4.4 Feedback.

[anchorman]

What they don't say is how Ford and Mazda will support you if something goes wrong - especially well out of warranty!

[Vespa Alex]

Didn't fair too well in Auto express against Ford and Mazda.

I read a similar test, there's also a Rav4.4 v Mazda CX5 UK based test on You Tube and the Mazda comes out on top.

Having driven both, the CX5 is slightly cheaper (at list anyway) for a similar spec, is quicker, quieter, handles better and uses less fuel....

And I'm still more likely to buy a Toyota. I don't know exactly why, but I just preferred the RAV4. :)

[vivianM]

Yes I agree with Anchorman about the front sensors, if you get them fitted insist on an off switch - RRG Macclesfield are fitting the switch very soon FOC

They do work very well and I always had trouble parking the T180 towards a wall - always too much of a gap.

If they were fiited to only operate in Drive they would have been fine but when parked close to a wall or other car or in my garage they bleep constantly until the ignition is turned off !!

In our deep snow it has been fine - went many miles yesterday afternoon from Buxton to Macclesfield (ignoring Road Closed signs !!) and only used 4 wheel drive when the snow was really deep. Much of the road was only one vehicle wide and two wheel drive cars all over the place either stuck or abandoned.

Anchorman would have liked to try his snow tyres on that route but as he had elderly passengers yesterday he was being very careful as we both had some holdups going to lunch due to accidents between home and Buxton.

Guy

[firemac]

Oh, dear! Top Gear mag doesn't rate the 4.4 either. Damned with faint praise.

[daiashthomas]

i've got a decuma grey invincible, 2.2d4d awd manual coming to dealer begining of june, so should hopefully have it couple of days after, cant wait, drove the price right down too!

not sure if i'm allowed to say on here?

[Vespa Alex]

Sounds good. I'm still very tempted by a 2wd 2.0d invincible in the metallic green (saw one in the showroom recently) but can't quite decide yet. If I buy a new car it's the RAV4 or an Octavia estate but I may stick with my Bravo for a while.

A lot of the indifferent reviews criticise the styling inside and out, but I really like it so that doesn't worry me too much.

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts once it arrives.

It's nice to hear decent discounts are available. What sort of percentage are we talking?

I've seen some good offers on the Internet brokers but would prefer to buy locally.

[daiashthomas]

10.5% plus we're having a tank of fuel, carpets and mud guards/flaps, and superguard paint protection.

[silly sausage]

We've not taken the plunge on one as yet, our 4.3 will be two years old in September so we may buy then. I have to say there seems to be some strong discounts to be had, I've noticed some pre registered demos on the internet circa 24.5k for awd Invicibles with a few extras.

In comparison with 13 plate CRV's, Freelanders and the Korean stuff I've seen very few 4.4's on the road.

[firemac]

10.5% plus we're having a tank of fuel, carpets and mud guards/flaps, and superguard paint protection.

Good luck with the new wheels, Ashley. Sounds like you've done a pretty good deal, particularly given that it's a new model. Personally I'd pass on the Superguard. I've had it on three cars: on a new LC4 and I inherited it on two used RAV's, including the current 3-dr. I found that the two Astral Black cars simply couldn't be kept clean and the current dark green metallic car suffers as well but not as bad as the blacks.

It does depend on the capability of the guy applying it - if the dealer puts an apprentice on it, it may leave something to be desired. Superguard is really just a way for the salesman to make some commission in what has become a cut-throat business. You'd be better off giving the car some personal TLC when you get it home or go to a specialist valeter, who will do a better job cheaper - all INMHO of course.

All the best with the new car!

[Vespa Alex]

10.5% plus we're having a tank of fuel, carpets and mud guards/flaps, and superguard paint protection.

Thanks.

That's around the level I'd need to tempt me.

Nice to see dealers are being cooperative with discounts.

[Davrav]

10.5% plus we're having a tank of fuel, carpets and mud guards/flaps, and superguard paint protection.

Thanks.

That's around the level I'd need to tempt me.

Nice to see dealers are being cooperative with discounts.

As already mentioned, the 4.4s are not very prominent on the roads just yet...........

[Big Kev]

10.5% plus we're having a tank of fuel, carpets and mud guards/flaps, and superguard paint protection.

Good luck with the new wheels, Ashley. Sounds like you've done a pretty good deal, particularly given that it's a new model. Personally I'd pass on the Superguard. I've had it on three cars: on a new LC4 and I inherited it on two used RAV's, including the current 3-dr. I found that the two Astral Black cars simply couldn't be kept clean and the current dark green metallic car suffers as well but not as bad as the blacks.

It does depend on the capability of the guy applying it - if the dealer puts an apprentice on it, it may leave something to be desired. Superguard is really just a way for the salesman to make some commission in what has become a cut-throat business. You'd be better off giving the car some personal TLC when you get it home or go to a specialist valeter, who will do a better job cheaper - all INMHO of course.

All the best with the new car!

Could not agree further re. the Superguard......bet it will come out with more swirlies and holograms than you would put on it yourself as a novice cleaner. Total waste of time, even as a supposed freebie.

[daiashthomas]

funny you should say that about the superguard, i've heard a similar story once before, maybe we'll scrap the superguard, they charge 400 quid for it normally but apparently it only cost around 30 quid, plus the labour.

[CharlieFarlie]

Supergaurd is a joke !! I could buy the kits for less than a tenner ! The kits included both the paint treatment and the fabric treatment and at a tenner they were £9.99 to expensive !

Kev... Holograms ? Corrr you are getting professional !!

I agree with David the 4.4s are not yet prominent in fact I have not yet seen one on the road !....

[Davrav]

Seen just one so far - main thing I noticed was that it was surprisingly quiet [i was walking at the time]

[Vespa Alex]

I've seen half a dozen or so out and about.

Of course many of them could have been the same dealer demonstrator.....

[daiashthomas]

I test drove the 2.2 manual invincible, and it was very quiet, inside and out! compared to the 4.3 which can sound a bit agricultural and the gear changes were immaculate, silky smooth, even slamming it from 1st to 2nd was not too bad.

overall the demo was a very nice ride

[silly sausage]

I test drove the 2.2 manual invincible, and it was very quiet, inside and out! compared to the 4.3 which can sound a bit agricultural and the gear changes were immaculate, silky smooth, even slamming it from 1st to 2nd was not too bad.

overall the demo was a very nice ride

I've yet to drive a 4.4, it's good to read that the 'baulky' 2nd gear has been eliminated, if the engine is better insulated then that's a bonus too.

I hate to say I drove a new Forester recently ( don't tell Anchorman), despite the Subaru Badge it was very impressive and the overall quality was very good, the handling was something special. I will be disappointed if the 4.4 has lost it's tough 'utility' feel and become a little 'soft'.

[daiashthomas]

it did feel solid, but more refined i'd say

[DominicPriestley]

Drive the deal currently have £4279 off an invincible.

[silly sausage]

Drive the deal currently have £4279 off an invincible.

It would be interesting to try a price match with a local Mr T dealer !

[Vespa Alex]

Drive the deal currently have £4279 off an invincible.

Though £1000 of that is the discount for taking Toyotas finance.

Broadspeed and Carfile also have similar discounts when you take this into account.

[DominicPriestley]

Yep but you can take the finance and pay it off straight away. Done this before

[silly sausage]

Yep but you can take the finance and pay it off straight away. Done this before

I did that on our last Rav, we got free service vouchers for three years, mats, mudfllaps and boot mat as part of the package. Mr T asked that we paid two months repayments before we settled the balance, it was worth doing for the deposit contribution alone.

[DominicPriestley]

A top of the Range Invincible D-CAT Auto can be had with a £4500 discount. Not bad going that. I notice that Kuga's are available with the same discount. I could be tempted at that sort of money. But I shouldn't really as I love my current Rav. Just narked a bit at having to put 4 new shocks on at 3.5 years old.