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Nancy in Pátzcuaro

Jun 24, 2012, 10:38 AM

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Choice of vehicles

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Following up on the discussion about hybrid vehicles, and aware that I'm opening the proverbial can of worms, I'd like to ask residents of México about what vehicle you think is best for the driving conditions here. We are currently driving an extended cab Ford Ranger, which was a good choice when we were hauling our household to Pátzcuaro but now we would like a vehicle that can carry 4 or 5, has adequate cargo space and gets reasonable gas mileage. I realize those 3 items may be incompatible, especially the gas mileage.

We are trying to decide between a car and a small SUV. I know that many people suggest the CR-V or Rav-4, but does anyone have experience with any of the Nissans, like the X-Trail, Xterra or Rogue, all of which available in México? We looked at the Ford EcoSport, which is cute little SUV but seems too small for our needs and doesn't have the kind of gas mileage you'd expect with a such a small vehicle. Of course, Nissan dealers are everywhere in México. All wheel drive or 4x4 would be helpful for hilly streets in the rain, too.

There's always the faithful Tsuru, but I think we'd like a little more space. My husband is advocating for automatic transmission, but I prefer 5-speed manual.

I'd appreciate your comments and any other suggestions you might have.

Nancy in Pátzcuaro



chicois8

Jun 24, 2012, 12:08 PM

Post #2 of 11 (3238 views)

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Re: [Nancy in CO] Choice of vehicles

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I think you are wise to think about a Nissan vehicle since almost every taxi and colectivo is a Nissan there parts are plentiful and there are mucho mechanics to repair besides dealer support ...

I drive a 2011 Subaru Outback Wagon, all wheel drive,seats 5 and I get 37MPG highway...


Nancy in Pátzcuaro

Jun 24, 2012, 12:54 PM

Post #3 of 11 (3224 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Choice of vehicles

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Oh, don't tempt me! Our other car is a 1991 Subaru Legacy Turbo Sport Sedan with 275K miles on the odometer. We drove it to México last time and it performed perfectly. Subaru spoils you for anything else.

Where do you get your Sube serviced? We would have another one in a heartbeat if we could have confidence that it could be repaired here. Our 91 has had most of its parts, except for the engine and turbo, replaced over the years and other than high mileage is in excellent condition.

A funny anecdote--In the winter of 2010 we drove the Sube from Colorado to Pátzcuaro. Just south of Monclova we were pulled over by a federale. Fearing the worst my husband opened the window and was surprised when the federale reached in to shake his hand. Turns out he saw the "turbo" plate on the back and wanted to look at the engine. He professed to be an appreciator of Japanese technology. So after touching a few things on the engine and asking if it goes fast, he told us to have a safe trip and got back in his car. We pulled away from the shoulder (slowly), shaking our heads.

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate the input.

N.


tashby


Jun 24, 2012, 1:03 PM

Post #4 of 11 (3221 views)

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Re: [Nancy in CO] Choice of vehicles

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"Best Choice" really depends on where you are and how you use the thing.

We moved down here in a old Honda Accord (still running like a champ), but bought a used, Mexican-plated Honda CR-V about a year and a half ago. It's a 2005. We find it really useful, and the size is perfect for our purposes. We bought the CR-V because someone was moving back the US, and it was in perfect shape, low-mileage, and a good deal. It has All-Wheel-Drive, but I don't think we've ever really needed it (yet). The only downside is (and I think it's because it DOES have AWD), the gas mileage is only decent, not great. The clearance over topes and stuff is nice. Turning radius is suprisingly great, too. Was surprised to discover it's actually easier to park in our tight cochera than the Accord. That said, we would have bought this car if it was the Nissan or Toyota equivalent (Rav4 or X-Trail, I think).

If you're planning on keeping the truck, I'd also consider one of those neatly-designed Nissan or Honda sub-compacts. People rave about the Honda Fit, but I just find it so ugly. (I know that's subjective.) Nissan makes a similar product, a hatchback version of the Tida, that I think is a better design aesthetically. I'd look at it if I was looking at that category. If you're keeping the truck, you already have a "hauling stuff" vehicle. If not....


Nancy in Pátzcuaro

Jun 24, 2012, 2:21 PM

Post #5 of 11 (3214 views)

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Re: [tashby] Choice of vehicles

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We only have space for one vehicle so it will have to do double duty as both a people hauler and a "stuff" hauler. Our truck gets about 18mpg (on a good day) because it's 4-wheel-drive, so anything better than that is acceptable. A softer ride also would be nice, given topes and uneven street surfaces. The reason I mention all wheel drive is that I've seen front wheel drive vehicles unable to get up a couple of steep streets in our neighborhood when it's raining.

We're still leaning toward a Nissan product, though the Subaru is very tempting.

Thanks--N.


chicois8

Jun 24, 2012, 3:46 PM

Post #6 of 11 (3202 views)

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Re: [Nancy in CO] Choice of vehicles

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I also have been stopped by federalies that just wanted to look at the 2011, and at least 10 Subaru dealers through out Mexico now and more each year ...


salto_jorge

Jun 27, 2012, 6:45 AM

Post #7 of 11 (3033 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Choice of vehicles

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If you want a mfg dealer to service the vehicle, check with them in the area where where you plan on spending time.

Nissan dealers in many Mexican states will not service vehicles that were purchased in the U.S. and may look at the vin and where its located when making the statement. The issue has to do with the dealer not being able to look up parts on their computers (autozone could).

The Nissan dealers that I spoke to would not suggest independent repair shops.

It all comes down to driving a well serviced that is easy to find parts from the big box auto parts stores.


careyeroslib

Jun 28, 2012, 2:37 PM

Post #8 of 11 (2911 views)

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Re: [salto_jorge] Choice of vehicles

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We are kind´ve in the same boat, looking for a vehicle.

We are currently driving a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder and absolutely love it. We would love to replace it with an Xterra, but I didn´t think it was part of Nissan´s current lineup. (I just looked at Nissan Mexico and I don´t see it. Under SUVs I see Pathinder--currently too huge for us--Armada, even huger and X-trail)

Lots of people I know drive X-trails, many in areas where the AWD is handy. They like them, It´s a bit small for us, but you might like it.

As far as servicing is concerned, we have never had any trouble, but we were never under warranty. The only parts we couldn´t get in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico were things like a new motor for the back windshield wiper, a new pump for the window washer (things like that), but never a problem with major things like brakes. Nissan couldn´t fix our a/c either, but they recommended a dandy independent repair shop which fixed us up.

Our criteria are a bit different perhaps, but we are also considering Jeep and the Toyota FJ Cruiser, both of which have strong off-road credentials.

The Sentra is a nice car, roomy. }Cabs seem to manage in them in most terrains. But, like you, I worry about rainy season sliding. If you´re worried about gas mileage, get select 4WD, if they still have it. Our Pathfinder has that. We rarely use it, but it is nice as a safety net.

Btw, does anyone know if Xterra is indeed available in Mexico?


Lilmsmaggie


Aug 29, 2012, 1:05 PM

Post #9 of 11 (1964 views)

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Re: [Nancy in Pátzcuaro] Choice of vehicles

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Just a FYI

Since I was curious about the topic of this thread, i did a little sleuthing on Wikipedia, and this is what it reports concerning the Nissan Xterra. Hope it helps:

"The last year of the Nissan Xterra in Mexico was 2008, as the larger-but-cheaper unibody Nissan Rogue replaced in the product lineup. Reasons why the Xterra stopped sales in Mexico was for Nissan to free up room for the 2009 Suzuki Equator at the Smyrna plant, and also because of Nissan building fewer Xterras due to declining sales in the United States and Canada ..."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Xterra
Dwain (aka Lilmsmaggie)


Nancy in Pátzcuaro

Aug 29, 2012, 8:52 PM

Post #10 of 11 (1911 views)

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Re: [Lilmsmaggie] Choice of vehicles

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I've been thinking about this thread for a few weeks now, and having read it again I'm grateful for all the good advice you've given me. I don't know if we're any closer to a decision than we were when I originally posted the question, but we keep thinking about it.

Our current plan is to drive the Ford Ranger AND another vehicle when we return to Pátzcuaro in a couple of weeks. We'll need the truck to haul more of our junk to Pátzcuaro, but we want a car for people hauling. At some point we'll drive the truck back to the US and sell it--after we've stopped buying goodies for our house. We are debating our '91 Sube with a gazillion miles on it vs. a relatively new Outback for the better possibility of repair in México, and all the airbags. From what I see, the closest dealer is in Querétero, but nothing in Morelia at least yet.

The Nissan XTrail is one of our choices to buy in México, though it doesn't solve our immediate problem. It could be the car we choose for the long term. But we're still lookin'.

Again, thank you for your thoughtful replies. Forums like this one help all of us, and it's only because of the generosity of the members that helpful information gets passed around.

N.


robt65

Sep 1, 2012, 4:07 AM

Post #11 of 11 (1762 views)

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Re: [Nancy in Pátzcuaro] Choice of vehicles

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Good Morning,

You might want to go on the internet and check out the recalls and customer complaints for any vehicle you are thinking seriously about buying.

We had a 2005 X Trail and were very disappointed in it. When I got to looking at the recalls, I was surprised at the sheer numbers of recalls for our pet peeve. While there are certainly many “Thursday” cars built out in the world of every brand, I will still now not buy a car without searching the recalls and customer complain sites of any car I am seriously thinking of buying.

The gas gauge on our X Trail was always registering more than what was in the tank. We checked everything and shortly found that Nissan was having a lot of problems regarding gas gauges (for several year models) and not only on the X Trail but on almost all other models as well. While I do not remember the exact amounts, I do remember the cost of new parts and installation was astounding. We were happy with the space inside for the driver and other seating areas (I am 6'5") and my wife is five foot and a feather tall. The X Trail also had excellent cargo capacity but the rear seating was not the best, even for the (normally) shorter Mexican adult and the ride was also not all that comfortable for sure. Even with a change of tires, and checking all the steering joints and shocks, we never did get any where near a smooth ride and we did not have expectations for a Cadillac type ride either.

I did check out to see if the Xterra was sold here in México and the information I found out was that the X Trail was really the test model for the Xterra. We sold the car within one year for almost as much as we paid for it.

Even though repair prices are higher, we are now looking at various VW models, especially the new (truly) four passenger beetle. It is amazing how much space they do have inside. They have a pretty good history for not needing too many repairs and they also make a nice wagon. However, like any German car made, when they do need repairs, they are usually pretty costly. They are usually very dependable though. We had a 2005 VW Turbo Beetle and were very impressed with the space inside and the power as well as the gas mileage. I have also driven several others and like Nissan, there are certainly enough dealers here in Mexico.

We also own a 2008 Tahoe with a “variable cylinder” gas engine. The gas mileage is really excellent for a larger model car and this serves our family of four adults, a ten year old and a two year old with plenty of leg room and comfort. I did have a pretty serious valve stem problem at about 45,000 miles and a lousy music (CD problem) center, but a new one was provided without charge and the entire top half of the engine was rebuilt at no charge as it was a warranty issue. I also had a power window cable fail and was quoted a hefty sum of 3,700 pesos at both dealers and private mechanics to replace the window motor and cable as supposedly the cable alone could not be replaced. I found a locksmith that had all the tools and the bulk roll of cable and he repaired it for a tidy 500 peso sum in about three hours time. I was tickled. It now works without any problems at all. I have put another 25,000 miles on the car now and no other problems with it. A little more difficult to park on the smaller streets here in Mexico is the biggest problem, but all in all it has been an excellent vehicle, and very comfortable, with a lot of storage space and excellent visibility..

Just my own personal experiences.

Regards,

robt65






(This post was edited by robt65 on Sep 1, 2012, 4:25 AM)
 
 
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