sky_free
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Re: Help Me Pick A New Camper!
Better fuel economy is possible with a small fiberglass trailer like a Casita, Escape or Scamp. We have a 2017 Honda Pilot which is very comparable to your Highlander and tow an Escape 17B which is right at about 3,000 lbs loaded. On the last trip I hand checked a full tank of gas and averaged 15 MPG. I don't drive slowly either -- 65 mph when conditions allow. With my diesel VW Touareg TDI I was getting 19-20. VW is buying it back so now we use the Pilot. However, I don't think it's really worth trading what fits your camping style for fuel economy. The only real issue is that you will be stopping for fuel very often. As an actual cost, it's not that significant.715Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Couple Purchase
Lots of people tow Casitas and Escape trailers with Pilots. We have a 2017 Pilot EX-L AWD with a 5,000 lb tow rating and will tow our Escape 17B with it after the Touareg TDI goes back to VW as part of the buyback. You will need about $850 worth of options to get the 5,000 lb tow rating: Hitch, wiring harness, and ATF cooler. Without the ATF cooler you can only tow 3,500 lbs. Our Escape 17B weighs about 3,100 lbs with full water tanks. It is heavily optioned so that's a worst-case scenario for that model.604Views0likes0CommentsRe: F.B.I. Arrests Volkswagen Executive
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote: sky_free wrote: Bedlam wrote: I don't believe the current owners have a choice. They will not be able to renew registration due to non-compliance to US standards. Actually, they will be able to register it according to the settlement terms. VW is paying a large fine to "pay for" their over-emissions for the approx. 15% of people who choose to keep the cars. If they don't reach the 85% mark, they have to pay more depending on whatever the percentage is. They are bribing us to turn in our cars so they don't have to pay more fines. The payout is so good that even though it is the best car I've ever owned it would be stupid to not sell it back. With 112K on it, the market value would be much less than half of the $ I will get by turning it in. Not completely true, only the 2.0 can renew the vehicle registration. "What vehicles are covered under the consent decree? The consent decree covers all 2.0L diesel vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen and Audi between 2009 and 2015. These include: VW Jetta Sport Wagen (MY 2009 - 2014) Audi A3 (MY 2010 - 2013, 2015) VW Beetle (MY 2013 - 2015) VW Golf (MY 2010 - 2015) VW Jetta (MY 2009 - 2015) VW Passat (MY 2012 - 2015) VVW Golf Sport Wagen (MY 2015) The consent decree does not cover 3.0L diesel vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche that the governments allege are also equipped with defeat devices. These vehicles will be addressed later." note this is for California not sure how this affects other states. Note this is from Dec.16, 2016 LINK For those who say it's a great vehicle and makes great mileage....well no kidding they turned off the emissions so it could make that mileage. I owned a tdi Jetta and loved it. Was it flawless? No, no it wasn't. Was it a great car? Yes, yes it was and if I was not working for FCA I would own another tdi in a minute! Don I believe Bedlam was referring to the post above for a 2012 Passat 2.0. I should have been more clear. Nobody expects the 3.0 settlement to be any different though. From the CARB site, 100% of the cars need to be bought back OR MODIFIED, so it stands to reason that you will need to get the mod if you keep the car and intend to register it, but the site isn't clear on that.593Views0likes0CommentsRe: F.B.I. Arrests Volkswagen Executive
Bedlam wrote: I don't believe the current owners have a choice. They will not be able to renew registration due to non-compliance to US standards. Actually, they will be able to register it according to the settlement terms. VW is paying a large fine to "pay for" their over-emissions for the approx. 15% of people who choose to keep the cars. If they don't reach the 85% mark, they have to pay more depending on whatever the percentage is. They are bribing us to turn in our cars so they don't have to pay more fines. The payout is so good that even though it is the best car I've ever owned it would be stupid to not sell it back. With 112K on it, the market value would be much less than half of the $ I will get by turning it in.427Views0likes0CommentsRe: F.B.I. Arrests Volkswagen Executive
gkainz wrote: What really baffles me is the fix should simply be a software update. They're destroying the hardware for a software issue. Unless the destroying hardware is punitive action? A part of me somewhat cheered for VW when I heard initially about the emissions games - (yeah, will get bashed here for that, I'm sure). I'm not a fan of forced solutions for paper problems with CAFE, etc ... The "software solution" was an early attempt by VW to downplay the problem. It has since been rejected by the EPA and CARB. Just turning up DEF injection doesn't work. The more DEF that is injected, the more ammonia is released (harmful) unless there is sufficient catalyst to turn it into water and nitrogen, which are harmless. The assumption with the Gen1 (2009-2012) engines is that they could not get the right chemistry without replacing too many systems (DEF, Catalytic converter, turbos, DPF, etc.). This isn't about CAFE, it's about the EPA. NOx emissions are harmful to humans. Sure, the effect is minimal with so few vehicles emitting many times the allowed NOx levels, but VW is being made an example of to discourage this from happening again. Whatever the buyback and compensation amount is, it is many times less than US law provides for. If you are sold something that is misrepresented by the manufacturer and not what you were promised (clean diesel!), you are entitled to 3X the original purchase price. That would be at least $150K per 3.0. In some ways VW is getting off easy, but that's the way the law usually works. I think most people will be happy with the settlement. We get to move into a new vehicle for very little $, so it's good for us.436Views0likes0CommentsRe: F.B.I. Arrests Volkswagen Executive
Nothing is set in stone yet, but 2009-2012 3.0 TDI's will supposedly be bought back for clean retail as of November 2015 + taxes + $720. That is about 20,000 vehicles. This is part of an agreement that has been heard in court and made public. For me that is about $30K +- depending on how many more miles I put on my 2012 Touareg. The buy-backs should begin in a few months if it follows the same pattern as the 2.0 TDI's. The 2013+ 3.0 TDI's will get a fix. There is talk of "additional significant compensation", but the details of that won't be hashed out until at least Jan 31st. Rumor is about $12K. This is obviously great news for us financially, but I'm having a very hard time finding a suitable replacement. Hate to see it go as it is the perfect light tow vehicle and all-around great SUV in just about every way. It's very sad to see how badly VW messed up here because it really reduced the availability of new TDI's in various brands.436Views0likes0CommentsRe: Andersen WDH Experience: Kodiak 242RESL by Mercedes GL450
I know that this is a very old thread, but I have been researching the GL450 with air suspension and it's not a matter of IF it fails, but WHEN it fails. I suspect it had absolutely nothing to do with your WDH usage. Distributing 120 lbs to the front axle is not going to cause a failure. Check out benzworld.org for endless stories of air suspension failure. The 2nd generation (2013+) seems to be much more reliable FWIW.393Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ford Explorer Ecoboost
carringb wrote: sky_free wrote: Where did you see that the Everest will be offered here next year? I couldn't find anything. It's not listed on the "Future Vehicles" link from Ford. It's going to wear the Bronco name stateside. It was accidentally confirmed by the UAW, and along with the Global Ranger, will be built in the current Focus plant. http://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/40415/this-is-what-the-ford-bronco-might-look-like/ Thanks, but looks like a long wait. This article suggests the Ranger will return in the 2019 model year and the Bronco in 2020. Car and Driver 2019 Ford Ranger450Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ford Explorer Ecoboost
carringb wrote: horton333 wrote: If more competition raises their rating to 6,000 like Pathfinder did recently then perhaps marketing will direct 6,200 be printed. I'm not so sure, with the Explorer. With the Everest coming out next year, that'll be the more-capable, Explorer sized vehicle. Predominantly marketed as an off-road SUV like the 4Runner, but with 6500 pounds towing capacity. Where did you see that the Everest will be offered here next year? I couldn't find anything. It's not listed on the "Future Vehicles" link from Ford.450Views0likes0Comments
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