SUV shopping - suggestions
04-16-2008, 10:44 PM
#1
SUV shopping - suggestions
Hey Folks,
There's a minute chance I might be able to afford a new vehicle. Looking for suggestions based on my required ments:
Currenlty have a 94 jeep grand cherokee SE:
200,000km
5spd
inline 6
not much for options other than AC, tilt, steering, cruise, am/fm, maybe tape?.
Compustar 2way 900fm alarm/start
includes power locks via remote
Perfect mechanical condition, body/interior not bad.
Liekly remove my stereo cept for maybe the components int he doors.
Looking for:
SUV
decent on gas - preferably 23/24mpg and up
sunroof
interested in the infotainment centers (music server/nav/dvd etc).
Looks decent, not too new-age-soccer-mom-ish
For hat i'm guessing is around $38,000 MAX (haven't 100% worked out what thats likely to equate to monthly).
Would be trading in the old Jeep on whatever I buy. I don't need brand new, 1 year old, or what not would be nice. Originally liked the jeep grand cherokee's with the diesel engines, but they're generally starting around $44k brand new....and i've seen a few for $39ish used, which if the payments could work out would be sweet!!!
Talkin to various people i've heard varying answers in what people pay per month. My bro's jetta tdi, he paid $32k and pays $630/month. Buddies Mitsubishi outlander XLS cost him $38 and he pays $540 over 5 years at 2.1%. Not sure on my bro.
Any suggestions help or ideas are welcome. That outlander was sweet btw....cept for lookin alil gay from the outside.
There's a minute chance I might be able to afford a new vehicle. Looking for suggestions based on my required ments:
Currenlty have a 94 jeep grand cherokee SE:
200,000km
5spd
inline 6
not much for options other than AC, tilt, steering, cruise, am/fm, maybe tape?.
Compustar 2way 900fm alarm/start
includes power locks via remote
Perfect mechanical condition, body/interior not bad.
Liekly remove my stereo cept for maybe the components int he doors.
Looking for:
SUV
decent on gas - preferably 23/24mpg and up
sunroof
interested in the infotainment centers (music server/nav/dvd etc).
Looks decent, not too new-age-soccer-mom-ish
For hat i'm guessing is around $38,000 MAX (haven't 100% worked out what thats likely to equate to monthly).
Would be trading in the old Jeep on whatever I buy. I don't need brand new, 1 year old, or what not would be nice. Originally liked the jeep grand cherokee's with the diesel engines, but they're generally starting around $44k brand new....and i've seen a few for $39ish used, which if the payments could work out would be sweet!!!
Talkin to various people i've heard varying answers in what people pay per month. My bro's jetta tdi, he paid $32k and pays $630/month. Buddies Mitsubishi outlander XLS cost him $38 and he pays $540 over 5 years at 2.1%. Not sure on my bro.
Any suggestions help or ideas are welcome. That outlander was sweet btw....cept for lookin alil gay from the outside.
04-16-2008, 11:26 PM
#2
IMO new is the way to go as lots of companies are offering very low interest financing rates at the moment. Mazda, Mitsubishi, and GM are the one's I've mainly noticed for the best rates.
You can buy a 1yr old model but then you're into financing in the 7% range so at the end really you can get a new '08 for the same cash if you get a nice low rate (less than 2% at the listed one's).
Get out there and start test driving is all I can really say. I did the SUV shopping starting in the Fall and bought just after Christmas.
We have a 08 Tahoe and Torrent at work and my friends have new Trailblazer's and similar GM products. I find they all rattle like crazy and the fit and finish as well as quality of interior materials are very poor.
Ford Escape was too truck like and has a very ugly interior. Rates are pretty high at the moment on Ford's also. Interior is pretty drab.
Kinda slow and gutless too.
Liberty's are OK but the storage area is actually quite small. If you want something more off-road capable and truck like the Liberty might be a good option.
The imports were really much better IMO if you want something more upscale, comfy, and with better interior amenities.
The honda CRV is ugly IMO and the Toyota RAV4 is kinda pricey with high finance rates.
For me I really wasn't in need of anythng that can do serious off-roading. I just wanted something decent on fuel, looks good, handles not like a big SUV, good power, space to put my work gear in, nice interior.
My top three were the
Mazda CX-7 GT (purchased)
Mitsubishi Outlander XLS
Hyundai Sante Fe
The Sante Fe rides the softest, has the comfiest (plush) seats, but the interior is kinda boring (maybe it suits the older crowd), and the exterior looked kinda drap and boring. Lots of room, power and good on gas though.
The Outlander was my second choice. My workmate has one and we both really liked it (he wanted the CX-7 but his wife wanted the Mitsu).
The XLS has some nice features including a nice 4x4 system, good power, good room, nice sporty interior, decent 18" rims, sunroof, nice leather seats, and the RF sound system isn't bad.
I bought the CX-7 GT. Handles very well (it's the only crossover of the bunch). Lots of power. Interior fit and finish is excellent and the quality of materials is very good. Easy to get comfortable in. Good amount of space (not as much as a Sante Fe but more than a Liberty and plenty for me). Liked the styling and features. Stereo is decent even though it is a Bose.
That's about all I have to say. I highly recommend taking out the CX-7 (ask to take out a GT as the interior is nicer with the big sunroof and leather plus stereo), the Outlander XLS, and the Sante Fe (yeah yeah it's a Hyundai but take it out anyways).
Also check out the Liberty and see how you like it.
Good luck!
You can buy a 1yr old model but then you're into financing in the 7% range so at the end really you can get a new '08 for the same cash if you get a nice low rate (less than 2% at the listed one's).
Get out there and start test driving is all I can really say. I did the SUV shopping starting in the Fall and bought just after Christmas.
We have a 08 Tahoe and Torrent at work and my friends have new Trailblazer's and similar GM products. I find they all rattle like crazy and the fit and finish as well as quality of interior materials are very poor.
Ford Escape was too truck like and has a very ugly interior. Rates are pretty high at the moment on Ford's also. Interior is pretty drab.
Kinda slow and gutless too.
Liberty's are OK but the storage area is actually quite small. If you want something more off-road capable and truck like the Liberty might be a good option.
The imports were really much better IMO if you want something more upscale, comfy, and with better interior amenities.
The honda CRV is ugly IMO and the Toyota RAV4 is kinda pricey with high finance rates.
For me I really wasn't in need of anythng that can do serious off-roading. I just wanted something decent on fuel, looks good, handles not like a big SUV, good power, space to put my work gear in, nice interior.
My top three were the
Mazda CX-7 GT (purchased)
Mitsubishi Outlander XLS
Hyundai Sante Fe
The Sante Fe rides the softest, has the comfiest (plush) seats, but the interior is kinda boring (maybe it suits the older crowd), and the exterior looked kinda drap and boring. Lots of room, power and good on gas though.
The Outlander was my second choice. My workmate has one and we both really liked it (he wanted the CX-7 but his wife wanted the Mitsu).
The XLS has some nice features including a nice 4x4 system, good power, good room, nice sporty interior, decent 18" rims, sunroof, nice leather seats, and the RF sound system isn't bad.
I bought the CX-7 GT. Handles very well (it's the only crossover of the bunch). Lots of power. Interior fit and finish is excellent and the quality of materials is very good. Easy to get comfortable in. Good amount of space (not as much as a Sante Fe but more than a Liberty and plenty for me). Liked the styling and features. Stereo is decent even though it is a Bose.
That's about all I have to say. I highly recommend taking out the CX-7 (ask to take out a GT as the interior is nicer with the big sunroof and leather plus stereo), the Outlander XLS, and the Sante Fe (yeah yeah it's a Hyundai but take it out anyways).
Also check out the Liberty and see how you like it.
Good luck!
04-17-2008, 08:15 AM
#4
Toyota Highlander for sure. .9% financing and a vehicle that holds it's value.
Toyota is #1 for a reason. Take one for a spin. Basically all you will be doing
is regular maintenance through it's life. I would be shocked if you didn't get
400 to 500 thousand KM out of it at the very least!
Toyota is #1 for a reason. Take one for a spin. Basically all you will be doing
is regular maintenance through it's life. I would be shocked if you didn't get
400 to 500 thousand KM out of it at the very least!
04-17-2008, 09:29 AM
#5
Toyota Highlander for sure. .9% financing and a vehicle that holds it's value.
Toyota is #1 for a reason. Take one for a spin. Basically all you will be doing
is regular maintenance through it's life. I would be shocked if you didn't get
400 to 500 thousand KM out of it at the very least!
Toyota is #1 for a reason. Take one for a spin. Basically all you will be doing
is regular maintenance through it's life. I would be shocked if you didn't get
400 to 500 thousand KM out of it at the very least!
Nissan Murano is nice as well but may also be out of the price range.
04-17-2008, 11:01 AM
#6
Suzuki Grand vitara looks nice, is cheep, has leather sunroof and 4x4 for not to much cash (under 30).
Also hyundai tuscon is similar in price, a bit smaller but youth looking.
To the above poster, a lot of times 0% is a scam hehe. Its 0% financing or XXXX mount cash back if you buy cash. So interest is basicaly built into your 0% financing.
Apparently honda right now has 0.9% but they send you an addendum after you purchase that changes the price of the car to the cash advertised price and elevates your interest rate to compensate the difference. Same monthly payment but an interest rate closer to 8%. All do this.
It's been proven 0% gets buyers buying.
HEre is a link to the honda scam( that is not honda only, all the manufacturers do it)
Archives | La facture | Radio-Canada.ca
Also hyundai tuscon is similar in price, a bit smaller but youth looking.
To the above poster, a lot of times 0% is a scam hehe. Its 0% financing or XXXX mount cash back if you buy cash. So interest is basicaly built into your 0% financing.
Apparently honda right now has 0.9% but they send you an addendum after you purchase that changes the price of the car to the cash advertised price and elevates your interest rate to compensate the difference. Same monthly payment but an interest rate closer to 8%. All do this.
It's been proven 0% gets buyers buying.
HEre is a link to the honda scam( that is not honda only, all the manufacturers do it)
Archives | La facture | Radio-Canada.ca
04-17-2008, 03:06 PM
#8
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16,855
I really dig the Nitro. They're pretty hard on fuel though from what I hear.
The Patriot is a steal in the low 20s for a 4x4 with decent storage room. I just can't get into the styling though.
I was looking at the new Dodge Journey. I like the styling, the storage space, all those new things Dodge does with chillzone, floor storage, etc, the 'emergency' 3rd row seat, and you can get AWD under 30large. Not bad IMO.
The Patriot is a steal in the low 20s for a 4x4 with decent storage room. I just can't get into the styling though.
I was looking at the new Dodge Journey. I like the styling, the storage space, all those new things Dodge does with chillzone, floor storage, etc, the 'emergency' 3rd row seat, and you can get AWD under 30large. Not bad IMO.
04-18-2008, 01:06 AM
#9
yeah but take it from me the chillzone isnt all its cracked up to be! hahaha it is a great place to store drinks though... and it will keep a cold drink cool.... but then again to use that as the basis of buying car means you have far bigger problems then less then frigid pop....
04-18-2008, 10:42 PM
#10
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 54
2007 CHRYSLER PACIFICA TOURING
Got a ride in one for two days 16 hours total. I'm buying one
Got a ride in one for two days 16 hours total. I'm buying one
