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SUVs We thought we picked out an SUV....but we are having doubts
63 messages, Last post on Aug 06, 2009 at 9:28 AM
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We are really struggling with which SUV to purchase. We have a list of pros and cons and was asking for opinions Here is our list with pros and cons: Infiniti - great car,everything included for the price. All the bells and whistles except remote start. Cons the rear and back seats and smaller vs the Sequoia and the others and the cubic feet in cargo space is smaller Also the engine noise is pronounced. The navigation system and backup camera is superior to the others.Miles per gallon the worst of the bunch and need to buy premium. We do have an opportunity to buy a used QX56 with 18,000 on the cheap (like mid 30's for an 08- former lease trade in) but he realiability history is an issue as well. Also the closest place to do any warranty word is 45 minutes away which could prove to be a pain. Warranty is 4 years, 40,000 Sequoia-great driving, easy for me to park and drive, great room in all seats, great power. The cons are that even with the platinum we either have to pay for things like an IPOd interface kit, applique wood, sonor, and the satellite receiver. All of those do start adding up. Plus the dash is worst looking and laid out by far and the outside looks like a truck, ugly, ugly, I can over look the look of everything but it also doesn't have 2nd row heated and memory seats, or adjustable pedal.Those things are just not available even as an option. The navigation system and the dials are too far from the drivers side and we find the navigation system difficult. Warranty only 3 years 36,000. Navigator- has everything the space, the gadits, but the dash is unappealing and really we feel odd these days driving around in such a ostentatious vehicle. A little to flashy and doesn't drive as nice as the others but like I said everything is in this care. The Expedition- has mostly everything gadgit, just don't like the look of the outside-we have not driven this one yet. The overall cost is a lot less of the others. It is not as beast looking as the Sequoia, I just haven't warmed up to it yet. The price point for this one is a lot less. Any suggestions and am I missing anything on the comparisons from those who have compared before?
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 04, 2009 10:45 am) |
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 04, 2009 10:45 am) CanStacker
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Replying to: CanStacker (Jan 06, 2009 11:28 pm) |
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 04, 2009 10:45 am)
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Replying to: dookie86 (Jan 07, 2009 1:55 pm) Thanks so much for your response. Thanks for sharing what you thought and what you decided to buy. Can I ask if you looked any other SUV's and if you looked at any of the crossovers? We are really trying to give the crossovers a change but they are a tight as far as room. I will go back and look at your posting from September too....the other issue we are finding with the Sequoia is that there are a list of things we have to add which is making the cost go up....wood applique, satellite receiver (it doesn't have the satellite right now in it all all) and we cannot get an ipod assessory with the satellite...it is either one or another) and remote start we would need to add as well. The other thing was that it does not have any seat memory which comes standard in most other SUV's. Thanks for your reply. |
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 04, 2009 10:45 am) The Infiniti is a quality vehicle with the most attractive interior. Best finish work of the 4 SUVs you're considering. Most features including HD sound system and HID headlights not available in the others. The interior is on the smallish size particularly if your family members are large. I'm 6'4 and the rest of the family are also large so elbow room in the Q is a definite consideration. Driving 45 minutes for basic servicing would be an issue for me. You'll also need to plan for premium fuel with Q which could become an issue because gas will definitely be in the upper range sometime during the next 4 years. There's also the consideration you'll likely be in the last year or 2 of this vehicle which could significantly effect its resale 4 years from now. Personally I find the Q to be the least attractive on the outside. Looks to me like 3 different vehicles they tried to cobble together with headlights that simply look odd to me. But that's just my taste. The Sequoia really depends on which model you're considering. I assume the Platinum is within the budget if you're looking at the Nav and Q. The interior of the Seq is not well designed for small people. You'll need long arms to reach all the way across the Nav unit. OTOH, if the family that's using the vehicle are tall, they will really value the tremendous leg room in the second and 3rd row seats, not too mention the electric reclining 3rd row seats which no other model has. I believe the 2nd row sliding seats cannot be matched by any other vehicle. It provides more leg room than you'll find in most limos....really. If you're getting the Plat, it includes the ipod interface, sonor, 2nd row heated seats and memory seat positions for the driver. Your wallet will thank you for the regular gas of the Sequoia combined with premium performance. The drivetrain of the Sequoia is in a class of its own. The other 3 vehicles are simply not in the same league. Power, smoothness, manumatic shifting, acceleration, braking and towing make the Sequoia the clear winner if these were the only factors being considered. IMO, the exterior is attractive and smooth without looking like I should be wearing 10 lbs of gold chains around my neck like a Nav or Escalade owner...even with 20 in wheels. The Nav is gaudy and underpowered and I think it will look very outdated, very quickly which will significantly hurt resale value. It only took one drive for me to know I wouldn't be buying one. Same issues with the Expy, just a much cheaper looking interior and more subdued exterior. Resale values are awful on this vehicle. You probably figured out that I bought a Platinum Sequoia. Mine is black exterior with a red rock interior. Here's a link to some pics http://www.carspace.com/hdfatboy/?50  .5bc0e86d . I still absolutely love the vehicle after 19,000miles. Every drive is still a joy with the 381hp, 6sp tranny, flexible drive configurations with 2wd, 4wd hi (AWD), 4wd Hi with the ctr diff locked, 4wd Lo and 4wd Lo with ctr diff locked. I have had 0 service trips to the dealer other than 3 trips for oils changes and tire rotation (I purchased the Toyota maintenance plan). Forget the fake plastic wood dash. I originally considered it and now I've come to like the silver dash. Its still a long reach across the dash however 90% of the controls are really used from the steering wheel and a few of the knobs closest to the driver. I added xm radio myself that is fully integrated into the Nav and steering wheel controls for $279 off Ebay...best add-on to any vehicle I've ever owned. If towing matters, here's a review I did last year after a long towing trip http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/sequoia/143846-08-4x4-plat-sequoia-towing-- - - - evaluation/#post1096369 Here's the things I don't like about the Sequoia and you can decide if they matter to you. After 19,000 miles these are the only changes I would have recommended. Maybe others can offer additional features to a wish list for the future. I would buy another one in a minute when this one's time is up.
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Replying to: hdfatboy (Jan 07, 2009 5:07 pm) Wow! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. It was helpful more than you know. I sat here with my husband reading all the responses over....I do have a few questions if you wouldn't mind... We are looking at the Limited, mainly because we have 3 kids and it just seems easier to load them into the 2nd row than have one climb into the back. Some of the things that are standard on the platinum have been the problem for us on the limited as far as options we would like to have. We don't understand how a $56K vehicle does not have memory seats or 2nd row heated. Now you mentioned the Satellite Radio (we like Sirius) which is interesting because it is not listed as a line item on the sticker (meaning no receiver) ...we asked the salesman and he said that it can be hooked up afterward but that you cannot have the IPOD interface at the same time. With how you installed it yourself through what you purchased through Ebay, is it all internal? Meaning do you have the satellite capabilities through the Navigation system? Can you use the Ipod interface with the system you installed? Also the Navigation system seems difficult because the lady talking is looking for certain commands...can you use the pushbutton version and not use the voice part? Can you do some kind of bypass and watch the DVD from the navigation screen (I believe certain techs now how to do this but because of liability issues they will not tell you) In general in comparison, it seems like the backup system and navigation system seem inferior, I am just not sure that while it is in use it becomes better than it seems. Also, was anything said to you about updating the navigation system? Is it a hard drive that is updated or a disc? If a better system comes available, is it as easy as a download? I also wanted to ask if you had the remote start? Is it worth it to add it as an aftermarket option? I also wish they had the push button start.... I have to ask about the future for SUV value and replacement parts cost in the long run when everything is so oversized. We have looked at a few crossovers and really want to like them but it has less space and I haven't seen a full sized 2nd row middle seat yet. Tomorrow I am going to test drive the Buick Arcadia. We seem to be getting frustrated and sometimes consider keeping our minivan for another year or 2 but wanted to see if good deals are to be had in the SuV market. Value will be upsize down fom day 1 especially in the SUV side. thanks so much, we really do appreciate the help in making this decision. |
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 07, 2009 7:25 pm) I think you'll have more peace in the truck if one of the kids is in the way back. And chances are, one of them will prefer to sit back there out of reach of their siblings anyways.
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Replying to: nedzel (Jan 08, 2009 10:00 am) Starting Your Car Research When You're Not Sure What You Want
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