AWD Sedan - What to get

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Bill G - 25 Aug 2005 04:38 GMT

I'm seriously looking to replace my '91 SE (too many miles), but I now live
in Snow Country, and really need AWD to get around. I'm not keen on a
full-sized SUV, but would consider a mini-SUV, but really prefer a car or
wagon with AWD. Does Nissan have any plans for an AWD automobile in the
future?

Cars I've looked at:

Audi - Too expensive, too many repairs.

BMW - Too expensive, but I'd love an '06 530ix. A 325 or 330ix wouldn't be
too bad, but again, relatively pricey.

Ford - Like the Escape, but have heard several horror stories about them
(blown motors at 40K, multiple wheel bearing replacements before 50K). Also
like the 500, and the Freestyle, but both are underpowered, and I'm fearful
of their potential longevity.

Honda - Like the CRV, but want a 6-cylinder. Won't buy a Passport.

Hyundai - Junk.

Kia - Junk.

Mazda - Subaru sized. They seem to be built for short people.

Mercedes - Love the German cars, but again, too expensive.

Nissan - They just don't have a car that fits what I want. The SUV's are too
big, the Murano is not practical (or attractive), and none of the cars have
AWD.

Subaru - Love the AWD, love the engines, but I'm not short, so their cars
don't fit. Not near enough legroom, and I'm only 6'1". Have not driven the
new B9 Tribeca, but it's 30K+, and I'm in grad school.

Toyota - Like the RAV4, but want a 6. Also, insurance is quite high on this
car. Also like the Matrix, but it's got an even smaller 4 than the RAV4.
The Highlander doesn't get very good reviews. The Pontiac Vibe is the same
as a Matrix, but somehow has a worse repair record (typical for a
Japanese/US car sharing deal - see Mercury Villager/Nissan Quest).

Volkswagon - A 4-motion Jetta or Passat would be nice, but they don't have a
real solid repair history.

Volvo - Too pricey.

All other American cars - No chance. Wouldn't buy a GM product ever, and
Chrysler doesn't have anything I like. I'm only remotely considering a
Ford, but my Dad has 2, and they are both junk.

It's basically come down to: 1. Honda CRV, 2. Toyota RAV4, 3. Ford Escape or
a BMW 3-Series ix.

Any insights/suggestions/ideas are welcome.

Thanks,

Bill G
'91 SE Auto

Reply to this Message

Dave Stone - 25 Aug 2005 09:34 GMT

> I'm seriously looking to replace my '91 SE (too many miles), but I now
> live in Snow Country, and really need AWD to get around. I'm not keen
> on a full-sized SUV, but would consider a mini-SUV, but really prefer
> a car or wagon with AWD. Does Nissan have any plans for an AWD
> automobile in the future?

The Murano has an option for AWD. Nissan has 2 AWD sedans but they're only
sold under the Infiniti badge, G35X and M35X. The latter will set you back
around $44,000 USD. The FX45 also has AWD but is almost $50,000.

Reply to this Message

Dave Stone - 25 Aug 2005 09:53 GMT

>> I'm seriously looking to replace my '91 SE (too many miles), but I
>> now live in Snow Country, and really need AWD to get around. I'm not
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> you back around $44,000 USD. The FX45 also has AWD but is almost
> $50,000.

I read your whole post..scratch the first sentence in my reply.

Reply to this Message

JimV - 26 Aug 2005 02:55 GMT

> I'm seriously looking to replace my '91 SE (too many miles), but I now live
> in Snow Country, and really need AWD to get around. I'm not keen on a
[quoted text clipped - 56 lines]
> Bill G
> '91 SE Auto

I too have been looking and came to the exact same conclusions. I'm
thinking the CR-V as it has the most legroom and highest resale. Why do
they make Mazda and Subaru's for the height challenged?

Reply to this Message

Carl 1 Lucky Texan - 26 Aug 2005 04:25 GMT

Make sure you've tried a Forester. I'm surprised you don't fit a Subaru.
You must be all legs! lol!

(I've owned 3 Nissans and a Soob - second Soob is on order. Both great
vehicle makes. I'm 5' 11" and there's a LOT of rail left on the seat
adjustment.)

Carl

Signature

to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

Reply to this Message

Bill G - 26 Aug 2005 05:58 GMT

> Make sure you've tried a Forester. I'm surprised you don't fit a Subaru.
> You must be all legs! lol!

Actually, I have fairly short legs for being 6'1". I've put the seat all
the way back, and don't have enough legroom either length-wise or width-wise
(feel very cramped). Also, with a sunroof (a necessity), there is not
enough headroom without lounging in the seat. In every German car I've
driven, there is more than enough legroom and headroom, sometimes with extra
to spare. I couldn't put the seat all the way back in my old Audi and still
reach the pedals.

I'd buy a Sube in a heartbeat if I could just feel comfortable in one.

Oh yeah, I've driven the Forester, but the seating position is far too
upright. I feel like I'm sitting on a bench or driving my old Jeep CJ5.

Bill G

> (I've owned 3 Nissans and a Soob - second Soob is on order. Both great
> vehicle makes. I'm 5' 11" and there's a LOT of rail left on the seat
[quoted text clipped - 62 lines]
>> Bill G
>> '91 SE Auto

Reply to this Message

rsha0@dellepro.com - 27 Aug 2005 11:33 GMT

You may consider Lexus RX330 with AWD. It is high on long term reliability,
very comfortable. Other than the engine likes to downshift during a quick
acceleration, everything else match or beat the Maxima feeling I have had
for long time.

RS

Reply to this Message

Bill G - 28 Aug 2005 02:28 GMT

> You may consider Lexus RX330 with AWD. It is high on long term
> reliability,
> very comfortable. Other than the engine likes to downshift during a quick
> acceleration, everything else match or beat the Maxima feeling I have had
> for long time.

Thanks for the input, but try reading my post next time. A 2004 RX330 with
around 30,000 miles is still close to $30,000. If you had read my post,
you'd see that I'm in grad school, and if I had $30K I wouldn't be posting
this message.

Thanks for playing.

Bill G

> RS
>
[quoted text clipped - 70 lines]
>> Bill G
>> '91 SE Auto

Reply to this Message