Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[Table 5]

RAV4 Hybrid's seem to be taking over as the taxi of choice in a lot of places too, which I'm sure adds to their global demand (now ranked as the best selling car model in the world). I just took a little trip to Europe and was not only taken to the YYC in a RAV4 here, but almost all the cabs we took there where RAV4's too (the one outlier was a Dacia Duster, which I was excited about, ha).

Definitely not my favourite either, but it's a pretty proven combo of efficiency and reliability.

[TorqueDog]

Yeah, sorry, but anyone driving a RAV4 is automatically given about the same amount of leeway and courtesy as an Uber (because so many of them are Ubers). Which is to say no, I'm not waving you in, you're just gonna go 15 under the limit, drive like you're terrified of your own shadow, and negotiate turns like your parking brake is stuck on.

[PepsiFree]

Anyone have a recommendation for a brake shop that still does good work with quality products and is (ideally) relatively cheap?

I’ve poked around a few places and they all seem to be in the same range but figured I’d ask if anyone has a hidden gem they want to throw a little more business towards. I’m more concerned with making sure a place isn’t going to just throw the cheapest economy pads on there than I am with “cheap” but the latter would be a bonus.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Rav4s suck. I can't believe how popular they are. Tinny, buzzy, cheap feeling, terrible cabin noise...just so crappy. My mom bought one new in 2019. I could never get over how blah it was for how much love they get.

They're the ultimate safe, reliable yet boring vehicle. The fact they go from 0-60 in about 8 seconds now means they aren't totally painful to drive.

They get "love" because they are blah. It's the kind of vehicle you own for 15 years and know that the engine will start when you turn the key. Resale value is also high. I don't think anyone ever "loves" a Rav4. It's functional.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by blankall

They're the ultimate safe, reliable yet boring vehicle. The fact they go from 0-60 in about 8 seconds now means they aren't totally painful to drive.

They get "love" because they are blah. It's the kind of vehicle you own for 15 years and know that the engine will start when you turn the key. Resale value is also high. I don't think anyone ever "loves" a Rav4. It's functional.

I get it. They're as reliable as a refrigerator and just as much fun to drive.

I guess I have higher expectations for my life.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I get it. They're as reliable as a refrigerator and just as much fun to drive.

I guess I have higher expectations for my life.

You're preaching to the converted.

I drove a Toyota Matrix for 10 years. I bought it after getting my first job post-school. I told myself I didn't need to spend money on vehicles and it got me from A to B.

"Upgraded" to a VW, and the that little boost of fun definitely added to the quality of my life. Now after experiencing a car that's a little fast, I want to upgrade to something that's actually fast. I don't need supercar level, but having a car that can do a 0-60 in 6ish seconds has a fair bit of appeal.

We're looking at getting a 2nd car, and will probably look at a slightly used sportier car, now that used car prices are back in the realm of reality.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I get it. They're as reliable as a refrigerator and just as much fun to drive.

I guess I have higher expectations for my life.

Toyotas are reliable and I totally get that for a specific demographic. For me though, the Camry and Rav4 were the most frustrating vehicles I've ever driven.

When there was that wet ice storm a few years back, even with winter tires, I couldn't drive faster than 50-60kmph on Stony and take advantage of the fast lane, because the GD traction control kept kicking, chopping the power which would then contribute to the back wobbling etc. to "maintain safety". This set up is perfect for the white knucklers, but frustrating as hell for someone who has a better grip for evasive driving. I cashed out immediately after that storm and got into something that for sure would be less rage inducing. Hell, even if I was driving the Odyssey that day, I'm sure I'd be less angry than the Camry.

Agreed the Rav4 is inexplicably cheap. It's the only damn vehicle I've ever borrowed where things like the tension on the hinge of the sun shade was broken, so it kept flapping in my face like a mud flap. I've seen 20-30 year old totaled cars that that didn't have the hinge on the sun shade fail. I sat in two that had this issue.

I will at least give credit to Toyota in that the Lexus line of vehicle doesn't typically have these same issues as the Toyotas.

[Texas]

Wife is debating between a new Lexus RX, Audi Q5 or Genesis GV70. Any advice or experience? She is on the shorter side so seating position is always an important part of her decision for cars.

And do dealers negotiate anymore? Haven't bought a new car in a while.

[curves2000]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Anyone have a recommendation for a brake shop that still does good work with quality products and is (ideally) relatively cheap?

I’ve poked around a few places and they all seem to be in the same range but figured I’d ask if anyone has a hidden gem they want to throw a little more business towards. I’m more concerned with making sure a place isn’t going to just throw the cheapest economy pads on there than I am with “cheap” but the latter would be a bonus.

Depending on what kind of car you drive, get a quote from a local dealer on OEM pads. Some OEM pads are still very reasonable in cost vs aftermarket. I got pads for my Honda S2k and Acura RDX for $80& $120 (front) from my local dealer.

Nothing wrong with asking for a jobber (DIY mechanic) rate from a local dealer and seeing if they offer a discount. If they do, you can then get them installed at the same dealer as a labour only install. They technically wouldn't offer the parts and labour warranty although one could argue that the parts would be warrantied.

Some local shops may be able to offer a cheaper labour rate and the savings can then be used for OEM or upgraded pads.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Rav4s suck. I can't believe how popular they are. Tinny, buzzy, cheap feeling, terrible cabin noise...just so crappy. My mom bought one new in 2019. I could never get over how blah it was for how much love they get.

The whole Toyota thing is really interesting in this timeline. We are long past the days where their vehicles were built to a higher quality standard. IMO Honda and Mazda vehicles are clearly higher quality as Toyota now only used good stuff in Lexus vehicles. Their reliability is still tops but the gap has closed a lot over the decades and it's almost splitting hairs in the automakers that frequent the top 10.

Honestly I don't know how anyone could cross shop a Civic, Mazda 3, and Corolla and end up with the Toyota. The Corolla has the cheapest interior in the segment, tight for interior space (considerably vs the Civic) vs the competition, anemic engine and mediocre driving dynamics vs the competition. If it had a Nissan badge, few would buy it. Maybe not even Nissan fans (believe it or not, they still exist).

Then you have the RAV4. It's the F150 of CUV's. License to print money for Toyota. Junk interior, circa 2010 infotainment system, and I challenge anyone in 2025 to find a less refined engine than the 2.5L. It's like it was designed by an upstart carmaker that has no prior history designing an engine. Yeah it's likely going to be fairly reliable but the average person spends at least 60 minutes a day in their vehicle. If you want to sit in a POS for an hour every single day of your life because it may have one less dealer tip in its lifetime over the competition then have at it. I strive to spend valuable time in my life in nicer places, experiencing a nicer drive.

Most people would be best served bypassing the Toyota dealership and buying an Honda instead. The Civic and Accord in particular are almost a class above in every way.

[Suave]

Originally Posted by Texas

Wife is debating between a new Lexus RX, Audi Q5 or Genesis GV70. Any advice or experience? She is on the shorter side so seating position is always an important part of her decision for cars.

And do dealers negotiate anymore? Haven't bought a new car in a while.

My wife is also on the short side and the Volvo XC60 has been her favorite for seating and visibility over the hood.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The whole Toyota thing is really interesting in this timeline. We are long past the days where their vehicles were built to a higher quality standard. IMO Honda and Mazda vehicles are clearly higher quality as Toyota now only used good stuff in Lexus vehicles. Their reliability is still tops but the gap has closed a lot over the decades and it's almost splitting hairs in the automakers that frequent the top 10.

Honestly I don't know how anyone could cross shop a Civic, Mazda 3, and Corolla and end up with the Toyota. The Corolla has the cheapest interior in the segment, tight for interior space (considerably vs the Civic) vs the competition, anemic engine and mediocre driving dynamics vs the competition. If it had a Nissan badge, few would buy it. Maybe not even Nissan fans.

Then you have the RAV4. It's the F150 of CUV's. License to print money for Toyota. Junk interior, circa 2010 infotainment system, and I challenge anyone in 2025 to find a less refined engine than the 2.5L. It's like it was designed by an upstart carmaker that has no prior history designing an engine. Yeah it's likely going to be fairly reliable but the average person spends at least 60 minutes a day in their vehicle. If you want to sit in a POS for an hour every single day of your life because it may have one less dealer tip in its lifetime over the competition then have at it. I strive to spend valuable time in my life in nicer places, experiencing a nicer drive.

Holy crap I'm happy to be far far below that. That sounds miserable.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Texas

Wife is debating between a new Lexus RX, Audi Q5 or Genesis GV70. Any advice or experience? She is on the shorter side so seating position is always an important part of her decision for cars.

And do dealers negotiate anymore? Haven't bought a new car in a while.

The GV70 is the far superior vehicle in terms of luxury and performance. It's still somewhat of a new model though. I know that the 2021-23 models had a few kinks and reliability issues. The RX is on the opposite end of that spectrum, where it is kind of boring but likely more reliable.

I'd read up on the GV70 and see if you can tolerate some of the potential issues. Also do you need a 5-6 second 0-60 time (Audi and Genesis) or are you fine with 7 seconds (Lexus). One thing about the GV70 is a lot of the features on it are standard. To get those features on most cars you have to pay big bucks for the higher trim models.

To be honest, with any cars at this level a huge factors is the individual and whether or not the set up of the car bothers them. For example, you could have a volume control that you absolutely hate, which could make the driving experience negative. I'd sit in all of the cars and figure it out for yourselves.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Holy crap I'm happy to be far far below that. That sounds miserable.

If you commute for 20 minutes each way and then go on one small trip, that gets you to an hour. I feel like it takes 10 minutes just to get out of a parking lot.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by blankall

If you commute by car for 20 minutes each way and then go on one small trip, that gets you to an hour. I feel like it takes 10 minutes just to get out of a parking lot.

It's not the only option, Devin.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Texas

Wife is debating between a new Lexus RX, Audi Q5 or Genesis GV70. Any advice or experience? She is on the shorter side so seating position is always an important part of her decision for cars.

And do dealers negotiate anymore? Haven't bought a new car in a while.

Originally Posted by blankall

The GV70 is the far superior vehicle in terms of luxury and performance. It's still somewhat of a new model though. I know that the 2021-23 models had a few kinks and reliability issues. The RX is on the opposite end of that spectrum, where it is kind of boring but likely more reliable.

We've been test driving for a new vehicle and blankall is pretty spot on. We haven't looked at the Q5, but the RX was nice inside but somewhat ordinary/boring to drive. I'm not a huge fan of the overall look, it just doesn't grab me. We also test drove an XC60 as I seemed to have married into this weird Volvo family and ehhh, it's nice but again, doesn't really do anything for either of us. So we're going back to test drive the G70 again because it's the first car we drove and we both really liked it... my wife is 5 ft nothing by the way.

Negotiation depends on the dealer, Genesis says it's got a no negotiation sales model. The price on the website is set by the manufacturer and the dealership is essentially facilitating the sale/paperwork... I thought that was all a line, but when we went in after the test drive to talk, the salesguy actually said the easiest way was to build/order it from the website.

Lexus seems more old school, salesguy implied there was definite wiggle room if we came back and saw him.

[blankall]

Another thing to consider is long term costs. German cars are generally more expensive to fix than North American or Asian cars.

A Genesis or a Lexus will be cheaper to fix than an Audi.

I've been looking at similar cars to you, although used, and even with my comments still kind of leaning towards an Audi. The Lexus, I just find kind of boring. Pretty lame driving dynamics and boring "luxury". I seem to prefer the German driving dynamics. I'm okay dealing with issues like Turbo lag if it means a punchier engine with more road feel. I find the floaty feeling from many modern transmissions too detached. Although my wife prefers it, as its also smoother.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by blankall

Another thing to consider is long term costs. German cars are generally more expensive to fix than North American or Asian cars.

I'd argue that cost per repair is cheaper on American cars, but they'll kill you with volume of repairs, then kick you in the nuts with depreciation.

For the financially driven choice, it's Asian all the way.

[Table 5]

Apart from maintenance, keep in mind that the Lexus will probably have significantly better resale value when it's time to sell. Considering none of these cars are cheap, the difference will be in the thousands.

Maybe give the Mazda CX70/90 a look too. I think they are pretty handsome, have more driving personality than the Lexus, and the boxier shape will give you better visibility (personally I can't stand the poor visibility of the thick-pillared/tapered rears of most crossovers).

[Acey]

Absolutely criminal behaviour by Honda.

The 2026 Prelude is available in one well-equipped trim with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $49,990.

https://hondanews.ca/en-CA/releases/...ficient-models