Comments | rocketpup: I need a new vehicle....HELP!!!

rocketpup

I need a new vehicle....HELP!!!

Jan 05, 2009 12:06

As some of you may know, I have been having a hell of a time with my current vehicle, a Nissan Xterra, and NOONE can seem to figure out what the problem is. On top of that, I have been told that it needs a new gas tank. So, I think that it's time to get a new vehicle. I'm looking for something that will keep my monthly payments at $500 or lower ( Read more... )

Comments 23

nitropup January 5 2009, 17:27:56 UTC

Toyota Highlander? :)

rocketpup January 5 2009, 21:18:51 UTC

I looked at the Highlander...LOTS of space. I like it a lot, but it might be just a bit too much. If I wasn't concerned about mileage, I might actually go for it. It has LOTS of good tie-down points in the back. :D

nitropup January 6 2009, 00:34:47 UTC

i just did some more checking on it, looks like a base 4x4 version is ~30K perhaps bargain down a bit. wagons i dont have any thoughts other than subaru. the only other wagons i can think of are the germans and perhaps the british.

have you thought maybe looking at previous year models or used/CPO?

I also just looked at the pilot but the highlander beats the pilot for the money i think. it's hard for me to pass up toyota as they are just about indestructible vehicles. build quality is great. you prob wont have much maintenance costs on them other thank oil change every 3k miles so it might turn out to be a cheaper vehicle in the long run if you keep it a long time.

I would say a hatchback would be great like a mazda 5 but towing is the issue, especially looking to tow two bikes. one bike would prob be ok but two might be pushing it unless you get an SUV (i could be wrong).

sprocket_husky January 5 2009, 17:30:08 UTC

Given it sounds as if you're fed up with the truck already, but what probs does it have? Perhaps I can offer a few suggestions?

reddywhp January 5 2009, 18:22:36 UTC

Rocketpup has the 2002 Nissan XTerra, and Nissan has been bilking him for thousands of dollars trying to diagnose and repair it.

Basically, there's something in the electrical where the battery is not getting enough juice to power it. The battery drains slowly, and eventually he loses power and the car stalls. Magically, the car repairs itself. The problem is intermittent, and we have not yet determined what the triggering event is.

Nissan has already billed him parts & labor for a new alternator, as well as labor in attempting to diagnose the problem.

nitropup has already attempted to trace the electrical system as well and hasn't found any voltage drops. nipper_dawg has suggested ways of trying to trace the problem, but we haven't had the opportunity yet. It's been a really trying time for my rocketpup.

cbrus January 5 2009, 18:36:44 UTC

Sorry to hear you guys have had this ordeal with his Nissan. I have to admit, I'm on my second Nissan presently and haven't run into any type of similar issues.

As roadster_guy said, Chrysler may be on their last legs. Although, I did have Plymouth prior to my current Nissan that got over 200k on it with less than about $2500 in service over the life of the vehicle - all of which was preventative maintenance. Your mileage may vary I suppose. As a plus, for it's time, a year 2000, I was getting 27 miles per gallon on average. Swift and immediate dismissals of Chrysler today tend to make me think of long held bias versus current sub-par craftsmanship.

roadster_guy January 5 2009, 19:15:03 UTC

Heh, believe me, it's not long-held bias here. We had a 2005 PT Cruiser GT Turbo that we just got rid of in May, as it hit 36,000 miles and things started to go a little buggy. That, and every Chrysler test car that's come through my office in the past year (with the exception of the Challenger and Magnum/Charger/300) has been utter, utter crap in terms of NVH & interior quality. I've seen their 2010 stuff (got a sneak peek a few weeks ago at their HQ), and it's fantastic, but they're simply not going to make it that far.

Doesn't help that Consumer Reports' latest initial quality ranking put Chrysler in the worst three brands for sale today.

Thread 8

roadster_guy January 5 2009, 17:54:05 UTC

Well well, finally a plea for help that I can actually respond to! heheh ( ... )

reddywhp January 5 2009, 18:24:51 UTC

Very useful suggestions... We're gonna be avoiding anything Nissan, though. If you read my response to sprocketpup, you'll see that we *really* don't like Nissan.

roadster_guy January 5 2009, 19:11:58 UTC

Yah, US-made Nissans tend to be of lesser quality than Japan-made ones, I can well attest. Xterras have never been known for their durability, either.

mrimp January 5 2009, 19:54:12 UTC

What about Mazda Aaron? I love my 3 but that may not be suitable for hockey gear... I know they have the CX-7 which is pretty sharp looking...

Thread 5

a2andy January 5 2009, 19:22:46 UTC

I have to admit I have an atypical car perspective. I tend to trend my car as a tool not as something I enjoy. I'm on my second honda civic and I haul snowboard crap and
bike around w/o issue putting the back seat down. My current car get's 34-37 MPG
and my previous one lasted 11 years 200k with around $3k in repairs (most of that
in the last year). I seriously considered buying something else when I bought my new car but ended up back at the same car because of price and comfort with how it drives.

gearjock January 5 2009, 23:40:20 UTC

Glen is on his third Honda Civic and loves them as well. Though the latest two have had issues, something he never experienced with Honda before and he is on his eighth Honda.

nipper_dawg January 5 2009, 19:53:46 UTC

In dash sat nav is over priced and your locked into a ever chainging technology. I have yet to see a system that is worth the money. Also some place down the road when it needs updating, or crashes, it wont be cheap. Just easier to get a garmin and cheaper in the long run.