OS Cars Thread

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: OS Cars Thread

2020 Ford F150 Lariat Sport. Had no intention of buying anything but when I saw it yesterday with the red and black interior, I bought it.

[Flightwhite24]

Re: OS Cars Thread

Ran into this over the weekend and with only 3200 miles I snagged it.
2017 Lexus ES 350.


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[KSUowls]

Re: OS Cars Thread

My wife is looking to upgrade her old Nissan Rogue. She's narrowed it down to a few candidates. Anyone have any experience with any of these SUV's?

Mazda CX5
Mercedes GLA
BMW X2
Cadillac XT4

[pietasterp]

Re: OS Cars Thread

No direct experience with any of the listed ones, but as a general opinion, I think if you're looking at the smaller crossover/sub-compact SUV options, the least expensive one is the best. Unless there is a specific reason to favor one brand over the other, I think buying upscale/'luxury' marque vehicles in this class doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Of course, buying a car involves emotion as well so it's hard to separate out logic from emotion.

My personal experience is that if you aren't buying a car for performance, the luxury difference between most cars these days is pretty minimal. Sure, the interior of a Mercedes is a bit nicer than the interior of a Mazda, but is it $10K nicer? Features are pretty much the same across competitor vehicles, and this thing is never going on a track, so HP, low-end torque, etc. just aren't relevant.

I've driven a lot of different CUV's / SUV's, and if you stripped them all of any identifying badges, I wouldn't be able to tell one from another based purely on driving characteristics.

[bkrich83]

Re: OS Cars Thread

No direct experience with any of the listed ones, but as a general opinion, I think if you're looking at the smaller crossover/sub-compact SUV options, the least expensive one is the best. Unless there is a specific reason to favor one brand over the other, I think buying upscale/'luxury' marque vehicles in this class doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Of course, buying a car involves emotion as well so it's hard to separate out logic from emotion.

My personal experience is that if you aren't buying a car for performance, the luxury difference between most cars these days is pretty minimal. Sure, the interior of a Mercedes is a bit nicer than the interior of a Mazda, but is it $10K nicer? Features are pretty much the same across competitor vehicles, and this thing is never going on a track, so HP, low-end torque, etc. just aren't relevant.

I've driven a lot of different CUV's / SUV's, and if you stripped them all of any identifying badges, I wouldn't be able to tell one from another based purely on driving characteristics.

Even at the entry level, the difference in fit and finish is pretty big. Service and support from luxury brands is significantly better, and the german cars, even on the low end just drive differently than the others.


Of the ones listed above I've driven the GLA and the X2 as loaners when getting my wife or my car serviced. They're great for the cost, but there's no cargo space and the backseats are super cramped. I don't know the cost difference between the X3 and the X2 or the GLA and the GLC, I'd recommend taking a peak at them though as they do have more usable room.

[pietasterp]

Re: OS Cars Thread

Even at the entry level, the difference in fit and finish is pretty big. Service and support from luxury brands is significantly better, and the german cars, even on the low end just drive differently than the others.

I haven't noticed a big difference in my opinion, other than cosmetically, but obviously your opinion may differ. Yes there's a more 'plastic-y' feel to a Mazda vs a Mercedes, but I've been surprised by how even at the very top end of the German luxury scale, the façade is pretty thin (nice-looking paneling wears/peels off pretty easily, knobs/fixtures wear down quickly).

I agree the dealer/service experience is nicer with the luxury brands, but I think that's countered by the fact that you will likely be spending more time/money there than you want to, and you obviously pay for that nicer experience if you take your car to the stealership for service.

Relative value is always hard to argue about, because it all comes down to personal preferences and comfort level, as well as what you're looking for at any particular given point in time. I totally agree about the interior dimensions on the GLA, as my friend's won't fit both of our golf bags comfortably. Seems to be common theme even with larger SUV/CUV's, though, and not unique to any one maker/model.

[KSUowls]

Re: OS Cars Thread

I don't have any experience with German SUV's, but if they are anything like their smaller counterparts then that's a big selling point to me. My 2020 BMW 440 and a 2005 amg c class coupe that my dad bought used a few years ago are the 2 most fantastic cars that I've ever driven. It really is incredible how different they feel vs American and Japanese performance cars.

Good to know just how small the GLA is though. My wife isn't really a driving enthusiast, and so I think the cargo capacity will be a bigger issue for her.

[pietasterp]

Re: OS Cars Thread

I don't have any experience with German SUV's, but if they are anything like their smaller counterparts then that's a big selling point to me. My 2020 BMW 440 and a 2005 amg c class coupe that my dad bought used a few years ago are the 2 most fantastic cars that I've ever driven. It really is incredible how different they feel vs American and Japanese performance cars.

Good to know just how small the GLA is though. My wife isn't really a driving enthusiast, and so I think the cargo capacity will be a bigger issue for her.

I think you'd be harder pressed to find the differences in handling and performance characteristics with the SUV/CUV segment, but everyone 'feels' a car's ride differently. As you note, it also depends on how important the "U" part of the SUV/CUV is to you/your family. Personally, I'm constantly disappointed with the interior space of most modern SUV's, especially given how big of a footprint they have (in general).

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: OS Cars Thread

So I've been mulling over selling my 2017 WRX considering the used car market currently.

Apart from being able to find any inventory on the lot or being shipped within a reasonable period I have no idea what I would want my next vehicle to be. I'm fairly certain I want a hybrid to save on fuel costs, but that's really my only clear "nice to have" at the moment.

I still love driving my WRX, but now that we're driving more frequently and going back to the office the fuel is taking a big bite out of the budget and prices just continue to rise. Would love to keep in the sport side with some pep and tight handling. I think I'm finally willing to drop my manual transmission requirement considering how hard they are to find anymore. Subaru is at the top as far as brand trust goes, but not really feeling their other offerings so willing to branch out to Honda or maybe go back to Kia.

[KSUowls]

Re: OS Cars Thread

I've been meaning to update this for a while.

So, my wife settled on the BMW X3 after testing out that, the Mazda CX5 and the Mercedes GLC. She had to order it from Germany because inventory was so low. Still got a decent deal on it by comparison (Mazda offered 500 off MSRP, Mercedes was at MSRP)

Mazda - "It feels like just a newer version of my car". For reference she previously had a 2012 Nissan Rogue

Mercedes - "It's pretty but it feels small". She felt that the drivers cockpit was a little too tight and the whole of the car felt small.

BMW - She was in love with it as soon as we got it out on the road.

I haven't driven it yet, but it does feel smooth as a passenger. It does lack Heads Up Display due to the chip shortage which kind of sucks. She loves it though so that's all that matters.

[Flightwhite24]

Re: OS Cars Thread

Well after driving my Lexus ES350 for the past year, with my back issues and all I went back to the Silverado family for a second run.




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[KSUowls]

Re: OS Cars Thread

Has anyone ever bought a hail cover and have thoughts on them?

I want to get something to protect my wife's X3 that can't be garage kept.

[bkrich83]

OS Cars Thread

So I ordered a Porsche Macan S from the factory at the end of November and finalized my build in mid December, it's just getting off the boat today. So while it's frustrating to wait 8 months at least i'll have it in my possession by next week. Pics to come once I get it. Needs to pass through Customs and go through all the dealer prep.

[bkrich83]

Re: OS Cars Thread

Here are some quick pics. IMG_1464.jpg
IMG_1475.jpgIMG_1471.jpgIMG_1472.jpgIMG_1473.jpg


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[KSUowls]

Re: OS Cars Thread

Beautiful!