Buying a used car or leasing a new car

[Lee3691]

Originally Posted by JRS1386

So my decided she does want a SUV so we narrowed it down to the Ford Escape because Ford is doing a 0% financing + cash back bonus for Memorial Day. With that being said is it possible to still work the dealers down from their sticker price or do you think it’s wasted effort because of their deals?

Man, for a smart guy, no one ever taught you how to a buy a car. Once you find the car you like (and I like Japanese cars myself, but even if you stick to the Ford), contact 3 dealers, and tell them the exact vehicle / exact package, and ask for their best price. Let them know you are buying before June 1 to take advantage of the current offers. You should be paying well below sticker, usually invoice + a few hundreds bucks. When asking for best price, ask them to include the invoice price.

Side note - usually the best time to buy a new car is at the end of the month. And even better time is the end of the fiscal quarter (March 31st / June 30th / September 30th / December 31st). And I know for Japanese carmakers, their fiscal year ends on March 31, so that is probably the best time to buy a Japanese car.

[Tiduwho]

Originally Posted by JRS1386

What were your issues with the Escape? All the reviews I have read were positive as well.

Lots of small things that became more noticeable when driving 4 cars back to back. Things we know will be annoying over time:

Seats ok, but not nearly as comfortable as others. Bad for back on long rides.
Turning signal sound unusually loud
Shorter, less backseat room
Vents just ok at best
Dont like fan up down buttons, on opposite sides of console, dumb
Screen very basic (and this was 2017, in 2016 and prior touchscreen was apparently horrible)
Annoying wiper sticks on steering wheel, confusing
Dont like exterior style as much as others
Much less room in back hatchback
Basic storage lift up, others have compartments


Pros
Quiet running
Smooth transmission (Santa Fe Sports CVT rough gear changes by comparison)
Huge sunroof (like the whole ceiling)

[comeandsee41]

i just rented a sante fe to drive to LA from SD. i really liked it, terrific gas mileage. i have an elantra now but not at all married to buying another hyundai - in fact i always prefered honda's. but the santa fe was a really smooth ride. gonna test drive the CRV next and see what i like.

[comeandsee41]

so im still in the market for an SUV. we have a 7 month old baby. we need a nice/safe SUV that can sit grandma and grandpa in the back with baby+ car seat in the middle. at first we thought 3rd row seating was the way to go (pathfinder, pilot, etc..). but now we're not sure if that necessary. any folks out there had a similar debate?

[mandy18]

Originally Posted by comeandsee41

so im still in the market for an SUV. we have a 7 month old baby. we need a nice/safe SUV that can sit grandma and grandpa in the back with baby+ car seat in the middle. at first we thought 3rd row seating was the way to go (pathfinder, pilot, etc..). but now we're not sure if that necessary. any folks out there had a similar debate?

I had an enclave and used the 3rd row less than 5 times.
However, we recently just went through this debate and looked at almost every 3rd row vehicle out there. Every single one, we found either the 3rd row was so incredibly small that only a small child would comfortably fit, there wasn't enough cargo or there wasn't enough leg room between the driver and the 2nd row. Granted, the driver in my instance is 6'4. We thought we were going to really like the escape, but it was eliminated based on the not enough room between 2nd row and driver.

I did like the expedition platinum (though it felt like I was driving a small cargo van or mini bus) and the armada, but didn't want to buy either new and weren't happy with the technology if we went used.

The highlander also has a decent bit of room for a 3rd row suv and if you get the hybrid, it gets incredible gas mileage. We just didn't like it enough.

So, we scrapped the 3rd row. My husband has a sedan, I just have a regular SUV.

[comeandsee41]

Originally Posted by mandy18

I had an enclave and used the 3rd row less than 5 times.
However, we recently just went through this debate and looked at almost every 3rd row vehicle out there. Every single one, we found either the 3rd row was so incredibly small that only a small child would comfortably fit, there wasn't enough cargo or there wasn't enough leg room between the driver and the 2nd row. Granted, the driver in my instance is 6'4. We thought we were going to really like the escape, but it was eliminated based on the not enough room between 2nd row and driver.

I did like the expedition platinum (though it felt like I was driving a small cargo van or mini bus) and the armada, but didn't want to buy either new and weren't happy with the technology if we went used.

The highlander also has a decent bit of room for a 3rd row suv and if you get the hybrid, it gets incredible gas mileage. We just didn't like it enough.

So, we scrapped the 3rd row. My husband has a sedan, I just have a regular SUV.

100%.

It's ass to ankles back there. i rather gain more room in the 2nd row and a nice sized trunk than to squish people back there.

what SUV do you have?

[ExistenceNow]

Oh shit yea, we got a Lyft Plus in Nashville and the dude showed up with one of those tiny 3rd row SUV's. My buddy and I drew the short straws and had to sit back there. I'm 6'2" and he's 6'1". It was fucking miserable. They shouldn't allow that to be considered a Plus on Lyft.

[mandy18]

Originally Posted by comeandsee41

100%.

It's ass to ankles back there. i rather gain more room in the 2nd row and a nice sized trunk than to squish people back there.

what SUV do you have?

I went with an x3.
It's on the smaller size, but it works for us. My husband has enough rewards from traveling for business that we rent a large SUV for free/next to nothing when we need a large suv.

Originally Posted by ExistenceNow

Oh shit yea, we got a Lyft Plus in Nashville and the dude showed up with one of those tiny 3rd row SUV's. My buddy and I drew the short straws and had to sit back there. I'm 6'2" and he's 6'1". It was fucking miserable. They shouldn't allow that to be considered a Plus on Lyft.

I will get really anxious if I don't have a door handle beside me, so I can't sit in the 3rd row no matter the vehicle. I hated being stuck in even the backseat of coupes.

[Cscottrun]

Originally Posted by Tiduwho

We are currently looking at used 2015-2017 small SUVs for the wife. Test drove Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Ford Escape, Toyota Rav4, and Nissan Rogue.

Easy to rank the 4 after test drive and seeing them in person:

Santa Fe Sport
Rogue (very close)

Rav4



Ford Escape


I had high hopes for the Escape based off reviews, but we hated it. I made lists of pros and cons during the test drive, and it was about 10 cons on the Escape.

Next up on thursday:

Kia Sorrento
Suburu Forrester
Honda CrV

Santa Fe Sport and Rogue still in the running. Read great things about 2016 Kia Sorrento and Suburu Forrester. And Honda CrV was what I had originally pegged.

What about the Jeep Compass?

[scrock25]

I know that there is a very large contingent of Jeep fanboys out there, but comparatively speaking Jeeps are garbage.

[TheLastStop123]

I am so dumb. cars are such a terrible investment, especially expensive ones, and yet I can't help but long for a new one even after just paying off my Kia. Been looking at SUVs and the Jaguar F-Pace is absolutely gorgeous.

[DMBstandUP1984]

Originally Posted by Tiduwho

We are currently looking at used 2015-2017 small SUVs for the wife. Test drove Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Ford Escape, Toyota Rav4, and Nissan Rogue.

Easy to rank the 4 after test drive and seeing them in person:

Santa Fe Sport
Rogue (very close)

Rav4



Ford Escape


I had high hopes for the Escape based off reviews, but we hated it. I made lists of pros and cons during the test drive, and it was about 10 cons on the Escape.

Next up on thursday:

Kia Sorrento
Suburu Forrester
Honda CrV

Santa Fe Sport and Rogue still in the running. Read great things about 2016 Kia Sorrento and Suburu Forrester. And Honda CrV was what I had originally pegged.

my wife just got the new Forrester. she likes it

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by scrock25

I know that there is a very large contingent of Jeep fanboys out there, but comparatively speaking Jeeps are garbage.

My Grand Cherokee Overland is fucking awesome, not sure what you've heard but I couldn't be happier with it. Absolute beast in the snow, handles like a dream, tons of features and tech. I'll probably never drive anything other than a Jeep ever again.

[comeandsee41]

Just
Empty
Every
Penny

that's what my buddy used to say. very hard cars to maintain. but he also had a wrangler, so maybe that stigma was about those

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by comeandsee41

Just
Empty
Every
Penny

that's what my buddy used to say. very hard cars to maintain. but he also had a wrangler, so maybe that stigma was about those

Haven't had any problems in a few years, only recalls which are of course taken care of for free by the dealer. And it also depends on how you drive, if your buddy had a Wrangler that was modded for offroading and he was beating it up every weekend, then yeah of course things will go wrong more frequently.

[comeandsee41]

nah he didnt do much off-roading. not sure how much he reaaaally took care of it, but it seemed like it was always breaking down.

the new line of jeeps look sick though

[scrock25]

Originally Posted by DMBstandUP1984

my wife just got the new Forrester. she likes it

Consistently rated #1 in it's class, CRV #2.

[scrock25]

Originally Posted by M. Steng

My Grand Cherokee Overland is fucking awesome, not sure what you've heard but I couldn't be happier with it. Absolute beast in the snow, handles like a dream, tons of features and tech. I'll probably never drive anything other than a Jeep ever again.

I'm very happy that you're happy with your Jeep

I'm not really referencing what I hear, I'm referencing what I've read, rankings, articles, etc... Jeeps are pretty much garbage.

[DMBstandUP1984]

Originally Posted by scrock25

Consistently rated #1 in it's class, CRV #2.

Really? That’s good to know..I only hung around for a few mins to test drive it.

She just wanted something safe

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by scrock25

I'm very happy that you're happy with your Jeep

I'm not really referencing what I hear, I'm referencing what I've read, rankings, articles, etc... Jeeps are pretty much garbage.

You wouldn’t know it by driving around here. I feel like 25% of the cars on the road around me are Jeeps. Legit see another one every time I drive even just down to the grocery store.

[scrock25]

Can’t disagree with that.

Unfortunately I don’t think a majority of people do a ton of research outside of up front cost when buying a new vehicle.

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by scrock25

Can’t disagree with that.

Unfortunately I don’t think a majority of people do a ton of research outside of up front cost when buying a new vehicle.

I did a lot of research before I got mine, nothing about it perturbed me enough to discourage me from going through with it. And it’s held up great since I got it a few years ago. Maybe going a step up in the line helped that, and perhaps Laredo models break down quicker since they’re a few steps down? Honestly not sure. But the Overland package was worth every penny IMO.

[scrock25]

They’re a sharp looking lineup that’s for sure.

[scrock25]

Here’s a little of what I’m talking about, Mike. I’m not just pulling it out of my ass.

Most of that top 10 list are luxury lines until you get to Kia (amazingly ), Honda, and Toyota.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usa.../amp/418864002

[mandy18]

Just on personal experience, I love Jeeps.
Over the years, I’ve owned several and never had issues.

Funny enough, I did have Subaru buy back 2 brand new Outbacks due to oil consumption and engine issues. When they bought the 2nd one back, I wouldn’t let them put me in another Subaru and I’ll never own one again.

On the latest US News rankings, the Grand Cherokee is tied at #5 in its class and has an overall score of 8.5/10, which the highlander at #1 only has an 8.7 overall and my x3 has the same overall of 8.5.

I wouldn’t buy certain models (mainly because I don’t like the look and / or size), but I’d buy a grand Cherokee overland, trailhawk, summit or srt.

[scrock25]

Just speaks volumes to me that Dodge, Ram, Jeep are all on Consumer Reports’ bottom 10 list.

Like I said, I know Jeep has a very loyal following, I’d just never buy one.

[Rodey]

I bought a 2014 Prius Four recently. Fucking love it.

[smokew11]

I've been a Honda person for years. Got an 03 Civic 5 spd in 2006 and never had any issues with is. Traded it in in 2016 for a 2013 Accord EX-L w/nav. Absolutely love it.

Wife has an 08 CRV. When we have a 2nd kid we're thinking of upgrading to the pilot for 3rd row. Absolutely love Honda. In 12 years of owning 3 different ones we haven't had to fix anything outside of regular maintenance

[scrock25]

Originally Posted by smokew11

I've been a Honda person for years. Got an 03 Civic 5 spd in 2006 and never had any issues with is. Traded it in in 2016 for a 2013 Accord EX-L w/nav. Absolutely love it.

Wife has an 08 CRV. When we have a 2nd kid we're thinking of upgrading to the pilot for 3rd row. Absolutely love Honda. In 12 years of owning 3 different ones we haven't had to fix anything outside of regular maintenance

Two way up!

Honda fanboy here. My ‘05 Civic LX is still a stud and it has less than 120k miles on it.

I’ve owned two CR-Vs too and am in love with them.

[neumdogg]

We are getting a Mazda this weekend. Never owned a Japanese car. Getting the CX-9.