jay, when I was shopping between the Acura and the Infiniti G, the sales person saw me pull up in my Tahoe. He asked if I was interested in another SUV. I told him I was looking for something a bit smaller this go round.
He immediately steered me towards the EX....tossed the keys (FOB) to me to take the demo out for a spin. I didn't drive it much....maybe 10 minutes.
But, if anyone is looking for a small-ish wagon type of vehicle, the EX was mighty impressive. Kind of like a wagon version of the G. A little tight in the rear seat and cargo area. But, still a pretty impressive vehicle.
wilbrown....I can say without hesitation that the Tahoe will out haul, out tow, any of those other GM vehicles. Plus, even if you don't need the hauling and towing capacity, I can't think of a better long trip vehicle than the Tahoe.
For a heavy, body on frame vehicle, with a V8 and 4WD capability, which sure did come in handy given the brutal winter we had, the Tahoe handles pretty well, too. It's not going to be a sports car. And, you aren't going to go autox in it. But, it does an awful lot, really, really well.
You are a very observant guy. You keyed in on my preference for a boxy look in cars. I like straight lines and right angles. You're right. My list is long enough. I looked at 137 SUV models before I made the list. We're pretty set on the list. I don't want a Volvo. I was a passenger in a Volvo years ago that was involved in a bad accident. Owning one would be a bad reminder. The Flex is out. I like boxy but the Flex reminds me of an EMS truck. Yes, the CRV is different than the others on the list. It's because my wife owned one and liked it.
What other criteria would I demand? I'm not too picky. I definitely want the rear sensors and leather seats. Bluetooth would be nice but NAV is not a requirement. I can take or leave the heated seats. The power lift gate would also be nice. A V6 is fine with the usual power options---windows, seats, mirrors, etc. Adjusting pedals are nice but not required. Color? Black, white, or gray in that order. I guess that is it.
I'm a little concerned now about the Aspen. They didn't do a 2010 model. The 09's on the lots are it. The reviews were mixed with one exception; all agreed that second row seating is tight. Many complained about the cheap wood trim---appearing to be something that you aren't. That's a negative for us. A plus is that you get the options of a Tahoe for $12k less. Still, there has to be a reason for that. Thanks for your input.
There is one reason why I want to be careful with this money. I lost one inheritance in the 2000 .com crash. It won't happen again.
So sorry to hear about your dad's loss and your loss. My FIL had lots of GM stock. His second wife is crying the blues now. Another reason for my being careful is that I have luck like yours. We've discussed that here before. I'll have be on guard.
maybe not boxy enough, but have you looked at the edge? I think they are very nice, and in particular, have a real nice interior. Especially the updated one (I think it is already out)
Just a comment about CCleaner. The first time you run it should bring quite a large list of things. Non-registry items will include things like purging your browser & Windows temp files, error reporting logs, and whatnot. It's been maybe 6 or 8 weeks since I ran it on my PC and it found 2.7GB of stuff just now.
In the registry scan the most common issues will be called "missing shared DLL" and "unused file extension". These simply mean there are references in the registry to items that no longer exist; deleting them should not adversely affect your system. Ditto things like "invalid default icon". Basically, when you remove a program or when an update is installed, the installer rarely finds all of the bits that the program had placed in the registry; CCleaner looks for and finds the orphans.
Security is about defense in depth. Or, for Shrek fans, security is like an onion. A layered approach will be the most successful.
Thanks for the comparison chart. I never realized that the Acadia was so close in length and width to the Tahoe. That's interesting. I do love a Tahoe. My 2000 model was a great vehicle.
While I haven't tried a car with backup sensors I can say that I do not want to ever buy another car without a backup camera. Prior I would be constantly checking mirrors and/or looking over my shoulder to try & back up either on a long driveway or into a parking space, especially one with cars in adjacent spaces. With the cam I simply drive backwards. I look side to side for pedestrians or other vehicles, but otherwise I can drive backwards nearly as well as forwards. As some cars with reverse-cams do, the Outlander places guide lines to show where you're heading. That alone is great, but the display also includes markers for 1, 2, and 3 meters out as well as a red line signifying 18" from the rear bumper (enough to open the hatch).
Bluetooth should be a requirement. More and more states are banning holding a phone while driving. Granted you can get ear-mount BT headsets but integrated units are more comfortable. Mine also allows me to answer a call without removing my hands from the steering wheel. It also mutes the radio or pauses if playing from hard drive/USB/CD and resumes when the call completes. Mine even displays the battery & cell signal icons on the nav screen and allows voice dialing. Basically if I need to make or accept a call the phone doesn't have to leave my hip & my hands don't leave the steering wheel.
Personally I value the heated seats over the power liftgate, which is good since the Outlander doesn't offer the power liftgate option. That said, while my wife simply adores the heated seats (she gets cold easily in the winter), she's only 5' tall and probably wouldn't mind a power liftgate. Shrug. She manages it fine so far.
Leather I could honestly live without but I tend to buy the highest trim line of whatever I get and leather is what that usually includes.
Hmm. I refuse to buy black or white as dirt shows too easily. The Chicago suburbs seem to be dusty. Tan/beige and silver/gray I also avoid as they're too common. I prefer a dark green (British racing green) or burgundy for the most part but settled for a more brilliant red on the Outlander as that was what they offered.
Your concern about the Aspen is noted. Similarly, Mitsu did not offer the Endeavor in 2009 but brought it back for 2010. IMO that's indicative of slow sales & the manufacturer's resulting indecision regarding continuing the vehicle.
I also understand the Volvo bias; my sister had a Toyota bias for a long time as she was in an accident as a teen that broke her hip and forced her to, as an adult, have her kids via C-section. I had a 93 Mazda MX-3 with the 1.8L V6. Great car, but the trans failed at 38K (warranty) and again at 76K (not warranty). That's colored my opinion of the brand as being unreliable. Not that I'd never buy another, but I'll be giving other manufacturers a chance before I consider another Mazda. Which at 8-10+ years of ownership per car means I probably will never buy another.
richard, i am assuming your charming wife made her trip to the shore and back safely in the explorer. since you don't seem to need AWD, i wouldn't rule out the those GM crossovers. my BIL rented one for a ski trip, but it really let him down. he had to pull onto the shoulder because one of the kids couldn't wait anymore. then he had to pay over $100 to get towed 10 feet ahead onto some blacktop. he grew up as a GM guy, a couple of miles away from the GM tech center. eventually, i got him to buy a mustang, although he was a camaro guy all the way. he just replaced his wife's leased cadillac with a nice eddie bauer explorer. whatever happens, listen to what your wife wants.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
Yes, my wife made it back fine from the beach. Thanks for asking. She never has any trouble when she uses the Explorer. Knock on wood. I wouldn't mind getting her another one. It's on our list of possibilities. As of this evening, the CRV is out as a choice. She compared it to the Jeep Liberty and said that the CRV had a rougher ride. She's right about that. I was surprised since she has talked so much about her old CRV. She keeps coming back to the Liberty when we talk. We'll see how she feels as we keep looking.
It's just not boxy enough near the rear of the car.
I wasn't going to make any suggestions, though I love telling other people how to spend their money. But the caption under this picture actually says;
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK boasts square-cut lines and a boxy frame.
I think your wife would be very impressed.
In 2004, I was thinking of buying my 3rd Jeep in a row. I also tried out a CRV because gas was an issue at the time. My wife made me try out an X3, and I was very skeptical. My thinking is a car is a car, most cars get you from point A to point B, reliability is very high on my priority list (I didn't have any serious issues with my Jeeps), and what could make a car worth that much more. Well, one test drive and I didn't want to give it back.
I had to tell the story so that you could consider something a little different. I believe, sometimes it is better to go out of your usual comfort zone just as a learning experience...the GLK might not be right for you....but you will learn a lot from just giving it a try, and it might help to make a better decision, whatever you buy.
Some people might have an attitude like my father. He bought Fords and Mercurys, but didn't want to try something more expensive, because if he liked it he wouldn't be satisfied with his Ford any more. That isn't the best way to be....go for the best....over 10 years it doesn't cost much more to drive what you really want (considering cost per year, depreciation value, warranty, pure enjoyment of ownership and driving pleasure, etc.)
Sorry, I don't like advising people on what movie to see, book to read, car to drive etc., so I cancelled this post twice, but decided I just had to say it. I'd love to hear what your impressions would be...good or bad, and I have never driven a GLK so I have no idea what it would be like....but they sure look nice, and they are nice and square (I like square cars too....not bubble cars with tiny windows)
Having been here 9 years, over half of my business is repeat. Even on MSRP cars I will do a owner loyalty discount. The vast majority of the negotiations are quick and friendly.
Richard....I say this half kiddingly, and half serious.
But, if you like the boxy SUV look, you can score a really, really good deal on a Hummer right now. And, GM is still offering warranty for 5 years/100K miles.
I'm going to take the half of you that was kidding! :P I can't stand those things. I like boxy but there is a limit to all good things. I would feel as if I were imprisoned in an Afghanistan war tank. :sick: I do appreciate the fact that you are being creative and thoughtful.
Well, nothing has prevented you from doing so before. Why start now? :P Seriously, the GLK is a nice looking car. It may be worth putting on the list. I read the 63 reviews. Most were very favorable. Some did mention problems with the transmission and brake systems. It's certainly worth considering. Thanks for offering new ideas.
" I believe, sometimes it is better to go out of your usual comfort zone just as a learning experience."
Absolutely agree with this. It's a theory that can lead to a long list of cars under consideration, but you will likely know, at the end, that you really have considered all the possibilities, not just those you were most familiar with.
And you never know when you might stumble on a bargain, even on a car that has an MSRP somewhat higher than you had planned. End of month, sales guy's quota, manufacturers' cash, who knows, things can happen to make a given car more affordable than you might have thought.
the explorer got treated to a nice wash today. it looks so good, i decided to dress the tires. found something bad. the right side tires have a bunch of slits in the sidewalls. right rear has maybe 4 or 5, but the right front has over a dozen. they are michelin cross terrains with just under 60k miles on them. they have been a great tire, although i was hoping they would last a bit longer. first thing i told egghead is, don't drive it on the highway anymore until i figure out what to do. they are still holding air. after showing the condition to my wife, i was hoping she would say 'we need to buy a new explorer'. :shades: instead she said we need to buy some new tires. :sick: so, doing some research, i am looking at some goodyears. you bought some recently, so i am looking to see how you like them. goodyear has 2 tread designs for their fortera tires. one is pretty normal looking and the other has a 'V' shaped tread pattern when viewing from the front of the vehicle. if you can let me know which tire you have and how you like them, i will appreciate it.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
those are on my list, but not in the top 2 choices. my explorer is very sensitive to pavement. i would buy the Michelin's again, but the next choice is probably the Goodyears. the Firestones are a lot less expensive.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
We had to replace the tires on the Accord but it has reached the point where as long as the tires are rubber and won't fall apart really soon that is fine. The car has 185K on it. It got Kumhos. Of course it also got new rear pads and rotors. Good for another 15K or so at which point it is time for another timing belt.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
my kid drives the explorer on a daily basis and we still use it for the family vacation trips(loaded up with tons of stuff and run it until it runs out of gas). i don't really want to take short cuts with the tires.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
If you are flexible (heck, even if you aren't), when you have time to get the next car, it iw a wonderful opportunity to look at as many options as possible. Evne if you don't really think it will make the short list.
Like I say, it don't cost nuttin to look!
Especially if you are a retired man of leisure, who should have plenty of time on his hands.
Go on a weekday, when the salespeople usually outnumber the customers. At least scope everything out, sit in it, wigglie around, check sight lines, etc. If there is one sitting on the showroom floor, no need to even bother a sales dude.
But, only test drive if there is enough interest to make it a possible contender. Or if they really twist your arm!
Actually, in addition to the Benz (I personally found the interior not to my taste at the car show), 2 other German's (if cars from that country are really an option) I really liked.
The VW Tiguan (nice and boxy) and th Audi A5 (more expensive, not as boxy, but a great interior).
Something different, but I liked them!
I also liked the EX infiniti, if you don't need much cargo room (maybe not too bad with the rear seat down), and it certainly is the antithisis of boxy.
It seems you've worked hard over the years and want to buy yourself an awesome vehicle to replace your wife's Explorer. Might I suggest a 2011 BMW X5? They come in either 300hp/300 lb/ft torque turbo I6 or 265hp/425 lb/ft torque turbo diesel I6 flavors (There's also a V8, but that's pricey). Before you say no, have you ever driven a BMW? You owe it to yourtself.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
wasn't such a bad idea. Either way I'm paying for it now. I think they wanted $800 for it when we took delivery of our X3 in July of '07. Well, my wife swerved to avoid some debris in the road on Friday and drove up onto the center median. She didn't get hurt at all (that's what's important), but completely destroyed the tires on the left sided of her truck, plus a wheel, plus an alignment. We called roadside assistance & waited for over an hour. But I called my dealership (Wide World BMW) & told my Service Advisor what happened. No problem, have them tow the truck here and we'll get you a car to drive. With 42,000 miles, the OEM michelins are dry rotting and nearing the end of their life (even though my lease is up in July or 45K miles), so I've got to buy 4 new tires for 3K MILES OF DRIVING! Oh well, it is the first real money I've had to put in.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I had Cooper Tires on my Explorer (during the Explorer tire issue days) and liked them very much. I forget if they were way expensive or not, but gave a great ride and plenty of cornering hold for 50k miles before I sold it with those tires still on it.
It's a theory that can lead to a long list of cars under consideration,
Biancar, by testing cars that are outside your usual choices you will discover features you might not have considered, or even known about.
When we tested a 1999 BMW 3 Series, it was the first time I had heard of stability control. The salesman was going about 60 mph in a 3 Series and he headed toward a telephone pole and put the 2 right wheels on the gravel. A car without stability control would have gone out of control.....but stability control kept the bmw right on course....and it came to a solid straight stop - we were very impressed.
The Mercedes dealer showed us a metal pin that Mercedes puts at the bottom of the rear door. That is so if the car has been rear ended, the door will not get melted into the body...so the door will probably still open.
When I bought the 2004 X3 I was surprised to see the battery under the floor mat in the trunk area. Guess why they do that?
BMW wanted perfect weight distribution...50/50 between the front and rear. The battery had to go at the back.
You learn a lot...things you might want, and things you do not want. Best to keep an open mind, and check out the options. That lead to you making the best possible choice for your needs. That's smart!
Biancar, by testing cars that are outside your usual choices you will discover features you might not have considered, or even known about.
Well yes. That's how I ended up buying my Volvo a couple weeks ago. I've owned Nissans mostly, plus a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Camry. So this was my first time ever buying a European car. First time ever buying a station wagon. I started out testing small to medium SUVs and realized after driving several that an SUV was not what I wanted.
Tested a couple of Volvos and loved the Blind Side Information System light in the side mirrors, loved the flat and low load floor, loved the comfortable seats and quiet interior - AND because it's the last year of production, Volvo dealers were trying hard to move them off the lots.
It was still a challenge to find one equipped as I wanted, but once I did, I bought immediately: got a price of invoice minus $2500 right away, fair price for my trade, so no games, no grinding, just a done deal very quickly.
My list was quite a bit different from Richard's, but sounds like we went through (or in Richard's case, he is currently going through) a very similar process, overall.
I also posted this over in the "Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous" thread, but I thought some salespeople might like to see it... I took my 318ti Club Sport to my local BMW dealer to have a tire patched(quick service, excellent work, and lots of complements on the car from service advisers, techs, and customers) and I took a stroll through the used lot. There sits a 2009 Silverstone M3 sedan. Every option but the M DCT. Gorgeous and out of my price range, but get this. It turns out that the guy bought it new and traded it back after driving it only 1920 miles. Care to guess what BMW he replaced it with? A diesel X5. Really.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I've owned Nissans mostly, plus a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Camry. So this was my first time ever buying a European car
You did sample cars outside your safety zone....going European is a big step. I love almost all cars and makes, but there is a difference in Euro cars. Generally speaking, and just my opinion, I find the interiors are designed better, finish of the interior is better, and the feel of steering is unique - feel of the road.
Volvo makes a smart looking wagon and it is sensible because you can carry as much as most SUVs, with a smaller lighter vehicle. Lots of features you found out about by going to take a look.
What made you check out a Volvo wagon in the first place....it is a big switch from your past choices? Was it seeing them on the road, an ad, driving by the dealership?
When we got the first Mercedes my wife had taken her car in for a repair. She went across to the Mercedes dealer just to look around. She tried out a Mercedes demonstrator and she said this is the best car I have ever driven...we have to buy one, even if it is a used one. Just by chance, the new C Class was really reduced in price that year and we could buy one for about $30k (1999). It was a stretch for us at that time, but it worked out fine....now 30k sounds like a bargain.
BMW's are fine cars. I've looked at the X3 but don't care for the styling. As with so many SUVs, they screw up the design when they move toward the rear of the vehicle. I say that from the perspective of preferring a more boxy design. I spotted a Land Rover yesterday. While I had not thought of that one, it does have a nice look to it. I might test drive one of those.
Glad that your wife wasn't injured in the accident. It seems such a shame to buy expensive tires for just 3k miles. Is there a penalty if you turn the car in with new but cheap tires? I would imagine that there is some sort of regulation regarding tire replacement.
driver.....I wasn't as impressed with the Mercedes C class when I was shopping. In that price range, just about all the cars are built well. They all seem to have at least some semblance of upgraded parts and pieces (some you can see, some you can't). All seem to have some sort of stability control.
Most have at least a 4 or 5 star crash rating, across the board.
Unless you're a die hard Benz fan (and there are plenty who are based on their uptick in sales revenue), I couldn't make a case for one.....at least not at that price point ($40K+ with the options I wanted).
Could be my aging eyes (supposedly laser-ed to perfection), but I couldn't even make out most of the controls. And, I felt truly cramped in it.....I'm not a big guy, either. Performance? I'd stack my 4 cyl Accord up against it.
At that level, I believe it's as much about perception as anything else. I can see the Benz people taking great pride in stating they drive a Mercedes. Aside from that, I don't know that many could tell you "why", however.
Then again, I'm probably not their target customer anyway....the guy who comes into their showroom looking for a good car AND a skinny deal.
I know the two Lexi dealerships I visited a few years ago certainly didn't like the idea of me wanting to go "skinny" on them. One sales person actually walked away from me (at the time, an IS350). When I whipped out my spreadsheet showing the numbers I was thinking (it wasn't a crazy stupid offer, either), he never returned to me....leaving me kind of sitting at his desk for about 15 minutes.
I took the hint. I left. He never called to follow up, either. I guess I wasn't their target customer, either.
Richard, Here is a possible answer to your next vehicle. Did you and your wife watch the Sopranos? If so, there may be a subliminal hankering for a Porsche. Remember when Carmella described the car to her friend with the Corvette? She said "it's a Cayenne...like the peppah" (Jersey accent for pepper). You never know.
What made you check out a Volvo wagon in the first place....it is a big switch from your past choices? Was it seeing them on the road, an ad, driving by the dealership?
Definitely a big switch. Several reasons for shopping for something new all came together. We started seriously looking after our aging Maxima got badly smacked (hit and run in a parking lot). Would have needed $1,000 for repairs, which didn't seem worth it.
The main reason for switching from a sedan was that we have two dogs now, not just one, and I think it's safer to travel with them in crates, instead of either loose in the back seats or even with a harness attached to a seat-belt. I hope to compete in agility and/or obedience competitions with one of them, so I really needed a dog-safe car above all, with room for the crates.
I started out with a list of small to medium SUVs, many because friends or auto writers that I respect had recommended various things. My top budget was mid-30's. So I looked at things that cost between mid-20's up to mid/upper 30's (if I thought I could get a deal).
The Volvo V50 was originally on the list, and I thought I'd look at the XC60 too. The salesman insisted that I drive the XC70 instead. Very, very nice, but mileage was poor. Driving the V50, I didn't like the bit of hesitation when I put my foot down on the gas. So then I wanted to try both the XC60, which an auto writer friend of mine had suggested, and the V70, due to better mileage as compared to the XC version.
I drove those two at a different dealer (the first dealer kept trying to persuade me to buy the XC70, then lied about having a V70 as I wanted), and liked the V70 the best. He also didn't have one equipped as a I wanted, and then tried to sell me on financing instead of finding the car I wanted, which was annoying. Finally the third dealer had it and we did the deal.
Oh, and before I bought, I noticed in our subdivision of about 100 houses there are at least four V70s that people have! Considering that it was a slow seller for Volvo, that seemed a high number, and I talked to one of our neighbors who owned one. He liked his a lot. So that helped, too.
Besides the Volvos, I also drove the Chevy Equinox (very nice, very hard to find as I would want it equipped), Chevy HHR (not seriously on my list, but salesman suggested driving it while I was waiting to drive the one and only Terrain they had), GMC Terrain, Honda Cr-V, Nissan Rogue and Murano, Infiniti EX35 (loved, loved, loved driving it, but it didn't have the space we wanted), Subaru Forester and Outback. The Outback was the most serious contender, in the end, with the Volvo.
Other things I looked at on-line or at the auto show in D.C: VW Passat wagon, Cadillac SRX and CTS wagon (too expensive), Jetta Sportwagon, Toyota Venza, Honda Element with the dog-friendly package.
Just about covered the waterfront there with a lot of different cars at different prices that in theory might have met our needs.
Richard, I have been reading a lot of good things about the new 2011 Kia Sorento. Completely new, great warranty, looks great, seats 7, and the price is right. Comes in completely loaded, including v6, six speed auto, leather and all that stuff for under $30K. Manufactured in a brand new plant in Georgia I think. I would love for you to take a test drive and give us a report.
Comments
He immediately steered me towards the EX....tossed the keys (FOB) to me to take the demo out for a spin. I didn't drive it much....maybe 10 minutes.
But, if anyone is looking for a small-ish wagon type of vehicle, the EX was mighty impressive. Kind of like a wagon version of the G. A little tight in the rear seat and cargo area. But, still a pretty impressive vehicle.
In some ways I liked it more than the G.
For a heavy, body on frame vehicle, with a V8 and 4WD capability, which sure did come in handy given the brutal winter we had, the Tahoe handles pretty well, too. It's not going to be a sports car. And, you aren't going to go autox in it. But, it does an awful lot, really, really well.
That is just cruel
That is just mean
I like that. :shades:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
What other criteria would I demand? I'm not too picky. I definitely want the rear sensors and leather seats. Bluetooth would be nice but NAV is not a requirement. I can take or leave the heated seats. The power lift gate would also be nice. A V6 is fine with the usual power options---windows, seats, mirrors, etc. Adjusting pedals are nice but not required. Color? Black, white, or gray in that order. I guess that is it.
I'm a little concerned now about the Aspen. They didn't do a 2010 model. The 09's on the lots are it. The reviews were mixed with one exception; all agreed that second row seating is tight. Many complained about the cheap wood trim---appearing to be something that you aren't. That's a negative for us. A plus is that you get the options of a Tahoe for $12k less. Still, there has to be a reason for that. Thanks for your input.
Richard
So sorry to hear about your dad's loss and your loss. My FIL had lots of GM stock. His second wife is crying the blues now. Another reason for my being careful is that I have luck like yours. We've discussed that here before. I'll have be on guard.
Richard
Richard
Richard
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
In the registry scan the most common issues will be called "missing shared DLL" and "unused file extension". These simply mean there are references in the registry to items that no longer exist; deleting them should not adversely affect your system. Ditto things like "invalid default icon". Basically, when you remove a program or when an update is installed, the installer rarely finds all of the bits that the program had placed in the registry; CCleaner looks for and finds the orphans.
Security is about defense in depth. Or, for Shrek fans, security is like an onion. A layered approach will be the most successful.
Richard
Richard
Bluetooth should be a requirement. More and more states are banning holding a phone while driving. Granted you can get ear-mount BT headsets but integrated units are more comfortable. Mine also allows me to answer a call without removing my hands from the steering wheel. It also mutes the radio or pauses if playing from hard drive/USB/CD and resumes when the call completes. Mine even displays the battery & cell signal icons on the nav screen and allows voice dialing. Basically if I need to make or accept a call the phone doesn't have to leave my hip & my hands don't leave the steering wheel.
Personally I value the heated seats over the power liftgate, which is good since the Outlander doesn't offer the power liftgate option.
Leather I could honestly live without but I tend to buy the highest trim line of whatever I get and leather is what that usually includes.
Hmm. I refuse to buy black or white as dirt shows too easily. The Chicago suburbs seem to be dusty. Tan/beige and silver/gray I also avoid as they're too common. I prefer a dark green (British racing green) or burgundy for the most part but settled for a more brilliant red on the Outlander as that was what they offered.
Your concern about the Aspen is noted. Similarly, Mitsu did not offer the Endeavor in 2009 but brought it back for 2010. IMO that's indicative of slow sales & the manufacturer's resulting indecision regarding continuing the vehicle.
I also understand the Volvo bias; my sister had a Toyota bias for a long time as she was in an accident as a teen that broke her hip and forced her to, as an adult, have her kids via C-section. I had a 93 Mazda MX-3 with the 1.8L V6. Great car, but the trans failed at 38K (warranty) and again at 76K (not warranty). That's colored my opinion of the brand as being unreliable. Not that I'd never buy another, but I'll be giving other manufacturers a chance before I consider another Mazda. Which at 8-10+ years of ownership per car means I probably will never buy another.
since you don't seem to need AWD, i wouldn't rule out the those GM crossovers.
my BIL rented one for a ski trip, but it really let him down.
he had to pull onto the shoulder because one of the kids couldn't wait anymore.
then he had to pay over $100 to get towed 10 feet ahead onto some blacktop.
he grew up as a GM guy, a couple of miles away from the GM tech center.
eventually, i got him to buy a mustang, although he was a camaro guy all the way.
he just replaced his wife's leased cadillac with a nice eddie bauer explorer.
whatever happens, listen to what your wife wants.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Richard
Richard
I wasn't going to make any suggestions, though I love telling other people how to spend their money. But the caption under this picture actually says;
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK boasts square-cut lines and a boxy frame.
I think your wife would be very impressed.
In 2004, I was thinking of buying my 3rd Jeep in a row. I also tried out a CRV because gas was an issue at the time. My wife made me try out an X3, and I was very skeptical. My thinking is a car is a car, most cars get you from point A to point B, reliability is very high on my priority list (I didn't have any serious issues with my Jeeps), and what could make a car worth that much more.
Well, one test drive and I didn't want to give it back.
I had to tell the story so that you could consider something a little different. I believe, sometimes it is better to go out of your usual comfort zone just as a learning experience...the GLK might not be right for you....but you will learn a lot from just giving it a try, and it might help to make a better decision, whatever you buy.
Some people might have an attitude like my father. He bought Fords and Mercurys, but didn't want to try something more expensive, because if he liked it he wouldn't be satisfied with his Ford any more. That isn't the best way to be....go for the best....over 10 years it doesn't cost much more to drive what you really want (considering cost per year, depreciation value, warranty, pure enjoyment of ownership and driving pleasure, etc.)
Sorry, I don't like advising people on what movie to see, book to read, car to drive etc., so I cancelled this post twice, but decided I just had to say it. I'd love to hear what your impressions would be...good or bad, and I have never driven a GLK so I have no idea what it would be like....but they sure look nice, and they are nice and square (I like square cars too....not bubble cars with tiny windows)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
We do a lot of trades but there are store on out "do not trade with" list for a number of reasons.
But, if you like the boxy SUV look, you can score a really, really good deal on a Hummer right now. And, GM is still offering warranty for 5 years/100K miles.
Something to think about.
Richard
Well, nothing has prevented you from doing so before. Why start now? :P Seriously, the GLK is a nice looking car. It may be worth putting on the list. I read the 63 reviews. Most were very favorable. Some did mention problems with the transmission and brake systems. It's certainly worth considering. Thanks for offering new ideas.
Richard
Absolutely agree with this. It's a theory that can lead to a long list of cars under consideration, but you will likely know, at the end, that you really have considered all the possibilities, not just those you were most familiar with.
And you never know when you might stumble on a bargain, even on a car that has an MSRP somewhat higher than you had planned. End of month, sales guy's quota, manufacturers' cash, who knows, things can happen to make a given car more affordable than you might have thought.
found something bad. the right side tires have a bunch of slits in the sidewalls.
right rear has maybe 4 or 5, but the right front has over a dozen.
they are michelin cross terrains with just under 60k miles on them.
they have been a great tire, although i was hoping they would last a bit longer.
first thing i told egghead is, don't drive it on the highway anymore until i figure out what to do. they are still holding air.
after showing the condition to my wife, i was hoping she would say 'we need to buy a new explorer'. :shades: instead she said we need to buy some new tires. :sick:
so, doing some research, i am looking at some goodyears.
you bought some recently, so i am looking to see how you like them.
goodyear has 2 tread designs for their fortera tires. one is pretty normal looking and the other has a 'V' shaped tread pattern when viewing from the front of the vehicle.
if you can let me know which tire you have and how you like them, i will appreciate it.
my explorer is very sensitive to pavement.
i would buy the Michelin's again, but the next choice is probably the Goodyears.
the Firestones are a lot less expensive.
i don't really want to take short cuts with the tires.
Like I say, it don't cost nuttin to look!
Especially if you are a retired man of leisure, who should have plenty of time on his hands.
Go on a weekday, when the salespeople usually outnumber the customers. At least scope everything out, sit in it, wigglie around, check sight lines, etc. If there is one sitting on the showroom floor, no need to even bother a sales dude.
But, only test drive if there is enough interest to make it a possible contender. Or if they really twist your arm!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The VW Tiguan (nice and boxy) and th Audi A5 (more expensive, not as boxy, but a great interior).
Something different, but I liked them!
I also liked the EX infiniti, if you don't need much cargo room (maybe not too bad with the rear seat down), and it certainly is the antithisis of boxy.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
What was it meant to drive on?
Carpets?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Biancar, by testing cars that are outside your usual choices you will discover features you might not have considered, or even known about.
When we tested a 1999 BMW 3 Series, it was the first time I had heard of stability control. The salesman was going about 60 mph in a 3 Series and he headed toward a telephone pole and put the 2 right wheels on the gravel. A car without stability control would have gone out of control.....but stability control kept the bmw right on course....and it came to a solid straight stop - we were very impressed.
The Mercedes dealer showed us a metal pin that Mercedes puts at the bottom of the rear door. That is so if the car has been rear ended, the door will not get melted into the body...so the door will probably still open.
When I bought the 2004 X3 I was surprised to see the battery under the floor mat in the trunk area. Guess why they do that?
BMW wanted perfect weight distribution...50/50 between the front and rear. The battery had to go at the back.
You learn a lot...things you might want, and things you do not want. Best to keep an open mind, and check out the options. That lead to you making the best possible choice for your needs. That's smart!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Well yes. That's how I ended up buying my Volvo a couple weeks ago. I've owned Nissans mostly, plus a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Camry. So this was my first time ever buying a European car. First time ever buying a station wagon. I started out testing small to medium SUVs and realized after driving several that an SUV was not what I wanted.
Tested a couple of Volvos and loved the Blind Side Information System light in the side mirrors, loved the flat and low load floor, loved the comfortable seats and quiet interior - AND because it's the last year of production, Volvo dealers were trying hard to move them off the lots.
It was still a challenge to find one equipped as I wanted, but once I did, I bought immediately: got a price of invoice minus $2500 right away, fair price for my trade, so no games, no grinding, just a done deal very quickly.
My list was quite a bit different from Richard's, but sounds like we went through (or in Richard's case, he is currently going through) a very similar process, overall.
I took my 318ti Club Sport to my local BMW dealer to have a tire patched(quick service, excellent work, and lots of complements on the car from service advisers, techs, and customers) and I took a stroll through the used lot. There sits a 2009 Silverstone M3 sedan. Every option but the M DCT. Gorgeous and out of my price range, but get this. It turns out that the guy bought it new and traded it back after driving it only 1920 miles. Care to guess what BMW he replaced it with?
A diesel X5.
Really.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
It's a sedan and they are asking $55,899.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
You did sample cars outside your safety zone....going European is a big step. I love almost all cars and makes, but there is a difference in Euro cars. Generally speaking, and just my opinion, I find the interiors are designed better, finish of the interior is better, and the feel of steering is unique - feel of the road.
Volvo makes a smart looking wagon and it is sensible because you can carry as much as most SUVs, with a smaller lighter vehicle. Lots of features you found out about by going to take a look.
What made you check out a Volvo wagon in the first place....it is a big switch from your past choices? Was it seeing them on the road, an ad, driving by the dealership?
When we got the first Mercedes my wife had taken her car in for a repair. She went across to the Mercedes dealer just to look around. She tried out a Mercedes demonstrator and she said this is the best car I have ever driven...we have to buy one, even if it is a used one. Just by chance, the new C Class was really reduced in price that year and we could buy one for about $30k (1999). It was a stretch for us at that time, but it worked out fine....now 30k sounds like a bargain.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
Richard
Most have at least a 4 or 5 star crash rating, across the board.
Unless you're a die hard Benz fan (and there are plenty who are based on their uptick in sales revenue), I couldn't make a case for one.....at least not at that price point ($40K+ with the options I wanted).
Could be my aging eyes (supposedly laser-ed to perfection), but I couldn't even make out most of the controls. And, I felt truly cramped in it.....I'm not a big guy, either. Performance? I'd stack my 4 cyl Accord up against it.
At that level, I believe it's as much about perception as anything else. I can see the Benz people taking great pride in stating they drive a Mercedes. Aside from that, I don't know that many could tell you "why", however.
Then again, I'm probably not their target customer anyway....the guy who comes into their showroom looking for a good car AND a skinny deal.
I know the two Lexi dealerships I visited a few years ago certainly didn't like the idea of me wanting to go "skinny" on them. One sales person actually walked away from me (at the time, an IS350). When I whipped out my spreadsheet showing the numbers I was thinking (it wasn't a crazy stupid offer, either), he never returned to me....leaving me kind of sitting at his desk for about 15 minutes.
I took the hint. I left. He never called to follow up, either. I guess I wasn't their target customer, either.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Definitely a big switch. Several reasons for shopping for something new all came together. We started seriously looking after our aging Maxima got badly smacked (hit and run in a parking lot). Would have needed $1,000 for repairs, which didn't seem worth it.
The main reason for switching from a sedan was that we have two dogs now, not just one, and I think it's safer to travel with them in crates, instead of either loose in the back seats or even with a harness attached to a seat-belt. I hope to compete in agility and/or obedience competitions with one of them, so I really needed a dog-safe car above all, with room for the crates.
I started out with a list of small to medium SUVs, many because friends or auto writers that I respect had recommended various things. My top budget was mid-30's. So I looked at things that cost between mid-20's up to mid/upper 30's (if I thought I could get a deal).
The Volvo V50 was originally on the list, and I thought I'd look at the XC60 too. The salesman insisted that I drive the XC70 instead. Very, very nice, but mileage was poor. Driving the V50, I didn't like the bit of hesitation when I put my foot down on the gas. So then I wanted to try both the XC60, which an auto writer friend of mine had suggested, and the V70, due to better mileage as compared to the XC version.
I drove those two at a different dealer (the first dealer kept trying to persuade me to buy the XC70, then lied about having a V70 as I wanted), and liked the V70 the best. He also didn't have one equipped as a I wanted, and then tried to sell me on financing instead of finding the car I wanted, which was annoying. Finally the third dealer had it and we did the deal.
Oh, and before I bought, I noticed in our subdivision of about 100 houses there are at least four V70s that people have! Considering that it was a slow seller for Volvo, that seemed a high number, and I talked to one of our neighbors who owned one. He liked his a lot. So that helped, too.
Besides the Volvos, I also drove the Chevy Equinox (very nice, very hard to find as I would want it equipped), Chevy HHR (not seriously on my list, but salesman suggested driving it while I was waiting to drive the one and only Terrain they had), GMC Terrain, Honda Cr-V, Nissan Rogue and Murano, Infiniti EX35 (loved, loved, loved driving it, but it didn't have the space we wanted), Subaru Forester and Outback. The Outback was the most serious contender, in the end, with the Volvo.
Other things I looked at on-line or at the auto show in D.C: VW Passat wagon, Cadillac SRX and CTS wagon (too expensive), Jetta Sportwagon, Toyota Venza, Honda Element with the dog-friendly package.
Just about covered the waterfront there with a lot of different cars at different prices that in theory might have met our needs.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460