Time to Replace The Company Wheels - Help me Decide

nakkers

nakkers

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25 months and 135,XXX kms later, it's time to replace the company supplied Ford Escape XLT 4 cyl. Other than fuel and oil changes, it's been a pretty good little buggy.

Most driving is on my own for work. Regularly driving from London to Toronto and all over Ontario. SSM, Sudbury, Kingston, Montreal, Windsor etc.


I have 3 kids aged 13, 9 and 3 and we have travelled long distances together. THis past February, we took the Escape to Florida for example.

The company is kind of funny in some of the criteria. No AWD, leather or sunroof options. However, they do provide winter tires

So here are my choices:


Dodge Journey - 4 cyl. Seating for 7. Most room of the bunch. No other upside I can see. Weezy 4 cyl engine handicapped with a 4 spd tranny. Have not taken one for a test drive yet but a colleague has one in Winnipeg and got to ride in it. His son is in a band and haul equipment so, he just puts up with it. I think the audio system comes with blue tooth and ipod connectivity along with a built in hard drive to store music too. Also has rear climate controls for the cheap seats. Not sure about sound quality. Previous dodge products left little to be desired from my perspective.


Nissan Rogue - SV trim. Less cargo room in the back but, impressed with the audio system, back up camera, heated cloth seats and quiet ride. I just find it a bit of a chick's SUV. Maybe I'm not metro enough yet? Also, I think I'll be filling this little machine up at the pumps just as often with a 55 litre fuel tank.

Ford Escape (not the cool 2013 model) - Been there, done that. Good machine. A little under powered and after giving it the business, she's tired. The front trailing links need to be replace and rattle around over bumps. SYNC system for phone is impressive. Room and utility has been good too. Head rests have to be removed to fold down the rear seat but, once down, folds flat. I also bought a hitch and tow a pop trailer for camping so, swapping the hitch to another one save a few bucks. But when you have the chance to try something new, it's hard to pick something I've already lived with for over two years.


VW Golf Wagen TDI - Diesel power is impressive. I find it a bit narrow but, leg room front and back is good. Comfortline gets heated cloth seats. Upgraded audio with touch screen , blue tooth and satelite radio is good quality. I'd have to pay for tinted windows myself.


I'm favoringthe VW. I know the dub can have some issues but, if I run across any issues, the dealer or company takes care of them. I prefer the ride of a car on the highway but, I have to admit that I've kinda of gotten used to sitting higher in the SUVs from the past. (Saturn VUE and the Escape)

If I can get past the soft lines of the Rogue, I found it to be an impressive ride. Trimmed in black with chrome accents, it looks pretty sharp.

I still have to check out the Journey. And I already know what to expect from Ford.


60,000 plus kms a year in the seat, occassional trips with 3 or less kids and their gear. Occassional towing of a small pop trailer. (couple of times a year maybe)


What would you choose and why?


I could get a sedan but, I've already got a car and prefer to have some extra room. Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camery, Chry 200.


I honestly havent decided yet. Going to shop around this weekend. Just putting the question out there for some feedback and fun.


Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.


Cheers.

Sean
 
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VW first, Journey second. Rented a journey from Boston to Toronto. It was very impressive and i dunno about the "wheezy" but that 4 cyl with the mated 6spd flew! 8L on the highway and a very plush interior. For a dodge it was impressive....dont mix the previous gen Journey with the newer one...the old one was a POS.
 
The company is paying for this in its entirety or do you get a vehicle allowance? How long will you be keeping the vehicle?

As much as I'm not a fan of most Chrysler products, I would seriously look at the Journey with pentastar V-6. Vastly improved with its mid-cycle redesign. There isn't much penalty in fuel econ between the 4 and 6 cyl.
 
"none of the above"


Why won't they let you choose from some cool vehicles like the CX-5, RAV4, or CR-V?
 
AWD
minor mods get you 500HP
carries 5 plus a big trunk
seriously I discovered what Subaru AWD is about and damn these cars are just insane.
The base model Imprezza is impressive.

Boxster engine too, very smooth

ings-n-spec-bodykit-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-001_100190928_m.jpg
 
Red_Liner740 said:
VW first, Journey second. Rented a journey from Boston to Toronto. It was very impressive and i dunno about the "wheezy" but that 4 cyl with the mated 6spd flew! 8L on the highway and a very plush interior. For a dodge it was impressive....dont mix the previous gen Journey with the newer one...the old one was a POS.
Click to expand...


I only get the choice of the 4 cyl with 4 spd tranny. The V6 does have some good power and is the only power plant with the 6 spd tranny. Just not an option for me. I'm going to check out the interior again. Even with a negative bias, I'm willing to see if it can win me over.


NP6000 said:
The company is paying for this in its entirety or do you get a vehicle allowance? How long will you be keeping the vehicle?

As much as I'm not a fan of most Chrysler products, I would seriously look at the Journey with pentastar V-6. Vastly improved with its mid-cycle redesign. There isn't much penalty in fuel econ between the 4 and 6 cyl.
Click to expand...

Company pays everything. They lease it and cover the insurance and all expenses related to the vehicle including maintence and fuel. I put the expenses on the corporate card, log the mileage and they take a % off my pay for the taxable benefit of the vehicle. So, in turn they set the trim level and specs of the vehicles to choose from. A lot of employees have reported the 4 cyl fuel economy isn't much better than the V6 on the Journey but, the company won't budge. The lease is for two years. If it's under 90 k, you keep the vehicle monthly until 90k is achieved or 3 years. I have the option to purchase the old vehicle at whole sale (basically what the dealer is willing to offer when picking up the new vehicle)

rmemedic said:
I'm a "domestic" kind of guy, but I would go for the VW!
Click to expand...

The VW is assembled in "North America" ala Mexico. lol.


I have a love hate relationship with some tech items like GPS. I lose my sense of where I'm going when I use GPS so, the bike keeps me sharp. The Rogue having a back up camera seems pretty neat but, then I wonder if I'd become dependant on such a device?


The sound systems in the Nissan and VW are pretty nice and that is pretty important when driving from London to Kapuskasing or Montreal. The Ford was ok.
 
nakkers said:
I only get the choice of the 4 cyl with 4 spd tranny. The V6 does have some good power and is the only power plant with the 6 spd tranny. Just not an option for me. I'm going to check out the interior again. Even with a negative bias, I'm willing to see if it can win me over.




Company pays everything. They lease it and cover the insurance and all expenses related to the vehicle including maintence and fuel. I put the expenses on the corporate card, log the mileage and they take a % off my pay for the taxable benefit of the vehicle. So, in turn they set the trim level and specs of the vehicles to choose from. A lot of employees have reported the 4 cyl fuel economy isn't much better than the V6 on the Journey but, the company won't budge. The lease is for two years. If it's under 90 k, you keep the vehicle monthly until 90k is achieved or 3 years. I have the option to purchase the old vehicle at whole sale (basically what the dealer is willing to offer when picking up the new vehicle)



The VW is assembled in "North America" ala Mexico. lol.


I have a love hate relationship with some tech items like GPS. I lose my sense of where I'm going when I use GPS so, the bike keeps me sharp. The Rogue having a back up camera seems pretty neat but, then I wonder if I'd become dependant on such a device?


The sound systems in the Nissan and VW are pretty nice and that is pretty important when driving from London to Kapuskasing or Montreal. The Ford was ok.
Click to expand...
LOL I'm sure you know what I mean... I understand that lots of "foreign" vehicles are assembled on this continent, but they're still foreign to me!
 
Drive a 2008-2012 Imprezza (not the newest model). I don't like the new ones, they are underpowered compared to previous gen.
Super comfy seats and LOTS of headroom.
 
SunnY S said:
"none of the above"


Why won't they let you choose from some cool vehicles like the CX-5, RAV4, or CR-V?
Click to expand...

They pay the bills, they give me a list. I'm lucky to have a choice at all. My previous employer didn't offer a choice at all. One vehicle regardless of position in the company. At the time, it was a Pontiac G6. 6 cyl version that was a pretty good car. Drive it to out east and back with 2 kids and made it home alive


IV. said:
AWD
minor mods get you 500HP
carries 5 plus a big trunk
seriously I discovered what Subaru AWD is about and damn these cars are just insane.
The base model Imprezza is impressive.

Boxster engine too, very smooth

ings-n-spec-bodykit-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-001_100190928_m.jpg
Click to expand...

For some reason the insurance division has the option of an Impreza with AWD. They are suppose to be making the whole fleet the same for all divisions. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened yet.

rmemedic said:
LOL I'm sure you know what I mean... I understand that lots of "foreign" vehicles are assembled on this continent, but they're still foreign to me!
Click to expand...

Yes, I knew what you meant. And I'd prefer to choose something assembled here in Canada.
 
not sure what you are saying.
btw- the Subaru Imprezza base model has 170Hp and 173 torque
they ALL come with AWD.
The insurance was cheaper for a friend of mine compared to the same year Suzuki Sx4.
They said the injury rates are much lower on Subaru's.

Well good luck to you.
Go drive one for the fun of it.
Take it to a big lot stomp on the gas and hold it in a circular turn, get it up to 60 then just stomp on the brake. The car sticks like glue.
Stomp on the brakes and the ABS pulls the car lower to the ground and you do not feel or hear the ABS jerking around.
 
nakkers said:
They pay the bills, they give me a list. I'm lucky to have a choice at all. My previous employer didn't offer a choice at all. One vehicle regardless of position in the company. At the time, it was a Pontiac G6. 6 cyl version that was a pretty good car. Drive it to out east and back with 2 kids and made it home alive




.
Click to expand...


Fair enough.....

The Journey..... specializes in dullness and nap inducing acceleration.

The Escape is old tech, and outdated. Shame they won't let you take the new style ones.

The Rogue..... really? REALLY? Nissan vehicles as a whole are plauged with reliability problems. I wouldn't chance a Rogue. http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/nissan-rushes-to-grapple-with-poor-quality-survey-scores/

VW gets the nod, the "drivers car" of the bunch. You do do a lot of driving right? :)
 
VW. No contest. I'm not a VW guy but I hate Nissan and Chrysler so really it's down to the VW or Escape IMO.
 
wouldnt touch a VW assembled in mexico with a ten foot pole. Way too many horror stories.

A few common problems

Dash warning lights lit up like a Christmas tree - constant check ABS, check engine

Cup holders, seat belt clips, just about any plastic part, falls apart

electrical nightmares - ever notice how 9 out of 10 times when you see a car with one tail or brake light out, its a VW?

These are just personal experiences, I'm sure there are some VWs out there that are properly assembled...like the ones in Germany.
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