Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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So who do I look to for info? I try to research info from various sources (even the discussion groups on Edmunds) and make an informed decision. I don't think there is an absolute authority to be blindly trusted.
At least it's not FS bashing anymore....lol
I've said all I am going to about JDP, CR, etc.
You will find that the Envoy and Ascender are bigger than the Trooper, but likely offer no more interior room, if any more at all.
I have not looked that much since I likely to wait another year to do anything. But $22-$23K for a medium loaded Ascender is tempting... If I would go up to $29-$30 K I would definitely be looking at the larger GMs. Decently equiped Tahoe/Yukons are advertised weekly for $28K-$29K considering the hefty incentives. With GSM pricing, I could probably even get the Outlook or Acadia for that price range without sunroof, DVD, etc. I thinking if I was willing to spend $32-33K the Buick Enclave is real tempting, but even considering I could probably sell my Trooper for $3-5K private sale, I don't know that I want to put out that much on a vehicle. We did that on the Envoy XL SLT 3 years ago...I'm thinking we need one kind 'high' end 6-8 passenger hauler and the other more basic.
I almost hate vehicle shopping when it comes time to get serious. Too many options and some that I probably should consider like the Edge and FS or new Taurus waggon whatever they are calling it, the GM crossovers, etc were not out there last time we went through this. At least this would be mostly for me and not having to please the wife until it is time to replace the Envoy XL :-).
You could also get an excellent deal on an Explorer. Or have you considered the Jeep Commander? Very boxy vehicle with tidy dimensions, but lots of room. It is expensive, but not selling at all well, so the deals will be there.
A little off-topic drift is to be expected. Please feel free to post to the topic!
I think we've taken the CR "debate" about as far as we want to here.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
You have to compare apples to apples here. These two vehicles are totally diferent- the only thing they have in common is Gm once owned part of Isuzu. With the lambdas, you get a decently large vehicle with a lot of interior space. It's been a while since I've been in a Tooper, but i doubt it has the passenger volume of the lambdas (without the third row).
Or have you considered the Jeep Commander? Very boxy vehicle with tidy dimensions, but lots of room.
The Jeep Commander is tiny on the outside, and smaller on the inside. Both the 2nd, and 3rd row are childs play. I'd say go for the Explorer. Less Expensive, Less contriversial (though i think it looks good) styling.
Let's go to Edmunds and look it up....
BMW X5:
4982 lbs
260 hp
225 ft-lbs of torque
I didn't know the acadia was lighter than the Bimmer. No wonder it's slow! It's a porker!
Is it true that GM continues production of it's sportvans? I though they ended prodution shortly after Ford's van.
The Gas mpg is important to me. I currently have a 2002 Chev Suburban which gets 13 mpg. I gain some $200.00 -$250.00 each month savings on gas with the Acadia.
Or... I go with the Honda Ridgeline witch is a completely different vehicle but something to consider..
With careful driving the Ridgeline should produce 18 / 23 MPG, respectable for a pickup, and (I think) better than a Surburban.
Straight from Honda's website:
*Towing requires installation of power steering fluid- and automatic tranmission fluid-cooler, both available exclusively from your Honda dealer. Premium unleaded fuel is recommended when towing above 3500 lbs. Capacity of 4500 lbs. is for boat trailers and 3500 lbs. for all other trailers. Refer to the owner's manual for additional towing information.
Honda puts out numbers 16 city & 21 highway. Old Suburban was 14 and 18. New Suburban is 15 and 21. I didn't say the Ridgeline was worse than the Suburban; I said it was close.
Have read many consumer reviews on the Acadia. The main rap is the 6 speed tranny. It seems to become indecisive in it's shifting on the highway. Range of MPG is odd from theses folks. Most claim around 18+ some claim unhappily about 14-16 mpg. One nailed my concerns perfectly. Need to pull 4k lbs narrows the field greatly. I believe the Acadia AWD will likely do what I want a car to do. The MDX is 8K dollars more. As one of you said, the ridgeline is not a bad choice either. The interior of the Acadia is not all too bad either. Would likely put a nice set of 20" wheels on it thought. Hmmm
Explorer and Expedition have not impressed me with fit, finish and interior quality when we considered them in the past. They may have changed since I looked at them, but earlier Explorers IMHO rode like log trucks, rattled seriously and had less than competitive quality interior materials.
We have had good luck with the GMC Envoy, so I guess I'm down to considering GM, Toyota, Mazda, Hyunda & Honda famlies of vehicles. Well maybe the Ford Edge or new Taurus wagon replacement for the Freestyle will get a look. But right now my thinking is a lower end 5 passenger to replace the Trooper at some point and probably one of the GM Lambadas to replace the Envoy XL for a 7/8 passenger ride.
V8 power for tow.. The V6 is a stretch I must suggest. I will likely require the dealer to but a hitch on the tow receiver and pull my boat for a 5 mile stretch on some decent upgrades for the appropriate evaluation. My Suburban has been a great vehicle to date. Zero difficulties. Surprised me actually. But the MPG is killing me
Though I might be a little biased (had ten GREAT problem free years with one of their products) You shouldn't right DCX off. THat was Jeep 8 years ago, so these problems probably won't happen to you on a current Chrysler/ Dodge model. Besides, the new lambdas are knocking down GM haters left and right. And all sorts of MDX's are being traded in for them. So maybe you should give Chrysler a chance, too. I think the Aspen gets good reviews.
Of course, if you have the new car itch, or are doing it for environmental reasons, that doesn't really matter.
Mark
As far as the Aspen goes, it is a Durango with at different skin. I test drove the Durangos when we were looking around at the Jeep early on...may have been the only SUV with a worse ride than the Explorer at least in my opinion. My choice between a basic Aspen and basic Yukon would be the Yukon. Plus, I'm just not a 'Hemi' type of guy. Tired of the Ram Tough, Hemi, and all those other 'bumpkin' commercials that D/C seems to play all the time.
maybe they will do something about the bumpkin' commercials but I'll guarantee the'll keep churning hemi's out for all that will buy them.
Those of you who have test driven Explorers in the past would be very surprised at the latest version. I test drove one in '04 and now own an '06. The difference between the two is very noticeable in a good way.
Ride comfort is great, interior is well built and extremely quiet (quieter than a Lexus RX IIRC) and you can't beat the utility. Gas mileage is still a bit below the CUVs but you can save a lot of $$ at purchase time to make up for that these days.
As for the towing issue, I've always been under the impression that you don't want to tow the max the truck is rated for. Is that not a fair statement these days?
I found this article from the following Web Site. It's also posted in Hyundai Web Site:
http://http.vitalstreamcdn.com/rightsrep_vitalstream_com/hyundai/motorTrend/index.html
You probably have to paste the entire address in order to get to that site.
What's Hot, What's Not This Summer (Auto Observer)
The Wall Street Journal (subscription link) has a blurb -"Edmunds is even gearing up to alert consumers when interest in a model is hot or cold, the better to anticipate price changes."
The example the WSJ used was May crossover tracking:
"The Acadia got looks from 60,446 Edmunds visitors, and was No. 1 in this four wagon race. The MDX was No. 2 at 35,704, the RX fell to 24,766 lookers and the Veracruz was pitching in with 19,022 lookers. Purchase intentions followed a similar track, with the Acadia No. 1 in May with 14,393 visitors exhibiting behavior consistent with buying an Acadia within four to six weeks."
and
"Edmunds data indicates that the Aura has gained traction since January."
I can't wait to test drive one! I've looked at the MDX, Outlook, Acadia, CX9, Sequoia, & Tahoe. Each one has pluses and minuses. I still desire a more versitile vehicle with: ample room for 6 or 7 passengers, the latest features, reliable, powerful and efficent. The new HL looks like it is just what I'm looking for.
The Highlander sounds good but will it handle a 22' boat. Will it be stable enough? Is it out yet?
I have done this before(towing my boat on a test drive).
The MDX is 5k lbs and the Buick/Acadia is @ 4500lbs capacity.
Hook it up and drive the puppy. This will surely elininate any decisions stuck in pergatory..
278hp
263lbstq
The 08 3.7L will NOT have Direct Fuel Injection as most thought it would.
Isn't the next Mazda6 supposed to get the 3.7L too?
Acadia, Enclave, Outlook, CX9, Veracruz. They have so many similarities it is hard to choose. We currently have a Sienna and don't want a van anymore. ( We do like all of the space you get with one though.) Does anyone know which would hold it's value best--we will be leasing.
Which do you think handles best?
Thanks
my $.02
lambda's have the most interior room and are heaviest
cx-9 handles best(from what i've read)poor 3rd row comfort
veracruz nice interior and warranty good comfort in all rows
'07 freestyle best value if you are on any kind of a budget and great mpg in the real world which I can attest to as an owner. for real world mpg on the other's, other owner's will have to chime in. great space in all 3 rows
Acadia had much better isolation of noise over bad bumpy roads and I think it handles better too. Also much easier access to 3rd row and more storage behind 3rd row.
Veracruz is off my list.
Thanks