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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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Comments

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,280
    You could open up your own BHPH lot... :P
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    sounds like she already did

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Akangl, keep the Sebring and cancel the Explorer! Spring is just around the corner... I'm sure your trees are budding as I type this!

    Other news... I test drove the Honda CR-V. I found the perfect vehicle... with the right equipment but it was FWD. I decided that FWD might be fine.

    When I called the dealer back about an hour later saying I would take the CR-V, it had been sold. They move mighty fast!!! Even at MSRP! ($28,000)

    My salesman thinks he can find one tomorrow from another dealer. We'll see.

    Looked at the Jeep Liberty. My local dealer didn't have any 4x4's... they thought they could locate one. After all was said and done, they wanted list price!!! ($30,000) minus rebate of $3,000. I said NO WAY. Rebates are factory money... the dealer wasn't coming off a dime. I walked.

    There is no way I'm paying MSRP for a Jeep.

    I think the Honda will come through one way or another (hopefully). It drove very nice and had a COLD strong blowing air conditioner which is very important to me. It was the color I wanted (Borrego Beige) had a sunroof, leather, heated seats and a nav with rear camera. Very peppy engine with only 4 cylinders and 166 HP. Gas mileage was listed at 23/30.

    Mark156 :)
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Does fwd make it easier to tow a dinghy(I love that term by the way)? If so that should save you about $2k initially.

    I can not believe the Jeep dealer would not move off MSRP. I would think a Liberty could be gotten for invoice plus $300 minus rebates at this point in it's life cycle.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    You could open up your own BHPH lot...

    LOL, I'm tellin' ya, this is nuts. We try to help someone out and this is what we get. No big deal though, especially since I only had $1000 into the car. It'll sell, just have to wait until spring.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    Akangl, keep the Sebring and cancel the Explorer! Spring is just around the corner... I'm sure your trees are budding as I type this!

    Trees budding?? Uh, its 50 below zero right now!!! We won't see trees budding for another 3 months at least. :sick: I'm sooooo tired of winter.

    No sense in me keeping the Sebring, hubby can't drive it, kids don't fit in it, and its a pain in the rear to put groceries in. Just not a real pleasant car, runs good though and is low miles. I'm sure it will sell once spring hits.

    Not sure we're getting the Explorer after all, the guy paid us off in cash for the trailer today but said we could still buy the Explorer if we wanted to. Don't really see the point now.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    I was shocked too about the Jeep.... the style is not even new!!!!

    Akangl, I think I remember the same thing happening to you on a truck you tried to finance. You got that one back too! Sell'em for cash and cash only... never to come back again!

    Mark156
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    Akangl, I think I remember the same thing happening to you on a truck you tried to finance. You got that one back too! Sell'em for cash and cash only... never to come back again!

    Yeah, the truck deal bit us in the rear, we lost a bunch on that. We are just too nice I guess and try to help people out, we know what its like to be down on your luck. At least with the Sebring I didn't lose a dime on really, they gave me $1000 down which is all I had into the car. Anything I sell the car for now is gravy really.

    I did think about selling the Sebring to someone else on payments again, could probably make a small fortune off the poor car, lol. Don't want to deal with that again though. Cash and cash only from now on. Ain't got the cash......don't waste my time!
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Akangl, just curious, when you sell a car like that with cash down and payments, did you keep the car in your name? If so, how did the insurance work?

    Mark156
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • geo9geo9 Member Posts: 735
    If it makes ya feel any better the Oswego county NY
    are (your old stomping ground) got 11 FEET of snow
    over last week !!!!!!!!!!
    The weather has been a balmy 11 degrees !!!!!

    Good thing I am heading to Daytona Beach Monday!

    BTW: My poor 04 Chevy truck is on its 3rd hard winter
    snowplowing and I have been eyeballing a new 07 GMT-900
    3/4 ton. It has been problemfree and only has 20k miles !!!!! The dealers are drooling to get their hands
    on it for resale.............
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    Akangl, just curious, when you sell a car like that with cash down and payments, did you keep the car in your name? If so, how did the insurance work?

    The car goes in their name with me as lienholder. They are required to keep full coverage insurance on it with me listed as lienholder. I hold the title of course. This time was the last time I will do this, next time the Sebring leaves its for good. Nice car, just don't need it.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    If it makes ya feel any better the Oswego county NY
    are (your old stomping ground) got 11 FEET of snow
    over last week !!!!!!!!!!
    The weather has been a balmy 11 degrees !!!!!


    I saw that, was looking through the pictures. Made me miss my hometown. We hardly get any snow but lots of cold. Got up this morning and it was 38 below zero. I don't remember the last time we had snow, its been a while, maybe have 2 feet on the ground. Probably less since it warmed up to 50 above a couple weeks ago and rained.
  • growwisegrowwise Member Posts: 296
    Folks, here are the pics of my new outlander. Pics are a little crappy but they give you an idea.

    image
    image
    image
    image
    image
    Above is with third row kids' seat up.

    Full albums can be found at
    http://www.carspace.com/growwise/Albums/mitsu07outlander/
    http://www.carspace.com/growwise/Albums/mitsu07outlander2/

    It is the first time I am owning an SUV/CUV/tall wagon however you wanna call it. I am thoroughly enjoying it..
  • growwisegrowwise Member Posts: 296
    another one
    image
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,280
    Same color as my roommates'. The FWD ones seem to be very uncommon--when I was looking at them, the FWDs were usually LX (base) models.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    I've been so busy trying to find a CR-V I'm totally exhausted.

    As I mentioned a few posts above... the Beige CR-V that I drove was sold right after I test drove it. I guess the term "you snooze, you lose" is so correct!

    I found just the CR-V that I wanted at another dealer 350 miles away from my hometown. They have one coming in on the boat from Japan and I should get it in 3 weeks. It does have the AWD, Navi, leather, heated seats... just like I wanted. I put a $500 deposit so I hope that my car is secure now!

    It is amazing how difficult it is to get a CR-V... wow! I must have called 10 different dealers in the the surrounding area.

    Several dealers said they could do a search instead of me calling each dealer. Apparently, they didn't know about the one's coming to the dealer I ordered from. At least I got it! (Hopefully) :surprise:

    Mark156
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • flash11flash11 Member Posts: 98
    Get a Liberty diesel if you can. It gets great gas mileage and can pull a trailer or boat. It has surprising power and speed,very impressed with it,my brother owns one and it is great for camping and getting around in bad weather cheaply. He gets about 25mpg. Can't wait to see the Grand Cherokee diesel, Mercedes has been engineering diesel engines for years and they do it better than VW.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    My local Jeep dealer didn't have any 4x4's much less a diesel. I was so turned off by the Jeep place that I don't want to go back.

    I was amazed at the way the Honda CR-V drives.... the nicely done interior and the torque from a 166 hp four cylinder engine was astonishing. The mileage is 22/29 for the AWD. How can you beat that?

    I just hope the dealer 350 miles away is being honest and not pulling my chain. It will really mess my up if the vehicle doesn't come in at the time that they say. I have to pick up the motorhome early April and all this hinges on the timely delivery of the Honda CR-V.

    Mark :)
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Hmmm just so you know the new CRVs are made in the US, so if anything they should be coming off a train from Alabama iirc, and especially not off a boat from Japan.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Boom... you are aware that ALL Honda CR-V's are made in Japan, right? One day they might assemble them here but not yet.

    Mark :D

    Edit: I just read your bio and you sell Honda's? Almost every Honda dealer that I spoke with (at least 10) told me that the CR-V is made in Japan only.
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    The previous generation was, but not the current one. At least that's what we were told from the Honda training guys when the CRV was released.

    They moved the production assembly to the US.

    BUT because I want to make sure that this is the case, I'll double check at work and get back to you on that. ;)

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,569
    They are assembling the new CR-V in the USA, but so far, all production is going to Canada..

    Right now, all USA-sold CR-Vs are coming from Japan. That is expected to change.

    Edmunds Price Checker
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  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Ah ok, that clears it up.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Yeppers! That clears it up!

    Mark :):):)
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • kw_carmankw_carman Member Posts: 114
    Gotta chime in here--I'm pretty sure our '06 CR-V (prev gen) was assembled in the UK, if anything. Although production has moved to North America for American CR-V's, some will still be manufactured there, but only for the UK market.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Traded in an 02 Odyssey LX with 166K and its second transmission for a certified pre-owned 04 Ody EX with 23K on it. Get me the roof rack which is the biggie. Also gets me climate control which is nice and the dreaded DVD player I swore I'd never get..... Well, I guess it will keep the five year olds happy.

    I'm getting far too predictable. This is my fifth Honda.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    I have never purchased a Honda before. I have had the following Nissans.

    In 1979...age 21
    My first new car,
    1979 Datsun 210 fastback ($4,900 MSRP)

    In 1987...
    1981 Nissan 210 wagon (bought used to carry my dogs)
    1987 Nissan Maxima GXE

    In 1989...
    1989 Nissan Maxima SE

    Looking forward to owning my first Honda... haven't had an economy car in a long time! I'll be incognito! :P

    Mark156 :)
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Went to 1 each Acura, & Honda dealers yesterday. Just looked, sat in a bunch of cars, no test drives as the salesmen were circling & I knew after a test drive they'd try to get me back in their cubicle & start working me over.....

    Acuras: MDX seemed smaller inside than I thought(?). Seemed a bit claustrophobic for the size even, but I think some of that was that it doesn't seem to have a lot of glass area. RDX seemed fine, smallish. I liked the interior of the TL the best, seemed the "airiest", & roomiest. One thing I noticed was that the doors on the MDX & the RDX seemed much less weighty or substantial than on my E39 5-series, which are like bank vault doors in comparison. And the interiors didn't seem "nicer", or roomier, than on my 6 y.o. bmw, except for the interior of the TL possibly.

    Hondas: Sat in an Si. For $22K, given the performance I've read about, I was getting very good "Honda Vibes". The super-low-profile tires wouldn't last long around here I think tho. Looked at an LX Pilot--I thought it looked kind of "cheap" inside. Plenty of room tho, but I didn't get much of an impression of a "personality". Ridgeline: That I was getting interested in. Seemed like a pretty cool vehicle with a definite personality, & for whatever reasons I was much more interested in it than the Pilot. I'm putting the Ridgeline on my "list".

    I didn't see the new CR-V as I wanted to get out of there before the salesman started getting weird on me. He said he could knock $$thousands off of list (I don't remember specifics) on Pilots & Ridgelines, & $300-$500 off list if I ordered a CR-V......
  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    I also had a 1979 Datsun 210 "hatchback" in that dark red color. Really loved that car but it was quite anemic on the highway. I ended up putting an aftermarket sunroof on it...what a colossal mistake. Leaked from day 1. Nice car though.
    Finally had my "new" used rims installed today on my '06 Civic LX and it makes the car look sweet. They're from a '05 Civic Si hatchback. Those pesky lug nuts were almost $4.00 a pop and I needed 20 of 'em. But in the end, I spent as much as we did for the wife's new alloy for her Mazda 3s that she destroyed in December. So now my baby's all done with the alloys and the upgraded sounds. Probaly should've just sprung for the EX, but all I wanted from the EX were the alloys, sound system from the coupe & the 4 wheel discs. Wouldn't get the sunroof, which is what the wife really objected too.
    A very happy camper now with our 2 rides!

    The Sandman :)
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I've had three - an 85 Sentra and two 87 Maxima wagons. For maybe a year I had both of those wagons at the same time!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Ok, now we need pictures, preferably before and after the new wheels. (If you are like me, you always forget to take the "before" picture until after the "after" has already happened!)

    james
  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    Took one already and will have to snap the new wheels. Wish I had a camera phone to do this though. Got my son a cell before he left back for school...and he got the camera phone with all the latest goodies...go figure!
    I wouldn't even know how to upload any pics anyways. I'm very computer challenged!!!

    The Sandman :confuse:
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    I've had 5 Nissans. My first car was a 1990 Nissan Stanza XE. After that in the long line of vehicles I've owned I've had the following:

    1998 Nissan Altima GLE
    1999 Nissan Quest SE
    2004 Nissan Titan SE
    2004 Nissan Titan LE

    I do believe after the last one that I'm probably done with Nissan. Haven't owned a Honda yet. Had 1 Toyota, didn't like it.
  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    We've now owned Nissans, Toyota's, Mazda's & a Honda and I'm most impressed with the Honda. All the Toyota's had really sucky, mushy brakes which was always an issue with the 4 we had. Loved our '01 Altima which was the Special Edition Package. Just did everything right.
    Not sure what the wifey's next ride will be. She wants the same size she has now, Mazda 3s, but with more luxury. Things like power memory seats and leather are her two biggest wants. I need it to be able to live on unleaded regular 87 octane. Gonna be hard to find that combo in a price that we're willing to spend I suspect. Luckily, we won't have to start looking until the '10's models are here...'09's at the earliest. We'd like our youngest to be out of college when we do purchase it.
    Definitely will be interesting to see where these parameters lead us.

    The Sandman :)
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    british_rover,

    I haven't see ya a while. So what the rumor mill saying on the LR2 ???? It is coming out this fall, right ? Whens the V8 coming out in it ???? I read through my mag and saw the new 2007' Range Rover is NEW ? I love it a lot. :shades: It will take what 2 years until it deprecciates 50% ????? I'd of course love to own a new one but my budget doesn't stretch that high. Perpahs in a few years you can ear mark me a Black with White Leather interiored Range Rover for I and my family enjoyment. They will be $50K by then ? I ofcouse could wait 3 o4 more yeas and probaly pick one up for $30-40K range right ?????

    Just wanted to let ya know a little bit. I checked out the pics on LR2, and maybe the LR3 will be better next redesign ???

    Well see. Just haven't seen ya in a while and wanted to talk Range Rovers with somebody that is very educated

    Thanks,

    Rocky
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    Honda builds cars to a target weight and price point. My Honda experience has been overwhelmingly positive, they have been doing this for so long now they pretty much have the formula of weight/price/durability. That said, the Rabbit felt a lot sturdier than the Civic and the Contour felt sturdier than the Accord. While things aren't exactly equal, the Civic was around longer than the Rabbit and the Accord was around longer than the Contour (by years but not miles, I suppose).
    Another thing to keep in mind is you're comparing a 40k car to a 20k car in E39 dollars, or a 40k car to a 60k car in current dollars :P
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    I've had a couple of Hondas and one Nissan, but no Toyotas. Most of them were very well put together. I've also had a Mazda and a couple of Isuzus as well.

    Lately, I've been driving American (my last foreign make was a VW New Beetle) and I've been quite pleased with their reliability. The gap has certainly closed in the last couple of decades.

    I took Barney (our '92 Subaru) to work today. I may end up keeping it for longer than I expected, as my son in CA may not quite have all the pieces put together to graduate in June. There is talk from his mom about summer school, so I'll just hang onto it until he gets his diploma.

    It's nice to drive a stick now and again...
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I haven't see ya a while. So what the rumor mill saying on the LR2 ???? It is coming out this fall, right ?

    I have been taking a break from edmunds lately. Reading little and posting even less. The LR2 will be here at the end of March or the beginning of April. I will be going to training for the LR2 the second week of april for a few days.

    Whens the V8 coming out in it ????

    No idea if they will make a V8 LR2. It is doable from a engineering perspective but it might not make sense from a pricing/marketing angle.

    I read through my mag and saw the new 2007' Range Rover is NEW ? I love it a lot. It will take what 2 years until it deprecciates 50% ????? I'd of course love to own a new one but my budget doesn't stretch that high. Perpahs in a few years you can ear mark me a Black with White Leather interiored Range Rover for I and my family enjoyment. They will be $50K by then ? I ofcouse could wait 3 o4 more yeas and probaly pick one up for $30-40K range right ?????

    It takes about three years for a range rover to depreciate to 50% assuming average miles. So in three years a 2007 Range Rover in good conditon with mid 30,000 for miles would be low 40,000 dollars.

    If I can I will bring some photos and videos from the LR2 training in April.
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Don't forget, a 3 y.o. LR will only have 1 year of warranty left.......I bought a 2.5 y.o. RR once but bailed after 1 year so I could trade it/sell it with 6 mo. warranty left (it seemed like a lot of non LR dealers wouldn't even take a LR with no warranty).....& after all the problems it had in one year I was chicken to keep it with no warranty. FWIW.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I was making the assumption that you would by the Range from a Land Rover dealer that would include a 2 year 25,000 mile extended warranty.

    All of those price ranges I was given were for certfied Range Rovers.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Pulling out the emergency electric paddles to get this thread to come alive!

    :surprise:
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    I have done my buying for the rest of this year, I think. My Matrix (mine since January 30th) now has about 1500 miles, no surprises and I am very satisfied.

    Of course, it has already experienced a hit and run that damaged the bumper cover, reminding me why it can be a real drag buying new. They don't stay new for long, do they?

    I am keeping one eye out for a couple of models, MkII Supras and early 90s Civic SIs, in good condition, and if one should appear, I will take a serious look with a thought to buying, but I am trying to commit to the Matrix as my last new car purchase for the next 5 years.

    Can I make it? Oh, who am I kidding??!! But I can try, right? :-)

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,280
    My lease ends at the end of 2008. If I start running out of miles (15k/year), I'll get a second vehicle before then, but I doubt if that will happen.

    Between May and July, I know I won't be making any trips, as I'll be studying for the bar exam, so it won't have many miles put on it during that period.
  • bdc2020bdc2020 Member Posts: 58
    Isn't spring the busy selling time of year? So I expect in maybe 2-3 weeks that sales should really be picking up across the board - and maybe the stories too.

    Or is my assumption wrong on that?
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    I've been eyeballing some SUVs, but haven't found anything to jump on. The Sebring is back in the yard and hubby is pushing me to get rid of it. I dunno, I kinda like the car in the summertime. Still waiting on little brother for that 93 Explorer, might as well keep looking in the time its going to take him to get it out and going.

    Hubby says I don't drive enough anymore to need another vehicle. He complains that my black truck sits way too much. I drive it maybe once a week if that I think. Rest of the time I ride with him if I need to go anywhere.
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,785
    I bought a Forester X last year for a ski car. Does well in snow and have had nothing go wrong on it.

    When I bought it, I figured I would have 1 passenger, maybe 2 max, for a few ski trips of about 2-3 hours each way. What has happened instead this season are lots of trips with 2 or 3 passengers and a big load of gear. This has brought a few weaknesses up: 1) Power-when you load this car up with 4 adults, gear and 4 pair of skis and drive it up a pass, the world can move slowly. And I have the stick, not auto. 2)Maybe some more cargo room in the back for gear? I have a big box on the roof, but 4 pair of skis and poles fill that up pretty well. 3)Rear seats are really tight for adults.

    Other things I'd like-
    Ipod connectivity
    Side curtains
    Heated anything
    Maybe Nav and/or Bluetooth
    Lower the height, the better (when roof box meets underground parking...I live downtown in a large city)

    Some possible solutions-
    1. Forester Turbo-Does not solve the cargo problem but sure solves the power issue. Nicely equipped and should be a lot of fun. Old design and no side curtains. Should be able to work the price a bit.
    2. RAV 4 V6-It's bigger, and has the power. Good mileage and makes full power on regular gas. Wonder if its any fun to drive at all. Automatic only. Harder to deal on. Toyota dealers are evil.
    3. Outback-Bigger cargo area. Same power unless you jump to the turbo which is a lot more money. I like the 4 cyl LL Bean spec, but comes in Automatic(4spd!)only so it will be slower than current car. Lowest roof and nice interior.
    4. Mitsu Outlander-These seem pretty nice; good power and lots of gadgets. Can get Nav, HIDs...the works. Probably a depreciation nightmare (especially bad thing for CCBA-ers)and gets the worst gas mileage of the group.

    Any of you drive these things? Anything I missed? We all like the car hunt here, so let me know your thoughts! :P

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd

  • growwisegrowwise Member Posts: 296
    Any of you drive these things?

    Me :shades: ..I have had 07 mitsubishi outlander XLS for couple weeks now. I am not a mitsu type of guy but this vehicle is truly a good one. The only option that is not on mine is NAV with HDD along with rear dvd player.

    Here is what works for me
    1. Redesign is very easy on the eyes in and out. Looks good and IMHO, way better than most of its competitors. A very cohesive design of both the exterior and interior (atleast my top of the line XLS)
    2. For not much more money than FWD midsize cars, you get more versatility and features
    3. AWD came real handy with freak winter snow storms. I am a believer now in 4wd.
    4. ASC (active skid and traction control) which was invisible also came to the rescue when I got too cocky and tried to change lanes on slippery roads (cutting power and balancing it out)
    5. ABS with EBD has come to aid several times already but what made it more effective where those 18 inch wheels with low profile tires.
    6. Leather seats are very useful with dog hair (my Labrador retriever sheds a lot) and look good IMO (black interior through out). Front Heated seatbacks are a bonus over the usual bunwarmers. My wife really appreciates this.
    7. Rear seats are highly adjustable (fore and aft) and make the entry/exit to third row quite a snap (lighting is a nice touch)
    8. Third row makes sure that this vehicle will meet all my potential future needs. I have inlaws/parents visiting and with one kid on the way in couple months and hopefully second one not too far in the future, its nice to know that you wont run out of seats.
    9. Rear cargo area is good for all situations (luggage, doggie, heavy duty walmart shopping, stroller in near future etc). Third row is stowed for now.
    10. 650 watt stereo is good and steering wheel mounted controls along with 6 cd changer/mp3 are a bonus.
    11. Side curtain airbags on top of seat mounted side airbags standard.
    12. Sunroof reduces the claustrophobia.
    13. Rear flip down gate is good for loading heavy stuff (sliding them in)
    14. FAST key which allows you to unlock the drivers door and start the engine without removing the key out of pocket.
    15. Odor absorbing headliner and aluminium roof for less weight.
    16. All aluminium v6 engine with variable valve timing - Averaging around 23 mpg (11 ltr/100 km) and provides adequate 220 hp. Midrange acceleration is smooth.
    17. Six speed manumatic seems to find the right gear most of the time.
    18. Rear hatch swings up unlike Rav4.
    19. Precise steering and suspension geometry lets it track straight.

    Features present but not used
    1. Bluetooth interface - Dont have a bluetooth phone (need to go buy one I guess). I have an old school phone :P No camera or bluetooth or mp3 :blush:
    2. Magnesium paddle shifters - I dont use them but they came with the XLS trim.
    3. Roof rack. Dont know what to do with it. I am not into skiing or biking. So no point in calling Thule guys.

    Nit picks include
    1. Sound insulation not on par with Toyotas. Lets more noise in (relatively speaking)
    2. Suspension is a bit tight for my taste but I can see the safety point of view.
    3. No heated steering wheel. It gets really cold up here.
    4. Interest rate a bit rich for my blood but that is to be expected when a new model enters the market. But Mitsu dealer was very lenient with my trade-in. Gave me lot more money than what Honda dealer was willing to give. Resale value should be decent for this new model iteration. If not, then the high trade-in value will compensate for some of that.
    5. No Xenon lights for canadian XLS.

    personally, I would have taken a Rav4 Limited V6 over Outlander XLS but since I already stretched my budget, I couldnt digest the 6k price difference which will be more once the Toyota dealer's trade-in appraisal is included. Besides, I am in it for the long haul unlike most CCBAers here :blush:
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    "Probably a depreciation nightmare (especially bad thing for CCBA-ers)and gets the worst gas mileage of the group"

    This kills all potential Mitsubishis for me. I have liked one or two enough to consider them, but being a seriously die-hard CCBAer, I have steered away from brands with really steep depreciation, like Mitsu.

    The new Outlander looks like one really sweeeet ride apart from that, though.

    I have ridden in the RAV4 V-6 Limited a few times now (have a friend with one), have driven it once. IMO it has an excess of power, yet fuel economy still seems OK for a V-6. You could get the Sport instead of the Limited, which has the 18" rims and is supposed to be a pretty sporty ride. But the inside of the RAV leaves a lot to be desired in its price range, I think. I am sure the Outlander has it beaten hands down in that category.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    tifighter, another suggestion would be the new Honda CR-V. I have a deposit on one now that should arrive to the dealership in about a week.

    My choices were more limited as I bought this vehicle to pull behind my new motorhome. My towing guide does not list any Mitsubishi as towable. Also, there are no Toyota SUV's listed that can be towed.

    I was really shocked at the power of the 4 cylinder 166 hp engine of the CR-V. Mine will be AWD, have nav w/rear backup camera, sunroof and leather w/heated seats.

    The only limitations in towing is that I'm not allowed to go over 65 mph and I have to recirculate the transmission fluid every 8 hours of towing.

    Probably one of the easiest tow vehicles would be a Jeep product with the lever to disengage the drivetrain. I was considering the Liberty but there were so many things I liked about the Honda. Both the Honda CR-V and Jeep Liberty both list for about $30K.

    Good points about the CR-V compared to the Liberty...
    1) Spare tire inside vehicle
    2) Rear center arm rest with cup holder
    3) Lift gate vs. swing-out tailgate
    4) Better gas mileage, Honda AWD 22/28, Jeep 4wd 20/24
    5) Honda weighs 3,500 lbs, Jeep weighs 4,044 lbs.
    6) Honda offers rear camera with nav.

    Advantage of Liberty over CR-V

    1) Better off-road c abilities
    2) Can tow 4 wheels down with no limitations

    Mark156 :D
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • growwisegrowwise Member Posts: 296
    The only limitations in towing is that I'm not allowed to go over 65 mph and I have to recirculate the transmission fluid every 8 hours of towing.

    That doesnt sound very good. Have you considered a dolly or a flatbed trailer perhaps for this purpose.

    I agree with you regarding the choice though.. CR-V in its uplevel trim is a very good choice compared to a liberty which looks old. Only Jeep I like is 4 door wrangler. It looks sharp. Have you checked that one out?
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