maybe you should look at an explorer. big incentives, and mileage is probably as good as a 'lib, although i don't know that for sure. much more room for the hounds, though.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
is with the Escape! I have now owned my Escape V6 XLT 4wd for 37,000 miles and its proven itself over and over again. I use my Escape to tow my 2 watercraft, visit the skii slopes, traverse logging/access roads to find my fishing spots. I am now averaging 21.7MPG in this vehicle. Liberty was my second choice. I felt the Escape had better engine response, better road feel. The back seats of the Liberty also felt smaller and more difficult to get in and out of. Jeep relies on its "Trail rating" gizmo sales pitch. The fact is the Majority of us never even see as much as a gravel road! I see the Element has popped up from time to time.. My kids have nicknamed this vehicle the "UGLYMENT". Everytime we see one they say Uglyment alert!....
Jeep should begin selling a diesel-engined Liberty sometime in 2004 -- which promises to have much better fuel economy than either current gas engines. Although I'm not a fan of Jeeps, I am a huge fan of diesels and look forward to seeing more of them in the US. If fuel economy is the only thing keeping you from a Liberty now, you might want to wait a few months until the diesel is available.
Well, I'm sure a diesel-engined Liberty won't win many stoplight grand prix's, but does that really matter in an SUV? It will likely perform really well around town, with its abundance of low end torque.
A lot has changed since the bad old days of diesels...modern diesel engines are quiet, smooth, and powerful. I rented a 2003 Focus wagon in France last year with a turbo-diesel engine in it and let me tell you, that thing was a blast to drive. Quiet, amazing power, and 45+ mpg on the autoroutes at speeds of 110mph or so. I would buy on here in the states tomorrow if it were available.
of the new smaller version of the Santa Fe. Guess I'll have to look at it - I've always liked the looks of the Santa Fe, but didn't like the way the auto tranny felt when I test drove it (prefer MT anyway). But from the photos, the new Tucson looks very nice. Has anyone seen one in Chicago?
I've never much cared for the Santa Fe's looks (the contrived pregnant-looking bulgy front fenders do nothing for me) - but the Tucson definitely looks better. Depending on how it looks in the flesh (I've only seen artists' renditions so far), it might even replace the Sorento as my candidate for best-looking SUV.
Well, it's better looking than the Santa Fe, but not as good as the artists' rendition suggested. So, the Sorento remains securely atop my best-styled SUV list.
Jack- You disappoint me. I agree with Steve that the artist's rendering looks a lot like the Murano (not so much in the image on the official web site). Look at that high receding beltline, the view to the rear looks like it would be severely impaired.
Whats the difference going to be between the Tucson and the Santa Fe. The Tucson can only get a 2.7 v6 while the Santa Fe now has a 3.5 liter. Even though the tucson might look a little better, its performance cant be close to the 3.5
The Tucson's beltline may or may not be higher than good visibility allows; I can't tell from the artists' renditions, which are invariably more dramatic than the real McCoy. When I criticize the latest from Nissan, I'm mainly talking about excessively large and dangerous blind spots created by wide D-pillars, fenderlines that for no functional reason kick up as they approach the hatch, that sort of thing. The Tucson does have an element of this in the rear extremety of its fenderline, but nowhere near as exaggerated as the Murano or FX, or even X3.
I'll reserve judgement and criticism until the actual cars are available to inspect. The FX, Murano, and X3 have been out for awhile, and they flunk.
There is so much information out there that I am overloaded and confused. I am buying either a Santa Fe or a CRV. There are + and - for both. Basically I like everything about the Santa Fe (FWD 2.7) but I'm not sure about Hyundai. Honda has the reputation but there are features on the CRV that I'm not crazy about (visability, gear shift on the dash).
If you own a Santa Fe or a CRV are you happy with your purchase? Would you buy another?
Oh, the resale value doesn't bother me I tend to run my cars forever. I have a 92 Corolla.
CR actually rates the Santa Fe above average in reliability, plus the warranty is fantastic. My main concern is fuel efficiency - it's not fast nor is it very effiecient.
CR-V has excellent reliability but the industry's worst warranty, IMO, 3/36 without even roadside assistance.
But forget what I think, buy the one you like better. Which one was more fun to drive? Which did you feel more comfortable in? Bring your family and gear along with you, how to you fit inside each of them? Which brings you the bigger smile?
Did Hyundai restyle the Santa Fe recently? I passed one the other day and the front end looked much better executed (less dramatic wheel well bulges/humps).
I am in the final stages of buying a V6 Vue in Houston with side curtains and need you guys and gals help quickly.
1. Was told my GM credit card points were not accepted but dealer did give me extra $750 against my $1150 potential.
2. They claimed they knew nothing of the 6 coupons worth $250 each. Noticed in the paper latter that day they are offering up to $1,500 bonus cash that I think is the same. Can someone confirm and is this a regional deal or nationwide?
3. They offered me $3500 rebate + $750 off sticker with my financing or $1,000 +750 with 0% @60. I assume the $1000 is truckfest is that correct or should I be looking for more rebates?
4. I may be able to get the GM supplier discount. What would that do for me?
5. Has anyone purchased or seen the Safe and Sound Package for $880. Saturn website says it is reduced by $360 at this time.
I need to speak to the dealer Monday to close deal and would really appreciate any advice you can offer.
My experience with CRV is this.After 39000 miles the car was rattle and squeak free but the drivers seat and steering wheel were wearing badly.The paint is very easy to scratch and dent.The driving experience was ok around town but under powered for freeway flying.It would downshift on the slightest hill and passing was scary.If you went into a corner too fast it was unstable and unsettled.Of course it is short and tall and that's normal behavior.I thought about the Escape since my son works for a Ford dealer but the poor quality turns me off.I really wanted an MDX but $40000 turns me off. So I settled for the Highlander Limited because I got it loaded for $30000 through an employee discount.My car is not an offroad vehicle it is a comfortable utility vehicle so it is a CUV. If you live in the boonies with dirt roads you might need a Jeep or true offroader but us urban dwellers just want comfort.A lifted 4x4 that never gets dirty is all about self image.
A reporter wants to talk with Saturn Vue owners about any suspension problems they have experienced. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com asap no later than Thursday, August 5, 2004 with your daytime contact info.
The VUE suspension problem really isn't news anymore since they've been recalled as of yesterday. Saturn did the right thing and decided to nip this one in the bud by issuing a voluntary recall.
Saturn did the right thing and decided to nip this one in the bud by issuing a voluntary recall.
Not that they really had a choice. When your vehicle resoundingly fails a standard government safety test you've got to act quick or risk the fate of the Suzuki Samari! In the Pantheon of embarrassing moments, this rates right up there with the steering wheel fiasco of the early Escapes.
My only question is how in the heck can a vehicle get completely through the development cycle and into production without such a basic flaw being discovered?
Perhaps those have higher cornering limits that Saturn didn't account for during the design. Still that would have meant the rushed the testing process of that model.
juice, No. All VUE trims and MY's were part of the recall.
p0926, this rates right up there with the steering wheel fiasco of the early Escapes.
IIRC none of the Escapes made it off of the lots and, much unlike the VUE, it was caught very early on. I remember seeing them on the lots with big yellow sign's on the steering wheels instructing the dealer to "DO NOT SELL". Why they had them out in plain view I'll never understand.
I remember that well, during the Edmunds 2000 event I was looking forward to sampling an Escape for the first time... but nope, they put up a sign that explained why they could not use the Escapes (rear wheel hub failure IIRC).
Ford seemed to bounce back from all the early recalls, as the Escape is a perennial best-seller.
Comments
much more room for the hounds, though.
Liberty was my second choice. I felt the Escape had better engine response, better road feel. The back seats of the Liberty also felt smaller and more difficult to get in and out of. Jeep relies on its "Trail rating" gizmo sales pitch. The fact is the Majority of us never even see as much as a gravel road!
I see the Element has popped up from time to time.. My kids have nicknamed this vehicle the "UGLYMENT". Everytime we see one they say Uglyment alert!....
-juice
Brian
-juice
Diesels have come a long way, IMO.
-juice
Edit: It's a 150HP 2.8L 4 cylinder turbo diesel.
http://autoweek.com/search/search_display.mv?port_code=autoweek&a- mp;a- mp;cat_code=carnews&content_code=09843086&Search_Type=STD- - &Search_ID=1858207&record=3
DaveM
A lot has changed since the bad old days of diesels...modern diesel engines are quiet, smooth, and powerful. I rented a 2003 Focus wagon in France last year with a turbo-diesel engine in it and let me tell you, that thing was a blast to drive. Quiet, amazing power, and 45+ mpg on the autoroutes at speeds of 110mph or so. I would buy on here in the states tomorrow if it were available.
Brian
edit: here's a link
http://autoweek.com/search/search_display.mv?port_code=autoweek&a- mp;cat_code=reviews&content_code=01524043&Search_Type=STD- &Search_ID=1858816&record=37
I'm willing to be persuaded, but somehow I think I'd rather be in my turbo XT when passing semitrucks or RVs on uphill 2-lane mountain roads...
I haven't needed to replace wear and tear items, even my brake pads are still original. Well, the tires aren't, but that's about it.
-juice
Odie
In-line 5s are hard to package. Many are mounted longitudinally, so you need a long hood.
-juice
-juice
http://www.waitnews.com/hyundai_tucson.htm
-juice
-Frank P.
tidester, host
Frank,
The Tucson's beltline may or may not be higher than good visibility allows; I can't tell from the artists' renditions, which are invariably more dramatic than the real McCoy. When I criticize the latest from Nissan, I'm mainly talking about excessively large and dangerous blind spots created by wide D-pillars, fenderlines that for no functional reason kick up as they approach the hatch, that sort of thing. The Tucson does have an element of this in the rear extremety of its fenderline, but nowhere near as exaggerated as the Murano or FX, or even X3.
I'll reserve judgement and criticism until the actual cars are available to inspect. The FX, Murano, and X3 have been out for awhile, and they flunk.
My apologies to other readers who don't know what-the-heck I'm talking about.
james
If it's lighter than the SF it could perform well with the V6. SF is pretty heavy for its size.
-juice
If you own a Santa Fe or a CRV are you happy with your purchase? Would you buy another?
Oh, the resale value doesn't bother me I tend to run my cars forever. I have a 92 Corolla.
CR-V has excellent reliability but the industry's worst warranty, IMO, 3/36 without even roadside assistance.
But forget what I think, buy the one you like better. Which one was more fun to drive? Which did you feel more comfortable in? Bring your family and gear along with you, how to you fit inside each of them? Which brings you the bigger smile?
Choose that one, you can't go wrong.
-juice
-Frank P.
-juice
1. Was told my GM credit card points were not accepted but dealer did give me extra $750 against my $1150 potential.
2. They claimed they knew nothing of the 6 coupons worth $250 each. Noticed in the paper latter that day they are offering up to $1,500 bonus cash that I think is the same. Can someone confirm and is this a regional deal or nationwide?
3. They offered me $3500 rebate + $750 off sticker with my financing or $1,000 +750 with 0% @60. I assume the $1000 is truckfest is that correct or should I be looking for more rebates?
4. I may be able to get the GM supplier discount. What would that do for me?
5. Has anyone purchased or seen the Safe and Sound Package for $880. Saturn website says it is reduced by $360 at this time.
I need to speak to the dealer Monday to close deal and would really appreciate any advice you can offer.
Thanks
Larry
Who could ever dream that buying a car would become this complicated. Good luck.
Regards,
Kyle
badly.The paint is very easy to scratch and dent.The driving experience was ok around town but under powered for freeway flying.It would downshift on the slightest hill and passing was scary.If you went into a corner too fast it was unstable and unsettled.Of course it is short and tall and that's normal behavior.I thought about the Escape since my son works for a Ford dealer but the poor quality turns me off.I really wanted an MDX but $40000 turns me off. So I settled for the Highlander Limited because I got it loaded for $30000 through an employee discount.My car
is not an offroad vehicle it is a comfortable utility vehicle so it is a CUV. If you live in the boonies with dirt roads you might need a
Jeep or true offroader but us urban dwellers just want comfort.A lifted 4x4 that never gets dirty is all about self image.
Is the HL a V6 model? AWD?
Too bad Honda and Toyota no longer make wagons of the Accord and Camry.
-juice
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-08-05-vue-_x.htm
Most VUE owners will be getting a call or a letter from Saturn as well as a stronger suspension.
FWIW, I know 4 VUE owners, 1 is a Redline, and none of them have had problems.
tidester, host
Not that they really had a choice. When your vehicle resoundingly fails a standard government safety test you've got to act quick or risk the fate of the Suzuki Samari! In the Pantheon of embarrassing moments, this rates right up there with the steering wheel fiasco of the early Escapes.
My only question is how in the heck can a vehicle get completely through the development cycle and into production without such a basic flaw being discovered?
-Frank
Perhaps those have higher cornering limits that Saturn didn't account for during the design. Still that would have meant the rushed the testing process of that model.
-juice
No. All VUE trims and MY's were part of the recall.
p0926,
this rates right up there with the steering wheel fiasco of the early Escapes.
IIRC none of the Escapes made it off of the lots and, much unlike the VUE, it was caught very early on. I remember seeing them on the lots with big yellow sign's on the steering wheels instructing the dealer to "DO NOT SELL". Why they had them out in plain view I'll never understand.
Ford seemed to bounce back from all the early recalls, as the Escape is a perennial best-seller.
-juice