Escape totaled, considering a CX-5 (Now with pics!) (Bought new car!)

[boomhower]

*Those that have one what do you think about the stereo? Been hearing the stock one isn't very good even upgraded to Bose. Thinking of getting base and putting some quality speakers in. Will be giving it a listen but wanted to see what others experience was.

Yesterday my wife was in a crash and our 2001 Escape is assuredly totaled considering it was a rollover. Some idiot tried flying across a five lane highway and broadsided her flipping the truck. Other than some road rash on her shoulder from dragging the asphalt she is fine.

She is wanting to get a used CX-5. From looking at reviews I am finding little to not like about it. Looking at 2014 Grand Touring and 2015 Tourings in the low 20's. Anybody got one or have any thoughts on them?

 

[NutBucket]

Can't you get a new one for a few k more? Low 20s buys a new CUV so your choice.

 

[boomhower]

$26k for Touring or $30k for the Grand Touring. The one she is looking at is a 2015 Grand Touring with 20k miles for a $23.5k.

The issue is she wants leather/sunroof/premium stereo on a base model budget so it pretty much has to be used as we can't afford a $30k SUV and $30k for one of these seems nuts. It seems nuts what SUV's are going for anyways. A halfway decent Explorer costs $35k? Seems pretty steep.

 

[NutBucket]

An Explorer is huge though. It's far from being compact. 3 years ago we paid about $40k for an Acadia.

At any rate, I see your position. Gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[unokitty]

Yesterday my wife was in a crash and our 2001 Escape is assuredly totaled considering it was a rollover. Some idiot tried flying across a five lane highway and broadsided her flipping the truck. Other than some road rash on her shoulder from dragging the asphalt she is fine.

She is wanting to get a used CX-5. From looking at reviews I am finding little to not like about it. Looking at 2014 Grand Touring and 2015 Tourings in the low 20's. Anybody got one or have any thoughts on them?

Glad that your wife is okay...

My wife traded her 10 year old Avalon in on a CX-5 about 6 months ago.

She likes it fine. Hasn't had any problems. Drives around town. Has taken one or two 100 mile road trips...

We looked at CRVs, RAV4s, and the CX-5. And she liked the Mazda best.

While I'm partial to Honda’s, I did have a Miata for 8 years and 140,000 miles. Other than rebuilding the clutch slave cylinder, nothing ever broke...

If your wife likes the way the CX-5 drives, I'd say go for it...

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[Viper GTS]

We paid just under 30k November 2014 for a loaded 2015 GT with everything but the dealer installable parking sensors.

It has unusually good driving dynamics for its class, and the availability of adaptive HIDs at that price point is great. If the one she is looking at has the tech package you should make a point of driving it after dark. It's seriously one of the best things about the car.

The conclusion we came to when shopping new 2015 CUVs was that some cars did one thing well (Forester AWD) but the CX-5 was the best blend of everything. And the headlights were awesome.

It has been fine, a few minor issues covered by warranty (front speakers all stopped working) but that is to be expected statistically. It has averaged 24 mpg in the ~11k miles we've put on it. The stock 19 inch GT wheels/tires are easy to damage, we've lost one tire so far to a pothole. We bought dedicated winter wheels and tires with much taller sidewalls to help minimize the risk. The heated seats are a bit odd because only the seat is heated - not the back. The optional cargo cover is worth every penny, it seemed expensive until we'd actually used it but it's better implemented than on any other car I've seen.

Viper GTS

 

[Demo24]

Cx5 has basically been at the top of its category for awhile now so I'd say go for it. Although I don't pay specific attention to it, I can't think off hand of any 'problems' with it. Ive a 2015 3 which shares some components and its been great!

 

[zanemoseley]

Love my 2014 Touring. Go for it.

 

[bigi]

GT is too expensive for what it is. Touring is fine price wise IMO.

Make sure you test drive it enough. I have 2 of them and don't really like AT in it as it is really programmed for MPG which makes car's response below terrible.

I get 25-30 MPG depending on driving style/conditions.

Don't get used, 2016 year has many improvements that you will have not to get, infotainment systems is one of them.

 

[zanemoseley]

The GT also has some big wheels with some pretty low profile tires IIRC, I would check tire prices if you drive much, the tires may jump from $500 to $1000 going from the Touring to the GT.

 

[SearchMaster]

Sounds like your Escape performed admirably - I might consider another under the circumstances (though the odds of needing such protection again are probably infinitesimal).

20% discount off new for 20K miles sounds like a bargain.

 

[boomhower]

Sounds like it is a winner then. New isn't out of the question. I'll get a quote on a new Touring with the Bose package and compare. Depending on interest rates monthly payment may be close enough to just go new.

Sounds like your Escape performed admirably - I might consider another under the circumstances (though the odds of needing such protection again are probably infinitesimal).

20% discount off new for 20K miles sounds like a bargain.

That isn't going to happen. She didn't care for it at all. We only bought it a few months ago and I was going to keep it while she got a newer car. Well obviously that plan didn't work out. She gets the newer car now and I will get another beater down the road.

 

[Drako]

Glad your wife is OK. :thumbsup:

Calling an Escape a truck is ... :thumbsdown:

 

[ScottFern]

We liked my wife's CX-5 Sport so much I just purchased a 2016 CX-5 Touring for myself. I don't care if we look silly driving the same car.

 

[The Stigenator]

I have the original 2013 CX5 (Touring + Tech Package + Nav = BLIS, HID, Nav, Bose) which is one below the GT (which only has leather + heated seats).

Anyway I love the car. Make sure you get the 2.5L engine and not the 2.0. The 2.0 is anemic, I have the 2.0 and it drives me nuts. However its a great car and very reliable. I have over 100K on mine.. not much issues. I am averaging 29.6 mpg (on the 2.0L engine).

I have my regular oil changes + transmission fluid change ever 30K (the dealer does it) and a few more things. Its going to run forever at this rate.

Its a great car. I will highly recommend it. Mine is in that Laguna Seca Blue.. yummy color

 

[boomhower]

bump

 

[twinrider1]

... Mine is in that Laguna Seca Blue.. yummy color

lol, I wonder if they also have a color called Fort Ord Gray?

 

[HitAnyKey]

Glad your wife is ok. That does sound like a pretty seriously scary crash tho.

CX-5 looks like one of the better choices. Had it been an option in 2011 when I was shopping my RAV4, I probably would have bought it instead.

Best of luck.

 

[boomhower]

Well bought today. 2016 Red CX-5 Touring FWD. $25k with taxes, tag, fees etc OTD. Added $900 GAP coverage for total, $25,900. Dark outside now so don't have any decent pics.

I am really impressed with the stereo. 7" screen in the dash but also has a control wheel and buttons horizontally on the console. It works really really well for an OEM set-up. Sound quality is fairly blah, speakers will be replaced down the road.

 

[unokitty]

Sounds really nice! Trust that you, and your wife, will enjoy it for a long time.

Congrats!

Uno

 

[Herr Kutz]

Well bought today. 2016 Red CX-5 Touring FWD. $25k with taxes, tag, fees etc OTD. Added $900 GAP coverage for total, $25,900. Dark outside now so don't have any decent pics.

I am really impressed with the stereo. 7" screen in the dash but also has a control wheel and buttons horizontally on the console. It works really really well for an OEM set-up. Sound quality is fairly blah, speakers will be replaced down the road.

Sweet. I test drove a mazda 6 last night, and I'm loving Mazda's interiors.