Lets talk about new vehicles

[Zee09]

If you have read my recent missives, Our new outback is junk. Bad seats, bad engine, bad HVAC. Run not walk away. Assembled at the old Isuzu-Toyota plant, SIA.

It IS a big car for 26K (what we paid before trade the beginning of last year - they were on sale, crosstreks were not.
Lately Been hunting a new Crosstrek for the wife. I don't like those either.
Subaru trashed the interior quality even on the Japanese made units. Bean counters working overtime. Teh window switch gear feels like the toss away plastic box the switchs came in - and poor tactile switch action.
Sad note as our 2017 Crosstrek was a great, reliable non-aging car. Worth the 22k for it. Drove better than new at 90K miles.
Perfect for the wife - not my cuppa though.

I did have a spring go up my arse yesterday sitting in the outback.
The car would work for me but I can't believe the not so graceful fall of quality..
Seriously that 2.5L ................ I don't remember the 50 odd 4 bangers I have owned every sounding like that.
Agricultural..................... YUP

I will say the sales gal was the best. Here it is take a spin and see if you like it attitude. Nice!

 

[ARCOgraphite]

My Used 2011 Outback with leather and sunroof and stick was absolutely fantastic. Except the engine. One of the best cars I had driven in over 70 cars owned over the last half century.

 

[Zee09]

My Used 2011 Outback with leather and sunroof and stick was absolutely fantastic. Except the engine. One of the best cars I had driven in over 70 cars owned over the last half century.

Yeah, I was put back yesterday and have followed your musings....
That said I expected to be beaten on here by the Subie crowd...crickets.
It actually came to me very shockingly yesterday when I pushed the start button.
A mild explosion and then the sound of unrefinement.
But I see why many like them for the versatility.

They have a few 2.4T's coming in and I was hoping they are more refined???????

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The 2.4 NA in the BRZ is nice and non existent.
I don't look at any cars over $25K unless they are something incredible like a used Crewe built Bently TT Arnage Red Line or a Maserati GT coupe with the Ferrari V8.
Or a nice muscle car like a Buick Wildcat 401 or a Plymouth Belvedere 440.

NO entertainment value for me otherwise.

The refined choice would be a used 6 cylinder outback

 

[KCJeep]

VW had another app update tonight and it added a bunch of features.
This was a very fast upload and the app changed its icon to myVW

I definitely agree with your Subaru assessment. I have had a lot of experience with them at work, Foresters though. I have no idea why they have such a fan base, they are fairly crude and not particularly reliable either. The crown jewel on ours is the black piece of cloth hanging above the steering wheel below the gauges. You can just flip it up and look at the steering column works if you want to. Unbelievable. Don't know if they are still doing that but it's amazing for a "modern" vehicle. They do have an excellent AWD system and don't cost a ton as you noted.

My VW app updated overnight as well. I got a couple of emails it was coming but I thought I was going to have to download or something. Nope. Has more features and seems to work perfectly, I like it. It has my "preferred dealer" as the sharks I bought the car from though and I despise them so much I may not even take advantage of my 3 free oil changes just to not have to go there. I have not figured out how to change my preferred dealer yet.

 

[KCJeep]

Since your shopping again.... there is another brand I've found still selling at list and even UNDER sticker. Alfa Romeo.

Oops my fantasy obsession is showing.

 

[Zee09]

I definitely agree with your Subaru assessment. I have had a lot of experience with them at work, Foresters though. I have no idea why they have such a fan base, they are fairly crude and not particularly reliable either. The crown jewel on ours is the black piece of cloth hanging above the steering wheel below the gauges. You can just flip it up and look at the steering column works if you want to. Unbelievable. Don't know if they are still doing that but it's amazing for a "modern" vehicle. They do have an excellent AWD system and don't cost a ton as you noted.

My VW app updated overnight as well. I got a couple of emails it was coming but I thought I was going to have to download or something. Nope. Has more features and seems to work perfectly, I like it. It has my "preferred dealer" as the sharks I bought the car from though and I despise them so much I may not even take advantage of my 3 free oil changes just to not have to go there. I have not figured out how to change my preferred dealer yet.

Thanks for the view point of an owner. Well said.

On the VW update what was the cruise control ordeal. Sounds like a recall but I think it is simply an informative brochure sent to you??
I will see if I can screen capture it.

 

[KCJeep]

I don't know anything about cruise, but even my base Jetta has it. Maybe it has to do with ACC?

 

[Zee09]

 

[KCJeep]

my 2 previous VW's with 2.0T FSI and TSI's with double platinum plugs were 60k miles for spark plug changes.

Interestingly enough, when the Toyota 3.5L V6 got twin injection and simulated Atkinson cycle (2GR-FKS), the spark plug interval got halved, to 60k miles.

Now that you post that I think our older 12 Tiguan with the 2.0t was 60k as well.

 

[Zee09]

 

[Zee09]

Since your shopping again.... there is another brand I've found still selling at list and even UNDER sticker. Alfa Romeo.

Oops my fantasy obsession is showing.

Gulp...i was always a fan since a teenybopper..
I really need a tow machine

 

[KCJeep]

Gulp...i was always a fan since a teenybopper..
I really need a tow machine

Not an Alfa then.

Are you doing real towing, or just light duty type stuff?

 

[Zee09]

Not an Alfa then.

Are you doing real towing, or just light duty type stuff?

Both honestly
I really need a big truck as I usually buy on the 179 tax code. But do like having a SUV to haul a 61" zt with a short but heavy trailer.

With the big trucks I can't really get what I want right now unless I go with a GMC.

The outback would fill the minor void but.....

If I don't get a big truck this year I will have to give up my food stamps

 

[Zee09]

My local Nissan dealer after they went to the dark side charging $3k over MSRP has went cold....

The inventory is not being sold..good for them.

 

[Zee09]

Took a ride to the store just now.
I threatened the Arteon I was going to get a hybrid before I left... When I shut it off....BAM.............

 

[Zee09]

 

[Zee09]

Just now......

 

[Zee09]

 

[OVERKILL]