drdj
12-03-2008, 08:51 AM
This is my first New Thread post - be nice please! I know it is quite lengthy, but I wanted to be thorough so I don't get posts saying "You need to give more information").
I have a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder that has 95,500 miles on it. I bought it new in October 1999. I have been the sole owner. Soon, I would like to sell it and get a new SUV. I live in the far northwest corner of Houston, TX. I do not use my car for off-roading or anything like that. I use it for driving to work, getting around town, and an occasional trip to Dallas. I like driving an SUV because I like sitting up higher so I can see around or over the traffic. Just makes me feel safer. Here is what I want:
1. Smooth ride. Would love to get a Lexus RX but can't afford it unless there is a REALLY good deal.
2. Safety! Of course the higher the safety ratings the better
3. Leather interior
4. Would like a navi system, but not a must
5. V-6 or V-8 - just need power so when I enter a freeway here in Houston, I don't get my rear end eaten off due to no acceleration.
6. Sun roof
7. Rear camera (back-up camera) - not a must
8. Alarm system (I assume basically all cars have this now?)
9. Hybrid or not - no preference really
10. Third row seat or not - doesn't really matter
11. Decent gas mileage - but not a huge issue as long as it doesn't guzzle like a Hummer!
12. 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive - doesn't make much difference, although I really don't need a 4-wheel drive since I do not live in an area where it snows and I do not do any off-roading.
13. If pre-owned, MUST have a good warranty and low mileage and preferably be certified by the dealer.
14. Prefer metallic colors like silver, ice blue, champagne/gold (this is what my Pathfinder is)
15. MUST offer a light-colored interior like light tan or light gray - dark colors are too hot in Texas
16. The rear seat(s) must fold down flat - not "roll up" like the Saturn Vue
17. MUST have a history of being reliable!! I am female and single and I know a fair amount about cars. I have changed an alternator or two, changed flat tires, changed my own oil, performed normal maintenance-type stuff, etc. So I am not totally ignorant. But being stranded on the side of the road is even more dangerous than it used to be for females. You get the picture. So a pre-owned car with a lot of mileage on it is not an option.
My Pathfinder has been a super SUV for me. I have had to spend less than $2000.00 on repairs other than normal wear and tear stuff (Kam seal broke on passenger side and was leaking oil, and the tensor associated with the timing belt "broke" and had to be replaced) in the whole 9 tears I have owned it. Sorry if my spelling of car parts is wrong. Hope you get the picture. If the new ones were shaped differently, and if they had a smoother ride, I would have no problem getting another one.
Anyway, I like the look of my Pathfinder. Now the Pathfinders are chopped off square in the rear, which I hate! I like the shape of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the ride is too rough for me. I am always thinking ahead and that is why a Lexus or Acura would be nice for the resale value! Plus I do like the ride (I guess because they are on a car axle and not a truck axle?).
I have also ridden in an Acura MDX. Nice, but I do not care for the body of it really. I have not ridden in a Toyota 4Runner in a couple of years. But when I did, I did not like the rough ride. Felt a little "tank-ish" to me. Also, I don't really like the 4Runner's body either. I do not want a Saturn Vue - several friends have those and they have not been very happy.
I do not like the "murano look". What I mean is I don't care for the squished-down looking SUV. Even the Lexus RX is a little more "squished down" than I would like.
Hopefully I have given you a decent idea of my needs in an SUV. As far as money, I am just beginning my search for a new car. So I have not set a limit because I do not know what is reasonable yet. But a $50,000.00 car is not in the budget! I will bend on the body look of the car if it has the other things I want. Due to many unfortunate happenings in my life in the last year, my budget is hurting (Hurricane Ike, hospital bills, etc). I have impeccable credit and no excessive debt and a good job. So financing shouldn't be a problem. Also would need to sell or trade-in my Pathfinder.
I do not care to haggle! I will if I have to. But we all know when they see a female coming, they change their tactics. I went to drive a Lexus last year and my dad went with me. I told the car salesman I was interested in test-driving an RX. As we walked the lot, he only talked to my dad. HELLLLLLLOOOOOO!! I am the one wanting to buy!!! I told him he just blew a sale and I would buy my car elsewhere. HOW RUDE!!! We (females) all aren't idiots when it comes to car purchasing!
So, bottom line -- my questions are:
1. What month or day would be the best day to buy? I know sometimes dealerships have quotas and will drop prices to meet those quotas.
2. What SUV do you think would meet my needs the best?
3. Anyone seen any deals in my area on SUVs?
4. Any advice would be great - please don't just say "Don't buy a XXXXXX SUV". Please give me good reasons. I don't want this to be an invitation for people to argue over car brands. I am asking for help on getting a good deal on a mid-sized SUV. I take great care of my car. I want my next one to last at least as long as my Pathfinder has! But I am a fellow-SDer. So I would love to get a really Slick Deals on a new SUV!!!! Can you help??
Thanks!
I have a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder that has 95,500 miles on it. I bought it new in October 1999. I have been the sole owner. Soon, I would like to sell it and get a new SUV. I live in the far northwest corner of Houston, TX. I do not use my car for off-roading or anything like that. I use it for driving to work, getting around town, and an occasional trip to Dallas. I like driving an SUV because I like sitting up higher so I can see around or over the traffic. Just makes me feel safer. Here is what I want:
1. Smooth ride. Would love to get a Lexus RX but can't afford it unless there is a REALLY good deal.
2. Safety! Of course the higher the safety ratings the better
3. Leather interior
4. Would like a navi system, but not a must
5. V-6 or V-8 - just need power so when I enter a freeway here in Houston, I don't get my rear end eaten off due to no acceleration.
6. Sun roof
7. Rear camera (back-up camera) - not a must
8. Alarm system (I assume basically all cars have this now?)
9. Hybrid or not - no preference really
10. Third row seat or not - doesn't really matter
11. Decent gas mileage - but not a huge issue as long as it doesn't guzzle like a Hummer!
12. 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive - doesn't make much difference, although I really don't need a 4-wheel drive since I do not live in an area where it snows and I do not do any off-roading.
13. If pre-owned, MUST have a good warranty and low mileage and preferably be certified by the dealer.
14. Prefer metallic colors like silver, ice blue, champagne/gold (this is what my Pathfinder is)
15. MUST offer a light-colored interior like light tan or light gray - dark colors are too hot in Texas
16. The rear seat(s) must fold down flat - not "roll up" like the Saturn Vue
17. MUST have a history of being reliable!! I am female and single and I know a fair amount about cars. I have changed an alternator or two, changed flat tires, changed my own oil, performed normal maintenance-type stuff, etc. So I am not totally ignorant. But being stranded on the side of the road is even more dangerous than it used to be for females. You get the picture. So a pre-owned car with a lot of mileage on it is not an option.
My Pathfinder has been a super SUV for me. I have had to spend less than $2000.00 on repairs other than normal wear and tear stuff (Kam seal broke on passenger side and was leaking oil, and the tensor associated with the timing belt "broke" and had to be replaced) in the whole 9 tears I have owned it. Sorry if my spelling of car parts is wrong. Hope you get the picture. If the new ones were shaped differently, and if they had a smoother ride, I would have no problem getting another one.
Anyway, I like the look of my Pathfinder. Now the Pathfinders are chopped off square in the rear, which I hate! I like the shape of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the ride is too rough for me. I am always thinking ahead and that is why a Lexus or Acura would be nice for the resale value! Plus I do like the ride (I guess because they are on a car axle and not a truck axle?).
I have also ridden in an Acura MDX. Nice, but I do not care for the body of it really. I have not ridden in a Toyota 4Runner in a couple of years. But when I did, I did not like the rough ride. Felt a little "tank-ish" to me. Also, I don't really like the 4Runner's body either. I do not want a Saturn Vue - several friends have those and they have not been very happy.
I do not like the "murano look". What I mean is I don't care for the squished-down looking SUV. Even the Lexus RX is a little more "squished down" than I would like.
Hopefully I have given you a decent idea of my needs in an SUV. As far as money, I am just beginning my search for a new car. So I have not set a limit because I do not know what is reasonable yet. But a $50,000.00 car is not in the budget! I will bend on the body look of the car if it has the other things I want. Due to many unfortunate happenings in my life in the last year, my budget is hurting (Hurricane Ike, hospital bills, etc). I have impeccable credit and no excessive debt and a good job. So financing shouldn't be a problem. Also would need to sell or trade-in my Pathfinder.
I do not care to haggle! I will if I have to. But we all know when they see a female coming, they change their tactics. I went to drive a Lexus last year and my dad went with me. I told the car salesman I was interested in test-driving an RX. As we walked the lot, he only talked to my dad. HELLLLLLLOOOOOO!! I am the one wanting to buy!!! I told him he just blew a sale and I would buy my car elsewhere. HOW RUDE!!! We (females) all aren't idiots when it comes to car purchasing!
So, bottom line -- my questions are:
1. What month or day would be the best day to buy? I know sometimes dealerships have quotas and will drop prices to meet those quotas.
2. What SUV do you think would meet my needs the best?
3. Anyone seen any deals in my area on SUVs?
4. Any advice would be great - please don't just say "Don't buy a XXXXXX SUV". Please give me good reasons. I don't want this to be an invitation for people to argue over car brands. I am asking for help on getting a good deal on a mid-sized SUV. I take great care of my car. I want my next one to last at least as long as my Pathfinder has! But I am a fellow-SDer. So I would love to get a really Slick Deals on a new SUV!!!! Can you help??
Thanks!