Wagon Stoke

[BmillsSkier]

I used the manual-ish mode for snow regularly on our old car. It didn't have the feel of driving a stick, but you could make it stick to lower gear/higher revs, eschew shifting while cornering, etc. It really negated most of the advantage of driving a manual on slick roads.

I didn't even think about that - advantages in shitty road conditions. Side bonus #2.

[Jong Lafitte]

I used my wife's XC70 T6 to run down to HHI this week to button up for the hurricane because a) you can't find premium gas with any consistency in the south for the past few weeks, and b) I needed space to haul a bunch of shit for the lockdown effort. I was rolling along US 17 and thought about the slushbox vs stick conversation in this thread that the Alltrek kicked off. I ticked the shifter over to the auto-manual and played around with it.

I have to say it was much better than I expected. As quick, if not quicker than my BMW's auto-manual slushbox and a bit sharper in response - really felt like I was getting every ounce of the 300hp as I took it to/near the line - sounded cool too with the "wooshy" rev up of the turbo then exhaust wail. Would a stick be more fun? Absolutely, but I think that this is an overlooked bit of fun on cars that everyone (me included) forgets about - and to be honest, makes the auto much more attractive than a manual since it's stuck in city traffic/highway miles most of it's life.

I've got something like that in the Outback. In this application, with the NA motor, this little gadget really helps with getting up hills and keeping the tranny from hunting between 3rd and 4th on extended low grade climbs. Also nice to engine brake with it going down. With 180something HP at high altitude with some Americans inside, its almost necessary. I really hate late, noisy, high rev downshifts. I hate being behind someone who does that shit. Slower...slower...slower....slower....slower, now he's doing 40 in the hammer lane and finally bothers to pull his head out of his ass, mashes the pedal, blasts a bunch of carbon out of the pipe as he jams it up to 7k and speeds away. Now, I have to basically do the same thing to my poor car or suddenly I'm the asshole.

[Sirshredalot]

I didn't even think about that - advantages in shitty road conditions. Side bonus #2.

I still prefer our 6mt outback for slick roads, but it was a hell of a lot better than being stuck in "D" and letting the slush box pick shift points.

[Dantheman]

Current automatic transmissions are leaps and bounds better than they were just 10 years ago.

Amazingly so. In manual mode the good ones shift faster and cleaner than is simply physically possible with a traditional MT. It's still not the same experience as having a clutch, but the slushbox moniker doesn't apply to most of the new stuff.

[frorider]

Essentially FWD is great for gas mileage and works well in the snow with the Haldex backup. And ya, if you buy new cars you're doing it wrong. A nice 2-3 year old car with 35k miles on it for 40% off, is the way I like to roll.

.

Nope. As maggots and car forum types point out, certain vehicles like Tacomas and Subarus have such high resale value at 2 yrs that often it makes sense overall to buy new if you have decent negotiation skills.

YMMV.

I was in the 'buy 2-3 yr old car' camp for yrs...

[liv2ski]

^^^^ But Tacoma's and Subies are fuggly and drive like crap compared to my V70R or 335i. I will stick with a 2 year old Euro trash car. YMMV

[frorider]

Yup, euro cars depreciate nicely in those 2-3 yrs.

[BmillsSkier]

[BmillsSkier]

I'm not sure if this goes in the Wagon Stoke or Car Porn thread.

If you live in the U.K., have an extra 26,000 pounds and don't buy this; you're dead to us.

http://www.topgear.com/car-news/clas...w-m5-touring#6



10 cylinders, 500hp, oh and it's a fucking Wagon. Boss shit.

[InspectorGadget]

I'm not sure if this goes in the Wagon Stoke or Car Porn thread.

If you live in the U.K., have an extra 26,000 pounds and don't buy this; you're dead to us.

http://www.topgear.com/car-news/clas...w-m5-touring#6



10 cylinders, 500hp, oh and it's a fucking Wagon. Boss shit.

Holy cow, so much want!

[lordf]

I'm not sure if this goes in the Wagon Stoke or Car Porn thread.

If you live in the U.K., have an extra 26,000 pounds and don't buy this; you're dead to us.

http://www.topgear.com/car-news/clas...w-m5-touring#6



10 cylinders, 500hp, oh and it's a fucking Wagon. Boss shit.

We get all the best wagons, but I've lusted after an m5 touring since I saw my neighbors. Only downside is it would need the manual transmission from the E92 M3 swapped in as for some reason merica got the manual m5 and we didn't.

[rod9301]

I drove manual transmissions all my life and loved them.
But, bought a diesel outback in France with mt.

This engine doesn't have a lot of torque below 1800rpm, and it's a pain in the ass to get going on a low friction uphill, like in gravel.
It has a switch to help with starts on inclines, thank God, because without it it's a chore.

I would say this engine would work better with an at.

And before you guys say how much you want a diesel outback in the states, this engine still sounds like a farm tractor. And from what I hear, maintenance costs are higher than for a gas engine.
Whatever.

[plugboots]

They just want the mileage, or a new technology diesel. Truck style loud diesels are just old technology, and if that's what they're offering forget it.

[AdironRider]

Thinking of selling my 2005 Volvo V50 T5 AWD 6 speed stick. 87.5k miles. Needs a windshield and the am/fm portion of the stereo (upgraded) doesn't work. Otherwise runs like a top. R Design package and fully loaded. 6.5k for the mags. Maintained its entire life at either Ken Garff Volvo in SLC or Marks Foreign Auto in Jackson. Located in Victor ID and will deliver anywhere within 500 miles.

Selling as we got an 04 Lexus GX and I want to put a new motor in and paint my 87 BMW. PM for pictures and more details.

I already feel regret for this but I feel my wife is nesting and I have maybe a year to upgrade my play car before kids suck the fun money account dry. Would love to see it go to a good home.

[stfu&gbtw]

Thinking of selling my 2005 Volvo V50 T5 AWD 6 speed stick. 87.5k miles. Needs a windshield and the am/fm portion of the stereo (upgraded) doesn't work. Otherwise runs like a top. R Design package and fully loaded. 6.5k for the mags. Maintained its entire life at either Ken Garff Volvo in SLC or Marks Foreign Auto in Jackson. Located in Victor ID and will deliver anywhere within 500 miles.

Selling as we got an 04 Lexus GX and I want to put a new motor in and paint my 87 BMW. PM for pictures and more details.

I already feel regret for this but I feel my wife is nesting and I have maybe a year to upgrade my play car before kids suck the fun money account dry. Would love to see it go to a good home.

Pics? Might be interested... You have the maintenance records?

[54-46]

Audi S4 Avant manual with mods: http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-audi-s4/

[AdironRider]

Pics? Might be interested... You have the maintenance records?

Yes and yes. Shoot you a pm later today.

[BmillsSkier]

Audi S4 Avant manual with mods: http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-audi-s4/

Well there it is. The TGR unicorn.

[Jong Lafitte]

Well there it is. The TGR unicorn.

Is it Diesel? Nice ride; I like how he's done the stereo also. I aint got the money so it don't really matter to me but I dunno bout buying something that someone has already tried to turn into a race car. Does seem to be done right, but what do I know. I don't like engine tinkering for longevity's sake, but again, what do I know.

I like how he's auctioning the car, though, rather than list it on CL, adding the cost of all the work done to the bluebook in a $1:$1 ratio and sitting on it for a year with an advert that's something like, I've put $20K into it, which has increased the value by $30K AT LEAST!!! Just look in duPont!!

Back in like 92, my parents were selling this 3/4 ton Ford with, as the [actual paper newspaper] ad set forth, "460 ci GAS" motor. More than 60% of the people calling had, as their first question, "is that a diesel or gas?" Eventually traded it in instead. (It was actually a pretty boss truck, '87 Ford 3/4 ton 4x4 ext cab Lariat with a long bed and a cap.)

[BCJC]

Yeah but was it a Diesel?

[liv2ski]

What would make you think it is a diesel?

[Jong Lafitte]

What would make you think it is a diesel?

Oh, I just had to ask despite all evidence to the contrary. I mean, one of these times its bound to work, right? Its how I plan to procure a diesel tacoma.

Yeah but was it a Diesel?

Ha! I'm pretty sure they went with gas because of the idea that it would be used for lots of short trips. The prevailing thought at the time was that a gas motor would be better for that. 7 mpg loaded or not.

[Buster Highmen]

AWD 300 hp Italian Wagon? Diesel option? Maybe for Yurp, bet it doesn't make it stateside.

[liv2ski]

Bumming page to page 1 with bad news for the TGR Suby fan club:

Despite a decade of double digit sales growth, Subaru fell out of the top 10 of reliable car brands. Fisher says that's in part because of problems with its midsize sedan as well as quality issues with the Subaru Outback.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-w...nsumer-reports

[refried]

Added another wagon to the fleet recently, One owner, 90,000 miles. It will get springs, shocks/struts, and sway bars for now. Maybe a T5 in the future.