Clavey has been reviewing cars since 2016, mostly in written form. His work has been featured on platforms such as Jalopnik, Business Insider, The Drive and The Car Guide. And now, he's on RU-vid! Follow him as he reviews new and old cars, trucks and SUVs through a relaxed and entertaining performance.
The Armada has an impressive engine. I have 138,000 miles no problems still strong engine. Tahoe much more expensive go with the Armada much better choice.
After selling my E46 M3 MT (best sports car bmw made imho), i bought a e39 540i MT touring/wagon, the raw non vanos engine! after 6 years it's still a blast to drive, one minor point, the brakes upgrading is recommended for sporty drivers, and with an LSD, you're golden! It's a car for life! By the way, if i see the US specs from a performance point, there's still a small difference with EU models, in my case i checked the engine on a dyno after big maintenance, and it produced 295 and 420nm. It's the perfect classic daily driver.
Nothing more beautiful. My father has a PV544, my mom had a 244 when I was a kid, I’ve had a 240 and a 740 and now I drive a C40. I love Volvos - and there was never a more beautiful car than the 1800.
95k that’s seriously a joke…. Get the Lexus LX even if you have to grab a Certified Lexus LX it is far and away better then anything GM will ever make ( I’m look’n at ya Escalade)… The Lexus LX is the Cats Meow… Good for 1/2 Million Miles. Who in the Hell wants to tell tell friends they dumped 95k on Chevy or 75k on a Nissan . That would would be embarrassing as hell plus if you have an HOA they should fine you for depreciating the neighborhood with those $hit Buckets
It certainly is a very beautiful car, and without doubt the most beautiful Volvo. It may be the only beautiful Volvo, given that Volvos tent to be, erm, handsome?
You didn't mention that the electric overdrive could be accessed in either third or forth gear. This would allow for driving in traffic in third gear and using overdrive to simulate forth gear.
I owned Nissan, Toyota, Infiniti, and lastly, a GMC. My 2016 GMC Denali was a beautiful truck, suited my just fine for what I needed. The downside of it was the overkill of issues, anywhere from a recall, to lifter failure. I loved the tech in it. It came time to unload my Denali 9/2023, and the best deal I got out of 4 different makes, was a new 2023 Nissan Armada Platinum awd. It came in $30,000 less than anything else, they weren’t selling during this time. I had previously owned a 2015 Infiniti QX80 sensory package at today’s terms, and had zero issues with it. The Nissan platinum falls short of the QX80, top tier trim definitely doesn’t match up. To this date, the Nissan has met every expectation including the love for premium fuel, but it beats dealing with a car manufacturer that can’t do away with a lifter failure that plagued every motor with AFM or DOD. Nissan is an easy choice
I was with you until you started with that behemoth SUV that, except for badging, exudes zero Mini heritage. It exists only because they sell. But in fact, Mini SUVs are just BMWs in diguise. But your R50 looks brilliant. I can attest to the superb build quality and exhilarating driving characteristics of the early BMW renditions as I proudly own a 2004 R53 S. Nothing is as exciting to drive as my R53. I've owned two MK1 Toyota MR2s, two Honda Civic SIs, a 1998 BMW Z3 M, and a Mitsubishi EVO XIII. For shear driving experience, the Mini tops them all, although the much more expensive EVO comes closest. I am currently in the process of trading my R53 😮💨. But only because a 2013 JCW convertible in BRG crossed my path, and I can't resist it.
Great review - but remember, a lot of us are NOT looking for an EV - we like the sound and rev of the car, the grumble of the engine, etc. etc. Comparing this to the Tesla and/or Lucid Air is a bit unfair as it's comparing apples to oranges. A better comparison would be the Mercedes line of EVs vs said cars......one more thing to note - you will RARELY see this car on the road whilst a 2 minute drive to the local store will result in NUMEROUS Teslas....some of us enjoy the uniqueness. Nevertheless, not being a jerk - greatly appreciate the review and the honesty!
@@claveyscorner3220I just got one of these after this video today. 2006 last gen 1. What wheels are those and size? Any issues after the upgrades you listed?
Test drove an Armada 2019 sl last month and bought it in Burnsville Minnesota. Loved it, only to find out it had too many problems not reported by the dealer nor carfax. I live in Superior Wisconsin so it was a long haul to find it it was not as advertised by the dealership. Happyfully I got my refund back for returning it three days later. And I thought to myself, what would I feel if I got one that was in good condition. I have a 2017 ford explorer xlt and it has too blind spot visibility. The Armada is the best and safest one I need. And the power to tow the camper, 8500 pounds, yes. Still looking for my retirement vehicle, wish me luck not a lot of Armada's for sale in Duluth Minnesota area.
The constraint that lotus had was the lack of gearboxes that could handle that lotus could generate from their engines. 0-60 isn’t a good measure of the performance drive it back to back on a twisty road with with peers of its age and it makes them feel stodgy, sloppy and slow….
