Another "What Vehicle" Thread

[Alaskan Rover]

How 'bout the "euro" look? You could go with this nifty Russian Volga 4x4 conversion. I think it's made by Zil. It even has a spot for some shovels under the floor in case you stick it in a snowbank. Third row of seats? Just put the kids in the canvassed back, where you can't hear 'em.

[The Dad]

Kia Sorento

Good to hear the personal experience -- and didn't know about the diffs. Nice.

Will you go used?

Yes, with low miles. Hard to swallow $30k for used, but might consider the Q7. We drove a friend's Cayenne and The Mom loved it.

Used AWD Toyota Sienna.

So when you have kid #4, and #5, they'll have somewhere to sit...

You obviously missed the vasectomy threads.

Honda Pilot

AKA the Suburban to the MDX's Denali. On the radar.


Also good to get the feedback on the Highlander. StormDay has one, and I think he likes it, so I need to figure out the disconnect.

[Flexon Phil]

I am a big fan on Audi/VW products. If you are looking used, I would suggest a "Certified Pre Owned" one from an Audi dealer. You will get a super warranty plus usually better financing than traditional used. I still would look at one of the GM Lamdas yet, they will have more room than the Audi and while the Audi probably has better driving habits, the family will appreciate the other features.

[The Dad]

Epilogue: We traded in the Prius for a 2008 MDX with 38kmi. The Mom loves it.

Then, a week ago, we bought a third car -- a 2006 Saab 9-5 4-door, with a stick, with 68kmi. I brought it to my mechanic and asked what needed to be done, and he responded, "buy some real tires instead of those fucking snows." I told him sure -- in April.

Took the Saab to Tahoe this weekend, getting 29.2mpg on the way up and 34.8 on the way down. Fantastic snow car.

Now I just need to figure out what chains or equivalent to buy for the inevitable controls on 80. Spikes Spiders look great, but it's hard to buy them used, because they've got a specific hub for the vehicle, which wasn't that common in the first place. Thule has chains that look very easy to put on and don't require that dumb-ass hub, but are priced like Spikes Spiders. Time to research....

[LightRanger]

Now I just need to figure out what chains or equivalent to buy for the inevitable controls on 80. Spikes Spiders look great, but it's hard to buy them used, because they've got a specific hub for the vehicle, which wasn't that common in the first place. Thule has chains that look very easy to put on and don't require that dumb-ass hub, but are priced like Spikes Spiders. Time to research....

Spikes Spiders would be rad, but if you're going with regular chains just get a pair of the diamonds here: http://www.tirechain.com/CarChains.htm

Got a set for my sister's Accord a few years back. Sturdy, and super easy to install and remove. She was driving up and down from Colfax to the summit all the time.

My .02.

[The Dad]

Thought about those, but after watching the videos, I thought the SCC Super Z6 looked slightly easier to deal with. (Remember that I want these for compliance more than for actual traction, so the cable vs. chain issue was a non-issue for me.)

If Thule were on Promotive, I'd have gone that route. But $380 was just too steep for me.

[Hugh Conway]

Diamond chains are easier to put on than shurgrip.

[The Dad]

The Super Z6 is a different mechanism than the Shurgrip, albeit by the same company.

The Diamonds require you to drive them 15 feet and retension. The Super Z6 does not. That was the deciding factor for me.

Also, to be clear, "slightly easier to deal with" includes, but is not limited to, being easier to put on. The stiff inside cable on the Diamonds looks like it makes them a pain to store.

[bodywhomper]

ya might want to do yourself a favor and get an 'awd' decal from saab parts dept... and get some chains.

[Hugh Conway]

The Super Z6 is a different mechanism than the Shurgrip, albeit by the same company.

The Diamonds require you to drive them 15 feet and retension. The Super Z6 does not. That was the deciding factor for me.

Also, to be clear, "slightly easier to deal with" includes, but is not limited to, being easier to put on. The stiff inside cable on the Diamonds looks like it makes them a pain to store.

sweet ad copy recitation. that "stiff inside cable" is less of a pain than the stiff cross wheel cables on Shurgrips. Even the SuperZ6.

[The Dad]

Actually, I didn't see any ads. I just watched the videos that each posted, showing the installation process.

[sidewall]

Big Saab fan myself, such unique cars.

[plugboots]

Yup, those GM sedans are so unique.

[Hugh Conway]

Yup, those GM sedans are so unique.

hey, you can't buy a Vectra or a Calibra here

[The Dad]

Except the 9-5 still used a Saab engine - in fact, one that is considered a benchmark in the industry for its combination of power, efficiency, durability, and low emissions.

Look, if I had my druthers, I'd have a BMW 530dxi wagon with a stick. But they don't make it, and if they did, it would cost many times more than the $10 grand I paid for this.

[El Chupacabra]

Yup, those GM sedans are so unique.

I thought the 9-5 was one of the last of the "true" Saabs, for better or worse.

[plugboots]

Spykers are kinda cool, we'll see what they do with saaaaab. The 9-3x actually is kinda unique since it is available in a 6MT with Haldex IV. A 2006 9-5? OK.
But this rebadged whatever is hardly unique: