22 replies to this topic

[Pedro Cerrano]

Well, technically used.  I know very little about cars but I've got it narrowed down to these two (I think).  Yes, they are very different but that just goes to show that I'm not in love with any one type of car.

Thoughts on either?

 

http://www.russelbmw...ccf764f6efb.htm

 

http://www.heritagej...aredo-v1424449/

[SportsGuy]

Do NOT buy a car from any Russell dealership...they are the worst and have a terrible reputation.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Do NOT buy a car from any Russell dealership...they are the worst and have a terrible reputation.

Interesting. Personal horror story?

[SportsGuy]

Interesting. Personal horror story?

No..but my brother had an issue with them years ago and I know they have a terrible rep.

My father in law(who is the fixed op director at the jeep dealership in Hunt Valley) used to work at the Westminster Toyota dealership....he said the Russell Toyota dealership has a bad rep even within the industry.

I did go up there recently to look at a 4runner and I had the worst customer service.

They have routinely had issues with customer service, not backing up what they say, etc....

I'm sure some have had good experiences but I know I wouldn't ever give them my money.

[SportsGuy]

Btw...I'm not sure about the 2012 but I know the 2013 GC gets good ratings....but I would sit in it.

I wasn't comfortable in it at all although the inside was nice.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Taking a test drive tomorrow.

[DuffMan]

I'd go with the BMW myself.

[SportsGuy]

I'd go with the BMW myself.

Its clearly the better car...its just a matter of mileage, what you want out of a car, etc...

[SportsGuy]

BTW...I will always recommend CarMax. 

 

They give you good deals and its the easiest car buying experience ever.  100 times better than any dealership.

[NewMarketSean]

My wife bought her VS EOS at a Russell dealership...didn't have any issues and she takes it there for service covered for the first 3 years.

 

I'm in the process of buying a new compact SUV. My '05 Mariner is leaking oil through the timing and valve cover gaskets and the rear diff is going up, making for a loud drive. I'm trying to stay under $30K but with all the feeeeexins the price is getting above that mark for some vehicles. I am looking at '13's mostly to take advantage of some of the year end incentives like 0.0% for 60 months.

 

So far I've test driven:

 

Hyundai Tuscon - not bad, a tad small but overall not a bad vehicle for the price and a great warranty.

 

Buick Encore - thought the luxury would overwhelm the small engine and space inside, but beside a heated steering wheel I was underwhelmed.

 

Kia Sportage - very similar to the Tuscon, same size, same warranty, but sportier inside and out with a 250 HP turbo engine.

 

Nissan Rogue - loved this. Absolutely loved it. Above my price range and they're offering no incentives on '14. I'm not crazy for the '13 and they re-did the whole vehicle for 2014.

 

Toyota Rav4 - I really liked this too. Lots of space inside but the ride wasn't as smooth as I expected from a Toyota.

 

I am going to look at Mazda CX5, Ford Edge & Escape tonight. I may also squeeze in the Focus ST since it's sporty as hell and I really like the look of it and it still has decent cargo room.

 

Basically it's going to come down to best price first, power and comfort second. My wife gets a deal from Ford through her work and my dad's best friend works at Kia so I am thinking he might be able to hook me up too, so it may come down between them but we're seeing some really great prices for Rav4's and they're sold new at the Laurel Carmax too.

[MKlein76]

My wife bought her VS EOS at a Russell dealership...didn't have any issues and she takes it there for service covered for the first 3 years.

 

I'm in the process of buying a new compact SUV. My '05 Mariner is leaking oil through the timing and valve cover gaskets and the rear diff is going up, making for a loud drive. I'm trying to stay under $30K but with all the feeeeexins the price is getting above that mark for some vehicles. I am looking at '13's mostly to take advantage of some of the year end incentives like 0.0% for 60 months.

 

So far I've test driven:

 

Hyundai Tuscon - not bad, a tad small but overall not a bad vehicle for the price and a great warranty.

 

Buick Encore - thought the luxury would overwhelm the small engine and space inside, but beside a heated steering wheel I was underwhelmed.

 

Kia Sportage - very similar to the Tuscon, same size, same warranty, but sportier inside and out with a 250 HP turbo engine.

 

Nissan Rogue - loved this. Absolutely loved it. Above my price range and they're offering no incentives on '14. I'm not crazy for the '13 and they re-did the whole vehicle for 2014.

 

Toyota Rav4 - I really liked this too. Lots of space inside but the ride wasn't as smooth as I expected from a Toyota.

 

I am going to look at Mazda CX5, Ford Edge & Escape tonight. I may also squeeze in the Focus ST since it's sporty as hell and I really like the look of it and it still has decent cargo room.

 

Basically it's going to come down to best price first, power and comfort second. My wife gets a deal from Ford through her work and my dad's best friend works at Kia so I am thinking he might be able to hook me up too, so it may come down between them but we're seeing some really great prices for Rav4's and they're sold new at the Laurel Carmax too.

Early last year when I was looking at the compact SUV's, I had compared a bunch like you have. I wound up narrowing my choices to the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and the Ford Escape. I was almost ready to get the Toyota RAV4 (great reviews), but I wound up getting the Ford Escape. At the time,Toyota wasn't offering any special financing and I was able to get the 0% from Ford. I have no complaints or issues with the Escape that I bought though.

 

Good luck!  

[JeremyStrain]

I can't give away too much online, but I can say that buying new cars is much different than it was a couple years ago. It's not about negotiating anymore because of the amount of information easily available online. It's all about incentives/rebates/and finance rates, so getting a good deal has much more to do with credit worthiness than negotiating a good sale price now.

[BSLZackKiesel]

My dad owns a 1997 BMW 3-series. He bought it in 1999. He currently has over 230,000 miles on it and it's still going very strong. Not all BMW's are very reliable, but the 3-series certainly is. Great car.

[SammyBirdland]

The Spanish pronunciation of "Jeep" is accurate.

[NewMarketSean]

So last night I test drove CX5, CRV and Jeep Cherokee.

Liked all 3 and especially loved the Jeep and liked the CRV much more than I thought I would since I always saw moms driving them and never saw any top trim versions of the car.

This morning I drove the 2014 Escape and a 2013 Edge.

I ended up with the Edge. It turned out cheaper than the Escape which I really, really liked but I've always liked the Edges and the ride and power was great. Plenty of room inside, and the Sync features are awesome. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a sunroof and AWD but after having an AWD Mariner for 8 years that ended up with a shot rear differential, I realized I never really needed AWD except for the snow which we get badly, what, 1-2 times a year? It does have leather and a great powerful V6 engine.

In a perfect world I would have gotten the AWD but I was shocked at how much all these cars were. they all topped out over 30k. I think I did pretty good considering and I waited out the dealer a bit who gave me more for the trade in for a car that had a shot rear differential, was leaking oil and power steering fluid, and they saw it right away.

[Adam Wolff]

Well, I'll tell you one place not to buy your car..

[NewMarketSean]

So last night I test drove CX5, CRV and Jeep Cherokee.

Liked all 3 and especially loved the Jeep and liked the CRV much more than I thought I would since I always saw moms driving them and never saw any top trim versions of the car.

This morning I drove the 2014 Escape and a 2013 Edge.

I ended up with the Edge. It turned out cheaper than the Escape which I really, really liked but I've always liked the Edges and the ride and power was great. Plenty of room inside, and the Sync features are awesome. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a sunroof and AWD but after having an AWD Mariner for 8 years that ended up with a shot rear differential, I realized I never really needed AWD except for the snow which we get badly, what, 1-2 times a year? It does have leather and a great powerful V6 engine.

In a perfect world I would have gotten the AWD but I was shocked at how much all these cars were. they all topped out over 30k. I think I did pretty good considering and I waited out the dealer a bit who gave me more for the trade in for a car that had a shot rear differential, was leaking oil and power steering fluid, and they saw it right away.

 

Figures I buy a car without AWD right before we get the snowiest winter in years! That said, I haven't had any problems so far and I am thinking about buying some snow cables/tire sock for future snow driving.

[NewMarketSean]

Well, I'll tell you one place not to buy your car..

 

 

Where's that?

[Pedro Cerrano]

BTW, this was the oddest bump ever.  A poster came here, made his only post here bumping this thread (which has since been deleted), and that's it.

[DuffMan]

Ugh, cars are my kryptonite.  I'm always looking to see what else is out there.  I have a 2011 Taurus and my wife drives an '09 Escape.   We currently have two kids, but if we have one more I think we may trade a vehicle in to get something with 3rd row seating.