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Kingcreek:
Wow has new car shopping ever changed!
Our primary transportation is a 2014 Ford Fusion. It was our last new car purchase. It been great, wife loves it, but it’s got about 114k miles on it and we plan on retiring next year. Decided we should maybe go into retirement with a vehicle we can travel in comfortably and economically under a warranty for some years.
We thought we would like to move back into a crossover/SUV but have come to like the 30mpg (34 highway) and my wife like the size of her fusion for parking etc.
I think we considered almost everything out there and kept coming back to the KIA sportage AWD hybrid. Unfortunately one of the most sought after vehicles out there. Build to order only at this time. There are a handful of used ones out there priced higher than the MSRP for new. We have one ordered with no markup over MSRP but we won’t see it until some time after the first of the year and it will be a 2024 even though our order is currently for a 2023.
We were able to sit in one. No opportunity to actually drive one. Pretty amazing technology available and a 10 year/100kmile warranty, 38 mpg. We are getting the luxury package.
Already have 2 people that want to buy our Fusion.
I bought my first new car in 1975. A Chevy Camaro LT loaded for $5105 out the door.

Ben:
I'm seeing the same thing with 4Runners - either "on order" or "in build phase" or some other thing other than on the lot, and the local dealer never has more than 4-5 available (again, not on the lot).

My 4Runner only has 75k on it now, so I could easily drive it for another 75-100k. The only reason I'm looking is that either next year or the year after, they are killing off the 5th gen 4Runners and coming out with gen6. Everyone is excited about that, because it will be a new, smaller turbocharged engine, 1428 speed transmission, and all the latest toyo electronics in the cab.

However, the 5th gen engine and tranny combo is probably the most bulletproof that Toyota has ever produced. They just go and there are just very few problems over like a 12 year history. People say the engine is anemic compared to current stuff, and sure, my F150 Ecoboost leaves the 4Runner at the starting line, but I've found the engine has more than enough power for me. So the idea was to trade mine in for the last of the 5th gens and kinda "reset the clock", giving me a good 15 or more years with a bulletproof platform that I like.

Kingcreek:
We considered the RAV4, the Honda, Mazda, Subaru etc. tried to like something Ford with our local dealer but the edge didn’t offer a hybrid and the escape is too small and both just felt cheap, more hard plastic and just nothing to get excited about.
The KIA had some features that set it apart esp in the AWD hybrid like a locking center diff and traditional transmission. the other hybrids use various power distribution systems or split electric only rear.
It will be interesting to see what the insurance rates are like with all the safety tech, blind spot cameras, collision avoidance stuff and almost self driving. The auto parking and 360 surround birdseye view is pretty cool.
By the time we get it we will have forgotten what we ordered.

JTHunter:
KC - I pity the decision you have to make but I can sympathize too.
I just found out that State Farm is apparently planning on totaling my 2008 Ford Ranger.  A young man (25) was driving in a yellow-striped turn lane (illegal) as I was turning left.  He ended up bending my frame a little and, despite the body shop saying it is repairable, they want to total it.  The truck may be 15 years old BUT it has less than 9,400 miles on it!  The only things that have been changed on this truck are fluids, filters, and wipers!  The tires are original too.  Body man said there was slight evidence of dry rot in the sidewall of one tire but the treads were still good.
I'm beginning to dislike State Farm - - a LOT !!  :mad:

Kingcreek:

--- Quote from: JTHunter on April 29, 2023, 05:59:39 PM ---KC - I pity the decision you have to make but I can sympathize too.
I just found out that State Farm is apparently planning on totaling my 2008 Ford Ranger.  A young man (25) was driving in a yellow-striped turn lane (illegal) as I was turning left.  He ended up bending my frame a little and, despite the body shop saying it is repairable, they want to total it.  The truck may be 15 years old BUT it has less than 9,400 miles on it!  The only things that have been changed on this truck are fluids, filters, and wipers!  The tires are original too.  Body man said there was slight evidence of dry rot in the sidewall of one tire but the treads were still good.
I'm beginning to dislike State Farm - - a LOT !!  :mad:

--- End quote ---
Don’t know if they still do it but insurance companies used to offer to settle and let you keep a vehicle with a reissued salvage title so they are off the hook for any future claims. Good luck

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