Coworker Car Recommendation

"ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k) 09/24/2019 at 13:47 • Filed to: None

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  So I have a new coworker who is in the market for a new car – she moved from NYC and is having to drive as her primary mode of transport for the first time in a long time. She’s pretty senior in the company so think she’s looking for something on the nicer end of things. Her requirements thus far (I’m not going to argue their merits and not asking that you do the same either) –

Small SUV, likes sitting higher

Good gas mileage, preferably a hybrid

  She’s mentioned Lexus so I think she’s looking on the more premium end of things. Are there any plug-in hybrids that are options?

I’m thinking suggesting either a Rav-4 Hybrid, Lexus NX hybrid if she wants something “fancier” at the expense of practicality (does Lexus even have Carplay at this point?) …or maybe something like a Mazda CX-5 if she wants something that is still nice, but not from a premium brand, and not a hybrid but still decent fuel economy.

Or being in the PNW, probably won’t go wrong with a Subaru - a higher trim Forester might fit the bill. Perhaps Volvo XC-40 is an interesting premium-ish option as a lease?

Any other options top of mind from Oppo that you would put your name behind as a recommendation?

bob and john > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 13:52

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Audi Q3/ Q5 seems right up her alley

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > bob and john 09/24/2019 at 13:55

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Good call, hadn’t even crossed my mind - the new Q3 looks pretty decent too. How is Audi on resale and reliability these days? Probably better to consider as a lease as opposed to a long term purchase?

412GTI > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 13:56

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Lexus RX450h or Volvo XC60 T8 Hybrid if within budget. The NX could work, but I think they’re a bit small/inefficiently packaged.

On the non-luxury end, the Rav4 Hybrid seems to be great and one of the best choices. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 13:58

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I know what I’d go with

Nick Has an Exocet > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 14:03

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I would recommend the GLC350e. 

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 14:04

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A couple others from that class of cars: Tiguan, RDX

Smaller: GLA, Infiniti something (the one that shares the GLA platform), X2

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 14:08

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I skipped the Hybrid contingency. With that in mind. And wanting a smaller upmarket CUV THE UX250h seems the logical choice.

OPPOsaurus WRX > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 14:11

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Rav-4 and CX-5 are definitely not premium

how about the Volvo XC40?

bob and john > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 14:14

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okay, i’m the weird one because I’ve never had ANY issues with our VW products. a 2010 A3 DI with 250K km when we gave it back for Diesel gate, and a 2018 A3 E-tron thats still rocking around. Most of the direct people I know who have had Audis havent had issues either.

They do need to be on top of maintence scheduales.  not ‘oh, I’ll make the plugs last another 40K km”

CalzoneGolem > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 14:25

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Jeep Renegade

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > CalzoneGolem 09/24/2019 at 14:41

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Certainly my first recommendation! 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Nick Has an Exocet 09/24/2019 at 14:41

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Didn’t even know that was a thing, I like the look of the GLC! 

MultiplaOrgasms > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 14:45

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Do the decent thing:

3.5 V6 is obviously the answer , but there is also a 2.0 Turbo available (in manual as well), plus a variety of diesels a 2.2, 2.0 and 3.0 V6.

Recommended by yours truly, a former Espace owner: 3.5 V6 as it is basically the same drivetrain as a mid 2000s Nissan Maxima, and the 2.0L Diesel in either form 150hp or 173hp. The 2.0 Diesel is the best option as it is not only very reliable but also excellent on fuel (I averaged between 30-40mpg) and pretty quick for what is basically the automotive equivalent of an AMX-30 . Avoid the 2.2 and 3.0. The 2.0T is no faster than the 2.0 Diesel but worse on fuel. The 3.5 is fast and refined but has garbage fuel consumption.

Another plus is winter proof construction, a lot of the body panels are actually plastic, doors are aluminium, the rest of the bodyshell is fully galvanized steel.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > OPPOsaurus WRX 09/24/2019 at 14:47

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Personally I think the CX-5 is really nice on the inside and looks super sharp, but agreed it’s not “premium”. And while the Rav-4 is probably generically popular, it’s just so boring and ugly to me.

Definitely going to throw the XC-40 (or 60 if she can swing it) as a nice premium option. 

CalzoneGolem > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 15:04

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How can you go wrong it’s built on a similar platform as the Panda.

Manny05x > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 15:07

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Wait for the crv hybrid.

Nick Has an Exocet > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 15:11

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I remembered hearing about it on a podcast. It’s not the best PHV in the world but it’s quiet, comfy, and a Merc. 

Victorinoo > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 15:28

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Land Rover Discovery Sport. CarPlay is included 

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/24/2019 at 15:38

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Lexus does not offer a plug-in hybrid. The UX and NX are both small SUVs and also both offer CarPlay. And if she can wait for a couple months both will have Android Auto support as well. 

Klaus Schmoll > MultiplaOrgasms 09/24/2019 at 16:36

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Stop sniffing paint thinner!! Or do you want to make me come over and whack you on the nose with a rolled up newspaper? Ich weiss wo dein Haus wohnt! :)