jlr_1304

I have to change my car only next june (2011) but since Q5's are so hard to get, i tought i might as well test drive my next car sooner.

After reading some forums for test drives and comments i narrowed my choice to acura RDX and audi Q5. Some other vehicules could be tested latter.

I had an Audi A6 2.7T with 6 speed manual transmission in 2000 for 3 years and an acura integra coupe in 1994 so i know both products.

First off, acura : i went into this particular montreal region dealer as they put no pressure on the client : if you want a salesperson, you have to ask for him.

Entering the dealer, First car i saw was a ZRX or ZDX (kind of a coupe crossover), strange car IMO.

So i went directly to the RDX : not really good looking and the doors felt cheap. Interior looks very good and the seats are comfortable. Comes full equiped for 44000$. Salesperson wasnt available for a test drive

Audi is right across the street so i could walk to it. There were so many beautifull cars in the parking lot it was like walking on st-catherine street in summer : dont know where to look

Inside the dealer were 2 R8 and S5, S4....my jaw was touching the floor. Completly different experience from Acura dull dealership.

I asked if they had a Q5 for..."sorry, they are all sold" ... but they had a base 2.0T as a demo. It was a navy blue with beige leather, still with plastic on.

the saleperson open the electric tailgate with the remote control : a must option.

Everything looks solid in there : famous door "clap" from luxury cars, luxirious interior, confortable seats, big multi-branch sterring wheel. Dont think much about sunroof but this one is really cool with the eletric curtain. Not shure again how this thing will react to canada's extreme weather and it must add some noise to the cabin.

Tested the normal automatic transmission : felt some lags. Semi-automatic is much better, but i cant say it's a bomb. Not sure how it will do with 4 passengers and a loaded (small) cargo, speaking of which, there's not much of it inside the car.

the ride is very quiet and i was at 110km wihout feeling a thing. Corening is very solid.

back to the dealer, the guy told me that there is a 4 months delay before i can get one. wondering how can one can negotiate a price with some much demand : at least 5-10 person a day asks for this car.

Total came up to 50K + for premium + and navigation.

I'm still drolling over it...

jb747

Cheap. In Oz I'm not going to get much change from $90,000 Canadian for the Q5 I ordered.

warcity

iTrader: (1)

Excellent Choice, the RDX is being totally changed next year so no point, it has very out-dated technology and I have heard horror stories on gas consumption.

The 4 month wait is exaggerated, I was told the same but had mine in 2 months. As far as price I think the SPP program and "maybe" a free maintenance package is your only discount you can pursue. Of course it's worth trying.

Good luck and keep us posted.

p.s. There is lots of good info on this forum on the Q5 pretty much everything you need to know will be on the first 5 pages so have a look.

Cheers.