Any positive buying decisions? Mine worked out OK.
Discussion
I've read so many posts about people having difficulty deciding what car to buy next, so I thought it might be good to posts about having gone through the process and having come up with a satisfactory outcome.
Last year I deliberated long and hard what I should buy to replace my Audi A4 TFSi Avant. As usual, I researched long and hard, including on this forum. I needed a 4wd or AWD to tow my daughter's horse trailer (which only lasted a few months as the horse disliked it). I like the characteristics of a diesel engine (and the economy), but worried a bit about the way taxes were going, the general resistance to diesels and the likely effect on residuals. I'm a low mileage driver so decided on a petrol car. My priorities are refinement, comfort and decent performance. I wanted something less than 1 year old.
I considered and tried the Porsche Macan, wonderful to drive but a bit cramped for my adult daughter and two dogs. I also considered the Mercedes GLC but my experiences with Mercedes dealers have been dreadful ( I never got to drive a GLC). The BMW X3 was rejected because run flat tyres and no spare wheel stowage. I considered the Skoda Kodiak, but have had Skodas and sound insulation seems non existent ( although I like the lack of pretentiousness with the brand).
I'm not brave enough for anything French. I liked the Lexus RX450h I drove but discounted it because they are easier to steal than roadside eggs left with an honesty box and this was reflected in the insurance quotes I got. Ditto the RAV 4. I was also not a fan of the CVT gearbox in both cars. the Honda CRV also has CVT and does nothing for me anyway. The VW Touareg I tried was simply too big, and felt too big. The Tiguan is simply to dull to think about. I fancied a change from Audi but finally I arrived at the Q5, which seemed to tick most boxes. I bought a 2023 45 TFSi and although it has taken a little time to fully appreciate it (as it did with the Audi 90 I had many years ago), it's just such a good car. The motoring journalists will tell you how it's not as exciting to drive as a Porsche Macan. However, it is refined, although road noise is a little louder than my A4 on some surfaces. It's bloody quick, mpg is reasonable for what it is. It's very easy to drive and place on the road and has a decent boot. It strikes a good balance between the touch screen display and physical controls. It was nice to be able to have mostly fabric seats, instead of leather, which seems to be a pre requisite for a premium car, but which I almost always find less comfortable.
It has some very user friendly features. Like my A4, the ability to knock the gear lever back to go into sports mode, usually changing down a gear, is very useful and something I use a lot. The build quality is first class. Mine came with some nice features, including the 360 degree camera. The matrix LED intelligent headlamps are amazing, especially for someone with my night vision. I struggled to find a well specced Sport model, so bought the ubiquitous S Line. I was worried about the ride comfort, but, although it's sensitive to tyre pressures, it's pretty good, even on the rubbish roads in my area. I even think mine is good looking in white.
What to replace it with when the time comes, I have no idea. I just hope that reality and common sense kick in and I still have the option to buy a car with an engine and not an electric motor.
Last year I deliberated long and hard what I should buy to replace my Audi A4 TFSi Avant. As usual, I researched long and hard, including on this forum. I needed a 4wd or AWD to tow my daughter's horse trailer (which only lasted a few months as the horse disliked it). I like the characteristics of a diesel engine (and the economy), but worried a bit about the way taxes were going, the general resistance to diesels and the likely effect on residuals. I'm a low mileage driver so decided on a petrol car. My priorities are refinement, comfort and decent performance. I wanted something less than 1 year old.
I considered and tried the Porsche Macan, wonderful to drive but a bit cramped for my adult daughter and two dogs. I also considered the Mercedes GLC but my experiences with Mercedes dealers have been dreadful ( I never got to drive a GLC). The BMW X3 was rejected because run flat tyres and no spare wheel stowage. I considered the Skoda Kodiak, but have had Skodas and sound insulation seems non existent ( although I like the lack of pretentiousness with the brand).
I'm not brave enough for anything French. I liked the Lexus RX450h I drove but discounted it because they are easier to steal than roadside eggs left with an honesty box and this was reflected in the insurance quotes I got. Ditto the RAV 4. I was also not a fan of the CVT gearbox in both cars. the Honda CRV also has CVT and does nothing for me anyway. The VW Touareg I tried was simply too big, and felt too big. The Tiguan is simply to dull to think about. I fancied a change from Audi but finally I arrived at the Q5, which seemed to tick most boxes. I bought a 2023 45 TFSi and although it has taken a little time to fully appreciate it (as it did with the Audi 90 I had many years ago), it's just such a good car. The motoring journalists will tell you how it's not as exciting to drive as a Porsche Macan. However, it is refined, although road noise is a little louder than my A4 on some surfaces. It's bloody quick, mpg is reasonable for what it is. It's very easy to drive and place on the road and has a decent boot. It strikes a good balance between the touch screen display and physical controls. It was nice to be able to have mostly fabric seats, instead of leather, which seems to be a pre requisite for a premium car, but which I almost always find less comfortable.
It has some very user friendly features. Like my A4, the ability to knock the gear lever back to go into sports mode, usually changing down a gear, is very useful and something I use a lot. The build quality is first class. Mine came with some nice features, including the 360 degree camera. The matrix LED intelligent headlamps are amazing, especially for someone with my night vision. I struggled to find a well specced Sport model, so bought the ubiquitous S Line. I was worried about the ride comfort, but, although it's sensitive to tyre pressures, it's pretty good, even on the rubbish roads in my area. I even think mine is good looking in white.
What to replace it with when the time comes, I have no idea. I just hope that reality and common sense kick in and I still have the option to buy a car with an engine and not an electric motor.
I'm glad you have found a car you enjoy, but you've clearly not driven any high performance cars if you regarding a Q5 45 TFSi as bloody quick.
If it did 0-60 in under 4 seconds, I would regard it as bloody quick, but 0-60 in 6.1 seconds just feels relatively normal these days for reasonably powered SUVs.
If it did 0-60 in under 4 seconds, I would regard it as bloody quick, but 0-60 in 6.1 seconds just feels relatively normal these days for reasonably powered SUVs.
raspy said:
I'm glad you have found a car you enjoy, but you've clearly not driven any high performance cars if you regarding a Q5 45 TFSi as bloody quick.
If it did 0-60 in under 4 seconds, I would regard it as bloody quick, but 0-60 in 6.1 seconds just feels relatively normal these days for reasonably powered SUVs.
I live in the real world, and given modern traffic and road conditions, 0-60 in 6.1 seconds is bloody quick, especially when the quattro system allows it all to be put down. It's quick enough for anyone, in my opinion. I sometimes like to make reasonably quick progress, not drag race at the lights. Never felt I needed more.If it did 0-60 in under 4 seconds, I would regard it as bloody quick, but 0-60 in 6.1 seconds just feels relatively normal these days for reasonably powered SUVs.
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