[CP911]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Other than the “lurch-o-matic” trans (“they all do that”, per dealer), I have no issue with the performance of our A6. It’s quite good, in fact. The issues are quality-related and the refusal of AoA to implement a clear warranty repair, instead, having the technician alter the repair order with false information to support their position. The tech apologized but said there was nothing he could do. As far as I’m concerned, AoA is dishonest and deceptive and it no longer matters how nice the cars are. One and done for us.

Curious, what quality issues are you having?

I experienced the "lurching" gear changes when I test drove a 2017 A4 last year. Couldn't stand it, but noticed it went away when the car (or just the transmission mode?) was put into its comfort mode. Apparently, the standard and sport modes are programmed to shift more quickly at the expense of a horribly jerky shift. I didn't see any issues with the gear change speed in comfort mode, so not quite sure why they bothered to compromise shift quality and feel for all other modes. Kind of silly and a huge turn-off for me.

My only other complaint with the car is the looks. Not sure how, but Audi managed to make the car look worse than the outgoing generation. I like the styling of all their newly redesigned cars from the Q7 to the new A5. However, they really did the A4 a disservice with its overly blocky styling. It's easily as boring if not slightly more ugly than the current Passat.

It also had very floaty, but comfortable suspension. I would no doubt go for the sport suspension option if I were seriously looking at one to bring a little more life into the ride

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by CP911

Curious, what quality issues are you having?

I experienced the "lurching" gear changes when I test drove a 2017 A4 last year. Couldn't stand it, but noticed it went away when the car (or just the transmission mode?) was put into its comfort mode. Apparently, the standard and sport modes are programmed to shift more quickly at the expense of a horribly jerky shift. I didn't see any issues with the gear change speed in comfort mode, so not quite sure why they bothered to compromise shift quality and feel for all other modes. Kind of silly and a huge turn-off for me.

My only other complaint with the car is the looks. Not sure how, but Audi managed to make the car look worse than the outgoing generation. I like the styling of all their newly redesigned cars from the Q7 to the new A5. However, they really did the A4 a disservice with its overly blocky styling. It's easily as boring if not slightly more ugly than the current Passat.

It also had very floaty, but comfortable suspension. I would no doubt go for the sport suspension option if I were seriously looking at one to bring a little more life into the ride

1. Random ATC temp set point changes by itself. Fan doesn't respond to control head. Intermittent, didn't happen for technician.
2. Random loss of radio volume...intermittent
3. Door handles sometimes activate door lock/sometimes don't.
4. Excessive brake rotor runout with pedal pulsation at 15,000 miles

As for the trans, the problem is that Audi stuffed the trans calibration with 3 rapid upshifts before 25 mph under moderate throttle (city driving) to assist with fuel economy. The upshifts are all poorly executed....feels like stumble, then surge. I can see it happening along with the sensation by watching the tach. At first, I thought it was a fuel system/hesitation issue, but realized it's the trans. Tech told me they have had several complaints, but there is no resolution.

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

There are 5 models...two with 4 cylinder, three with 6 cylinder. I'm aiming for 2.0 Premium, second from left...MSRP=$38k with content shown.

https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/model...atures#stinger

Looks like a well optioned car for the money. Comparing either Hyundai or Kia to other cars, you always appear to be getting a lot more for your money. Which is a good thing.

My experience w/ Hyundai has been excellent. Never a problem and the warranty coverage is great. Kia, I would imagine, should be the same as they are affiliated companies. QC should be the same in both. I bought Hyundai both times only because I got a better deal at the dealership. I'd have gone kia if the reverse were true.

IMO, the Korean cars are every bit as good as the Toyotas and Hondas. Actually, I personally would never own another Honda, Twice burned by them w/ autos that had problems which cost me plenty.

The only knocks C&D made to the car ($50K 6cyl GT) that it is louder than the other players and lacks the feel, finish and immersive feel of the premium mid-size players. Otherwise, unless pushed to the extremes, it was a great car for the money. Full disclosure, their test car was pre-production, so some of the issues may be addressed with final production.

Very interested to hear your impressions after you take delivery.

[Anthony235]

Hyundai/KIA/Genesis will be big players in the future. The Stinger is the first car to come out with Albert Biermann and Peter Schreyer working there. Google those names

Hint: M division and Audi design.

[Le frog]

Originally Posted by Anthony235

Hyundai/KIA/Genesis will be big players in the future. The Stinger is the first car to come out with Albert Biermann and Peter Schreyer working there. Google those names

Hint: M division and Audi design.

... Actually, Peter Schreyer has been head of Kia design since 2007
So that's not his first car. But it as for Biermann.

[CP911]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

1. Random ATC temp set point changes by itself. Fan doesn't respond to control head. Intermittent, didn't happen for technician.
2. Random loss of radio volume...intermittent
3. Door handles sometimes activate door lock/sometimes don't.
4. Excessive brake rotor runout with pedal pulsation at 15,000 miles

As for the trans, the problem is that Audi stuffed the trans calibration with 3 rapid upshifts before 25 mph under moderate throttle (city driving) to assist with fuel economy. The upshifts are all poorly executed....feels like stumble, then surge. I can see it happening along with the sensation by watching the tach. At first, I thought it was a fuel system/hesitation issue, but realized it's the trans. Tech told me they have had several complaints, but there is no resolution.

Thanks for sharing. Seriously considered getting the wife a new Q7 last year, but we put things on hold when her job forced us to move to a new state. For that kind of dough, and given how poorly she tends to treat her cars, it was probably for the best. Now, she wants a new Honda Pilot instead, and I'm okay with that. Doesn't seem like we will be giving Audi a fair shot for the foreseeable future. Not unless my beater XC70 gives up for some reason and I get back in the market for a replacement DD. Would probably go with another Volvo TBH...or perhaps a BMW 3GT/4GC variant since BMW hates us Americans enough to sabotage Touring sales and blame us (yes I'm being dramatic, however somewhat serious ), but I digress...

The Stinger looks like a lot of fun. Best of luck and do keep us posted on how it works out!

Cheers,

CP911

[caycep]

Plus, on another note - there was an article from Bob Lutz about how the Koreans (with a clean slate approach to car manufacturing), managed to get a huge jump on quality/reliability vs. say the Americans and even the Japanese by fronting a higher investment in the R&D and getting molds/prototypes finalized and fitted prior to production and avoiding issues later.


I could not tell much difference in fit/finish from a recent model Hyundai Sonata from a base model MB 300 sedan (based on Hertz rental experiences). Yes, the MB's engine was a little smoother and had a bit more oomph but on daily driving, hard to notice....

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by CP911

Thanks for sharing. Seriously considered getting the wife a new Q7 last year, but we put things on hold when her job forced us to move to a new state. For that kind of dough, and given how poorly she tends to treat her cars, it was probably for the best. Now, she wants a new Honda Pilot instead, and I'm okay with that. Doesn't seem like we will be giving Audi a fair shot for the foreseeable future. Not unless my beater XC70 gives up for some reason and I get back in the market for a replacement DD. Would probably go with another Volvo TBH...or perhaps a BMW 3GT/4GC variant since BMW hates us Americans enough to sabotage Touring sales and blame us (yes I'm being dramatic, however somewhat serious ), but I digress...

The Stinger looks like a lot of fun. Best of luck and do keep us posted on how it works out!

Cheers,

CP911

Thanks for the good wishes. Good idea to avoid Audi. From all I’ve read from Consumer Reports to Car and Driver, strongly suggest your wife at least test drive the Mazda CX-9 before committing to the Honda Pilot.

http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...ven-three-rows

[p912guy]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Thanks for the good wishes. Good idea to avoid Audi. From all I’ve read from Consumer Reports to Car and Driver, strongly suggest your wife at least test drive the Mazda CX-9 before committing to the Honda Pilot.

http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...ven-three-rows

I'll second this comment. The Mazda CX-9 is a boxer who definitely fights above his weight class. My wife loved our 2010 CX-9 before we sold it to buy her Q5. It was a great vehicle - drove well, good power, and lots of very nice features one would expect to find in a much higher priced vehicle. From what I hear the new CX-9 is even better. She chose the Q5 over another CX-9 last year because it was a bit more luxurious and she wasn't interested in another 3 row vehicle. We have been very happy with the Q5. We looked at the Pilot and aside from it also being much larger than she wanted or needed, the transmission was always looking for the right gear and was usually in the wrong gear. It also seemed a bit ponderous running around town. I grew up in a "Honda Family" with my first Honda being a new 1977 Civic, but the Pilot is one Honda I'd take a pass on.

[CP911]

Originally Posted by p912guy

I'll second this comment. The Mazda CX-9 is a boxer who definitely fights above his weight class. My wife loved our 2010 CX-9 before we sold it to buy her Q5. It was a great vehicle - drove well, good power, and lots of very nice features one would expect to find in a much higher priced vehicle. From what I hear the new CX-9 is even better. She chose the Q5 over another CX-9 last year because it was a bit more luxurious and she wasn't interested in another 3 row vehicle. We have been very happy with the Q5. We looked at the Pilot and aside from it also being much larger than she wanted or needed, the transmission was always looking for the right gear and was usually in the wrong gear. It also seemed a bit ponderous running around town. I grew up in a "Honda Family" with my first Honda being a new 1977 Civic, but the Pilot is one Honda I'd take a pass on.

I test drove the newly redesigned Pilot with the wife and the 9 speed on the higher end models had more aggressive and frequent shifting, which I didn't enjoy. The 6 speed on the lower trim EX-L was much more natural feeling to me with more typical shifting points under acceleration, which felt more like the Kia Sorento my wife drives currently. Btw, Sorento is not a bad appliance crossover either (like my old Optima, it gets the job done) but we are in need of AWD for the winters and a little towing capacity now that we're settled down in the Midwest. I also personally hate how the drivetrain behaves in the Sorento, so wouldn't mind a change considering I drive the thing quite a bit. It is constantly lugging the motor in a super low RPM and essentially forces me to downshift when all I want is a little increase in speed. It is a very jerky/springy type of acceleration, if that makes any sense. It really hauls in a straight line, but you just feel the boost kicking in too much and it just feels like throttle is "on" or "off." Engine has great power, but horrible tuning and transmission programming. We also have a baby now, and despite the good safety ratings "for its class," the Sorento is still a relatively lightweight vehicle that simply doesn't feel as safe as something else bigger/heavier. Hence, us considering Q7 and Pilot...

Anyways, thank you for the suggestions on the CX-9. We will have to look at it again. We looked at it before very briefly and I honestly felt like the exterior showed signs of a lacking fit and finish, but perhaps it is worth a 2nd look from what you guys are saying. Thanks again!

[Sportstick]

Welllllllllllllll......

Change of plans.....the more I examined the Stinger, the more I liked it, but apparently, so do others. Available dealer allocation for the foreseeable near term all had black interiors, a non-starter for me, and they didn't know when what I wanted would be available. Then, a "bird in the hand" appeared...a BMW dealer I had contacted came back with a +$9300 discount on a new 2018 330xi GT, with my content/color choice, essentially the same physical package as Stinger (spacious cargo/hatch/large rear seat) and wiping out the Stinger price advantage. So, back in the BMW family! On my side, I'll have a 2 and a 3, and my wife is doing her part, as she will take delivery on a Mini Countryman next week.

[Dylan86]

^^ Great outcome!!

[p912guy]

Wow, sound like you got a really good deal. That's the type of discount I'd expect to see on a left over 2017 MY, but not a 2018 MY. Glad it worked out well for you.

[Anthony235]

Originally Posted by p912guy

I'll second this comment. The Mazda CX-9 is a boxer who definitely fights above his weight class. My wife loved our 2010 CX-9 before we sold it to buy her Q5. It was a great vehicle - drove well, good power, and lots of very nice features one would expect to find in a much higher priced vehicle. From what I hear the new CX-9 is even better. She chose the Q5 over another CX-9 last year because it was a bit more luxurious and she wasn't interested in another 3 row vehicle. We have been very happy with the Q5. We looked at the Pilot and aside from it also being much larger than she wanted or needed, the transmission was always looking for the right gear and was usually in the wrong gear. It also seemed a bit ponderous running around town. I grew up in a "Honda Family" with my first Honda being a new 1977 Civic, but the Pilot is one Honda I'd take a pass on.

Sat in the new CX9 at the last OC Auto Show. Was amazed by the design and materials. Could not believe what I was seeing at that price point. I love the new Volvo SUV designs too. Can't believe I just said that.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by Anthony235

Sat in the new CX9 at the last OC Auto Show. Was amazed by the design and materials. Could not believe what I was seeing at that price point. I love the new Volvo SUV designs too. Can't believe I just said that.

Mazda is trying REALLY hard to compete with Honda and VW in terms of fit/finish, and they're doing well from the reports!

[Ron Jeffries]

Mmm, if I didn't need a convertible so badly (personal problem) a 3-series GT xDrive could be pretty fine. I'd have to go 340 though.

I gotta stop thinking about more / different cars ...

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Welllllllllllllll......

Change of plans.....the more I examined the Stinger, the more I liked it, but apparently, so do others. Available dealer allocation for the foreseeable near term all had black interiors, a non-starter for me, and they didn't know when what I wanted would be available. Then, a "bird in the hand" appeared...a BMW dealer I had contacted came back with a +$9300 discount on a new 2018 330xi GT, with my content/color choice, essentially the same physical package as Stinger (spacious cargo/hatch/large rear seat) and wiping out the Stinger price advantage. So, back in the BMW family! On my side, I'll have a 2 and a 3, and my wife is doing her part, as she will take delivery on a Mini Countryman next week.

Wow, sounds like the deal of the century on a great car. You should have plenty of room and w/ the GT. Have you compared it to the Stinger you wanted (size, cargo space, performance, etc.) it would be interesting to see how the two would stack up (and likely make you feel even better about your choice).

Nice to hear you have a MINI in the mix too. I think I will always have a MINI in our family also. Great little car, that can hold much more than one would expect, and as a bonus, be a "blast" to drive.

Congrats on all counts.