Thought Experiment: ~$60k "performance" Small-ish SUVs

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Originally Posted by RJ

I’ll admit buying Michelin’s is almost reflexive after so many years and so many miles over a whole buncha cars. Not a track guy for sure, so overall it’s like hitting the Easy Button for me.

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I understand. I do pretty much the same thing.

I went and looked at this year's Top 10 of One Lap of America and noticed that the 8 of the top 10 finishers overall were running Michelin Pilot 4S - the other two were running BFGoodrich Continental ExtremeSport Contacts.

I just wish Michelin would make a summer tire for 15 and 16" diameter wheels.

For performance work it's all Yokohamas around my house, since I sold my last car with 18" wheels 5+ years ago. For all seasons though, the Michelin Defender reigns supreme.

I can’t begin to describe how transformative the 4S tires I put on the Z3 were. I have never been so impressed with a tire.

Now I worry about breaking something in the suspension...they grip so hard. And are so comfortable too. Just tried them in wet and they were really unbelievable.

I read enough to have the opinion they like it but did the normal nit picking. 0-60 in 5.2. The one they tested was all pimped out and over $60k, but the base is probably a solid value (without stuff like bigger brakes and summer tires that were expensive options) at $55k.

I am not quite done reading the article but my summary would be they would think it was phenomenal, if it wasn't an SUV that is badged ST.

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Originally Posted by mmc45414

I read enough to have the opinion they like it but did the normal nit picking. 0-60 in 5.2. The one they tested was all pimped out and over $60k, but the base is probably a solid value (without stuff like bigger brakes and summer tires that were expensive options) at $55k.

I am not quite done reading the article but my summary would be they would think it was phenomenal, if it wasn't an SUV that is badged ST.

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I assume this is in reference to the Explorer ST? maybe you meant to include a link?

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Originally Posted by rob_s

I assume this is in reference to the Explorer ST? maybe you meant to include a link?

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Yeah, if you are looking at Taptalk you do not see the message header:
The Car & Driver that just hit my mailbox has a Explorer ST road test

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Originally Posted by mmc45414

Yeah, if you are looking at Taptalk you do not see the message header:
The Car & Driver that just hit my mailbox has a Explorer ST road test

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oh, wow, nope can't stand tapatalk, I just never read the headers when they change like that!

Sounds like Audi is about to drop a number of RS models, including for the Q3.

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Originally Posted by GJM

Sounds like Audi is about to drop a number of RS models, including for the Q3.

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yeah I just saw a press release or two on the RS6 Avant, but that'll probably top out over $100k. Using fake math, if we look at this progression of pricing:

2019 A3 Sedan
Starting at $33,300

2019 S3 Sedan
Starting at $44,500

2019 RS 3
Starting at $56,200

and then this starting point

2019 Q3
Starting at $34,700

then it's even possible than an RS Q3 might land in the stated price range. Presumably an RS Q5, however, would not.

I drove a RS 5 sport back last month, and it was an amazing performer. I assume that performance would carry over to the RS SUV models.

Audis are fun to drive until they start to fall apart. I’ll never own another VW product. I have so many examples from mine, and friends’ vehicles. I agree with @JAD, BMW is the way to go. Or get a Tesla Model X.