Frisky Dingo

Time for a new one!! Admittedly, selection is somewhat limited in this parameter, so have fun trying to assemble a group with enough diversity for you. Rules- 1) Production vehicles only. 2) Any era and market is allowed. 3) These are your only vehicles. 4) Must be 10 cylinder. 5) You can pick 5 vehicles. After you do a Top 5, you can round out a Top 10, as with previous lists. Have fun!

Again, my review probably makes it sound worse than it is, and it is definitely reviewed with an enthusiast slant. There's definitely other players that are guilty of the same problem- Rav4, previous CX-5, and CR-V. It's lightyears better than the outgoing Equinox and Terrain. Trouble is, I would have never considered any of those vehicles. I was hoping this would be the one I could swallow, but alas, it's not. I would much rather have an Alltrack. As for your suggestions, I do not like the new Equinox styling. Atlas 2.0T is limited to FWD models. Idk that I'd rule it out until I drive one, but it doesn't look promising.

We've gotten our first Tiguans in and I've got a decent little drive a few times. I've thus far driven an SEL Premium 4Motion (2 row) and an SE FWD (3 row). My impressions follow- The Good- Overall driving dynamics. Steering is crisp and precise, with nice weight. Handling is beyond competent with a generally eager nature and it is happy going through corners. It really feels like a larger, taller Golf. Which it essentially is. Solid structure. It feels stiff and solid. Like most other VW's. It is quiet, and it rides quite well, even with the 19" wheels found on the top-trim SEL Premium. Virtual Cockpit really takes mainstream segment infotainment to the next level. There is a multitude of combinations that can be played with to display the information you wish to see most. The large in-dash screen and surrounding controls are neat, clear, and easy to use, as with other VW's. Seats were comfortable for the time I spent in them. Second row is quite spacious when slid back to the max. Third row is easy to access and will easily accommodate a few kids up to early-teen range for a decent distance. With the 2nd row scooted up a bit, adults of a smaller stature could fit in a pinch. Styling. It's safe and conservative like most others, but it's handsome enough, and isn't shouty. It's understated and will age well. Outward visibility is great. Standard and available features. The Just Okay- Packaging. Limiting LED headlights to the top-spec SEL Premium is a major oversight. It's also the only trim to get Fender audio. The cargo area with both rear rows of seats folded down isn't completely flat. The second row seat does not release and slide as easily as other models, the Atlas in particular. Pricing. Although the Tiguan does have a few party tricks up it's sleeve- 3rd row, Virtual Cockpit, etc- trim level for trim level, it costs a little more than competitors. Considering how little VW will incentivize them, they may be a hard sell in upper trims. The Bad- Powertrain. The reviews aren't lying. I personally hate this segment of vehicles, and though others are guilty of the same problem, this new 2.0T just doesn't cut it. It's adequate for a few people in normal driving, but when pushed, it takes too long to downshift, gets confused, and is generally caught out of power. I couldn't imagine this thing loaded up with a family of 4-5 and their belongings, or worse, when loaded with 7 passengers. It would be an absolute dog. There is some assistance in higher trim models that get the Individual Drive Modes from the GTI that allow you to adjust the response of the throttle, the steering weight, etc. When put in 'Sport' for drivetrain, it does get noticeably more competent in it's shifting duties and is more ready to move forward. Lower models don't get it and you're stuck with it in it's most relaxed state of tune. Going hand in hand with that, the FWD model I drove spun it's front tires easily and often. In an attempt to over come the lack of pop, judicious throttle applications would result in spinning of tires and torque steer. And this thing does not have enough grunt to have to be dealing with torque steer. Gas mileage kinda sucks. I certainly wouldn't tell anyone with their first, or even two kids, to not go look at one, but this is not a stand in for a proper 3-row CUV. It has very nice driving manners, is generally well-equipped, and I struggle to think of a competitor that I clearly like more, so I will not discount it. There's a lot to like, even with the lackluster power. I think if I needed that 3rd row for any more than very occasional use, I would just go up a segment. My trim of choice would be a SEL 4Motion. I was waiting to drive one of these to confirm or rule it out of consideration as a replacement for my wife's Rav4. I think I have ruled it out, as much as it pains me to say. WHy they didn't put the 2.0T they are using in the Atlas in this thing is beyond me. It lags rivals in fuel economy anyway, so why not give it some firepower to make up for it. The Atlas's 230+ hp and 250+ tq would transform this vehicle. A TDI would make it near perfect. Shame. I think the lack of power will leave this off my list for now.

Jeep's problems are as follows- 1) Outside of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, nobody thought of them for purchase. Compass, Patriot, and Nitro sales were only ever on account of massive incentives and pushed on subprime buyers. Nobody with actual buying power was crosshopping with CR-V's Rav4's, etc. 2) The Wrangler sales model isn't and won't be sustainable. There's only so many people who want Wranglers. The demand for them will level off, and eventually recede. That's even counting if something major happens, like a spike in gas prices, etc. 3) They have no 3-row SUV. That is killing them. 4) They don't have vehicles far enough upmarket. Jeep needs vehicles playing at as high of a price point as they can get away with. That said, I'm not sure this isn't overembellished a little. The new Compass just dropped. People know a new Wrangler is coming, so many are probably holding out on it. They (maybe?) have a 3-row coming. It's not a total doom and gloom story.

Luxury sedan shoppers don't buy like that, though. Especially entry level models. A BMW that is 10K more as you put it, will lease the same. That's the issue they'll face.

That wasn't your statement, though. Your statement was that there was no reason to buy another car other than badge.

I always hated the Accord Coupe.

The Sonic is a lame duck, the Malibu is better than the Impala, the Lacrosse is redundant, the XTS is even more redundant, the Volt is the right powertrain in the wrong car, and the CT6 is what the CTS should have been. Nothing surprising here. I would argue nothing of real value, either.

5-10 E39 M5 Dodge Demon F40 BMW 507 B8 Audi RS5

Fusion Sport is a joke to drive. It's a lot of power in a decent-for-a-family-sedan chassis. That's it.

The Audi offers more tech, a superior AWD system, a manual transmission, a knockout interior, and I'm sure crisper driving dynamics. Yeah, no reason other than badge someone would buy one over a Buick.

Well, I am intrigued. The things I like- - Ventilated seats, which are unbelievably hard to come buy on non-high level lux cars. - Massaged seats are a huge, huge deal for me. And same as above. - Sounds like the AWD system is actually tuned for driving dynamcis. - Brembos - Adjustable damping - Price What I don't like- - That N/A 3.6 V6. It's not the most refined piece, and is lacking firepower. - It's paired to a 9AT. I have suspicions of it being confused and having poor programming. That engine deal is a pretty big one for me. I understand why it was done, but come on. This was the perfect opportunity to throw in a small boosted 6 and have a real S4 rival. I'm rather indifferent on the styling. The front is very handsome. The side profile is just 'meh'. Back is decent. I couldn't care one way or the other about the hatch. I think I will definitely at least go check this out.

I guess I'll be first- G500 4x4² F Type V8 Roadster 458 Speciale Audi S8 Plus C63 AMG Black Series I'm just as shocked with my 2(!) Mercedes picks as you.

No.

Moving on, we have arrived at the one I suspect most people will enjoy the most. That's right, ocho cilindros. Rules- 1) Production cars only. 2) Any era and market is allowed. 3) These are your only cars. 4) Must be 8 cylinders. NO HYBRIDS!! 5) As before, after you do a Top 5 List, if you want to do a follow-on, that would be great.

Much like the outgoing S8 and Panamera, I would take this over the new Panamera.

Well, if it looks like that, I wouldn't be mad.

My Gawd that is just awful. Their designers have lost their effing minds.

Not bad, but they're not even bringing it to the States, so who cares.

1- My GTI 2. New E Pace 3. Malibu Premier 4. Touareg Wolfsburg 5. Avalon Limited 6. Tough, either a Durango Hemi or Atlas SLE Premium

My 2nd portion to round out a 10 piece- 930 Turbo MkIV Supra Turbo BMW 1M TVR Sagaris (pretty much always gonna pick this psychadelic'd jack-o-lantern) F Type 400 Sport Roadster

I dig it.

@ykX I'm assuming these also have to be new??