A day of car shopping

"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo) 01/22/2017 at 18:14 • Filed to: None

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We looked at the Volvo XC60, and came away unimpressed.

Part of it was a salesman who literally knew nothing about the car. My wife did not like driving it, complaining that the shifiting was choppy. No Swedes will be joining the family. We still love you Swedens, even if you look like Norwegians to us. You did help her realize she wants a crossover or SUV, not a wagon. I, for one, voted for this wagon because I thought it was cool.

I was overruled quickly and without hesitation. In my defense, look at that thing!

Next we looked at the Infiniti QX50, which was a sweet looking Limited package. My wife loved how it drove, describing it as “smooth” and really liking the wood and leather all over the inside. It smelled like dead cow in the best possible way.

I love those wheels. The problem is it lacked tech that she wants, like lane assist, blind spot alerts, and adaptive cruise control. Dave, the salesman at Fresno Infiniti is the consummate pro, which is why I have bought two cars from him. This dealership is awesome, and the best service I have gotten from a dealer. But we had to see another car.

Next was the Acura MDX, the biggest car she looked at and the only one with a third row of seats.

She really likes the car, and loved the lane assist, which she had never experienced. I like the new Acura grille.

But she kept kicking me in the ankle in the showroom, and I am not really sure why.

She was surprised to discover that she did nit mind the bigger vehicle, and really liked the panoramic visibility of the Acura. But the interior, while nice, was acres of plastic that could not touch the Infiniti. But she wants that third row of seats for Toby when we travel (Yosemite in 2 weeks, Grand Canyon in April.)

We went to lunch and played with the Infiniti web site. The Limited package is expensive and mainly cosmetic. If we drop that, and pick up an extra technology package, we can get a QX60 (one size up from the 50), and have the tech she wants for about the same price as the Acura.

As always, Oppopinions are welcome.

Oh yeah, Max says Hi, Oppo.

He is a bit of a recluse.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:20

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The user interface on the XC60 looks awful. I really dislike the “sea of buttons” approach interior designers are using. It’s better than contextual buttons on a touch screen, but not by much. How’d you find the layouts?

Phatboyphil > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:22

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Farewell ImmoralMinority. For Sweden will be bringing down the banhammer for insolence.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:22

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Yeah lots of plastic in that MDX. My dad replaced his 2001 with a 2012, but I really preferred the materials in the 2001.

Did you check out a GX or Sequoia yet?

Adrian > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:23

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There’s a special place in my heart for the FX50 (QX50), but it’s getting to be an old platform.

Although, I specifically remember driving one with adaptive cruise control and lane departure assistance. Do they not offer that anymore?

For Sweden > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:25

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Maybe the Volvo wasn’t impressed with you either -_-

For Sweden > Phatboyphil 01/22/2017 at 18:25

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Zero Pinocchios

CB > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:26

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To be fair, the XC60 was also released in 2008, so it’s a little old by this point.

I know William Clavey has a review of the MDX on his site, and he seemed to like it minus the infotainment system.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:28

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That XC 60 has the most uninspired center stack I have ever seen. So much bland.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 01/22/2017 at 18:31

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To be fair, it’s pretty old. Back in the day, journalists were all over that floating centre stack. I’m personally a fan of all the buttons but I do wish they’d made them bigger.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:33

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The answer used to be Range Rover with a Carmax warranty but Doug ruined that.

Honeybunchesofgoats > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 01/22/2017 at 18:43

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I find it kind of refreshing.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 18:48

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I shall continue to recommend the new Acadia. Though really anything in the 3-row segment is a solid choice... Except maybe the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Gripevo1 > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 19:25

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CPO Benz ML?

Spasoje > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 19:31

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What year was the XC60? The the full engine lineup got changed for 2015 from smooth inline-sixes to generally-unimpressive four-bangers. If there’s a 2014 or earlier T6 you can try (i.e. the turbo-I6), I’d highly recommend it...

EL_ULY > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 20:03

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Awesome day of honest shopping! Love it

Tom McParland > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 21:18

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Have a look at a Lexus RX. Yeah, the exterior is a bit much, but it grows on you. However, it is probably one of the most well-built luxury crossovers with the lowest running costs (compared to other lux cars). It’s a bit bigger than the XC but not as big as the MDX, but a good middle ground.

TheHondaBro > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 22:20

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I guess the Sequoia was shot down?

How about a CPO Land Cruiser?

TheHondaBro > Tom McParland 01/22/2017 at 22:23

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Seven seats was a requirement. I heard that a three-row RX is coming in a couple of years though.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 22:37

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When our V60 got work done we got an XC60 loaner. The new ones with the i4 in the xc don’t impress me. But it’s great in the V60 or S60.

If you could, try and find a t6.

sellphones2493 > ImmoralMinority 01/22/2017 at 23:41

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Curious as to why you didn’t check out the new XC90...

E92M3 > ImmoralMinority 01/23/2017 at 04:19

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MDX hands down. While the Infiniti interior is more luxurious, it’s crap underneath, and the driving dynamics..... well there are none. It’s ranked last in it’s class.

random001 > ImmoralMinority 01/23/2017 at 08:25

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Ford Flex Ecobooooooooost!

Hehe.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > ImmoralMinority 01/23/2017 at 11:43

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The car in your pictures looks like a QX70?

CaptDale - is secretly British > ImmoralMinority 01/23/2017 at 13:59

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This is the worst center stack I have seen since