I've bought 4 new vehicles in the last 12 years, here is my most basic advice. Go test drive vehicles you're interested in (top 3 or 4) and JUST GO HOME after. Let your instincts kick in for a couple of days or even a week or 2. Make 3 lists, what do you like? what don't you like?( about each vehicle) what other competitor vehicles would be better or did you like more??? Make sure when you put down a deposit for a back ordered model that it's FULLY REFUNDABLE, otherwise don't give them your money! I waited 2 years to get a vehicle i just purchased in August, life can change and you don't want to be held to your deposit for a vehicle you now no longer want! Most of all buy for your TOP priorities!
The best thing a new car buyer can do is to get a 1 week test drive. Easy to do by renting one. A 15 min or even hour long test drive doesn't really give you a very good idea how the car will work for you. In US we have Turo which is like Air BnB for cars. When you have the car for a week you really find out what it is like to live with. Are the seats comfortable after 2 hours? How are the headlights? Does it fit in your garage..? In most large cities you can find practically any car from a VW Beatle to Corvette -- including most hybrids & EVs -- at reasonable rates.
Always focus on ergonomics and make sure everything fits like a glove, and always leave your own car at home so it’s impossible to do a deal until you’re absolutely decided👌
My favourite is Michelin. I haven't used testing equipment on any tires i've owned, but i've owned bridgestones, BF goodrich and yokohama. Michelins have this intangible quality i can't identify. i think its the ride quality combined with longevity. They're aways my first choice and my last 4 tires purchases have all been michelins
Now you tell me! Just kidding. So much great advice from you both all in one reel. I keep maintaining my Acura TL 2003 @ 185,000! It does have a V6, sunroof, Bose speakers and leather seats. It’s quiet on the highway, gets decent gas mileage and handles well. But thanks for all the tips. I promise to buy a new car soon! Really!! 😢
Hello Andrea and Zack! Really like the information you provide about the different cars. Question: Of the new 2025 cars that are coming out. Which ones are the two of you are looking forward to test driving?
1: Come with your own finance rate and your current car sold. Only negotiate the price of the car. 2: Never buy a used car at night or in the rain; you can’t see the paint damage. 3: Consider using a broker to find the best price if you’re not a skilled negotiator.
There was a lot of talk about the cracking tires after 3 months and I think there might be another possible reason not mentioned. It is possible the car sat on a lot, exposed to the sun in an area where tire damage can happen quickly, such as Arizona, Nevada, etc. Also, the used is not a big mover, and it is very possible it sat on a lot for more than a year before it was even sold. 😉
Me too. I am only 6'2" tall but long in the legs so the seating position is very important. There aren't many auto reviewers who make reference to that for us tall folks.
Fantastic post today. One of our cars has auto lock. By far my favorite modern feature. I have issues remembering to lock the others after getting used to having it.
Agree on the CX-50 seats. We test drove one and my wife and I both thought the same thing. Way too hard to live with. I've never sat in a car that had seats that hard and that uncomfortable. Liked everything else about it, but no way could I live with those seats. That goes back to your advice about test driving a lot and making sure you really like the interior and are comfortable. Review a car online and think one thing and then take it for a test drive and amazing how quickly your impressions of the car change.
Pirelli does manufacture some amazing tyres (sadly … not all). And their P-Zeros are impressive. The Mach-E P-Zero tyres were specifically selected for the GT (245/45R20 103Y XL Elect) by Ford working with Pirelli. They are not inexpensive. Pirelli has also designed tyres for both Lucid and Rivian. I would be surprised if they had a bad batch or under-engineered these new tyres. But… maybe they did (or it was a bad batch). I would work the dealership and/or Pirelli directly for an acceptable resolution. Would they not be covered under their warranty (either from Ford or Pirelli)? I would love to hear how this story ends. Best of luck to Mr. Mach-E GT! Thanks for the video.
Higher end Pirellis, I like. The Pirellis that go sale at Canadian Tire, I do not like. For the purists… you’ve got to go with Michelin’s Pilot Sports Cup 2s. I’m just not rich enough for them, as their prices are rather … cheeky.
I have never before purchased "extra packages" but a few yrs ago bought a mazda with a white leather interior and was offered, and paid for, an expensive "protection" package. Three months later a leaky hand sanitizer in a black backpack stained the white leather and would not come out. Mazda replaced the whole seat at a cost far more than the protection package Soooo...your add ons need to be purchased thoughtfully
Completely agree with Zack regarding color, that's why there are usually 10 colors (give or take for each model). Color is very subjective historically white, greys, silver have had the best resale value as they are more neutral. Black is a nightmare to keep clean and swirl free but many people like black. However this is my opinion, you will have to choose what you will be happy with for the duration of time you will own your vehicle. That Lexus is a nice car and a good choice, best of luck!
I've never been a fan of Pirelli. They are known for having less grip, being hard riding and not lasting very long; they're a triple threat! I would recommend Michelin or Continental instead.
@wyw201 It was a typo for one. And two, I need 4 doors for passenger space. And why do you suggest a convertible when I specifically said that I like a sunroof in my car?
One tip I've learned is don't just go by the car manufactures "build a vehicle" page to get the price. It can give you the msrp for the trim line with tax, but it doesn't include the extra fees they will charge. Those of course can be negotiable, but it's good to know where they will start and it helps to get a more realistic price.
Toyota in B.C. from my experience is charging MSRP for the vehicle at most - no extra fees. Sure there is still the dealer admin fee and PDI+Freght but everyone charges for those. It's nice because the salesman lead you to the website and the final price is exactly what toyota canada's website shows.
To me one of the things that is overlooked is that most people do not consider the endgame. In other words; where am I going to be in four years when I want something different! All decisions should be considered in light of this.
Let me tell you, the vehicle that I purchased before the car I have now with all the features and I have to say, the vehicle value went down so fast. So the new vehicle I got this year is a middle trim and I’m so happy with it. Plus I didn’t even use all the features. Over kill.
First question was a good one 👍🏼 I bought my 2021 Bronco Sport Badlands off the lot in Dec 2020. I sat in it, made sure I fit and told them to write it up 😆I got lucky I think, this car has been mechanically reliable and still fun to drive. On the safety features, which the sport has quite a few, I really like them, but I’ve been driving my 1970 Volvo 144s for a summer daily and I find when I get in the sport I’m turning things off haha. Excellent episode, again. Cheers
@@billurban1581 You know what it says. Not only that, but the resale of EVs get hit even harder due to the fact that the prices of new ones are continuously dropping.
Get the repair and reliability data first.. then go drive some. I am 6-7..fit is important. Then comes the $$$. You may need to go used to get what you want.
That pirelli issue was a fluke imo. Cracking after 3 months?!?! I have a set of Pirelli on my xover suv (performance all seasons) and they've been fantastic!
Front and rear parking sensors which are basics, now not available on Lexus and Mazda just on top trims. Not even available as a stand alone item. Unbelievable!
Based on your reviews I started with a 2023 VW Tiguan High-line R-Line then a 2024 Subaru Outback Onyx and finally a 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Purchasing the extended warranty, tire rim protection on all vehicles because working in a service department I know the value.
I brought the CarCostCanada price for each trim & my sports gear to estimate what cargo size is needed. After playing sports I want to be able to go shopping at Costco.
Oh definitely test drive first. I have a 2018 civic but the drivers seat doesn’t go back far enough for my 6,2” self. My wife drives it now I drive 2022 Corolla the drivers seat goes wayyy back with tons of leg room
Sorry to hear about your tires. My wife's Model 3 dual motor is still running the original Continental's with close to 40,000K. Lots of tire depth left too....
The exact same thing happened to me yesterday. Finalized the biweekly payments with the salesperson and then he sent me to the business manager. Suddenly, the business manager added $50 on each payment in the name of extended warranty and appearance protection. I told him I’ll like to stick to the original payment and he sadly agreed 😅
regarding the "mistakes" that people make when buying a new car... IMO, a lot of people going into EVs don't take into consideration of the charging time. The advantage is going to be different for everyone... Even you guys have mentioned in the past, IF they... perhaps live in a house with a garage and have their own level 1 charger, plug it in every day when they get home, and it's all ready in the morning... Sure., the savings are great... but recently, I was running an errand near the Richmond Centre (here in BC), and there's a section of the parking lot that has at least 20 Tesla chargers... I counted, there were 15 Teslas charging, and 13 of the 15 owners were just sitting inside, on their phones perhaps watching TikTok or YT... I guess they don't value their personal time. Not to mention, the Tesla chargers aren't free by any means.... I'm okay with filling my gas tank in 5 minutes or less and off I go. And I'm okay NOT having charging station anxieties on long road trips in rural areas. Plus, if I wanted an EV or hybrid that had the specs of my car... it would have cost at least $15-$30k MORE. That would be a lot of NOT paying for gas to make up the difference
You forgot maintenance, oil changes, brake, transmission fluids, engine check light, the list goes one. For EVs battery replacement is biggest factor and faster tire wear.
Regarding tires, especially on main stream vehicles. Manufacturers will often make their selection based on fuel economy to lower their CAFE for their fleet of vehicles. Unfortunately these are not always the best tires for your vehicle. Personally I'm a fan of Michelin over Pirelli's their tires are good enough for commercial jets they should be good enough for your vehicle. Their Pilot Sport model tire is an outstanding ultra high performance tire as well and may be a good alternative to the P-Zero's if available in the same size/speed rating.
Im curious how the price will be of the civic hybrid hatch and the upcoming K4 wagon will be vs say a prius. Cant stand the prius interior but the mpg and features for the price is very compelling
I had a similar problem with the Pirellis on my new 2024 VW Tiguan, after a week I noticed that it felt like it needed a balance. The dealership discover thst my belt on the Pzeros had been damaged (they think it was from the strapping on the tires during shipping.
21:25 Safety features, perhaps of interest. I spent my career selling big trucks, mostly Volvo trucks. They are far away the strongest and safest of all the big trucks, but only about one customer of 20 ever expressed any interest in safety. Most think an accident will always happen to the other guy.
Auto stop start and lane keep I always turn off in modern vehicle. They’re more annoying than helpful imo. I don’t need them, I’ve had a license for nearly 40 years lol. The beeping forward safety can get annoying depending on the vehicle and sensitivity. There’s times I wish I could turn that off.
You said put a non-refundable deposit down-don't you mean refundable? I'm thinking about replacing my 2022 eco boost Maverick with either a Toyota RAV4 hybrid or a Mazda CX50 hybrid. I was leaning towards the CX50, but Andrea's comment about avoiding first year vehicles makes a lot of sense (from someone who bought a first year Maverick). Secretly, I'd love to buy a used BMW X3 M40i, but the long-term maintenance costs would bankrupt me!
Always enjoy your show, don’t change the way you say Mazda, it’s the Americans who butchered the English language not the Canadians 😂 Love to our Canadian and American friends from Australia
For me, ventilated seats are a must. I live in New England, and where shorts all year around. I always want to be, cool as a cucumber. So usually, I'm stuck in a top tier trim.
Do you think the Ev tire cracking has to do with the fact that ford gets the car on lot 1-2 years before selling them? I’m just joking i Really like the mach-e but that is a wierd issue.
Hello Andrea and a Zach. Do you not notice that Hybrids require the same maintenance as a ICE vehicle+ you would have Battery etc. I would recommend deciding if you want EV with virtually no maintenance or ICE In my Opinion Hybrids are just twice the maintenance. What do you think?
Twice? You said it, "EV with virtually no maintenance," so hybrid or PHEV batteries and motors would enjoy the same maintenance requirements as EVs. And for PHEVs, my PHEV engine will have about 30,000 miles of wear when the odometer says 100,000. Not a bad maintenance compromise.
Andrea I think you meant to say you put a REFUNDABLE deposit on a car and if you don’t like it you walk away (together with your money back) Otherwise a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit will be lost and a very expensive test drive😢
@@fit2yougolf926 Good point - IS350 FSport could be the case since in Canada we do not have an IS500 F Sport 3. There is an IS350 F Sport 3 trim??? But it doesn't matter Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0!!!
AMD is Toyota and Honda biased - that we know. He's a very nice guy - that we all know. But he is also very negative in some of his objections to things like the cut-off interior handles. Design choice with utility in mind. The opening fits almost any kind of bottle - utility which you recognize but then really are putting it down as worthless. The cost. Rangers trim for trim level cost $10-$12000 more than the Maverick. Bed is only a small six inches longer at 5FT. Ranger doesn't have the Ford Flex-bed that are made to put bed dividers and other things that you can buy, or make, and it is a useful utilitarian space - not just space for space. He didn't show underseat storage. Interior room - every car he reviews has his knees hitting the seat in back and no USB or power outlets but he doesn't give credit that Maverick does give them, and nobody sitting in back with all that room ever complains of being cramped. Lariat is for the customer who wants some truck utility but creature comforts like sunroof, the advanced cruise control and lane keep and upgraded audio. It has a touchscreen that he always complains when others (Mazdas) do not have. Interior is supposed to be utilitarian, not all soft-touch dash and doors - who runs their hands thru their car dashes anyways? AMD is correct about build quality, but when Mid-sized trucks cost $49-$60K and full-size can run up to $100K, that top-trim Lariat seems like a real bargain to me. Unibody like the Ridgeline - it is comparative to the Ridgeline more than the Santa Cruz - but AMD is Honda biased so no mention of the Ridgeline with it's Frunk-in-the-trunk. C'mon AMD - less bias please.
BC buyers have to suffer the extra tax on new vehicles. The luxury tax is total tax grab and with the prices of new vehicles, just about every vehicle is in that bracket.
I always joke about a past buying experience. On the sales floor, I was buying a Honda: a reliable vehicle I can depend on for years. Then I got to the finance office, and I'd better protect myself from this piece of trash that may not even make it home without an expensive repair.
Car salespeople do not always try and push people into higher trim vehicles. That only makes our job harder to close on a monthly payment or certain amount out the door.
Have you noticed how much todays drivers HATE a lot of the tech the manufacturers are cramming in ... J.D. Power has been checking on how people like or don't like, their new cars for decades now. They say right now over 70% of current owners of new cars, Never Use over 70% of those features. Especially ones hidden away in the menu stack. I agree - simpler is better.
