This is probably going to be my dad's new car (UPDATED)

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/20/2018 at 13:48 • Filed to: None

The last time I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! my dad was thinking about replacing his 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8T convertible with some kind of boring crossover, the crossover purchase wasn’t particularly imminent. Well, it’s becoming more imminent.

My dad got a fancy new job that is even fancier than the fancy job he had before, and as such he’s feeling a bit more financially comfortable, even though my parents are already rich bastards. My dad’s new job involves a 33 mile commute from their house in the DC suburbs to an office park kind of in the general direction of BWI airport. He is putting up with this commute, because, well, he’s the new CEO.

The sorta-main reason my dad wants a crossover is because at their other house near St. Michaels, MD they have a couple of boats: a 20 foot Grady White power boat and a little dinky 14 foot fiberglass sailboat. They store the power boat at a marina in the offseason. My dad motors it over to the marina, my mom drives there and picks him up. But they have a trailer for the sailboat. They use my mom’s 2005 Acura MDX to pull the sailboat 7 miles to and from wherever it gets stored for the winter. The trips to and from storage are the entirety of the towing they do in a given year.

My mom has been carping a long time about wanting to finally not drive some kind of utility vehicle. My parents keep cars a long time. They bought her MDX new, and before that she drove a 1996 Chrysler Town & Country (the fully loaded LXi trim of course) for 9 years, and then before that she had a 1989 Ford Taurus wagon (the fully loaded LX trim of course). Yes, since 1989, my mom has driven a total of 3 fully loaded utilitarian vehicles. She’s done.

So of course my dad decided he has this new job, and he’s going to splurge a little on a new crossover and get something premium-ish. He called me yesterday wanting to confirm his choice of an Audi Q5 and ask for other suggestions.

He doesn’t want some boring color, and he doesn’t want every single option, but he does want a tow hitch. The DC area Audi dealer he visited told him they’d rather do a dealer trade for some other Q5 with the hitch than install the factory accessory hitch themselves, and they found a green Q5 with brown leather seats and the hitch at a dealer in NJ where they’d do a trade.

Generally I don’t like Audis but I will admit, it looks pretty sweet in this color.

I threw a bunch of other ideas at him, including:

BMW X3 - “It only does Apple CarPlay, not Android Auto, and I don’t want to buy an iPhone just to use my phone with my car. Besides, I just can’t do a BMW, I know you’ve had 2 of them yourself but I can’t do it, it’s a snob factor or something.”

Mercedes GLC - “I’m kinda over Mercedes from the last time I had one, and I think it looks boring and there’s less cargo room than the Audi.”

Land Rover Discovery Sport - “I feel like it’s also got that snob factor like BMW.”

Jaguar F-Pace - “I like how it looks but there’s not enough cargo room and it has bad visibility.”

Porsche Macan - “I don’t need a Porsche”

Lexus NX - “I don’t like Lexus at all.”

Infiniti QX50 - “Infinitis don’t do anything for me.”

Acura RDX - “The current one is boring and I don’t want to wait for the new one.”

Lincoln MKC - “Everything I’ve read about it says it’s just not competitive.”

There might have been some others, but you get the idea.

The suggestion he was definitely open to was the XC60. The dark horse candidate I threw at him was a fully-loaded Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T Ultimate which appealed to his inner cheapskate.

So then he went and test drove the lovely red XC60 you see above. He texted me the picture and this:

XC60 is nice. In some ways superior to Q5. Dealer is offering me this in-stock T5 Inscription with trailer hitch for $46,740. Very tempting.

In a couple of follow-up texts he said he wasn’t going to buy it on the spot, he probably was going to skip looking at the Hyundai, and yes he knows if he buys a car for himself he’s going to have take my mom car shopping very soon as well.

The sticker price on the XC60 is $50,740 including destination, but that’s before adding the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and installation. Edmunds says the invoice price on this particular XC60 not including the hitch is is $47,775, so that number the dealer gave him appears to be solid.

It doesn’t have the luxury seating package that adds ventilation and massage functions to the front seats along with rear heated seats. The car he looked at has heated front seats and steering wheel but no ventilation or heated rear seats. The bolsters are similarly adjustable either way but the luxury seating package adds power adjustments to the bolsters. I think he’s probably not going to care about that.

So...maybe he’ll buy the thing in the next couple days here. We shall see what sort of fun car my mom ends up with after her 29 years of driving utility vehicles.

UPDATE:

I mentioned to him today that the price the dealer is offering is below invoice at least according to Edmunds. I mentioned the vented seats which he would kinda like but can live without. I suggested he add 3M Crystalline film to the front windows and windshield to help keep the car cooler when parked outside on hot days and he liked that idea.

He mentioned the Volvo dealer offered him $2k for his Saab, and I suggested he keep it out at the shore for something fun to tool around in. He wasn’t entirely opposed to that.

The idea of keeping the Saab has crossed my mind, but there’s the cost of insurance, plus, if it sits unused for long periods, it’ll go downhill fast. I think I’ll check with USAA.

That’s right, my dad might soon be that guy who has not one but two Swedish cars.

DISCUSSION (50)

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 11:35

Ask him to drive a Macan 2.0T. Just to drive it.

Maybe that’ll change his mind.

Textured Soy Protein > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
02/20/2018 at 11:42

I doubt I’d be able to get him to do it. He wants to have a nice car but his new job is somewhat publicly visible and he doesn’t want to come off as too fancy. He feels like sure, he can low key have a second house on the water, but rolling up to meetings in something with too fancy of a badge on it would create the wrong perception.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 11:46

Out of all Porsches, a base Macan 2.0T is about as discrete as you can get, especially with the small wheels.

Kinja'd!!!

Send him that picture and see if he likes it. It’s about as flashy as my Passat.

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 11:50

So who gets the Saab?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 11:51

its quite handsome in that color

Textured Soy Protein > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
02/20/2018 at 11:52

He knows what a Macan looks like. To him it doesn’t matter if it’s a low key looking Porsche, it’s still a Porsche.

The sticker price on a Macan with similar equipment to this XC60 is $58,840 and there’s no Android Auto.

He could pay cash for either car no problem but he wants Android Auto and he has the hangup about having too fancy of a badge.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
02/20/2018 at 11:52

It still has the Porsche badge and corporate face. Its instantly recognizable to people who pay attention to status symbols. This is the reason why you see so many leased 320i on the road. Its got the badge, its got the face, thats all some people need cause its a status symbol.

Textured Soy Protein > Steve in Manhattan
02/20/2018 at 11:55

He’s going to ask my friend’s indy Volvo shop/dealership where he gets it worked on if they want to buy it from him.

I’m going to suggest he keep it at the shore house but knowing him he won’t want to keep multiple cars.

sn4cktimes > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 11:55

As a real wildcard get him to drive a Wrangler Rubicon. If he’s been driving refined vehicles most of his life sometimes it’s fun to try something a little rougher around the edges. Gives perspective. Salesman will probably be pretty easygoing if you mention what the cross shop vehicles are. Maybe you should get him to look at a truck. Never know.

I’ve had a wide variety of vehicle types over the years, and it’s kind of funny how certain vehicles will strike a chord with you when you least expect it.

Honda CRX (89)-> GMC Sonoma (99)-> Jeep Wrangler (07)-> Hyundai Veloster (13)-> AMC Eagle (88)

Wife had a VW Golf Turbo while I had the GMC and Jeep, and then she got a Juke while I still had the Jeep and the Veloster. It’s been an interesting mix.

Textured Soy Protein > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
02/20/2018 at 11:55

Yeah, for a crossover, I dig it. I certainly would choose it over a stupid Audi Q5.

gmctavish needs more space > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 11:56

Are those wheels factory? Something looks weird about them.

If he’s concerned with not looking/feeling like a snob or whatever, Volvos generally have a more down to earth vibe than Audis.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 11:58

at the chicago autoshow volvo brought a tiffany blue XC40 with a white roof that they put ontop of their stand and my wife loved it.

although tbh from your description a green q5 with a brown leather interior does sound pretty nice too.

Textured Soy Protein > sn4cktimes
02/20/2018 at 12:00

Likelihood of him agreeing to check out a Wrangler:

Kinja'd!!!

Textured Soy Protein > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
02/20/2018 at 12:01

The green does look nice, I updated the post with a pretty press photo of it.

Textured Soy Protein > gmctavish needs more space
02/20/2018 at 12:03

Those are the factory wheels on the Inscription trim level.

I agree with you that Volvo is a less snobby brand.

TorqueToYield > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 12:10

Can’t blame him really. That’s going to be an awfully nice and comfortable place to spend a long commute. And given the quality of the roads in the DC area a crossover might not be a terrible idea for soaking up pot holes.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 12:10

yeah i really like that green, and the nougat brown audi has listed on their website isnt half bad looking, better than a boring black most of these cars will probably come in lol

Textured Soy Protein > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
02/20/2018 at 12:17

I was in the Chicago suburbs over the weekend for my grandma’s 94th bday and we drove past a huge Audi dealer. It was a sea of black, white, silver and gray cars. There were 1 each of red, yellow and blue. I think all of those were S3s or S4s. Didn’t get a good look while driving past.

Textured Soy Protein > TorqueToYield
02/20/2018 at 12:18

It’s a nice car. The roads in DC itself are sometimes crap but the highways are waaaaayyyy nicer than what we have here in Wisconsin.

Party-vi > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 12:32

Good choice. My in-laws just got a loaded T5 Inscription and it’s a fantastic car. The driver assist will be nice commuting out of DC to any number of totally-not-DoD-contractor companies near BWI.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 12:32

I’m, personally an Audi fan. I was at the dealership not too long ago and saw a few in that green color and yes, definitely a looker. That being said, of the options you listed, I’d go XC60. As much as I love Audi, Volvo really gets me going lately.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > sn4cktimes
02/20/2018 at 12:48

I would almost drive one if I could do the truck conversion I saw recently somewhere around here.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 12:50

Nice price, old platform.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 12:57

yeah most audi, mercedes, and bmw dealers down here are just 50 shades of gray boring. nobody wants the exciting colors and if they do they just order them and have them shipped over here

Textured Soy Protein > Party-vi
02/20/2018 at 13:04

He’s in the healthcare business, not the DoD business.

Textured Soy Protein > Future next gen S2000 owner
02/20/2018 at 13:06

The new XC60 is on the new Volvo platform shared with the XC90, S90 and V90.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 13:10

From the angle, I thought it looked like a 2017 XC60. Carry on.

Amoore100 > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 13:15

Excellent choice! The XC60 is rather rare to see in that color if not an R-Design yet it looks great in it so I commend his taste.

Kinja'd!!!

Party-vi > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 13:16

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure

Kinja'd!!!

Textured Soy Protein > Future next gen S2000 owner
02/20/2018 at 13:18

Yeah it’s a 2018.

Textured Soy Protein > Amoore100
02/20/2018 at 13:18

Here’s a pic from the dealer’s site.

Kinja'd!!!

Textured Soy Protein > Party-vi
02/20/2018 at 13:24

Well, I’m being mindful of not doxxing him. There’s a defense contractor down the street from his new job, but he’s in managed healthcare.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 13:28

No GX460? I’d think that would be better for towing and the godawful commute he’s gonna have on the Parkway.

Textured Soy Protein > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
02/20/2018 at 13:32

He doesn’t need a full-on truck to tow a 14 foot fiberglass sailboat 7 miles two times a year, and a crossover is way better to drive on road than a GX.

Party-vi > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 13:32

I’m just giving you shit. You can’t throw a rock down there without hitting some DoD contractor. Hell I can’t enjoy a family dinner without people bragging about their CISSP.

Textured Soy Protein > Party-vi
02/20/2018 at 13:41

“YOU’RE GODDAMN RIGHT I’M CERTIFIED IN THE ART OF INFORMATION SECURITY DAMMIT!”

boxrocket > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 13:48

XC60 is a great choice.

I’ve been car shopping with my mom to replace her hateful BMW X1, and the XC60 is a top-3 finalist, along with the Lincoln MKX (or if she waits, the Nautilus), and - somewhat to my surprise given the class of cars she’s been cross-shopping - the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring.

The suggestions you gave your dad are confusing. GLC and X3 are a size different than the F-Pace, which is closer in size to the MDX that’s being replaced and the Q5 and XC60, I believe. The XC40 and RDX would be closer competitors to the X3 and GLC.

As I said, the XC60 is a great choice, but I’d have him check out the Range Rover Velar and Lincoln MKX as well, just to be thorough.

boxrocket > Future next gen S2000 owner
02/20/2018 at 13:50

Quick way to tell: First-gen XC60s have a flat bottom window line. The 2018+ 2nd generation as a curve to the bottom edge aft of the rear doors.

boxrocket > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 13:52

Great color, but not a fan of the rest of the car, or its parent company for that matter.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 13:54

“That’s right, my dad might soon be that guy who has not one, but two Swedish cars.”

So when’s he joining Oppo?

Textured Soy Protein > boxrocket
02/20/2018 at 13:59

The F-Pace is on the long end of the compact/midsize segment by a couple inches, but it’s nowhere near the size of an MDX.

The Q5, X3, GLC and XC60 are all direct competitors.

The E-Pace and XC40 are significantly smaller.

Acura RDX - 184.4"
Acura MDX - 196.2"
Audi Q5 - 183.6"
BMW X3 - 185.9"
Jaguar E-Pace - 173.3"
Jaguar F-Pace - 186.3"
Mercedes GLC - 183.3"
Volvo XC40 - 174.2"
Volvo XC60 - 184.6"

He already pooh-poohed a Discovery Sport as too snobby so the Velar is a non-starter.

MKX is probably too big at 190" and he was similarly uninterested in an MKC.

CompactLuxuryFan > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 14:22

Can’t go wrong with either the Q5 or the Volvo. I’d lean slightly Volvo for him, even though it’s almost certainly going to be more expensive to own in the long run.

That green over brown in the Q5, though. Amazing. Would own.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 14:26

These new XC60's are one of those cars that are kinda meh in photos and specs but look absolutely fantastic on the road. I haven’t seen that red in person yet, but they have a brown that is gorgeous.

sn4cktimes > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
02/20/2018 at 14:36

I know AEV used to make a Brute kit for the TJ and JK. Not sure if they still do. They were NOT cheap.

Kinja'd!!!

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > sn4cktimes
02/20/2018 at 14:40

Yes. If you’re going to go utilitarian, go utilitarian. The overwrought four door monstrosities are just not everyman enough for my taste.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Textured Soy Protein
02/20/2018 at 15:34

That is the correct color for the XC60.

sn4cktimes > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
02/20/2018 at 16:28

I’m actually quite intrigued by the Bollinger B1. Could run it in half-cab mode, and would be great just to be the daily, and to make runs to the store, or for lumber.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > sn4cktimes
02/20/2018 at 16:37

You know, that is even better. Although I wish it looked more like a Defender 90, because they’re cool.

Or, if you’re going seriously crazy, why not build something entirely, purchasing body panels, doors, and other major parts, mating them up with a full electric drivetrain.

sn4cktimes > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
02/20/2018 at 17:27

I have been curious why no company has yet to release just a lower-battery-skid/ entire lower chassis with drivetrain scenario for custom builders to go nuts with. Seems like it’d be a good seller to places like California with the amount of shops they’ve got doing conversions and modifications.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > sn4cktimes
02/20/2018 at 17:30

I totally agree.

Then again, I strongly suspect that the future of cars is going to be really weird. Once electric truly takes over, cars will be built like this by robots. You’ll pick your drivetrain/pack/chassis, then pick your interior and body. Everything will be scaled to match the drivetrain/pack/chassis.