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Smart Shopper What's the best vehicle for my needs?
1145 messages, Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM
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Replying to: demigawd (Jun 24, 2009 6:39 am) However, "the economy of a 4-cyl with the power of a V6 or V8" is marketing BS, for the most part. Power costs gas, no matter how it is achieved. For example, a WRX STi gets 19mpg combined (300hp turbo 4 AWD). A 335ix gets 19mpg combined (300hp turbo 6 AWD). A G35X gets 19mpg combined (300hp NA 6 AWD). |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jun 24, 2009 9:10 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Jun 24, 2009 9:23 am) |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jun 24, 2009 9:10 am) I've committed to hunting down G35x's, but I also need to keep some of my options open. Assuming I abandoned the absolute requirement for an AWD, but instead wanted a compact turbo car (sub-7 0-60) with a good reputation for maintenance and good handling in wintery Chicago conditions, what would you recommend? I was thinking something in the mold of a 1999 Saab 9-3 turbo that a friend of mine used to have. He had it in a hatchback and I really enjoyed riding in it. It could park easily because of the size, but had a great interior and could haul-ass. I've heard that the newer Saabs have really lost their reputation for quality, which prevents me from going for a 2003+ model. The fast Jettas fit that mold too (and, according to a post here, handle well in the winter), but I've heard bad things about THEIR reliability and maintenance as well. So is there a car that fits that mold but retains high reliability and reasonable maintenance costs?
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Replying to: demigawd (Jun 24, 2009 11:33 am) Yes. I can't suggest either Saab or VW as reliable vehicles. I would suggest Volvo, however. I don't think it will be quite as reliable as Infiniti, but I've had good luck with them. My S70 T5 was one of the best vehicles I ever owned. Was great in the snow, the high-pressure turbo made it a blast to drive, and it was supremely comfortable. However, I did have to put some money into it at around the 100k mile mark (suspension, ABS module, turbo oil seal), but I don't think that's unreasonable, especially since I drove it so hard. And, keeping on that turbo vs NA thing, I netted right around 24 mpg with the S70 during its stay with me. That was a 236hp turbo 5-cyl 2.3 liter. The 3.5liter 280hp 350Z that followed used to return 25.5mpg. The 3.2liter V6 Accord after that was 26.5mpg. So, again, turbo'ing a smaller engine does not automatically equal better mileage.
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jun 24, 2009 11:43 am)
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Replying to: demigawd (Jun 24, 2009 11:56 am) The S60 is the model that replaced the S70. The S60 is a tad tighter inside than the G35, but not by much. In the S60, when i have the driver's seat set to where I'd be comfortable, nobody can get behind me. In the G, it is still tight behind me, but someone could get their legs in there. I don't know how the outside dimensions compare, however. I was considering suggesting an S60R for you, but finding a clean one in your range may be tough. Plus, I went through this choice myself (S60R vs G35X) and bought the Infiniti. The S60R was more appealing, but the G35X won for what I anticipate will be lower lifetime operating costs. Even now, though, just 1 year into my '04 G35X ownership, I find myself wondering what it would be like to own an '06 S60R now. ;b
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jun 24, 2009 12:04 pm) What do you guys know about Evolve? I've seen some mentions of an S60R Evolve edition, and it sounds like some kind of modification package. Any information about it? The price? Upside? Downside?
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Replying to: demigawd (Jun 24, 2009 12:37 pm) You are finding '05s with 40k miles for $14k? That would be much cheaper than I've been seeing them for. In any case, the reason I had a bit of a problem with it was that you have to get an '06 if you want the better automatic trans. The '04 and '05 had a weak 5-speed auto where the manufacturer limited torque in the first 2 gears to protect it. The '06 has a 6-speed auto that is not limited, so it is substantially faster. Knowing that, I just couldn't settle for an '04 or '05. PLUS, there are some known issues, like angle gear failure, that can bite you later on. So, all things considered, I decided to go with the safer, cheaper bet. |
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I've just started to consider buying a new car, and I'm a bit all over the place as to what I'm looking for. Last year, I rented a couple of crossover SUVs while on vacation, and I found that they were very convenient for loading my bike into and out of, and that I felt safer with the bike in the back of an suv rather than keeping the bike externally on the trailer rack mounted on my 1995 Crown Vic LX with the performance package. I was also pretty impressed with the performance of both vehicles(A Ford Edge and a Toyota RAV4). So, I've started doing some browsing Edmunds, Autotrader etc looking at both crossovers and station wagons, and the odd hatchback, and the more I look, the more confused I get, because I see more candidates that might fill my need for an MLCUV(Mid-Life-Crisis-Utility-Vehicle)  I'm looking for the following: 1. The ability to hold a bike inside the cargo area with out having to remove the rear wheel, and if possible not remove either wheel, 2. Performance and handling better than the crown vic, 0-60 performance under 8 seconds, and preferably around 7 seconds or less(unlikely, but I can dream) 3. An AWD drivetrain, preferably, then RWD, then FWD. Auto is preferable to stick, but I can drive either. 4) Navigation and/or Ipod compatibility. 5) Not GM or Chrysler 6)NOT BE A MINIVAN!!!!!111!!! Basically, I'm willing to go new or used, with a price under 32K, and mileage under 35K. I'm all over the place on what to buy, but the following cars have tickled my fancy: Audi A3 Audi A4 Acura RDX BMW 3 series wagon BMW X3 Infiniti FX35 Infiniti EX35 Mazda cx-7 Mazda cx-9 Mazdaspeed 3 Subaru WRX Toyota RAV4 V6 I'm trying to reduce the number of different models to look at, but every time I go to Autotrader.com or browse edmunds, I wind up adding a model or two that I will need to test drive this summer, without removing any models. At one point, I was even looking at Audi S4 v8 wagons for a bit. So, anything I've missed, or any cars I should strike off the list? |
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