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If all you ever used was the EV motor in a hybrid, would the car periodically engage the engine just to keep fluids circulated and the engine in running condition? I've always wondered about that. Imagine not using the ICE motor in your hybrid for months at a time.
I know that with Audi PHEVs, the gas tank is pressurized substantially to keep the volatiles from boiling off and the gas going stale - to quote the service guy "sometimes people don't use the gas engine for a year or more".
We looked at a Q5 PHEV but couldn't make the numbers work. Wife is still very interested in one but we have other cars to look at first.
Not MY next car, but the wife's. Talked about this a bit, but we're driving stuff so here's an update:
Drove a QX50; nothing bad, but nothing great either. Honestly were I in the market for a crossover I'd like this one. I like the cockpit and controls, but then again I am definitely a Tommy Toggle switch aficionado.
Then a Volvo XC60. Lots of likes; IMHO a little hesitancy in turning or transitioning on the gas but I'm nitpicking. She liked it, except for the infotainment.
Also drove an Audi Q5. The only ones on the lot here are the 55TSI PHEV - while I'd love to have a PHEV car the $75k price tag and the $3k/year insurance say no. Trying to find a 40TFI Premium Plus to drive to see if the lower engine HP matters (I'm guessing not, not for her). Looks like the closest is in Charlotte (about 4 hours one way). OTOH, I'm in Charlotte next week for work, so I might be able to sort this out.
2024 CX5 is still to be driven, as is the Acura RDX.
We looked at a Genesis GV70 but she didn't like how it looked outside; I didn't like how it looked inside. Didn't drive one.
We've crossed off the BMW X3, Jag ePace, the Outback, Honda HRV and other non-premiums as well as the domestics. Also compared the Q5 to a Tiguana and that's a hard no, even with the ricing (spaetzleing?) potential (I told her I'd change it to iguana and get it colorshift wrapped).
At the moment, it's between the Q5 and the XC60. When specced out how we like, very similar price, safety rating, and consumer reports rating on maintenance issues and costs. Both are throwing in maintenance, and we'd get an extended warranty anyway (on our 2015 CX5, the AC repair we had a few years ago cost more than what we paid for the 100k policy, and cost us all of $25).
Shame about the QX. It's a *nice* car, but not a *great* one. When discussing pricing and the 'loyalty' discount I told the dealer what I had at home and his remark (when Jenn was out of earshot) was "yeah, nothing we make now is quite that good".
Have you looked at the nissan equivalent of the qx50? I don't know if this goes for all suvs in their lineup but i remember reading that the newer armadas were nicer and more modern than the qx80s at the time. I always wanted to keep my g especially with all the work I've done to it but the used vr30 transmission i installed slips in 1st gear from a stop frequently which is really disheartening considering the hassle it was getting everything right. May be replacing in the next few years if I'm financially able. Kinda want a q60 and kinda want something I'm not gonna be wrenching on too much with mods which i know I'd dive into on the q60. Got a srt8 charger project in the driveway since the oil pump went out and took the engine with it.
No, haven’t gone by the Mazda dealer yet. She doesn’t like the cx50 “it’s too… aggressively male”. To her seems like a redesign of the original (very good) cx5 to appeal more to men.
She has a point though - if we're spending $55k ish on a car it has to be exactly what she wants and not a compromise of any sort. Which... is why we're taking our time. Spreadsheets and all.
Have you looked at the Macan yet? How about the Stelvio?
For the Macan, same issues as the BMW X3 in terms of maintenance and reliability ratings. Stelvio we hadn't considered - I'll message her about that now.
One of the judges I work with extensively drives a Macan and loves it. But more than half the time she drives her husband's Lexus... because the Porsche is 'having some work done'.
05-01-2024, 09:48 AM
