Yep. I'm not in love with my dash either. The 2009 was much, much better, with black plastics on the dash.

How have you looked into it? Pretty sure reupholstering both front and back pieces would be a $3000 project.

 

Ack, just edited it. Yep the the QX60. It's wild that Nissan/Infiniti ditched the CVT for the refresh of the QX60, but rolled out the QX55 the same year with CVT. Shame as that car is quite a looker.

I think the performance is pretty good (0-60 in 6.2 secs), but for me the real test is sharp handling and having enough power able to merge/pass. And this car does this really well and comfortable too. Just wish Infiniti would offer a "Red Sport" package for their crossovers, I think they'd compete very nicely with Acura and make them a more senior contender to the germans. Oh well, I did discover that Akebonos can be fitted to the QX60- so that will happen at some point in the future

Totally agree with @Rochester - I'm a sucker for Brown interiors, just screams class.

 

I sometimes have thoughts about wrapping the G a dark green with reupholstered seats in a dark brown. But yeah then the cost comes back into play and that dream quickly fades LOL

 

I was surprised as well with a used vehicle purchase. Even had a little confetti cannon thing to shoot off.

Appreciate it, it's been a good community despite it being a bit quieter lately. The Mazda doesn't really have the same unfortunately.

 

They're dropping like flies! Thanks for everything Epiphany and congrats on the purchase! I hope it serves you well.

 

#1 upgrade: Corksport rear sway bar. Leave it on the softest setting. Makes the body roll manageable, even on the newest ones.

 

Look at this Toyota Crown interior! Man that saddle brown leather is beautiful.

 

Honestly the roads here are pretty crap, 9 years with the AWD G sedan and the suspension was 100% stock my entire ownership. I won't be doing any real mods to the CX-5 either. Right now just needs some tint.

Looks great, probably very reliable and would be a great car to own long term.

 

That's what I thought too. First trip to the mountains was a bit scary with the body roll on the switchbacks, and that's where the inlaws are so we're up there every other month. Made a huge difference without compromising ride quality.

 

Test drove a 2024 Elantra N today. The face-lift looks great, beautiful car in person, especially in that black color that hides some of its controversial lines along the doors / rear. Turbo is fun, pretty quick with the DCT. Suspension is comfy enough in normal mode for daily driving as well.

Its roomy inside for me being 6'1" and 250lbs. Drivers seat is a bit tight on the upper back / shoulders but the thighs are wider than the G Sport seats. Good headroom and leg room in the backseat for me, even sitting behind the drivers seat.

This would be replacing my wife's Cruze, not my G 😁

Seriously considering it later this year or next year when interest rates come down a bit.

 

We're set on the Audi Q5, just having a hell of a time finding one in the right color/trim/drivetrain. Any peeps with a dealer connection that want to talk to me about a 40TFSI Prem Plus in blue with black interior Q5... ping me through the forum. We'd be willing to pay for shipping down to SC.

My local dealer only has the 55 PHEVs (+20k). Same with Hilton Head. Charlotte said they could get anything we wanted, then went radio silent. Looking online I found one at a dealer in Philly and one in NYC that they could dealer-swap, but again nary a peep.

 

rotary, that reminds me of the fun I experienced when trying to hunt down my 6MT G sedan. I feel for you, but you'll eventually get one nailed down.

 

Took a year and change to find my 6MT, and had to take Amtrak to Orlando FL to get it.

Re: the Q5, I've tossed cash at the problem and hired a car buying service. He's found one in DC, trying to verify with the dealer that it's not inventory vaporware.

 

Good luck, unfortunately the 40 is probably the least common drivetrain variant. There are 2 Audi dealers in Charlotte, did you check with both? Online they only have 1 40, which they list as "rare trim" lol.

Why not step up to the 45? It's only $3000, and while hardly an insignificant amount, I'd be willing to bet the car will be worth $3000 more whenever you decide to sell/trade in.

 

I did check with both. I drove a 40 (since we could only test drive a 55 here) there to make sure it was OK - I'm in Charlotte or Greensboro fairly often for work.

I look at it like this - we've had offers to price a 45 like a 40, to get the sale (still didn't have her color/option choices). If they can do that, they can knock $3k off the MSRP of a 40 as well.

We're not in any hurry aside from scheduling around our vacation next month, aren't replacing a broken/wrecked car, aren't trading anything, so... IMHO she should get exactly what she wants. We're picky people.

Edited to add: When I drove the 40, even though it's only 200ish HP with the turbo it's got quite a bit of accel at normal driving speeds, highway included. How many folks *need* or *want* the extra 60HP for $3000, or is it just Audi would rather sell the more expensive version?

Kinda like when we got our CX-5, manual transmission was an option but only on the basement-bottom stripped model with the lame duck engine.