Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[bagofpucks]

Hah! I just realized the one big negative of diligently choosing vehicles I enjoy driving; rental vehicles suck. I used to travel once a month for work, but haven’t done that in a year, so haven’t been to a rental place in a while. New truck needs a quick warranty fix, so I go grab my rental. They had a Jetta that had undocumented hail damage and as per the rental person “was going to be a real head ache for someone” so she put me in a Malibu. I don’t really care as I will be not be driving it around at all, but man, it was such a boring drive home. The interior is awful and the engine literally sounds like there’s grinding under the hood.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

Hah! I just realized the one big negative of diligently choosing vehicles I enjoy driving; rental vehicles suck. I used to travel once a month for work, but haven’t done that in a year, so haven’t been to a rental place in a while. New truck needs a quick warranty fix, so I go grab my rental. They had a Jetta that had undocumented hail damage and as per the rental person “was going to be a real head ache for someone” so she put me in a Malibu. I don’t really care as I will be not be driving it around at all, but man, it was such a boring drive home. The interior is awful and the engine literally sounds like there’s a grinding sound.

Yeah Malibus are pretty awful. I don't mind the Impala as it is a big and solid vehicle but it is really dull. My favorite rentals for sedans are the Fusion (which is what I have this time - Fusion Titanium Hybrid) and the new Camry. Up until this recent refresh that Toyota did to the Camry and Corolla they were two of the cars that I hated most but they are surprisingly good now.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Interesting, thanks for your perspective.

The gf, was looking at a bunch of cars. Knowing her, I recommended the GLA45, as she likes my car (manual '19 R). She loves the look of the CLS & A7, so I suggested we check them out. Suppose it only makes sense, they aren't as tossable. But man, those lines, and big displacement Germans, sound so great.

Yeah, it's a great car. I love it and as much fun as the R was, I still prefer my CLS as a daily driver so it wouldn't be worth changing at this point. That's just because I like to chill out with my seat massager and all the little luxuries more often than not. For enthusiast-style fun, though? Golf R all the way.

What about the A45 AMG? I like the interior better in that versus the Golf R. I know austere is VW's thing for interior design language, but I'm definitely ready for a change in them (although buttonless is a bit much in the MK8). Anyway, I like the A45, but have never driven one. Could be worth running that by her for kind of a mix between the luxury of the CLS550 and the hot-hatchness of the Golf R.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I went to pick up my rental vehicle today and they didn't have my car. I reserved a full size and I should get a guaranteed upgrade to a premium car with my status. They could only offer me a Kia Soul which is far from full size or premium. I was heading up near the airport so I asked if I could just stop there and swap out to a decent vehicle and they agreed saying that they had a Mirage which needed to go back to the airport. That Mirage was a little scary going down Deerfoot and it was just an awful driving experience. 3500 rpms going down Deerfoot at 120.

I'd have picked the Kia Soul, it's better than pretty much anything in the Mitsubishi lineup and has been for a while. The wife has a 2018 Soul and it impressed the hell out of me the first time I drove it, I wasn't expecting much but it was really good. Hell, it impressed my father who has traditionally always been a GM and Ford guy who can't stand imports.

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

The gf, was looking at a bunch of cars. Knowing her, I recommended the GLA45, as she likes my car (manual '19 R). She loves the look of the CLS & A7, so I suggested we check them out. Suppose it only makes sense, they aren't as tossable. But man, those lines, and big displacement Germans, sound so great.

If she likes the CLS, the CLA is basically a smaller CLS. I'd look at both the CLS-Class and A-Class Hatch for sure.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Sliver

although buttonless is a bit much in the MK8

I miss when VW/Audi had ALL the buttons. It felt like sitting in a cockpit.

Plus I hate touch screens. Physical buttons don't move, so you don't need to look away from the road. And being able to feel where they are and push your finger into the adjacent surface to keep your hand still while on a bumpy road is also far superior.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I miss when VW/Audi had ALL the buttons. It felt like sitting in a cockpit.

Plus I hate touch screens. Physical buttons don't move, so you don't need to look away from the road. And being able to feel where they are and push your finger into the adjacent surface to keep your hand still while on a bumpy road is also far superior.

Yeah, I thought buttonless looked pretty cool and seemed like something I would want until I rented a Ford Flex in Whistler last year. Buttonless was fataing dangerous and sooooo stupid. Couldn't believe how horrible that was.

[Weitz]

My VW is button-less (except for heat/air) and it causes exactly 0 issues.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Weitz

My VW is button-less (except for heat/air) and it causes exactly 0 issues.

Are there multiple button taps to activate/deactivate certain features, though? Like heated/cooled seats/drive modes/hvac stuff/entertainment? Most buttonless interiors seem to need you to hit the screen multiple times to accomplish something a single button could do. That requires you taking your eyes off the road multiple times to do simple things you'd be able to do by feel with buttons. I don't see how it's much different than using your smartphone while driving (aka distracted driving).

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by DownhillGoat

I'm still trying to find out where that line is.

Uh, you should probably stop trying... if you do find out we'll all shed a tear in your memory.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Are there multiple button taps to activate/deactivate certain features, though? Like heated/cooled seats/drive modes/hvac stuff/entertainment? Most buttonless interiors seem to need you to hit the screen multiple times to accomplish something a single button could do. That requires you taking your eyes off the road multiple times to do simple things you'd be able to do by feel with buttons. I don't see how it's much different than using your smartphone while driving (aka distracted driving).

We have a 2015 Acura MDX.... and I know for sure that many vehicles have significantly more progressive technology and touch-style controls. There are many times when I like the touchscreen... but it's "balanced" with frustrations when driving of trying to change something and it's 3-5 taps. Talk about distracted driving. sheeesh.



Just like websites, if it takes too many "clicks" then people just move along...

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Ok, need some advice. Where should I take my Audi S4 Avant to get suspension work done?

I have been going to Tunedub, but the problem there is that they're so busy that it's hard to get an appointment that isn't weeks and weeks in advance. That also leads me to get a sense from them that they're not as focused on customer satisfaction as I'd like from a mechanic. Moreover, they're very expensive. So I'm open to other options. Any suggestions?

Note: I've been to Euroworks before and I've never been impressed with them.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Ok, need some advice. Where should I take my Audi S4 Avant to get suspension work done?

I have been going to Tunedub, but the problem there is that they're so busy that it's hard to get an appointment that isn't weeks and weeks in advance. That also leads me to get a sense from them that they're not as focused on customer satisfaction as I'd like from a mechanic. Moreover, they're very expensive. So I'm open to other options. Any suggestions?

Note: I've been to Euroworks before and I've never been impressed with them.

When we had a VW we did our after warranty service at Tony's. It was a great shop but like Tunedub they are usually pretty busy as well but the wait time for service is definitely much shorter.

https://www.tonysautoservice.ca/

[Bill Bumface]

Did the guys that ran Bert & Jack's ever reemerge? I always had good experiences there. That location was super convenient too.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Did the guys that ran Bert & Jack's ever reemerge? I always had good experiences there. That location was super convenient too.

Are you talking about the place on 17 and McLeod I think? South side of 17th?

I remember going there for the first time in the 90's. I walked in and an old Scottish worked the front desk. He pulled out these glassed which clearly showed he was blind A/F. Nice guy, funny & blind.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Are you talking about the place on 17 and McLeod I think? South side of 17th?

I remember going there for the first time in the 90's. I walked in and an old Scottish worked the front desk. He pulled out these glassed which clearly showed he was blind A/F. Nice guy, funny & blind.

Haha, yes I am, but it changed hands a few times over the years. I think it was there a very long time. I used them for a Volvo I owned, and they were really helpful to talk to even if I was considering taking on a job myself, and when I did use them their prices seemed really reasonable, and never had a problem with their work.

They always had a lot of VWs kicking around, and seemed to know there way around them.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Haha, yes I am, but it changed hands a few times over the years. I think it was there a very long time. I used them for a Volvo I owned, and they were really helpful to talk to even if I was considering taking on a job myself, and when I did use them their prices seemed really reasonable, and never had a problem with their work.

They always had a lot of VWs kicking around, and seemed to know there way around them.

Ha, yes, a VW is what I was driving

[Leondros]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

When we had a VW we did our after warranty service at Tony's. It was a great shop but like Tunedub they are usually pretty busy as well but the wait time for service is definitely much shorter.

https://www.tonysautoservice.ca/

+1, always was happy with Tony's and the work they did on our old GTI

[prarieboy]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Ok, need some advice. Where should I take my Audi S4 Avant to get suspension work done?

I took my son's Allroad to German Automotive Repair in Crowfoot and was pleased with the work they did. Always showed me the replaced parts and seemed to be reasonably priced. I take my wife's Highlander there now instead of the dealer.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Ok, need some advice. Where should I take my Audi S4 Avant to get suspension work done?

I have been going to Tunedub, but the problem there is that they're so busy that it's hard to get an appointment that isn't weeks and weeks in advance. That also leads me to get a sense from them that they're not as focused on customer satisfaction as I'd like from a mechanic. Moreover, they're very expensive. So I'm open to other options. Any suggestions?

Note: I've been to Euroworks before and I've never been impressed with them.

Calgary Autoworks.
Chris, the owner is easy to talk to. Colin, the service manager is top class. I’d be using him all the time, if I didn’t have free maintenance.

I used to go to TD, but their quality started to faulter.

[Igottago]

Any thoughts on buying a used Hyundai? I've noticed you can get relatively recent (2017-18) Elantras or Sonatas for a good price.
Do Hyundai's have good longevity or will it be costing me an arm and a leg by the time its approaching 100,000 kms?