Macan Turbo - Page 3

equ · 10-09-2018, 01:24 PM

I completely agree, John. I feel quite strange in a crossover, never expected to own one. Where are the fun to drive, long trip comfortable wagons with AWD that is not front-biased? I don't see any. Height does have a snow/ice advantage. I've paid for (or ignored) enough damage over the years.

I wasn't looking for something fast. I actually would have been happy with the v6 diesel engine in it. Was shopping for the Cayenne diesel, but the handling left me wondering... Among the Macans, the turbo had the best low end torque, most complete equipment, best engine sound and generally luxurious feel. So I ended up with something quite fast.

If I undid this purchase, I'd still be shopping for a Cayenne diesel or an f-pace. I didn't have unlimited time, so only drove the 4-cylinder f-pace. It is better in terms of length and weight distribution. But there are many things the Macan is better at. Porsche-ness, that feel of solidity, cabin details also snow grip (it turns out the f-pace does struggle a bit though in a good overly rwd way). But then you're in a jag with unknown depreciation even if I was going to overlook expected reliability. It is the "simpler" vehicle though.

lemming · 10-09-2018, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equ

I completely agree, John. I feel quite strange in a crossover, never expected to own one. Where are the fun to drive, long trip comfortable wagons with AWD that is not front-biased? I don't see any. Height does have a snow/ice advantage. I've paid for (or ignored) enough damage over the years.

I wasn't looking for something fast. I actually would have been happy with the v6 diesel engine in it. Was shopping for the Cayenne diesel, but the handling left me wondering... Among the Macans, the turbo had the best low end torque, most complete equipment, best engine sound and generally luxurious feel. So I ended up with something quite fast.

If I undid this purchase, I'd still be shopping for a Cayenne diesel or an f-pace. I didn't have unlimited time, so only drove the 4-cylinder f-pace. It is better in terms of length and weight distribution. But there are many things the Macan is better at. Porsche-ness, that feel of solidity, cabin details also snow grip (it turns out the f-pace does struggle a bit though in a good overly rwd way). But then you're in a jag with unknown depreciation even if I was going to overlook expected reliability. It is the "simpler" vehicle though.

I tend to agree with John on this. But I got a Macan S as a loaner a month ago. It was fine. Seemed like a tall GTI to me. I still prefer the handling of the Cayenne.

That car was much slower than I thought though was the only drawback.

I expect this is solved with the Turbo engine. That likely makes it actually fun to drive.

equ · 10-09-2018, 03:25 PM

Only the base Macan reminds me of the GTI (as they share an engine) but its drive, comfort and highway feel is very different (and well, better, as in more isolated).

The turbo reminded me of the b7 rs4. The S was surprising to me as well, like the engine didn't match the weight of the car. What am I supposed to do, keep on the paddles and rev like crazy in a CUV? But they are very popular so I guess people figure it out.

rumatt · 10-09-2018, 07:11 PM

I used to think "sport wagon" >> "sporty SUV".

But once you state that winter driving is one of the key purposes of the vehicle, then you realize, "Damn 5 inches of ground clearance sucks and I wish I had more. Oh shit, that's what SUV's are for".

That aha moment made me realize that SUV's don't deserve nearly as much shit as people give them.

Oh and as for being fast......... pffft. Why not?

That said, if I could have only one fast car it wouldn't be the SUV. My truck is fast enough. (It does have >300Hp though)

lemming · 10-09-2018, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

I used to think "sport wagon" >> "sporty SUV".

But once you state that winter driving is one of the key purposes of the vehicle, then you realize, "Damn 5 inches of ground clearance sucks and I wish I had more. Oh shit, that's what SUV's are for".

That aha moment made me realize that SUV's don't deserve nearly as much shit as people give them.

Oh and as for being fast......... pffft. Why not?

That said, if I could have only one fast car it wouldn't be the SUV. My truck is fast enough. (It does have >300Hp though)

I still have the E61.

Not a lot of SUVs match it for cruising range or afterburner on the highway.

JL covers ground clearance.

Turbo covers insanity.

boxster just because.

Volt because it’s a cheap experiment.

I don’t think I’m out of touch with speed. I’m just snobby and have a high bar.

wdc330i · 10-10-2018, 08:34 AM

Agreed. Our fleet is about perfect:

X5 5.0 with adaptive suspension—excellent family and road trip car
718s—awesome fair-weather commuter/sports car
240 convertible–excellent small family, commuter, sporty car that can do the open air thing.

Plus, father-in-law with V8 Ram pickup.

equ · 10-09-2018, 08:44 PM

Your truck has more than 300hp?! That's not that different from the Mac (the murbo?) having 400.. I actually think the v6 diesel (merc, porsche, vw, jgc all the same) 250hp/400-425tq is about perfect for most utility/truck vehicles unless you need serious towing. Even then, it should be biased towards torque.

rumatt · 10-09-2018, 08:56 PM

Yeah, it's 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque.

I rarely floor the throttle or get to max RPM. It's not exactly a refined experience, and would likely just spin a rear wheel anyway. But it's there when needed.

John V · 10-10-2018, 08:48 AM

I think I've gotten boring in my old age and don't really care much about straight line speed. Or maybe I'm just telling myself that because I've been driving the Mazdaspeed a lot and it's not fast.

Still thinking about downsizing the fleet.

CX-5 - Marisa's car, neither of us love it, it may get replaced next year, who knows. It's slow, handles okay, but is typical CUV... affected by crosswinds, no power, automatic, blah. I hate driving these things.
Ram 6.7 - Pretty much the perfect pickup truck. I really love it.
Mazdaspeed3 - My daily driver and winter beater. Relatively fun to throw around, and dead nuts reliable.
Boxster S - Occasional commuter, road trip car. I like it, but I feel like for how little we use it, it's kind of a waste, and I'd really rather have that money in investments. Though we're about to take it to our yearly trip to northeast PA and I love love love it on that trip, driving winding roads with the leaves falling.
BMW - Race car. Sold, gonna miss that one.
RX-8 - New race car.

rumatt · 10-10-2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

I think I've gotten boring in my old age and don't really care much about straight line speed.

Funny.. my old-age boringness has manifested in not caring about cornering speed. I'm too old to go around a corner on a public road with the tires anywhere near the limits of traction. I do care about body roll and transition feel, but beyond that.. meh.

I'm not really a power whore either, but the occasional zoom-zoom is still remotely entertaining.

10-09-2018, 01:24 PM	#1
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,587	I completely agree, John. I feel quite strange in a crossover, never expected to own one. Where are the fun to drive, long trip comfortable wagons with AWD that is not front-biased? I don't see any. Height does have a snow/ice advantage. I've paid for (or ignored) enough damage over the years. I wasn't looking for something fast. I actually would have been happy with the v6 diesel engine in it. Was shopping for the Cayenne diesel, but the handling left me wondering... Among the Macans, the turbo had the best low end torque, most complete equipment, best engine sound and generally luxurious feel. So I ended up with something quite fast. If I undid this purchase, I'd still be shopping for a Cayenne diesel or an f-pace. I didn't have unlimited time, so only drove the 4-cylinder f-pace. It is better in terms of length and weight distribution. But there are many things the Macan is better at. Porsche-ness, that feel of solidity, cabin details also snow grip (it turns out the f-pace does struggle a bit though in a good overly rwd way). But then you're in a jag with unknown depreciation even if I was going to overlook expected reliability. It is the "simpler" vehicle though.

10-09-2018, 03:25 PM	#3
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,587	Only the base Macan reminds me of the GTI (as they share an engine) but its drive, comfort and highway feel is very different (and well, better, as in more isolated). The turbo reminded me of the b7 rs4. The S was surprising to me as well, like the engine didn't match the weight of the car. What am I supposed to do, keep on the paddles and rev like crazy in a CUV? But they are very popular so I guess people figure it out.

10-09-2018, 07:11 PM	#4
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	I used to think "sport wagon" >> "sporty SUV". But once you state that winter driving is one of the key purposes of the vehicle, then you realize, "Damn 5 inches of ground clearance sucks and I wish I had more. Oh shit, that's what SUV's are for". That aha moment made me realize that SUV's don't deserve nearly as much shit as people give them. Oh and as for being fast......... pffft. Why not? That said, if I could have only one fast car it wouldn't be the SUV. My truck is fast enough. (It does have >300Hp though)

10-10-2018, 08:34 AM	#6
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,350	Agreed. Our fleet is about perfect: X5 5.0 with adaptive suspension—excellent family and road trip car 718s—awesome fair-weather commuter/sports car 240 convertible–excellent small family, commuter, sporty car that can do the open air thing. Plus, father-in-law with V8 Ram pickup.

10-09-2018, 08:44 PM	#7
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,587	Your truck has more than 300hp?! That's not that different from the Mac (the murbo?) having 400.. I actually think the v6 diesel (merc, porsche, vw, jgc all the same) 250hp/400-425tq is about perfect for most utility/truck vehicles unless you need serious towing. Even then, it should be biased towards torque.

10-09-2018, 08:56 PM	#8
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Yeah, it's 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. I rarely floor the throttle or get to max RPM. It's not exactly a refined experience, and would likely just spin a rear wheel anyway. But it's there when needed.

10-10-2018, 08:48 AM	#9
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I think I've gotten boring in my old age and don't really care much about straight line speed. Or maybe I'm just telling myself that because I've been driving the Mazdaspeed a lot and it's not fast. Still thinking about downsizing the fleet. CX-5 - Marisa's car, neither of us love it, it may get replaced next year, who knows. It's slow, handles okay, but is typical CUV... affected by crosswinds, no power, automatic, blah. I hate driving these things. Ram 6.7 - Pretty much the perfect pickup truck. I really love it. Mazdaspeed3 - My daily driver and winter beater. Relatively fun to throw around, and dead nuts reliable. Boxster S - Occasional commuter, road trip car. I like it, but I feel like for how little we use it, it's kind of a waste, and I'd really rather have that money in investments. Though we're about to take it to our yearly trip to northeast PA and I love love love it on that trip, driving winding roads with the leaves falling. BMW - Race car. Sold, gonna miss that one. RX-8 - New race car.