Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Buckturgidson on December 22, 2019, 03:07:04 PM
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I saw one on the road and it looked pretty cool, from the standpoint of a 58 yo WASP anyway. It has AWD and a 250 hp turbo standard on all trims, and is priced comparably to all the cookie-cutter crossovers with less power. Built in Germany. It would be great for skiing, I am tempted. Less than a small Jetta wagon with 168 hp.
https://www.buick.com/crossovers/regal/tourx
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It's going to get the "axe" after the 2020 model year. Apparently developed and built by Opel (which GM no longer owns, Peugeot does).
"As a bonus, axing the Regal will finally allow Buick to end its reliance on former sister company Opel, which General Motors sold to Paris-based Peugeot in 2017. It developed the Regal, and manufactures it in a factory located next to Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany."
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It is a neat car and sad GM is pulling the plug.
We love wagons and own a VW Alltrack, similar car and there are great deals out there now for them because even VW is dropping wagons. It’s a shame; not an SUV fan.
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Agree...nice looking...saw one in the wild the other day and was surprised to see the Buick emblem.
Reminds me of the Audi Avant I used to have.
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Meh. It looks just like our Enclave, but stepped on.
-AJ
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VW Alltrack owner here also. Glad we got ours before VW pulled the plug. Have owned it for 1 1/2 years and performs to our expectations. Gotta say the Buick Tour X is a sleeper as well. 250 HP/290 ft lbs of torque/AWD. Go to Car Gurus and there are unbelievable deals on them. $35,XXX MSRP selling new for $24- $25 K. Long roofs are still popular in Europe, don't understand this "must buy SUV only" mentality in the USA. Of course I am also a fan of Honda Ridgelines and the coming Hyundai Santa Cruz. Bigger & heavier isn't always needed. YMMV.
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"must buy SUV only"
And here in northern Nevada the giant truck thing is unreal. A high percentage of people are driving huge trucks, mostly commuting or as everyday drivers. There appears to be a competition for who has the largest, and highest-raised truck. Where well it end? In five years will trucks used for commuting be another 20% larger?
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"must buy SUV only"
And here in northern Nevada the giant truck thing is unreal. A high percentage of people are driving huge trucks, mostly commuting or as everyday drivers. There appears to be a competition for who has the largest, and highest-raised truck. Where well it end? In five years will trucks used for commuting be another 20% larger?
People buy 'em because they can afford them and they like big things. Regular people with jobs who buy vehicles for commuting have got more money than they've ever had in their lives, and are splashing it out on giant vehicles and the fuel to run them.
Not my thing, but probably many people wouldn't spend their money on the stuff I spend MY money on, so it all comes out even ....
Lannis (I used "even" instead of "evenly" for effect, in case any pedants are lurking ... !)
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Peugeot is now in partnership with Fiat Chrysler. The name of the new company is yet to be determined.
kk
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Compare a 1980 or even a 1990 pickemup to a 2000 or newer. The newer you get the bigger they get. Taller and longer but load ratings haven't changed.
Wheels have gone from 15" to 20 and larger. Its to the point its getting hard to find 15" tires for my "little"92 Dakota....which weighs a full two tons.
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VW Alltrack owner here also. Glad we got ours before VW pulled the plug. Have owned it for 1 1/2 years and performs to our expectations. Gotta say the Buick Tour X is a sleeper as well. 250 HP/290 ft lbs of torque/AWD. Go to Car Gurus and there are unbelievable deals on them. $35,XXX MSRP selling new for $24- $25 K. Long roofs are still popular in Europe, don't understand this "must buy SUV only" mentality in the USA. Of course I am also a fan of Honda Ridgelines and the coming Hyundai Santa Cruz. Bigger & heavier isn't always needed. YMMV.
Golf Sportwagen owner here. I too am dismayed at the disappearance of wagons from the US market, replaced by the proliferation of tall dork wagons (crossovers and SUVs).
OK, for those of you who like the crossovers and SUVs, good for you, I'm not going to judge. I just don't want to drive one. My wagon has as much cargo space as a mid-sized SUV, but, handles better, gets much better fuel economy, and doesn't require ladder to load bicycles and kayaks on the roof. Many of the great wagons that used to be available here (and still are for a limited time), including the Golf wagon were/are available in AWD for those who need (or feel they need) it.
We've had a wagon in our garage for 20 years now, and cringe at the though of having to get an SUV when it is time to replace the Sportwagen. I hate being forced to compromise and buy what everyone else likes/wants. I don't want to go back to a sedan, wagons are so much more versatile.
Our previous wagons:
1995 Volvo 850 Turbo (only kept 3 years, because the automatic transmission bored us to tears).
2000 BMW 323iT (5 speed manual)
2012 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen (6 speed manual) -- sold back to VW dieselgate
Current:
2015 VW Golf TDI Sportwagen (6 speed manual)
Contrary to popular believe, you do not need an SUV to tow a trailer either. Stupidly, most automakers won't offer trailer hitches on cars in the US, but, if you check the same cars in Europe, most mid-size cars are rated for 1,500-2,000kg towing. Our VW is rated for 1,500kg (3,300#).
I've towed 2000# popup-campers (with the BMW), and open and enclosed (V-nose aluminum 6x12) motorcycle trailers (current VW + previous 2013 Golf TDI).
The only wagons left in the US market after the departure of the Buick and VW wagons will be Mercedes, Audi, BMW (also gone after this year) and Volvo -- all way above my pay grade, all automatic only :sad:.
I think I read somewhere that Audi's wagons are being pulled from the market too, in favor of they Q-series SUVs.
:sad: :sad: :sad:
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When traveling to the States on business I sometime am accompanied by a company person that has never been to the USA.
The thing they are most astounded by usually are the BIG pickups and the drive throughs...both are unremarkable to me.
Go figure...
:-)
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Also called the ZB Comodore in other markets.
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And the evolution from station wagon to van to mini-van to "sport utility vehicle" to station wagon is almost complete. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Also called the ZB Comodore in other markets.
Looks like the Australia version?
"Buick will continue to sell it in the Chinese market because motorists there still buy sedans, and Opel/Vauxhall will keep offering its version of the car (called the Insignia) across Europe."
"From 2018 the Holden Commodore is fully imported from Opel Germany, and is a badge-engineered Opel Insignia."
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I went to look at one a year or so ago. Apparently they hadn't been delivered to the dealers yet. I asked the salesman about the new wagon coming out and he was totally clueless and never heard of it.
It looks like a pretty nice car. Perhaps the last of the Buick Opels since GM has sold the company. The reviews were mildly disappointing but I haven't driven one. It's not available with a stick and I think the nice ones are loaded down with all wheel drive. I've always liked the idea of a sportwagen, very popular in Europe. I see that BMW has stopped importing them.
European Buick with AWD, what could go wrong?
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Buick's should look like this, especially at Christmas.
(https://i.ibb.co/vc719Kf/IMG-8763.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vc719Kf)
upload images (https://imgbb.com/)
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I really like the Buick wagon. Especially in the AWD trim. Would pick it over the "dime a dozen" Subarus, which are what rule the AWD wagon market in the mountains where I live.
It's kind of a shame it only has 250bhp. Kind of low compared to other AWD cars a person can buy.
Sure, they're discontinuing it, but GM dealers will be able to maintain it, and it will be sort of a unique car to drive.
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I really like the Buick wagon. Especially in the AWD trim. Would pick it over the "dime a dozen" Subarus, which are what rule the AWD wagon market in the mountains where I live.
It's kind of a shame it only has 250bhp. Kind of low compared to other AWD cars a person can buy.
Sure, they're discontinuing it, but GM dealers will be able to maintain it, and it will be sort of a unique car to drive.
Dunno if you get it there but locally it was avalible with a 3.something litre V6 which is a long lost decendant of the buick 3.8 it not fancy but it should hang in there, yes this is the imported version Commodores lowish sales numbers have tanked off the back of this thing. No V8 and AWD not seen as much of an advantage, FWD on the cheaper models is trying to compete with the Camry ,all the pervious versions were RWD. People who don't care about a car are going to buy the camry without cross shopping trying to get into that market is pretty hard IMO. Keep looking at secound hand VF's but I'm kinda cheap when it comes to cars and I've never brought a new one.
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Peugeot is now in partnership with Fiat Chrysler. The name of the new company is yet to be determined.
kk
Peuchiat ?
Dusty
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The Tour X is a nice looking car. Always been a fan of the wagons.
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Also a fan of the wagon over the SUV and was interested when this model was introduced last year. Unfortunately, don't need/want an AWD vehicle and this is the only way the Regal TourX was made. Also now knowing that Opal is involved even have less interest; especially if anything like the Opals of my youth.
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knowing that Opal is involved even have less interest; especially if anything like the Opals of my youth.
That's about like saying you don't want a 2019 Fiat because of the 1977 model 124 that left you stranded.
Modern Opels are nice cars.
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I really like the Buick wagon. Especially in the AWD trim. Would pick it over the "dime a dozen" Subarus, which are what rule the AWD wagon market in the mountains where I live.
There's a reason that they're a "dime" and there are "dozens" of them, those Subarus.
They're not expensive, they do what it says on the tin, and they last a long long time. I can't imagine that someone has a "cachet" or "street cred" because they're driving a Buick instead of a Subaru? Does anyone even notice?
Lannis
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There's a reason that they're a "dime" and there are "dozens" of them, those Subarus.
They're not expensive, they do what it says on the tin, and they last a long long time. I can't imagine that someone has a "cachet" or "street cred" because they're driving a Buick instead of a Subaru? Does anyone even notice?
Lannis
No doubt the Subaru Outbacks work as advertised. But, I'm a Guzzisti, and must not follow the crowd. It's in my DNA.
If I was buying an AWD wagon, I'd by the Buick TourX.
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I just wouldn't.
I was tempted but when the salesman had never heard of it, nevermind.
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My only real concern is if it has a ZF gearbox (which is more than likely) do not screw around with the service intervals and make sure the consumables meet the manufacturers requirements, they tend to bite hard if its ignored.
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A comparably priced Subaru Outback weighs the same, over 3700 lbs., and has an anemic normally aspirated engine. The Tour X has considerably more horsepower and torque, 250 hp/295 torque versus 182 hp/176 torque for the Outback. It's apples to oranges from a power/weight standpoint. The Buick appeals to me because it is not a cookie-cutter SUV/crossover and the performance is superior for the same price.
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On my second Outback, and this one will be my last. Not because it is problematic or anything, it is a six-speed manual and the last of its breed. And I don't care what the marketing people say, it is a wagon. I also have a 96 Suburban 2500HD. That is an SUV. It does truck things. The Outback is a weapon in the snow, gets decent fuel mileage, and has a ton of room. I like the Buick- if it came with a stick, I'd be a player on style alone. As a dedicated three pedal guy, my choices are dwindling quickly, so I will likely just rebuild the Subaru motor and trans when they finally wear out.
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Buick makes a decent vehicle, but the brand will eventually get killed off by GM. Always does well in the warranty reports, settling above average, if that is important to you. Unfortunately, they can’t shake the image of being an elderly person’s vehicle.
If you like bigger wagons Volvo makes some nice vehicles and they are much more aesthetically pleasing than the ones they pumped out in the 80’s.
VW is killing off their wagon line as they don’t sell well in North America. Too bad, as a good little vehicle, but it comes down to consumer tastes in the USA.
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That's about like saying you don't want a 2019 Fiat because of the 1977 model 124 that left you stranded.
Modern Opels are nice cars.
According to almost every trade publication the 2019 Fiats don't fare any better than my friends 124 in 1976; just sayin'.....
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The Opel/Regal model line is very nice for a GM. But as others have said, Opel is Kaput with GM, and now owned by Peugeot, last year for this model. GM does it again...... Killed Pontiac, Killed Oldsmobile (unforgivable sin) Killed Saturn, Killed Saab (and even blocked its sale so they could keep the technology Saab developed) Now at least they Sold Opel instead of killing it, though they almost did.... https://www.industryweek.com/leadership/article/22026011/peugeots-owner-does-to-opel-what-gm-failed-to-do-in-20-years. It's a wonder how they are still in business. Too big to fail....
Anyway, getting back to your question, I think that given the limited number of sales on this model, that it is no longer GM, resale will be worse than normal (if that were possible) and maintenance/repair may be a nightmare, particularly for body parts. Volvo still makes a nice midsize wagon, the V60 I think, as of course does Subaru. We had an 3.0R outback, put 250K on it with just tires and brakes. Wish they would sell a standard wagon alongside the lifted outback. The VW is a nice option too, but feels very barebone.
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Too bad Camry and Accord ended their wagon lines. Everything has gone to crossovers. The small ones look very practical to me and have AWD options. Honda HR-V and CR-V. Toyota Rav4.
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I sold Hondas when the last generation Camry wagon was introduced. First thought? " That styling will sell a lot of Hondas!"
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I sold Hondas when the last generation Camry wagon was introduced. First thought? " That styling will sell a lot of Hondas!"
Pretty nice for a Toyota
(https://gaadiwaadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/toyota-camry-wagon-estate.jpg)
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Honda wagons always looked like an afterthought, to be kind, and Toyota, although dependable, have designed very few vehicles to make one’s heart race. IMHO
The RAV4’s engine has the heartbeat of a hamster, but they sell a boatload of them. It and the Honda CRV are the top selling SUV’s in Canada.
Subaru makes a good AWD system and they keep prices down by utilizing dependable but less advanced transmissions, etc. Decent vehicles for the money.
Yes, I love hatchbacks and “sportwagons”. :)
Merry Christmas and all the best in 2020!
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Long roofs are still popular in Europe, don't understand this "must buy SUV only" mentality in the USA.
No, they are not. Of course a wagon is a much more sensible buy than a castle- (or wardrobe-) like SUV. But about 50% of the people here in Europe, especially in Germany, buy SUV´s. VW even stops the Passat which was mostly sold as wagon. They sell Tiguans. Even the nice station wagons from Mercedes and BMW are widely outbought by the pseudo - offroad- lumps-of-metal. Which are always much slower than the wagons with the same engines. and need a lot more gas.
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Fossil: I should have added the word "more" in front of popular. As in more popular in Europe than the USA.
As you stated, the SUV market in Europe is on the increase capturing 34% of the market compared to 11% for wagons, which is declining. But that is still significantly larger than the 2% of market share here. Europe accounted for 72% of global wagon sales in 2017. Europe's top 5 countries for wagon sales by market share in 2019 are:
1. Sweden 31% 2. Czech Republic 21% 3. Germany 17% 4. Poland 15% 5. Netherlands 14%
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(https://i.ibb.co/Rh2bJMc/2020-buick-regal-tourx-mmp-1-1573756946.png) (https://ibb.co/Rh2bJMc)
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I'd trade my Accord if Honda or Toyota made something that looked like Camry image above.
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I love the look of those "shooting brakes". In my world I've needed a mini van (think pickup truck with covered bed).
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I hope that wagons can make a comeback before I need to replace my Golf Sportwagen.
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There's a reason that they're a "dime" and there are "dozens" of them, those Subarus.
They're not expensive, they do what it says on the tin, and they last a long long time. I can't imagine that someone has a "cachet" or "street cred" because they're driving a Buick instead of a Subaru? Does anyone even notice?
Lannis
[/quote
Oh and don't forget resale value of Subies. That Buick will drop like rock.
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There's a reason that they're a "dime" and there are "dozens" of them, those Subarus.
They're not expensive, they do what it says on the tin, and they last a long long time. I can't imagine that someone has a "cachet" or "street cred" because they're driving a Buick instead of a Subaru? Does anyone even notice?
Lannis
Oh and don't forget resale value of Subies. That Buick will drop like rock.
As I read this thread, I realize that I'm probably out of the "new car" market forever. We bought a new Pontiac in 1984, and a new Subaru in 2012, and that's all the new cars we've ever bought.
While they were servicing the 2012 Subaru the other day (I get lifetime free state inspections and light bulb changes), I was looking in the showroom at the new Subarus. All of the ones they had in the showroom had "lane holding cameras" and "lane space radar" that turns the steering wheel and puts on the brakes for people who are texting or sleeping while they drive. We're never buying anything that promises to take control of the car away from me, and I'm not paying for it even if it can be turned off.
There are a world of very nice older cars out there; since we don't need cameras, in-dash entertainment systems, GPS, or any of that stuff, a 1990s car will do us very well in the foreseeable future. Heated seats, though; Fay is in love with the heated seats .... !
Lannis
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Lanis' new car and chauffeur.
(https://media.sciencephoto.com/image/f0143917/800wm/F0143917-Robot_driving_car,_illustration.jpg)
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The last Camry wagon in the US made it's debut in 1993, I think. It was a stylistic turd.
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The last Camry wagon in the US made it's debut in 1993, I think. It was a stylistic turd.
This "beauty"? :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/1993-1994_Toyota_Camry_%28SDV10%29_Executive_station_wagon_02.jpg/800px-1993-1994_Toyota_Camry_%28SDV10%29_Executive_station_wagon_02.jpg)
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https://www.motortrend.com/cars/buick/regal/2018/2018-buick-regal-tourx-vs-2018-subaru-outback-3-6r-vs-2018-volkswagen-golf-alltrack/
They give the Buick the edge.
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This "beauty"? :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/1993-1994_Toyota_Camry_%28SDV10%29_Executive_station_wagon_02.jpg/800px-1993-1994_Toyota_Camry_%28SDV10%29_Executive_station_wagon_02.jpg)
How about an update?
(https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/9np61/s1/toyota-camry-wagon-render.jpg)
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https://www.motortrend.com/cars/buick/regal/2018/2018-buick-regal-tourx-vs-2018-subaru-outback-3-6r-vs-2018-volkswagen-golf-alltrack/
They give the Buick the edge.
$40k for a VW Golf? I can see why the Buick won.
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Lanis' new car and chauffeur.
(https://media.sciencephoto.com/image/f0143917/800wm/F0143917-Robot_driving_car,_illustration.jpg)
I know that most people think that our dystopian robot-controlled future will be lovely.
I think that THIS outcome is much more likely ....
(https://photos.smugmug.com/General/i-CNB8n7t/0/a2c62f02/O/johnnycab.jpg) (https://lannisselz.smugmug.com/General/i-CNB8n7t/A)
Lannis
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Whew, that 1993 Camry wagon. Not going to be able to "unsee" that for awhile. That borders on disturbing.
Our mid level trim 2018 Alltrack SE MSRP was $32,XXX. Purchased for $27,XXX, so they were/are dealing on them as well, just not as much as the Buick Tour X. Our car has the 17 inch wheels, so not as harsh as the 18" found on the highest trim package, but the car does have a stiffer suspension which is to our liking because we have always been "sportswear" folks. Others prefer a softer ride, which in the article from the above posted link, would be better suited with the Outback or Buick. What suits your needs best depends on your priorities. I could probably be happy with any of them.
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"sportscar" not "sportswear". Gotta love autocorrect. :violent1:
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How about an update?
(https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/9np61/s1/toyota-camry-wagon-render.jpg)
Never sold in the US.
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Never sold in the US.
Nor anywhere else.
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No doubt the Subaru Outbacks work as advertised. But, I'm a Guzzisti, and must not follow the crowd. It's in my DNA.
If I was buying an AWD wagon, I'd by the Buick TourX.
Chuckled when I read this.
We already have 2 newer Subaru's in the the family herd, Crosstrek's in that ugly orange color. They are perfectly acceptable appliances, but I couldn't see myself driving an Outback.
Purchased a fully loaded TourX and find it to be a very capable vehicle. Purchase experience was interesting...most dealers I contacted were clueless of it's existence. MSRP was $42K, paid $30K out the door. The 2 liter turbo is quite strong, 250 HP/295 torques. All the bits and pieces are put together well, no rattles/squeeks. Spacious interior with comfortable seats.
Soft spots...the transmission is tuned for efficiency and shifts early. Some of the Opel DNA was removed by the Buick bean counters. Adaptive Matrix lighting, sport seats, HUD, switch to disable auto start/stop, and selectable performance modes were excluded from the Buick version.
Too bad Buick didn't make any effort to market this thing.
I also appreciate how rare these things are. In my 13 months/17K miles of ownership, I still haven't seen another one on the road. I'm constantly stopped by folks in parking lots and gas stations asking questions...is that the new Audi or Maserati are typical. When I tell them it's a Buick, they are amazed. perhaps Buick should have used this model in their TV ads that had the "it's a Buick" theme.
Glad I didn't follow the crowd.
(https://i.ibb.co/JtrT4dB/buick.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JtrT4dB)
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:thumb:
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Yesterday I was looking to see if there were any at the local dealers and there is one and I might take a look out of curiosity. Listed at $39K and they want $30. Then I looked at one of the video reviews of the car and there were the regular complaints about this and that; the roof rack looks like a terrible after thought, the leather seats are as hard as a rock though they are comfortable and the plastic interior parts look cheap especially in black. German made car made cheap by GM bean counters is what they said.
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There have only been maybe 10 cars that would be considered attractive by an artistic person born before the age of the automobile. A car either works or it doesn't , styling is really a nonissue .
Dusty
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the plastic interior parts look cheap especially in black.
Is something that could be said about almost every car built over the past few decades.
It's really hard to make plastic look attractive. Especially in black... Ford, GM, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, etc., etc.,
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I bought a TourX yesterday. It's a German car (Opel Insignia) with Buick badging. There were none local, so I flew to Utah to get a loaded 2019 in Essence trim for $10,130 off sticker. It's great for gobbling up miles in comfort and in general. I did 510 miles door-to-door from Tooele Utah to my house in 6 and a half hours, seriously. The speed limit on I-80 is 80 mph across Nevada. The only way to get heated leather seats/steering wheel is with the highest trim level, so it has a bunch of farkly crap I didn't really want, that is my only complaint.
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I hate these SUVs and Crossovers, or at least I hate their drivers! Go with smaller vehicles. Take a trip overseas and see how people get by with small cars.
I would consider only the Tesla X. I drove the Jaguar i Pace, not bad.
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Glad I didn't follow the crowd.
(https://i.ibb.co/JtrT4dB/buick.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JtrT4dB)
[/quote]
Ditto to that, mine is the same color. I think they looks best in white but I could not find one reasonably close with the price/options I wanted. Our metallic gray works though, the car looks good in any color.
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I can't say for sure what is going on. But Opel recently became part of Peugeot. Then Peugeot has just recently merged with Fiat Chrysler. You may have something of an orphan, can't say for sure. Maybe that is why they are being discounted so heavily. Still a good car. The new company, yet tobe named, is working on market placement for all their products.
kk
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"must buy SUV only"
And here in northern Nevada the giant truck thing is unreal. A high percentage of people are driving huge trucks, mostly commuting or as everyday drivers. There appears to be a competition for who has the largest, and highest-raised truck. Where well it end? In five years will trucks used for commuting be another 20% larger?
Maybe they can't afford to have a commuter car and a truck so they have to drive their truck every day. I have a Nissan Titan S king cab and a GMC 2500 HD and a Buick Encore (32mpg) for commuting. The GMC tows the horse trailer and the Titan tows my bikes so I can have them with me when working out of town.
Some people are forced to drive their weekend toys to the job every day. Jeeps, Trucks, Sports cars, etc.
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Maybe they can't afford to have a commuter car and a truck so they have to drive their truck every day. I have a Nissan Titan S king cab and a GMC 2500 HD and a Buick Encore (32mpg) for commuting. The GMC tows the horse trailer and the Titan tows my bikes so I can have them with me when working out of town.
Some people are forced to drive their weekend toys to the job every day. Jeeps, Trucks, Sports cars, etc.
The Buick should have a 2000kg tow rating which will cover most things.
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Glad I didn't follow the crowd.
(https://i.ibb.co/JtrT4dB/buick.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JtrT4dB)
Congrats! Beautiful car, enjoy it!
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I hate these SUVs and Crossovers, or at least I hate their drivers! Go with smaller vehicles. Take a trip overseas and see how people get by with small cars.
I would consider only the Tesla X. I drove the Jaguar i Pace, not bad.
Don't have to go overseas as we have a couple good options here in the US for us smaller car fans. We LOVE our VW's, and I picked up one of the last diesels when VW started selling them back to the public through the dealers after the EPA fix. I routinely get 40-50 MPG and the reliability has been fantastic, to go along with the 160 K mile drivetrain warranty I got because it was a CPO car. It's a 6 speed, and I plan to put a hidden trailer hitch on it as it will pull 1500 pounds, enough for a motorcycle or car engine et al, which is all I really need to haul. It's a fun car to drive, handles almost as well as my GTI and pulls like a freight-train with Guzzi-like torque.
We love this and my VW Alltrack wagon. Both are discontinued now due to the US market seemingly SUV crazy, but both are still available and are great deals right now. All said - we considered the Tour X but at the time they were $10-15K more than the Alltrack. Maybe with today's prices we would have considered the Tour X.
I still have hopes for other marques as well such as Subaru and Mazda, but they are also increasingly shifting to SUVs. If Mazda had brought their Skyactiv Diesel with the Mazda 6 wagon - that would have probably been sitting in our garage as the first Mazda ever. Gorgeous cars and with a diesel would have been an amazing long-term vehicle.
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Maybe they can't afford to have a commuter car and a truck so they have to drive their truck every day. I have a Nissan Titan S king cab and a GMC 2500 HD and a Buick Encore (32mpg) for commuting. The GMC tows the horse trailer and the Titan tows my bikes so I can have them with me when working out of town.
Some people are forced to drive their weekend toys to the job every day. Jeeps, Trucks, Sports cars, etc.
I'm sure some people fall into that category, but I suspect a lot of the drivers just want a huge truck (preferably with a chrome grill the size of a barn door) whether they need it or not. The women I work with always laugh and say they are compensating for something, either height or something else...
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The Tour X is a very nice wagon. I really like the 5 door hatch/sedan. Is very nice, but as GM sold Opel, and is now owned by Peugeot, which just merged with Fiat/Chrysler will not continue. At least the Goober Moron car company didn't kill Opel as they did Saab, Saturn, Pontiac, Oldsmobile.....
Most SUV's are just tall wagons with body cladding. The current trend... so what. Volvo, BMW, Audi, Mercedes all still sell wagons. Jaguar will sell one soon, other than Subaru's outback, looks like pure old school low wagons are for Richie Rich......... Auto manufacturers are in business to sell, and right now the tall wagon suv (aka cross over) is what people want. It's a shame VW diddn't keep their All Track Wagon, looks like they are going full SUV with the TROC series.
Last wagon I was interested in was the 1970 Vista Cruiser............ ...
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I'm sure some people fall into that category, but I suspect a lot of the drivers just want a huge truck (preferably with a chrome grill the size of a barn door) whether they need it or not. The women I work with always laugh and say they are compensating for something, either height or something else...
Full size pickups have been the #1 selling vehicles in the US for many years. I think people that feel the need to justify/criticized/speculate on why people buy and own what they do are saying more about themselves then the person they are mocking, but thats just me. I mean EVERYBODY knows Prius drivers are morally superior, just ask them ;-)
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One thing to consider.
The trend towards SUVs over sedans and wagons may be feeding itself in a way some don't realize.
One clear advantage that SUVs and Trucks offer over cars, that makes itself more obvious in times or areas of high traffic, is it betters your view of the road.
My wife used to love her Mini Cooper, and her Turbo Beetle before that, and her Cabriolet before that, and her Festiva before that still...
But once she started commuting in her Grand Cherokee well that small, low car ship sailed and she won't even look at them anymore. She no longer likes sitting low being surrounded by giants she can't see past, over, or around.
Big vehicles have begot the need for big vehicles, at least in some.
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The Buick should have a 2000kg tow rating which will cover most things.
Almost spit out my coffee when I read your post. :laugh:
When you really understand how tow ratings are influenced by marketing hype you will laugh too!
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Full size pickups have been the #1 selling vehicles in the US for many years. I think people that feel the need to justify/criticized/speculate on why people buy and own what they do are saying more about themselves then the person they are mocking, but thats just me. I mean EVERYBODY knows Prius drivers are morally superior, just ask them ;-)
:thumb: :thumb:
Here we are on a motorcycle forum where the vast majority of us burn fuel for entertainment, and yet we have people mocking others for burning fuel driving to work in the style vehicle they want to own. :shocked: LOL!
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Small SUVs seem to be replacing sedans. I recently got Mrs. larrys a 2015 Audi Q3. Basically an A4 engine and AWD drivetrain with a higher, boxy body. She likes it much better than the Subaru Legacy wagon it replaced. She has made the comment about being higher and having better visibility in traffic.
Larry
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Almost spit out my coffee when I read your post. :laugh:
When you really understand how tow ratings are influenced by marketing hype you will laugh too!
It is sold here as the commodore full sized sedans are expected to be able to tow for 2tonne the trailer would have to have brakes, otherwise what is the point of them. the 3.5tonne tow capability of some of the dual cab 4wds are a bit rubbery figures.
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I like smaller vehicles for short, sporty jaunts, but I do not like them for long trips or hauling things. Larger vehicles are generally more comfortable on long trips and much more practical for hauling things.
If my wife and I could have only one vehicle, it would have to be a pickup truck. Not only is she from Texas, but we drive long distances and haul loads in the bed (lumber, gravel, dirt, feed, groceries, luggage, a new Traeger, etc.), while our large dogs are in the crew cab back seat area. A wagon or SUV would not work for hauling as much as we do...
A wagon like the Tour X would be a good second vehicle!
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There's a reason that they're a "dime" and there are "dozens" of them, those Subarus.
They're not expensive, they do what it says on the tin, and they last a long long time. I can't imagine that someone has a "cachet" or "street cred" because they're driving a Buick instead of a Subaru? Does anyone even notice?
Lannis
All right, I'm just about to go Right Off of Subarus.
I've been boosting our 2012 Outback ever since Fay bought it new, and it's been good for us, hasn't cost much, drives well, has been doing what it says on the tin.
It has 156,000 miles, so I took it in for a full service - CVT oil flush, differentials on the AWD, and all like that.
That was going to be about $800 all together.
BUT .... there was a hum in the rear end, the sunroof was acting dodgy, and the Check Engine light would come on about once ever tank of gas (I turn it off every time with the OBD II reader), so I got them to look into those.
$800 for the service
$1400 for a new sunroof (it stuck open while they were checking it and it won't close)
$1500 for a new catalytic converter (that's the Check Engine light, the cat con failed)
$670 for a new rear wheel bearing
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$ 4370 mostly unexpected.
I mean, I've been driving my Festiva for 7 years, not put any money in it, and the whole car only cost $2800.
I don't know whether it's just this car, or whether I'm not "modern new car" material, but I can tell you that it's not chicken feed for an old man on a fixed pension, coming out of the blue ....
I belong to another age.
Lannis
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All right, I'm just about to go Right Off of Subarus.
I've been boosting our 2012 Outback ever since Fay bought it new, and it's been good for us, hasn't cost much, drives well, has been doing what it says on the tin.
It has 156,000 miles, so I took it in for a full service - CVT oil flush, differentials on the AWD, and all like that.
That was going to be about $800 all together.
BUT .... there was a hum in the rear end, the sunroof was acting dodgy, and the Check Engine light would come on about once ever tank of gas (I turn it off every time with the OBD II reader), so I got them to look into those.
$800 for the service
$1400 for a new sunroof (it stuck open while they were checking it and it won't close)
$1500 for a new catalytic converter (that's the Check Engine light, the cat con failed)
$670 for a new rear wheel bearing
---------
$ 4370 mostly unexpected.
I mean, I've been driving my Festiva for 7 years, not put any money in it, and the whole car only cost $2800.
I don't know whether it's just this car, or whether I'm not "modern new car" material, but I can tell you that it's not chicken feed for an old man on a fixed pension, coming out of the blue ....
I belong to another age.
Lannis
Doesn't sound like a bad deal, particularly for a Subaru. Don't go to Scotty Kilmer's YouTube and hear his spiel. He's no fan of flat engines regardless of make.
$4k for 150k+ miles? Cry us a river. .........Not going to be the first bill you'll get.
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Doesn't sound like a bad deal, particularly for a Subaru. Don't go to Scotty Kilmer's YouTube and hear his spiel. He's no fan of flat engines regardless of make.
$4k for 150k+ miles? Cry us a river. .........Not going to be the first bill you'll get.
My problem is that I've bought a LOT of cars for less than $4K ... so a $4k repair bill seems astronomical.
As I said, I might not be cut out for a "new" car. Seems like a lot of money for not much benefit.
Lannis
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Lannis don't you have a local garage mechanic. Those prices might be typical dealer prices but most mom and pop places would charge about 1/3rd of that, at least around here. I have never used a dealer for service once the warranty is up.
Pete
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Lannis don't you have a local garage mechanic. Those prices might be typical dealer prices but most mom and pop places would charge about 1/3rd of that, at least around here. I have never used a dealer for service once the warranty is up.
Pete
It's definitely time, I think. Because we bought the car new there, we've had the dealer do all the service, which up to now, has been oil changes, light bulbs, and the normal timing belt change-out at 120,000 miles.
But if it's going to act like this, it's just a regular used car now, and I'm going to do like you suggest and take it to the regular used car mechanic that works on my old vehicles. I'll bet he can put a junkyard cat-con on there for WAY less than the dealer would do ....
Lannis
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$670.00 for one (1) wheel bearing? Go to Rock Auto or Parts Geek online and check out some options. I have recently been pricing wheel bearings and hub replacement of my 2006 Mini S. All four corners with high grade Timken costs around $525.00. I think you definitely need to jump online and do some homework.
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$670.00 for one (1) wheel bearing? Go to Rock Auto or Parts Geek online and check out some options. I have recently been pricing wheel bearings and hub replacement of my 2006 Mini S. All four corners with high grade Timken costs around $525.00. I think you definitely need to jump online and do some homework.
Yep, you're right. It's just that I do most all my own work or at least the planning and budgeting for all my other cars, my bikes, and my equipment, and I haven't had to fool with this one because it's been "new".
Time to change that. I apparently just wanted to have a good moan about it first; I hate these kinds of surprises!
Lannis
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As a former Subaru owner, be thankful that the head gasket, tranny or CV joints weren't on the list,lol :laugh:
I think any decent independent mechanic should be able to mcgyver your sunroof back into position so it's weatherproof; the money you saved on that job would probably cover all the other work that needs to get done.
I hate throwing money into cars and I only drive old beaters, so I can imagine it hurts a little more for one you bought new,,, but an 8 year trouble free run is pretty good.
Good luck with it
Kelly
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(https://i.ibb.co/584zBhq/7864-C433-DC1-C-4-C08-966-B-F3-A125471-A5-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/584zBhq)
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Memories
https://www.hsv.com.au/see/clubsportr8tourerlsa/
Ciao
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Memories
https://www.hsv.com.au/see/clubsportr8tourerlsa/
Ciao
NB the above vehicle is not related to the Opel Insignia.
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$670.00 for one (1) wheel bearing? Go to Rock Auto or Parts Geek online and check out some options. I have recently been pricing wheel bearings and hub replacement of my 2006 Mini S. All four corners with high grade Timken costs around $525.00. I think you definitely need to jump online and do some homework.
Thats what what jumped out at me too. I just replaced both rear wheel bearing hubs with ABS sensors on my 2003 Camry for 190 bucks. This for OE grade. Economy grade was well under 50 bucks each. Mine had been exposed to 15 seasons of rock salt so took more time to take off but still about an hour a side. With no rust its about 20 minutes/side.
Pete
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All right, I'm just about to go Right Off of Subarus.
I've been boosting our 2012 Outback ever since Fay bought it new, and it's been good for us, hasn't cost much, drives well, has been doing what it says on the tin.
It has 156,000 miles, so I took it in for a full service - CVT oil flush, differentials on the AWD, and all like that.
That was going to be about $800 all together.
BUT .... there was a hum in the rear end, the sunroof was acting dodgy, and the Check Engine light would come on about once ever tank of gas (I turn it off every time with the OBD II reader), so I got them to look into those.
$800 for the service
$1400 for a new sunroof (it stuck open while they were checking it and it won't close)
$1500 for a new catalytic converter (that's the Check Engine light, the cat con failed)
$670 for a new rear wheel bearing
---------
$ 4370 mostly unexpected.
I mean, I've been driving my Festiva for 7 years, not put any money in it, and the whole car only cost $2800.
I don't know whether it's just this car, or whether I'm not "modern new car" material, but I can tell you that it's not chicken feed for an old man on a fixed pension, coming out of the blue ....
I belong to another age.
Lannis
We had an 05 Outback, ran it to 200K with no issues till 150K. Between 150 & 200K, it needed all 4 wheel bearings, front control arms, and struts all around. I did the struts, but not wheel bearings or control arms. Had a local private shop to the work, was 1/3 the dealer.
I had to reset the CEL 1-2x a year for the 02/Catalytic convertor. Car ran fine otherwise. Biggest issue was the drive by wire system and motor/sensor in the TB.
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Thats what what jumped out at me too. I just replaced both rear wheel bearing hubs with ABS sensors on my 2003 Camry for 190 bucks. This for OE grade. Economy grade was well under 50 bucks each. Mine had been exposed to 15 seasons of rock salt so took more time to take off but still about an hour a side. With no rust its about 20 minutes/side.
Pete
With Toyota as soon as you get away from the fleet vehicles i.e taxi, rentals ubers etc what their parts price sky rocket echo mirror $800, Camry mirror $87 and their 4wd's !@#$ing run away and don't expect the dealer to have any actual stock because they never break down didn't you know.
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My '07 Tundra sucked but our two Camry's have been pretty cheap to operate. The '03 has 195k and most issues have been due to winter driving in the salt. Mufflers and brakes. I just replaced struts, links and the rear wheel bearings. The bearings were OK but the ABS sensor went and is part of the hub. Engine has just been spark plugs and O2 sensor. My wife's 2012 with 59k has only needed oil and tires.
Most I have repaired myself. Outside of tires/oil I don't think I have spent 3k on repairs.
Pete
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(https://i.ibb.co/584zBhq/7864-C433-DC1-C-4-C08-966-B-F3-A125471-A5-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/584zBhq)
:thumb: