Car Buying Questions

[RallySonsOfND]

So I am looking replacing my SUV. I was hopeful the Santa Fe was going to give me a good third row option but they have shrunken those down to a glorified station wagon and the bigger model Veracruz was discontinued.

Any suggestions for a mid size, mid level SUV? I don't want a monster but something with a realistic third row.

If you want a usable third row you are looking at the traverse/Acadia/enclave family

 

[Irish YJ]

If you want a usable third row you are looking at the traverse/Acadia/enclave family

And all of those come standard with crappy transmissions. Standard though, no need to upgrade.

 

[Irish Insanity]

If you want a usable third row you are looking at the traverse/Acadia/enclave family

Owned an Acadia for a few years and recently traded it in. Nice vehicle. Nice interior. But depends which type of 3rd row you want. Most of these have the mini van interior. Captains chairs in the middle row and 3 seat bench in the back. We had an AWD and the gas mileage isn't that great.

 

[Irish#1]

Hate to burst your bubble guys, but all SUV's are basically station wagons. I drive a CX7 SUV. No third seat.

 

[NDBoiler]

So I am looking replacing my SUV. I was hopeful the Santa Fe was going to give me a good third row option but they have shrunken those down to a glorified station wagon and the bigger model Veracruz was discontinued.

Any suggestions for a mid size, mid level SUV? I don't want a monster but something with a realistic third row.

We're on our second Honda Pilot, most recently a 2011, both with functional 3rd rows. They're not huge, but 2 adults can sit back there comfortably for a couple hour trip. 3 can fit somewhat uncomfortably.

 

[D-BOE34]

You want a 3rd row, get a minivan. Not shitting you. Best car decision I have made! When I am not dragging kids around, we tailgate, road trip, etc. in it and everyone loves it! Not flashy, not stylish but no one got out of it and said, "Terrible!"

Get a minivan! Got myself an '08 Sienna

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ql-N3F1FhW4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[BleedBlueGold]

We're on our second Honda Pilot, most recently a 2011, both with functional 3rd rows. They're not huge, but 2 adults can sit back there comfortably for a couple hour trip. 3 can fit somewhat uncomfortably.

I second this. My wife and I love our Honda Pilot.

 

[Wild Bill]

My buddy recently purchased a Nissan Pathfinder. It has a decent third row of seats.

 

[Monk]

If you want a usable third row you are looking at the traverse/Acadia/enclave family

Bought a used 2011 Traverse last August and we love it. The third row seating is not like a normal plush bench seat, but for the occasional use it works great for us. We have the captains chairs which were a must for us so that it was easy to get to the back row and I believe the captain chairs to be way more comfortable than a bench seat. I have kids 3 years old and 1 years old so when we are not using the back bench it just goes to a massive storage area. The car rides excellent and handles great.

Now for what I don't like about it. I have not had any trouble with the transmission at all, but it only has 50,000 miles on it. If you are looking for an SUV that you can tow with I would not buy this vehicle as it does not feel like it could handle the extra weight in either the suspension or the transmission. There are issues with the water pump gasket leaking on the majority of these vehicles and mine was no different. We brought it right in and it was replaced under warranty free of charge. The car rides very nice, but it does seem to be a little loud. This maybe the tires that are on the vehicle and we have not tried another set. The last thing I've noticed with this vehicle is it takes a long time to stop. I don't know how this compares to other "mid sized" SUVs, but we had an Envoy prior to the Traverse and it stopped a lot sooner. Most of the things I am talking about can be felt or seen while test driving the particular vehicle, so I would definitely recommend test driving a Traverse. Also I believe they may have resolved the water pump issue on the newer models, something to check out.

 

[Henges24]

Does anyone drive a Kia Optima or know anyone that does? Kia is having a pretty awesome trade-in deal going on right now. Curious if they are good vehicles or what people think of them. I'm personally a American car guy (dad worked 30 years at GM) but I'd consider buying a foreign car if they are worth it. No Toyota though, ha.

 

[Monk]

I'm curious as to why you would buy a foreign product like Kia, but not Totota as Toyota is built/assembled in America?

 

[IrishLion]

Does anyone drive a Kia Optima or know anyone that does? Kia is having a pretty awesome trade-in deal going on right now. Curious if they are good vehicles or what people think of them. I'm personally a American car guy (dad worked 30 years at GM) but I'd consider buying a foreign car if they are worth it. No Toyota though, ha.

A family friend, who works for Dodge and would have been able to hook up a huge discount, just encouraged his son and his son's wife to get a Kia Sorento as their new family car, rather than something from Dodge, if that helps at all.

 

[Wild Bill]

Does anyone drive a Kia Optima or know anyone that does? Kia is having a pretty awesome trade-in deal going on right now. Curious if they are good vehicles or what people think of them. I'm personally a American car guy (dad worked 30 years at GM) but I'd consider buying a foreign car if they are worth it. No Toyota though, ha.

A colleague of mine bought one a couple years ago and loves it. He was a bit skeptical when he first bought the car but now he says he'd buy one again, without question.

 

[RDU Irish]

Traverse/Acadia/Enclave seems like the only set in the size I am looking for. At risk of sounding like a hayseed - I freaking hate GM and the thought of buying one of their cars is distasteful. Nissan Pathfinder looks worth looking into. Really don't care for the Highlander.

Already have a minivan - yes the function is more than worthwhile, however I would be the only person I know who owns two minivans if I traded my car in for one. Not sure my ego could handle it. The minivan layout hidden in an SUV is exactly what the doctor is ordering (middle captain chairs allowing easy access to rear seats for tweenagers.

Freaking CAFE standards squishing all the decent SUVs to station wagons. Thanks Obama.

 

[Henges24]

So after posting yesterday my brakes in my Impala gave out coincidentally. Brake pedal was hitting the floor. The brake line is all rotted out to the front left tire. $230 fix. Fml. But I believe I'm going to be getting the Chevy Cruze instead of the Kia tomorrow.

I'd rather buy Kia than a Toyota because in my mind (IMO) it's a GM, Ford, Toyota battle for the top non-luxury brand in the US and I'd rather have GM or Ford be #1.

 

[calvegas04]

Okay my turn, I dint want to create new thread for the same topic but in the market for a new suv. Been doing some research and still confused on what to get. Been looking at a jeep Cherokee sport, subaru crosstrek and Mazda cx5. Does anyone own any of these? Also any tips for negotiating for a better rice this will be my first time busing a new car.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Car Buying Questions

Okay my turn, I dint want to create new thread for the same topic but in the market for a new suv. Been doing some research and still confused on what to get. Been looking at a jeep Cherokee sport, subaru crosstrek and Mazda cx5. Does anyone own any of these? Also any tips for negotiating for a better rice this will be my first time busing a new car.

1) Drove the CX-5 when we were shopping. Loved it, and thought it was the best, but the price was a little too steep.
2) It's been a general theme in this thread to stay away from Jeep. The more I read about them while shopping, the more I understood why

3) The Crosstrek is a dolled up station wagon IMO

I'm glad you got this thread going again. Got sick of driving my wife's shitty car (had to trade my truck for our new SUV), and have been looking for a cheap, high mileage tank. Going to look at this guy tomorrow, a 2000 Toyota 4Runner:

As far as negotiating, I learned quickly the easiest and best way to get a good price is:

1) go drive everything, then leave
2) figure out what you want
3) go back in and negotiate a final OTD price (get it in writing)
4) send that OTD price to a few other dealers, and ask if they can beat it
5) keep sending the newest low price to the others
6) Sit back and wait for the bidding war to end


PM NDCrusader with questions. Dude knows all the ins and outs.

 

[Cackalacky]

I just bought a 2015 Toyota Tundra. My previous truck was a Mazda B3000 and I had it from New for 15 years.

I absolutely love everything about my new truck. Double cab has plenty of room for four. Normal sized bed, v-8.

 

[BGIF]

I just bought a 2015 Toyota Tundra. My previous truck was a Mazda B3000 and I had it from New for 15 years.

I absolutely love everything about my new truck. Double cab has plenty of room for four. Normal sized bed, v-8.

So much for the environment, huh? Al Gore must be proud.

 

[Cackalacky]

So much for the environment, huh? Al Gore must be proud.

Lol. I guess this is a shot trying to point out some sort of hypocrisy?

I drive a total of ten miles a day. My wife has a hybrid and The diesel is not out yet.

Also, considering I had one truck in 15 years and plan on keeping this one for another fifteen... and I actually had to have a truck ....I don't really feel bad about getting 17 mpg. A tank of gas still lasts me a month and my wife almost two months.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Lol. I guess this is a shot trying to point out some sort of hypocrisy?

I drive a total of ten miles a day. My wife has a hybrid and The diesel is not out yet.

Also, considering I had one truck in 15 years and plan on keeping this one for another fifteen... and I actually had to have a truck ....I don't really feel bad about getting 17 mpg. A tank of gas still lasts me a month and my wife almost two months.

Don't apologize for, or try to justify having an awesome truck. The terrorists already won if we feel bad about driving something that doesn't have a sunflower attached to the antenna.

 

[Irish#1]

Okay my turn, I dint want to create new thread for the same topic but in the market for a new suv. Been doing some research and still confused on what to get. Been looking at a jeep Cherokee sport, subaru crosstrek and Mazda cx5. Does anyone own any of these? Also any tips for negotiating for a better rice this will be my first time busing a new car.

I own a 2008 CX-7. Great looking car, but I wouldn't buy another one. Had to replace the AC compressor twice, turbo charger oil pump, drivers seat tore at the stitching, brakes are always squealing, bumpy ride, speaker on the passenger side went out. There are a number of little things that didn't come with the CX-7 that are standard on most cars. For example, when you lock the windows to keep kids from rolling them down, the drivers window also locks. Every car I've owned has always let the driver control his window while keeping the others locked.

 

[Cackalacky]

Don't apologize for, or try to justify having an awesome truck. The terrorists already won if we feel bad about driving something that doesn't have a sunflower attached to the antenna.

Well, I am very vocal about environmental stewardship so I know the intent of the post but luckily buying/owning a truck is a but one small part of my life that I am environmental conscious about.

Funny story... when I bought it I had to sign Department of Homeland Security form saying I was not a terrorist and would not allow my Toyota truck to be used by terrorists. Apparently terrorists love Toyota Trucks. That was the saddest part of the experience.

 

[goldandblue]

Well, I am very vocal about environmental stewardship so I know the intent of the post but luckily buying/owning a truck is a but one small part of my life that I am environmental conscious about.

Funny story... when I bought it I had to sign Department of Homeland Security form saying I was not a terrorist and would not allow my Toyota truck to be used by terrorists. Apparently terrorists love Toyota Trucks. That was the saddest part of the experience.

Because they are the best. I own a 2008 Tundra and love it.

 

[BobbyMac]

Well, I am very vocal about environmental stewardship so I know the intent of the post but luckily buying/owning a truck is a but one small part of my life that I am environmental conscious about.

Funny story... when I bought it I had to sign Department of Homeland Security form saying I was not a terrorist and would not allow my Toyota truck to be used by terrorists. Apparently terrorists love Toyota Trucks. That was the saddest part of the experience.

The Toyota Hilux is the official truck of ISIS. The Hilux is the truck the rest of the world gets in place of the Tacoma which is designed for and built in the US / Canadian market.

 

[Irish#1]

Here's mine. Picked it up about a month ago. It's a 2008 Lincoln and it's as close to showroom shape as you can get. Most that don't know this truck wasn't made after '08 thought I had bought a new truck. You name it, it has it, including a 1,000lb bed slide. I like Cacky only drive a few miles to work so mileage wasn't a big concern since I don't burn up the fuel.

 

[johnnycando]

Anyone in the truck buying game, has to drive the new Dodge Ecodiesel 1/2 ton.

Awesome fun truck.

Great mileage. Unreal honestly and powerful. Decent GVWR considering it's a 1/2 ton.

 

[Wild Bill]

Anyone in the truck buying game, has to drive the new Dodge Ecodiesel 1/2 ton.

Awesome fun truck.

Great mileage. Unreal honestly and powerful. Decent GVWR considering it's a 1/2 ton.

It's a nice truck but they hammer you up front for the diesel. It's about $4000 extra, right?

 

[johnnycando]

It's a nice truck but they hammer you up front for the diesel. It's about $4000 extra, right?

It's a pricey truck, no doubt.

But for the environmentally geared, and those with mpg on their minds, in the lifetime of this truck, the carbon footprint and cost of fuel due to mpg savings: it will eventually return to the buyer.

 

[BobbyMac]

Anyone in the truck buying game, has to drive the new Dodge Ecodiesel 1/2 ton.

Awesome fun truck.

Great mileage. Unreal honestly and powerful. Decent GVWR considering it's a 1/2 ton.

It's a nice truck but they hammer you up front for the diesel. It's about $4000 extra, right?

It's a pricey truck, no doubt.

But for the environmentally geared, and those with mpg on their minds, in the lifetime of this truck, the carbon footprint and cost of fuel due to mpg savings: it will eventually return to the buyer.

I'd skip the Ram EcoDiesel all together and grab a Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon Diesel instead. The Ram uses an Italian 3.0 V6 VM Motori engine that is having issues. The FCA owned company has had issues since they started putting the first gen engine in G. Cherokees and 300's they exported to Europe 5 years ago. The current generation has had more problems in early units here in the States.

The Colorado and GMC Canyon are using the new 2.8 Duramax 4 cyl. One thing to remember, there a THOUSANDS more GM techs with Duramax training vs. Dodge techs with VM Motori training. Dodge guys know Cummins.

Just my opinion.