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Post by rodge on Feb 14, 2020 3:27:33 GMT
I’ve bought one new car in my life , and it was for Mrs. R.
We’re currently at the stage where I need to change and so does she.
She’s doing a lot of driving around town and needs something that does more than 18mpg.
So the Honda is going soon, along with it’s 3.5 V6 engine (which is not a bad engine, although ours was a bit of a lemon to be honest) and will possibly be replaced by a Prius.
I’m not a big fan but it’s a decent option when you look at the mpg it gets versus other hybrids.
She really likes the C Max hybrid, but the boot space is horrendous.
Anyway we are looking.
I’m also changing mine, but we still need a 7 seater for ferrying kids and family around. I’m thinking an suv as I don’t want another fertility wagon.
I’ve been putting off making a decision because I need something more reliable, but just can’t find anything that is low mileage, a decent price and reasonably new.
So I’m finding that even though we’ve started looking at cars, going to dealers etc, I’m not as pushed on the idea of getting a new car.
Before I’ve always known what I’d like to get and have then got it, but now I’m just looking for reliable transport that’s comfortable and fits the family.
If I didn’t need 7 seats, I’d buy a Toyota Tacoma twin cab truck, or a well looked after M3.
I’m 45 and in a job that’s highly stressful at the moment and has a lot of potential in the future. Maybe that’s what’s putting me off buying now?
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Post by PetrolEd on Feb 14, 2020 10:04:59 GMT
If you want a Hybrid then Toyota/Lexus is probably the answer though not sure about a Prius as they look so ugly. What do you get in the US? The new Corolla is nice for what it is and I imagine they must give away Camrys in the US for $1000 down and $199 a month.
I'm not that up on American SUV's so probably not much help. Yukon, Navigator?
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Post by racingteatray on Feb 14, 2020 10:52:50 GMT
How much do Volvo XC90s fetch in the US? That's where my mind goes first based on your criteria...
Even the first generation model would still be a sound choice.
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Post by rodge on Feb 15, 2020 17:10:59 GMT
I have considered the XC90 on more than one occasion.
I remember how favourable the reviews were when the original was released so it’s been at the back of my mind.
Current ideas are:
Toyota Highlander- seats you to 8 and is more in line with what I need.
Chevy Traverse- seats 8, not as nice as the Toyota and bigger.
BMW X5- previous model 2013/14 and are harder to get as low mileage examples.
Volvo XC90- proper size, not too big but fits my needs.
Outsiders:
Ford Explorer- too big.
Ford Flex- nice to drive as 7 seaters go, but not convinced.
Mitsubishi Outlander- 7 seats but CVT. Not a fan of CVT for my daily driver.
Audi Q7- doesn’t really appeal.
VW Toureg- haven’t considered as they are quite rare here.
Out of that lot, the Toyota is the one I like the most.
For hybrids, Ford are doing great deals on new Fusions.
Can get one in the low $20’s with 0% financing but I don’t really want to buy a new car. Second hand values are reasonably good as hybrids hold their value well here.
And as I type this, the Ford dealers are calling me again...
The Camry hybrid is too low to the ground. Mrs. R likes to be able to see more when she drives.
Prius is not my cup of tea but they are well built, reliable and economical so we may end up buying a car I used to despise.
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Post by Ben on Feb 15, 2020 17:21:08 GMT
Another vote for the XC90, but I would also look at the Ford Flex. It shares quite a few Volvo bits as it originates from the PAG days, and the later models got up to 365hp from its 3.5-litre V6, so it definitely is a fun drive at least.
I've not seen what a Highlander looks like though. Is it like a bigger RAV4?
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Feb 15, 2020 17:28:39 GMT
The Highlander is the one to go for. It’ll give you no trouble. The XC90 is good but nowhere near as reliable.
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Post by racingteatray on Feb 15, 2020 23:59:16 GMT
The Highlander is the one to go for. It’ll give you no trouble. The XC90 is good but nowhere near as reliable. Although I had to look up what it looked like and it's, um more of a Frau Merkel than a Sharon Stone in the looks department. |
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Post by Tim on Feb 17, 2020 13:27:02 GMT
What about a Nissan Pathfinder?
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Post by rodge on Feb 22, 2020 6:42:57 GMT
What about a Nissan Pathfinder? Briefly considered one. They are pretty rare and I’m not as pushed on them as some of the other options. I think having so many Nissans in the past 6 months as rental cars has put me off a looking at buying one. |
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Post by PG on Feb 24, 2020 17:18:01 GMT
I'm pretty sure I drove a Ford Flex some years ago. Seemed good quality interior wise compared with other US Fords I'd say in and actually looked quite interesting, as oposed to just big.
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Post by michael on Feb 24, 2020 21:25:14 GMT
A Highlander is dull as hell. I’ve driven them and I think they’re based on a Camry. My aunt has a CX9 which is sensible but dull. I’d get an Explorer, they’re a manageable size out there and popular for a good reason.
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Post by rodge on Mar 5, 2020 4:39:56 GMT
So went into some dealerships today when I was leaving the Bay Area.
Plenty of choice and two very different experiences.
I saw a Golf TDI sportwagon for sale at a Honda dealership and called in to see it.
The saleswoman was helpful but couldn’t find the car. Turns out it had been sent to another dealer for detailing- I didn’t have an appointment so no problem.
They had a civic type r in the showroom and I looked at it.
Not something I want to get, but I did notice on the spec sheet, the transmission is made in Japan, the engine is made in the USA and the final assembly is in Swindon, England!- this is a car for sale in California...
I left there and started to drive home, only to see a VW dealer down the road so called in.
I asked the sales guy if they had any and he pointed one out to me- too old and too many miles- so looked at a couple of Passats. They had a load of them, very low mileage, and decent specs.
The guy then started talking prices and he was quoting me 20k for a car he’s advertising online for 14999.
So I ignored that, and kept him talking. He proceeded to show me a ton of passats out the back that hadn’t been driven for years...
He’s basically been buying up all the ex VW cars and getting money from VW to fix the issues with the cars before selling them on to customers.
He’s getting $5k per car from VW and then charging exorbitant prices for them.
I looked at another car (Ford Flex) and when he said it was $24k, I decided to walk.
He then told me I was too stingy to buy a car, because I want to pay less than 15k for a car that is worth less than 15k.
I checked online later and saw their webs site is getting a whopping 1.5 out of 5 star rating.
Keep looking I think.
Although it looks like we’ve dialed in our sights on a diesel VW.
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Post by johnc on Mar 5, 2020 7:56:37 GMT
I thought that diesels were outlawed in California.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2020 12:20:33 GMT
Some people are clearly not cut out for sales work. Redundancy beckons with a bit of luck.
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Post by PetrolEd on Mar 5, 2020 12:37:20 GMT
If you live in the States, in the nicest possible way, why would you looking at a diesel VW, which even in the UK are boring?
Surely the states has far more interesting options to throw at you. For $15K, I'd be finding the best Camaro SS.
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Post by LandieMark on Mar 5, 2020 12:42:55 GMT
Can't help thinking the same. I would be looking at the biggest SUV with a V8.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 5, 2020 12:55:48 GMT
Can't help thinking the same. I would be looking at the biggest SUV with a V8. Over $4 a gallon petrol plus large distances to travel means that V8s can work out expensive to run in California. |
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Post by LandieMark on Mar 5, 2020 12:57:49 GMT
OK, a Dodge with a Cummins then! 😂
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Post by Martin on Mar 5, 2020 13:57:51 GMT
Can't help thinking the same. I would be looking at the biggest SUV with a V8. So would I That’s what I’m renting for our family holiday in August. Booked the category with an Escalade or Navigator, so a bit of luxury as well rather than going for a Suburban. Unfortunately the Navigator has a 3.5 litre 6 cylinder engine these days (450hp, so a bit more than the 6.2 V8 in the Escalade), along with the 10 speed auto that was in the Mustang I rented in October. |
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Post by rodge on Mar 5, 2020 14:52:42 GMT
Can't help thinking the same. I would be looking at the biggest SUV with a V8. Over $4 a gallon petrol plus large distances to travel means that V8s can work out expensive to run in California. Nailed it. It’s for daily driving. Everything here with a V8 is 12-14 mpg. I’m running 2 cars on an average wage for where I live which is outside the Bay Area and am doing 60-90 miles per day. Don’t want a Prius, do like the torque in a diesel and other hydrids seem to lose boot space which is a big downside. Not convinced by Tesla’s yet either. Great tech and their build quality has come on a lot, but not for me yet. I would buy an old V8 pickup as a run around. I’d have a load of use for one of those. |
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Post by rodge on Mar 5, 2020 14:54:27 GMT
I thought that diesels were outlawed in California. They are, but second hand ones are available, and they include the thousands that VW repossessed from customers when they bought back. |
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Post by johnc on Mar 5, 2020 17:27:59 GMT
I thought that diesels were outlawed in California. They are, but second hand ones are available, and they include the thousands that VW repossessed from customers when they bought back. Did they import the 335D or 535D tourings to the US? I'd have one of those as a daily, any day. |
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Post by Martin on Mar 5, 2020 17:38:41 GMT
They are, but second hand ones are available, and they include the thousands that VW repossessed from customers when they bought back. Did they import the 335D or 535D tourings to the US? I'd have one of those as a daily, any day. They definitely imported the 5 series, because I remember it being badged a 535d but was the same as a European 530d. Would still be an excellent daily, but I’m pretty sure it was saloon only. |
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Post by michael on Mar 5, 2020 19:15:46 GMT
They didn’t import the 5 touring to the US, they got the 5GT instead.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 5, 2020 23:20:29 GMT
They didn’t import the 5 touring to the US, they got the 5GT instead. Serves them right! |
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Post by rodge on Mar 6, 2020 1:37:15 GMT
Did they import the 335D or 535D tourings to the US? I'd have one of those as a daily, any day. They definitely imported the 5 series, because I remember it being badged a 535d but was the same as a European 530d. Would still be an excellent daily, but I’m pretty sure it was saloon only. Not the touring was has been said. The 335d is as rare as hens teeth, but they do have them. I’d get a touring if they sold them here. They have the X5 diesel too, but I’ve gone off the idea of buying one. |
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