Topic: Thoughts from the passenger seat

[quadzilla]

Went car shopping with my SIL to be the devil's advocate. Her current car is a '08 Golf. Some quick thoughts from sitting in the passenger seat.

BMW X1

This thing is getting to be very car like, sits low and has a low roof line. Very nice inside, good amount of space in the trunk and pretty roomy in all seating positions. Felt peppy/smooth while accelerating and a firm/sporty ride but not jarring.  Can't deny that even I liked this one but it doesn't take long to get into the upper $40's.

Infiniti QX50

She couldn't find a comfortable driving position with her long torso/short legs. I tried after and also didn't find it comfortable. Also noticed the cockpit is very tight as I could easily bang my head against the side. The seat sits very high, too high IMO. No test drive because of that. She also tried sitting in a QX60 which was fine but the vehicle is too big. QX70 was nice but too expensive. The QX50 really is an odd duck in their line up.

Nissan Rogue/Murano

Since its right beside Infiniti took a quick look at the Rogue and Murano.

She didn't like the Rogue do to all the hard plastic, otherwise it looks like quite the functional car. Murano was a huge step up inside but she wasn't feeling it. No test drives.

Audi Q5

Fit perfect. While a little bigger than she wants, loved it. Comfy ride, quiet, peppy and didn't feel as big as it looks. Lots of room for everybody and big enough trunk. Test drive was in a non S-Line model and personally, I'd have to get the S-Line just for the much nicer seats and steering wheel.

Also looked at the Q3 but it feels/looks too much like a Golf and that ancient drive train, what are you thinking Audi. A mid line Q3 (before adding options) is the same price as a Golf R.

Lexus RX350

Since the new one is too big and expensive she went to look at a used RX. While in the show room she started to like the NX but then looked at the face. Walking out to the lot we pass a GS350 (2013) and I said, hey look at this one. Got the sales guy to get the keys so she could sit in it. LOVED IT. Take it for a drive and LOVED IT. Then take a look inside the RX and she thinks its too big. Will say that I thought the 2013 GS still looked much nicer than the 2015 RX inside. But she wants to sit up high so passed on the GS and felt the RX was too big.

VW Tiguan

Did a quick last stop at VW to take another look at the Tiguan while everything was fresh in her head. While still a nice car she wasn't loving it as much as she did before. Sat in the Golf R, oh so nice. If they could have updated the Tiguan to look as nice as the latest Golf does, it would look so much nicer inside.

After a very long day she currently has the X1 at the top of her list.

I thought the GS was the best bang for the bucks of everything we saw. So much car and was the cheapest to buy sans the Tiguan. Ah the price to sit up high. 

[Serniter]

Thanks for the notes. I agree that the X1 seems to be overpriced (>$40k). One excellent point made is the value provided by the Lexus GS. I especially like the 2013+ years in terms of styling, inside and out.

[tpl]

Quad, did you mean Q3 or did you mean A3?   They both have the same powertrain, transverse  2.0T and Haldex for the AWD.  The Q3 is, to me anyway, a 2/3 scale Q5 and the A3 is a nice enough but bland sedan.

[quadzilla]

Quad, did you mean Q3 or did you mean A3?   They both have the same powertrain, transverse  2.0T and Haldex for the AWD.  The Q3 is, to me anyway, a 2/3 scale Q5 and the A3 is a nice enough but bland sedan.

Q3. The engine is the same as the 2009 GTI, 200 hp/207 tq but comes with a 6 sp slush box.  Personally, I didn't think it was worth the money. If they put the 210hp/250tq or made a SQ3 with the new 250hp/270tq engine and matted them to DSGs, then I'd might change my mind.

[Brig]

Nice summary, Quad.  Is she planning to look at any others in the segment (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia)?

Oh, and can I move this to the Member Reviews area?   

[Triple Bob]

I pulled up the Tiguan next to an X1 a while ago, I was really surprised how small the X1 was in comparison, seemed significantly lower roof line.

Sounds like the same dilemma we went through recently, ended up with the Tiguan due to the huge savings that are being offered on the current stock before the new model comes out.

[ktm525]

Two things that jumped out of the summary:

1) "She wants to sit up high.." Can't blame her. Sedan sales are doomed.

2) X1 is expensive. No s#$% an overpriced BMW. Shocking.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

"Thoughts from the passenger seat"

This really should be a poem. Someone creative do something! 

[Triple Bob]

There once was a woman with a Golf,
Whose husband was known as Adolf.
She tried other cars,
But didn't go far,
Bought a GTI and called it Rudolph.

[quadzilla]

Nice summary, Quad.  Is she planning to look at any others in the segment (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia)?

Oh, and can I move this to the Member Reviews area?   

But this is about cars?    Sure, go ahead.

I suggested those but the blinders are on with wanting a 'luxury' car. Hopefully she will take a look and see.

I pulled up the Tiguan next to an X1 a while ago, I was really surprised how small the X1 was in comparison, seemed significantly lower roof line.

Sounds like the same dilemma we went through recently, ended up with the Tiguan due to the huge savings that are being offered on the current stock before the new model comes out.

I also made that point. A loaded Tiguan S/E is just under $33K making it easily $15K cheaper than the X1. That is a lot of coin.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

There once was a woman with a Golf,
Whose husband was known as Adolf.
She tried other cars,
But didn't go far,
Bought a GTI and called it Rudolph.

Ok. Thanks Bob. Good effort.



 

[random006]

"Thoughts from the passenger seat"

This really should be a poem. Someone creative do something! 

As you wish:

Thoughts from the Passenger Seat

I sit to the right, not the left
It feels weird, to be so bereft,
Of the control of the car,
So near, yet so far.
Today it's her turn (I sigh):
To test, to drive, to choose, to buy!

For I am to be the voice of reason.
(She called, knowing my knowledge is seasoned).
I offer counsel, caution and advice,
On features, power and yes, even on price.
I talk about dials, buttons, screens and knobs,
Windows, shifters, seats and fobs.

In the end, though, her choice must win,
She has to drive it; I'm just lucky to get in.
And so here I sit, to the right of the dash,
While someone else forks over the cash.

[Railton]

"Thoughts from the passenger seat"

This really should be a poem. Someone creative do something! 

As you wish:

Thoughts from the Passenger Seat

I sit to the right, not the left
It feels weird, to be so bereft,
Of the control of the car,
So near, yet so far.
Today it's her turn (I sigh):,
To test, to drive, to choose, to buy!

For I am to be the voice of reason.
(She called, knowing my knowledge is seasoned.)
I offer counsel, caution and advice.
On features, power and yes, even on price.
I talk about dials, buttons, screens and knobs,
Windows, shifters, seats and fobs.

In the end, though, her choice must win,
She has to drive it, I'm just lucky to get in.
And so here I sit, to the right of the dash,
While someone else forks over the cash.

Railton

[Fobroader]

Any "poetry" that doesn't speak of the adventures of the man from Nantucket is null and void...... 

[lebowski]

Went car shopping with my SIL to be the devil's advocate. Her current car is a '08 Golf. Some quick thoughts from sitting in the passenger seat.

Nice summary .

One of the things that bothers me about the QX50 (and EX predecessor) is the engine power / fuel economy proposition. That motor is old tech and, in this snack bracket, simply uncompetitive.

The X1 seems like a sweet ride, for what it is. We enthusiasts may lament the FWD underpinnings, but BMW knows who’s really buying these things.

I’m impressed VW is still selling as many Tiguans as it is, given how old the platform is.

I bet that GS was sweet indeed - shame about the “sitting up high” thing. On a slight tangent, I think there ought to be a grassroots campaign to convince folks that sitting lower - i.e. sedan height - is where it’s at.

[lebowski]

"Thoughts from the passenger seat"

This really should be a poem. Someone creative do something! 

Alright, random006's will be indeed tough to beat, but here's mine:
 

There once was a car-shopping damsel,
Who found normal seat height a hassle.

Sitting in a GS,
She was actually impressed,

But still favoured her high-riding castle.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

"Thoughts from the passenger seat"

This really should be a poem. Someone creative do something! 

As you wish:

Thoughts from the Passenger Seat

I sit to the right, not the left
It feels weird, to be so bereft,
Of the control of the car,
So near, yet so far.
Today it's her turn (I sigh):,
To test, to drive, to choose, to buy!

For I am to be the voice of reason.
(She called, knowing my knowledge is seasoned).
I offer counsel, caution and advice.
On features, power and yes, even on price.
I talk about dials, buttons, screens and knobs,
Windows, shifters, seats and fobs.

In the end, though, her choice must win,
She has to drive it, I'm just lucky to get in.
And so here I sit, to the right of the dash,
While someone else forks over the cash.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

"Thoughts from the passenger seat"

This really should be a poem. Someone creative do something! 

Alright, random006's will be indeed tough to beat, but here's mine:
 

There once was a car-shopping damsel,
Who found normal seat height a hassle.

Sitting in a GS,
She was actually impressed,

But still favoured her high-riding castle.

 

[Jaeger]

There's a reason the RX is the best selling luxury vehicle on the planet.

[OliverD]

There's a reason the RX is the best selling luxury vehicle on the planet.

I doubt that's true.