- #1003 of 1145
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Re: looking for suggestions [sebring95]
by maigre
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Jul 14, 2009 (11:21 am)
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Replying to: sebring95 (Jul 14, 2009 10:35 am)
Thanks for the encouragement, sebring95. I WILL be disappointed if I go strictly for practicality and avoid what I want. The Jetta TDI Sportwagen is on my list and I've driven it. I like the torque, storage and mileage. I'm a little disappointed by comfort level, have some concern about how it would do as a traveling car. Though we'll eventually get another car, too, since our Passat is the only car we have now and it's got 176K miles on it. Then, the Jetta could be the city car and maybe the next one could be the road vehicle. As a nimble, good mileage daily commuter, it's way ahead of the Prius, Civic or Corolla or cars of that ilk in terms of performance and appeal.
The BMW was sensational. At 14 cu. ft. the trunk is a bit small, but it's almost rectangular, doesn't have the nooks and crannies and/or corners that other trunks tend to. So it's a more efficient use of the space than, for example, my bigger Passat trunk. My biggest concern there is simply the cost. I priced 2006 and 2007 models here with the mileage we'd likely have and the continuing depreciation makes me think it's just too much money, especially now in this economy. If it's going to depreciate that much, I might just as well lease a new Audi. I like the BMW more, but the A4 is terrific and at least I could walk away if it doesn't seem worth keeping at the end of the lease. And I feel like that's too much money to eat over a three year period...
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- #1004 of 1145
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Re: 1996 Olds 88 LS questions [lhy]
by corvette
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Jul 14, 2009 (11:33 am)
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Replying to: lhy (Jul 13, 2009 1:21 pm)
"Are there any suggested coolants that are better than DexCool?"
Peak Global Lifetime Coolant. Not sure how the chemical composition compares to Dexcool, though.
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- #1005 of 1145
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Re: looking for suggestions [maigre]
by suydam
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Jul 14, 2009 (4:29 pm)
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Replying to: maigre (Jul 14, 2009 9:21 am)
You mentioned the Nissan Altima, but did you try the Maxima? We looked at both the Passat and the Maxima and considered them comparable. It has a nicer interior than the Altima and I don't consider it boring to drive.
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- #1006 of 1145
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Re: looking for suggestions [suydam]
by maigre
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Jul 15, 2009 (9:15 pm)
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Replying to: suydam (Jul 14, 2009 4:29 pm)
I haven't driven the Maxima, yet, but I probably will. I sat in a couple, current new generation model and a never been sold 2008 from the earlier generation, but ran out of time and had to leave. Seems like a good drive and value.
Speaking of Nissan, I drove an Infiniti G35. Wow. Probably not a great family car and it gets terrible mileage, but it has some style and it's fun to drive.
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- #1007 of 1145
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looking for a 6 passenger SUV..
by szymas
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Jul 16, 2009 (1:52 pm)
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I am going to be trading in/selling my 1999 Chevy Silverado EXT for a SUV, I was really looking hard at the Chevy Trailblaser EXT or LS models with a third row seat, but now Chevy is discontinuing, so I am not sure if it is a safe bet.. here is what I am looking for:
1. Minimum 6 passenger (6 is fine.. don't need it larger.. but needs 6)
2. Would like option to AWD or 4WD, I live in Connecticut..
3. Could be a new or used model
4. Minimum of a large 6 cylinder (might tow, do so with my truck now)
5. At least 15 MPG on the back roads.
6. Some good ratings..
Thanks ahead of time!
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- #1008 of 1145
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Re: looking for a 6 passenger SUV.. [szymas]
by morin2
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Jul 16, 2009 (4:06 pm)
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Replying to: szymas (Jul 16, 2009 1:52 pm)
I don't own a Trailblazer but we have a fleet of them at work and I have put some miles on them. I think they have really gotten a bum rap & may be one of the most overlooked & underappreciated mid-sized SUVs. My daily driver was an 01 Silverado ExtCab and the Trailblazer seemed more nimble and easier to drive & stop in city driving than the truck. We towed some boats and fish tanks on trailers up to about 5000 lbs with the ones at work (state DNR) and they towed well, but not as well as my Z-71 truck with the 5.3 v-8 and 3.73 rear. The ones I drove had the straight 6 and I liked it. With mostly highway driving and no towing, I got from 18 - 20 mpg (I'm a gentle driver). The depreciation on these is very steep & I think they may be a used bargain. If my son was looking for a midsized suv, I would encourage a look at this one because I think its a good value if you can pick it up cheap. No experience with the 3rd row of the extended model & can't remember seeing a convenient 3rd row in any mid-size suv.
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- #1009 of 1145
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Re: looking for a 6 passenger SUV.. [szymas]
by sebring95
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Jul 16, 2009 (5:59 pm)
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Replying to: szymas (Jul 16, 2009 1:52 pm)
You left out an important piece of the puzzle....price. The replacement for the Trailblazer is the Traverse which is a very nice vehicle and I would recommend it highly over the Trailblazer. But it's quite pricey. I always felt the Trailblazer was a little rough around the edges and the 3rd row version just looked funky. But I would say there is a lot of value there if that's your price range.
The Traverse/Enclave/Acadia are the only SUV's we've seen that are even remotely close to the capability of our Odyssey minivan. We've looked closely at the Enclave (Buick version) as a replacement, but it still just isn't as great of a people and thing mover. We don't need to tow with the family hauler so that doesn't really play into our decision. But if I HAD to do light towing the Enclave is about the only SUV we'd consider.
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- #1010 of 1145
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Re: looking for suggestions [maigre]
by qbrozen
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Jul 16, 2009 (6:31 pm)
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Replying to: maigre (Jul 15, 2009 9:15 pm)
I drove an Infiniti G35. Wow. Probably not a great family car and it gets terrible mileage, but it has some style and it's fun to drive.
Well, it all depends.
I have no issues with it as a family car thus far. My 3-year-old loves it. We have a 2nd kid in the oven and I have no intentions of getting rid of the car for that reason. My son will fit just fine behind me and the rear-facing seat with the newborn will fit behind the passenger seat without much of a problem. Helps that my wife is short, though.
As for mileage, I get round about 21 mpg with my G35X, which is admittedly pretty bad. However, the RWD automatic will get a couple mpg better, and the stick is even better than that. I used to get 25mpg in mixed driving with my 350z, so I'd expect about the same with a 6-spd G35. I don't consider that terrible in the least.
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- #1011 of 1145
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Re: looking for a 6 passenger SUV.. [szymas]
by qbrozen
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Jul 16, 2009 (6:35 pm)
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Replying to: szymas (Jul 16, 2009 1:52 pm)
I've got 2 suggestions. The first, Honda Pilot, we previously owned and enjoyed. And our current, the Volvo XC90. Both are not the best tow vehicles, however, so you need to divulge what kind of towing we are talking about. I believe the 2 I've suggested max out around 5k lbs. (?)
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- #1012 of 1145
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Re: looking for suggestions [qbrozen]
by maigre
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Jul 16, 2009 (6:40 pm)
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jul 16, 2009 6:31 pm)
How's the trunk working for you on that G35? We'll all fit fine in the G35, at least for the next few years. I'm a little concerned about the storage space issue, though. It's not so small as to be not worth considering, but it's small just the same. I sure like the car, though.
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