Originally Posted By fkurucz >>The Impala offers great value. For a large roomy vehicle. These cars have pushrod engines, these engines are a bit courser, but the advantage is that a pushrod is lower maintenance, these engines rev lower and require less maintenance on average then OHC's found in the competitors.<< Actually, from 2006 onward the Impalas have OHC engines (the 3.5 and 3.9). The venerable 3800 push rod (a very sturdy engine) is no longer offered on the Impala.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I've never trusted anything that CR puts in print. I used to read it occasionally, but found their reviews to be way off the mark with my real-life experience with some products. I rarely find problems with the products I have purchased. I've never had problems with any vehicle I have purchased over the past 12 years as a vehicle owner. Some of their findings just don't seem to add up>> CR's tests are conducted to find the best product for the money. When the Toyota so-and-so is chosen as #1, it doesn't mean the Chevy such-and-such is a bad car. In actuality, they rate most cars as at least good. For instance, in the current issue is small SUV's. Save for one, which only ranked 'fair,' every other vehicle was 'good' or 'very good.' As for the ratings of reliabilty, those _are_ real world results. They are based on feedback from readers. But again, if you look at their rankings, they often don't point to any product as being unacceptable. For example, they show Hotpoint brand electric ranges as having the lowest repair rate at 5%, while Jenn-Air has the highest at 15%.
Originally Posted By Minnie1955 ok so turns out that the rental I've been driving these past couple days is a Caliber and I didn't even realize it (duh, shows how stupid I am about cars). I don't mind it, but I'm not in love with it. Dh doesn't care for it at all. The next chance we'll get to test drive cars will be tomorrow. He mentioned he'd be interested in looking at the Impala, and now I'm a little curious about the Odyssey. Wish us luck How exactly does online buying from a dealer work? Would last year's models still be available? I'm still sad about my car though... *sigh* I've had that thing since high school.
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess I own a 2006 Camry XLE V6, have two kids, and absolutely love it. It's very comfy, and with the leather seats, spills clean up easily. I get 34 mpg. It drives nicer than any car I have ever owned. If gas prices weren't so high, I would've gone with a Sequoia, just to have more room. My husband has owned his own mechanic shops now for over 20 years and has worked on every car imaginable. If you buy American, specifically Ford, he will tell you to buy the extended warranty - mainly for the transmissions (although God knows everything under the sun went out in my '99 Ford Windstar, even the rack and pinion steering at 50k miles). His first recommendation above all else would be a Toyota or a Honda. Secondly would probably be a Nissan or Mazda, and then maybe a Chevy.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Minnie, I'm not sure about the online buying for an '06. If you are interested go to the honda or whatever website. You'll probably type in your zip to get dealers close to you. The process probably starts with picking the year, make and model. After test driving several models, making sure to tell the salesperson at each dealership that we were just looking, we decided on the Pilot. We did the same thing with our daughters Civic. We basically "built" our car online, color, moonroof, navigation system, etc. etc. The dealer e mailed back that he could get our exact car (we did this with 3 cars) within 2 days and were we interested? We e mailed back yes and set an appointment time. Went to the dealer and test drove it. Left for the afternoon to discuss it amongst ourselves Phoned back and said we'd take it. We set a time to pick up the car and fill out the paperwork. We could have bought the car that day but chose to wait to have them detail it as they typically would. Now that I think about it, with our daughters Civic we did buy it the day we test drove it. After test driving and a lot of research she knew exactly what she wanted. We built it online and they found it and got it for us the next day. She test drove it and we paid for it and she drove it home.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Minnie, one thing to consider is that after your kids get a little older, they'll want to bring friends along on outings from time to time as well. Sounds like you are a few years away from that, but sometimes the extra seats in a minivan really come in handy!
Originally Posted By avromark <<Actually, from 2006 onward the Impalas have OHC engines (the 3.5 and 3.9). The venerable 3800 push rod (a very sturdy engine) is no longer offered on the Impala>> The 3.5 and 3.9 are OHV not OHC, they are pushrods. They're basically an evolution of the 3.5 and 3.8 the 3.6 is the DOHC. the 3.5 is a "High Value" Engine with Continually variable valve timing . If you were to purchase an Accadian for example you'd have their new DOHC engine. Check their literature. If you like the Ody, you'll also like the Hyundai Entourage (This is the van my mom got to replace the Sienna). <a href="http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/07entourage.htm" target="_blank">http://www.canadiandriver.com/ testdrives/07entourage.htm</a> Generally Canadian Driver offers the most "real world" reports, Motortrend / Car & Driver tend to be more oriented towards the performance / luxury freak. Note that prices and trims from Canadian Driver will vary from American trims, however the basic vehicle is the same made in the same plants. Consider the CR-V <a href="http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/07crv.htm" target="_blank">http://www.canadiandriver.com/ articles/pw/07crv.htm</a> The Ody is the best minivan out there, but if price is sensitive you'd like the Hyundai. The Ody has the best nav system out there in a van, a back-up camera, the best engine (Leather Models only) and a nice remote. The Hyundai has the biggest DVD screen, 3rd row power window switches by the seat. Only the Hyundai and Kia has this. When you test drive a minivan or SUV, sit in the second and third rows, they'll have features only accessible there (Ie rear seat DVD/Radio/Climate controls, jacks for the X-Box or Wii) Also some vans/SUVs are more comfortable in the second row. If the Sienna was trouble free, we would have had more on trade and would have been able to get the Ody (Mom's first choice), but because it wasn't she had to get the Hyundai. Are you still considering the 300?
Originally Posted By avromark Oh and the Hyundai and the Kia are the only minivans with self supporting hoods. If you like cross overs the Freestyle is basically a short minivan with SUV styling. Aren't you glad this isn't confusing?
Originally Posted By Minnie1955 lol gee... not confusing at all Yes, I think dh has his heart set on the 300, but since I'll be the one driving it, he's being patient and encouraging me to see what else is out there so that I don't always think in the back of my mind that I "settled". Honestly, I did like the 300. It was *much* roomier inside than my 325i. I guess it was voted safest car last year too?... I just wanted to be able to test drive other cars "just in case" because I really have nothing else to compare it to except my old car. The only thing I didn't like was that it *felt* big while driving... ha... sounds stupid, but just pulling into the parking spot at the end of the test drive made me nervous because I couldn't see how far I had to pull in. But of course if I want a roomier car inside, I'll need to get used to this, right?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <No offense to anyone ... but why deal with the unreliability of anything other than Honda or Toyota?< depends what one wants it for -- I have driven BMW's for the last 12 + years and had no issues at all- and since 2003 at least - they come with all maintenance and service paid for for 4 yrs , 50,000 miles. Now I realize that it is a pricey alternative but I also do not own big hunking 7 series - I drive a 3 series and my wife a 5. But when I went to buy a car for my daughter heading off to college - she was given the option of a Corolla or a Civic - she opted for the Corolla and 55,000 miles later it was an excellent choice. Nice car for the money, perfect for what she uses it for, great mileage and solidly built. Minnie, as far as interior room, is your 325 pre body change ? I ask because i am 6'3" and 220 lbs and I can tell you the room in my 2006 330i is excellent - whereas my 2003 M3 was much tighter. Before you go to the 300 - make sure you drive the new 328i - I think you will be pleased.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think the 300 would be a great car. I own a Charger, which as Avro mentioned is the Dodge version of the 300. I've been very happy with my car and feels it offers a lot for the money -- especially room as you've noticed. As for Consumer Reports, I subscribe to the magazine and have for years. But I just use them as one more source of information and do not feel they are any more trustworthy than a variety of other sources. They are flat out biased in favor of Japanese cars. End of story. When you look at their "best bets" in used cars you will find some cars listed that show considerably more problems in the detail charts than cars that they did not list. And of course time after time, the poorer car making the list is a Japanese make and the better car left off is American.
Originally Posted By avromark <<Corolla or a Civic>> vb: Your daughter doesn't take after you does she? I'd imagine Corolla driver would prefer a Mercedes, they're both a bit to soft. (And yes i've driven E and C class, never a CLK, SLK or S Class though). I'd see a BMW family with a Civic, just a nicer handling, nicer car. That said I live in an area where commuters work at both the Civic and Corolla plants. The Corolla's just to mushy and staid. And yes I think the new 3-Series is nice, I'd take one over a C-Class any day. That said I may go for a Volvo S80 the day I go back to a car, that or a 300C. In terms of size you'll get used to it. Any car you choose after awhile should become second hat. I don't know anyone who's more comfortable in another car versus their own (comparable vehicles). Also don't compare say a Loaded Accord with a base Altima, if you're going to cross compare look at the equipment or price you'd actually buy. For some reason a more deluxe model always seems nicer
Originally Posted By Ursula Okay, call me crazy, but I have a Pontiac Grand Am and I just hit 106,000 miles and it's 12 years old. And both ilvdland and I have gone shooping in it and have not been able to fill the trunk. Problems? A few electrical ones eight years ago, and then last year I replaced the ball bearing thingies. I have been in three crashes with it (all from people into me, not me into others) and the hood has been replaced three times (once because a stage prop fell on it; explain THAT to insurance people!). But still, body design aside (I mean the styling is older, I don't have dings), it still looks good and runs really well. (Please don't tell me I've jinxed it!) So, am I the lucky one?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Minnie, as far as interior room, is your 325 pre body change ? I ask because i am 6'3" and 220 lbs and I can tell you the room in my 2006 330i is excellent - whereas my 2003 M3 was much tighter. Before you go to the 300 - make sure you drive the new 328i - I think you will be pleased.>> The Beemer is undoubtedly a wonderful automobile. The 3281 base model lists at about $8,500 more than the base 300, so you are paying for the luxury. The 300 is classified by Edmunds as a Large Sedan and the 328i as a compact sedan. Despite the Beemer being a considerably smaller car; the front head, shoulder and leg room are virtually identical to that of the 300. Where the 300 beats the 328i is in rear seat room, where across the board it is considerably larger than the Beemer. If money were no object which would I buy? The Beemer, of course. It 0-60's in 4.8 seconds while the 300 takes 6.9 seconds! But since money usually IS an object for me, I would probably buy the 300 which I believe is an excellent value.
Originally Posted By avromark ^^^ Any vehicle of any brand will last when properly maintained. The car that took me through college, also took care of me on a job that had a sizeable territory. (Michigan/Southwestern Ontario), I bought that car with over 198k on it (Hey what does $1000 get you?), yes I replaced the tranny, yes it went through some spindles/ball bearings, yes it went through 3 sets of tires, yes it needed shocks, but it took me well past 300k, and yes she was rusting slightly (under the windows, wheel wells, back hatch) and yes the paint was faded but she didn't strand me once. Then they decided to give me a company car, I loved it (Equinox). When I quit that job I had to buy a car, I bought a car that's supposed to be one of the most reliable on the planet (Camry). And that car did leave me stranded. Ursula who do you think you are posting at the same time as me? I think you earned those leopard ears J/K. Cars are a personal item, you should be happy with it. Everyones experience will be different. And if you have multiple dealers of the same brand, go to the one that will make you happy. A lady at work recently tried a different Jeep dealer, her experience went from bad to fairly tolerable.
Originally Posted By Minnie1955 >>>Minnie, as far as interior room, is your 325 pre body change ? <<<< I don't quite know what this means, but I'll wager that the answer is no. I'm 5'2", 100lbs, and my car fits me perfectly. It's tight for dh and for dd's car seat though. We didn't even consider looking at another BMW because we simply assumed it'd be out of our price range.... it'd be so nice to go back to a car that I already know though
Originally Posted By Minnie1955 >>but I'll wager that the answer is no wait... maybe the answer is yes...
Originally Posted By Minnie1955 >>And if you have multiple dealers of the same brand, go to the one that will make you happy<<< I just looked up where to find other Chrysler dealers in case the other cars we test drive don't work out for us and we do end up going for the 300. Out of curiousity though, the prices should remain the same from dealer to dealer, right?
Originally Posted By avromark Short answer: no. Long answer only if it's a brand that tends to sell at full MSRP or MSRP plus accessories (Ie Toyota). Depends on the vehicle in the 300, you should be able to get a better price by shopping around, don't let the sales man control the negotiations. Mention you will shop around if you feel you're getting dicked, ask for a quote in writing. Oh and did I mention I guarantee you someone else will be interested in the exact car your buying. I guarantee it. You'll find often when you walk away the salesperson (if they have your contact number, Ie they photocopied your licence for a test drive) will call you within a week, asking if your still interested. If you are trading in, DO NOT mention it until you have a firm price on the vehicle. DO NOT take any dealer installed rust protection, etc. Your better off going directly to Rust Chek/ Ziebart/Krown. Do not buy a car based on what payments you can afford. They will juggle the figures to make it fit. And yes this applies to American or Japanese cars (Part of the premium brand experience is a more "pleasurable" experience.) Dealers will never take a loss, you want more for your trade-in, they'll make it up in Extras or Interest Rate or Accessories etc. If you see a fee ask what it is. PDI = Pre Delivery Inspection. If the dealer is charging an "administration fee" ask them to remove it after negotiations or lower it. These are profit building items. Again this is universal practice (Not all dealers do it, but a lot do). DAP = Dealer Added Profit, yes some dealers add a fee for dealer added profit. If a vehicle is a "hot" model they will add accessories, wait for the model to quit being so "hot". Why pay more because it's in demand? Talk trade-in only after you have firm prices on everything else. And remember a contract is binding, don't sign until your satisfied and know all the terms, taxes, etc. Also make sure the term is what you agreed to. Ie is it 36 months or 72? If it is 72 remember will you be happy with this car in 5 years and not begrudge your payments? Don't buy a Dealer Demo - It's just a new car with minimal discount since a sales person or other dealer staff drove it. Have you also looked at prices of used 300's? A well maintained used Domestic with minimal mileage may save you money.
