Ford dealer was next, but no new Escape yet, so pass.
Then Toyota. RAV4 design is old, and she saw the spare on the back, and the swing out gate, and didn't even want to go in to look at one. Pass.
Subaru was right next door, so I suggested checking out a 5 door Impreza. Forester is bigger, Impreza is smaller, so they sort of sandwich the CX5 in terms of size.
No 5 doors in stock. Funny thing is this is the second time this same dealer had no 5 doors. And the first was months ago, I could hardly believe it. :sick:
They had a silver sedan with the CVT, and I've been curious to try those, so we took it out for a spin.
My sister decided it was too small for her, BTW, though the back seat is actually roomier than the CX5. Go figure. There's less cargo space, of course.
I'll compare the Mazda3 S to the Impreza, since I drove both and they're in the same class.
The 3 with the 2.5l engine was just a tad quicker, but not much. Both had manual mode, but I didn't find either useful. In the Mazda you could select 5 but not 6, maybe my speed was too low. Odd.
Materials are slightly nicer in the Impreza. The seats are WAY more comfortable in the Soob. Visibility is also much better. With the side mirrors in the doors, it would be much easier to park since you can see the curb. Rear visibility was also better in the Impreza, though this one had a spoiler tacked on that I would not want.
Both had nice steering, linear throttles, easy driving, even fun. Call that a tie.
The CVT was better than I thought. Yeah, it did rev high and stay there when I floored it, but you get results, unlike in the CX5. CVT+2l = noise with results. 6EAT+2l+more weight = noise with no results. So I liked the Subaru power train better.
In normal use, the CVT is smooth and un-intrusive. I tried manual mode but it was pointless IMHO. You even get nice paddle shifters. Maybe up in the mountains that would be useful, but it seemed unnecessary.
Sounds like I'm under selling it, but I liked the Impreza a lot more than I thought I would. It was nearly as quick as the 2.5 S, while being nearly as efficient as the SkyActiv engine in the 3.
It was also more quiet. The Mazda had tire noise. Wonder how the tires on the SkyActiv would compare? I'm sure they use low rolling resistance tires, those may be more quiet.
Bummer that I can't compare the Impreza to the more direct competitor - the SkyActiv model, but I'd pick the Subie over the 2.5 S. The Mazda is a bit dated and you can tell. Too many buttons in the center console, tiny info screen about 3 miles away from the driver.
I'll probably still go try a SkyActiv model, but from a different dealer, and I'll check the model next time. LOL
Also hope to try a Focus SFE and a Golf TDI.
Funny how I ended up making our outing about me, LOL. Sis will drop off the loaner and check out more Foresters.
I did show her a Tucson (Hyundai and Subaru share the same building). She didn't like it at all, too small and swoopy. She started eyeballing a VeraCruz, but I reminded her she's looking for a fuel efficient compact, and that's more or less the opposite.
She thinks an Equinox would be out of her price range. She may go drive a CR-V also. When does the new Escape arrive in dealers? May be too late for her.
speaking of driving, going out shortly to look at the top favorites again (RDX and CRV). This was my daughters ID. we were hanging by the pool earlier, and she piped up with "can we go look at cars today"? And my wife didn't argue.
I truly am living in bizarro land.
might swing over to look at the Volvo too if time permits.
My daughter wants to go because she has not been part of any of the visits, and wants to see them in person as opposed to just in the brochure)
I even worked out some #s last night and showed them to the wife this morning (different cost cars and what it meant for $$ ponied up and monthly payment variations). Seemed to be OK with even spending some money (above what we would get for the van) on the deal!
Still trying to convince her that something like a CRV should be at the top of the budget range, not the bottom, but she still seems fixated on the Acura! Should never have taken her in there (I wanted to see it) because if I hadn't, I think she would have been fine with the Honda.
4 years ago my son went to a dealer to look at a Dodge Durango that had decent miles and a low price. He took his daughter who at the time was 8. As they looked and test drove the car, she was constantly telling her Dad how she LOVED the truck and "Please can we buy this one." He won't do that again. By the way, he did buy and other than tires and brakes, a great suv. Engine and transmission sound new.
well, my daughter is 16 and is driving. So it was not an inconvenience for the dealer!
actually, at 2 of the places, we never even got approached to be helped. the lexus dealer greeted us and said someone would be right over, but they never came. Volvo was friendly and courteous, but I expected that from them.
to recap the days events, The XC 60 was not bad, but neither women on the trip really cared for it, and they can get real pricey with options.
Lexus was blah, my wife felt cramped by the giant console, and the sticker was over 50K!
I am working with a budget, and the firm rule that if I am going to blow the budget it will be for an X3.
Oh, speaking of X3, the used selection is sparse. And they are asking a bundle. a base engine 2008 with 60K (in beige of all things) for 27K?
so, that left the CRV and the RDX. there really was no contest, they both loved the RDX way more, and to be fair, the only things I liked more on the Honda were on the sticker (MPG ratings and price!)
even MPG is not that big a difference. 3 MPG city and highway (ratings, who knows about real world). I can live with that for the huge difference in smoothness and performance.
I did get the wife to agree that we should at least check out the other new releases first. Escape has to show up any day (and she agreed to keep an open mind!) and the new Santa Fe should be out in September? (sorry JMonroe)
Hopefully we can see the Hyundai in advance through the guy I know who works for Hyundai corporate (does dealer service training). He always has new stuff months before it is released. Just have to check with him. His corporate VIP pricing doesn't hurt either.
What's wrong with an Outback? With the four, the fuel economy is going to be fantastic, and with a six, the performance and smoothness should be good, and the economy not terrible.
A Limited with the big engine might split the difference between the Honda and the Acura pricewise. Just a thought...
A 16 year old is a different story. I was speaking more about the people how would come in with toddlers.
Of course, the RDX is going to outshine a CRV. They are what a CRV would be if they didn't have to hit a price point. For 8-10,000 more they SHOULD be much nicer and they certainly are. They do require premimum if I'm not mistaken and they will never retain the resale of a CRV.
comparably equipped I think the CRV is just about 7K cheaper (though of course the RDX does have some extra standard features, stuff like a power passenger seat, and dual CC). But at least you can feel where some of the extra money went (not just the nameplate!)
one thing that surprises me is that all the dealers seem to have quite a few FWD models, and not just the base one, but also tech package cars. I would have thought that Acura would pretty much only make AWD, especially in the north east.
Conversely, I don't think the Honda dealers have any FWD CRVs.
Conversely, I don't think the Honda dealers have any FWD CRVs.
My mother had FWD Highlander and never once missed having AWD in the snow. Also we have a Chrysler Pacifica at the office that I use quite frequently and its only FWD as well. It went through some serious snow the last big storm we had here.
I guess what I am trying to say is, a small-midsize SUV that is not AWD really isn't the end of the world. The little bit of snow we get here may not be worth the extra cost.
oh, with the tires on it and all the electronics, I have no doubt it will be just fine in the snow. The minivan never had a problem. And I know we won't be taking this thing off road!
If anything, it would be more about resale, but I do intend to keep this for a very long time (keep telling the wife 10 years!) Heck, the Van is 7.5 years old already, and only has 73K on it.
Yes, Honda interiors are nicer than Subaru interiors, and WAY nicer than Toyota interiors.
Subaru fuel economy lagged until the new-generation Outback and the newest Impreza (they paid a power penalty for the latter). Subarus, especially the Impreza, are fairly heavy for their size, only about 200 lbs lighter than a CR-V. Also, they are geared shorter, especially the manuals. All that adds up to lackluster fuel economy.
Are you looking with or without Tech? I was just checking it out and it certainly jacks the price up.
Its a shame you can't get the HIDs, power hatch and better sound system without having to get the NAV.
My car has factory Nav and I don't use it hardly at all. The most recent time I used it, it had me on the wrong side of the highway. It also couldn't find an address in Westmont that had been there for over 50 years.
I would not mind having some of the goodies on the tech package, but the base car is already stretching the budget severely, so no way am I paying another 3K+ for that!
I don't really care about the HIDs that much, I don't like power hatches, and can get by with a Garmin. So I just have to live without the built in hard drive.
the base car pretty much has everything I really need (and plenty that my wife will likely never figure out how to use)
started talking up the Outback this afternoon. Got the wife convinced that we should go ahead and take a look/drive at it. Doesn't hurt that I have a friend that is an executive at Subaru corporate, so can get the good pricing! A sweet deal on an exec demo would be even better.
of course she is getting savvy enough to know that "isn't the subaru the one that looks like a station wagon"?
darn, I thought I deleted the post before anyone saw it .. yeah, it's gone from cars.com.
1999 CL 3.0 coupe. Teal with charcoal leather interior. 100,xxx miles and a $4798 price tag.
stick - yeah, I think your wife is gonna make the "wagon" comment about the Outback. I took a look at them last year before we bought the CX-7. The 3.6 Limited was around $34-35K at that time.
If we still lived in So. California I would have zero use for a 4WD vehicle and a 2WD would do just fine.
In northern climates even where it doesn't snow much, 2WD SUV's are near impossible to sell and the dealers are well aware of that.
Our store used to order a 2WD LX CRV once in awhile for the people who didn't want to spend the extra money. We once got stuck with a 2WD top of the line NAVI CRV and it rotted on the lot. I think we finally dumped it on a dealer trade. I remember it was the only one in the zone.
We were delighted to trade it away.
A Tech Pkg. RDX 2WD would NOT be a car any local dealer would order!
might have to give the Outback a serious look. Price is not too bad (relatively speaking). A loaded up Limited is 31K (4 cyl) or 34K (6 cyl). Lot of coin for a little more performance and a tranny with gears!
factor in the pretty hefty discounts (even without corporate pricing) and it can come out cheaper than a CRV (possibly even with the 6).
Bigger car too, FWIW. about 5" longer than an RDX, and 10" longer than a CRV, but actually weighs less than the Acura.
Now, just wondering if the wife will actually like it!
Well, I can tell you where there is a dealer with at least 1, sitting in the showroom. Actually 2 dealers have them (and it wasn't the first, since I test drove one and did not realize until afterwards that it even was FWD!)
I can see wanting AWD on an old school truck based RWD platform, or a Jeep/Durango, but on a FWD model like the CUVs, it really is more of a gizmo for the vast majority of buyers. We have gotten around fine for the last 20 years, including winters in upstate NY, with FWD sedans and minivans.
I'm cheap enough to want to save the $1,300 (maybe more if they have to discount to move!), since I have no plans to sell it for a long, long time.
but on a FWD model like the CUVs, it really is more of a gizmo for the vast majority of buyers. We have gotten around fine for the last 20 years, including winters in upstate NY, with FWD sedans and minivans.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of FWD CUV's here in Colorado as well. In fact, I would say that the majority of CX-7's I see are not AWD.
However, the wife will not entertain FWD in her car, even though we both agree it's necessary only about 10 or 15 days a year.
"Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it"
After seeing a 'four wheel drive' test of the CR-V, RAV-4, etc. compared to the Subaru, it made me question if the Honda's system is all that good. :sick:
We have the AWD version and I've never been stuck in bad weather. On the other hand, I took my Land Rover LR4 up to Lake Arrowhead/ Big Bear area of California in May of 2010.
Little did we know it was going to snow.... and it did about 6 inches. As were working our way down the mountain on twisty roads we came to an incline. Literally, all of the FWD vehicles were sliding off onto the edge of the slick road. I remember one vehicle being a FWD Highlander.
Anyway, I just drove around them like I was on solid dry concrete. I am SO sold on AWD (in the Land Rover) as you just never know when you might need it (living in California).
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
I don't need to be schooled on the lack of need for 4WD in most cases.
A lot of people think they "need" 4WD and they really don't.
Still, I'm very glad ours have it. You see, around here we have a LOT of hills and I can tell you firsthand that having 4WD has made the diffeence for us on more than one ocassion.
If I get caught in a sudden snow storm and have to get home, I would much rather have 4WD than to be thinking about the 1300.00 that I may have "saved".
If I were back in So. California ther is no way I would pay extra for 4WD!
And, just because your local dealer happens to have 2WD's in stock doesn't mean they are tickled to have them! We used to put our hard to sell cars on the showroom too!
I have an adjuster and a few roofers coming out this week to look at the roof, the three-year-old roof from the last storm! I was able to run by and have them look at the Pilot this afternoon, they cut us a check for $6K to fix it, now to see where I can get it in sooner than later...
Corvette, I think if I had four bald tires I would have made it around the cars that didn't have 4 wheel drive. It's amazing to see the lack of four wheel drive when the cars cannot make it up the hill and when you have four wheel drive and pass them like they are trees on the side of the road. Jus say'n. :sick:
PS. So far, the air on the CR-V has worked fine in 5+ yrs. and 57,000 miles. If it poops out, I'll get it fixed for the next buyer as I'm planning on getting a 2013 in Dec/Jan. :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
I just e-mailed my sister suggesting she drive a CR-V next. TrueCar has an EX AWD @ $26,357.
She returns the Forester loaner today. They're also supposed to give her a trade-in appraisal on her 2003, but it's beat up and damaged so we're expecting a low ball offer. A premium model with backup cam is around $24.5k, so the price is right. She could even spring for a leather-lined Limited and still be ahead on cost.
Already drove a CX5. $25,864 for the Touring AWD auto.
I like the BMW. My SIL has a last-generation 5 series in that color and it looks great. Only way that one could be better is if it was a wagon!
and the Blazer? I actually drove right past that place Saturday, taking my daughter to a party. If you want one, I doubt there will be too many to choose from.
I sadly kind of like it. For the right price (and it is already pretty cheap), why not? Other than it would freak out my daughter (no way she would be seen in it) and I doubt my wife would take too kindly to it!
oh, hell, I wouldn't want it. I mean... ok, it crossed my mind... until I looked up the gas mileage. 15/19!! I think my v8 Dakota was rated about that.
'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
It is something to take a closer look at, but I wouldn't say it HAD to have been hit. Hell, my kids do stupid things to my cars all the time. I totally expect them to sit there and peel the sticker off. :sick:
'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
The same sticker on my 540i has a large gouge in it. Looks like someone nicked it with their keys or something else they were carrying. You normally wouldn't notice a paint scratch in the doorjamb in that location.
I'm noticing a steering wheel wobble under moderate braking above 50 MPH or so. Doesn't feel like warped rotors because it seems to go away completely at lower speeds. That may be one for the BMW wizard to figure out when I take it in for a brake and transmission fluid change.
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Then Toyota. RAV4 design is old, and she saw the spare on the back, and the swing out gate, and didn't even want to go in to look at one. Pass.
Subaru was right next door, so I suggested checking out a 5 door Impreza. Forester is bigger, Impreza is smaller, so they sort of sandwich the CX5 in terms of size.
No 5 doors in stock. Funny thing is this is the second time this same dealer had no 5 doors. And the first was months ago, I could hardly believe it. :sick:
They had a silver sedan with the CVT, and I've been curious to try those, so we took it out for a spin.
My sister decided it was too small for her, BTW, though the back seat is actually roomier than the CX5. Go figure. There's less cargo space, of course.
I'll compare the Mazda3 S to the Impreza, since I drove both and they're in the same class.
The 3 with the 2.5l engine was just a tad quicker, but not much. Both had manual mode, but I didn't find either useful. In the Mazda you could select 5 but not 6, maybe my speed was too low. Odd.
Materials are slightly nicer in the Impreza. The seats are WAY more comfortable in the Soob. Visibility is also much better. With the side mirrors in the doors, it would be much easier to park since you can see the curb. Rear visibility was also better in the Impreza, though this one had a spoiler tacked on that I would not want.
Both had nice steering, linear throttles, easy driving, even fun. Call that a tie.
The CVT was better than I thought. Yeah, it did rev high and stay there when I floored it, but you get results, unlike in the CX5. CVT+2l = noise with results. 6EAT+2l+more weight = noise with no results. So I liked the Subaru power train better.
In normal use, the CVT is smooth and un-intrusive. I tried manual mode but it was pointless IMHO. You even get nice paddle shifters. Maybe up in the mountains that would be useful, but it seemed unnecessary.
Sounds like I'm under selling it, but I liked the Impreza a lot more than I thought I would. It was nearly as quick as the 2.5 S, while being nearly as efficient as the SkyActiv engine in the 3.
It was also more quiet. The Mazda had tire noise. Wonder how the tires on the SkyActiv would compare? I'm sure they use low rolling resistance tires, those may be more quiet.
Bummer that I can't compare the Impreza to the more direct competitor - the SkyActiv model, but I'd pick the Subie over the 2.5 S. The Mazda is a bit dated and you can tell. Too many buttons in the center console, tiny info screen about 3 miles away from the driver.
I'll probably still go try a SkyActiv model, but from a different dealer, and I'll check the model next time. LOL
Also hope to try a Focus SFE and a Golf TDI.
Funny how I ended up making our outing about me, LOL. Sis will drop off the loaner and check out more Foresters.
I did show her a Tucson (Hyundai and Subaru share the same building). She didn't like it at all, too small and swoopy. She started eyeballing a VeraCruz, but I reminded her she's looking for a fuel efficient compact, and that's more or less the opposite.
She thinks an Equinox would be out of her price range. She may go drive a CR-V also. When does the new Escape arrive in dealers? May be too late for her.
Ever think of finding a factory spoiler for it?
$4400 might be over my budget, though...
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Ugh! You are SO NOT my buyer.
A pure sportscar such as this can not be weighed down by putting glass in the roof.
Amen and AMEN!!!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The NonActiv models only have a five speed auto.
I truly am living in bizarro land.
might swing over to look at the Volvo too if time permits.
My daughter wants to go because she has not been part of any of the visits, and wants to see them in person as opposed to just in the brochure)
I even worked out some #s last night and showed them to the wife this morning (different cost cars and what it meant for $$ ponied up and monthly payment variations). Seemed to be OK with even spending some money (above what we would get for the van) on the deal!
Still trying to convince her that something like a CRV should be at the top of the budget range, not the bottom, but she still seems fixated on the Acura! Should never have taken her in there (I wanted to see it) because if I hadn't, I think she would have been fine with the Honda.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Your salesperson's sanity would be at the top of that list!
actually, at 2 of the places, we never even got approached to be helped. the lexus dealer greeted us and said someone would be right over, but they never came. Volvo was friendly and courteous, but I expected that from them.
to recap the days events, The XC 60 was not bad, but neither women on the trip really cared for it, and they can get real pricey with options.
Lexus was blah, my wife felt cramped by the giant console, and the sticker was over 50K!
I am working with a budget, and the firm rule that if I am going to blow the budget it will be for an X3.
Oh, speaking of X3, the used selection is sparse. And they are asking a bundle. a base engine 2008 with 60K (in beige of all things) for 27K?
so, that left the CRV and the RDX. there really was no contest, they both loved the RDX way more, and to be fair, the only things I liked more on the Honda were on the sticker (MPG ratings and price!)
even MPG is not that big a difference. 3 MPG city and highway (ratings, who knows about real world). I can live with that for the huge difference in smoothness and performance.
I did get the wife to agree that we should at least check out the other new releases first. Escape has to show up any day (and she agreed to keep an open mind!) and the new Santa Fe should be out in September? (sorry JMonroe)
Hopefully we can see the Hyundai in advance through the guy I know who works for Hyundai corporate (does dealer service training). He always has new stuff months before it is released. Just have to check with him. His corporate VIP pricing doesn't hurt either.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
A Limited with the big engine might split the difference between the Honda and the Acura pricewise. Just a thought...
Cheers -Mathias
I suppose someday I might get her in their too, but we shall see.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Of course, the RDX is going to outshine a CRV. They are what a CRV would be if they didn't have to hit a price point. For 8-10,000 more they SHOULD be much nicer and they certainly are. They do require premimum if I'm not mistaken and they will never retain the resale of a CRV.
Nice cars though...
It id NOT good in the snow, surprisingly and it took a set of Blizzacks to get him to work in the winter.
It is tinny and interior materials look cheap.
Gas mileage is worse than our CRV which is surprising considering the Impreza is a stick and a much smaller car.
It blew it's engine at 31,000 miles for no apparant reason.
Too bad...he thought he would really be happy with it and he's not.
one thing that surprises me is that all the dealers seem to have quite a few FWD models, and not just the base one, but also tech package cars. I would have thought that Acura would pretty much only make AWD, especially in the north east.
Conversely, I don't think the Honda dealers have any FWD CRVs.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My mother had FWD Highlander and never once missed having AWD in the snow. Also we have a Chrysler Pacifica at the office that I use quite frequently and its only FWD as well. It went through some serious snow the last big storm we had here.
I guess what I am trying to say is, a small-midsize SUV that is not AWD really isn't the end of the world. The little bit of snow we get here may not be worth the extra cost.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
If anything, it would be more about resale, but I do intend to keep this for a very long time (keep telling the wife 10 years!) Heck, the Van is 7.5 years old already, and only has 73K on it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Subaru fuel economy lagged until the new-generation Outback and the newest Impreza (they paid a power penalty for the latter). Subarus, especially the Impreza, are fairly heavy for their size, only about 200 lbs lighter than a CR-V. Also, they are geared shorter, especially the manuals.
All that adds up to lackluster fuel economy.
Its a shame you can't get the HIDs, power hatch and better sound system without having to get the NAV.
My car has factory Nav and I don't use it hardly at all. The most recent time I used it, it had me on the wrong side of the highway. It also couldn't find an address in Westmont that had been there for over 50 years.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I don't really care about the HIDs that much, I don't like power hatches, and can get by with a Garmin. So I just have to live without the built in hard drive.
the base car pretty much has everything I really need (and plenty that my wife will likely never figure out how to use)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
of course she is getting savvy enough to know that "isn't the subaru the one that looks like a station wagon"?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Was it an Acura CL?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
1999 CL 3.0 coupe. Teal with charcoal leather interior. 100,xxx miles and a $4798 price tag.
stick - yeah, I think your wife is gonna make the "wagon" comment about the Outback. I took a look at them last year before we bought the CX-7. The 3.6 Limited was around $34-35K at that time.
In northern climates even where it doesn't snow much, 2WD SUV's are near impossible to sell and the dealers are well aware of that.
Our store used to order a 2WD LX CRV once in awhile for the people who didn't want to spend the extra money. We once got stuck with a 2WD top of the line NAVI CRV and it rotted on the lot. I think we finally dumped it on a dealer trade. I remember it was the only one in the zone.
We were delighted to trade it away.
A Tech Pkg. RDX 2WD would NOT be a car any local dealer would order!
They were never great sellers but they are excellent cars.
factor in the pretty hefty discounts (even without corporate pricing) and it can come out cheaper than a CRV (possibly even with the 6).
Bigger car too, FWIW. about 5" longer than an RDX, and 10" longer than a CRV, but actually weighs less than the Acura.
Now, just wondering if the wife will actually like it!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
1999 Acura 3.0CL
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I can see wanting AWD on an old school truck based RWD platform, or a Jeep/Durango, but on a FWD model like the CUVs, it really is more of a gizmo for the vast majority of buyers. We have gotten around fine for the last 20 years, including winters in upstate NY, with FWD sedans and minivans.
I'm cheap enough to want to save the $1,300 (maybe more if they have to discount to move!), since I have no plans to sell it for a long, long time.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of FWD CUV's here in Colorado as well. In fact, I would say that the majority of CX-7's I see are not AWD.
However, the wife will not entertain FWD in her car, even though we both agree it's necessary only about 10 or 15 days a year.
"Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it"
We have the AWD version and I've never been stuck in bad weather. On the other hand, I took my Land Rover LR4 up to Lake Arrowhead/ Big Bear area of California in May of 2010.
Little did we know it was going to snow.... and it did about 6 inches. As were working our way down the mountain on twisty roads we came to an incline. Literally, all of the FWD vehicles were sliding off onto the edge of the slick road. I remember one vehicle being a FWD Highlander.
Anyway, I just drove around them like I was on solid dry concrete.
Mark156
A lot of people think they "need" 4WD and they really don't.
Still, I'm very glad ours have it. You see, around here we have a LOT of hills and I can tell you firsthand that having 4WD has made the diffeence for us on more than one ocassion.
If I get caught in a sudden snow storm and have to get home, I would much rather have 4WD than to be thinking about the 1300.00 that I may have "saved".
If I were back in So. California ther is no way I would pay extra for 4WD!
And, just because your local dealer happens to have 2WD's in stock doesn't mean they are tickled to have them! We used to put our hard to sell cars on the showroom too!
My old roommate's '07 CR-V recently ate an A/C compressor (about $1100 including labor). She's ready to dump it... Better get rid of yours, quick! :P
I have an adjuster and a few roofers coming out this week to look at the roof, the three-year-old roof from the last storm! I was able to run by and have them look at the Pilot this afternoon, they cut us a check for $6K to fix it, now to see where I can get it in sooner than later...
PS. So far, the air on the CR-V has worked fine in 5+ yrs. and 57,000 miles. If it poops out, I'll get it fixed for the next buyer as I'm planning on getting a 2013 in Dec/Jan. :surprise:
Mark156
She returns the Forester loaner today. They're also supposed to give her a trade-in appraisal on her 2003, but it's beat up and damaged so we're expecting a low ball offer. A premium model with backup cam is around $24.5k, so the price is right. She could even spring for a leather-lined Limited and still be ahead on cost.
Already drove a CX5. $25,864 for the Touring AWD auto.
LOL @ the NonActiv Mazda response.
AWD capability would be a distant 3rd.
Can't outrun the laws of physics!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
And a manual, premium, sport, AWD, to boot.... although i bet not nearly as rare as...
This!
'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
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
and the Blazer? I actually drove right past that place Saturday, taking my daughter to a party. If you want one, I doubt there will be too many to choose from.
I sadly kind of like it. For the right price (and it is already pretty cheap), why not? Other than it would freak out my daughter (no way she would be seen in it) and I doubt my wife would take too kindly to it!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'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
Edit, Edmunds not cooperating with image links.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
'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
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I'm noticing a steering wheel wobble under moderate braking above 50 MPH or so. Doesn't feel like warped rotors because it seems to go away completely at lower speeds. That may be one for the BMW wizard to figure out when I take it in for a brake and transmission fluid change.
When does the Elantra GT come out? I may drive that.