Is the *insert car, engine, tranny* any good?

[sgtsandman]

Yeah, if he isn’t a “car guy”, he’s more than likely going to be a “I only had to change the oil” kind of person that only fixes things when they break. Direct him to something as simple as possible and possibly avoid AWD or 4X4 vehicles. More things that need periodic fluid changes that are going to be ignored.

 

[Chapap]

He wound up getting a CX5. It’s even red!

 

[Blmpkn]

He wound up getting a CX5. It’s even red!

Much better choice than a Volvo.

Nobody should ever buy a euro automobile. It's like sleeping with a girl you know absolutely for sure will give you crabs.

 

[fastpakr]

I've driven or ridden in several CX5's over the last few months and honestly liked them a lot. Very adequate power and handling. Small enough to fit just about anywhere, big enough to be comfortable in the front or rear. Tons of cargo space. Fuel efficient. Good visibility. If I were in the market, I'd certainly check them out.

 

[19Walt93]

CX5's were rebadged Escapes for a while and I suspect there's still some under the skin. Volvo was a Swedish company that built cars famous for being high maintenance and expensive to fix, now the company is Chinese owned, that doesn't inspire confidence.
Judging a vehicle based on the number of recalls misses the point. A recall is a defect the company identified and is willing(or has been forced by NHTSA) to fix free. The law allows a very short window between identifying a safety concern and recalling the car, Ford used to issue recalls before the fix was available and some customers would panic. The first person killed by a Takata airbag in a Honda was in 2004, they finally issued a recall in the fall of 2014 when NHTSA held their feet to the fire. If GM or Ford had done that the CEO would have been hung in the town square. But the sandal wearing, shoulder bag carrying guys who write for Consumer Reports love them.
If you buy a used vehicle, 50% of what you get is the result of the prior owners maintenance habits. If you buy a new vehicle pick the dealer with good reviews from people you know. I got a terrible survey from a defunct dealer's customer because we were further from where they lived, no complaint with the service or treatment they got.

 

[Chapap]

I think I’ve found a somewhat decent system. Look the vehicle up on Wikipedia to get the engine and transmission model numbers to research. I’m finding that people who write articles that are discoverable with that search have the info I’m looking for.

Example:
I’ve found that the new ‘22 Pathfinder’s ZF 9-speed is not expected to be any good. ZFs apparently have a bad rep (I.e. Chrysler’s legacy).

The Rogue’s Xtronic CVT is most likely a dog. CVT law suits against Nissan reliability start up after a new tranny is out of warranty.

The wife is looking to get out of the Camaro and into an SUV. Unfortunately she dislikes the Korean makes and loves Nissans. Don’t know if I could stomach getting a Nissan tho. She does approve of the CX-5 so that may be the winner yet again. I really wish the CX-9 wasn’t trying to compete with Audi prices. Also wish a 3 year old car with 30k miles depreciated more than 3 grand.

 

[Roert42]

I really wish the CX-9 wasn’t trying to compete with Audi prices. Also wish a 3 year old car with 30k miles depreciated more than 3 grand.

Just went through this with my wife. She really wanted a 4Runner, but also liked the CX-5. The budget placed us with either a used CX-5 or new Subaru Forester. We ended up going with a new Subaru.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Remember...very few people go online to rave about how great something is...everyone goes online to bitch about what a turd something is. Anytime you buy a vehicle (espicially used) youre taking a chance.

Case in point....ive always read basically nothing but good things about the 460...everyone ive had has been a POS (besides the power aspect)....but everyone shits on the old 400...and ive never had a whimper out of any of mine.

I understand these are old as hell now but its still an example of how the internet can be very misleading.

Curious though.....whats he looking at?

Agreed. Everyone talks crap and hates on the 5.4 Triton motor, but I love it. My 2wd F150 has been well maintained, but driven like its stolen...I bought it brand new in '08...130k miles later still rockin. It broke a valve spring once, and the power steering wont stop whining, but I love that motor/tranny/axle combo. Its been a great truck.

My advice, get something that was produced towards the latter years of a generation. My generation F150 was produced from '04 -'08, and the '04's had a lot more bugs...they worked a lot of em out by '08, then made it all new again and started over with the bugs.....

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Just went through this with my wife. She really wanted a 4Runner, but also liked the CX-5. The budget placed us with either a used CX-5 or new Subaru Forester. We ended up going with a new Subaru.

I've heard and read good things about the mazdas...I'm currently half assed car shopping myself.

 

[Roert42]

I've heard and read good things about the mazdas...I'm currently half assed car shopping myself.

Every one we talked to that had one loved it. I’m happy with the Subaru though, has reall good all around visibility.

 

[Chapap]

I've heard and read good things about the mazdas...I'm currently half assed car shopping myself.

Every one we talked to that had one loved it. I’m happy with the Subaru though, has reall good all around visibility.

We got the CX-5. Seats are a bit on the small side but comfortable. My buddy said the same thing but said they were fine for their first road trip. The infotainment is excellent even though it isn’t touch screen.

This dealer gives a lifetime, non transferable, nationwide, powertrain warranty with new purchases that’s got a good rep in town. Probably more of a headache at other locations. That’s the only reason the Nissan got on the list.

 

[fastpakr]

Are you sure the infotainment system isn't touch? The one in my girlfriend's car is, but it does lock it interaction when the car is moving.

 

[Chapap]

Are you sure the infotainment system isn't touch? The one in my girlfriend's car is, but it does lock it interaction when the car is moving.

Some are and some aren’t. There’s a method to which cars get it and which don’t that even the salesmen don’t have memorized. If you’re in the market, definitely don’t assume it’s touch screen if that important to you.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Agreed. Everyone talks crap and hates on the 5.4 Triton motor, but I love it. My 2wd F150 has been well maintained, but driven like its stolen...I bought it brand new in '08...130k miles later still rockin. It broke a valve spring once, and the power steering wont stop whining, but I love that motor/tranny/axle combo. Its been a great truck.

My advice, get something that was produced towards the latter years of a generation. My generation F150 was produced from '04 -'08, and the '04's had a lot more bugs...they worked a lot of em out by '08, then made it all new again and started over with the bugs.....

The 5.4's ive been around/owned personally were all 2V models. But they were rock solid reliabilty wise. My buddy put almost 300k on his 00 before he sold it.

I give them shit cause they replaced the 351 which is in my top 5 favorite engines of all time...but they are good engines.

Never been around the 3V's. I know they got alot more power but ive heard the horror stories.

 

[racsan]

Dads 05 superduty was a pretty good truck. 5.4 /3V auto, 3.73’s 4x4. was a commercial truck (snowplowing/landscape) so a stripper reg cab longbed. rusty underneath bad though, had to replace bed due to all the supports rotting out. But power wise it was fine, not bad on fuel if you werent towing & kept it easy on the go pedal.