x_atlas0
Well-Known Member
I know we don't all talk much about non-car things, but I've had some changes over the last year which have forced me to pick up a pair of newer vehicles at long last. First, the people I have met at the Vintage over the last few years probably met my (now) wife (got married last October) and we are going to have a baby girl in November. So, her Accord and my E34 540 were not going to be up to that task.
I searched for a very long time to find a suitable replacement for the 540, which has been a constant companion since 1996 in my family. It has given us 200,000 miles of enjoyable, relatively reliable service. However, as the number of service centers capable of correctly dealing with it have dwindled, forcing me to do more service, I started looking at more modern vehicles for a replacement.
I ended up with a 2013 Subaru WRX hatchback after many, many test drives. This thing is a blast to drive, and is arguably one of the last of the mid-90s style vehicles. Hydraulic power steering, independent vehicle subsystems, manual transmission, port injection, non-electronic suspension. It drives very much like a late E30 325ix, albeit with an extra 100hp and tq. It weighs about 3200 lbs, giving it an agility not usually found with vehicles in the same power bracket. Road noise is not too good, but a lot of that seems to be tire noise, rather than inherent to the chassis. I highly recommend the vehicle to anyone looking for a "modern but not too modern" style car. Kid seat friendly and fold flat rear seats also mean I can haul a lot of stuff in the back.
For my lovely wife, we recently picked up a 2011 Ford Flex Ecoboost. This vehicle was also chosen after many months of deliberation and tests. So far, we have been completely satisfied. First, this car is, with no strings attached, very quick. I have no doubt it is in the mid 5 second range 0-60, with superb passing capabilities on the highway. It is very quiet at speed, and the infotainment system is excellent. The current version of the Flex changed all that and eliminated actual buttons, so we specifically looked for an older version. The space is absolutely cavernous, and the 3rd row is actually livable for an extended period of time by actual adults. The car is also exceedingly comfortable, with everything touchable being either soft-touch or padded leather. Even at nearly 5000 lbs, the car can hustle well. I bet in a straight line it would give the WRX a serious run for its money.
Anyway, I figured since we talk about many different vehicles in this section, some may want to hear about some newer vehicles. Pics soon.
I searched for a very long time to find a suitable replacement for the 540, which has been a constant companion since 1996 in my family. It has given us 200,000 miles of enjoyable, relatively reliable service. However, as the number of service centers capable of correctly dealing with it have dwindled, forcing me to do more service, I started looking at more modern vehicles for a replacement.
I ended up with a 2013 Subaru WRX hatchback after many, many test drives. This thing is a blast to drive, and is arguably one of the last of the mid-90s style vehicles. Hydraulic power steering, independent vehicle subsystems, manual transmission, port injection, non-electronic suspension. It drives very much like a late E30 325ix, albeit with an extra 100hp and tq. It weighs about 3200 lbs, giving it an agility not usually found with vehicles in the same power bracket. Road noise is not too good, but a lot of that seems to be tire noise, rather than inherent to the chassis. I highly recommend the vehicle to anyone looking for a "modern but not too modern" style car. Kid seat friendly and fold flat rear seats also mean I can haul a lot of stuff in the back.
For my lovely wife, we recently picked up a 2011 Ford Flex Ecoboost. This vehicle was also chosen after many months of deliberation and tests. So far, we have been completely satisfied. First, this car is, with no strings attached, very quick. I have no doubt it is in the mid 5 second range 0-60, with superb passing capabilities on the highway. It is very quiet at speed, and the infotainment system is excellent. The current version of the Flex changed all that and eliminated actual buttons, so we specifically looked for an older version. The space is absolutely cavernous, and the 3rd row is actually livable for an extended period of time by actual adults. The car is also exceedingly comfortable, with everything touchable being either soft-touch or padded leather. Even at nearly 5000 lbs, the car can hustle well. I bet in a straight line it would give the WRX a serious run for its money.
Anyway, I figured since we talk about many different vehicles in this section, some may want to hear about some newer vehicles. Pics soon.
