I've been neglecting you blog...But I'm back and we're talking about the new Hyundai Equus! We redid our showroom and waited, waited for the Equus to arrive. It arrived when I was on vacation, but it was still exciting to see when I got back.
This is the weird part: I haven't driven it yet, I have just sat in the front seat and the back seat and yes, I'm impressed. As I've mentioned before, I drive an old Lexus, to be exact a 2002 Lexus LS 430 with about 215k on it. Still runs smooth. So I sit in the back seat of the Equus, now granted, 10 years newer than my Lexus but a world apart. The only words are WOW (yes capital letters) WOW! This is one refined car. If Lexus was the standard 10 years ago, and I believe it was, this is a whole new level.
We went to a Hyundai seminar the other week and the speaker was telling us about driving an Equus, his line was something along the lines of: "If only I could drive it from the back seat...I'd never leave." His other great revelation was that Hyundai built Equus just to show it could, it was/is never expected to be a huge seller. Well, if it drives as well as it sits in the showroom, I know I'll be impressed. It has the competitors beat by $20k!
We have a gentleman who lives nearby, I call him Hyundai George. George retired to our area and was a die hard Lexus driver, until he drove his first Hyundai. George was so impressed he sold all of his Lexus vehicles to buy Hyundai vehicles. George was so impressed with regular Hyundai's he was our first Genesis buyer and last week he was our first Equus buyer. Here's a man who can buy any car he wants and he chooses the Equus, that says something to me...what does it say to you? Hyundai has arrived and earned a permanent seat at the table of impressive cars with the likes of Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar and Cadillac. Pretty impressive for a company that 25 years ago built crap.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Passat
Where has the time gone? It's spring, and here is a follow up on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat S manual I've been driving. The more I drive the VW, the more I like it. My regular car is an old Lexus LS430 and the Passat is the day to its' night. The Passat is just damn fun to drive, and I love the manual. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Lexus but it's like driving an old leather couch compared to the VW. Why? Well the Passat has much crisper handling, (no shock) is very nimble. The back seat, as I said before, has more leg room than the Lexus, the trunk is large too. There is just something about how you sit in a German car, I've always described it as: you sit "on" the seat, not "in" the seat. Yes, this a matter of preference, but there is something about the driving position that just feels better in the Passat. The Passat is a great family car, great professional car, great soccer mom car just an all around strong performer.
OK, so what didn't I like about the car? I agree with most auto reviewers that they have cheapened the interior from years past. I like my dashboard dim, I always turn it down as far as possible, because I believe it helps me see better at night with it dim. In the Passat everything dims except lights on the button for the locks...kinda of annoying. I also liked there older blue interior lighting.
Yes I work at a car dealership...would I buy a Passat? Yes. Would I buy this model? No. I'd buy the TDI with a 6 speed, because that's just me. Who should buy this car? Someone who wants the fun and control of a manual but needs the convenience of a good sized family car with a sizeable trunk. Without the manual the rest still holds: great driving, great gas mileage (low 30's) fun to drive. So, for me, VW has made a leap forward with the Americanization of their line, highly practical, highly fun, great value for the money. What is the money? $21,000...here's the link:http://www.joepechelesvw.com/VehicleDetails/new-2012-Volkswagen-Passat-4dr_Sdn_2.5L_Manual_S_PZEV-Greenville-NC/1292416913
Drop me a line rudiontheroad@gmail.com
OK, so what didn't I like about the car? I agree with most auto reviewers that they have cheapened the interior from years past. I like my dashboard dim, I always turn it down as far as possible, because I believe it helps me see better at night with it dim. In the Passat everything dims except lights on the button for the locks...kinda of annoying. I also liked there older blue interior lighting.
Yes I work at a car dealership...would I buy a Passat? Yes. Would I buy this model? No. I'd buy the TDI with a 6 speed, because that's just me. Who should buy this car? Someone who wants the fun and control of a manual but needs the convenience of a good sized family car with a sizeable trunk. Without the manual the rest still holds: great driving, great gas mileage (low 30's) fun to drive. So, for me, VW has made a leap forward with the Americanization of their line, highly practical, highly fun, great value for the money. What is the money? $21,000...here's the link:http://www.joepechelesvw.com/VehicleDetails/new-2012-Volkswagen-Passat-4dr_Sdn_2.5L_Manual_S_PZEV-Greenville-NC/1292416913
Drop me a line rudiontheroad@gmail.com
Thursday, February 9, 2012
This edition of Rudi on the Road, brings us the the Volkswagen Passat. The brand new, all American 2012 Volkswagen Passat S manual to be precise. I've had 3 Volkswagen's that I can remember. The first was a 1980 Rabbit Diesel that I killed with 99,997 miles on it at the Pennsylvania/New York border. It was my college car...$5 bucks and I could drive for a week it was great. It didn't like the West Virginia hills too much but you really learn to use a manual transmission that way! The second was probably my all time favorite car, a 1986 Golf GTI, black on black, 5 speed manual. Great car, great balance, it was a blast. When our first child was on the way, the GTI was on the way out for a more family oriented car. The third was, I can't remember the year, a green Jetta 5 speed manual again, really loved that car too. So, I have a history with Volkswagen.
On to the new Passat. I have the Passat S manual as I mentioned above black on black. I know, some of you are going: "a manual?" I chose the manual for a change of pace and I really enjoy it. There is nothing like coming hot into a corner and downshifting, letting the clutch out and listening to the engine wind down.
I like the Passat, some have said it's too Americanized, I don't think so. It still drives like a VW, still handles like a VW, still shifts like a VW. What do I like? I like the cabin size, it feels comfortable, love the seats. In a VW you sit on the seat, not in the seat, more like a chair in that your feet go down. I find in some other brands you sit in the seat real low, feet going out straight. I love the fat steering wheel, what a great feel. The backseat leg room compares favorably with my Lexus LS430, well actually it is better: 39.1" vs 37.6", that's impressive. Trunk is cavernous, a good 3 body trunk (think Soprano's), feels longer than it is wide. Stereo is the best I've heard in a base model in a long time. Good highs, good lows and volume, I like it loud!
Here is what I didn't like: I felt the 2.5 5 cylinder was a little underpowered, but I realized last night it was how I was driving, I needed to push it a little harder, in the lower gears, to get it to sing. Now that I've figured that out, the engine is fine. I don't like the radio volume and tuning knobs, I think they are way too small. I think the controls on the steering wheel, especially the radio and bluetooth, need to be bigger or have more separation, other brands do it better. Yeah, that's it, pretty small picky stuff. Overall, I love it, with the manual, most fun driving I've had in years. Without the manual I think it would be just as good, I just wouldn't hear the downshift...and I'd miss that. But you might not.
Rudiontheroad
rudiontheroad@gmail.com
On to the new Passat. I have the Passat S manual as I mentioned above black on black. I know, some of you are going: "a manual?" I chose the manual for a change of pace and I really enjoy it. There is nothing like coming hot into a corner and downshifting, letting the clutch out and listening to the engine wind down.
I like the Passat, some have said it's too Americanized, I don't think so. It still drives like a VW, still handles like a VW, still shifts like a VW. What do I like? I like the cabin size, it feels comfortable, love the seats. In a VW you sit on the seat, not in the seat, more like a chair in that your feet go down. I find in some other brands you sit in the seat real low, feet going out straight. I love the fat steering wheel, what a great feel. The backseat leg room compares favorably with my Lexus LS430, well actually it is better: 39.1" vs 37.6", that's impressive. Trunk is cavernous, a good 3 body trunk (think Soprano's), feels longer than it is wide. Stereo is the best I've heard in a base model in a long time. Good highs, good lows and volume, I like it loud!
Here is what I didn't like: I felt the 2.5 5 cylinder was a little underpowered, but I realized last night it was how I was driving, I needed to push it a little harder, in the lower gears, to get it to sing. Now that I've figured that out, the engine is fine. I don't like the radio volume and tuning knobs, I think they are way too small. I think the controls on the steering wheel, especially the radio and bluetooth, need to be bigger or have more separation, other brands do it better. Yeah, that's it, pretty small picky stuff. Overall, I love it, with the manual, most fun driving I've had in years. Without the manual I think it would be just as good, I just wouldn't hear the downshift...and I'd miss that. But you might not.
Rudiontheroad
rudiontheroad@gmail.com
Friday, January 27, 2012
I'm about done with the Camry, going to switch next week. I've driven about 1500 miles in a new 2012 Camry LE. Here are my final thoughts: I really like the Camry LE, it is comfortable all around. Comfortable to sit in on a long commute, comfortable and competent in all driving situations, comfortable with it's layout. Comfortable, but not boring.
Let me talk about the layout. To me, it's like an iPhone, things work how I think they will. The controls of the Camry are intuitive, they are where you think they should be and work how you think they should work. Even the cup holders are right where they should be, they don't block anything with a soda can in them and they aren't an awkward reach like some cars I've driven. To me cup holders are important, I have a two Coca Cola can (not bottle) habit during my morning commute so well thought out cup holders are an important bench mark for me!
I found the 2.5liter 4 cylinder engine to be better than I expected. I thought it would be underpowered but, in passing situations I've had no fears of being able to pass where, and when I want to. The engine is silky smooth, like you would expect. My gas mileage was in the high 20's to low 30's which was what I expected. It has the safety gear I expect, 10 airbags, stability control, ABS brakes, all the that you expect out of a world class company and car.
I keep using the word Comfortable. It's an understated car, a car that is in the background when you drive. So, if your looking for a car where you feel everything and it has the ride to match, this isn't your car. If you want a competent versatile car for all situations, a car that time has proven will go for a long long time, a car that is a great value for your money, this is it.
So my recommendation is: Buy!
Let me talk about the layout. To me, it's like an iPhone, things work how I think they will. The controls of the Camry are intuitive, they are where you think they should be and work how you think they should work. Even the cup holders are right where they should be, they don't block anything with a soda can in them and they aren't an awkward reach like some cars I've driven. To me cup holders are important, I have a two Coca Cola can (not bottle) habit during my morning commute so well thought out cup holders are an important bench mark for me!
I found the 2.5liter 4 cylinder engine to be better than I expected. I thought it would be underpowered but, in passing situations I've had no fears of being able to pass where, and when I want to. The engine is silky smooth, like you would expect. My gas mileage was in the high 20's to low 30's which was what I expected. It has the safety gear I expect, 10 airbags, stability control, ABS brakes, all the that you expect out of a world class company and car.
I keep using the word Comfortable. It's an understated car, a car that is in the background when you drive. So, if your looking for a car where you feel everything and it has the ride to match, this isn't your car. If you want a competent versatile car for all situations, a car that time has proven will go for a long long time, a car that is a great value for your money, this is it.
So my recommendation is: Buy!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
2012 Camry LE
rudiontheroad 1/17/12
I'm driving the new 2012 Camry LE. Yes, I work for a car dealership, no I'm not a car salesman, I'm the marketing guy. One of the perks of my job is I get to drive a lot of cars and I decided to write about them from my perspective. My perspective is a guy who drives 600 miles a week, is getting older (late 40's), drives hard, drives fast and drives a lot, so here goes...
The Camry. We have a long family history of Camry's. My parents each had one. My brother inherited one and he called it "the magic carpet ride." The 2012 is different, it's just a wonderful car. The Camry does everything well and nothing bad, I know..."when you try to please everybody..." line, but this is different. In some ways it is like an Apple product, in that it works the way you think it should, it is very intuitive. Controls are where you expect them, they work the way you expect them, so there are no surprises. The center stack is as uncluttered and easy to use as any car I've ever driven. My wife's car has a zillion buttons in the center stack and it is overwhelming, the Camry does not. Easy to find, easy to use, easy to drive. Hmm, that might be it. Easy to find, easy to use, easy to drive. That really is the Camry.
The four cylinder engine (no I don't have the specs, I'll try not to geek this up too much) runs smooth, I have no problem passing, it doesn't whine, and it gets great mileage. I'm averaging high 20's (no I'm not keeping track, see geek comment above.) The car has a cloth interior that is really comfortable, even on cold mornings. Visibility is great. The controls on the steering wheel are large and easy to use. It has great road manners, very competent on rough roads, a great daily ride. So, what didn't I like? Well, I like my tunes and I like my tunes loud and the Camry LE does not have a robust stereo, but I know that I'm the exception in the Camry crowd. So, just like the rest of the car, it is competent and very easy to use, just don't be expect someone to tell you to turn it down. The Camry LE has everything you need like bluetooth for hands free cell use, power windows, power locks. Would I buy one? Yes I would because, as I said before, it's easy to use, easy to drive, and easy to find. See you on the road. Contact me at rudiontheroad@gmail.com
I'm driving the new 2012 Camry LE. Yes, I work for a car dealership, no I'm not a car salesman, I'm the marketing guy. One of the perks of my job is I get to drive a lot of cars and I decided to write about them from my perspective. My perspective is a guy who drives 600 miles a week, is getting older (late 40's), drives hard, drives fast and drives a lot, so here goes...
The Camry. We have a long family history of Camry's. My parents each had one. My brother inherited one and he called it "the magic carpet ride." The 2012 is different, it's just a wonderful car. The Camry does everything well and nothing bad, I know..."when you try to please everybody..." line, but this is different. In some ways it is like an Apple product, in that it works the way you think it should, it is very intuitive. Controls are where you expect them, they work the way you expect them, so there are no surprises. The center stack is as uncluttered and easy to use as any car I've ever driven. My wife's car has a zillion buttons in the center stack and it is overwhelming, the Camry does not. Easy to find, easy to use, easy to drive. Hmm, that might be it. Easy to find, easy to use, easy to drive. That really is the Camry.
The four cylinder engine (no I don't have the specs, I'll try not to geek this up too much) runs smooth, I have no problem passing, it doesn't whine, and it gets great mileage. I'm averaging high 20's (no I'm not keeping track, see geek comment above.) The car has a cloth interior that is really comfortable, even on cold mornings. Visibility is great. The controls on the steering wheel are large and easy to use. It has great road manners, very competent on rough roads, a great daily ride. So, what didn't I like? Well, I like my tunes and I like my tunes loud and the Camry LE does not have a robust stereo, but I know that I'm the exception in the Camry crowd. So, just like the rest of the car, it is competent and very easy to use, just don't be expect someone to tell you to turn it down. The Camry LE has everything you need like bluetooth for hands free cell use, power windows, power locks. Would I buy one? Yes I would because, as I said before, it's easy to use, easy to drive, and easy to find. See you on the road. Contact me at rudiontheroad@gmail.com
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