General Auto Chat

Oh those new Isodynamic suspension seats in the TRD Pro are so cool...

Please tell (just us)- when is the new MR2 coming?

 

Haha… He’d have to kill me for not killing you if I did (which I can’t, because he’s learned - yay - that honoring confidentiality is a good, solid, and professionally mature way to behave… so he doesn’t share) - sniff

But yeah, he DID share some slightly early pictures on that isodynamic suspension seat… he’s been down to the manufacturing plant multiple times as the line gets ready for full-on production soon.

Dad’s advice to him: this is a great job at a great company that has great benefits and culture - don’t F it up!

the coolest moment thus far for ME? Toyota just bought my companies software and deployed it out to all their desktops, he shared the email and screenshot. Never had a family member USE my software before. And, with my oldest son now starting over at Southwest Airlines as a pilot (in March, he’s moving on from other airline), he will ALSO be using our software, as SWA is a big client of ours as well.

”Dad’s job is DONE”

 

The best car review I've ever seen:

 

I’m in marketing, and that ad almost made me throw up in my mouth… And, simultaneously I am quite certain it is highly effective for their targeted demographic.

The engineer in me shudders at the ridiculous “claims” made in support of pure EV’s in adverts like that one. THEIR use of electricity is “magic”, because it’s in the service of “sustainability” as they hypocritically go about an ever-more-consumptive consumerist lifestyle…

But, it makes people FEEL good, so moar—please.

I do wish people understood energy and laws of physics a bit better. I know most will never understand “systems engineering”, alas.

 

The SavageGeese guys are great. Nice mix of humor/technical stuff and performance driving.

I also found an easter egg in a livestream that they have gotten translation help on their Acura NSX project from "Arnaud" a frenchman in Japan...very cool. Hung out with him, AnakChan, Shigzeo, and Currawong when I went for a Headphone Festival back in like 2018.

 

Best car channel on YouTube.

 

I'm obviously not the target audience for that ad. I stopped watching when using a cable instead of Android Auto/Apple Carplay was declared "unsustainable". While I accept embedded computers are necessary for the operation of my car, I don't really want it part of "the cloud" either. Obviously this is just me. You do you, as it should be in audio or autos.

 

If I was a full on eccentric (instead of just a partial one) I would be doing something like this:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a60046081/atlanta-magnet-man-is-a-tire-saving-hero/

 

I occasionally use my magnet sweeper on my front street or back lane, usually when there are construction or roofing projects going on nearby. I bought it when I was doing my own roof years ago. Not going to be sweeping the whole neighborhood though.

 

suggestions for a used AWD sedan with some getup and go... under 60,000mi and preferably around $20k. I currently drive a Volvo S60 T5 and like it... it has 145k miles and my son needs a car, so its going to him.

Things I've looked at so far
Subaru Legacy
Kia K5 GTline - seems to have more pep than expected for a 1.8L Turbo
BMW 330ix (has to be a 2018/2019 to get into my price range)

Other suggestions?

----edit----
things I've ruled out:

BMW 340ix (too much $$)
Kia K5 GT (too much $$)
Mercedes C-class (wow, they've gone downhill since the one I had years ago)

 

I'm biased toward the BMWs but Audi A4 is worth checking out.

 

AWD BMW outside warranty would scare me. Actually any post Y2k German car does, unless you are handy with a wrench, have the proprietary service tools, and/or know a good reasonable mechanic.

I vote Legacy

 

For typical maintenance, with aftermarket parts and a good indy repair shop the German cars are not that bad. For major repairs of course the German cars will be much more expensive than the Japanese ones. I assume that as a given, it has always been thus.

If that is a concern I agree, you can't go wrong with a Subaru, they make great cars.

 

Also purchasing with a solid maintenance history would be worth a premium if buying used.

 

I'd vote for an Audi A4, or more preferably an S4. Look for a later B8/4th gen (2013 thru 2016). The 3.0 TFSI engine is pretty well sorted and the dual clutch transmission is also pretty bombproof. Or, grab a 6spd Manuel, cause they made a good number of them. AWD, reliable 330HP, 6MT, $20k-ish and room to haul stuff is pretty okay in my book!

https://www.shopdap.com/blog/post/common-issues-with-3-0t-supercharged-tfsi-audi-engines1.html

 

I'm not afraid of German/European from a service standpoint. We have an excellent independent shop that only works on European cars... all but the owner are transplants from the other side of the pond and bring years of service history with them.

I'll add the Audi to the list... RE Subaru, its on the list because we own an Outback and are happy with it, but its not really for me (performance is rather anemic). The problem with the legacy I test drove was that the interior was exactly the same as the outback we have, and I'd prefer something different
----edit----
spelling

 

$25k for a 2013 S4 w /38k miles... only one that comes up in a 250 mi radius. Out of curiosity, 2017+ is something to avoid?
----edit----
take that back... a second one is just outside of 250mil - 2015 S4 w/ $70k miles for $22k. Both with the 3.0T engine

 

S4 > A4 for sure. You mentioned BMW 330 and 340. If you are shopping S4s consider 335s as well.

 

NO, THIS!!!

 

2017 was the start of the B9 chassis, so prices are going to be closer to $30k used. But if you're looking at a B9, know, too, that they're pretty easy to mod as they switched to the 3.0t turbocharged V6. A simple flash tune gets you 400+ HP and 500lbft of horsetorques.

And I'd also keep looking out for and BMW F30 335i xDrive. The B58 is a gem of an engine. I took a couple rips in my buddy's 2015 and it was a blast. And it's one of the last handsome looking BMWs, imho.