that new atlas seems very nice, and as with current one, very roomy. of course he was reviewing the very top trim but did point out vw now offering many features across all trim levels..

 

OK, I see...Thanks. He's apparantly replacing both. That's a big step.

So the option of a Pacifica-buyout is now off the table?

 

Not for a couple of years. It's still pretty early in the S580 lease.

 

Humiliated to have an Atlas? Why?! It’s a good looking family SUV

As for no buttons, it has as many buttons as any other modern car. More buttons than my S580.

No, I’m always considering what I’m going to get next because I replace both cars every 3 years. The Pacifica is being replaced this summer.

Buying it out is still a possibility.

 

I saw the release yesterday and thought of you but then realized, it's a 2 liter turbo non hybrid non phev, you probably won't like the powertrain so it won't be an option.

It certainly looks nice. Imo looks better than the TX. I would argue maybe even the best looking in the segment.

 

It will have a PHEV variant but not for a couple years, so thats likely out. Too bad. I would accept the 2.0T in the right vehicle if it felt okay...but we do really want another plug in vehicle.

 

Finally got my wife out to look at some vehicles. We went to Carmax because you can look at a wide variety of cars, they are all unlocked and no salespeople bother you.

We looked at the GLS450, the TX, the X7, the MDX, Audi Q7, Mazda CX-90 and the Kia EV9. Didn't drive any, just looked at them. Can cross the X7, Q7, MDX and CX-90 off the list just due to being too small. That will also kill the XC90 and EX90.

She loved the GLS, until she sat in the TX and that was her favorite. The TX is more space efficient inside than the GLS due to it being FWD and just Lexus' packaging in general. The seats are very slim and it gives it better legroom in the second and third rows. She agreed the GLS was a much higher end vehicle and better finished but all else being equal even if the cost was similar monthly she would choose the TX for space and the PHEV but liked them both and agreed both would work well.

Issue is the TX PHEV is just a terrible deal. With the discounts being what they are the GLS and TX PHEV are basically the same cost and that makes leases on the GLS much better, at $100k MSRP the GLS is $1,100 a month, at $85K MSRP the TX550h+ is $1,350. Even to buy, the GLS after rebates and discounts is $86k...same price as the TX PHEV. We're going to go drive some new ones. Another option which she is open to is getting a CPO GLS450 and buying it.

We are also still going to look at the Vistiq, the EV9 and Ioniq 9 as well as the Rivian R1S and the Lucid Gravity. I think the R1S will also be too small inside. She really doesn't want to give up the PHEV or EV, I don't blame her. Also going to look at a loaded Grand Highlander.

 

GH and TX way more space than X7 for sure. If it were me I would get a hybrid max platinum GH over a 500h. Feel like you get more bang for buck in the GH than the TX 500h.

Only TX I would want would be the 550h.

Does Carmax still offer the 24hr test drive? We used it 2x. Had time to go home and essentially load it up exactly how we would use it and take it for a day before having to return it.

 

Steve, have you ever owned a VW product?

Not that I dislike my Audi, coming from a long history of Mercedes and Lexus vehicles, I find the quirks of my car a bit too annoying. Hard to explain in a post, but just the small every day details that don't work as you might expect. I wonder since you share the same attention to detail, how you will find ownership to be.

 

My friend has an Etron. They had to replace some of her cells to tune of $5k I want to say. She’s also had her dash replaced back in 2023. Something about moisture or the like getting inside. Currently she has her eye on a GX 550 as a replacement

 

Yeah thats a good question, they might. We definitely want to load them up for a trip and see how they do. Her thought is by eyeballing it you can get a bunch of carryon suitcases sitting up longways side by side behind the third row in the TX, she's not so sure about the GLS.

One time a long time ago, my Mom had a New Beetle when I was 17-18. It was pretty quirky for sure...

 

I can just imagine a high-school male driving around in a pastel-colored New Beetle, with a flower stuck on the dash....what the look on his friends' faces would be.

 

HAHA, it was red, and I didn’t drive it very often! It was a manual though and because of that car I’m able to drive a manual.

They all came with a contract with a florist to go get a fresh flower every day!

 

I know it's an EV but did you see the Subaru Getaway? Their version of the new Highlander. Don't know it's timeline for availability though.

It comes with a super corny name

 

I don't think that will meet the size requirements.