phrantic09

When that 16 % grades bogs you down to 5mph in 90 degree heat it feels really slow

Mojo31

Will be interesting to see how those do. It's been a long time since I've owned a VW - last one was an '84 Sirocco. Loved that car until my ex-wife grenaded the transmission (long story, and definitely her dumbass fault).

Since have owned a number of Audis and Porsches which as you know are VAG products. Haven't had any problems with any of them, but never keep them past their expiration date (warranty).

A friend of mine just got rid of an Atlas. He really liked it and had no problems.

I'd consider another look. Might have just been a bad Passat.

Mojo31

Hope you're not referring to this type of Sprinter:

WhyFi

Ha. I don't have the gearing to get up a 16% grade unless it's short enough to bludgeon it within 60sec.

abshipp 

Been there, done that, and don't want to do it ever again

WhyFi

Nah - that'll get up hills in much better form than me.

phrantic09

The 16% parts are. There’s one hill here nearby that gets to 25% for a few hundred feet (total, not vertical) but still is like a 10 average.

phrantic09

Maybe, stock brakes always sucked and produced tons of dust, always had a rattle in the dash and other little nagging things. Saturday the belly pan fell off when we were going 80 down the highway (service tech didn’t tighten it properly). I know that’s not the car, but I’m just turned off

indyfabz

I took a nice nap after my morning call.

When I’m touring I love to inflate the mattress, find a shady spot in camp and nap. Bonus if there is a nice breeze. Usually only happens on short and rest days.

Eric F 

My daughter's old softball gear backpack has been repurposed. It works tremendously well for days when I'm riding after work...

genejockey 

I had a 1986 GTI that I absolutely loved, but it did have an issue or two - fuel pumps. While the GTI was still largely problem free, we got a 1991 Passat, which had a repeated problem with the HVAC sub-panel on the dashboard. That piece had a tendency to short out internally leaving you with no fan, no heat, no A/C. I think, in the 11 years we owned it, we replaced that piece twice. And the fuel pumps, which did the same thing the ones in the GTI did - main pump in the tank gives out, and the transfer pump up front later gives out from trying to make up for it.

No VWs after that.

Mojo31

I get it. The brake dust is a problem with any car using more performance oriented pads, but it's an easy fix to swap out low dust pads.

I hate the dust. I thought I died and went to heaven when I bought a car with ceramic brakes one time.

Then sold it and bought a car without. Go figure. My current car has three things that I once swore I would never buy again: iron brake rotors, mesh style wheels that are a PITA to clean, and fake exhaust tips.

Hate rattles as well, but after owning Jeeps for the last 10 years, anything else seems really quiet.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with trying something different!

MoAlpha

You're young, so it's somewhat more likely to be harsh. I was sick as a dog.

My best wishes to the both of you.

Eric F 

This is an approach I'm very familiar with.

MoAlpha

Depends on the grade.
It's not. :ή

Actually, when you're Medicare years old, there are quite a few fat(ish) guys who climb faster, at least on the shorter grades.

WhyFi

I call it the fat man's gambit - will I run out of gas before I run out of hill?

WhyFi

You know, I hear tell of some exclusive (small) group rides happening in VA soon.

MoAlpha

You want a piece of me?

WhyFi

Why only a piece?

Eric F 

DING! Nailed it.

WhyFi

This reminds me of the amusing, bewildering, and ultimately frustrating preconceived notions of my non-cycling friends whenever I invite them to get off of their asses and go for a ride - they almost always assume that I'm challenging them to race. Like... wtf? Do y'all experience this, too? I just don't get it.

MoAlpha

No, I can't say I experience that, but I don't often ask my non-cycling friends to go riding.

WhyFi

I don't do it out of the blue, either - it's usually after they've expressed some interest or even after they've started started riding on their own. I had one guy tell me about how he felt great since he started riding, how there was some hill that he liked to time himself on, etc, etc, and I'm like, "that's awesome, Steve! We should get together for a ride some time."

"Oh. No. I mean - you'd kill me."

"Uh, what?"

"I'm not going to race you - I'd never be able to keep up."

"What? Who said anything about a race? I just want to hang out and ride bikes."

genejockey 

Almost certainly.

MoAlpha

Nah, they take a long look at me and say, "sure you'll be okay?"

#sleeper