OT: Talking Cars Tuesday - Non US Standards
Alright, seeing as I get to participate in an AITF audit today (IYKYK) let's do some car talkin.
I know last week we talked about getting to add 1 new car scot free to your stable, so this week, how about a twist: you get to add something that wasn't available in the US. Totally additive, open wide fantasy stuff.
Want a cute Kei Truck for your home depot runs? A French car that can't get dented? A Lada because it'll run forever? What foreign forbidden fruit would be home in your driveway?
April 30th, 2024 at 10:58 AM ^
As always... if we had a manual Golf R Wagon I'd keep it forever.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:26 PM ^
Like this:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2007-volkswagen-passat-2/
I picked this up a couple years ago, a lot of fun to drive. Recently powder-coated the rims, I may be listing it on BAT in the coming months.
Nice. I had a 2003 Passat variant and currently a 2018 Volvo V60.
Hard to say no to a manual Golf R wagon. Otherwise, it would be some form of wagon.
A B8 Audi S4 Avant manual would also be loads of fun.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:02 AM ^
A Mitsuoka Roadster so I can wear fancy clothes, a monocle and pull up to someone and say, "Pardon me... do you have any... Grey Poupon?"
April 30th, 2024 at 11:05 AM ^
BMW 5-Series Touring. Electric or Gas, don't care, I think it's perfect.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:41 AM ^
I think you pretty much nailed it...in the past tense.
I was the lucky owner of a 2020 BMW M5 which I recently traded in for a 2024 540i X. I loved the M5 and would have bought another but the new version is going to be a hybrid (PHEV). BMW has also used the same platform for its new 5-Series (designated G-60) for EV's and ICE cars. Because of that, both types of cars get compromised. The range is not great for EV's and there are compromises all over the place for ICE cars including the new car being longer, wider and taller, features that are not advantageous for sports sedans. I also believe BMW, along with just about everyone else, had made predictions about the rate of EV adoption that is simply not taking place.
Don't get me wrong - the new 5-Series is a nice car but IMO a step away from why many of us were so high on BMWs in the past.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:06 AM ^
I would probably go with a Holden Ute with a 6.0L.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:07 AM ^
Toyota Hilux.
I'd trade my Suzuki SX4 for the diesel option.
Suzuki Jimny
April 30th, 2024 at 11:41 AM ^
Hilux is my entry, too. I see those things running in some pretty hellish landscapes worldwide, so it certainly could handle the mean streets of suburban Wisconsin and the two-track roads of the Upper Peninsula with aplomb.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:12 AM ^
M3 Touring!
April 30th, 2024 at 11:12 AM ^
M3 Touring.
I would post a picture but you know, HUEL.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:19 AM ^
RS3 Sportback.
That would be my choice in a hot minute.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
I like to keep up with (or better) the Joneses. Accordingly, here's my choice:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2015_MCAS_Beaufort_Air_Show_041215-M-CG676-161.jpg
Snapshot from 2022:
https://jalopnik.com/trucks-and-suvs-are-now-over-80-percent-of-new-car-sale-1848427797
April 30th, 2024 at 11:33 AM ^
since someone already said Audi RS3 Sportback, I’ll go with the Mercedes Benz Unimog.
Snow? Haha. Flood? Drive right through. Mud? Eat it for lunch. Get it with the camper setup and it’s the perfect apocalypse machine
April 30th, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
Yeah, the Unimog is my no-brainer response.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^
a.) thank you jeepinben, you are the king of these
b.) a diesel-hybrid of some sort. i haven't done much studying on them, but they seem to get ridiculous mileage whether electric or diesel, and don't suffer the problems of EV's.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:37 AM ^
I want to see a thread of 'Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler'. I have been seriously looking at getting a Bronco, but struggling with my homework. Anyone by chance ever own each and can compare?
I am leaning towards Bronco 35" tire/sasquatch package, and maybe hard roof since im looking to haul a couple kayaks. But it appears its a pain in the ass to take and store hard roof on the fly compared to cloth. Also, does the Bronco also have the 'Jeep Death Wobble'?
April 30th, 2024 at 12:26 PM ^
Bronco has a independant front suspension so no death wobble - I own one and it is night and day different than driving a Wrangler. Definitely get the hardtop and add on the roof rails. Taking the front roof panels off is easy and they store in the back.
I have driven both for work - though not the Wrangler since the ‘24 facelift. Both excellent. Not night and day difference Bronco handles better on road with the IFS. Jeep offers the 4xe hybrid powertrain. If it’s a difference between getting a Wrangler now and waiting for the Bronco I’d get the Wrangler.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:37 AM ^
Can I just import a particular tech? I'd bring in adaptive beam headlights that the rest of the developed world incorporated into their vehicles years ago. Better visibility for drivers, and less glare for other (oncoming) drivers.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:45 AM ^
You know, now that I think of it, why did it take so long for one-touch window up/down to invade 'Murica? Seriously - most cars still don't have that for all four windows, most have it for the drivers window. But c'mon!
Think of the children! Specifically their arms.
Those are legal now.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:50 AM ^
No so much a Kei truck, but there are tons of options in the 3rd world that can haul more than a fully laden grocery cart. Usually they have a small diesel that gets 50 mpg and does zero to 60 in about a minute.
Then i could justify a 3rd car, where my nice comfy truck keeps me from doing so.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:52 AM ^
Audi RS6 Avant.
EDIT: UFR, they are available in the US.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:09 PM ^
It's a Unimog and it's not close.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:22 PM ^
A diesel land cruiser 70 series with manual transmission.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
I want the car Columbo drives--it's French!
April 30th, 2024 at 12:28 PM ^
Toyota Hilux; the US-specific Tacoma is a poor substitute. We are starting to plan a retirement to Mexico and I can have one there.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:33 PM ^
I want a Trabant. Not to drive, just to annoy the HOA.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:35 PM ^
Aston Martin DB12 Q
April 30th, 2024 at 12:53 PM ^
Prior model AMG C63 Estate. Before the 4-banger and the sports bar worth of screens in the interior.
Two Cars:
Classic Mini Cooper. I love them, especially when equipped with the fog lamps. If I ever win it big, I'm making a mini car to race
MGB GT V8: Lots of MGBs in the US, but we didn't get the V8, which was a great power to weight ratio in a good looking package.
My vote would be a 3rd Generation Toyota Landcruiser Prado!
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Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer.
A 1958 ZIL 111V limousine, the model that took Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev to their dachas outside Moscow.
Austin Healey MKIII in traditional green, for open air tradition and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio in red for a 4 door sedan that punches with twin turbos and 510 HP and still got me 40 MPG in easy driving. Ferrari engine. I don't need the off the line burnout of a Hellcat/Demon since I am cheap in buying tires. Handles on rails.
The Giulia will most likely be forever my favorite auto. I loved that thing. So sad they wasted all that engineering on such a short run. They should make it forever
Actually, the answer is the same as last week. VW ID Buzz, but only in a hybrid (which isn't available ANYWHERE.)
https://www.wecb.fm/the-worlds-first-non-polluting-combustion-engine-440-horsepower-and-only-water-vapor-emissions/
Waiting on this Australian feat to make its debut
Shorty Land Cruiser 70. Though the new one and the GX go a long way toward scratching that itch.