Finally had to buy a family vehicle

[67ChevyRedneck]

With our first, and likely only, little guy arriving in 7-ish weeks and with the offers GM has had on some of their vehicles, it was stupid to not pull the trigger on a new family ride for the wife. She loves her 2011 Mustang, but it's not really baby friendly.

As posted in a similar thread on finding a good used vehicle, it's not so easy to find a new one either. With the factory and supplier shut downs and only recently re-opening, supply is limited (which made the 15% sale a bit odd to me...)

We've been test driving stuff on our vacations for a few years, it was down to an Equinox, Cherokee (Trialhawk version), or Escape. Ford Neutered the escape into some goofy wagon-esque looking thing (and sales have dropped 22% since 2018) and while I loved driving the Trailhawk Cherokee we rented for a week... I couldn't get over their perceived reliability. If it was solely for me, I would have taken the chance, but the wife will be driving this thing 98% of the time.

So the search began for a Pacific Blue Metallic, 2.0L Turbo Premier with the confidence and convenience II package (lots of awesome stuff like the 8" screen, the 360* parking camera, heated and cooled seats, heated rear seats, and full power PS seat - cool stuff) and it would be nice to have the Bose sound/nav system and NO sunroof ($1,400 option.) I didn't care if it was AWD, but didn't need it.

6 months ago, this would have been an easy feat. With the deals and Covid, 3 of the ones that were an almost match (couple had a sunroof, one was AWD) sold while I was talking with the dealership or before I made a final decision.

An exact match popped up 430 miles away in Florida. I wasn't going to let this one slide. So, I rented a car one way (there was an enterprise literally across the street) and made the connonball run down to St. Augustine Florida to pick it up. It's pretty loaded. 2.0L Turbo Premier (255 HP) full leather, bose sound system (genuinely awesome), autostart, heated and cooled seats, dual climate zone, nav... it has everything but a sunroof.

Had a great drive back home. I-95 is absolutely insane. You can be rolling in a pack in the "slow lane" going 85 and get passed like you're going 55. The 2.0L and 9 spd auto make a great pair, the engine also makes 260 ft-lbs of torque and it's all in by 2500 RPM. For a family car, it's pretty snappy, significantly quicker to 60 mph than any of my old toys.

We named it Rudy, cause it's small. I also bought a bunch of accessories, like the cargo shade thing, and fitted vinyl floor mats from front to rear, 'cause puke and milk spills

I used to always advocate used, but man, sometimes you can't pass up new. We got 15% right off the top from GM, which was close to $5700. We got 1K off for financing with the dealer (and their rate was only 0.3% higher than the best I could do online). GM was also offering "Dealer Invoice" pricing if you were a health care worker - my wife is, so that was another $1700 off, and I was able to get the dealer down another $400 on top of that, so a we got a vehicle that had an MSRP of 38K for $29,200. I did better on this than I did on my Silverado when I bought that new. Used 2 year old Premiers with 50-60K on them still sell in the 20-22K range.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Very nice. The bonus of finding a vehicle out of state is you get to learn the ins and outside of it on a nice road trip. Many folks drive comfy cars nowadays but rarely go somewhere new or far.

Motor and tranny sound cool. They make some spunky stuff in all vehicle types it seems nowadays. Hard to go wrong, almost.

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice looking little car. Congrats on getting one....

[67ChevyRedneck]

It's smooth as glass (at least for now ) up to triple digits, and gets there pretty quick and easy, almost too easy. I'll say, I um, took it to a track to learn that... yep. Gonna stick to that story.

I will say, I've driven two of the 1.5L versions - base engine (both week long rentals) and they are slow as cold molasses comparatively. The 2.0L is the same engine Caddy uses in their small SUVs. The 1.5L would have been tolerable... but not really

And no, we did not sell the Mustang... it's been sucked up into my collection now

[1976gmc20]

Congratulations!

We really need an AWD/4wd little wagon to replace our 2006 HHR (FWD only). I would really like to stay with Chevy but I couldn't abide those low profile tires on our gravel/dirt roads. I replaced the 215/50r17 on our car with 205/65r15 steel junkyard wheels.

[special-K]

I went new in '92. I'm a poet and don't know it. I went with new after finding an exc cond '88 K30 regular cab dually with 16k clean as a whistle midnight blue/charcoal paint for $11k. The bank wanted 40% down, interest was much higher than new, and no new car warranty. I ordered a new truck at a deep discount with a big down payment. You made a wise choice

Is it too early to congratulate you on your new arrival yet to come? How about I just say I think that's really neat! Oh, and I like your new ride. Good choice, but in three years it will have sticky to clean up

[Dead Parrot]

Cool looking ride! Looks like the rear side windows are nicely tinted. Ought to help keep the little one cooler.

I bought a 2009 Escape new that is close to that in color. Agree with the thought that the newer Escapes are morphing into sorta sedans.

Be sure to read the manual. Might save yourself a tow charge. My Escape has a 'feature'. If one of the brake lights burns out, it won't let you shift into gear. There is an override but I wonder how many Escapes(maybe Fords of that era in general) get towed to a mechanic over a burned out rear bulb. (Didn't get trapped by that one but I do carry a couple of spare bulbs after reading that).

[davischevy]

255 HP from a 2.0. Wow.

Congratulations on the two new aquisition's.

You better start getting ahead on your sleep.

[Steeveedee]

Congrats on the child. And the new vehicle. Other Larry's right. You're going to be minus sleep even after the kid leaves home for college or a distant job! Welcome to the club!

[FleetsidePaul]

Aw come on Jesse. You should have held out for a real family car.

[prairewolf]

Nice to read that you stepped up for Wife and Kid. Leather and Loaded, and good color.

[special-K]

When I met the woman I married, who had two children, I sold my '78 Shortbed and bought a '71 Blazer and a '55 Chevy 210 Wagon. A slightly different approach to family life for me

When the two kids were teens we bought a new '90 Blazer. Then in '92 my youngest was born. That was a lot of fun with the baby seat in the back for sure. But I kept that thing 18 years because it was a great vehicle other than placing my child back that. In '06 she bought a 4dr Cavalier... when he was out of the kiddie seat

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

Congratulations!

We really need an AWD/4wd little wagon to replace our 2006 HHR (FWD only). I would really like to stay with Chevy but I couldn't abide those low profile tires on our gravel/dirt roads. I replaced the 215/50r17 on our car with 205/65r15 steel junkyard wheels.

Check out the new Blazers. They're a little pricey though... I think the base model Equinox has 17" wheels. The 19's came with the Premier package (which I believe will become the "RS" package for 2021).

Originally Posted by special-K

I went new in '92. I'm a poet and don't know it. I went with new after finding an exc cond '88 K30 regular cab dually with 16k clean as a whistle midnight blue/charcoal paint for $11k. The bank wanted 40% down, interest was much higher than new, and no new car warranty. I ordered a new truck at a deep discount with a big down payment. You made a wise choice

Is it too early to congratulate you on your new arrival yet to come? How about I just say I think that's really neat! Oh, and I like your new ride. Good choice, but in three years it will have sticky to clean up

Thanks! It almost only really makes sense to go used if you go 5+ years old anymore. Used vehicle prices have been high ever since cash for clunkers. I also don't like car payments. I paid the Z71 off in 18 months. Will likely do the same with this one (already put 12K down)

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

Cool looking ride! Looks like the rear side windows are nicely tinted. Ought to help keep the little one cooler.

I bought a 2009 Escape new that is close to that in color. Agree with the thought that the newer Escapes are morphing into sorta sedans.

Be sure to read the manual. Might save yourself a tow charge. My Escape has a 'feature'. If one of the brake lights burns out, it won't let you shift into gear. There is an override but I wonder how many Escapes(maybe Fords of that era in general) get towed to a mechanic over a burned out rear bulb. (Didn't get trapped by that one but I do carry a couple of spare bulbs after reading that).

They are, I also bought the in channel vent shades, haven't put them on yet, but they helped a lot on my truck. Ugh, I'm sure there's a bunch of stupid stuff. I'm still learning things on my 2015 Z71 I bought 5 years ago.

Originally Posted by davischevy

255 HP from a 2.0. Wow.

Congratulations on the two new aquisition's.

You better start getting ahead on your sleep.

Yes. it's a quick little booger. The only negative is premium fuel is recommended. I've been putting midgrade in it. Seems fine. Some people run them on the cheap stuff. Apparently it just retards the timing and you lose a little power. The 1.5L are set up to run on regular.

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Congrats on the child. And the new vehicle. Other Larry's right. You're going to be minus sleep even after the kid leaves home for college or a distant job! Welcome to the club!

I've never slept much anyway...

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Aw come on Jesse. You should have held out for a real family car.

My parents family car when I was little was an 82 Pontiac Parisienne wagon, blue of course. Paint that sucker blue and I'd LS swap and roll in it.

Originally Posted by special-K

When I met the woman I married, who had two children, I sold my '78 Shortbed and bought a '71 Blazer and a '55 Chevy 210 Wagon. A slightly different approach to family life for me

When the two kids were teens we bought a new '90 Blazer. Then in '92 my youngest was born. That was a lot of fun with the baby seat in the back for sure. But I kept that thing 18 years because it was a great vehicle other than placing my child back that. In '06 she bought a 4dr Cavalier... when he was out of the kiddie seat

I tried like hell to get her to let me buy her a tri five 4 door or wagon. I said I'd even LS swap it and add air. :dunno:

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by prairewolf

Nice to read that you stepped up for Wife and Kid. Leather and Loaded, and good color.

Yea... I have a thing for blue... 4 out of 5 in this pic are blue, luckily, the wife loves blue cars too.

[Dukk]

Nice looking car. Good sidestep on the Cherokee - my monster-in-law has one and she hates it. Nothing mechanical (yet), just hates living with it from a driving perspective.

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

Be sure to read the manual. Might save yourself a tow charge. My Escape has a 'feature'. If one of the brake lights burns out, it won't let you shift into gear. There is an override but I wonder how many Escapes(maybe Fords of that era in general) get towed to a mechanic over a burned out rear bulb. (Didn't get trapped by that one but I do carry a couple of spare bulbs after reading that).

Might have been an Escape exclusive. Wife had an 08 F150 and I had a 2012 Flex, both of which required a couple of bulbs over the years but neither acted that way.

[FleetsidePaul]

I'm really jealous of your garage. I know you put a ton of work into it....But I'm still jealous.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

I'm really jealous of your garage. I know you put a ton of work into it....But I'm still jealous.

oh

[67ChevyRedneck]

you guys!

I'll be happy when that big pile of stuff in the middle finds it's way onto the building...

[1976gmc20]

Check out the new Blazers.

We'll probably take the car into the Chevy dealer some time and just see what they have and what they might give for our car, though I'm leaning towards something like a used 4runner. I would like something that got decent mpg but the roads out here just tear up anything that isn't somewhat truck based. Lady GMC wants something smaller than the 2500HD to take shopping in town. Plus I would just as soon not rack up so many miles on the pickup.

[Warrens69GMC]

I have been looking at a FLEX (Ford)

With turbo motors, when you are done driving - let it idle to prevent turbo coking.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

We'll probably take the car into the Chevy dealer some time and just see what they have and what they might give for our car, though I'm leaning towards something like a used 4runner. I would like something that got decent mpg but the roads out here just tear up anything that isn't somewhat truck based. Lady GMC wants something smaller than the 2500HD to take shopping in town. Plus I would just as soon not rack up so many miles on the pickup.

My still sorta girlfriend drives an '01 4Runner. When she moved in here in '10 she was driving a '96 Eddie Bauer Expedition. It was having air suspension issues and one look at that engine stuffed back into the firewall about as bad as working on a van I knew I wasn't wanting to turn a wrench on that. She wanted something smaller and I found her a, then 11 year old, very clean 4Runner. I wanted one of those because they are truck based and the last of the not yet over styled fat bulgey true SUVs, not a crossover fat car. I think back then it was about $10k. Almost 10 years now since she bought and she is still driving it. Just over 200k on it now and she is concerned over it being 20 years old with that many miles. I told her don't worry about it, just drive it. I'd like to buy it if she does decide to unload it

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by special-K

My still sorta girlfriend drives an '01 4Runner. When she moved in here in '10 she was driving a '96 Eddie Bauer Expedition. It was having air suspension issues and one look at that engine stuffed back into the firewall about as bad as working on a van I knew I wasn't wanting to turn a wrench on that. She wanted something smaller and I found her a, then 11 year old, very clean 4Runner. I wanted one of those because they are truck based and the last of the not yet over styled fat bulgey true SUVs, not a crossover fat car. I think back then it was about $10k. Almost 10 years now since she bought and she is still driving it. Just over 200k on it now and she is concerned over it being 20 years old with that many miles. I told her don't worry about it, just drive it. I'd like to buy it if she does decide to unload it

I almost bought a 4runner for our daughters back about 16 years ago. It was a 90-something four banger five speed manual. Then we took it on a second test drive, and it started overheating on a mild day. So I told the used car dealership to call us if they got it fixed. They never did and I think it had a bad head gasket. They probably just managed to sell it to somebody else as is.

So we ended up getting them an AWD Subaru wagon which turned out to be a disaster. I sort of got turned off on other brands after that.

The trouble with AWD cars is that they are fine in snow but not in mud. Oh, they can get through all right but then you have all kinds of problems, so basically we're better off with a car that we don't drive unless it is dry. Keep it clean that way.

The old Jeep is okay but it really doesn't have much load capacity, and I just don't totally trust it to not suddenly break down (but it hasn't yet). Seems like a waste to have the Jeep and buy a 4runner but I guess one would be a spare for the other.

[Tom]

That's not a suburban.
This is just a standard 1 person vehicle in America these days.

[kingsolver72]

Originally Posted by prairewolf

Nice to read that you stepped up for Wife and Kid. Leather and Loaded, and good color.

I agree. Congrats!

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Aw come on Jesse. You should have held out for a real family car.

I’ve never seen the movie all the way through, might be why I didn’t remember “honky lips” spray painted on the side of the Vacation truckster. Must’ve happened whilst driving through St. Louis?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by kingsolver72

I’ve never seen the movie all the way through, might be why I didn’t remember “honky lips” spray painted on the side of the Vacation truckster. Must’ve happened whilst driving through St. Louis?

"Roll 'em up."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDuKDoDYf4

Originally Posted by kingsolver72

I agree. Congrats!

She's been spoiled before, she got a loaded Pony Package 2011 V6 Mustang brand new in late 2010. I got my new Truck in 2015 (my first new vehicle for me ever). We couldn't step back. Once you get used to the good stuff... it's hard to go back. Plus, you know, puke wipes off leather easier than cloth.