Car shopping

[Truth Detector]

After nearly 7 years and over 175k miles its time for a change to my daily driver. Currently a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland V6. It still looks great, runs great, I just want something a little more nimble and sportier, but still with the high end luxury. I still can't do a sedan because I routinely haul bulky stuff. I need 4WD.

My don't want list includes:

• No Asian vehicles. I just think they are chic cars.
• No FWD platforms. Too difficult to service.

My wants:

• Luxury interior comparable or better than the Jeep.
• Quiet highway ride.
• Power/ weight ratio at least 7HP/100#
• Decent gas mileage.

On my list:

• Porsche Maccan S (too much money)
• Mini Clubman JCW (price is right, p/w lower that I'd like)
• MB GLC 43
• Jag F-Pace S
• Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (too much money, gas guzzler)

Why not the BMW X-2, X-3 or X-5 series?

[MAGA MAN]

Why not the BMW X-2, X-3 or X-5 series?

My wife has a 328xi and I don't like it. The throttle response is "notchy", and it's a difficult car to service. The leather, although high quality, is hard and uncomfortable on long trips. I don't like the quality of the interior trim.

After the initial turbo lag in the Porsche, throttle response is smooth. The hood encompasses the front sides so when open, access to nearly everything is easy. The seats are the most comfortable of any that I have driven. All the interior aluminum trim are made from solid pieces, cast (or maybe billet), machined and polished to a uniform luster.

[MAGA MAN]

Aside from the sports car handling, the thing I love the most about this car is the doppelkupplung, or double clutch, transmission. It is unlike any automatic transmission that I've ever had. In fact it has more in common with a manual transmission than a typical torque converter automatic.

The clutches are wet multi-disc like a motorcycle, and set in a coaxial configuration. The gearset is split onto two separate shafts, each driven by its own clutch, one carrying gears 1,3,5 and 7, and the other carrying 2,4,6 and reverse. As one clutch is engaged the other is either speeding up or slowing down for the next shift. A gear change is done by engaging one clutch as the other is disengaged, so there is no loss of power during acceleration and the change occurs near instantaneously.

For example, while at rest, both clutches are disengaged. Releasing the brake and pressing the throttle tells the computer to engage the "odd" clutch and away you go in 1st. Meanwhile the computer sets the "even" gearset at a lower RPM; a function of the ratio between 1st and 2nd. As the car gains speed the clutch drives are "flipped" and then 2nd gear takes over. And so on up to 7th gear.

Downshifts happen in reverse of this pattern. While in 7th the 6th gearset is set to spin faster to ready for a downshift.

Thus the feel and driveability of the transmission is nearly identical to a manual gearbox.

The trick is how the computer figures out, then implements, the driver's desire to accelerate or decelerate through the gears. It does this through accelerator and brake inputs and apparently a whole lot of magic, er, algorithms. The programs are simple for performance driving- the driver is either on the gas or on the brake. The "magic" is the programming to make this work dependably in everyday driving. This explains why Porsche started using doppelkupplung in the 1980s for race cars and is only recently using it for retail cars.

[Mason Michaels]

I got new used tires for my Gremlin

[RB 60]

Aside from the sports car handling, the thing I love the most about this car is the doppelkupplung, or double clutch, transmission. It is unlike any automatic transmission that I've ever had. In fact it has more in common with a manual transmission than a typical torque converter automatic.

The clutches are wet multi-disc like a motorcycle, and set in a coaxial configuration. The gearset is split onto two separate shafts, each driven by its own clutch, one carrying gears 1,3,5 and 7, and the other carrying 2,4,6 and reverse. As one clutch is engaged the other is either speeding up or slowing down for the next shift. A gear change is done by engaging one clutch as the other is disengaged, so there is no loss of power during acceleration and the change occurs near instantaneously.

For example, while at rest, both clutches are disengaged. Releasing the brake and pressing the throttle tells the computer to engage the "odd" clutch and away you go in 1st. Meanwhile the computer sets the "even" gearset at a lower RPM; a function of the ratio between 1st and 2nd. As the car gains speed the clutch drives are "flipped" and then 2nd gear takes over. And so on up to 7th gear.

Downshifts happen in reverse of this pattern. While in 7th the 6th gearset is set to spin faster to ready for a downshift.

Thus the feel and driveability of the transmission is nearly identical to a manual gearbox.

The trick is how the computer figures out, then implements, the driver's desire to accelerate or decelerate through the gears. It does this through accelerator and brake inputs and apparently a whole lot of magic, er, algorithms. The programs are simple for performance driving- the driver is either on the gas or on the brake. The "magic" is the programming to make this work dependably in everyday driving. This explains why Porsche started using doppelkupplung in the 1980s for race cars and is only recently using it for retail cars.

They are nice, as is the Audi Q5. No doubt Porsche makes some fine automobiles. A friend has a GT3 RS, it's quite a car...

[Mason Michaels]

They are nice, as is the Audi Q5. No doubt Porsche makes some fine automobiles. A friend has a GT3 RS, it's quite a car...

What's wrong with buying American?

[RB 60]

What's wrong with buying American?

Nothing, I did.

[MAGA MAN]

They are nice, as is the Audi Q5. No doubt Porsche makes some fine automobiles. A friend has a GT3 RS, it's quite a car...

I drove a Q5 equipped at $60k and didn't like it nearly as much as the A7. The A7 equipped at $80k was so much more impressive, but my wife flipped when she saw the price. Two days after that I drove the base Macan, probably the same platform as the Q5, but it felt a lot more solid (still not as solid as the A7, but damn close).

My impression of the Macan is a like driving a brick- solid as heck, but yet nimble and quick.

The Q5 is actually faster than the Macan in the 1/4 mile. Probably weighs less.

I don't ever see myself in a 911, especially a hyper expensive one like the GT models. I like the Cayman though- maybe my wife's next car...

[Bourbon]

Why not the BMW X-2, X-3 or X-5 series?

My Brother just got a Volvo xc90 ...

I never really liked them until I finally road in on ...

Way better than the BMW SUV x5

[MAGA MAN]

My Brother just got a Volvo xc90 ...

I never really liked them until I finally road in on ...

Way better than the BMW SUV x5

You mean rode in one....

Is it a FWD platform?

[RB 60]

I drove a Q5 equipped at $60k and didn't like it nearly as much as the A7. The A7 equipped at $80k was so much more impressive, but my wife flipped when she saw the price. Two days after that I drove the base Macan, probably the same platform as the Q5, but it felt a lot more solid (still not as solid as the A7, but damn close).

My impression of the Macan is a like driving a brick- solid as heck, but yet nimble and quick.

The Q5 is actually faster than the Macan in the 1/4 mile. Probably weighs less.

I don't ever see myself in a 911, especially a hyper expensive one like the GT models. I like the Cayman though- maybe my wife's next car...

Yes, the price difference is why I didn't mention the A7. I ride along with my friend when he takes his Porsche to the Porsche/Audi dealership for maintenance every spring so we have a chance to see what's new. A BMW/Mercedes dealership is next door and we check out what they have to offer as well. I think the Porsche is a nice SUV, as is the Q5 and Q7 but I didn't test drive any of them.
When I went searching for an SUV, I wasn't looking for luxury, just simple and reliable transportation for $35k or less. I settled on the Hyundai because of the 10 yr/100,000 warranty and I got a good deal on it.

Just like the 911 GT's and my Cobra, the Cayman (I'm sure you know) is a sports car. Not the most comfortable, smooth riding or well equipped (my Cobra doesn't have a top or even a glove box!) car on the road, but they handle great and are fun to drive. If it's for the wife, make sure she takes it for a long enough test drive to get a feel for it because, well face it, most women aren't automobile aficionados. My GF says she'd never want to drive my Cobra (not that I'd let her) and bitched when I spent the money on it, but I didn't buy it for her anyway.

[MAGA MAN]

Yes, the price difference is why I didn't mention the A7. I ride along with my friend when he takes his Porsche to the Porsche/Audi dealership for maintenance every spring so we have a chance to see what's new. A BMW/Mercedes dealership is next door and we check out what they have to offer as well. I think the Porsche is a nice SUV, as is the Q5 and Q7 but I didn't test drive any of them.
When I went searching for an SUV, I wasn't looking for luxury, just simple and reliable transportation for $35k or less. I settled on the Hyundai because of the 10 yr/100,000 warranty and I got a good deal on it.

Just like the 911 GT's and my Cobra, the Cayman (I'm sure you know) is a sports car. Not the most comfortable, smooth riding or well equipped (my Cobra doesn't have a top or even a glove box!) car on the road, but they handle great and are fun to drive. If it's for the wife, make sure she takes it for a long enough test drive to get a feel for it because, well face it, most women aren't automobile aficionados. My GF says she'd never want to drive my Cobra (not that I'd let her) and bitched when I spent the money on it, but I didn't buy it for her anyway.

I am aware of the Cayman's rep for a harsh ride but was hoping that the base model would be tamer, plusher. The one I saw in the showroom looked comfy inside.

[RB 60]

I am aware of the Cayman's rep for a harsh ride but was hoping that the base model would be tamer, plusher. The one I saw in the showroom looked comfy inside.

I can't speak for the Cayman, but my friend's GT3 is difficult to get in and out of. You sit low and the seat pretty much wraps around you. Once in, it isn't bad though.

[MAGA MAN]

I can't speak for the Cayman, but my friend's GT3 is difficult to get in and out of. You sit low and the seat pretty much wraps around you. Once in, it isn't bad though.

My wife's only 5'-5", slender and flexible, so that doesn't concern me.

[RB 60]

My wife's only 5'-5", slender and flexible, so that doesn't concern me.

It could concern her though, especially if she drives it everyday.
As much as I like to drive my Cobra, I surely wouldn't want to drive it everyday.