Mitsubishi Outlander Test Drives

Did my first test drive today in dealer's demo Outlander XLS. My impressions might be skewed a bit by the dealer tricking out the wheels already, low profile tires with fancy chrome wheels - not factory XLS. Lots of time wasted on demoing the Nav System, I'm not interested in. IMHO, Nav systems are life savers out of town with rental cars, always on and paying attention during a trip to Europe, but I don't find value in it close to home...don't get me wrong, it is a good system they have, just not on my list to evaluate, back to the drive. In my short freeway drive in moderate traffic about 50mph, the transmission seemed to want to hunt for high gear and slightest acceleration sent it elsewhere - maybe it was more a result of the hesitating freeway traffic or that we left the Auto4WD option engaged on the freeway - some ice on the roads, I didn't play with the paddle shifters. Some road noise, and one of the seats in back was folded down I don't think secured because I heard it rattle. Mirrors are good size, good view behind, and I don't think you can see anything out the rearward side windows. More confident in the 6cyl than in the Honda 4cyl CRV already tested and wife didn't like the RAV4, another option for us. The Highlander awaits a test yet. Overall I like what the Outlander has to offer, it fits very close to raw specs that I'm trying to match in size, weight, cargo cap, engine, fuel economy..they are in demand still in my area with 1 or no XLS's on the dealer lots other trims seem ok on supply. However, I'm still more favorable to our Honda Passport, higher seat visibility, low-gear 4WD, 3.2L engine still good fuel economy for an SUV, avg 18.3mpg. Despite its Isuzu Rodeo faults, I still haven't found from any manuf a replacement for 2007 with the same cargo cap, 4WD, fuel eff. with near 3.0L engine. higher seat ground clearance. I guess the higher center today would most likely be found a rollover test risk so the SUV's are inching closer to the ground - Ford Escape and like Mazda are out as they failed rollover in CR testing. I'm also annoyed by some other manuf (Chev Equinox) with wide A pillars to stuff the side air curtain, I suspect all the manuf are having this problem with the A pillar design, the Equinox seemed severe in this regard, wouldn't even test drive it. I would like to get feedback from others that have already tested the Outlander against the Highlander It's going to be the wife's car so I'm going to send her out to test both soon. We'd go back to Honda, but they need something that fits inbetween the CRV and Pilot, to us the Pilot is too large and CRV is a bit too small. I may be guilty of contributing to Toyota dominance as I already own a new Toyota truck, but I'm honestly searching for a viable alternative.

Replies to this message:
• piast (Jan 14, 2007 12:18 pm)
  • suv4betsy (Jan 16, 2007 7:28 am)
    • gene_v (Jan 16, 2007 7:50 am) and 2 more...
    • piast (Jan 17, 2007 11:01 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: suv4betsy (Jan 13, 2007 9:19 pm)

Replies to this message:
• suv4betsy (Jan 16, 2007 7:28 am)
  • gene_v (Jan 16, 2007 7:50 am)
    • suv4betsy (Jan 16, 2007 4:27 pm) and 1 more...
  • piast (Jan 17, 2007 11:01 am)
    • suv4betsy (Jan 17, 2007 10:53 pm)

Replying to: piast (Jan 14, 2007 12:18 pm)

Good feedback.. it is a shift from truck to car like design for us, and I'm definitely watchful of the rear storage - I've even asked about pulling that huge speaker out the back I want the sunroof but don't want the tie in to the sound system. If this goes further might look at LS model instead which can still be outfitted with leather seats.
 
Old school SUVs going away.. absolutely, that's why another alternative I'm considering is a used Lexus RX330!
 
I keep a spreadsheet on all the specs, the Passport is at 3926lbs, Outlander 3791, CRV 3549, RAV 3677, Highlander 3880, Ford Edge 4282, CX-9 4546!!, Santa Fe 4022. I definitely want to stay at or below the Passport weight and still keep the back cargo space.
 
Haven't spec'd the Xterra, may have been an option but had coworker warn of mechanical problems and kids can't reach those trademark door latches. Nissan does not have as positive impression on me as Mitsubishi.
 
Simple thing here that is going to be problem for my wife, her car afterall, back to truck vs car design. This is what the women love about these, the Passport sits up high, windshield is like truck sharp near vertical angle, thin A pillar (no safety bags), commanding view of the road ahead, lights don't shine in the eyes. Outlander and others, down lower, softer longer angle to windshield, wider A pillar. The Passport feels like a short wheelbase to me, feel like I'm driving a bar stool down the street ..it's not lasting though.. rear wheel bearings just replaced $$$$, front-axles need replacing now, timing belt next, fortunately I know how to take apart and clean EGR valve.. repairs are going to cost more than it's worth and it lacks modern safety features absolutely. I need the 4WD/AWD, it is snowing here now and I may have made a mistake buying 2WD on my Toyota truck, so it stays parked in the garage and I drive the Passport to work now, wife stuck at home! We don't always get snow here, but for the few days that might, the 4WD pays for itself. During snow storm last week I was leaving people stuck on the hills, sliding every which way blocking the lane, while I dodged and plowed past them all, cautious and secure, in 4WD and good Michelin tires, never felt a slip, I still drove very slow, so I'll take some credit at being very cautious plenty of space ahead of me to let the idiots slide out of the way.
 
Agree, domestics are most likely out, Ford Explorer probaly nicest interior design, but looked at this replacement issue 6 months ago, gas over $3/gal, can't afford 15mpg car.
 
Toyota however has such strong leadership in the marketplace, quality reliablity previous owners swear by them, despite higher price, I have to weigh that against what I don't like in the plain raised station wagon look of the Highlander. I like the RAV better but the back door latch has got to swing up and get the spare underneath. Warranties are great for any car - as long as I never have the hassle of using it

Replies to this message:
• gene_v (Jan 16, 2007 7:50 am)
  • suv4betsy (Jan 16, 2007 4:27 pm)
    • gene_v (Jan 16, 2007 5:01 pm)
• piast (Jan 17, 2007 11:01 am)
  • suv4betsy (Jan 17, 2007 10:53 pm)

Replying to: suv4betsy (Jan 16, 2007 7:28 am)

Replies to this message:
• suv4betsy (Jan 16, 2007 4:27 pm)
  • gene_v (Jan 16, 2007 5:01 pm)

Replying to: gene_v (Jan 16, 2007 7:50 am)

Replies to this message:
• gene_v (Jan 16, 2007 5:01 pm)

Replying to: suv4betsy (Jan 16, 2007 4:27 pm)

Replying to: suv4betsy (Jan 16, 2007 7:28 am)

Replies to this message:
• suv4betsy (Jan 17, 2007 10:53 pm)

Replying to: piast (Jan 17, 2007 11:01 am)

Yup.. heard about Toyota engine problems, and I do have a post in the forum about the recent truck bearing replacement. Toyota was forthcoming with the recall campaign for me. Just don't buy a 97-02 engine I have an 04. Ok, I see one of the statements with 144,000 miles.. didn't know you could keep a car past 100K just kidding!! I've given up with long-term ownership, agree taken care of they should last, my experience is otherwise. The Passport is falling apart and before that I had a VW Passat it too had expensive suspension and axle problems, I think I had to get rid of that one near 70K, must be all those potholes. I regret not buying the Subaru on that one, it would have lasted better than the Passat wagon the Passat had better leather interior trim at a better price, but I paid dearly for the repairs later.. it was a lemon, including door handles that snapped off twice each handle over $100 to replace, I'm done with VW. It pays to keep good records for repairs though, I had a new Acura back in 87, over a year after I had problems with the ignitor and nearly $500 in repairs, Honda (Acura) reimbursed me in full for all repairs including all towing charges after finally starting a recall campaign. They still had troubles getting the part to work reliably, but from that point forward all those repairs for specific part of course were free. Understandably there's a cost to the frustration of taking a car back to the shop, let alone being stuck 7 stories underground in parking garage with a car that won't start! CR could probably update their lists.. they might have a lot of unhappy subscribers following their Toyota recommendations. My impression is Mitsubishi is in good standing with them no models listed on the avoid or bad bets. I'm very interested in what the Outlander has to offer, but the wife has the final say on this one. I hope she gets a chance to test it soon before the rebate expires on the Toyota!! Actually, I still love the design of the Isuzu Rodeo (Passport), we'd probably buy another one if they still made it, but they are on life-support, I think there's only one dealership left in the whole state where I live.

Replying to: rcpax (Oct 28, 2006 11:08 am)