Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

Replying to: mark156 (Mar 06, 2007 8:07 am)

Replies to this message:
• woodyww (Mar 07, 2007 4:44 pm)
  • akangl (Mar 07, 2007 9:59 pm)
    • woodyww (Mar 08, 2007 1:41 pm)
    • growwise (Mar 08, 2007 7:16 pm) and 2 more...
• fezo (Mar 07, 2007 5:12 pm)
  • akangl (Mar 07, 2007 10:00 pm)

I bought a Forester X last year for a ski car. Does well in snow and have had nothing go wrong on it.
 
When I bought it, I figured I would have 1 passenger, maybe 2 max, for a few ski trips of about 2-3 hours each way. What has happened instead this season are lots of trips with 2 or 3 passengers and a big load of gear. This has brought a few weaknesses up: 1) Power-when you load this car up with 4 adults, gear and 4 pair of skis and drive it up a pass, the world can move slowly. And I have the stick, not auto. 2)Maybe some more cargo room in the back for gear? I have a big box on the roof, but 4 pair of skis and poles fill that up pretty well. 3)Rear seats are really tight for adults.
 
Other things I'd like-
Ipod connectivity
Side curtains
Heated anything
Maybe Nav and/or Bluetooth
Lower the height, the better (when roof box meets underground parking...I live downtown in a large city)
 
Some possible solutions-
1. Forester Turbo-Does not solve the cargo problem but sure solves the power issue. Nicely equipped and should be a lot of fun. Old design and no side curtains. Should be able to work the price a bit.
2. RAV 4 V6-It's bigger, and has the power. Good mileage and makes full power on regular gas. Wonder if its any fun to drive at all. Automatic only. Harder to deal on. Toyota dealers are evil.
3. Outback-Bigger cargo area. Same power unless you jump to the turbo which is a lot more money. I like the 4 cyl LL Bean spec, but comes in Automatic(4spd!)only so it will be slower than current car. Lowest roof and nice interior.
4. Mitsu Outlander-These seem pretty nice; good power and lots of gadgets. Can get Nav, HIDs...the works. Probably a depreciation nightmare (especially bad thing for CCBA-ers)and gets the worst gas mileage of the group.
 
Any of you drive these things? Anything I missed? We all like the car hunt here, so let me know your thoughts!

Replies to this message:
• growwise (Mar 06, 2007 6:35 pm)
• nippononly (Mar 06, 2007 8:58 pm)
  • tifighter (Mar 08, 2007 11:22 pm)
• mark156 (Mar 07, 2007 6:14 am)
  • growwise (Mar 07, 2007 7:53 am)
    • guss (Mar 07, 2007 8:22 am)
    • mark156 (Mar 07, 2007 9:52 am) and 1 more...
  • tifighter (Mar 08, 2007 11:27 pm)
    • mark156 (Mar 09, 2007 7:18 am) and 15 more...
• woodyww (Mar 07, 2007 4:59 pm)
  • tifighter (Mar 08, 2007 11:48 pm)
    • woodyww (Mar 09, 2007 1:11 pm)

Replying to: tifighter (Mar 06, 2007 4:19 pm)

Any of you drive these things?
 
Me ..I have had 07 mitsubishi outlander XLS for couple weeks now. I am not a mitsu type of guy but this vehicle is truly a good one. The only option that is not on mine is NAV with HDD along with rear dvd player.
 
Here is what works for me
1. Redesign is very easy on the eyes in and out. Looks good and IMHO, way better than most of its competitors. A very cohesive design of both the exterior and interior (atleast my top of the line XLS)
2. For not much more money than FWD midsize cars, you get more versatility and features
3. AWD came real handy with freak winter snow storms. I am a believer now in 4wd.
4. ASC (active skid and traction control) which was invisible also came to the rescue when I got too cocky and tried to change lanes on slippery roads (cutting power and balancing it out)
5. ABS with EBD has come to aid several times already but what made it more effective where those 18 inch wheels with low profile tires.
6. Leather seats are very useful with dog hair (my Labrador retriever sheds a lot) and look good IMO (black interior through out). Front Heated seatbacks are a bonus over the usual bunwarmers. My wife really appreciates this.
7. Rear seats are highly adjustable (fore and aft) and make the entry/exit to third row quite a snap (lighting is a nice touch)
8. Third row makes sure that this vehicle will meet all my potential future needs. I have inlaws/parents visiting and with one kid on the way in couple months and hopefully second one not too far in the future, its nice to know that you wont run out of seats.
9. Rear cargo area is good for all situations (luggage, doggie, heavy duty walmart shopping, stroller in near future etc). Third row is stowed for now.
10. 650 watt stereo is good and steering wheel mounted controls along with 6 cd changer/mp3 are a bonus.
11. Side curtain airbags on top of seat mounted side airbags standard.
12. Sunroof reduces the claustrophobia.
13. Rear flip down gate is good for loading heavy stuff (sliding them in)
14. FAST key which allows you to unlock the drivers door and start the engine without removing the key out of pocket.
15. Odor absorbing headliner and aluminium roof for less weight.
16. All aluminium v6 engine with variable valve timing - Averaging around 23 mpg (11 ltr/100 km) and provides adequate 220 hp. Midrange acceleration is smooth.
17. Six speed manumatic seems to find the right gear most of the time.
18. Rear hatch swings up unlike Rav4.
19. Precise steering and suspension geometry lets it track straight.
 
Features present but not used
1. Bluetooth interface - Dont have a bluetooth phone (need to go buy one I guess). I have an old school phone No camera or bluetooth or mp3
2. Magnesium paddle shifters - I dont use them but they came with the XLS trim.
3. Roof rack. Dont know what to do with it. I am not into skiing or biking. So no point in calling Thule guys.
 
Nit picks include
1. Sound insulation not on par with Toyotas. Lets more noise in (relatively speaking)
2. Suspension is a bit tight for my taste but I can see the safety point of view.
3. No heated steering wheel. It gets really cold up here.
4. Interest rate a bit rich for my blood but that is to be expected when a new model enters the market. But Mitsu dealer was very lenient with my trade-in. Gave me lot more money than what Honda dealer was willing to give. Resale value should be decent for this new model iteration. If not, then the high trade-in value will compensate for some of that.
5. No Xenon lights for canadian XLS.
 
personally, I would have taken a Rav4 Limited V6 over Outlander XLS but since I already stretched my budget, I couldnt digest the 6k price difference which will be more once the Toyota dealer's trade-in appraisal is included. Besides, I am in it for the long haul unlike most CCBAers here

Replying to: tifighter (Mar 06, 2007 4:19 pm)

Replies to this message:
• tifighter (Mar 08, 2007 11:22 pm)

Replying to: tifighter (Mar 06, 2007 4:19 pm)

tifighter, another suggestion would be the new Honda CR-V. I have a deposit on one now that should arrive to the dealership in about a week.
 
My choices were more limited as I bought this vehicle to pull behind my new motorhome. My towing guide does not list any Mitsubishi as towable. Also, there are no Toyota SUV's listed that can be towed.
 
I was really shocked at the power of the 4 cylinder 166 hp engine of the CR-V. Mine will be AWD, have nav w/rear backup camera, sunroof and leather w/heated seats.
 
The only limitations in towing is that I'm not allowed to go over 65 mph and I have to recirculate the transmission fluid every 8 hours of towing.
 
Probably one of the easiest tow vehicles would be a Jeep product with the lever to disengage the drivetrain. I was considering the Liberty but there were so many things I liked about the Honda. Both the Honda CR-V and Jeep Liberty both list for about $30K.
 
Good points about the CR-V compared to the Liberty...
1) Spare tire inside vehicle
2) Rear center arm rest with cup holder
3) Lift gate vs. swing-out tailgate
4) Better gas mileage, Honda AWD 22/28, Jeep 4wd 20/24
5) Honda weighs 3,500 lbs, Jeep weighs 4,044 lbs.
6) Honda offers rear camera with nav.
 
Advantage of Liberty over CR-V
 
1) Better off-road c abilities
2) Can tow 4 wheels down with no limitations
 
Mark156

Replies to this message:
• growwise (Mar 07, 2007 7:53 am)
  • guss (Mar 07, 2007 8:22 am)
  • mark156 (Mar 07, 2007 9:52 am)
    • au1994 (Mar 07, 2007 10:15 am)
• tifighter (Mar 08, 2007 11:27 pm)
  • mark156 (Mar 09, 2007 7:18 am)
    • grandtotal (Mar 09, 2007 10:24 am) and 13 more...
    • tifighter (Mar 09, 2007 12:26 pm)

Replying to: mark156 (Mar 07, 2007 6:14 am)

Replies to this message:
• guss (Mar 07, 2007 8:22 am)
• mark156 (Mar 07, 2007 9:52 am)
  • au1994 (Mar 07, 2007 10:15 am)

Replying to: growwise (Mar 07, 2007 7:53 am)

But , Jeeps are supposed to look old. It must be a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand.
 
I like the Wranglers look , but The Commanders and Grand Cherokee's have lost their way with a half retro half modern design.
 
I don't like the rear tire in the tailgate either. I had a '89 Blazer that had one and it was a bad design to swing a 40lb tire out of the way every time you wanted to get into the back.

Replying to: growwise (Mar 07, 2007 7:53 am)

That doesn't sound very good. Have you considered a dolly or a flatbed trailer perhaps for this purpose.
 
Growwise, it's really a lot of trouble to have a tow dolly or trailer. Where will you put it when camping? Once the car is off the trailer, how will move it? It's just one more piece to worry about.
 
The CR-V is approved by Honda for towing all four wheels down. As long as the procedure if followed, it's not a problem.
 
I did look at the Wrangler four door, it weighs more than the Honda and I'm just wild about the Wrangler. I've never ridden in a new one but I would assume that they ride rough.
 
Mark156

Replies to this message:
• au1994 (Mar 07, 2007 10:15 am)

Replying to: mark156 (Mar 07, 2007 9:52 am)