s2k4tony

Nah not entirely.

Mk7 GTD & 730d. I've upped my game :-)
Still hanker for a DC2

s2k4tony

May as well run a v8 petrol, as said those v10 dervs are thirsty buggers

unclefester

Actually, for the size / weight / power / torque .... and bearing in mind the price now ... mid 20s mpg is not that much of an issue.

Nothing is free

s2konroids

Interesting uf didn't think of a toureg.

s2k4tony

It comes to that fateful calculation of mileage X fuel =
Wonder what the service costs are/issues with that gigantic block. Toe-rag forum no doubt

unclefester

I think it's the less c**ty version of a Cayenne .... not that i think there's anything wrong with them either. I suspect a lot will depend on what sensors have failed / are failing / have dropped off.

There's always an old X5/X3 - they will be kicking about cheaply enough now .... but you are going to look like a purveyor of dodgy powder

Nick Graves

As usual, my views are nearly 100% juxtaposed to yours, Tony.

The Leg End's visibility is poor, but not nearly as rubbish at it and the ergonomics are in every piece of VAG shite I've ever sat in. Some of the seats (not all) are decidedly odd.

I perversely prefer the Leg End's bland/oddly-FWD looks to the frankly comical appearance of recent Audis, which scream "I'm a thrusting little bellend" even if the driver's trying not to be in any way. And since it's usually about going down the road in a hooligan fashion, I don't see much of it anyway. The only car in the segment that looks pretty is the XF and that is even more space-compromised as a consequence.

The Leg End's 5-speed GB and loooong change delay are hilariously archaic and mean slow acceleration, but that can be a relaxing counterpoint to the constant hunting of many modern 21-speed derailleur transmissions. And the J35 is still one of the best V6s around.

And although the Leg End has its weaknesses (usually battery-related, rather than the few real mechanical weaknesses) it's very reliable for a car whose technology was at least a decade ahead of its time. At the time...

So AFAIAC, you can keep the Emperor's New Clothes and I'll stick to the tatty jeans, thanks.
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Chalk & cheese me and you ya see...
Before I start, I think the Hybrid Lex is more like 25mpg real world if it's got all that poke. Let's be honest if you use it, mpg collapses. Lovely interior there though. But on the face of doing considerable mileage, you got to aim for at least 40's mpg to make a big wafter worth it - unless you've got buckets of cash. This as the OP says, is 8k. That counts out this techno saloon that frankly, if I could afford to do big miles in a 3.5 V6, it would not be in that thing, no matter how it handles. I concede, if it was petrol it would be 330i for me as they can be mid thirties when tickled. Or an M3 I wonder.
In Japan, style doesn't really count. Everyone has the same hair, samey clothes, same want for electronics. F@ck vanity. And to hell with design looks and interior looks. Even most of the cars look the same - like the legend. It could be a Toyota if you take the silver stickers off - it's bland. I appreciate the outstanding work beneath the bonnet, and the electro gimmicky stuff. The Japs are ambitious and have created some quite remarkable machines, I love Japan for that. I believe the sister sledge was a bit of overkill for the yanks .. Yeah impress them that'll work. So good for you having one, they are a bit of a Q car secret with an outstanding motor. Side point. The funniest thing that has never changed over the years with Jap cars, is the crude white writing that says ON or OFF, or AIR CON. Always big, bold capitals. Do they know what subtle means?
Alfas are the prettiest no matter how unreliable they can be. I've had a few Hondas over the years, and ignored the interiors and shiny momo steering wheels because they were performance things. Jags are great cars now, although not proper as said. They got a bit plasticky and grown fat bumpers but.. still smell of tartan rug on the rear shelf. So it's a good thing. If that's your bag go for it, they haven't got a bad image and are great value. They shade the big Hondas IMO.
Diesels are terrible, I agree. But as boring as they are, and non electric, they save you cash. The only reason to want one IS if you hang around on the long straights for ages. And want no effort with overtakes.
The argument rages "why have a powerful diesel" then? Always has, always will. It all points to one reason. One. Depends on how much of a tw@t you want to be on the motorway. Because you ain't getting past! Personally, as I've got older, somewhere in the middle is what I aim at. So there's some fun possible, without affecting economy. (Fun in a diesel... WHAT??!!) The OP owning a remapped Fabby likes then a wallop of torque. There's lots of choice for him.
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Which is fine if you don't appreciate the vanue of superb ergonomics - and how easy that big lettering is to read subliminally. Unfortuately, recent Japanese designs are copying the German over-design and slightly losing that advantage with silly touch-screen controls et al. But the number of buttons otherwise required is a problem for everyone.

Funnily enough, I find the overstyled Teutonic interiors, with their ridiculously-placed brake pedals and clumsy controls just as risible. Multiply that factor by their sheer ubiquity (The 3er is the latter-day Mk IV Cortina) and that descends into tedium. Talk about MASS production...ditto the KdF Golf (aka Escort), which is everywhere. It's not just the Japanese who all look the bloody same...in fact, they're starting to break out of such battery-thinking as a result of their dystopian economy and shocking the older generations somewhat. AND I like Kei-cars...

So it largely depends on perspective.

s2konroids

TBH I'm thinking an A5 3.0 TDI quattro is looking like the one, its just a little too big an A4 would be better but interior and toys don't seem to be as good.

I wouldn't normally consider a 4WD but I'm self employed.

I badly want a 435D ha!

s2k4tony

I did a bit of research on these Aldi's a few months back as a future prospect for us, if my miles are still as long, AND we don't lease next time. The engine is a good one, for a diesel. It's fairly reliable, looks great and as I know you're tuning addiction will stay with you for a while yet perhaps, it's certainly able to be remapped as you want. They're finally good value for what they are, in their segment. The petrol T cannot be ignored either, remapped to remove the lag changes them for the better.
The Toe-rag has engine out jobs for the like of alternator, both fuel pumps (that fail often) and has a tendency to eat its transmission, on some unloved or high milers.. A frightening prospect of a motor. Engine out is from below too, allegedly.

unclefester

Out of interest ( bored at work ) can you show me what constitutes as 'often failing fuel pumps' / transmission munching or frequency of alternator failures. If it's just internet figures then it's skewed as the only cars that ever show up are usually ones with problems, that's not the same as a JD reliability survey out of all cars sold. S2000s eat Knock sensors if you believe the forums - whereas the reality is that they are usuallly killed by clumsy mechanics. My point is that anyone can go and google any brand / model of car on the internet and will easily find a bunch of people who have had the same problem. Sometimes, there isn't anything more to it than that.

My view of something that has got to 130k+ miles and is on its original bits is that anything engine / box mechanical that could go wrong has already gone wrong and at the price they are now at ... you are buying it to run it into the ground. That's the risk you run with buying something big, comfy, AWD and fast that was > £60k when it was new and is now < £8k and 10+ years old.