Author Topic: Another SUV/CUV buying decision coming up... (Read 3148 times)

Craig · « **on:** September 25, 2007, 02:35:48 pm »

The lease on the X-Trail comes due in February, but we want to narrow down our choices by November. December is crazy with Christmas and a family holiday, and January/February are skiing months with no time on weekends to crawl around vehicles, so October and November it is.

The X-Trail will be near the 72,000 km allotment (bonus), and is pretty free of dents and scratches (knock on wood). The buyout is about $15K plus taxes, which isn't great, but not bad, either.

We like the visibility, fuel economy, cargo capacity and snow-going ability of the cute ute. It is my wife's daily driver on 401 (she goes back to work in January), and the ski weekend go-anywhere-in-snow hauler, and does it well.

We don't like how our child seat has to be on one side of the back seat or the other (fits perfectly in the middle seat in my TSX, where the four LATCH hooks are evenly spaced). We also would prefer side curtain airbags and perhaps a more substantial vehicle. Would prefer 5 speed transmission and the fuel savings.

I would consider buying out the X-Trail if something better is coming down the pipe. What about the new diesels?

Right now, I'm considering at looking at the Outback, Highlander, Pilot, Rogue, CX-7/9 (but wife hates Ford and Mazda), and after that...

Thoughts?

Snowman · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2007, 02:40:21 pm »

The Outback, Highlander, Pilot, and CX-7/9 are on our short list for the same reasons other than skiing weekends. I like the lower centre of gravity, handling, and safety features of the Outback at this moment which places at the top of the list. An XT with the MT5 would be fun

tortoise · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2007, 03:50:00 pm »

The Mitsubishi Outlander has received some great reviews. If it weren't for the wifes distaste for Mazda I'd suggest trying to find a Mazda6 wagon.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:04:11 pm »

Expedition MAX
Suburban
H2
Armada

Brigitte · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:08:36 pm »

Santa Fe?

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:37:38 pm »

Quote from: Brigitte on September 25, 2007, 04:08:36 pm

Santa Fe?

If I were buying now I'd probably go Santa Fe GL 3.3L AWD. They just need to punch a damn sunroof in it

But you can buy a loaded GLS for less than most of the vehicles you mentioned so no biggie there.

Next year, well...

Craig · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2007, 06:27:02 pm »

Quote from: Brigitte on September 25, 2007, 04:08:36 pm

Santa Fe?

Know what I don't like about the Santa Fe? The name. Stupid, I know. I'll take a look at one. My wife is not a fan of sunroofs. Guess it's her long hair.

SirA, no.

The Outlander? I have my reservations about the dealership and distribution network in Canada. We'll see.

Brigitte · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2007, 06:59:33 pm »

Quote from: Craig on September 25, 2007, 06:27:02 pm

Know what I don't like about the Santa Fe? The name.

That's rich, coming from someone who owns a Sextrail and a T-Sex.

1TSX · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2007, 07:09:26 pm »

Quote from: Brigitte on September 25, 2007, 06:59:33 pm

Quote from: Craig on September 25, 2007, 06:27:02 pm
Know what I don't like about the Santa Fe? The name.

That's rich, coming from someone who owns a Sextrail and a T-Sex.

The Santa Fe doesn't come with a MT. I'd say the Outback (2.5i or XT).

dave 2 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2007, 07:11:50 pm »

Outlook/Acadia (but no MT)

airbalancer · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2007, 07:35:55 pm »

Quote from: Craig on September 25, 2007, 06:27:02 pm

My wife is not a fan of sunroofs. Guess it's her long hair.

What would hair have to do with a sunroof?

sailor723 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2007, 07:40:40 pm »

If you're willing to go stateside I'd suggest a new Sub Tribeca

Julie · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:22:14 pm »

Sounds like, overall, the XTrail is doing a good job at what it was bought for....

Is your wife itching for a new car?

Otherwise, it does sound like a good car to keep.....

If going the new vehicle route, my personal likes are Sante Fe or Veracruz, Outlook/Acadia twins...

Craig · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:45:51 pm »

Quote from: sailor723 on September 25, 2007, 07:40:40 pm

If you're willing to go stateside I'd suggest a new Sub Tribeca

It used to be butt-ugly, but I may have to take a closer look.

The GM triplets? Seems they are better than the earlier Envoy/Trailblazer effort, but still lousy on gas.

Know what? I'm gonna test drive one. Maybe this weekend. Win some points with Barrie.

y2chuck · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:54:33 pm »

Used Liberty diesel?
Patriot?

Both would be great in the snow and good on gas.

AWD Equinox/Torrent? We love the fact the rear seats slide in our Torrent so there's lots of room between the car seats and the back of our seatbacks (read: no chance of the kids kicking the back of our seats...)

Craig · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:16:41 am »

Quote from: Julie on September 25, 2007, 08:22:14 pm

Sounds like, overall, the XTrail is doing a good job at what it was bought for....

Is your wife itching for a new car?

Otherwise, it does sound like a good car to keep.....

You know, it is doing a good job. Part of the new car itch is that with recent incentives, a new X-Trail XE isn't (Wasn't? Can you still buy them?) a whole lot more, which makes the buyout a rather poor deal. Past 72K, we'll be getting into tires, brakes, and other maintenance costs. Because we have snow tires for the X-Trail, I'm sure the OEM tires will have enough tread remaining to pass inspection when returning the vehicle.

Finally, as new parents, we would prefer to surround our little bundle of joy with, if at all possible, a Sherman tank. I like the X-Trail, I don't think it is an unsafe vehicle, but it is not as sunstantial in feel as, say, a Volvo. Crazy Parent Syndrome? Maybe.

I know I said that the baby seat doesn't fit in the middle of the back seat, but if we have a second child, then we have to put them both in the seats next to doors, so that's kind of a moot point now that we think of it. Another reason to keep it.

I'm starting to think we'll probably keep the X, but we're going to look this fall. I hope we meet some interesting salesmen. They're much more fun to torment.

ovr50 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:38:57 am »

Craig - "Finally, as new parents, we would prefer to surround our little bundle of joy with, if at all possible, a Sherman tank. I like the X-Trail, I don't think it is an unsafe vehicle, but it is not as sunstantial in feel as, say, a Volvo. Crazy Parent Syndrome? Maybe."

Not picking on you, Craig, but that is exactly the reason that our streets, school areas and soccer field areas are jammed with Hummers, Escalades, BIG pick-ups, Suburbans, etc. It is not the correct answer to continue to build and buy bigger and bigger vehicles as any thinking person knows. It's a continually escalating (not pun intended) go-round.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:42:01 am »

Can you find a new Bonavista for $24 and return the lease early?

I think if it's served you well it's a good vehicle to keep though.

AVToller · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:45:55 am »

Quote from: ovr50 on September 28, 2007, 11:38:57 am

Craig - "Finally, as new parents, we would prefer to surround our little bundle of joy with, if at all possible, a Sherman tank. I like the X-Trail, I don't think it is an unsafe vehicle, but it is not as sunstantial in feel as, say, a Volvo. Crazy Parent Syndrome? Maybe."

Not picking on you, Craig, but that is exactly the reason that our streets, school areas and soccer field areas are jammed with Hummers, Escalades, BIG pick-ups, Suburbans, etc. It is not the correct answer to continue to build and buy bigger and bigger vehicles as any thinking person knows. It's a continually escalating (not pun intended) go-round.

Craig · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:51:20 am »

Quote from: ovr50 on September 28, 2007, 11:38:57 am

Craig - "Finally, as new parents, we would prefer to surround our little bundle of joy with, if at all possible, a Sherman tank. I like the X-Trail, I don't think it is an unsafe vehicle, but it is not as sunstantial in feel as, say, a Volvo. Crazy Parent Syndrome? Maybe."

Not picking on you, Craig, but that is exactly the reason that our streets, school areas and soccer field areas are jammed with Hummers, Escalades, BIG pick-ups, Suburbans, etc. It is not the correct answer to continue to build and buy bigger and bigger vehicles as any thinking person knows. It's a continually escalating (not pun intended) go-round.

I'm only talking about a metaphorical Sherman tank. I would consider the X-Trail a rather light vehicle with a top-heavy appearance. That said, I just started looking into crash test ratings for the X. The Euro NCAP rating is four stars (out of five), so I'm a little more at ease (though that was for a side curtain airbag model). I don't want a Hummer (down, Saf), but side curtain airbags would be nice.

You guys aren't particularly adept at detecting sarcasm, are you?