Making a choice

[mike_mike]

I'm looking to purchase a SUV, I'm debating between the Mitsubishi Endeavor 2004 and the KIA sorento 2004. What I wonder is why is the depreciation on both vehicule so low, for a 1 yeard old with 25,000Km on it. I will doing a lot of millage everyday I live out of town (70K from Ottawa) to go to work and with gas being so expensive.

thanks

[The General]

I don't know if its because its still early in the morning but I'm not sure I understand. Do you mean that these trucks loose their value or that they retain their value?

The Endeavor is more "carlike" to drive than the Sorento. More on this later...

[rivsy]

must mean depreciation is not much, cuz everyone knows that japanese vehicles don't depreciate 8)

[amorak]

Endevour has poor resale because Mitsu is an unknown brand in mainstream North America.

Kia's resale is improving everyday, as more and more people see the value and durability offered by the brand. Conversly, the resale of Mitsu cars is going to get worse, unless they stop bleeding cash over here and get some form of a dealer network built...

Haiving driven the Sorento, I can highly recomend it however I highly urge that you get a 2005, as they ahve a new 5 speed automatic

[woohoo!]

Mike_mike,

If you're so concerned about fuel consumption, do you really want an SUV in the first place?

(I love raising off-topic questions hehe)

[dcaplan]

I have a 2004 Endeavor. This is the 17th vehicle I have owned.
I travel to and from Edmonton to Victoria and Okanagan Valley regularly.
So far, the Mitsu has made 4 such trips. It is the BEST vehicle for value, handling, initial quality I have ever owned. And that includes having owned a Maxima and a two Toyota Camrys.

As for Kia, my wife had a 2001 Sportage. We got rid of it after 10 months. It was bad enough that we had a drive-shaft and a transfer case replaced -(under warranty of course) within the first 10,000k; when the fuel system developed problems, the dealer treated us like WE were the problem (Kia West Edmonton - horrible people!).

So needless to say, your choivce is a no brainer!

Goos luck.

[dcaplan]

I like the comment about if you are so concerned with gas consumption, why are you looking at an SUV. So to be fair; as much as I love my Endeavor, like most other SUVs-it's a PIG on gas! So put the topic of fuel out of your mind, or look at small FWD cars.

[woohoo!]

Well, the Sorento is a helluva lot better than the old Sportage, which was about one the worst cars in terms of quality.

The Endeavor is pretty decent, and will be pretty easy to deal, since Mitsubishi is trying all they possibly can to sell cars.

[The General]

The Sorento is a real truck (body on frame), the ride is rough, really bad on gas but it is appealing styling wise.

The Endeavor is relaxing to drive, smooth, quiet, really bad on gas not as appealing but nice nonetheless. Not as good off-road.

What do you really need? That will be the deciding factor.

[woohoo!]

Hey welcome to the forum, dcaplan! :lol:

[dcaplan]

I agree with the validity of NOT comparing an old Sportage to a new Sorento. Also I recognize that Kia is improving - thanks to Hyundai's prividing most of the guts and twin versions of most Kias now.

However, as for saying that the Sorento is on a truck frame; that's a strike against it when the gentleman from Ontario is looking for fuel efficiency.

Anyway, enough said.

Thanks for the welcome!

[woohoo!]

Mike_mike, how about moving down a notch, to the new Tucson and Sportage twins? Would that interest you? Easier on gas.

[The General]

Here's a link to a topic in the new car forums about the compact SUVs:

http://www.auto123.com/en/community/forum/viewtopic.php?t=324