Musings on shopping for a new vehicle.

Teacher Terry said:
My insurance actually went down when I bought a new car versus driving my old car. I was really shocked, but maybe it has to do with the safety features on the new car. I have to say that I’m really enjoying driving the new car as it drives so much nicer and I’m really appreciating the safety features
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Mine did as well. I traded a '17 Audi A4 for a '25 Audi A5. My insurance briefly went up but two months ago it went down to the original rate. I don't think my insurance company took into account the fact that the car has some automatic tracking if it is stolen and many other electronic nannies. You raise a great point.
 

officerripley said:
Was there anything else you didn't like about the RAV, Trade? We've been thinking about it; the Mazdas sound good but we don't like the looks of it as well as the RAV. (Silly reason maybe, but you pay that much for a car, you want to be happy with the looks of the thing.)
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Not really. The RAV4 is a nice vehicle. I'm the opposite of you on looks. I like the look of the Mazda better. Especially the interior.
 
Jules said:
When we bought our Infiniti the dealer told us not to get the navigation system - it was garbage that rarely got updated and was only minimal quality. I believe it was free for one year and his assessment was correct.

If you don’t use a GPS system now, do you even need it. Or go to your Best Buy and see what they have.
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I use a GPS occasionally when I am in an unfamiliar area. I have an old Garmin that I use in my Honda. Still working good after over 10 years and I get free updates of the maps off the internet every year.
 

Been doing a little more research on the Mazda cx-5. Apparently some models have "cylinder deactivation" where 1/2 of your engine shuts down under light loads to save gas. Now I want to do my part in trying to save the planet but that has got to be the lamest idea yet. Well maybe that and the stop start feature. But according to what I have read on the internet if your Mazda has an "M" in the 8th position of it's VIN then that car has both of these features, but if it has an "L" in the 8th position it has neither. So from now on I'm going to be looking for those L's.
 
I have the Stop Start feature on my just purchased 2023 Trailblazer LS. At least on this model, one can set up an option to turn that off with an easy button push. Thus, one ought not simply reject a vehicle model with that feature if it can be turned off.

I've now driven a few days with the Stop Start feature enabled and don't find it too annoying, though do notice the minor sound that makes. Can understand why even at that level might annoy some.
 
Trade said:
Been doing a little more research on the Mazda cx-5. Apparently some models have "cylinder deactivation" where 1/2 of your engine shuts down under light loads to save gas. Now I want to do my part in trying to save the planet but that has got to be the lamest idea yet. Well maybe that and the stop start feature. But according to what I have read on the internet if your Mazda has an "M" in the 8th position of it's VIN then that car has both of these features, but if it has an "L" in the 8th position it has neither. So from now on I'm going to be looking for those L's.
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My new CX5 has the cylinder deactivation, I had hoped to find one without that feature but didn't have any luck. I rarely use cruise so not sure how often it will activate but have not noticed anything so far in my typical driving. I wish there was an indicator light showing when it was active.

I read online that a mechanic can "tune" it off by changing some engine settings so it won't activate. That's not something I would consider doing on a new car, vehicle modifications are exactly the kind of thing that void your warranty.
 
I've pretty much decided to stick with my 2009 Accord for now. It's now been over two months since I had to fork over 1400 bucks to Honda to replace the ignition and the wounds from that traumatic event have mostly healed. Plus I haven't been able to find a new vehicle that I really like.

They all have new technologies that I don't like. I do not want a turbocharged engine. I do not want a CVT transmission. I do not want stop start. I do not want cylinder deavtivation. And I do not want a fricking huge infotainment screen sitting on top of my dash. I mean what they Hell are they thinking with that? Don't we have enough distracted drivers playing with their cell phones? Now we gotta put a fricking home threatre screen on the dashboard too?
 
1996 Mitsubishi Galant 50k
1997 Buick LeSabre 80k
1998 Toyota Corolla 242k

Do all my own service and repairs. Had one newer car and sold it after a couple of years. It sucked. Ridiculous electronics and computer crap, difficult to make simple repairs, hard to see out of, felt disconnected from any driving feedback, too tall for a passenger car, stupid large wheels and tires, windows felt like gun slits, I could go on forever. The only good thing about was it was nice and quiet inside.

Never again. If it comes down to it I'll walk, ride my bicycle or scooter, or call an Uber. Newer automobiles are not my cup of tea, just another thing modern society is ruining.

Yeah, bring on the criticism, but this is another time I refuse to "go with the flow".
 
I can turn the start and stop off which I do and I love the navigation system talking to me through the radio. It stops the music and gives directions and then back to the music. I also like that my phone is connected so I can answer important calls with my voice. It also drives so much better than my old Corolla.
 
Trade said:
I've pretty much decided to stick with my 2009 Accord for now. It's now been over two months since I had to fork over 1400 bucks to Honda to replace the ignition and the wounds from that traumatic event have mostly healed. Plus I haven't been able to find a new vehicle that I really like.

They all have new technologies that I don't like. I do not want a turbocharged engine. I do not want a CVT transmission. I do not want stop start. I do not want cylinder deavtivation. And I do not want a fricking huge infotainment screen sitting on top of my dash. I mean what they Hell are they thinking with that? Don't we have enough distracted drivers playing with their cell phones? Now we gotta put a fricking home threatre screen on the dashboard too?
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I faced the same issues and for the same reasons. I finally settled on the 2016 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring. It has navigation and infotainment built into the dash. It's not as sophisticated as the newer navigation, but not bad. It has a 6 speed automatic, and drives very nice. It won't break the bank, and if you look hard, you can find one with 60,000 miles (I did), and if maintained well, it could last 200,000.
 
Like Trade, I've always seen add ons as just more things to go wrong and require repair. I've changed my mind a bit on that. My last car was loaded with everything I could think of, and learning them was slightly annoying, but I like them now after two yeas of learning. Cars these days do last longer. Maybe that includes the add ons, but we will see.
 
I've had screens in my cars since my '04 Acura TL. They weren't as "smart" then but I couldn't live without one these days. The only time I ever touch the screen is to change settings, which then I leave alone while driving. As long as I have physical controls for the HVAC and Volume I'm good.

For me, there is nothing like listening to music through Apple Carplay and seeing the song and the album cover show in the screen. Same for using Google Maps. And I've received some calls while driving that I might have missed otherwise (appointment reminders) and I just press Accept on the screen and take the call hands-free.

I had an Audi A4 for 9 years with cutting-edge technology and never had one electronics issue. I'll embrace whatever new conveniences are offered up to the point where they are no longer intuitive.
 
We love our new Hyundai Tucson, finally got the tech all figured out; we bought it at a local dealer and they've been fantastic about us going back in--about 3 times, lol--and asking about how to work stuff. So far, it's been a great car.
 
officerripley said:
We love our new Hyundai Tucson, finally got the tech all figured out; we bought it at a local dealer and they've been fantastic about us going back in--about 3 times, lol--and asking about how to work stuff. So far, it's been a great car.
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I'm glad your happy with your new car :)

But for us luddites it seems inherently wrong that any person who purchases a new automobile needs specific instructions to operate it.

I mean we are talking about a car, not an Airbus or Boeing jet airliner:unsure:
 

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