What do you drive?
Discussion
I'm sure there's been one of these threads before, but the search function didn't help me find it.
So those of you in the US - what are you driving? Pro's and cons? Please mention where you live as well, so we can relate your vehicle choice to your climate.
Oh and photos please
Thanks,
Adam
So those of you in the US - what are you driving? Pro's and cons? Please mention where you live as well, so we can relate your vehicle choice to your climate.
Oh and photos please
Thanks,
Adam
Live in SE Texas, so hot and humid for two thirds of the year:
Wife/Family car - 2009 Mazda CX9 SUV. Superb value, build quality and a decent drive vs other SUVs. 3.7 litre engine has about 275hp I think - based on a Ford unit. 7 seats useful for when we have vistors and for ferrying kids around. Fab Bose sound system. No cons really.
My car - 2008 Audi S4. Always wanted a fast Audi for a while and bought this on a whim. Had it a year and time to move it on. Decent enough car, almost too accomplished to be interesting. Acceleration and noise are nice and relatively small size makes it quite useful in Houston traffic. Weirdly, it has an awful Bose sound system. Tiptronic box feels a bit old hat after having traded in a DSG for it...
Very few US cars tempt me, though mucho horsepower can be had for very little $$ here, I just cant live with awful interiors.
Wife/Family car - 2009 Mazda CX9 SUV. Superb value, build quality and a decent drive vs other SUVs. 3.7 litre engine has about 275hp I think - based on a Ford unit. 7 seats useful for when we have vistors and for ferrying kids around. Fab Bose sound system. No cons really.
My car - 2008 Audi S4. Always wanted a fast Audi for a while and bought this on a whim. Had it a year and time to move it on. Decent enough car, almost too accomplished to be interesting. Acceleration and noise are nice and relatively small size makes it quite useful in Houston traffic. Weirdly, it has an awful Bose sound system. Tiptronic box feels a bit old hat after having traded in a DSG for it...
Very few US cars tempt me, though mucho horsepower can be had for very little $$ here, I just cant live with awful interiors.
Resident in New Jersey - coldish winters, summers c.85f often humid.
My current daily is an 2008 Audi TT 2.0T DSG - not a PH fave I but I wanted an alternative coupe to the usual BMW 3 series that seem to be everywhere. Don't see many TT's, perhaps due to the American obsession with the saloon/sedan format? Love the Audi build quality, heated seats and climate control handle the weather and the DSG makes for an easier commute. Not sure what to replace it with, probably go 4 door next... A4? Might look at the smaller Cadillac sedan and see how they compare.
Mrs has a 2002 Merc ML320 - she does very few miles - 18K in the last 5 years actually - she likes the SUV ride height and AWD even though we live in 'burbs. Pretty reliable but soon to be replaced as my trusted indie senses big bills looming re transmission. She now wants a box-on-wheels Honda Element AWD crossover thing.
1991 Porsche 964 - my weekend/autocross/lifetime-ambition car. 20 years old and it all works, I love it and thrash it in equal measure and it never complains.
I've had a couple of native SUV's - Jeep Liberty/Ford Explorer - Jeep OK, Ford was rubbish.
I looked at the new Mustangs in 2005, walked across the road and got a VW GTi instead, the fit and finish of some domestic US stuff just doesn't compare to Europe - although the VW was built in Brazil.
Live in Connecticut - we are getting hammered with snow at the moment.
Wanted a Camero SS / Mustang GT500 but just couldn't bring myself to buy one due to the image. Ended up with a 335i - boring but safe. Its actually a very good drive when its all said and done, there's just nothing special about a 3 series though...
People told me I was making a big mistake buying a RWD car, I would get stuck at the first sign of snow. We have had mountains of the stuff so far, I fitted some winter tires and haven't had a single issue.
Wanted a Camero SS / Mustang GT500 but just couldn't bring myself to buy one due to the image. Ended up with a 335i - boring but safe. Its actually a very good drive when its all said and done, there's just nothing special about a 3 series though...
People told me I was making a big mistake buying a RWD car, I would get stuck at the first sign of snow. We have had mountains of the stuff so far, I fitted some winter tires and haven't had a single issue.
Edited by EK993 on Tuesday 1st February 03:18
Illinois about 25 miles west of Chicago.
I drive 2007 VW Passat 2.0T as a daily driver, and a 2005 SLK350 as a fun summer runaround.
The wife drives a Mercury Mariner (total POS) but she likes it. The roads here are flat so 4wd is not really necessary and the Passat ticked all the right boxes (economical if you are light footed – had 37mpg US gallon on road trips) and pretty damn quick when you boot it. The SLK was a guilty purchase driven by a sudden appreciation of ones mortality, saving for a rainy day is great but you have to balance that with ‘living for the day’ - you don’t know what is around the corner.
I was going to bring this up in another thread, but I was told about this relatively local car museum by a neighbour during Christmas :-
http://www.volocars.com
Most of the exhibits are on consignment and I am developing an irrational desire for this particular example:-
http://volocars.com/1962-mercedes-benz-190-sl-impr...
Seriously thinking about dumping the SLK for the SL190, it is a little more than I would prefer to spend, but I think it may be a better investment – the SLK depreciates well over here, but the SL I have to think will hold it’s value, or even increase.
Opinions welcome, I am still undecided, the 2 cars are chalk and cheese, but realistically I don’t get to use the modern handling of the SLK anyway, so the SL will be just as fun in a different way.
I drive 2007 VW Passat 2.0T as a daily driver, and a 2005 SLK350 as a fun summer runaround.
The wife drives a Mercury Mariner (total POS) but she likes it. The roads here are flat so 4wd is not really necessary and the Passat ticked all the right boxes (economical if you are light footed – had 37mpg US gallon on road trips) and pretty damn quick when you boot it. The SLK was a guilty purchase driven by a sudden appreciation of ones mortality, saving for a rainy day is great but you have to balance that with ‘living for the day’ - you don’t know what is around the corner.
I was going to bring this up in another thread, but I was told about this relatively local car museum by a neighbour during Christmas :-
http://www.volocars.com
Most of the exhibits are on consignment and I am developing an irrational desire for this particular example:-
http://volocars.com/1962-mercedes-benz-190-sl-impr...
Seriously thinking about dumping the SLK for the SL190, it is a little more than I would prefer to spend, but I think it may be a better investment – the SLK depreciates well over here, but the SL I have to think will hold it’s value, or even increase.
Opinions welcome, I am still undecided, the 2 cars are chalk and cheese, but realistically I don’t get to use the modern handling of the SLK anyway, so the SL will be just as fun in a different way.
My regular daily driver is a Corvette, would you believe I don't have a picture, but I do have one honest
I don't baby it, it goes everywhere, even to Walmart.
Once the snow arrives though my trusty aging Nissan Pathfinder takes over number one spot.
Edit to add location.
Southern New Jersey, 20 minutes SE of Philadelphia (30 in the Pathfinder)
Heavyish snow most years but we usually don't get silly weather like those who for some reason choose to live in the middle of the country.
I don't baby it, it goes everywhere, even to Walmart.
Once the snow arrives though my trusty aging Nissan Pathfinder takes over number one spot.
Edit to add location.
Southern New Jersey, 20 minutes SE of Philadelphia (30 in the Pathfinder
)Heavyish snow most years but we usually don't get silly weather like those who for some reason choose to live in the middle of the country.
Edited by jeff m on Tuesday 1st February 12:58
Washington DC (started in San Diego, then Lexington, KY).
2005 Saab 9-2x Aero. Better looking than a WRX wagon and with the rebates, cheaper too. Great car for covering ground in all weather.
1996 Mazda Miata: Bought it when I was a postdoc in San Diego, doesn't have AC. Somewhat less practical in KY or DC summers unfortunately, doesn't get driven much these days.
2005 Saab 9-2x Aero. Better looking than a WRX wagon and with the rebates, cheaper too. Great car for covering ground in all weather.
1996 Mazda Miata: Bought it when I was a postdoc in San Diego, doesn't have AC. Somewhat less practical in KY or DC summers unfortunately, doesn't get driven much these days.
Maryland so hot and humid summers with relatively mild winters.
Honda Accord. I know pretty dull. But the 3.5 V6 is quite entertaining and cheap to insure (given that when I arrived in the US I was treated as though I hadn't driven a car before...!)
OH has a convertible Beetle to enjoy the sun
Honda Accord. I know pretty dull. But the 3.5 V6 is quite entertaining and cheap to insure (given that when I arrived in the US I was treated as though I hadn't driven a car before...!)
OH has a convertible Beetle to enjoy the sun
I'm in the Detroit area. I drive a 2011 Ford Fusion V6 and my wife drives a 2009 Ford Explorer which is great in the snow. I have a couple of fun cars as well, but given where I live here is the rationale:-
Wife's car must be owned from new and totally reliable due to the crime in Detroit. Getting stranded is not acceptable, especially in winter. Having the vehicle built like a tank means that anybody crashing into it minimises the damage to her of my son. We're on our 6th Explorer, all the others were great.
I drive a Fusion mainly because I want to have owned my car from new and totally reliable due to the crime in Detroit. I tend to drive on main roads so the car is fine in winter. It's reliable transport, fairly good on fuel and can use E85 which I think is good. It also has a pretty clever handsfree phone system and satellite radio called Sync and is a good option to get on Fords.
Wife's car must be owned from new and totally reliable due to the crime in Detroit. Getting stranded is not acceptable, especially in winter. Having the vehicle built like a tank means that anybody crashing into it minimises the damage to her of my son. We're on our 6th Explorer, all the others were great.
I drive a Fusion mainly because I want to have owned my car from new and totally reliable due to the crime in Detroit. I tend to drive on main roads so the car is fine in winter. It's reliable transport, fairly good on fuel and can use E85 which I think is good. It also has a pretty clever handsfree phone system and satellite radio called Sync and is a good option to get on Fords.
Dr JonboyG said:
Relatively mild winters? I take it you're not near DC then, the winters here have been every bit as horrible as they were in KY, and light years colder than anything I ever experienced in 26 years of living in London. Or do I just not handle the cold?
I meant relative to some parts of the US! Having arrived in November 2009, just before Snowmageddon, I was hoping that wasn't a taste of things to come. Just north of DC in the MD suburbs...I live in Indiana (currently in the grip of ice storms!). When I got here last year I decided that I had to have an American muscle car so I bought a Camaro 2SS and I have to say that I absolutely love it. For $40k it's ridiculously cheap and I love the way it goes and the way it looks. It is, however, as useful as a chocolate teapot in the middle of a Midwest winter so I also have an old Range Rover P38 which is doing a great job of getting me around in the snow and ice.
Whatty said:
Resident in New Jersey - coldish winters, summers c.85f often humid.
My current daily is an 2008 Audi TT 2.0T DSG - not a PH fave I but I wanted an alternative coupe to the usual BMW 3 series that seem to be everywhere. Don't see many TT's, perhaps due to the American obsession with the saloon/sedan format? Love the Audi build quality, heated seats and climate control handle the weather and the DSG makes for an easier commute. Not sure what to replace it with, probably go 4 door next... A4? Might look at the smaller Cadillac sedan and see how they compare.
Mrs has a 2002 Merc ML320 - she does very few miles - 18K in the last 5 years actually - she likes the SUV ride height and AWD even though we live in 'burbs. Pretty reliable but soon to be replaced as my trusted indie senses big bills looming re transmission. She now wants a box-on-wheels Honda Element AWD crossover thing.
1991 Porsche 964 - my weekend/autocross/lifetime-ambition car. 20 years old and it all works, I love it and thrash it in equal measure and it never complains.
I've had a couple of native SUV's - Jeep Liberty/Ford Explorer - Jeep OK, Ford was rubbish.
I looked at the new Mustangs in 2005, walked across the road and got a VW GTi instead, the fit and finish of some domestic US stuff just doesn't compare to Europe - although the VW was built in Brazil.
I had to give up mine to fund my move to the US, miss it dearly. I had a 1990 C4. I'd love it right now with the weather we're having - you could even manually lock the diff. to help get you moving in the snow/ice.My current daily is an 2008 Audi TT 2.0T DSG - not a PH fave I but I wanted an alternative coupe to the usual BMW 3 series that seem to be everywhere. Don't see many TT's, perhaps due to the American obsession with the saloon/sedan format? Love the Audi build quality, heated seats and climate control handle the weather and the DSG makes for an easier commute. Not sure what to replace it with, probably go 4 door next... A4? Might look at the smaller Cadillac sedan and see how they compare.
Mrs has a 2002 Merc ML320 - she does very few miles - 18K in the last 5 years actually - she likes the SUV ride height and AWD even though we live in 'burbs. Pretty reliable but soon to be replaced as my trusted indie senses big bills looming re transmission. She now wants a box-on-wheels Honda Element AWD crossover thing.
1991 Porsche 964 - my weekend/autocross/lifetime-ambition car. 20 years old and it all works, I love it and thrash it in equal measure and it never complains.
I've had a couple of native SUV's - Jeep Liberty/Ford Explorer - Jeep OK, Ford was rubbish.
I looked at the new Mustangs in 2005, walked across the road and got a VW GTi instead, the fit and finish of some domestic US stuff just doesn't compare to Europe - although the VW was built in Brazil.
Where are the photos of it? This is a car forum, after all!
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