donk.'s Past Time Car Review Thread

[Jason00S2000]

The only things a car needs are:

springs
shocks
wheels
brakes
engine
transmission
windshield
wipers
roof(option in some climates)
windows(option in some climates)
gas pedal
brake pedal
clutch pedal
seats
steering wheel
lights
shifter

Everything in addition to the above list is for women, children, and homosexuals

[red kryptonite]

Originally Posted by SSM_DC5

Coming from cars that are 10+ years old, some nice features in "entry level" cars are things like push button start where I can leave the key in my pocket the entire time, Wireless Apple Car Play and Wireless Android Auto, heated front seats, Auto Up/Down windows all around, back up camera, heated steering wheel (only around 3 + 9 position and nothing at 12 + 6). I can see why new entry level cars are so expensive when you throw in all these tech features.

and keep in mind all this is only $30k out the door.
very boring, i agree.

Originally Posted by AstulzerRZD

Not sure why, but I really hate the "ASD" assist in Toyota Safety Sense. It keeps pace but won't stop the car, and when passing, it releases the brakes too quickly—never smooth.

The Corolla Cross feels downright cynical: cheap plastics, noisy cabin, rough ride—how low do standards have to get for that to be acceptable?

i have no problem with toyota safety sense, i think its best in its price range.
noisy cabin, yes. rough ride, i think its fine.

[AstulzerRZD]

Yes is better than Honda Sensing and Nissan system for sure.
I just turn off PDA (the auto distance keeping when adaptive cruise isn’t on).
This one really is a nanny.

> Driving Assist (PDA) * provides gentle braking into curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help support driving tasks such as distance control between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist.

[red kryptonite]

i keep all the nannies on for my parents. gives me peace of mind.

[68style]

My sister was buying a small SUV and we test drove the Crosstrek, the Corolla Cross and a RAV-4... Crosstrek was a no based on the droning of the CVT and the Corolla Cross at the time was brand new, hard to find one, but went to drive it and it was just so disappointing. Considering the RAV-4 was not much more $, had way more room and how much nicer the RAV-4 was inside with a bigger engine it was a no brainer, she just immediately bought the RAV-4 instead. I don't know who could consider the 2 and still walk away with the Corolla Cross.

[SSM_DC5]

Originally Posted by Jason00S2000

The only things a car needs are:

springs
shocks
wheels
brakes
engine
transmission
windshield
wipers
roof(option in some climates)
windows(option in some climates)
gas pedal
brake pedal
clutch pedal
seats
steering wheel
lights
shifter

Everything in addition to the above list is for women, children, and homosexuals

If it's only this and no creature comforts, it better cost like 10-15k, not 30k.

[bcrdukes]

Are there any new cars in that price range anymore?

[AstulzerRZD]

Mitsubishi Mirage? 17k CAD?

Optional roof and windows (in some climates) gonna cost 43k for base wrangler

[dark0821]

Originally Posted by 68style

My sister was buying a small SUV and we test drove the Crosstrek, the Corolla Cross and a RAV-4... Crosstrek was a no based on the droning of the CVT and the Corolla Cross at the time was brand new, hard to find one, but went to drive it and it was just so disappointing. Considering the RAV-4 was not much more $, had way more room and how much nicer the RAV-4 was inside with a bigger engine it was a no brainer, she just immediately bought the RAV-4 instead. I don't know who could consider the 2 and still walk away with the Corolla Cross.

Bruh... couldnt walk further and checked out the Tucson? LOL, at least drive one... hahahaha, its okay... I know I know... its a Hyundai

[68style]

Don't worry it was before you were working at the big H hahaha

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by dark0821

Bruh... couldnt walk further and checked out the Tucson? LOL, at least drive one... hahahaha, its okay... I know I know... its a Hyundai

I know you mentioned the Ioniq buyer typically buys it as a run around town kind of car.

For the Tucson, do you find any of the Gas/Hybrid/Plugin variants easier to sell?
Curious how conquests choose and react to the new products and styling

[radeonboy]

Originally Posted by dark0821

Bruh... couldnt walk further and checked out the Tucson? LOL, at least drive one... hahahaha, its okay... I know I know... its a Hyundai

Someone I know picked up a Tuscon PHEV and loves it (he's out in PG) - EV range is great for everyday runs and the gas engine is still there for longer trips.

Do you guys have any Elantra N DCTs to test drive?

[supafamous]

On the topic of cheap cars, what's the cheapest (all-in cash price) car that you'd be ok recommending to someone? I'm going to require that the car has heated seats but anything else goes.

A couple options I could recommend:
- Hyundai Elantra base. $28.5k
- Kia Soul LX. $29.3k (This would be my call as I'm me some hamster cars0

[roastpuff]

I would like to also test drive a DCT Elantra N...

[AstulzerRZD]

I'd probably go Corolla L CVT at 27 pre-tax.
If you have to have heated seats, the Corolla LE or Civic LX at 28 pre-tax.

I avoid the gas Hyundais because I think their engines and trans are unreliable.
Ioniq are having occasional motor and ICCU failures leaving drivers stranded.

[68style]

We are using a 2017 Kia Soul as our winter car that my gf had when I met her... it only has 90,000kms on it and it's using a litre of oil every 2 months and there's no low oil warning light whatsoever, good thing I caught it before the engine seized, I thought it was getting a little thrashy sounding. I think this is common on that era KDM engines.

It's a manual though, I must say the transmission is really nice to use the worst standard driver/learner in the world could drive that thing. No comment on their autos as I haven't driven one.

[68style]

Anyone here have comments/personal experience on a C43 AMG Wagon? I'm watching videos on them and considering one as a daily for Calgary.

Likewise for Q50 RedSport.

[AstulzerRZD]

Close buddy of mine had Q50 RedSport; it was fine.
You want to avoid early ones since they tend to have turbo failures.
Handled kind of like a boat which was shocking because I was driving the Charger at the time.

I REALLY like the C43 though.
It's numb but with the driver's pack, the active exhaust and overall experience is really fun.

[roastpuff]

Originally Posted by 68style

Anyone here have comments/personal experience on a C43 AMG Wagon? I'm watching videos on them and considering one as a daily for Calgary.

Likewise for Q50 RedSport.

That AMG C43 Wagon is a shit ton of fun but:

• Interior is very clearly cost cut - so many blank buttons and build quality/touch points leave much to be desired. COMAND is annoying to use but maybe I just didn't get used to it. Need the fancy steering wheel with the little dial to make it cool.
• Boy the ride was rough on 20s. Even in Comfort it is stiff and jarring.
• You pay that wagon premium - it is not a cheap car to acquire.

Exhaust and engine are the two best things about that car IMO.

EDIT: Added my impressions from Craigslist Good Buys thread a while back re: C43.

Originally Posted by roastpuff

The interior was noticeably cost cut from an E-class, the ride was harsh, and the back was cramped.

But by god that engine note and exhaust barks, and the dials on the wheel were cool, and the way it wanted to kick the tail out all the time.



This was the wagon btw.

The C43 was pure theatrics and I loved it but the wife not so much lmao.

[Qmx323]

Originally Posted by 68style

My sister was buying a small SUV and we test drove the Crosstrek, the Corolla Cross and a RAV-4... Crosstrek was a no based on the droning of the CVT and the Corolla Cross at the time was brand new, hard to find one, but went to drive it and it was just so disappointing. Considering the RAV-4 was not much more $, had way more room and how much nicer the RAV-4 was inside with a bigger engine it was a no brainer, she just immediately bought the RAV-4 instead. I don't know who could consider the 2 and still walk away with the Corolla Cross.

Jesus christ the Corolla Cross drives like a washing machine, its awful. Rarely see them around town.

[68style]

Originally Posted by AstulzerRZD

Close buddy of mine had Q50 RedSport; it was fine.
You want to avoid early ones since they tend to have turbo failures.
Handled kind of like a boat which was shocking because I was driving the Charger at the time.

I REALLY like the C43 though.
It's numb but with the driver's pack, the active exhaust and overall experience is really fun.

Yah I had read 2022 was the optimal year and about the turbos and heatsoak issues... heatsoak has solutions... apparently some headgasket problems at higher mileages too but not super common. Apparently the extra active steering option is shit and better off without that. Seen some monster builds on the forums like 650+hp from pretty basic stuff including upgraded (re: slightly bigger and more robust) turbos.

Originally Posted by roastpuff

That AMG C43 Wagon is a shit ton of fun but:

• Interior is very clearly cost cut - so many blank buttons and build quality/touch points leave much to be desired. COMAND is annoying to use but maybe I just didn't get used to it. Need the fancy steering wheel with the little dial to make it cool.
• Boy the ride was rough on 20s. Even in Comfort it is stiff and jarring.
• You pay that wagon premium - it is not a cheap car to acquire.

Exhaust and engine are the two best things about that car IMO.

EDIT: Added my impressions from Craigslist Good Buys thread a while back re: C43.

Yah prices are sky high used, Canada only premium... one in West Van is like $68k at a dealer with 23,000kms... there's another one in Kanata ON that only has 9,000kms on it for private sale at $55k but man 4 pictures in an unpainted shed with bad lighting? I don't know what the guy is thinking lol

It also seems like they only came in black, all of them except 1 blue one are black on the market which I can't stand... I've owned too many black cars to want to suffer with that again.

[EvoFire]

Avoid the Redsports, or anything VR30DET in general. They have porous blocks and other physical issues which will cause random coolant loss that's extremely hard to detect and fix and eventually you'll blow the engine. Infiniti/Nissan has been dragging their feet on the issue and only a handful of ppl have successfully gotten them to warranty it.

The wifi steer has zero steering feel so there's absolutely zero reason to go Infiniti unless you like self torture.

[roastpuff]

I tested a white C43, it was a 2019 with 40k(?) km and they were asking 72k CAD for it in early 2021

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by Qmx323

Jesus christ the Corolla Cross drives like a washing machine, its awful. Rarely see them around town.

Do the Corolla Cross and Lexus UX share the same chassis? Or are they vastly different?

[Qmx323]

According to Wiki they are the same GA-C platform

Haven't driven a UX myself, but I imagine/hope the suspension would be different.