Audi A3

[BrahMa]

Originally Posted by evdog

I just hit 10k miles with no problems so far.

Hitting 10k with no problems should be EXPECTED of any new car, and I don't think should be used as any indication of what good build quality is.

Audi is pretty well known for having expensive repairs down the road abit (thinking around 50-60k miles).

I was looking at the A6 when I got my car, and I just couldn't get past the fear of reliability issues, as I tend to keep my cars for a long time.

If you are planning to lease it for 4-5 years, no worries. If you're planning to buy it, and keep it for 8-10 years, probably not the best plan.

[bvader]

My wife and I looked very closely at the A3, but when we separated the "Extremely Coolness" factor we couldn't justify the cost both purchase and maint etc. We ended up with the a Mazda 3 5-door well appointed out the door for ~20K and have been very pleased in all aspects. You obviously now the A3 is a very small car and by the way the Mazda is sooo fun to drive!

Funny ran into to buddies one with an A3 and on With the Mazda, the A3 guy had wished he bought the Mazda instead...said is A3 payments and shop record was pissing him off...true story, I was surprised (maybe it was a lemon), we really wanted the A3 if money had been no object.

[.8down]

my thoughts on Audi: after owning 2 I would not buy another car from them, the resale goes in the tank.. I have an S4 now, B5 platform and its not worth all that much...plus now that they got rid of the free maintenance program, Audi has dropped low on my list as a automaker...I can only see getting one if you live in a snow state for the quattro...leasing is a different tale though..

[evdog]

OK - finally remembered the camera today and took a few pics of the T2.

I got it at Hitch-web.com and would highly recommend them. $170 all-in, free shipping, and they even had it in stock. They were very helpful too, quickly tracking down dimensions from the manufacturer so I could figure out if the rack would drag coming out of my parking garage (it doesn't, and its a steep ramp: 20% grade)

I had it installed by a mechanic as you need to remove the bumper, drill some holes, and cut out a 2x2" piece of bumper fascia to install it. The cut out is not visible at all. I also found it necessary to trim the front wheel trays - the back one a bit, the front by a couple inches.

Its pretty easy to put a bike inside, but this rack works great and keeps the inside clean. I'm glad I got it.

[mtbmichael]

are you sticking with Audi? 3 series wagon looks pretty nice, but with no discount it's about 10k more expensive than the A3.

[DeeZee]

Thanks for posting!

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Thanks for posting!

keep me posted in your search...i have to go car shopping this weekend myself and am friggin DREADING it..my problem is I need 3 rows yet the wife dont want no stinkin suburban type of vehicle so not a lot of choices at all. I got her the pathfinder which is great, and has 3 rows, but something a bit bigger woudl be great...my car is dying so i will take hers and she will get that bigger car, but not too big...if i can find such a beast. only one i have found that might work aint cheap damnit

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

keep me posted in your search...i have to go car shopping this weekend myself and am friggin DREADING it..my problem is I need 3 rows yet the wife dont want no stinkin suburban type of vehicle so not a lot of choices at all. I got her the pathfinder which is great, and has 3 rows, but something a bit bigger woudl be great...my car is dying so i will take hers and she will get that bigger car, but not too big...if i can find such a beast. only one i have found that might work aint cheap damnit

The all-new 2009 Honda Pilot should start landing in dealerships about this week or, depending on your location. It has three rows of seats, and it's much more useful and easier to park than a Suburban.

http://automobiles.honda.com/2009-pilot/

[BrahMa]

How about a Mazda C7 or C9?

[foofighter]

the C7 is a nice one but not 3 row ready...PLUS it's turbo so you need to run premium and from all the test drives the frigging crossover sucks gas at a good clip.

the C9 is cool. I personally like the Mazda 5 or the new to the US Honda Stream slated for 2010 release

[northshore]

Originally Posted by BrahMa

How about a Mazda C7 or C9?

The MazdaSpeed3 motor is currently in the C7. So the excess weight makes it for a terrible turbo lagged drive. If you don't care about that it actually has decent room but a cheap interior IMO. The C9 is the better bet but a bit more pricey.

[1TrackMind]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Saw an A3 up close. D^M that thing is small

The search continues............

Have you looked at the A4 or A6 Avant (wagon)?

They are a little bigger. Can you get a deal on any Audi? How about the RS6 Avant..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6pKgjcGfYc

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

The all-new 2009 Honda Pilot should start landing in dealerships about this week or, depending on your location. It has three rows of seats, and it's much more useful and easier to park than a Suburban.

http://automobiles.honda.com/2009-pilot/

thanks my friend! that looks great...Pilots of past have not been noticeably bigger than the Pathfinder so i am anxious to see this one. My guess is that it may not be much bigger/roomy but crossing fingers. The Pathfinder is a great car and seats 7, just not super comfortably but generally good enough. Plus, the Pilot is definitely cheaper than the other option I was considering so thanks again!

[northshore]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

The all-new 2009 Honda Pilot should start landing in dealerships about this week or, depending on your location. It has three rows of seats, and it's much more useful and easier to park than a Suburban.

http://automobiles.honda.com/2009-pilot/

Those sure do look like Acura RSX guages

[.8down]

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

keep me posted in your search...i have to go car shopping this weekend myself and am friggin DREADING it..my problem is I need 3 rows yet the wife dont want no stinkin suburban type of vehicle so not a lot of choices at all. I got her the pathfinder which is great, and has 3 rows, but something a bit bigger woudl be great...my car is dying so i will take hers and she will get that bigger car, but not too big...if i can find such a beast. only one i have found that might work aint cheap damnit

are you talking legit 3 rows, or the lame stuff that's for people with no legs??the LR3's tird row has enough leg room for an average to smaller adult, Ive sat in it, not bad at all...the Tribeca also has 3 but its not that great.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

keep me posted in your search...i have to go car shopping this weekend myself and am friggin DREADING it..my problem is I need 3 rows yet the wife dont want no stinkin suburban type of vehicle so not a lot of choices at all. I got her the pathfinder which is great, and has 3 rows, but something a bit bigger woudl be great...my car is dying so i will take hers and she will get that bigger car, but not too big...if i can find such a beast. only one i have found that might work aint cheap damnit

Wifey is getting a Suburban. I have tried to get her into something smaller but no dice. She is getting the one with center row buckets so my boys and friends don’t rip up the seats with their cleats.

I just want something that I can put my bike in side and also put a rack on the back. Also good MPG, seats five and I fit in it.

[foofighter]

have they released the suburban hybrid yet? i know the tahoe hybrid is out and seems to get good reviews on the economy side as well as performance.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Wifey is getting a Suburban. I have tried to get her into something smaller but no dice. She is getting the one with center row buckets so my boys and friends don’t rip up the seats with their cleats.

I just want something that I can put my bike in side and also put a rack on the back. Also good MPG, seats five and I fit in it.

I can smell your melting gas card from here.....

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by northshore

Those sure do look like Acura RSX guages

Actually the RSX had a gauge assembly with limited functionality whereas the 09 Pilot has what is called a gauge control module that includes CAN communication and significantly more functions and operations. Ah never mind.

The 09 Pilot has variable cylinder management (VCM), and so it runs on 3, 4, or 6 cylinders as needed. The transition is seemless.

By the way, the Pilot was designed in Ohio and built in Alabama.

[foofighter]

the new pilot design is very anime japanese-ish like the new nissan cube...quarky