Might be looking for a new car, possibly a hybrid?

[Melensdad]

Also, I´m curious what died on the Audi?

Particulate filter for the diesel exhaust, along with some other components in a cascade failure. I was warned about it a few years ago.

Guessing you bought the hybrid Bob, right?

The Venza is only offered with a Hybrid engine. Same one that is in the Rav4 Hybrid and same on that is in the Crown. Supposed to get 39mpg combine in the Venza.

While it cost $10,000 less than I paid for the Audi 10 years ago, it actually has, in many ways, a higher level of luxury. Of course it doesn't have the engine power or handling that the customized Audi had, but for a 60-something who no longer cares about such things it is really nice. Meets the criteria of moderate size (so we can get it into Melen's parking garage) with a high enough level of luxury to satisfy us, a high level of technology because I'm semi-geeky, and enough interior volume to deal with a baby seat and all the associated toys and accessories that go along with a 3 year old.

 

[jpr62902]

Bought a 2023 Toyota Venza today.

The Audi A6, with the heretofore bulletproof diesel engine, died an abrupt death. $8000 estimated repair bill on a 2014 car from a trusted shop, mostly parts, so I know the guy wasn't jerking me around, probably $4000 cheaper than the dealer would quote. Uh, no. Sold it for scrap.

The Venza is the "Limited" trim version, black metallic paint with black interior. The paint is actually beautiful, not a true black, not sure what Toyota calls it, but it is really nice looking. The lovely Mrs_Bob has a new primary vehicle, her phone auto connects, the baby seat is already installed, Homelink is programmed to the garage door opener.

I'd also have preferred the optional carpet mats to the heavy duty weatherproof mats the dealer added, but that is just a looks thing for me and the heavy duty weatherproof mats are certainly more practical. I'd have preferred any color other than black for the interior, but this was in stock. I didn't want to wait 12 weeks. Parts shortages are so bad that I only got 1 remote key, the dealer said Toyota will get me another remote, no added cost, but I have to wait for it. There are no nearby Toyota Crown Limited + "Technology Package" available, so really didn't even compare this to any other vehicle on my 'short list' of choices. Went in, looked, test drove, gave them a check, drove it home.

BUT DAMN, 2 hours to buy a freakin car. I literally paid with a cashiers check, why the F### does it take so damn long for them to process some papers? And they had a questionaire . . . How many miles do you plan to drive? Do you have pets? Do you have children? What are the roads like where you drive? City or highway? Honestly I blew up, literally said I am not answering the questions and what business is it of yours to know anyway . . . blah blah blah I'm giving you cash, give me the F###### car.

They offered me a free bottle of water and sped things up to get me the hell out of their dealership after that. I refused the water.

I've been waiting since October for my 2nd key fob from Lexus. Luckily, I paid for the credit card key ahead of time, so still 2 keys.

 

[PGBC]

Congratulations.

 

[Melensdad]

Congratulations.

Thanks, and I'll give a bit of an update.

Right about 1200 miles on the Venza now.

Saturday I drove it to Columbus, OH for the Ohio State Open and Duals Fencing competitions. Saturday I had both high school and college kids competing in the Open event. Sunday was limited to collegiate fencing only so the HS kids went home and just 1 of my former high school students who now fences for Michigan State, remainder for the Duals event, plus my entire Purdue University Fencing Club. Drove it home Sunday night.

The technology is really good. My 2022 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E (convenience/technology/luxury package) has the highest technology package available and it, by comparison, simply sucks compared to the 2023 Toyota technology offered in the "Limited" trim on the Venza. Many of the features outlined below are NOT on the lower trim level Venza variants so this comparison is the top of the line Venza to the top of the line Ridgeline.

• Ridgeline doesn't have WIRELESS link for Android & Apple CarPlay (very annoying), Venza does.
• Ridgeline's CarPlay connection is iffy, tends to drop off, which then requires restarting either the Phone or the Vehicle, or sometimes both, to get the connection back! Venza is, thus far, rock solid.
• Ridgeline has a backup camera, with cross traffic warning, auto braking; Venza has 360-degree camera, cross traffic warning, and but I've not tested the auto braking.
• Both have wireless charging pads, both are iffy.
• Both have multiple charging ports for USB, but the Honda's show a connection problem if 2 devices are plugged in. There is not actual problem, but a message periodically, and annoyingly, flashes on the central stack screen saying there is a problem.
• Neither has automatic park assist where the vehicle parks itself.
• Venza can be remote started from a phone app, AC or heater started, etc. I don't use it, but it's there. Not on the Ridgeline.
• Venza is a mobile WiFi hotspot for computers, phones, etc. Ridgeline does not offer that.
• Both have TOO SOFT seats, I honestly don't like either, they are too soft for long drives. I've been driving sport sedans/coupes for a long time with much firmer & more supportive seats and my butt does not like these ultra soft seats. Both brand's seats seem to wide for me, perhaps if I weight 250 pounds I could 'fill out' the seats?
• Honda wins with real cow leather seats; Venza has pretend leather + but has adjustable lower back support.
• Both have automatic Bright headlamps, but the Honda's are like using a strobe light, the Toyota system actually works!
• Both have lane keeping assistance, both work, the Toyota's is less harsh.
• The Toyota has a "Heads Up" display that puts the speed limit, your driving speed, navigation prompts, etc up onto the windshield so the driver sees them, but passengers can not see those. Honda has nothing like that.
• Venza's CarPlay directions are on the central column screen, just like the Honda, but they ALSO are displayed in the main gauge cluster area, and the turn prompts are ALSO displayed on the "Heads Up" display.
• Venza has Air Conditioned seats, Ridgeline does not.
• Both have moonroofs. The Venza uses lightly tinted glass, that electronically turns opaque at a push of a button, and has a motorized shade. The Ridgeline has a manual shade and lightly tinted glass.
• Honda has better/more storage cubbies around the cabin, that is a bit annoying in the Toyota.

I'm getting used to the 'noises' of the electric motors. And the lack of noise when the vehicle is stopped. The gasoline motor kicks in almost silently and totally seamlessly as the vehicle accelerates.

 

[PGBC]

Thanks, and I'll give a bit of an update.

Right about 1200 miles on the Venza now.

Saturday I drove it to Columbus, OH for the Ohio State Open and Duals Fencing competitions. Saturday I had both high school and college kids competing in the Open event. Sunday was limited to collegiate fencing only so the HS kids went home and just 1 of my former high school students who now fences for Michigan State, remainder for the Duals event, plus my entire Purdue University Fencing Club. Drove it home Sunday night.

The technology is really good. My 2022 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E (convenience/technology/luxury package) has the highest technology package available and it, by comparison, simply sucks compared to the 2023 Toyota technology offered in the "Limited" trim on the Venza. Many of the features outlined below are NOT on the lower trim level Venza variants so this comparison is the top of the line Venza to the top of the line Ridgeline.

• Ridgeline doesn't have WIRELESS link for Android & Apple CarPlay (very annoying), Venza does.
• Ridgeline's CarPlay connection is iffy, tends to drop off, which then requires restarting either the Phone or the Vehicle, or sometimes both, to get the connection back! Venza is, thus far, rock solid.
• Ridgeline has a backup camera, with cross traffic warning, auto braking; Venza has 360-degree camera, cross traffic warning, and but I've not tested the auto braking.
• Both have wireless charging pads, both are iffy.
• Both have multiple charging ports for USB, but the Honda's show a connection problem if 2 devices are plugged in. There is not actual problem, but a message periodically, and annoyingly, flashes on the central stack screen saying there is a problem.
• Neither has automatic park assist where the vehicle parks itself.
• Venza can be remote started from a phone app, AC or heater started, etc. I don't use it, but it's there. Not on the Ridgeline.
• Venza is a mobile WiFi hotspot for computers, phones, etc. Ridgeline does not offer that.
• Both have TOO SOFT seats, I honestly don't like either, they are too soft for long drives. I've been driving sport sedans/coupes for a long time with much firmer & more supportive seats and my butt does not like these ultra soft seats. Both brand's seats seem to wide for me, perhaps if I weight 250 pounds I could 'fill out' the seats?
• Honda wins with real cow leather seats; Venza has pretend leather + but has adjustable lower back support.
• Both have automatic Bright headlamps, but the Honda's are like using a strobe light, the Toyota system actually works!
• Both have lane keeping assistance, both work, the Toyota's is less harsh.
• The Toyota has a "Heads Up" display that puts the speed limit, your driving speed, navigation prompts, etc up onto the windshield so the driver sees them, but passengers can not see those. Honda has nothing like that.
• Venza's CarPlay directions are on the central column screen, just like the Honda, but they ALSO are displayed in the main gauge cluster area, and the turn prompts are ALSO displayed on the "Heads Up" display.
• Venza has Air Conditioned seats, Ridgeline does not.
• Both have moonroofs. The Venza uses lightly tinted glass, that electronically turns opaque at a push of a button, and has a motorized shade. The Ridgeline has a manual shade and lightly tinted glass.
• Honda has better/more storage cubbies around the cabin, that is a bit annoying in the Toyota.

I'm getting used to the 'noises' of the electric motors. And the lack of noise when the vehicle is stopped. The gasoline motor kicks in almost silently and totally seamlessly as the vehicle accelerates.

Sounds like a good choice for you, enjoy.

 

[Melensdad]

Sounds like a good choice for you, enjoy.

Moreso a good choice for the lovely Mrs_Bob. It seems to 'hers' not mine.


ONE GLARING PROBLEM with the Toyota. While the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, and even the 2014 APR customized Audi A6 had auto-dimming side mirrors and central rear view mirror, the 2023, with all its techno-glorious features, does NOT have, auto dimming side mirrors. Literally a GLARING error in an otherwise technologically advanced vehicle.

 

[Ethan thomas]

Honestly, with the miles you're getting and the APR tune, that A6 still sounds like a great ride — especially if the emissions issue isn’t affecting performance and you’re exempt from testing. Might be hard to let go of that kind of comfort and mpg combo.


That said, if you’re eyeing hybrids with similar feel, you might want to test drive the Lexus ES 300h or the Toyota Crown — both are getting solid reviews for ride quality and mpg, though the Crown’s styling isn’t for everyone. For SUVs, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid or the Toyota Venza might be worth a look — midsize, decent tech, and easy to park.


And yeah, waiting a few months might actually pay off if inventory piles up and they start cutting deals. Keep us posted on what you end up checking out!

 

[Melensdad]

Honestly, with the miles you're getting and the APR tune, that A6 still sounds like a great ride — especially if the emissions issue isn’t affecting performance and you’re exempt from testing. Might be hard to let go of that kind of comfort and mpg combo.

The Audi died. That $3000 estimate turned into $6000-$8000 for parts. Plus labor.

 

[m1west]

The Audi died. That $3000 estimate turned into $6000-$8000 for parts. Plus labor.

It’s always somthing, just rebuilt the rear end in my Nissan frontier, I want a new truck but the truth is the emissions equipment is killing the longevity of the diesel engines on the new trucks that are severely overpriced. So I picked up a completely mechanically rebuilt 1991 dodge w250 with a Cummins and manual transmission. Now that the Nissan is fixed I’m getting ready to do the body and paint. In the end I will have a new 1991 w250 that will go north of 500k, that’s paid for and no smog or computer crap to fail.

 

[Zanna]

Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles have developed very well in recent years.