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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
You are in the SUVs Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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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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Replying to: nedzel (Jan 08, 2009 10:00 am) |
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Replying to: steve_ (Jan 08, 2009 11:51 am) too bad there is no rebates for Toyota..... |
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 07, 2009 7:25 pm) "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." I agree with the other poster. Depending on the age of the kids, as they age they will want more separation. My 14 yr old actually prefers to ride in the 3rd row even when no one is in the second row. He folds the 2nd row seat down and has leg room to really stretch out. Access to the third row is quite convenient since the 2nd row Captain chair slides far forward giving easy access to the third row even for adults. I hesitated on the captains chairs howver I have found them to work out very nicely. All of my previous Suburbans had 2nd row benchs. "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." That was one of our motivations for going for the Platinum. I wanted the air conditioned front seats, driver memory seat, heated 2nd row seats, adjustable suspension and the Red Rock leather interior. These were all "must haves", so my only choice was the Platinum. "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?" Yes, all components for the XM Radio (Serius and XM are now one service since the 2 companies merged last year) are inside the dash (other than the antenna which is on the roof) which requires opening things up abit however its much easier than you might expect since the entire dash is held together with push clips. Essentially, with the exceptiuon of a single screw, the dash can be opened by simply "pulling" it open. The instructions are actually quite easy. Here's a link to get a sense of what's involved. (You might want to preview the install before your husband...you'll understand after reviewing it:) http://www.tacotunes.com/installation/tundradash/index.html The XM service is fully functional through the Nav unit from either the dash controls or the sterring wheel controls. "Can you use the Ipod interface with the system you installed?" Since the ipod connection in the Platinum is unaltered I can't see how it would be affected however I don't use an ipod. "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?" Other than the first day, I've never used the voice controls... more of a hastle than its worth. I use the Nav buttons on the dash however many of the functions are deactivated by Toyota once you are underway. I used the following product to override Toyota's restirctions. If you're opening the dash for the XM tuner, this device would be a simple install at the same time. http://www.pinemountainfirearms.com/pmf/tundramods/NavSpeedPulse.aspx "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)" DVDs can be viewed on the front Nav screen however only when in Park with the Parking Brake on. I've not seen any modifications that works with the factory rear entertainment system and the Factory Nav unit to view videos while underway. (Probably not a very good idea if you ask me.) "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." The backup video system is excellent, particularly for towing to align with the tow ball. Also the adjustable suspension allows you to raise and lower the vehicle to make it easy to attach to a trailer tow ball. The Nav by compariosn with my Garmin Zumo is utterly out of date however with the override device referenced above it is acceptable. "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?" If you mean the electronics, I have not heard if a new generation of Nav unit is coming however this Gen is relatively new so I doubt a major upgrade is coming anytime soon. If you mean the actual DVD data disc for the maps, those come out annually however the changes are somewhat minor from year to year and you may only need to update every couple of years. They run a couple hundred $ from the dealer and are also available on ebay for less. "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...."Forget about the Toyota remote start. Once again the lawyers got overly involved and require the driver to restart the vehicle by shutting the engine as soon as the door is opened. What's the point? Go aftermarket for this option. I didn't bother to get remote start however I have had them on previous vehicles and they are nice. "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...." Plan on fast depreciation even for a quality SUV like the Sequoia. However there will always be folks that need a powerful SUV for towing boats, horse trailers, RVs etc. IMO the Sequoia is the best on the market and the Platinum is better then even the higher end luxury SUVs if power, ride, space and comfort are your primary decision factors. Best of luck in the decision-making.... FYI...here's a link to a test drive forum between the Platinum and the Limited http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/sequoia/137515-test-drive-2008-platinum-vs- -limited/
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Replying to: hdfatboy (Jan 08, 2009 2:37 pm) Thanks again for your response...I have to say how helpful it has been. I agree that the Platinum is the way to go as far as getting in all of the options we are looking for but we just can't wrap our head around the one child sitting in the back. Here are the reasons....we have a 6, 8 and 10 year old, I know they will get bigger but I just can't invision being in a parking lot with all of their backpacks and gear in hand while 1 of my kids takes one of the seats flips it forward while the other 2 wait, then the 2nd child will flip it back and then both would climb in....or I could do it but by now, I am comfy in the drivers seat of my mini van already. I know I am over dramatizing the whole thing but right now they all just file in the 2nd row. Ir could just be that I am not able to invision the Platinum and whether or not one of them could just squeeze by the seat without flipping it, it just seems like an extra step to what we have now. Also long trips, we would loose cargo space with all the luggage because we do not have the ability to flip the whole 3rd row down. The other problem is where to find a Platnum and since there are so few, I am sure the dealer will not as willing to deal. Thanks so much for your help!! Oh, and the ability to watch the DVD while driving is just for long trips for the benefit of the passenger.....me! We still want to check out the Buick.....I will keep checking in. Thanks so much for all the valuable info. Oh, and I want to make sure I understand your previous post....that the front seats come air condititioned as well? (I couldn't find that in the specs). Thanks!
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| Oh and I wanted to edit my response about flipping the 2nd row seat to climb in the back. I reread you post and you mentioned the seat sliding forward to climb into the 3rd rown instead of flipping the seat so like I mentioned before it could be a whole lot easier than I am envisioning because I haven't seen a platinum. We have been to every dealer in a 100 mile radius of here and have not seen one yet. I just really wish the platinum had the 2nd row bench because then one of the kids could still go in the back or have the option of the 2nd row. Infiniti told us that they could convert a captain's chair QX56 into a bench seat but the salesman told us a lot of things that wasn't true. Thanks again. | |
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