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Rondo vs Outlander/Rav4/Santa Fe/Mazda5
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Comments
The Sportgage has a list price of $24140. Anybody got an opinion??
Invoice for a 2007 appears to be just over $21k, and there is a $1000 incentive right now, so $20k. Sounds to me like you should be able to get a 2007 for roughly the same money. Your Escort wagon isn't going to be worth much.
Having said that, I personally don't know what to make of reliability reports. I know some people with supposedly unreliable vehicles who've never had problems and I know others with supposedly reliable vehicles who've had problems. :confuse:
spoole, what part of the Olympic Pen. do you live in? My wife, son and I lived in Forks, WA, for a year, and also in Port Angeles, WA, for 8 months. It is pretty country and on the Forks side of the Olympics you've got about 150 inches of rainfall per year!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
When it comes to what a female wants; you better do it if you like peace in your life.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Usually a brand new 2006 model still at the dealer in June 2007 is usually yelling outloud to be sold, so I would follow biscuit_xls' advice and make a fair, yet ambitious offer. Keep on mind that the 2008 models should be coming in 2-4 months at some dealers so a low-er inventory and space will be needed very soon. There is nothing wrong with the car itself, it is new after all, but well, the year model matters.
Ooops, my message came to late. I may have been writing it while you were hitting reply
When it comes to what a female wants; you better do it if you like peace in your life.
You are right on the spot on this one. I agree with you 100%
Hood Canal, oh, yeah I remember it well(we're down in SE Arizona now). The wind can get a hollerin' through there..even to the point of picking that expensive bridge apart sometimes! Enjoy your new rig, or, your other half will enjoy her new rig I spose!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
When you figure out why a wife does what a wife does; let me know!!
Oh man, I may not like the Sportage 100% but I do love these very valid questions from Spoole... and I agree, if an answer is found for this, please post it ASAP!
Original:
"Rondo vs Outlander/Rav4/Santa Fe/Mazda5"
Instead:
"Mazda5 vs Outlander/Rav4/Santa Fe/Rondo"
Oh well... languages and interpretations
Happy Holiday if located in the US
Yes, to all the Yanks out there, happy American version of Canada Day!
(Just kidding, although it's only amusing to my fellow Canucks--maybe.
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/kia_carens_2007/291.aspx
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/mazda_5_2005/241.aspx
mazda5 scores significantly higher.
If you don't mind my asking, what in the world does she think she's going to get that's worth going back in debt for – or if she's paying cash, what does she think is going to be better?
Here is the crash data from the NHTSA
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/cars/4245.html
The Mazda5 hasn't been tested in the US by either the NHTSA or the IIHS. (Or the data is not posted at their sites)
But, if you traded in the wife, instead of her car, then papa's happy. Really happy!! :P
Summary
IMO, comparing the RAV4 to the Mazda5 is NOT an apples to apples case. Mazda5 is a MAV, RAV4 is an SUV
Never test drove a rav4 before but, 1+ years later, still very happy to have purchased the Mazda5. It looks and drives great, plus covers all my family needs with no strings attached
Upside
Sport Version, 18in good looking wheels
4 cylinder fuel economy is great
Got a nice blue color (Pacific Blue maybe?), not too dark, not too light, just ideal
Auto Tranny maintains low revs at high speeds (i.e. eventual 85-90MPH, ~3000+RPM)
The new gauge luminescent colors at night look nice
Smooth ride in the highway (very SUV-like bumpy on back roads however)
Good legroom in the front and 2nd row seats. Front seats have more legroom than the MAZDA5 for sure
MP3/WMA capable CD Player (Wife likes the 6-in-dash CD Player from the MAZDA5 however, she is not too concerned about MP3/WMA Capabilities. And yes, Mazda5 also has it as an option)
Downside
The 4 cylinder engine may be bigger than the Mazda5 one, but the Mazda one feels peppier and more responsive (plus, although is a silly 4cyl, the Mazda engine sounds better)
The Auto Tranny in the RAV4 felt very sluggish. It takes very long to engage the OD even with the pedal to the metal (now, I drive a manual tranny Mazda5 so it may contribute to the feeling)
Dashboard lighting color (amber, yellowish) looks terrible. Reminded me to some taxis I rode in South America sometime back
Yes, 2nd row seat can seat 3 people, but at a high price. The middle one is for kids only. The Mazda5 2 captain seats in the 2nd row are much better IMO
No standard steering wheel mounted Radio and CD Player controls, The dashboard tuning/volume knobs are not easy to reach while driving
The spare tire location (back door). IMO it looks so 80s :-)
Mazda5 general driving/handling feels much better/precise, but again, the RAV4 IS an SUV
Negligible cargo space with the 3rd row seat expanded. With the MAZDA5 I can at least still fit a large stroller (flattened)
My main concern with the Santa Fe limited was the ride. On the road, my driver's car seat vibrated, salesperson even gave me another Santa FE limited to test drive but this one was also shaking. I was ready to deal for the Hyundai but after test driving it I am holding back.
The Kia:
Cheap( price that is )
Good Room, more room in the front
Backseat( 3rd row ) is worthless, can't access it. You have to hop over the folded down 2nd row seat!
The fit and finish was subpar, and the overall feel of the car was tinny.
Nothing I didn't expect from a 19k car. So then we went down to the Mazda dealership. A world of difference...
Refined, plenty of room, accessable 3rd row with a fairly roomy boot( roomier/better laid out then Rondo ) and the fit and finish was top quality. It was very apparent that there was a lot more effort put into the Mazda then there was in the Kia.
The Conclusion:
Though Hyundai/Kia have came a long way in quality but they are still no match for Mazda. M5 over Rondo.
To me, this isn't an either/or kind of thing. It's not like this is a titanic battle between sworn enemies and you must choose sides--love one and hate the other. Nah, I like both.
The predominant reason why I purchased the Rondo is because of it's 2-3-2 seating configuration for seven people. Now that I have a Rondo, I don't see any reason to bash "the competition" just to justify my choice (although I feel the temptation). I still think the Mazda5 is a nifty vehicle--just as nifty as the Rondo.
My conclusion:
You can't go wrong with either choice.
I did not intend for that to sound as though I was bashing the Rondo because I was not, but rather listing reasons why I liked the Mazda over the Kia. The Kia is a great vehichle but the reasons I dont like it as a vehichle for me are listed above. The things that make it an inappropriate vehichle for me might make it a great vehichle for you vice versa. Sorry for the missunderstanding.
To me, this isn't an either/or kind of thing. It's not like this is a titanic battle between sworn enemies and you must choose sides--love one and hate the other. Nah, I like both.
The predominant reason why I purchased the Rondo is because of it's 2-3-2 seating configuration for seven people. Now that I have a Rondo, I don't see any reason to bash "the competition" just to justify my choice (although I feel the temptation). I still think the Mazda5 is a nifty vehicle--just as nifty as the Rondo.
My conclusion:
You can't go wrong with either choice.
Good point medicineman, I have a couple of comments though:
I agree:
Yes, we need both (Rondo and Mazda5) to compete and, more importantly, sell well so they can establish a market trend for this type of model (and improve year after year). If one disappears it will be more difficult for the other brand to justify its model in years to come.
I disagree:
To say that either choice is the same or similar. The reason of people giving an opinion (or sometimes bashing) about the other model in these type of threads (comparing vehicles thread) is not to justify their purchase, but to provide an input to the readers who have not purchased a car so they can have real street buyers' facts to make a purchase decision. Yes, if there is bashing from time to time is up to the reader to decide whether the reply is accurate or not. To me bashing sometimes means that the basher is really passionate about his(her) car, and nothing else.
Don't take me wrong, but if I participate (or read) on a car comparison thread just to find out that the participants say that all cars are the same I wouldn't read it further.
To say that either choice is the same or similar. The reason of people giving an opinion (or sometimes bashing) about the other model in these type of threads (comparing vehicles thread) is not to justify their purchase, but to provide an input to the readers who have not purchased a car so they can have real street buyers' facts to make a purchase decision. Yes, if there is bashing from time to time is up to the reader to decide whether the reply is accurate or not. To me bashing sometimes means that the basher is really passionate about his(her) car, and nothing else.
Don't take me wrong, but if I participate (or read) on a car comparison thread just to find out that the participants say that all cars are the same I wouldn't read it further.
Umm, I wasn't implying that everyone should see things equally and we should all get along and sing merry tunes together.
So what about my "bashing" comment, then? Wasn't I trying to imply something with that? We all have underlying motivations, conscious or subconscious, whether we're honest to ourselves and to others about it or not. Perhaps I was merely trying to provoke some honest self-reflection. Or perhaps I was just peeved that someone seemed to have dissed the Rondo. Or perhaps it was something else entirely. Whether I actually had a point to make really depends on one's interpretation and reaction to it.
The 'which is the better car' will be debated untill the end of time. What it all boils down to is the old saying 'different strokes, for different folks'. Some may find that the Kia better suits them or that they plain and simply like it better where as some may do the same with the Mazda. But to say that these two do not compete is wrong. If these two do not compete, then neither do the Silverado and the F-150.
Conclusion: Do the homework and go with the one that better suits your needs, wants, or that better suits your visual appeal. For me, that is the Mazda5.
For the sake of the thread topic and focus, Can I suggest to be as factual as possible (yes, it goes for me as well)?
Outlander: Cool design, but SUV focus
Rav4: OK, but SUV focus
Santa Fe: No, I don't like the design nor the SUV focus
Rondo:
- Functionality, Versatility: Yes
- Space: Yes
- Initial Quality: Yes
- Brand recognition: No
- V6 available: Yes
- Manual Transmission option: No
- Aux sound: Yes
- Rear A/C vents: Yes
- Seats 7
- Interior Design: No
- Interior Quality of Materials: OK for the price
- Exterior Design and Attractive looks: No
- Sliding door: No
- Handling: No
Mazda5:
- Functionality, Versatility: Yes
- Space: Yes
- Initial Quality: Yes, after the 2007 model
- Brand recognition: Yes
- V6 available: No
- Manual Transmission option: Yes
- Aux sound: upcoming 2008 model
- Rear A/C vents: upcoming 2008 model
- Seats 6. No 7th seat option
- Interior Design: Yes
- Interior Quality of Materials: OK for the price
- Exterior Design and Attractive looks: Yes
- Sliding door: Yes
- Handling: Yes
Thanks,
dna
Are you sure your nickname is not philosophyman or psychologyman? I already had to take those type of classes for my M. Sc. so no more, thanks
Actually, I took philosophy classes as easy electives, but I didn't major in the soft sciences (I've had a very eclectic past, though--truck driver, anyone?).
But yes, let us return to the facts and at least pretend to be fair and balanced, shall we?
I obviously know the Rondo better than the Mazda5, so what do I know? Take it for what it's worth--and if I screw up any factual information, just add that to my life's collection. :P
Rondo:
- Functionality, Versatility: excellent
- Space: very good
- Initial Quality: Not enough data yet
- Brand recognition: Same ballpark as domestics
- V6 available: Yes
- Manual Transmission option: No
- 5-speed Automatic Transmission: yes in V6
- Engine (I-4/V6):
Size 2.4L/2.7L
Horsepower 162/182
Horsepower rpm 5,800/6,000
Torque 164/182
Torque rpm 4,250/4,000
- Passing power: weak with large load
- Aux sound: 2008?
- Rear A/C vents: Yes
- Seating: 5 or 7
- Interior Design: Average
- Interior Quality of Materials: Average
- Exterior Design and Attractive looks: Looks like a duck's head
- Sliding door: No
- Third row accessibility: easy
- Telescopic steering column: no
- Handling: Good for a people hauler
- Electronic Stability Control: yes
- Traction Control System: yes
- Standard Warranty:
5-year/60,000-mile basic
10-year/100,000-mile powertrain
5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation
5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance
Mazda5:
- Functionality, Versatility: excellent
- Space: very good
- Initial Quality: very good
- Brand recognition: Second-tier Japanese
- V6 available: No
- Manual Transmission option: Yes
- 5-speed Automatic Transmission: 2008
- Engine (I-4):
Size 2.3L
Horsepower 153
Horsepower rpm 6,500
Torque 148
Torque rpm 4,500
- Passing power: weak with large load
- Aux sound: 2008
- Rear A/C vents: 2008
- Seating: 6
- Interior Design: Above average
- Interior Quality of Materials: Average
- Exterior Design and Attractive looks: Looks like a minivan
- Sliding door: Yes
- Third row accessibility: easy
- Telescopic steering column: yes
- Handling: Great for a people hauler
- Electronic Stability Control: no
- Traction Control System: no
- Standard Warranty:
3-year/36,000-mile basic
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain
5-year/unlimited-miles anti-perforation
3-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance
We actually put in an aftermarket navigation/video system-- it plays mp3 CDs (as does the factory audio system) so I am really not too worried, butit would have been nice to be able to plug in my new video ipod.
I did get a ding the other day-- a guy with a boat trailer was passing my parked Rondo, his fender flew off and hit the passenger door and the window-- leaving a 4 inch shallow dent & scrap on the former and a longer scratch on the window. I was totally upset for a while about damage to my first and only new car, but then I thought that if the car was parked in the driveway and not on the street, chances are the fender would have flown into the yard and hit one of the kids playing there, so in hindsight, it could have been worse.
Anyway, I took it to the insurance accessor and the Rondo wasn't in is database, so he "used something similar" to do the estimate and came up with $583 for the repair. Ouch, but it isn't on my insurance. So I took it to the dealer for repairs, and they did a re-estimate of the damages. I hope you are sitting down. The dealer priced the repair for a couple of scratches and a small dent to be OVER A THOUSAND (US) dollars. Double ouch!
It's amazing what these small accidents can set you back for!
Dna
Thanks medicineman for the detailed list plus for correcting the aux sound assessment from my earlier post :surprise:
Now, this should be on the Mazda5-Rondo thread, isn't it? Moderator, any ideas?
coolmazda5 is a troublemaker anyway...
On the other side, a coworker has a more expensive brand new Hyundai (Santa Fe?) and the coworkers could not care less when she bought it, kind of "OK" or "Whatever" type of reaction. IMO it is not the technicality of the concept in auto lingo, but the fact that if you ask randomly to anyone about Mazda they recognize what you are talking about.
This doesn't mean, though, that I haven't been sheepish in the past when it comes to admitting that I own a Kia. Actually, I'm not a car enthusiast, and I wasn't even aware of Kia's past reputation until I started doing research on the Rondo. But now that I know about the past rep, I'm almost apologetic about it sometimes. But I chose to buy the Rondo despite any lingering problems with Kia's image because I bought it for utilitarian reasons--that's why people buy vehicles like these. The seven seats have proven its worth during the past week with my three sisters and their ten kids in town for a visit.
I don't know that many people who are car enthusiasts, but I have a couple of brothers-in-law who fancy themselves as knowledgable about cars (yes, they're visiting, too). When I told them that I owned a Kia, I prefaced it with, "Yeah, I know Kia has that past reputation..." To my surprise, however, both of them said that Korean cars have improved greatly and stated that Kia's ownership by Hyundai is a plus. BTW, one of them is an orthopedic surgeon who owns a car that costs around 200 grand (don't ask me what the name of the vehicle is because I can't remember, being a non-car enthusiast and all)--he doesn't like to mince words (stereotypical surgeon, yes
Anyway, like any of this matters. (winky, winky)