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Post by Karon on Dec 18, 2008 16:48:27 GMT 1
I found the steering on our Trooper very odd, but I soon got used to it and now when I drive a similar car I do find it OK. I'll be the only one driving it - OH doesn't drive if he can help it - so I don't care if he finds it a rougher ride! No throwing around will be done - that's what the Subaru will be for I would bet it pulls off at lights far faster than my current car, which goes 0-60 in an hour or so on a good day - I feel very lucky if I ever get it over 60 mph. Looks like my choice is narrowed down to Landcruiser, Sorento and Trooper with possibly looking at a newish Terrano as well. Sue, don't think I'll be waiting 18 months although it will depend on how soon I can get another job! I'm not leaving here until April though, so I've got a bit of time to sort out a test drive of a Sorento. I think the LC will be out of my price range which will help with a final decision.
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suenf
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Post by suenf on Dec 18, 2008 16:54:27 GMT 1
I was lucky enough to have both from new, and nothing that I can think of has stopped working, in fact our mechanic who looks after the car can't believe how great they are. OH agrees with you re back seat suspension (don't think thats the techie term!!), although he has only sat in the back once or twice he finds it very strange, noone else has commented though, loads of room in boot and back seat. Steeringwise yes I guess it's light and easy, to be honest I hadn't noticed.
Apparantly they really hold their value, Kia told us that 80% of Sorrento's are made for the US market and the other 20% are for Europe, when we traded our 3 year old one last year, the salesman said he had quite a few people waiting for it, and we got a great trade in price!
We've had people approach us to see whether we like the car, once I remember when we were parked for a walk on the beach, I thought the man was going to complain that my dogs weren't on leads and was ready for a "fight" but he wanted to tell me he had just bought a Sorrento and weren't they fab!!!
Crikey Loza we are too sad!!
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suenf
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Post by suenf on Dec 18, 2008 16:58:15 GMT 1
Karon, we looked at the Landcruiser originally, it was also out of our budget, but even if was priced the same I'm sure we would have still gone for the Sorrento, I haven't any experience of Troopers personally but a friend has one and she loves it. I love car hunting!
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Post by Karon on Dec 18, 2008 17:14:19 GMT 1
Agh, I hate it - but this time round I'm only going to proper dealers or dealers who I know have a good reputation. I'm also going to make sure I get a good warranty on any car I buy I'm looking forward to hunting for my next car though (and the 4x4) as this time I won't be in a rush to replace a dead car. Famous last words.....
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Post by Karon on Dec 18, 2008 19:30:01 GMT 1
One other question - manual or automatic? Oh, and what are they like at towing up serious hills? I'll only be towing one horse but if I go into Wales there are a few little mounds there OK that was two questions
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suenf
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Post by suenf on Dec 18, 2008 19:40:02 GMT 1
Hi Karon Well as before I can only tell you about the Sorrento, we have manual because oh hates autos, not tried the auto, don't know which Loza drives. Hills are no problem with towing we have found, we travel our 16.2hh ID x TB and Forester in the Equi Trek. We used to struggle up a steep hill near where we lived with our old 7 ton lorry, had to go down to first to make it and we all leant forward in the cab to help the poor lorry The car and trailer steam up the same hill with no effort. Anymore questions before I put myself forward as Joint Chairman of the Sorrento Supporters Club with Loza.
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Post by LMuirEDT on Dec 19, 2008 9:57:29 GMT 1
Cant say I've towed up many serious hills but wouldnt be concerned if I was faced with one. Actually going out of our yard the road/drive is a steep sort of bank and a sharp left turn and it pulls up there fine with a 16.3hh ID and 15.3hh TB in back (altho normally only have the ID in). 4WD kicks in each time perfectly.
I've got a manual purely cos I didnt want to get out of habit of driving a manual car - probably a really bizarre reason. Drove one in USA and felt like I was driving a go kart and didnt like it. People did tell me tho automatics are better for towing but dont know if it's true.
Anyone else for the SSC? Well that's 2 members so far!
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Post by Karon on Dec 19, 2008 10:17:03 GMT 1
LOL at leaning forwards up hills ;D I'm going to get an auto Subaru so I'd like an auto tow car too, but Loza you have a point about not getting out of the habit of driving a manual. I love automatics One last question cos I'm too idle to find it on Parkers! - what are the service intervals, and does it have a cam belt to change? If so how often? Cheers
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suenf
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Post by suenf on Dec 19, 2008 10:26:47 GMT 1
Am just off out now, but I can't remember the service intervals, less than normal 4 x 4's, I know that as my mechanic commented on it. Kia now offer the longest (and I believe) most comprehensive vehicle warranty available - 6 years I think. God knows about cam belt changes that's what I have an oh for!!
Buy one Karon then you could be a member of Loza's and my club!!
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Post by Karon on Dec 19, 2008 11:04:45 GMT 1
LOL, my OH is even more useless at cars than I am so I have to rely on other people and mechanics
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Post by LMuirEDT on Dec 19, 2008 11:05:21 GMT 1
i have no idea about service intervals and cam belts and stuff, I too (ashamed to admit it) rely on OH and father for that sort of advice. Ive been told mine is good on oil tho. Both OH and dad were amazed that it's not needed oil since I bought it.
Sue I had heard that about buying Kias brand new now. Mine is a second hand 2003 so I dont get any warrenty.
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Post by Karon on Dec 19, 2008 11:18:58 GMT 1
Don't really want to spend that much buying a new one It'll be the one time I could afford to but it seems a bit of a waste really A 2003 car is still far newer than any I've ever had before though so that sort of age would do nicely
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Post by LMuirEDT on Dec 19, 2008 11:43:11 GMT 1
That's exactly what I thought Karon. Would have been nice to get a brand new one (if i could have afforded it!) but 2003 seems new enough to me!
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daisysp8
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People only see what they are prepared to see
Posts: 2,120
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Post by daisysp8 on Dec 19, 2008 11:56:59 GMT 1
He he he Karon i have a 3.1TD Citation parked outside ... and i want rid of it lol !! The bodywork is fab on it, really mint. However, i was told it`d need a bit of welding on the rear chassis leg where the tow bar attatches for its next MOT, which seen as its an old "K" reg i can`t really complain lol. I need a van though, as the other half is going Moto x racing so needs somewhere to put all his kit and caboodle and bike. I`m only asking £600 for it, its taxed and tested til May next year and had no interest ... probably going to end up part ex-ing it for a van !! Just a word to the wise, 2 friends of mine are mechanics and they both warned me away from the newer Izusu 3.0 engined motor .. They are very unreliable and costly to repair
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Post by Karon on Dec 19, 2008 12:29:46 GMT 1
Have no money at the moment otherwise I'd be very tempted by the Trooper It could sit on my yard until I could afford to get it fixed if I had the cash now! I think the 3.0 litre ones have been around for a while now for the surviving ones to have had their faults sorted (?). I know when they first came out they were blowing up a lot but I've seen a few around locally that seem OK. I think if I got one I'd have to go through a dealer and get a decent warranty on it just to be safe. I thought the dealer who has the Subarus did Isuszus too but I'm not so sure now, think he's changed to Hyundai.
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