Family cars - what are you guys driving?

[The_Auto_Tech]

Long story short the girlfriend and I have a baby coming soon. She's already got a 4 year old. We just sold her B5 S4, and she's now driving my B5 S4, and I'm driving a 2003 GTi. Sold her S4 because we didn't need two of the same car and I made out pretty damn well selling it and needed something decent to drive while we found a new car.

After doing some thinking we originally were only going to get another manual car. Well, issue is that there's almost 0 manual cars out there that offer any sort of room in the back and can fit a stroller. The only way to fit the baby seat in almost every car we've checking into was to have the passenger seat all the way forward and the stroller doesn't fit unless we take the wheels off. I'm not a big fan of American vehicles (boring, cheap interior, cheap paint) and most Japanese stuff is not very inspiring as well. Looking for something that has a good blend of looks, room, and power (would shoot myself to drive something that's slower). The other thing is I'd like to get a vehicle that's pretty much good to go as is, i.e. I don't have to mod it to make it worthwhile. Also, after driving the GTi, I already miss AWD as soon as the weather turns south.

So, having said that it narrows things down quite a bit. We've been looking at A6's, A8's, and Phaetons. Any suggestions?

[naiku]

Tough choice, especially as you don't want anything slower. The A6 is nice, but I not really all that fast, same with the A8. The Phaeton is nice, but I believe they are a pain for any maintenance. How about an Allroad? plenty of room, decent power with either engine choice, looks good, gets you AWD, etc.

[sean1.8t]

[The_Auto_Tech]

Yea, I've drooled over the R50 Touareg as well. lol

[The_Auto_Tech]

Tough choice, especially as you don't want anything slower. The A6 is nice, but I not really all that fast, same with the A8. The Phaeton is nice, but I believe they are a pain for any maintenance. How about an Allroad? plenty of room, decent power with either engine choice, looks good, gets you AWD, etc.

I don't mean "fast" in the sense of a built up car, just talking that I don't want something that I can't step on it and feel that there's power there. The 4.2 has enough power that I wouldn't be kicking myself in the ass. I've honestly been glancing around at the S6's with the V10. They're reasonably priced for what they are. I had thought about a truck or SUV but I really have no need for one. I can count on one hand the times I've needed one in the last year, and the girlfriend's dad who lives 5 blocks away has 2 trucks that I can borrow when need be. Also, I'm not the kind of guy that could drive a truck, SUV, or van and be ok with it. Still need something that's "fun." Also, I don't think I'm the only person who thinks that trucks and SUV's aren't very good in the snow.

[sean1.8t]

well if the R50 is out of your price range, then go a little older. get an older one with the V10 TDI in manual. it's got everything you described, no?

[novtec1]

does it have to be a VW? look at a 07-08 forester XT.... 5 speed, AWD, TURBO and strong aftermarket support...and subaru dependability.

[The_Auto_Tech]

well if the R50 is out of your price range, then go a little older. get an older one with the V10 TDI in manual. it's got everything you described, no?

They didn't make the R50 in the states, nor did they offer a manual Touareg. Also, the V10 TDI is cool, but it's a nightmare once anything goes wrong with it, but they have become quite cheap.

[The_Auto_Tech]

Also, the Touareg doesn't offer much in the way of options besides the off-road ability. No heated rear seats which is odd. Also, they don't have as much room as an A6, Phaeton, or A8 would have in the back. They surprisingly aren't that roomy.

[rebelbowtie]

ha, kinda funny. my audi is my family car! i sold my lifted Chevy 2500HD for the a4 since its more family oriented. still small back seat…might regret that when the kid gets older.

[The_Auto_Tech]

does it have to be a VW? look at a 07-08 forester XT.... 5 speed, AWD, TURBO and strong aftermarket support...and subaru dependability.

Eh. Subaru still doesn't float my boat. Nothing in the way of options plus a very plastic-y interior.

[The_Auto_Tech]

ha, kinda funny. my audi is my family car! i sold my lifted Chevy 2500HD for the a4 since its more family oriented. still small back seat…might regret that when the kid gets older.

I thought about getting a 4 door truck as well, but RWD is not exactly my first choice for the winter.

[rebelbowtie]

I thought about getting a 4 door truck as well, but RWD is not exactly my first choice for the winter.

dual range 4x4 though…although trucks do suck for bad weather. only because of the heavy nose weight bias. put sand bags in the bed and its not too bad, but try and stay away from any GM truck with the np246 transfer case….actually any transfer case that ends in 6. theyre the autotrac 4x4 and the clutches like to burn out, pubs rub the side of the case until a hole pokes through and the drive shafts vibrate. typical GM quality

[The_Auto_Tech]

dual range 4x4 though…although trucks do suck for bad weather. only because of the heavy nose weight bias. put sand bags in the bed and its not too bad, but try and stay away from any GM truck with the np246 transfer case….actually any transfer case that ends in 6. theyre the autotrac 4x4 and the clutches like to burn out, pubs rub the side of the case until a hole pokes through and the drive shafts vibrate. typical GM quality

Exactly. And I'm the kind of guy that likes to go out and play in the snow a bit. Trucks and SUV's generally scare me in the snow because I can't tell what they're doing. IMO the only time a truck or SUV has the advantage in the snow is if you're talking really deep snow, and if I'm driving through something that deep I probably should be staying home. lol The automatic 4x4 really makes no sense to me, and 4WD lock is terrible to run the truck in all the time. Also, I never off-road and live in town.

[rebelbowtie]

good luck with your search…also i can tell you how automatic 4x4 works lol.

[Toast]

im in a rav4 with ~270hp in a 3500lb cuv, isnt bad but it's not my first choice
id suggest a 2009 or 2010 a6 avant with the 3.0 supercharged engine or bmw 535 wagon

[insane.nick]

I am from Tamilnadu and I currently drive Wagon R Petrol. My office is around 45 kms (up and down) which is 900kms per month. I will also be driving an extra 500 kms every months including family trip on weekends. One of my friends suggested me to go for a Diesel car considering the mileage fact. Wagon R now gives 11-12 kms with AC ON in the city. Traffic in Tamilnadu is terrible!

I am not a racer I however am an enthusiastic about cars and driving... I drive fast (120+ kmph) during weekend long trips on the highway. Can you please suggest me a good car that would fit on the below criterion:

1. Mileage is first... I need atleast 15+ kmpl in City with AC ON.
2. Resale value is also a must because I do not keep cars with me more than 2 years
3. Maintenance - I am willing to spend maintanence cost for every 5000 kms. I do this for my Wagon R too.
4. Space - I need 5 seater. 3 people should be able sit comfortably at the back seat.

I do not bother looks... Let it look great like Honda City or crappy or a typical box shaped car I don't really care. If you need anymore information please let me know.. I want some guidance in choosing a Diesel car
__________________

[jumpinj]

^^^^What?

anyway...OP check out this allroad. Pretty close to you.

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/2745388956.html 160k miles


tada!


FYI: not mine and don't know the owner but looks clean and well taken care of

[sean1.8t]

^wow clean. unknown mileage. and for the price id expect a bunch more maintenance on top of his $4500 claim

[Toast]

thought the all-roads where plagued with problems - air suspension twin turbos...

[MYDWAGON]

thought the all-roads where plagued with problems - air suspension twin turbos...

Get a V8 allroad Mine has 226k on it in 6 years.You can pick up one for $15k.I do multiple trips a year(2500k plus) with 3 adults and 1 child with no problems.

[insane.nick]

BMW X1 sDrive20d is my fav. which is one of those car models i would like to buy .

[MYDWAGON]

It looks like a Hyundai

[The_Auto_Tech]

thought the all-roads where plagued with problems - air suspension twin turbos...

I own a B5 S4 which is the same car minus the air suspension. They have repair kits for the air bags now which is much cheaper than replacing the entire strut.

[insane.nick]

It looks like a Hyundai

Hi buddy ,
How you are saying that it's look is like Hyundai .How you can compare Hyundai with it.

[jrclutch55]

A B7 avant for me

[rebelbowtie]

Hi buddy ,
How you are saying that it's look is like Hyundai .How you can compare Hyundai with it.

cuz it looks like a hyaundai sante fe

[sean1.8t]

BMW X1 sDrive20d is my fav. which is one of those car models i would like to buy .

yep:

[jumpinj]

I think the sante fe looks better

Oh BMW. so sad when the original is not as good looking as the copy cat.

[MYDWAGON]

yep:

Nuff said

[The_Auto_Tech]

Jesus, it's true. lol

Honestly, I know for sure we want roomy and AWD for sure. I feel much safer if the girlfriend is hauling the kids around in something that can get places. After going between my S4 and my GTi (both with snow tires) I can wholeheartedly say that AWD is pretty much the cat's meow in rain and snow. Makes the car so much more planted. She wants to keep manual as she loves it, but we may have to look towards automatics as well since there's not much out there that's big and manual and still has AWD.

[insane.nick]

yep:

ya it is looking somewhere like BMW but it is not exactly same as it is .

[paul-g]

go find yourself a 4.2 a6 and be done with it lol

[rk3685]

AUDI Q7 is very roomy

[insane.nick]

go find yourself a 4.2 a6 and be done with it lol

Thats funny but i think u needs that even i was not knowing about that .So just do that for yourself . lol.

[gatesautobody]

A6 may be best for your family

[insane.nick]

Hello dear ,
ya it's right Audi a6 is having all the features .The diesel variant new Audi A6 2.0 TDI on the other hand generates a power of 174 BHP @ 4200 RPM and a maximum torque of 380 Nm @ 1750-2500 RPM. The New Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro has a maximum power of 241 BHP @ 4500 RPM and a maximum torque of 500 Nm @ 1400-3250 RPM.o no doubt it's a good choice . Yo may also go with it .

[missamor]

Hi, try to read about this car mor. I heard X1 have a lot of minuses and price to big.

[USCGTO]

I am from Tamilnadu and I currently drive Wagon R Petrol. My office is around 45 kms (up and down) which is 900kms per month. I will also be driving an extra 500 kms every months including family trip on weekends. One of my friends suggested me to go for a Diesel car considering the mileage fact. Wagon R now gives 11-12 kms with AC ON in the city. Traffic in Tamilnadu is terrible!

I am not a racer I however am an enthusiastic about cars and driving... I drive fast (120+ kmph) during weekend long trips on the highway. Can you please suggest me a good car that would fit on the below criterion:

1. Mileage is first... I need atleast 15+ kmpl in City with AC ON.
2. Resale value is also a must because I do not keep cars with me more than 2 years
3. Maintenance - I am willing to spend maintanence cost for every 5000 kms. I do this for my Wagon R too.
4. Space - I need 5 seater. 3 people should be able sit comfortably at the back seat.

I do not bother looks... Let it look great like Honda City or crappy or a typical box shaped car I don't really care. If you need anymore information please let me know.. I want some guidance in choosing a Diesel car
__________________

So wait you are in India comparing a fucking suzuki compact class car with Audi's? And if you think Honda City looks great then you are in the wrong forum dude. GTFO.

And you drive FAST? 120 mph is fast on a country where most roads are regulated to 90 kmph max if not 65 kmph. ?

[insane.nick]

Hi buddy ,
It looks you are not mature .You should think this is discussion forum and why you are being aggressive .I don't think there is such any cause .So be cool dear