**See This Page With Full Graphics, Pictures and Color!** CLICK HERE --> : Need car consulting
OK. So I am shopping for a new family truckster and know next to nothing about what's out there. I've been driving VWs for the past 10 years and love them but they don't offer third row seating. I flat out refuse to drive a mini van (no offense to those who do), its just not my style. I've been doing my homework and looking around but (and I know this sounds girly) I am overwhelmed. I do know something about cars after having many boyfriends who were into muscle cars but that was years ago and they liked old cars. I'm considering the Honda Pilot. Does anyone own one or can anyone make other suggestions? I would love to go American but I'm not attached to it. I know I want a V6 with either front wheel or AWD and a few other things. Thanks!! :)
Go with a Ford you won't regret it. All there SUV's are built well. I have a 2001 Ford Mustang, I had no problems with anything at all. There service department is good and if you decide to buy American the plastic interior parts are better made than in GM vehicles. I have owned 4 GM vehicles and not one has lived up to the Ford quality.
Spread The Virus
Cage
HerkyJerkyLiz
03-07-2005, 02:09 PM
im obsessed with the new nissan pathfinder and the armada. so hot!
cableone12
03-07-2005, 02:17 PM
if your looking for an SUV, i'd recomend the toyota 4runner.
tattered
03-07-2005, 02:34 PM
Go with a Ford you won't regret it. All there SUV's are built well. I have a 2001 Ford Mustang, I had no problems with anything at all. There service department is good and if you decide to buy American the plastic interior parts are better made than in GM vehicles. I have owned 4 GM vehicles and not one has lived up to the Ford quality.
Spread The Virus
Cage
all ford trucks & suvs are awesome trucks.....i drive an 04 Ranger Edge 4x4....love that truck to pieces
You guys are awesome! I checked out the Pathfinder and it looks good. I will also look into the Fords. Toyotas seem only to offer rear wheel drive or 4WD. Neither are a good choice for me as I don't do any off roading and rear wheel sucks in snow. My dad had a Toyota and loved it though. I definately am going to check the Pilot. All the mags say its at the top of their list.
robification
03-07-2005, 02:53 PM
i kinda like the GMC Envoy... not too big, and has 3rd row seating... not to mention that they make a denali version now
MetalSign
03-07-2005, 03:03 PM
Never buy a Ford!!! (or any American car for that matter) I can't stress that enough! I had 2 before I was 18 and they were used, but not old and destroyed -- Until I got them. After about $2500 in repairs I sold my 2nd ford less than a year later for $3700 less than what I bought it for. I bought a Honda and will never buy another brand. Honda makes the best vehicles IMO. ALso, SUV's are awful. I would never get one, but if you have to, I'd say the Pilot is a good choice. Nissan Pathfinder is good and Toyota 4 Runner is good as well.
American SUV's are the way to go, Steel construction none of that Fiberglass crap. My old cherokee, even though i abused it a whole lot was like a tank, i had gotten hit a few times and every time i was clean with no damage. SUV's are probably the safest cars, as long as your not a jackass, their not racecars. Two of my uncles would have died had they not been in one (A Suburban and and Explorer) during their big accidents. Now I drive an F150, its not a SUV is a pickup but it still works like and is built like an SUV. For a 1st time buyer of an SUV I might recomment for you a Grand Cherokee or an Explorer.
robification
03-07-2005, 04:22 PM
i have not seen a jap SUV that i like or would consider good for anything
so, sued...
are you more confused than before?
AJellyDonut
03-07-2005, 04:48 PM
Get yourself a new Infiniti G35 coupe and mod that shit out. :icon_wink
robification
03-07-2005, 05:04 PM
Get yourself a new Infiniti G35 coupe and mod that shit out. :icon_wink
she's not looking for a car... she's looking for an SUV
click
03-07-2005, 05:09 PM
Where are your priorities people? GM vehicles are availible with XM already installed. :action-sm . Seriously though, I have a 2004 Trailblazer and it's great. Similar to the Envoy, just a lil less luxo. Definately check it out, I was set on a Pathfinder and checked the chevy out at the last minute. 275 hp I-6 that gets surprisingly good mileage.
AJellyDonut
03-07-2005, 05:11 PM
she's not looking for a car... she's looking for an SUV
I know...it's unfortunate.
AJellyDonut
03-07-2005, 05:12 PM
Where are your priorities people? GM vehicles are availible with XM already installed. :action-sm . Seriously though, I have a 2004 Trailblazer and it's great. Similar to the Envoy, just a lil less luxo. Definately check it out, I was set on a Pathfinder and checked the chevy out at the last minute. 275 hp I-6 that gets surprisingly good mileage.
The new Blazers are very nice.
GMC Yukon Denali (because I own 2 VW's, and I want one...) :action-sm
Ballbuster1
03-07-2005, 08:42 PM
As far as real trucks go, you can't beat a Ford. For cars, I wouldn't buy
one , but their trucks, especially the bigger ones, are a best buy. IMO.
Thanks for your help. Car shopping is supposed to be fun isn't it??? Does anybody drive the Pilot since it seems to be the only SUV that has everything I want (aside from being American). Is it, by any chance, made in the USA? Does Honda have factories here? I'm just so sick of everything being made overseas. The American options all seem to be missing one thing or another, Jeep has no third row seating, Trailblazer doesn't seem to offer leather seats (important when you have messy kids), GMC is rear wheel drive. Ford may be a possibility. What else is out there? I am kinda surprised that there isn't more available in this market. VWs are so amazing, so luxurious feeling everything else seems to pale in comparison.
robification
03-07-2005, 09:58 PM
gmc envoy is rwd/4wd
JUST got off their website. You must be psychic. Gas mileage is like 14/19 though. That is lousy. Are all SUVs so low?
robification
03-07-2005, 10:11 PM
most SUVs are aweful with mileage... if that's your driving factor, then i guess you're stuck with a rice burner
the 6 clylinder envoy should give you slightly better mileage
RandomNY
03-07-2005, 10:11 PM
Sued If you look at the DOOR tag of the PILOT I'm willing to bet it;s more AMERICAN than any GM..
Most Honda's and some Toyota's are built in the US with a majority of US parts..
What about the HONDA Element?
www.edmunds.com (http://www.edmunds.com) is a great site to go for info..
I bought my car online from www.carsdirect.com (http://www.carsdirect.com) got a great price and was in the Brick and Mortor Dealership to do paperwork only and didn't have to worry about fighting with some slick salesman trying to sell me a $10 part for $500 bucks. :)
Ford is coming out with the HYBRID Escape that should get around 30 mpg.. It should have been out already..
Unless you look at the Toyota RAV4 which might be too small for what you need.
The Saturn SUV( I forget the offical name) has it's engine built for GM by HONDA.
robification
03-07-2005, 10:15 PM
honda is built here, but is a jap company... parts are made in and profits go to japan
GM has plants in arlington tezas, mexico and (i think it was) toronto... the company is american owned
RandomNY
03-07-2005, 10:18 PM
honda is built here, but is a jap company... parts are made in and profits go to japan
GM has plants in arlington tezas, mexico and (i think it was) toronto... the company is american owned
The Civic is made with 65% American made parts and is built here.
So you buy a Jap car built in the US by an American Autoworker, sold by an AMERICAN owned Dealer and serviced by an American Dealer and get a better quality vehicle.
Its really not the big 3 versus the Jap company fight anymore.. With our companies building cars in Europe and Canada and Mexico and their companies building their cars here along with Benz now that it's part of Chrysler...
So the final profit goes to Japan.. Just imagine how much profit MICROSOFT, Coke, Intel, make from oversees sales.
robification
03-07-2005, 10:20 PM
hmmm... we'd argue abuot honda being a better quality vehicle...
and the profits still go to japan
kevtv
03-07-2005, 10:24 PM
one of my fun part time jobs is valet parking for a few places, so i've gotten to drive about every SUV on the market.
The newer model ford explorerers are a good ride and have a ton of room.
honda element isn't bad at all, i just personally think it looks like a lego car.
honda pilots are very nice and would really be worth looking in to.
the new armadas are really big but could provide the room you are looking for.
as an aside, whatever vehicle you get, please make sure to get yourself accostomed to the dimensions of it. i find suv's are their most dangerous when their drivers are simply unaware of their location on the road.
You know its amazing how much crap those salesman try to sell you too when your a woman!! My husband works crazy long hours so I am doing this all myself and they swarm like vultures when I walk in to look around, I must look like easy pickins. However, being a salesperson myself I will beat them up on price until they are paying me to take the car. I will check the sticker on the Pilot. I did check out Toyotas and I think they are rear wheel unless you go for the AWD (which guzzles gas). I do have to investigate the Fords more. Do the hybrids have any acceleration difficulties? I do like a fast car. My first car was a sweet 87 Camaro (yes I'm from Jersey, and yes I had big hair when I drove it) with a 5 liter V8 engine. The thing soared!! I had it up to 115 on Rt 17 and only knew it b/c I was matching speed with my friend who was driving a 68 something or other that had a speedometer that went up way past that. I think mine went to 85 or 95.
Ballbuster1
03-07-2005, 10:27 PM
My wife has a Nissan that says Nissan of America on the build sticker.
All I know is it gets 40 MPG + on the open road and I realy haven't spent
a dime on it since we bought it in 98. It has 125 K on it now.
Just normal maintenance. Can't complain and I was a die-hard, buy
USA guy til I worked at a Nissan Dealership. It's really confusing now
as to what's a foreign car and what isn't any more.
Thanks Kevtv, good advise. I really have no clue what I'm getting into. I wish I could just cram everyone in the trunk and just make myself happy.
MrSquidlow
03-07-2005, 10:29 PM
Volvo XC90 with a five cylinder turbo, third row seats,
This year looks good so far... as far as build quality goes...
They're safe..4WD...all the crap you could ever want to pick from..
Free maintenance is still available ..I think..
http://www.4wd.ru/kat/accessories/kat_2349.html?template=1
volvo too expensive, very nice though. I thought the wagon was cool and would have been happy with that but I spoke with a NJ trooper about putting kids in the third row seats (which are old school wagon bench facing wrong way) and he said better off putting one in the front. That blew that. Prob could have gotten good deal on one as friend of brother owns dealership. I don't seem to be too easy to please tonight. Sorry for that. I do appreciate the help.
RandomNY
03-07-2005, 10:58 PM
hmmm... we'd argue abuot honda being a better quality vehicle...
and the profits still go to japan
True and if you buy a Jeep part of the profits go to GERMANY...
Dalmer/Chrysler...
I would trust HONDA quality over GM.. at least with cars.. The MALIBU my mother owns has been to the dealer for all kinds of stupid crap they never fix right...
At least the warranty got used a lot..
Built in MEXICO....
robification
03-07-2005, 11:19 PM
True and if you buy a Jeep part of the profits go to GERMANY...
Dalmer/Chrysler...
I would trust HONDA quality over GM.. at least with cars.. The MALIBU my mother owns has been to the dealer for all kinds of stupid crap they never fix right...
At least the warranty got used a lot..
Built in MEXICO....
the malibu is indeed a piece of crap....
look... i'm not going to bother to debate on which car is built better... i can show you everything i know from working on cars all my life and wont sway your opinon.... or vice versa
MetalSign
03-08-2005, 01:03 AM
Sorry in advance for the long and boring read... Volkswagens are (sadly) also made in Mexico. The only Honda (not counting Acuras) not made in the US at all is the S2000. I believe the plant is in south carolina. When I was a teenager, I was die hard for chevy. Now that I'm older, I see what quality is. VW looks GREAT and the price is good, but VW quality sucks big time. My g/f 97 Jetta blew the tranny (literally exploded on the street) at 45k miles. There is currently about $3-4k needed in repairs.
In comparison, my 7 year old Honda has never had a prob. My brothers 92 honda has never had a prob (then he crashed it...). My other brothers 03 honda hasn't had a prob. My sister's 92 honda - you got it - no problems. My family will never get a big 3 vehicle again.
I think you are right about Ford trucks BB1. While I don't like Ford, I think their trucks are way better built than their cars. As an A/V tech you get to hear some interesting things... Like how all the southeastern ford dealers were complaining because they're unable to sell their Focus inventory because the things keep falling apart and they all have to get fixed under warranty.
tattered
03-08-2005, 01:46 AM
Never buy a Ford!!! (or any American car for that matter) I can't stress that enough! I had 2 before I was 18 and they were used, but not old and destroyed -- Until I got them. After about $2500 in repairs I sold my 2nd ford less than a year later for $3700 less than what I bought it for. I bought a Honda and will never buy another brand. Honda makes the best vehicles IMO. ALso, SUV's are awful. I would never get one, but if you have to, I'd say the Pilot is a good choice. Nissan Pathfinder is good and Toyota 4 Runner is good as well.
interesting ive never had an issue with any of the 3 fords i have owned that i didnt cause by beating the piss out of it...and they took some major abuse
d0uche_n0zzle
03-08-2005, 02:54 AM
Get the Honda Pilot, gets the highest mileage in it's class. Leather heated seats, that's all you need on a cold morning and all wheel drive.
Thanks guys! Much obliged....
There is a difference though between American Made fiberglass and american made steel. I personally prefer the steel. American trucks tend to use more steel than anything
I am totally computer stupid but I just noticed that above this thread there are now ads for Honda Pilots everywhere. Forgive me for sounding awestruck but THAT is amazing. Big brother really is watching. How do they know? By the way, I got on w/ O & A this morning for the first time when they were talking about the chimps! :action-sm :action-sm
robification
03-08-2005, 11:33 AM
the google ads above search the page and shows relevant ads
Lil'GlubGlub
03-08-2005, 02:09 PM
Kia Sorento
5yr/60K mi warranty
10yr/100K mi powertrain warranty
HerkyJerkyLiz
03-08-2005, 02:34 PM
Kia Sorento
5yr/60K mi warranty
10yr/100K mi powertrain warranty
never buy a kia ever.
cableone12
03-08-2005, 02:45 PM
never buy a kia ever.
i'll second that
If your gonna buy a Kia you may as well buy a Tyco RC Car.
d0uche_n0zzle
03-08-2005, 05:24 PM
Slopes make the Kia, right?
cableone12
03-08-2005, 05:28 PM
Slopes make the Kia, right?
no i think its the gooks
d0uche_n0zzle
03-08-2005, 05:33 PM
Charlie is in the wire!
I'll only buy from the Nips, can't trust those other ones.
jjbsr98
03-08-2005, 05:44 PM
If you want a real SUV your only choice is the GMC Envoy XL. For 2005 they are just coming out with a V8 that has variable displacement. This means it can run as a 4 cyl when all 8 arent needed. This will give a large increase in mpg. You can get a 2WD or 4wd. If you get a 2wd get it with the G80 locking diff and it will have almost the same traction as Ford , Dodge, Toyota ect with their limited slip 4wd. If you get the Envoy with the locking diff and 4wd it will pull the others out of the mud. Go to Eaton.com and see the video of the locking diff. GM is the only one that has it. I have a 2004 Envoy and twice had to help a full size Ford pull a boat out of the water!
ih8Uboo-boo
03-08-2005, 09:33 PM
Just out of curiosity are you looking to buy or lease?
I think that the toyota highlander is an SUV that is front wheel drive... don't know if t offers the 3rd row seating though?
how many kids are you looking to pile into it? as they get older, the kids could dread having to sit in the 3rd row because there's not much room back there...
click
03-08-2005, 10:38 PM
Wow, you guys really like the Envoy, huh? I'm sticking by my Trailblazer rec. I still hear of Ford transmission probs on the Explorer(through '03 only). The Envoy seems too low in the front. As for mileage I got 22mpg on a recent trip to ME, all highway though. No, I didn't use Opie's math. Anyway good luck whatever you choose.
MetalSign
03-08-2005, 10:51 PM
Slopes make the Kia, right?
Kia's another Korean car company like daewoo and hyundai. My bro's a mechanic at a huge car dealer. He says Daewoo and Kia are garbage. They blow timing belts early and it takes 3 months to get the parts in from Korea to fix the destroyed engine...
robification
03-08-2005, 11:05 PM
I'm sticking by my Trailblazer rec. I still hear of Ford transmission probs on the Explorer(through '03 only).
us transmission guys affectionatly refer to them as "exploders"
click
03-08-2005, 11:27 PM
us transmission guys affectionatly refer to them as "exploders"
Never heard that one before. Lmao. I wouldn't buy a Cherokee either for the same reason. Both seem like solid vehicles except for the tranny probs.
robification
03-08-2005, 11:29 PM
actually, the cherokee has a much stonger trans... the exploder is not capable of a load... hence the reason it comes with a hitch that's not strong enough to pull anything
click
03-08-2005, 11:45 PM
actually, the cherokee has a much stonger trans... the exploder is not capable of a load... hence the reason it comes with a hitch that's not strong enough to pull anything
Even if it is at or below the advertised tow capacity? Interesting. Don't get me wrong as an all around SUV, the Cherokee can't be beat. I had issues with the part time 4WD only available on the highest priced model (almost 40K)
I'm looking to lease. I've got 2 girls (3 1/2 & 10 mths) so I think I'm ok to stick them back there for now. Besides third row is only for occational use. Like today with all the snow. It took me 2 1/2 hours to get home (Route 3) and I couldn't get to my older daughter's school to pick her up. (She was the last kid there, talk about guilt) My friend with a third row got there for me. Very handy those things (friends and rows). So to summarize, and please correct me if I'm wrong: Trailblazer doesn't offer leather seats (strange) Toyotas seem to get very poor gas mileage. Kias and such are not reliable. Fords are dangerous. Cherokees don't offer third row seating which, as I have just pointed out, comes in quite useful when doing favors. I think my options are Honda, Nissan or strapping children to the hood in desparate times (which I have actually witnessed firsthand for different reasons). I have been saying it all along but you guys rock!! It is so great to get so much info and feedback about something so complicated. Thanks everyone. Hope I can return the favor someday.
Oh! I'm also not looking to pull or haul or load anything other than my kids and husband around. Somehow, I became soccer mom like overnight shopping for a new car. Very scary that. I think I need to wow someone to feel unmommylike. Saw a big black delivery service van on Route 3 today with large wow stickers on it, bald guy on phone, but it was WAY to slippery to even think about performing. Sorry guy.
click
03-09-2005, 12:13 AM
Hey sued, sorry you had a bad day. As for the Trailblazer I'm not familiar with what they have for '05. Why do you want leather anyway? Maybe you should just get a cheap pick-up and toss them in the back. Makes drop offs easier.
MrSquidlow
03-09-2005, 12:35 AM
volvo too expensive, very nice though. I thought the wagon was cool and would have been happy with that but I spoke with a NJ trooper about putting kids in the third row seats (which are old school wagon bench facing wrong way) and he said better off putting one in the front. That blew that. Prob could have gotten good deal on one as friend of brother owns dealership. I don't seem to be too easy to please tonight. Sorry for that. I do appreciate the help.
The third row seating in the XC90 is forward facing and is a complete redesign...not like the wagons which I agree with the trooper about...
In the wagons the third seat in inside the crumple zone...
hint ---look for 2004s you may find a steal and the five cylinder is the cheapest motor package...
it just so happens it is the best package to get as far as fuel and reliability...just sayin
P.S.-maybe it's better if you post how many actual seats you need...seven seats with the third row...five without it...
Lil'GlubGlub
03-09-2005, 01:45 AM
Kia's another Korean car company like daewoo and hyundai. My bro's a mechanic at a huge car dealer. He says Daewoo and Kia are garbage. They blow timing belts early and it takes 3 months to get the parts in from Korea to fix the destroyed engine...
Kia is owned by hyundai.
There is a kia motors of amierica also.
I've had a sportage for 3 yrs and the biggest problem I've had was the shifter locked up. They have an emergency overide next to shifter, so I used that and took it to the dealer and had it fixed.
I have had minor problems, but the warranty has covered it almost everytime.
HerkyJerkyLiz
03-09-2005, 02:02 AM
my friend had a kia sportage and i kid you not the thing died on the way home from the dealership. she had nothing but problems after that as well. my neighbor also had the kia minivan for about a month and traded it right back in because it was such a pos.
Leather is easy to wipe off spit up (how romantic) and chicken nugget grease. Sorry all you young guys out there but this is really what it comes down to...can I get the Wendy's smell out of the back seat. Well, maybe we're not all that different. Plus clothe feels sticky and clingy while leather slides nicely. Very comfy. I need seating for 7, I guess 2/3/2. The third row is really for the occational extra passenger, rarely used but reassuring. Yeah, Kias kinda scare me.
ih8Uboo-boo
03-09-2005, 05:57 PM
I agree Leather is 10 times more gooder than cloth to clean.
Last I knew the Trailblazer (i believe the LT) offered leather, but to get it you had to get an extra 3 or 4 grand in options. That you might not want/need to get it.
click
03-09-2005, 06:36 PM
Damn, now I'm thinking I should have got the leather. :icon_sad:
Here's some info on the 7 pass. models. Hope it helps.http://www.chevrolet.com/trailblazer/7pass/
MrSquidlow
03-09-2005, 07:07 PM
Leather is easy to wipe off spit up (how romantic) and chicken nugget grease. Sorry all you young guys out there but this is really what it comes down to...can I get the Wendy's smell out of the back seat. Well, maybe we're not all that different. Plus clothe feels sticky and clingy while leather slides nicely. Very comfy. I need seating for 7, I guess 2/3/2. The third row is really for the occational extra passenger, rarely used but reassuring. Yeah, Kias kinda scare me.
As far as I've seen a lot of the"options" in other trucks are standard in the Volvo.
You are right Volvo has most of the options standard but as someone pointed out earlier the third row would be in the crumple zone and I would really hate to have to clean kid brain from my upolstry. Too bad, that would make it an easy choice!
robification
03-09-2005, 08:26 PM
You are right Volvo has most of the options standard but as someone pointed out earlier the third row would be in the crumple zone and I would really hate to have to clean kid brain from my upolstry. Too bad, that would make it an easy choice!
it'll be easy to clean with leather
Lil conner
03-09-2005, 08:47 PM
yukon denali best car i have ever own
ih8Uboo-boo
03-09-2005, 09:38 PM
FYI- Toyota just came out with 3rd row seating in the highlander, based on 3rd row seating, seems like in no particular order your choices are:
Toyota Highlander (FWD)
Chevy/GMC Trailblazer/Envoy (4WD)
Honda Pilot (4WD/AWD???)
Nissan Pathfinder (4WD)
The Volvo is out, are there anyothers that I forgot?
The way i see it is it basically is gonna come down to how you like driving each of them, what standard features are available, and how much you want to spend. Since your gonna lease all of them are viable options because chances are that if something goes major goes wrong it will be covered under the warranty.
Based on those choices, I'd probably rank them as follows:
Honda (navigation system is a NICE feature)
Nissan (navigation available here too)
Toyota
GMC/Chevy
I've driven both the Toyota and the GMC/Chevy, I don't think that there's much of a difference in either one of them
Sinn Fein
03-09-2005, 10:22 PM
Get an AWD Highlander if you're in a shitty place like here that gets snow/ice in winter.
BTW, I've found Toyota quality is second to none. My family used to be all about Ford but now after two Toyota vehicles, that's no longer the case. I'm personally looking to get my hands on an FJ Cruiser when they come out.
One vehicle that has been overlooked is the Dodge Durango. The new redesign is a winner in my book. They are available with a V6 or a V8 and 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive. With the incentives the dealers are offering and the 7/70 warranty, it might be worth a look.
tattered
03-09-2005, 11:10 PM
Get an AWD Highlander if you're in a shitty place like here that gets snow/ice in winter.
BTW, I've found Toyota quality is second to none. My family used to be all about Ford but now after two Toyota vehicles, that's no longer the case. I'm personally looking to get my hands on an FJ Cruiser when they come out.
One vehicle that has been overlooked is the Dodge Durango. The new redesign is a winner in my book. They are available with a V6 or a V8 and 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive. With the incentives the dealers are offering and the 7/70 warranty, it might be worth a look.
y not just get an old toyota FJ 45....they are way more gooder and look totally bad ass
MrSquidlow
03-10-2005, 12:05 AM
You are right Volvo has most of the options standard but as someone pointed out earlier the third row would be in the crumple zone and I would really hate to have to clean kid brain from my upolstry. Too bad, that would make it an easy choice!
No...I posted and said it's not in the crumple zone in the XC90...
Only in volvo's other vehicles (wagons)...
Just check it out even if you don't buy it..
by the way they have an optional v-8 4.0liter engine this year....
mackie421
03-10-2005, 12:13 AM
The Volvo XC90 I believe is a bargain for what you get. Quality vehicle with a lot of luxury appointments at a very very reasonable price.
That said, if I were in your shoes, I think it would come down to either a Tahoe/Yukon or the XC90, with the Tahoe winning out in the end. Great vehicle in my opinion.
OOOH! I misread. Thanks for the replay. I will check it out.
ih8Uboo-boo
03-10-2005, 12:08 PM
The Volvo XC90 I believe is a bargain for what you get. Quality vehicle with a lot of luxury appointments at a very very reasonable price.
That said, if I were in your shoes, I think it would come down to either a Tahoe/Yukon or the XC90, with the Tahoe winning out in the end. Great vehicle in my opinion.
The Loaded Pilot (with navigation) is almost $14k LESS than the V8 Volvo, that's a lot of coin for a car that doesn't have a nav system or 3rd row seating, and only has 56 HP more. They have a similar residual values after 3 (honda 56% volvo 59%) and 5 years (honda 40% volvo 41%) its not like one holds its value better than the other, yeah the Volvo is worth more in 5 years but you also paid more for it. Personally, I'd rather have the $14K in my pocket...
The more I see it the more I am liking the Pilot...
YUCK FOU
03-11-2005, 09:38 PM
well you could check out vw' suv the toureg but i dont think it has a 3rd seat. the honda element is pretty cool from what i understand you can litterally hose out the inside cause it is completely waterproof even the electronics. i drive a Expediton but whan the time comes to get new suv i want either a pathfinder, armada or toyota sequia...would love to have a Range Rover but just a little out of my price range...good luck
So I went with the Pilot. I'm picking it up tomorrow. It drives well, got some pep, and doesn't really feel like a truck. I beat them up on the price and feel pretty good about it. Its amazing how much roomm there is in the price! They are even turning my VW in so I dont have to. Thanks everyone.
d0uche_n0zzle
03-13-2005, 05:09 PM
Very nice, what color and options did you get?
V6, leather, dark metallic grey, grey (kinda cheap looking color but the only option w/ exterior color) interior, side steps (for the children). It has a single cd plus a 6 cd changer (seems like an afterthought but whatever), tons of storage, third row seats, AWD, that new thing that adjusts for you when you oversteer (can't remember name), heated seats, power everything...I think that's it. I could have opted for a navigation system or a dvd system but I disagree with the whole dvd in the car thing (look out the window) and nav system is not necessary for me (I can read a map). If anyone is checking it out for themselves let me know and I'll give a thorough report after a few weeks. I do recommend the VWs even though I have read they are unreliable . I have never had a problem and I had 3 of them I did lease them though so I only had each for 3 years.
MrSquidlow
03-13-2005, 10:06 PM
Good I hope you're happy and that the board helped you out...
Best of luck..
click
03-13-2005, 10:55 PM
Sounds nice. I skipped the nav stuff as well. The dark grey metallic is a nice color. Was my first choice on the Trailblazer but they didn't have it in stock anywhere. So they offered one with a sunroof and onstar at the price we already negotiated. I ended up with a fully loaded LT model for under 30k. Well except the nav BS. Good luck, I'm sure you'll love it.
CrazyMrPoopSex
03-14-2005, 03:14 AM
I never liked buying forgein cars but Hyndai is the most dependable car made. not from experience but from consumer reports. and a 10yr/100,000mi warranty to back it up. those Tuscons are pretty nice lookin', If you want to go the practical route.
ih8Uboo-boo
03-14-2005, 04:39 PM
I do recommend the VWs even though I have read they are unreliable . I have never had a problem and I had 3 of them I did lease them though so I only had each for 3 years.
I had TONs of problems with my Jetta, from what i've read it depends on where they are made, I wouldn't consider any of the VW's that are made anywhere but Germany...
They are even turning my VW in so I dont have to.
If I were you I'd make sure that the Leasing Company KNOWS where to get the car, and don't be surprised if there's a transportation fee when you get your final bill from them. I got charged $200 because I turned in my jetta to the dealer and not to the leasing company but there was more than $200 in damage to the car that I didn't get billed for, I didn't care I happily wrote the check just to get rid of the car...
Sorry to hear you had such problems! I wouldn't know how to find out where the car was made. Thanks for the advise, I didn't really think it through so when I picked up the car today I called VW leasing co from the showroom and cofirmed what has to happen and everything. Latter when I drove past the Honda place I thought I saw monkeys jumping up and down on the roof of my VW but hey, they signed for it. Its theirs now. I did ask about a fee and they were so happy to lease me a car they aren't charging for delivery. I think the Honda salesman is going to try and buy my VW wagon from the VW dealership when he returns it.
vBulletin® v3.8.1, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.