Time for a new car

Posted: February 7th, 2008 | Author: admin | Filed under: Uncategorized | Comments

My lease is up in a couple months so I am heading to the Chicago auto show to find my next ride. I currently drive a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. It has been a good car but the engine is a little unrefined I am not sure if it is just my car or the engine in general. I am also not thrilled with the gas milage and premium fuel only requirement.

My needs for a car change in my head daily. With 3 kids & a dog a 7 passenger vehicle is nice to have. It is not really a necessity though. If I need to move the whole family I have a mini-van for that. I could live with a five passenger SUV. I need all wheel drive. This isn’t just a want it is a need. I only use all wheel drive occasionally but when I do I need it. Sometimes it is pull a boat out of the water or drive off the road to get a good photograph. Other times it is to get out of my neighborhood after a snow storm. After really big snows it can be days before my cul de sac gets plowed. Without all wheel drive we would be stuck at home. Before the Nissan I had an Audi A6. It had all wheel drive but couldn’t handle the snow in our caldesac or driving off road. I sold it after two years after it was getting trashed. From dinged rims from my wife hitting curbs to scratches from the kids. I just need a tougher vehicle. Something I can drive off road when I need to and not worry about hurting it. I also like the higher driving position of an SUV. You can see all of your options in traffic and jumping a curb or two to get where you need to go is a nice option. I also feel better when my wife travels knowing that she is probably safer in an SUV than a smaller car. It may not be completely true in crash tests but I know it is true in snow storms.

When I bought the car I got it from a dealer that provided good service and and was close to my house. I got a good deal and at the time we had two Nissan dealers in town and I am sure that helped. Now both dealers were purchased by the local mega dealer and I am not thrilled with the service I am now getting. I would still consider a Nissan but I am going to checkout all my options first. A little background. I have been into cars since the 3rd grade. If 100 cars past me on the street I am pretty sure I could name at least 99 of them without a problem. I am I read Autoblog, Jalopnik and most other car sites on the net daily so I am aware of most of my options. Sorry for all the rambling. The purpose of this post is to get feedback they will help with my decision.

So here are the contenders with some thoughts on why they made the list. Some of these will be removed from the list as soon as I see them at the show. Others may move up the list. Right now they are in no particular order.

Other things to consider. Gas Milage. Sure gas milage weighs into this. Probably not as much and you would think though. Since they are all SUVs gas milage varies between 17-22 (hwy) per gallon. I drive about 12,000 miles per year so the cost is about $40 per month from the best to the worst milage car. Not a big deal considering car payments could also vary considerably between cars base on residual values. 35K for one car could easily be $40 more or less than another 35K car based on residual values and incentives at the time of purchase.

Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Pathfinder.jpg

I don’t dislike my car but I like to change things up. I have never bought the same car twice. I have bought a similar car but it was after a redesign. I have always like my current car better than the last. The Pathfinder is still in the running but not a given for sure. Once thing I don’t like is the way they add options. You have to get the navigation system to get the bluetooth and push button start. I am up in the air about Navigation systems. I like the trip computer option and backup cameras that often come with them. I don’t like to spend $2,500 for something that a $300 Garmin does better and I can move it between cars.

Pros – Like the one I have. New interior seems nice

Cons – Gas Milage, price, not thrilled with the new dealer

Gas Milage (14/20-V6) (12/18-V8)

Nissan Pathfinder Armada

Nissan Patherfinder A.jpg

I like the big size of the Pathfinder Armada for on road but not in town maneuverability. The gas milage isn’t great either.

Pros – Full size. Plenty of room

Cons – Gas Milage, price, not as nimble as I would like. not thrilled with the new dealer

Gas Milage (12/17-V8)

Toyota Sequoia

I really like the new Sequoia, I would have to say it is tops on my list for full size SUVs in the group. The hard part is finding one for under 50K and not getting gouged by a dealer that can’t get any. My guess is I will pass on the Sequoia this time and buy one in a couple years to replace our mini-van. By then the kids will remember to shut the doors when they get out and be able to handle the doors without slamming them in to other cars in the parked next to us in the lot.

Pros – Like the new model styling. Won’t see my car at every stop light.

Cons – Gas Milage, price, not as nimble as I would like.

Gas Milage (13/18-V8)

Ford Edge

Ford Vehicles_ 2008 Ford Edge - The Ultimate Crossover-1.jpg

The Edge is an interesting vehicle. It has lots of cool features. The best sunroof of the bunch other than the Audio Q7. The Edge also features Microsoft sync. Sync looks cool on the surface, the question is how does it really work. I like the idea of connecting my ipod/iphone and hitting the road with all my tunes a voice command away. Two red flags on the Edge are the size (maybe to small) and the fact that it is a Ford. I don’t know why I have issues with Ford I just do. Nothing major, they just seem to make good cars and then screw up one simple element that ruins it for me. In this case it is the bright silver on the dash. One feature I do like on Ford is the keypad entry system. I hate walking out to my car to grab my sunglasses and find it is locked. It is also a great feature for dropping cars off for someone else to pick up. I actually do this more than you would think.

Pros – Microsoft sync, huge Vista roof, Nice size in traffic, Gas Milage

Cons – Front grill styling. only seats 5, May see yourself at every stop light. Not as durable off road.

Gas Milage (15/22-V6)

Lincoln MKX

2008 Lincoln Mark LT - Exterior Photo Gallery.jpg

I like some of the luxury features of the Lincoln, like the air conditioned seats and THX stereo. I also like the grill better but don’t like the other bling. I am pretty sure I am not old enough for a Lincoln just yet. Although I do like the monochrome package in black.

Pros Sky roof, air conditioned seats. Better grill than Edge

Cons – Not sure I am old enough for a Lincoln

Gas Milage (15/22-V6)

Ford Escape Hybrid

Ford Vehicles_ Escape Hybrid_ Enhanced 360 Views and Colorizer.jpg

The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner is the car of choice for the tree hugging politicians that can’t handle the dorkiness of the Prius. It has by far the most economical of my choices. I do question the capability and durability of these small SUV’s if I need to do any serious off roading

Pros Awsome gas milage

Cons – small and cheap

Gas Milage 29/27 Hybrid

Mercury Mariner

If I had to choose between the two. I would say I like the looks of the Mercury better.

Pros Awsome gas milage, Better looking than the Ford

Cons – small and cheap, Hard to find the Hybrid model

Gas Milage 29/27 Hybrid

GMC Acadia

Over all I like the looks of the Acadia but they seem to have some slight design awkwardness to them. The vehicle is bigger than it looks. It has more interior room than the Tahoe. I also like the gas milage estimate that are the highest in the group without a hybrid engine.

Pros – Dual moon roof, Gas Milage, lots of room. Cool heads up display

Cons – rear styling. May see yourself at every stop light.

Gas Milage (16/22-V6)

Chevrolet Suburban