Considering a CX-5 GT

[Unobtanium]

The CX-5 is not fun to drive for me. It does feel like I'm driving a sedan at times but braking is poor, and acceleration is unbearable.

After about 3 months of ownership, I already regret not purchasing a Subaru Forester, or waiting for the new VW Tiguan.

Well, the handling actually is pretty good for an SUV. The brakes suck at everything but stopping (if that makes sense, I bet you understand, if you're a driver). Acceleration though...brother, this is a cheap N/A 4-banger designed for fuel economy. It is not a turbo Porsche, nor is it the Forester XT which trades efficiency for power. It is what it is, and among similar efficiency vehicles of similar capability, it delivers 0-60 a full second sooner, which is pretty impressive, comparatively!

 

[Ram4Sam]

Another FNG here..... We have been looking at all the CUV's lately since Vw will be getting there Jetta TDI back. I was quite impressed with the Touring and the Grand T. we drove. Especially liked 6 speed auto in it, hated the CVT trans in the CRV we drove. Now, just have to decide on a color and which model, but leaning pretty hard on the GT.

Sam

 

[craigo]

Want to thank everyone for their help. I decided to take a leap and buy a 2016.5 GT with tech package. It's Titanium Mica with black leather. Enjoyed driving it the short distance home. Then we went camping with the other truck. I really wanted to take it out for a while. It will have to wait until Sunday now.

I bought the one that was driving oddly on the first test drive. I took it out again today before purchasing and it did not exhibit the same odd road/suspension feeling. the dealer said the tire pressure was fine so I am not sure what was going on. I guess if it happens again I will take it back. Maybe it was sitting for a bit of time and the tires were just acting strange. The ride is actually softer then the Sportage.

Got the infotainment system all setup in about 5 minutes. Works perfectly so far with my phone. But I sure hope they get some new exciting apps/android auto work with it though.

It probably still had 50 psi in the tires and they fixed it. When we bought our 3 they didn't lower it either - on the drive home I noticed it seemed unusually loud. Sure enough, 50 psi in the tires.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I have a 1/4 million miles on my Isuzu trooper. Still on the original windshield. (Knock on wood)

What year? My dad still has his '93...

 

[yrwei52]

I have a 1/4 million miles on my Isuzu trooper. Still on the original windshield. (Knock on wood)

What year? My dad still has his '93...

Ha, a friend of mine is still driving a '95 Isuzu Trooper with 20K+ miles on it... Although Consumer Report had rated Isuzu Trooper "Not Acceptable" due to its phantom rollover test, but Trooper does seem pretty reliable!

 

[yrwei52]

Want to thank everyone for their help. I decided to take a leap and buy a 2016.5 GT with tech package. It's Titanium Mica with black leather.

Congrats! Remember to turn on your oil life monitor and set "Flexible Maintenance" on oil change schedule.

 

[CSI007]

What year? My dad still has his '93...

Awesome!

Mine is a 99 - First and only owner. I found one two years ago on the side of the road ame year with a bad transmission. My oldest son wanted one so we took it home dropped the trans out of it and rebuilt it! The year before we rebuilt the engine in my truck (first time ever for that too!) They are great trucks to work on.

Earlier this year I put a supercharger in mine. tell you Dad to check out www.planetisuzoo.com We have meet ups twice a year for off road fun!

 

[CSI007]

Ha, a friend of mine is still driving a '95 Isuzu Trooper with 20K+ miles on it... Although Consumer Report had rated Isuzu Trooper "Not Acceptable" due to its phantom rollover test, but Trooper does seem pretty reliable!

Consumer reports did a hatchet job on the trooper. There is a video on youtube about how they rigged their tests. Has detailed explanations of how they carried out the testing. Trooper was never worse then any other SUV.

I pulled an intake box off a 95 in the wrecker yard for my new intake that I put on when I added the supercharger.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Ha, a friend of mine is still driving a '95 Isuzu Trooper with 20K+ miles on it... Although Consumer Report had rated Isuzu Trooper "Not Acceptable" due to its phantom rollover test, but Trooper does seem pretty reliable!

EDIT: Reportedly... I never looked into the testing much.

Those were the '95-'98 models IIRC.. they softened up the suspension even more. This also affected the badge clone Acura SLX (precursor to the MDX).

Troopers didn't do too well in crashes for the passengers anyway... frame was too rigid.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Awesome!

Mine is a 99 - First and only owner. I found one two years ago on the side of the road ame year with a bad transmission. My oldest son wanted one so we took it home dropped the trans out of it and rebuilt it! The year before we rebuilt the engine in my truck (first time ever for that too!) They are great trucks to work on.

Earlier this year I put a supercharger in mine. tell you Dad to check out www.planetisuzoo.com We have meet ups twice a year for off road fun!

My dad's looks like a garage queen. He still waxes it. It is a mid tier model with basic power options, 3.2L SOHC, AC and the power heated mirrors that are also power folding.

 

[CSI007]

Here is a picture of "greenie" My 99 this past spring in Uwharrie national forest.

Here is a picture of "shifty" my oldest son's 99.

I have a 2 1/2" lift on mine and my son just did the same thing with his. His tires are larger then mine at the moment. I plan to add bigger tires once I lose some tread on these firestones. I keep mine raked a bit more since I tow a 3000+ camper with it.

 

[CSI007]

Looks like the pictures didn't show up.

Here is a video of out first run of the trip. First two trucks coming up.

 

[Unobtanium]

Looks like the pictures didn't show up.

Here is a video of out first run of the trip. First two trucks coming up.

Be VERY CAREFUL! The CX5 is not meant for that. You will rip the front end off, or flood the rear diff, or something. It is meant for PAVEMENT/GRAVEL ONLY!

 

[CSI007]

That particular climb is the easiest part of this trail. I had to switch to 4 wheel drive because my tires are just all season radials. Most everyone does this trail in 2 wheel mode. My son had his in 2 wheel the entire trail.

 

[CSI007]

Be VERY CAREFUL! The CX5 is not meant for that. You will rip the front end off, or flood the rear diff, or something. It is meant for PAVEMENT/GRAVEL ONLY!

Ha! The CX-5 is my every day driver and it will never see anything remotely close to that. That kind of fun is reserved for the REAL trucks.

 

[Unobtanium]

Ha, a friend of mine is still driving a '95 Isuzu Trooper with 20K+ miles on it... Although Consumer Report had rated Isuzu Trooper "Not Acceptable" due to its phantom rollover test, but Trooper does seem pretty reliable!

I considered a Trooper, used, to replace my Grand Jeep Cherokee. Likely would not have been able to finance it though due to year model.

 

[CSI007]

The isuzus are some of the best off road vehicles bar none. They are OVER built. Except for the stupid transmission in the later model years like mine. The U-joint and axles are HUGE for this size vehicle. I have pulled many a jeep out of ditches with "greenie". I have taken her through mud nearly up to the axle with street tires and she didn't bat an eye. Tore right through it like it was not there. Rock climbing not a problem either.

 

[Unobtanium]

Ha! The CX-5 is my every day driver and it will never see anything remotely close to that. That kind of fun is reserved for the REAL trucks.

Definitely. I tried to take mine down a drive-way, and flooded the diff on the little 10" deep creek. I was pretty butthurt, having taken CARS into water that deep before.

 

[Unobtanium]

The isuzus are some of the best off road vehicles bar none. They are OVER built. Except for the stupid transmission in the later model years like mine. The U-joint and axles are HUGE for this size vehicle. I have pulled many a jeep out of ditches with "greenie". I have taken her through mud nearly up to the axle with street tires and she didn't bat an eye. Tore right through it like it was not there. Rock climbing not a problem either.

Yep, that is what I read. Basically a "hidden gem" outside of the actual offroad community. It's why I considered it. Ultimately, I decided it would bleed me, and went for something under warranty, and that the bank would finance.

 

[CSI007]

Congrats! Remember to turn on your oil life monitor and set "Flexible Maintenance" on oil change schedule.

I have to read up on that when I get home. I set it to fixed 5000 miles. The dealer says first oil change in 5k but I probably will change it at 1000 miles. This dealership had lifetime maintenance with the deal but only two oil changes per year. I feel better changing the oil every 3 to 5k. So I will be doing it myself too.