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Thread: Another what to buy vehicle, please help!

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    Lightbulb Another what to buy vehicle, please help!

    Hello all,

    I recently accepted a new line of work where it requires me to travel to field construction sites. Not necessarily driving around gravel 100% but it is nice when you have the ability to. I am looking into a vehicle, preferably AWD and a budget of $5,000. If it's a really nice deal I can move up to the $9,000 range.

    I am in the recession money-saving period so I'd rather not spend too much in the meantime until the economy is back on track, but I do need a reliable commuter to get me in and around.

    My typical daily work is driving 25km to Chestermere, then construction sites around Olds, Alberta (~100km). I bill $48 cents per kilometre, a great mpg will offset that quite a bit. Thanks

    Criteria
    $5K, max $9K
    Good mpg (Looked at FX35 and they are quite a gas hog)
    Non-boring (like WRX handling ability)
    AWD (electronic, locking diff is a plus)
    4-passenger (hatchback is a plus)
    Reliable
    ~200,000 km if it keeps the cost down

    So far I looked at CRV, RDX, WRX non-STI, Tacoma TRD, FJ, and FX35's.

    THX!

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    I own a 1st gen RDX
    -Probably out of your budget if you want something not beat up
    -Gas hog & premium (I avg 12L/100k)
    -Not too boring but significant turbo lag
    -Very reliable though

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    My vote is for the CRV. Second or third gen.
    Good gas, reliabe for the price. If you can get it in a manual like mine, then it does sound exciting at times (they stopping making the manual after 2005). Decent set of winters and you will be fine.

    But it is boring, you will start to question your sanity at times. But when its -25c and it starts first time or if your having to deal with other crazyness in your life..repairs is the least of worries then you can start to appreciate its reliability. My friends and family have changed vehicles. I still have the same vehicle.
    I used to do about 77km a day highway. 580km on a tank during summer time and around 450km per tank during cold winters. The fuel efficiency is hard to beat for a SUV. Around 9L/100K.

    At that age and price you have to factor in that some things will go wrong in any vehicle. I was in the same boat when immigrated here six years ago. So I went directly for engine reliability. Hence the CRV. I got it for $5500 and got a set of winters from TireBob. Its pretty much paid itself off in terms of reliability.
    But depends on what you want.

    If its car then look at the Toyota Matrix hatchback. You will save even more gas. If you worried about AWD and snow. You can offset this issue with a decent set of winters. The Pontiac Vibe is exactly the same car. But because of the badge you might be able to get it cheaper.

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    The CRV is the answer you are looking for.

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    Lifted crosstrek?
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
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    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

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    I forgot to add. Second gen CRV has a picnic table in the back.
    No other vehicle has that feature. Think of the benifits..!

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    Quote Originally Posted by ExtraSlow View Post
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    Lifted crosstrek?


    Quote Originally Posted by tonytiger55 View Post
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    I forgot to add. Second gen CRV has a picnic table in the back.
    No other vehicle has that feature. Think of the benifits..!
    Gen 1s also have them! they are just super rare and usually missing because original owners like to keep them.
    Last edited by ShermanEF9; 11-01-2018 at 06:06 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ExtraSlow View Post
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    Lifted crosstrek?
    Will it get 30mpg and have lots of passing power?

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    Juke, Rogue, EX35, how bout Muranos? does it have to be an SUV? How about G35x or G37x?

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    Quote Originally Posted by NissanFanBoy View Post
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    Juke, Rogue, EX35, how bout Muranos? does it have to be an SUV? How about G35x or G37x?
    I like the AWD offerings of Nissan but have no experience on reliability with the VQ35 engines. I was looking for the first gen G35X and they seem to be fairly priced.

    First Gen Muranos are actually decent as well if you get a higher trim.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by vengie View Post
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    The CRV is the answer you are looking for.
    I used to have a Honda Element, same engine as the CR-V 160hp of greatness and it's extra slow and the most I got was 10L/100KM highway which was decent. I would assume the CR-V since it shares the platform will have the same handling characteristics.

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    Avoid those Nissans like the plague, garbage CVT transmissions

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    Name:  2002-honda-cr-v-with-picnic-table.jpg
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    Yeah CRV for sure. 2nd would be Rav4.

    Quote Originally Posted by ExtraSlow View Post
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    Lifted crosstrek?
    i heard they get 10 mpg
    Cos...

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    Quote Originally Posted by jaylo View Post
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    I like the AWD offerings of Nissan but have no experience on reliability with the VQ35 engines. I was looking for the first gen G35X and they seem to be fairly priced.

    First Gen Muranos are actually decent as well if you get a higher trim.

    - - - Updated - - -



    I used to have a Honda Element, same engine as the CR-V 160hp of greatness and it's extra slow and the most I got was 10L/100KM highway which was decent. I would assume the CR-V since it shares the platform will have the same handling characteristics.
    The VQ's are absolutely bulletproof (as well as everything else with them including the traditional 5/7 speed autos), tons on kijiji with 300,000km+, G-ZUS is correct, the CVTs are really the only problems with these Nissans I listed, so scratch Murano, Juke, and Rogue off your list.

    That still leaves the EX35, G35X, G37X, FX35, plus you can look at Pathfinders or Xterras too, but those will consume more gas but be better suited for off-road and heavy snow use.

    If you look at G35X's look for 2007 and 2008 as that is the newer body style which is miles ahead of the first gen (both interior and exterior), if you go 2009 you will also find the new 3.7 V6 in it along with the new 7 speed autos (which actually sip gas on the highway, I know from personal experience) ...as long as you're not having to driving in deep snow, I think it's your best bet if you're looking at something with a fun factor that STILL is reliable (the Subarus have major engine problems) ...every other vehicle listed in this thread is going to make you want to fall asleep at the wheel even though they're good on gas and are just as reliable like the CRV.

    Edit...didn't see you had RDX on there, the first gen ones are actually pretty decent, styling is a little "chick car"-ish though, don't know much about reliability though
    Last edited by NissanFanBoy; 11-02-2018 at 04:42 PM.

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    Thanks everyone, esp. @NissanFanBoy .

    I narrowed down my search for a 2008 G35X "S" model, looks like the Sport package adds 18" wheels, lower suspension, slightly bigger brake rotors, paddle shifters, and sport seats with thigh support.

    Kijiji is all over the place and comparing it to VMR Canada prices, they are usually at least $2K over wholesale price.

    My second is the FX35 though the mpg worries me but looks like reselling is easy because it's an SUV.

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    Quote Originally Posted by jaylo View Post
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    My second is the FX35 though the mpg worries me but looks like reselling is easy because it's an SUV.
    Off topic, didn't even know that Infiniti has discontinued FX35/QX70 line. Only SUVs left are FWD bias and truck based ones.

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    Quote Originally Posted by jaylo View Post
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    Thanks everyone, esp. @NissanFanBoy .

    I narrowed down my search for a 2008 G35X "S" model, looks like the Sport package adds 18" wheels, lower suspension, slightly bigger brake rotors, paddle shifters, and sport seats with thigh support.

    Kijiji is all over the place and comparing it to VMR Canada prices, they are usually at least $2K over wholesale price.

    My second is the FX35 though the mpg worries me but looks like reselling is easy because it's an SUV.
    This is a good choice.

    Contrary to another post above, just FYI I had a buddy with one of these that got absolutely atrocious mileage. It was like 16l/100km mixed driving, not a heavy foot. I had an 07 G35S sedan (was an MT) that was considerably better on fuel, but still really bad. My ISF gets better mileage and the engine is 50% bigger, and I definitely have a heavier foot with this car.

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    Quote Originally Posted by cjblair View Post
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    This is a good choice.

    Contrary to another post above, just FYI I had a buddy with one of these that got absolutely atrocious mileage. It was like 16l/100km mixed driving, not a heavy foot. I had an 07 G35S sedan (was an MT) that was considerably better on fuel, but still really bad. My ISF gets better mileage and the engine is 50% bigger, and I definitely have a heavier foot with this car.
    Interesting...I daily drove a 2009 G37X sedan for a little over a year (had about 185,000km on it), I was around 11-12L/100km using Shell premium only, mix of Deerfoot and city driving. On the highway it was about 9 or so, can't remember...I guess the 7 speed auto really helped alot, I also drove like a granny in the city but on the Deerfoot I drove it pretty hard especially in the summer

    OP is thinking about a 2008, so still a 3.5L mated to the 5 speed auto, could be a little worse on gas but he'll have a great time! The S package makes a big difference in looks too! I'd highly recommend looking for a set of used 19 inch rims from an S coupe, they fit and look great! The stock S sedan rims are ugly.

    https://www.google.ca/search?q=19+in...lwjfAUTv1uOaM:

    If they made them in AWD and manual I would definitely buy one again.
    Last edited by NissanFanBoy; 11-04-2018 at 02:53 PM.

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    What about an IS250? Come in AWD, a little slow, but I'm sure you can help it handle with a bit of suspension work.

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    How bout Honda Accord?
    Originally posted by rage2
    Shit, there's only 49 users here, I doubt we'll even break 100
    I am user #49

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