Should I take advantage of the current auto industry lull?

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by Spec A!

Thanks for all the comments!

CX-9 and Tribecas were thought of but the 3rd row seat is almost a joke in them. We're looking at a Ford Flex tomorrow. The Jeep dealer does in fact have an 08 7 seater, but they arent budging on the price- 26K with regular financing, or 30K with 0 percent- either way you still end up paying the same amount of money! We want them to do 27K at 0 percect but no go.... so far....

We'll see! Thanks!

If you wait for a 2010 Flex they may be releasing it with the EcoBoost engine that is currently coming in the SHO. 365HP with 18/26MPG (off the top of my head). My wife's Explorer seats 7 pretty well. My friend's Mazda 9 is about the same. The newer Q7 will seat 7, sort of, and is available with a diesel.

[crazeazn]

oh and the VW tiguan is a joke, its an overpriced chrysler town and country... just in case u do go minivan

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by crazeazn

oh and the VW tiguan is a joke, its an overpriced chrysler town and country... just in case u do go minivan

I think you mean the Routan. In fact VW asked Chrysler to build less of them. I guess sales weren't as they hoped.

[shamrock]

Originally Posted by Teddington

If you're looking for seating and not a minivan, have you considered the Mazda CX-7 or CX-9?

Edited for brevity

I've got an '08 Mazda CX-9 (traded our suburban for it), and i love it. Seats 7 with a bit of cargo room, or the rear seats fold completely flat and still seats 5 comfortably. The rear seats (second row) have sliders, so you can adjust them for leg room independently of what the guy in front of you is doing. We love it, though i occasionally miss the extra space of the suburban.

I believe the CX-7 only seats a max of 5, one reason we went with this one.

Edit to add: My son is 6'1" and has used the third row seats. He says they are more comfortable than the third row in the suburban was. I've sat back there, and while they are a bit straight up for my comfort, they aren't bad.

The CX-9 has the Mazda "zoom zoom", but for fun, i drive an RX-8. :D

[toverman]

Originally Posted by shamrock

Edited for brevity

I've got an '08 Mazda CX-9 (traded our suburban for it), and i love it. Seats 7 with a bit of cargo room, or the rear seats fold completely flat and still seats 5 comfortably. The rear seats (second row) have sliders, so you can adjust them for leg room independently of what the guy in front of you is doing. We love it, though i occasionally miss the extra space of the suburban.

I believe the CX-7 only seats a max of 5, one reason we went with this one.

The CX-7 is tiny inside. We bought our 2007 Mazda 5 in late '06 before the CX-9 came out, but we don't regret our choice, either. They make cleverly designed, reliable cars that are fun to drive, something not everybody does these days.

[tresorph]

you guys are depressing me. i'm still schelping my 98 explorer. but I want L glass darn it. so for right now, i'm exiting this enticing thread and buying some wd-40 for my squeaky doors.

[Teddington]

Thought about this some more. If you only have occaissional need for more seats, does it make more sense to buy what you want/need for "normal" times and rent something bigger when the folks come to visit? Why pay for the purchase and operation of a BIG vehicle when you only need it a little bit of the time??

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by Teddington

Thought about this some more. If you only have occaissional need for more seats, does it make more sense to buy what you want/need for "normal" times and rent something bigger when the folks come to visit? Why pay for the purchase and operation of a BIG vehicle when you only need it a little bit of the time??

We rarely use the 3rd row in the Explorer, which is kind of why we are thinking of selling.

[Gabby498]

Tell me again. You say the economy is bad? Can't tell it from this thread. My last vehicle I drove for seventeen years, this one only eleven years old so I'm holding out for the next recession when I plan to buy a Cadifiat with three wheels and rosewood inlays.

[Spec A!]

Economy isn't too shabby for me :shrug: However we both work 2 jobs....

So the Ford Flex is AWESOME. We walked away incredibly impressed with the way it drove/handled/quality/features.. hot dang! As much as I'd love the 355hp TT ecoboost with better suspension, we'd just mod the Forester and run circles around most stuff anyways.

They are kinda making some deals, but nothing enticing enough for us yet. We're hoping there will be a model with most of the options we want still on the lot when the 2010's arrive. We really fell in love with this car, and are super shocked since it's a FORD! That used to be a 4 letter word...

Thanks for all the other opinions, suggestions, comments- at this point we're sold on the Flex and will wait for the right deal. BTW if anyone here can hook us up via the Ford X plan, PM me! (doesn't hurt to ask!)

[toverman]

Ford is building some of the best cars in its history right now (overall quality and designs). They stink at naming their newer vehicles, although "Edge" is pretty cool.

If you like the Flex, you might keep an eye out for a demo or slightly used one (serial upgraders abound in the auto world, too). Better go slightly used than take that huge hit on value once you drive it off the lot.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by toverman

Better go slightly used than take that huge hit on value once you drive it off the lot.

Check incentives. New is cheaper than slightly used these days. Dealers NEED to move new cars. There is little reason to pay more than invoice - incentives these days.

My 2006 Explorer was $2K BELOW invoice and 0% for 5 years. My sister in law got her new Explorer for $2K UNDER a used with 5K miles on it thanks to incentives.

[toverman]

Incentives are great, but the margins on new cars are razor thin, so you won't get a deal beyond the incentives and many dealers are loathe to let you have them if it's in their discretion to say "no." Cars of recent model years take a huge hit on value depending on the mileage, so you could get a car with 12,000 miles on it for a lot less than a new car with incentives in some cases. And most almost-new cars still look and drive like new after several years of regular driving. But, with any car, YMMV!

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by toverman

Incentives are great, but the margins on new cars are razor thin, so you won't get a deal beyond the incentives and many dealers are loathe to let you have them if it's in their discretion to say "no." Cars of recent model years take a huge hit on value depending on the mileage, so you could get a car with 12,000 miles on it for a lot less than a new car with incentives in some cases. And most almost-new cars still look and drive like new after several years of regular driving. But, with any car, YMMV!

I wouldn't buy a car I drove for 12K miles. hahah.

Depends completely on the dealer. My Explorer was even a custom order, not off the lot. The below invoice pricing was with no incentives.

Obviously either way is not always the case, so do your homework before signing.