Hemi's new SUV

[Eye of the Tiger]

Which is virtually on par with the US dollar.  I just went to kia.com and built a V6 with leather and a sunroof and it came to over $36,000.  So even if they are giving $7000 off, it's still $10,000 more then the Explorer and I still can't buy it because the manufacturers won't allow US dealers to sell new cars to Canadians.

I went back to kia.ca and realized that the Borrego only comes with leather and a sunroof in Canada, so I built it again and it came to $39,145 for the V6.

I still want the cash.

[SVT32V]

Well, I just bought an SUV in Denver.  Kind of.  It's subject to a test drive...and my wife's approval (because she doesn't know yet).

Here is the Craigslist ad.

In my experpeince, Denver is a bad place to buy an SUV, people actually value such things out there unlike the coasts.  Further, Winter would seem like the wrong time to buy and SUV, sort of like buying a convertible in the spring.

Just sayin'

[SVT666]

In my experpeince, Denver is a bad place to buy an SUV, people actually value such things out there unlike the coasts.  Further, Winter would seem like the wrong time to buy and SUV, sort of like buying a convertible in the spring.

Just sayin'

Not sure I follow.  A good deal is a good deal no matter the time of year.  It's a lease return as well by the way.

[S204STi]

Nice thing about some lease returns is that many fleets have a strong maintenance plan. This may have been cared for quite well.

The thing to realize is that while used cars are up in sales there is still low demand across the industry, so salesmen will still make a good deal with you.  Maybe he could have found something elsewhere but in terms of proximity to a major airport and length of the return trip, this is probably as far out as you'd want to go for a car.

[SVT666]

Nice thing about some lease returns is that many fleets have a strong maintenance plan. This may have been cared for quite well.

The thing to realize is that while used cars are up in sales there is still low demand across the industry, so salesmen will still make a good deal with you.  Maybe he could have found something elsewhere but in terms of proximity to a major airport and length of the return trip, this is probably as far out as you'd want to go for a car.

It's a two day drive.  Virtually everything in California was 2 wheel drive too so that didn't work for me, and cars in the East are rusting away from all the salt damage.

[The Pirate]

It's a two day drive.  Virtually everything in California was 2 wheel drive too so that didn't work for me, and cars in the East are rusting away from all the salt damage.

Do most people cars longer out west because of the lack of corrosion?  My Mazda will still likely be running fine when the body and chassis rust away (and it's in pretty good shape 'cause it's from North Carolina).

[Colonel Cadillac]

Why not the V8?

[Rich]

Why the V6?

V8s are really hard to find at a reasonable price.

[S204STi]

Do most people cars longer out west because of the lack of corrosion?  My Mazda will still likely be running fine when the body and chassis rust away (and it's in pretty good shape 'cause it's from North Carolina).

Let me put it this way: there's a reason most of the custom shops are located out west.

My 94 Subaru which I still see on a weekly basis looks brand new, other than a dent in the passenger door and some scratches here and there, and it lived in ID and CO most of its life.  No rust.

[SVT666]

Well, I posted too soon.  I've requested my deposit back because I found an even better deal in Seattle.  This one popped up out of the blue.  Usually the deals in Seattle aren't this good, so I pulled the trigger on it this morning, and I'll be going down to get it as soon as I can.  Best I could find in BC with that mileage and those options was $29,000.

2007 Ford Explorer XLT, 4x4, 3 rows of Leather Seating, 26,000 miles, $18,984.

[S204STi]

Well, I posted too soon.  I've requested my deposit back because I found an even better deal in Seattle.  This one popped up out of the blue.  Usually the deals in Seattle aren't this good, so I pulled the trigger on it this morning, and I'll be going down to get it as soon as I can.  Best I could find in BC with that mileage and those options was $29,000.

2007 Ford Explorer XLT, 4x4, 3 rows of Leather Seating, 26,000 miles, $18,984.

wow, nice deal man!  Good find.  Bummed we won't meet up but I understand.

[SVT666]

wow, nice deal man!  Good find.  Bummed we won't meet up but I understand.

Yeah, I was looking forward to that.  I was also really looking forward to the hockey game and the Shelby museum.

[nickdrinkwater]

So, u got deposit back ok?

[SVT666]

So, u got deposit back ok?

Yup.  Unfortunately the CDN dollar is worth more today then it was two days ago, so I'll be getting a few dollars less back then I initially gave them.

[FoMoJo]

Well, I gotta' say I like the colour better.  Better mileage as well.  Looks like a real good deal.

[nickdrinkwater]

Yup.  Unfortunately the CDN dollar is worth more today then it was two days ago, so I'll be getting a few dollars less back then I initially gave them.

Cool.

One thing:  is this the only car in the area you have found that suits?

Just thinking, normally it would be better 'business' to wait until you got there & then make an offer.  From a haggling standpoint.  If you've paid a deposit already I doubt you'd be in a good position to bargain

The trade off of course is that you also run the risk the car will be sold by the time you get there so it's good to have alternatives to fall back on

[SVT666]

Cool.

One thing:  is this the only car in the area you have found that suits?

Just thinking, normally it would be better 'business' to wait until you got there & then make an offer.  From a haggling standpoint.  If you've paid a deposit already I doubt you'd be in a good position to bargain

The trade off of course is that you also run the risk the car will be sold by the time you get there so it's good to have alternatives to fall back on

It's hard to find what we're looking for at a reasonable price.  I've been looking for about 3 months now and this is the best one I've come across.  I just finished negotiating the price, but they didn't move much because it's such a good deal already.  The deal is subject to a test drive.  If I don't like it after the test drive, I get every last penny back.

[SVT666]

It looks like I paid for the truck just in time.  Our dollar has dropped nearly two cents since I paid for it.

[JWC]

So, you own this now?

Sorry I missed the thread.  Explorers are known for wheel bearing problems.  When the issue first came up, we thought it was just 2003-05 models.  As mileage crept up on newer ones, we saw the same thing.   If you hear any noise while driving, don't assume it to be tire noise.  ASK for them to check it.  If the dealer says it is tire noise, do what we used to do to eliminate that possibility, pull another off the line and swap tires.

Be leery of wheels with curb rash too, that contributes to wheel bearing failure.

[SVT666]

So, you own this now?

Sorry I missed the thread.  Explorers are known for wheel bearing problems.  When the issue first came up, we thought it was just 2003-05 models.  As mileage crept up on newer ones, we saw the same thing.   If you hear any noise while driving, don't assume it to be tire noise.  ASK for them to check it.  If the dealer says it is tire noise, do what we used to do to eliminate that possibility, pull another off the line and swap tires.

Be leery of wheels with curb rash too, that contributes to wheel bearing failure.

It's only got 26,000 miles on it, but I'll make sure before I leave with it. 

[JWC]

It's only got 26,000 miles on it, but I'll make sure before I leave with it. 

It is a lot easier to handle those things beforehand.  If you do find something wrong, even something minor, don't let them give you the "well, it is a used car".  That's okay for small scratches and such, but it should be notated on the paperwork.  Not for anything mechanical or electrical.  I've seen it done at every dealership.  That and getting you to take delivery with a promise to repair, only the sales manager will later claim the salesman didn't have the authority to give such a promise.

[Rupert]

Explorers chew up front end parts in general...

[SVT666]

Well I'm sitting in the airport waiting to board my flight to Seattle to pick up the Explorer. I'm sitting here liftening to Tracy Chapman on my iPod and I'm thinking the terrorists are winning.  I went through three checkpoints that all asked the same questions and for the documentation.  Not once was I searched despite the fact that I have no checked bags and a one way ticket.  The two grandmas in front of me both had personal thorough searches done because a stupid random light said so.  Its kinda like when you go to Mexico.  The terrorists have won my friends.  The terrorists have won.

[93JC]

Just wait till you get off the plane in Seattle. When I went to Orlando there was an automated message on the PA system saying, "Attention: the Department of Homeland Security terror alert level is now 'Orange'. Please monitor your luggage at all times, and advise security personnel if you encounter persons exhibiting suspicious behaviour."

I immediately started laughing. The terrorists have totally won.

[SVT666]

About to take a Camaro SS out for a spin before I leave Seattle. I hope I don't crash in the rain.

[Eye of the Tiger]

About to take a Camaro SS out for a spin before I leave Seattle. I hope I don't crash in the rain.

How do you just end up with a Camaro SS during a layover :/

[280Z Turbo]

About to take a Camaro SS out for a spin before I leave Seattle. I hope I don't crash in the rain.

I wouldn't worry about it. Camaros actually have rear suspension.

[SVT666]

How do you just end up with a Camaro SS during a layover :/

I was waiting for the paperwork for the Explorer and I asked the salesman if I could take the SS out for a spin and he grabbed the keys and said, "Let's go!".

[SVT666]

I wouldn't worry about it. Camaros actually have rear suspension.

Suspension doesn't mean shit when the pavement is wet.  It's all about tires and power at that point.  The Camaros tires are shit in the wet and the power is overwhelming.  I will have a review of the Camaro some time today.

[SVT666]

7.5 hours of driving and two mountain passes...and the Explorer returned 22.1 mpg.