- #39 of 420
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Test Drive
by wstevec
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Dec 16, 2008 (10:08 am)
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I got to test drive a V6 AWD loaded model and was most impressed. I found the ride very comfortable, but not soft or stiff as I find my wife's Rav4. The car had plenty of power to get up and go on the highway while being easy to maneuver on secondary rounds and gas stations. Yes, I did say gas stations, because the yellow low fuel warning light was on and I did not want to get stuck on the highway, Some things never change for dealers , but since it take regular (big plus) and with gas is so cheap (at least right now), $2 was plenty to complete my test drive. The back storage are was perfect for my golf equipment including cart. It much easier to get it in and out since no bending is needed. The driving position and entry is just right, since I am 6' tall. I found it much more comfortable than the Rav 4 which I am also considering. However, the dealers (those who want to stay in business) are willing to deal. My low pressure salesman (who sold my wife's car) said right now he can do $1000 over invoice. He thinks by the time I am ready to order in late January it might be around $200 over invoice. For the fun of it, he did a search for Venzas which a limited amount of options and the lowest tended to have at least $3000-$4000 worth of extras. Since I only want the Comfort Package (LS) and Tow Prep (TO) he said that a special order would not be a problem and not cost any more, Special orders will take from 6 to 8 weeks which is fine for me since I don't want the car until mid-March when most of the snow will end around here (Boston area). Seems like the closer to spring you can wait, the deeper the discounts will become.
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- #40 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [irismg]
by chadx
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Dec 18, 2008 (1:25 pm)
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Replying to: irismg (Dec 14, 2008 6:31 pm)
If I may say so, who in the real world buys their tires online?!
I, and lot's of people I know, use tirerack all the time. I've lived in quite a few cities/states and have ordered from tirerack more times than I haven't. That is including when I lived in downtown Chicago and had them shipped to my high-rise.
I did, however, just replace my Michelin pickup tires at Costco. There happened to be a big Michelin sale on at the time that I was in for a price comparison. 85,000 miles on the current tires (same model), and could have gone another 5,000 but it's dead of winter and the snowstorms are moving in (Montana) and I wasn't looking forward to driving up the ski mountain, every weekend, on that amount of tread.
Back on the subject, I am holding off on a Venza test drive until I can do it in a 4 cylinder AWD since that is the only model in which I'm interested. I don't want to get used to V6 power when I am only considering the I4. Heck, 182hp should be plenty. My '83 Ford F150 only had 185 (though more torque) and that was plenty. The Venza weighs almost 4,000lbs and that truck was just over that. Amazing how heavy vehicles are nowdays with all the safety and creature comforts adding up.
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- #41 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [md_outback]
by irismg
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Dec 20, 2008 (2:09 pm)
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Replying to: md_outback (Dec 14, 2008 7:56 pm)
What a strange new world this is. Thanks for the info. Apartment dwellers such as myself would have no place to store tires, so this is a revelation. Although, it still seems like a hassle.
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- #42 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [chadx]
by irismg
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Dec 20, 2008 (2:10 pm)
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Replying to: chadx (Dec 18, 2008 1:25 pm)
By "lots of people you know", how many is that, exactly? I don't think online tire buying is that popular here in Oklahoma City yet. But, what do I know?
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- #43 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [bobgwtw]
by irismg
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Dec 20, 2008 (2:17 pm)
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Replying to: bobgwtw (Dec 14, 2008 9:01 pm)
I just bought new ones for the old-timer (at dealer prices, no less), but I just might do that if any convenient tire places in Metro OKC do that. I would still venture to suggest that you and a few of your friends wouldn't constitute widespread usage, as it's certainly not advertised very much here in Oklahoma. After all, if an Internet business sells worldwide, they wouldn't have to do much local business to be successful, so that doesn't really tell me much. But I'm certainly open to a new way of doing things, especially with regards to saving money!
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- #44 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [macpro]
by irismg
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Dec 20, 2008 (2:20 pm)
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Replying to: macpro (Dec 14, 2008 8:01 pm)
Well, it would be poor form for me to go over there during their off hours and break their mirror trying to get it to move, would it? I'll take your word for it, glad it works as it should for you. But on a Nissan, it's much easier to move the mirror.
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- #45 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [joeblack1]
by irismg
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Dec 20, 2008 (2:25 pm)
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Replying to: joeblack1 (Dec 15, 2008 4:32 am)
Wow, guys, I get it! Tire Rack, it is! I guess I'll have to go online and see if they do business in my state. If it's Pep Boys, forget it! I wouldn't send a dog I liked over there...
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- #46 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [md_outback]
by irismg
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Dec 20, 2008 (2:29 pm)
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Replying to: md_outback (Dec 14, 2008 7:56 pm)
DEFINITELY I want the 4cylinder! The 4 cyl. Camrys have plenty of power enough for my purposes! But, $26K...hm. Nope, about $6K too much. I could get a nicely equipped Tiguan for that!
Can't wait to see some reports from people who pulled the trigger on these, though.
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- #47 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [irismg]
by md_outback
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Dec 20, 2008 (2:30 pm)
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Replying to: irismg (Dec 20, 2008 2:17 pm)
Hey irismg, even if you prefer not to buy from Tirerack.com, their website is very valuable for their tire tests and owner surveys. They have logged nearly 138,000 surveys, reporting on 2.3 billion (that's Billion with a "B") miles of owner experiences with nearly every tire brand and model made. This information can help you decide which tire will work best for your needs (i.e. wet traction, tread life, snow capability, etc.). This is much more than you can get from the local tire dealer. So go ahead and buy local, but use the Tirerack to educate yourself before you buy.
MD
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- #48 of 420
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Re: Venza at Dealers [irismg]
by qs933
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Dec 20, 2008 (4:04 pm)
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Replying to: irismg (Dec 20, 2008 2:29 pm)
But, $26K...hm. Nope, about $6K too much. I could get a nicely equipped Tiguan for that!
Really? You feel that the Venza 4-cyl should be priced around $20K?
I considered the Tiguan, but it is a smaller vehicle than the Venza. Although space isn't a huge priority for me, I want something with a little more space than the Tiguan. It seems to be in the same physical class as a RAV4 or a Rogue.
In fact, my thought is the opposite of yours: I think the Tiguan is overpriced at $26K. For that, you could get a Venza.
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