What happens when an auto writer becomes an auto buyer?

My wife’s car has given us trouble since the day we got it. 

This weekend we’re finally succumbing to the reality that we probably need to replace it before it leaves us stranded somewhere in the middle of Wyoming.

And so begins the process of shopping for a car. As an automotive writer, it’s easy for me to dish out advice and recommend certain makes, models, and strategies for getting the best deal. But when me-the- writer turns into me-the-consumer, things get more complicated.

My wife decided she wanted to look at a pre-owned Lexus RX 330 and a pre-owned Nissan Murano. After looking online at CarGurus.com and searching local listings, we headed first to the Lexus dealership and then the Nissan dealer. What a difference in experience between the two!

At Lexus, we were warmly welcomed, shown a few cars, and then asked to test drive one. The salesman quickly sent us on our way. We returned wanting to look at a few other older models that would save us some money. The Lexus salesman never put pressure on us and even asked us what we wanted to happen next. He’s crunching some numbers as I type this.

Next we drove to Nissan, where the environment was completely different. We parked in front of a group of 5 salesmen and were approached by one before we even got out of our car. He showed us a few Muranos, but wouldn’t let us drive them alone as the Lexus dealer did. During our test drive they managed to take our car for a trade-in appraisal, assumed we were going to buy the Nissan, and acted shocked when we said we weren’t interested in it. 

Then they played the whole “let me go find your keys” game while we stood and waited as someone else tried to talk us into buying the Murano.

The idea of car shopping is exciting and fun. Actually doing it can be frustrating as heck.

Today we want to look at Mazdas, Subarus, and Volkswagens. I can only hope we run into more dealers like Lexus! Tomorrow I’ll fill you in on the deals I’m seeing and provide insights from the dealers on the state of their business. I’m surprised at what they’ve said so far!

What family-friendly domestic models would you consider buying? If you have advice or experience on car shopping, let’s hear it!

-tgriffith

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From New York: Which foreign automaker is making a car for dogs?

The one and only jgoods gave us a great overview of what the domestic automakers will be showing off at the New York Auto Show. What about our foreign friends, you ask? Mercedes and Lexus will be showing off some hybrid SUVs (RX 450h and ML450, respectively), and Mitsubishi will reveal their aggressive new Outlander.

Here’s a preview of some of the other vehicles foreign automakers have brought to the show:

Porsche 911 GT3

With the controversial Panamera taking up so much of the auto world’s press, it’s nice to see this refreshingly sexy 435-hp stunner.

Scion iQ concept

Remember the Toyota iQ we’ve talked about before? Scion’s getting a concept version, too, with a look they call “fierce.” I call it “jet ski on wheels.”

Acura ZDX

Acura says the production version of this concept will go on sale this fall. Acura’s VP of sales says,

The emotional coupe styling coupled with a luxurious and dramatic interior and surprising versatility, allows the ZDX to define its own segment and attract an entirely new customer.

Right. They could’ve at least acknowledged that BMW created the segment with their X6 (which is getting its own attention, mostly due to the new M version and its 555-hp V8).

2010 Land Rover Range Rover

I have a thing for Range Rovers. High price and reliability issues aside, I find the look striking and the luxury inviting. The 2010 version gets an all new and all mighty 510-hp, 5.0-liter V8, along with updates to that intimidating appearance.

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI

VW’s press release for this car compares the driving experience to that of a Porsche 911. If that were true, VW wouldn’t able to build enough of these. I will acknowledge, though, that it looks slightly less like a bar of Lever 2000 soap than previous versions. And that’s a good thing.

Dog-Friendly Honda Element Concept

Just for fun, I want to share Honda’s latest innovation. We all know people haul their dogs in their cars, and now those dogs can travel in comfort! This car features: a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform; pet restraint systems;a load-in ramp to accommodate access to the cargo area; second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design that matches the bed fabric; all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern; a spill-resistant water bowl; and Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

No, I’m not kidding. But I sure wish I was. 

Concept or not, do you think it’s smart to build a car that caters to dogs?

-tgriffith

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If you have one, maybe you’ll have a relic of American history and laugh ...

 

Big SUVs: Coming back in style?

Whoa, put on the brakes folks because we need to take another look at gas prices.

Believe it or not, as of September 24, prices of our addiction had FALLEN for 6 straight days. And get this: during the summer, prices actually fell for 34 straight days.

There’s probably not any hope of prices going back to the comfortable good ol’ days of $2 a gallon, but with prices comfortably below $4, imagine what could happen if prices stabilize or even continue to fall.

It’s certainly possible that Americans will get used to our current prices and fall right back into our old habits of driving big SUVs. Before we know it, we won’t even think twice before piloting our Expeditions across town just to pick up a Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Hey, it could happen. Just as auto manufactures begin panicking and shifting towards smaller more fuel efficient cars, the industry could just go back to the way it’s always been.  Auto makers would be in a real lurch after that!

It all makes me wonder if the current consumer demand for high MPG cars is a short or long term shift.

If prices stay where they are for a long period of time, I’d bet on our collective love for the SUV and even venture to say that instead of a backlog of Sequoias, we’ll see Sentras clogging dealers’ lots.

Hybrids? HA! If you have one, maybe you’ll have a relic of American history and laugh as you remember the time we freaked out and lost our faith in good ol’ gasoline.

So what do you think? Is now the time to pick up that Yukon Denali, while the value of SUVs are at historic lows?

-tgriffith

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