Yawn - 'nother new car thread

Baron G

Baron G

Baron G

Associate
Joined
10 Dec 2004
Posts
320
Location
Irvine, California
OK, I might be about to lose any credibility I have on this thread but I'm looking for a new car and I thought I'd get some opinions on my short list.

First a bit of background. I moved to Southern California about a year ago. When I got here, in a fit of patriotism, I bought a Freelander. I do a lot of skiing and the 4x4 is great for winter mountain driving. However, my attention span with cars is short at the best of times, but the Freelander is boring me after an unsually short time. The cabin is very 1990's, the V6 is underpowered, thirty (~19mpg) and made by Rover (spare parts worries) and the BMW auto box sluggish. Also the warrenty expires in a month or two and Freelanders don't have the best reliability record in the business. In short, its time to change again.

I like the elevated SUV driving position, but its not essential. What is important is decent performance and comfortable ride. The roads here are straight and often poorly paved so ride comfort is more important than handling. 4X4 is a must, but only for driving in snow and ice - I don't need a Defender. Also, it needs to have enough room for various sporting kit and very soon lots of baby paraphenalia :eek: .

Cars I've thought about and discounted are:

All Subarus - couldn't live with the looks and impending fatherhood rules out anything that would lead me so badly astray ;) .
Any truck based SUV - too agricultural
Audi A3 3.2 Quattro - snow chains don't fit
Golf R32 - Mk5 not on sale here yet (and may well have same snow chain issue as the Audi). Mk4s are silly money second hand.
Nissan Murano - only sells here with awful CVT tranny.

So, my current shortlist is:

New Toyota RAV4 Limited 4x4 V6 (269HP 3.5 litre) clicky
Mazda CX7 Touring I4 Turbo (244HP 2.3 liter) clicky


I've driven the Toyota and was very impressed. Waiting for CX7s to arrive at dealers for a test drive but, from the pictures I like the styling.

What do you lot think?

<retreats from impending SUV flames>

Cheers,
G
 
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I'm surprised you discounted the Subaru Outlander so quickly. Would seem like a good option.
Bearing in mind where you are, surely a US Jeep or similar would make financial sense, they probably cost peanuts over there.
 
Not sure about prices in the US but have you thought about something like the Volvo XC90?

The T6 version is 272bhp but even the 185bhp D5 diesel is suposed to be a great piece of kit and very economical at ~34mpg
 
[DOD]Asprilla said:
The T6 version is 272bhp but even the 185bhp D5 diesel is suposed to be a great piece of kit and very economical at ~34mpg
Click to expand...

XC90 is a bit out of my budget (~$30k), but I do love them. Also, the State of California does not allow you to buy diesels. In fact, only VW (Jetta, Passat and Toureg) and Jeep (Liberty/Cherokee) sell them - and they're low powered versions. I think I read there's too much sulphur in US Diesel for most European spec engines.
 
Baron G said:
XC90 is a bit out of my budget (~$30k), but I do love them. Also, the State of California does not allow you to buy diesels. In fact, only VW (Jetta, Passat and Toureg) and Jeep (Liberty/Cherokee) sell them - and they're low powered versions. I think I read there's too much sulphur in US Diesel for most European spec engines.
Click to expand...

Pity, and there are not many second hand ones around either. Volvo owners are nothing if not loyal and most enjoy running their cars into the ground for several 100k before getting a new one.

Most of the second hand ones I've seen hve been bought back by dealers because there are still waiting lists for new ones.

At the moment it's what I'm looking at in a few years once the 2nd hand market has developed a bit more.
 
Landrover Discovery 3 - designed for the american market so should fit right in. Not enitrely sure on your budget or the american prices though so might be too $$$.
 
Slime101 said:
Landrover Discovery 3 - designed for the american market so should fit right in. Not enitrely sure on your budget or the american prices though so might be too $$$.
Click to expand...

The 'LR3' as its known here is great but too expensive - starts at ~$39000 new and not many second-hand yet. Also 15mpg is a bit excessive - even at yank fuel prices.

I though about an Evo, but the ride would be murderous on the roads here and I don't get to drive on interesting roads often enough (if at all) to compensate. Also the service intervals are too low - I do a lot of miles.

I'm erring towards the RAV. The V6 was impressive (0-60 in ~7.0secs) and ride very car like. With leather, the interior looks great and being a Toyota it should be rock solid. Only issue is the image. The new model is larger and a bit more 'chunky' looking, but I can't help thinking its still a RAV4 and still, therefore, a girls car. Doesn't help that the wife loves it :p
 
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