on 90 degree turns to an appropriate ratio, and even burped the throttle to rev match. Actually the automatic in the Z06 is actually seconds faster around Nurburgring since it can shift while are four wheels are in the air over the bumps(Not that I was able to verify that during my drive of one). That is actually a torque converter auto and it was pretty dam good at picking the right gear. Personally some of the dual clutch auto manual were not that bad on the test drives, but I've never had one in traffic or lived with it more than a half hour.

[Raza]

My experiences with CVT were all in Nissans--an Altima Hybrid and a Sentra. Garbage transmissions. Turned me off from them altogether.

[Samanator]

I wanted to throw one other vehicle into the ring for Raza, and please don't laugh. The best vehicle I've ever had for value retention was a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. We bought it well, drove it for 3 years and traded it in for every penny we paid for it. All I paid for was for insurance, gas and oil changes while we had it. You can have a stick or automatic, it's a convertible, it will go anywhere and it does have a cool factor (What other SUV can you drive with out doors). There are multiple trim levels. Check you local adds, you'll fall over with what high milage preowned ones sell for. These things are tanks. I may buy another, but would get the automatic and the removable hardtop this time. My wife can drive a manual, but even with the seat all the way up she could not fully engage the clutch. The soft top was great local, but very loud with the the larger tires on it out on the highway. We only got rid of it because I will not have a vehicle we both can't drive.

[Raza]

I wanted to throw one other vehicle into the ring for Raza, and please don't laugh. The best vehicle I've ever had for value retention was a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. We bought it well, drove it for 3 years and traded it in for every penny we paid for it. All I paid for was for insurance, gas and oil changes while we had it. You can have a stick or automatic, it's a convertible, it will go anywhere and it does have a cool factor (What other SUV can you drive with out doors). There are multiple trim levels. Check you local adds, you'll fall over with what high milage preowned ones sell for. These things are tanks. I may buy another, but would get the automatic and the removable hardtop this time. My wife can drive a manual, but even with the seat all the way up she could not fully engage the clutch. The soft top was great local, but very loud with the the larger tires on it out on the highway. We only got rid of it because I will not have a vehicle we both can't drive.

I like them, especially the four door, but they're pretty unruly on-road from what I hear. Plus, my brother would never go for it. I considered a Grand Cherokee, but now that they're killing people, I think it's best not to get one.

[Raza]

Lol, some dude was driving around in a 986 Boxster with the top up. Then he got behind me, and a little bit later, he decided to put his roof down too. I shamed him into open top driving.

[Samanator]

Lol, some dude was driving around in a 986 Boxster with the top up. Then he got behind me, and a little bit later, he decided to put his roof down too. I shamed him into open top driving.

My first car was a 1970 Olds 442 w-30 convertible. This lead to a string of on again off again convertible ownership (there were time that no decent convertibles were made) until 1995. Since that time I've had a convertible of some type up until today. My rule is the top is down unless it is raining no matter how hot or cold it is. When My wife and I were dating I had a TT that even in 20 degree weather the top was down (heat on full and seat heaters on...remember we both have been in south Florida long enough the 60's are cold to us).

When I had the Jeep that got throughly soaked a few times by a rouge storm. It takes about two days to fully dry out. The Jeep also hands down had the fastest heater to warm up on cold days. I don't know about drivability issues with them if you have the right expectations. Jeep Wranglers are kind of a cult to themselves and they can be as nice or as stark as you wish. It had none of the dangerous issues the Toyota FJ it replaced had. That thing was not drivable during our typical rain here since it would throw all of the water from the front tires out the front to be blown straight into the windshield. Even with the three wipers it could not clear the water even on high. The Jeep was excellent in the rain. As I said I would have one again with just a different top and transmission. It is by far the most usable convertible made and if you get the four door it can haul five people with near limo leg room while having a stack of luggage in the back.