Quote:
Originally Posted by AzNMpower32
The GC doesn't really compare to the Q5, it's more the size of a X5/Q7/ML and actually rides on the ML-chassis.
I've been on a test drive with Meiac09 of the Q5 and it wasn't particularly remarkable. Plus, the 3.0 TFSI version starts at $44k and to get xenon headlamps, you have to bump up to the Prestige version which is upper $40s which is fantastically poor value. Plus, the Q5 is decidedly on-road based yet not as sharp as say, an X1 or the old X3. Plus, it rides on the firm side, not what I really want after a day of work.
I'm still glad I took on my friend's advice to drive it though. I treat my X3 somewhat like a Jeep already- mud and debris on seats and carpet from a bike ride is never a concern, and I do tend to be a bit of a hooligan on the forest roads ("Watch how sideways I can get it around this gravel turn"). Always a leery of hitting a hole or rock too fast and damaging the suspension, worries that would be less of an issue with Jeep. But definitely, I do have a priority towards on-road handling and given the pace with which I attack the corners, I'm not giving up my X3 soon. Thank god for the partial underbody cladding  |
whoa, too much to address here, as you're misinformed on a few things:
I'm aware it rides on the ML chassis. I'm also aware that GC owners RARELY take them off road, somewhat off road, or even mildly off road, intentionally or unintentionally. They're primarily used as road cars. They also get horrible MPG (that's mile per liter for your alter-personality
). I just sold my 2012 Q5 with 18k miles on it after using it as a daily driver and 80 miles a day round trip. You're entitled to your opinion about the Q5 ride, but IMO it's better than the X3 and the GC, as a friend has an ML based GC and it floats, rolls and drives like a tank. I test drove the '12 X3 and Q5 before buying the Q5, the X3 handling wasn't as good. Obviously that's subjective, so arguing about it is a waste of time.
Let's talk about size and which cars are comparable: Cargo capacity in the GC is 35 sq ft. The Q5? 29 sq ft. That's only a 6 sq ft difference. Which while a difference, isn't that big of a difference. The handling on a Q5 is better. The Q5 gets better MPG. The interior is far better. And to get the same options on both costs about the same, so as I said earlier, for the same money, I'm getting the Audi.
You don't have to "upgrade" the Audi to the 3.0 engine (and I put upgrade in quotes as the 2.0 is far more popular than the 3.0) to get xenon headlights, nor do you have to get Prestige. That's just a fact. my 2.0 prem + had Xenons.
I have no idea what you're talking about regarding "riding on the firm side", for starters, that's not true, and the X3 rides more firmly.
All of that being said, configure a Q5 and an X3 similarly and then come back and report on value. The X3 is more expensive than a comparably equipped Q5.
You might want to have another go at a Q5 test drive, because it appears that you were asleep during the last one. You also might want to check out the options on
Audi of America > Luxury Has Progressed.