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Detroit, 10:38 AM
Fri Dec 11
25 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/13/08
Since I appreciate "handling", "economy" and "not being the douche blocking someone else's view", I'd just take a GTI. Well, a Mk2 GTI. Pfeh.
11/13/08
My girlfriend wants to buy a Tiguan, she thinks they're cute. I can't convince her to buy a "better" CUV like the RAV4 or CRV. I say, "better" because while these cars are cheaper, more reliable (considering VW's track record) and offer more utility, they also aren't as good as looking like someone took a GTI and stretched it out. Seriously, I saw one of these on the road the other day, and from behind it looks like a giant GTI.
11/13/08
11/13/08
So I'll just tell a joke:
A cab driver picks up a nun. She gets into the cab, and the cab driver won't stop staring at her.
She asks him why he is staring and he replies, "I have a question to ask you but I don't want to offend you."
She answers: "My dear son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive."
"Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me." She responds,
"Well, let's see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2 you must be a Catholic."
The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I am single and I'm Catholic too!"
The nun says, "OK, pull into the next alley." He does and the nun fulfills his fantasy.
But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying. "My dear child." said the nun, "Why are you crying?"
"Forgive me sister, but I have sinned. I lied, I must confess, I'm married and a I'm a Baptist."
The nun says, "That's OK, I am on the way to a Halloween party, and my name is Kevin."
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11/13/08
The Phaeton uses the Continental GT platform, which is basically a steel, strengthened version of the aluminium platform for the Audi A8. Really, why not reinforce it some more and put a SUV/crossover on that platform?
Screw it, just give me a Phaeton wagon.
11/13/08
But there would be a strict anti-douchebag ownership exam before any sales allowed, and Realtors, Lawyers, Sports personalities and Celebrities would automatically be disqualified.
11/13/08
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11/13/08
But anyone who tries to tell me that thing is prettier than this needs a pair of jumper cables hooked up to their ears to restart their brain:
11/13/08
11/13/08
Wagons in general just make so much more sense to me than most crossovers. I actually NEED the hauling functionality only a few times a year, and most of what I've needed so far has been handled just fine with roofracks on the Corrado. I actually have a Ford Ranger that my dad is driving right now because he's an avid gardener and needs it far more than I do.
I just can't justify the compromises of a sport-ute when I know a wagon would suit all my needs. Particularly because I know how to drive in snow, and four- or all-wheel-drive has never been truly crucial to me.
11/13/08
CX-7 a-la GTi
11/13/08
11/14/08
Why would I want a vehicle with all of the drawbacks of an SUV (handling, speed, mileage) and none of the benefits (off-roadability, towing)?
11/13/08
11/13/08
Sorry, what?
11/13/08
Enter the CUV and Cute-Ute, subtly saving Americans from dealing with their personal image issues and sedentary lifestyles since 1996.
The real (secret) target market on all of these things is the Boomers who don't like to squat down to get in and out of a car. This is the single most common--and reasonable--answer I've ever heard regarding the RAV, CRV, and the rest.
11/13/08
I suppose a Vue or Escape for the hybrid-ability is semi justifiable. And an Escape for towing. I just don't see any of those others as anything but pure ego-stroking sedan/hatchback/wagon avoidance.
11/13/08
For a quick comparison, Honda has the Ridgeline, CR-V, Pilot, and Element in the truck category. All unibody, all FWD or FWD-based.
11/13/08
I admit that I need to do more research, but I thought some of the free passes for Hummers and that shit got sorted out already.
11/13/08
It's not exactly a free pass, but it's a trick some companies use to boost their light truck averages (or, I suppose in the case of the Magnum, transfering something bringing their average down into a more lenient class).
11/13/08
Subaru Outback? Truck. Mazda5? Car.
Seriously, lawmakers. WTF?
11/13/08
Is there anyplace out there that provides the seat height from ground level in their reviews?
I'm in this target market for a slightly different reason. My wife has MS, and it's difficult for her to get into and out of a car where the seats aren't in a position such that her knees are at a less than 90-degree angle, or where she has to boost herself up into the seat. Fortunately we had a 2003 Subaru Forester at the time of her diagnosis and subsequent progression, and it just so happens to accommodate this requirement. Now that the new, redesigned Forester seems to have been boosted up some, it may not be an option when we're looking to replace it (haven't test-driven anything yet). Sadly, it's looking like perhaps the Toyota Venza -- which supposedly sits in height between the Camry and the Highlander -- would be the best choice in the future.
11/13/08
I'm thinking the minivans would be the way to go on that. They have low ground clearance and low floors (even compared to the Forester or Tiguan, etc). But they also have tall profiles like a CUV, making ingress easier.
I'd check out a Sienna, Odyssey (old or new style), or Mazda5.
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11/12/08
11/12/08
(You show me yours and I'll show you mine...)
11/12/08
Auto Hold sounds sweet...I always pop my auto into neutral during long red lights so I can take my foot off the brake. With this button, you can be neutral on a hill!
Yes, it may not be the most necessary thing in the world, but it's at least less useless than Aston Martin and Nissan startup procedures.
11/12/08
11/12/08
The inherent pseudo-logic associated with a compact CUV assures us the buyer is already fooling themselves, so it should be plenty easy to fool them.
Meanwhile, I'll take the a SportWagen...just not sure if I want speed or economy.