Thinking about getting a new car. What to get...

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murcod
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: Australia

KuroNekko wrote: The Jeep Compass and the Jeep Patriot are car-based CUVs that share the same platform as the late Dodge Caliber and some Mitsubishis. They are not well regarded by critics and trail their competition. Ironically, the Mitsubishi Outlander is the best regarded SUV on this chassis despite Jeep's reputation as a SUV-only brand.
Ahhh, so they use the Outlander "chassis" too! There's a Peugeot sold here that uses it as well (4008 I think?)

We've got a 2004 XL-7 and sometimes take it off road (camping on a farm or through sand dunes etc.) It may not be the most capable "SUV" off road, but I know it can take the knocks underneath. There's a large dent in the muffler and some scrapes on the chassis rails (it does have a proper chassis), but it would take a very hard hit to cause serious damage. I wouldn't be game enough to take most of the current small/ medium monocoque vehicles through the same paddocks.
David
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sx4rocious
Posts: 485
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:31 pm

ok, so I mixed the Rogue up with the Juke.... Sorry. I did really like the sytling tho! big improvement over the old Rogue. That thing has ugly....

Pardon me, but I would really KILL for a Diesel Skoda Yeti in the US. I have never head a bad thing about them....
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murcod
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: Australia

sx4rocious wrote: Pardon me, but I would really KILL for a Diesel Skoda Yeti in the US. I have never head a bad thing about them....
Never heard a bad thing about a VW family product? I assume you don't want the DSG transmission? :shock: :)
David
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5264
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

murcod wrote:
KuroNekko wrote: The Jeep Compass and the Jeep Patriot are car-based CUVs that share the same platform as the late Dodge Caliber and some Mitsubishis. They are not well regarded by critics and trail their competition. Ironically, the Mitsubishi Outlander is the best regarded SUV on this chassis despite Jeep's reputation as a SUV-only brand.
Ahhh, so they use the Outlander "chassis" too! There's a Peugeot sold here that uses it as well (4008 I think?)

We've got a 2004 XL-7 and sometimes take it off road (camping on a farm or through sand dunes etc.) It may not be the most capable "SUV" off road, but I know it can take the knocks underneath. There's a large dent in the muffler and some scrapes on the chassis rails (it does have a proper chassis), but it would take a very hard hit to cause serious damage. I wouldn't be game enough to take most of the current small/ medium monocoque vehicles through the same paddocks.
I have no doubt the XL-7 can take a beating. I had a 1998 Suzuki Sidekick with the 1.6 liter. While it was slow and had a choppy ride, it was excellent offroad, even in stock form. It really took the rough stuff rather well and with the low range 4x4, it made it through creeks and sand mounds that would get AWD CUVs stuck. The low range 4x4 also helped on steep inclines and descends.
The XL-7 and the older Sidekick both had ladder-frame chassis' which are known to be tougher and better for offroading. Traditional SUVs such as the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota 4Runner (Hilux) still use ladder-frame chassis for this reason.

Here are some testimonial photos of the Sidekick having some offroad fun.
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2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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SamirD
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Wow, impressive little Sidekick! It looks like you're out on just street tires too. 8-)
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murcod
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Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: Australia

Image
Image
Image

Sadly I haven't got anything showing the really rough bits - I was busy driving. Asking the wife to get out and take photos (while the vehicle is in precarious positions) just isn't going to happen!
David
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KuroNekko
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Location: California, USA

murcod,

How are you liking that roof cargo carrier? I know Suzuki sells it as an accessory in Australia, but they did not over here. Regardless, I can get an aftermarket one from Thule, Yakima, etc.

Does it affect fuel economy much? I'm looking to move cross-country sometime next year and want additional cargo capacity. I plan to have it mounted next to my bike carrier.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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SamirD
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Location: HSV and SFO
Contact:
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murcod wrote:Image
Image
Image

Sadly I haven't got anything showing the really rough bits - I was busy driving. Asking the wife to get out and take photos (while the vehicle is in precarious positions) just isn't going to happen!
Quite sweet. 8-) And I'm usually not a fan of white. I definitely can understand the wife not getting out and taking pictures--mine won't do it either if I'm autocrossing or anything like that. :(
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murcod
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: Australia

KuroNekko wrote:murcod,

How are you liking that roof cargo carrier? I know Suzuki sells it as an accessory in Australia, but they did not over here. Regardless, I can get an aftermarket one from Thule, Yakima, etc.

Does it affect fuel economy much? I'm looking to move cross-country sometime next year and want additional cargo capacity. I plan to have it mounted next to my bike carrier.
They're good - but only for soft items that can conform to the pod shape. I've used it in the rain multiple times and everything inside has stayed dry.

None of mine is original Suzuki gear - but like you said that model did come out as a "Trekker" edition with a similar style pod. The cross bars are Thule - I like them as all you need is a normal lock style key to fit and remove them. There's no need for any special hand tools. The pod is Mont Blanc, not a very common brand over here. It has a low profile (even to the point of having recesses in the base for the roof rack bars) and can actually just scrape into our garage while on the roof of the XL-7. That same low profile does limit what can be fitted inside though! When camping it's usually filled with soft bags full of clothes, sleeping bags, towels, air mattresses etc. I've had to force it closed on more than one occasion :roll: but it's held shut. If you buy one make sure it has dual locking points ;) .

Fuel economy? Not sure..... Whenever we've done decent trips outside the suburbs the pod has been on and the vehicle fully loaded - sometimes even towing a trailer as well. The XL-7's do like to drink a bit too....
David
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murcod
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: Australia

SamirD wrote:Quite sweet. 8-) And I'm usually not a fan of white. I definitely can understand the wife not getting out and taking pictures--mine won't do it either if I'm autocrossing or anything like that. :(
White is the best colour to have when you get 43 degree C days in Summer! ;)

I would have bought the same coloured Kizashi, but the silver looked so much better sitting next to the white. The silver isn't too bad in the sun.
David
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