Help me buy a new SUV

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Mar 18, 2009 | 03:32 PM

#136

mmarshall

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 94,226

Likes: 222

From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs

Quote:

This was evident in reactions to the problem of sludge in the engines of many Toyotas - a problem which Toyota, to its credit, eventually admitted and acted on. The Corolland forums were full of people claiming the problem was not real but simply in the minds of those who claimed they had it; and if was real, it was the fault of owners and not Toyota. We doubt they'd feel the same way if, say, Neons were victims of sludge.

The sludge/gel problem in the Toyota 3.0L V6 was real (I saw a number of examples of it, first-hand, in Toyota service bays), but generally happened only if you were lax in keeping the oil changed. If you changed it when you were supposed to, most of the time, you were OK. That particular engine, unlike most other Toyota/Lexus powerplants, due to small oil passages that made the oil run hot, simply was unforgiving of extended oil-drain intervals. You had to read the Owners' Manual and do what it says.....or use synthetic oil, which is more heat-resistant to breakdown.
And CR did not ignore this issue by any means.....they did several articles on it.

Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 18, 2009 at 03:35 PM.

Mar 18, 2009 | 07:42 PM

#137

joe80

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 1,439

Likes: 0

From: il

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexmenow

04 - 05 acura mdx and be done. Best suv I have ever had. Closed!!!!!!!

i had 03 MDX. it was great SUV. but i guess i got tired of it.

Mar 18, 2009 | 07:47 PM

#138

mmarshall

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 94,226

Likes: 222

From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe80

i had 03 MDX. it was great SUV. but i guess i got tired of it.

Agreed, Joe. The last-generation MDX, I thought, had a far better, richer-looking interior than the current model. It also had a slightly smoother ride, and, of course, didn't have these new, goofy-looking Acura grilles.

Mar 18, 2009 | 08:09 PM

#139

kit cat

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iTrader: (6)

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 6,571

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From: US

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coco-bun

yep, Certified Pre-Owned. You pay a little extra, but IIRC, Volvo covers 100% of repairs for 6 years/100k.

I have a Volvo S60R that is a CPO. So far, it has been maintenance free but they have covered everything thus far including a burned light bulb. But it does suck having to change the oil at the dealership (but not every 3k miles like my Lexus so that helps).

yep, about the only suggestion that hasnt been bashed by mmarshall or is-sv.

Mar 18, 2009 | 08:26 PM

#140

mmarshall

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 94,226

Likes: 222

From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coco-bun

yep, about the only suggestion that hasnt been bashed by mmarshall or is-sv.

IS-SV and I both have given a number of credible suggestions. I don't "bash" suggestions (he generally doesn't either), but will disagree with them if I feel they have flaws. I expect others to do the same with mine.

As far as CPO Volvos go, I agree....probably not a bad idea, but Volvos tend to have weakness in their electrical circuits. They burn out a fair number of bulbs and have socket, relay, and sometimes wiring problems.

Mar 18, 2009 | 10:36 PM

#141

IS-SV

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 14,100

Likes: 1

From: tech capital

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coco-bun

yep, about the only suggestion that hasnt been bashed by mmarshall or is-sv.

I know you are just kidding, lol.

Good one

But as mentioned, I tend to avoid bashing but I am not afraid to disagree, which isn't always to everyones liking.

I do like the CPO idea, which I can elaborate on later because I've owned plenty of them.

I do not like Volvos very much, I consider them "the box that safety comes in".

I have access to cheap new Volvos because of my family's connection to Ford, but I still have no interest in owning one.

May 26, 2009 | 08:34 AM

#142

Zeus69

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Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 530

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From: IL

Last week, I bought an '09 Toyota Highlander AWD Limited. Very happy so far with purchase. Thanks for the lively discussion

May 26, 2009 | 09:01 AM

#143

LexFather

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus69

Last week, I bought an '09 Toyota Highlander AWD Limited. Very happy so far with purchase. Thanks for the lively discussion

Thanks for the update and on the new vehicle!

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May 26, 2009 | 01:59 PM

#144

IS-SV

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 14,100

Likes: 1

From: tech capital

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus69

Last week, I bought an '09 Toyota Highlander AWD Limited. Very happy so far with purchase. Thanks for the lively discussion

Should be a reliable and practical rig.

May 27, 2009 | 04:03 AM

#145

rdgdawg

Pole Position

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 2,794

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From: Lake Country, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdgdawg

Consider a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe... #1 ranked large SUV 4 years running... I've driven the others, mileage is a little less but TONS of room, 3-row, HEATED rears, NAV, DVD, the works and will tow a house.

Closed the deal yesterday, LT2 Z71 package LOADED $50,038 w/ 5yr/75K extended warranty OUT THE DOOR!!! Other than a little less chrome it's an Escalalde for all intents and purposes

Chevy making HUGE deals for March... my Corvette Z06 deal I got is INSANE!!!

I'm going American, I DO want to help those guys and the quality HAS improved remarkably.. I would have NEVER said that 5 months ago... lots of research, service center discussions, and test drives changed my mind!

AMAZING how 3 months can change one's opinion... I wish to formally recant my post above in its entirety and state FTR American auto are off my list...

Good choice on Highlander... ever drive a Cayenne GTS...