[CompassGirl]

Cheers everyone!

I have been looking to purchase/lease my first car for the past 3 months. I had been getting a headache until I came across the Compass! I think 1 more test drive should do the trick. I then have to shop around at a few other dealerships. The sad news is that it is looking like I will have to order mine. I'm being told it is going to take 3 months

Anyway, I have to say that I have read most of the posts on this forum and the positive comments have been comforting me in my decision. Thank you!

I was previously looking at the Mazda 3, VW Jetta, Toyota Corolla, and a few others. I'm looking for something affordable, more fuel efficient than an SUV, but meets my lifestyle. All were affordable but I was concerned about the lifestyle factor.

The Compass seems like it will meet my needs to pack it full of hockey gear and take off for a tournament, or load up the skis and drive to the interior BC, or hit a logging road down to the ocean.

I'm looking at the Compass North 4x4 auto, with the driver's convience package, heated seats, BA sound system, and sunroof.

I haven't signed on any dotted line yet, so I would be interested in hearing if anyone has any last minute suggestions/ thoughts/comments. In the meantime, I will keep an eye on the new feeds.

Full of Compass envy,
CompassGirl

 

[onairbear]

Hey Compass girl

I think you'll find the compass is everything you want and more. Sure there may be a few dislikes but I've never had a "Perfect" car. The big complaint is the plastic. You'll notice that the part of the door were you normally rest your elbow is hard plastic...now go have a look at a $45,000.00 Volvo..guess what same stuff. We had a Liberty with sort of a cloth covering that area (same material as the seats) it turned black in no time with the dirt and other things that got into it. For me, a wet cloth and it's all clean.

My husband and I took our compass from Vancouver to Tofino. The conditions coming back on the Pacific Hwy were horrible and we were in a hurry to catch a ferry. It was like the Jeep was glued to the road. There is no way we would be able to do the things we do in our old Liberty that we can do with the Compass. Dollar for dollar and safety features you can't beat it.

Oh ya and if a "real Jeep" owner gives you a bad time, be sure to wave at them as you pass them at the pump, I do :lol:

 

[CompassGirl]

Thanks for the insight! I truly appreciate it. I've read a few reviews where they say the Compass is cheaply finished. I thought it was simple, which is what appealed to me more. In fact, I like the Compass better than the Calibre because it isn't pimped out.

I agree, every car will have it's issues. Such is life in all aspects.

I remember reading your post about your Van-Tofino post. That really put things in perspective for me -- in a good way that I can relate to! Thank you.

I have a feeling the 3 month wait period is going to pass by at a snails pace

 

[welshfyr]

I had to wait a little over a month for mine, but now that I have it, I am VERY glad I waited.
I am extremely happy with my Compass, it's features, and the feeling on the road.
As for the interior, I don't get it. For me, the interior is simple which is a good thing. No distraction, and an easy clean.

One of the things I don't like is the lack of gastank interior latch. Too tempting for would be gas thieves.

Let us know what happens with the search, and the 'final' choice!

 

[mcatenacci]

Hi Compass Girl... I love the Compass for the same reasons!! I really wanted one in a few months, but now that I'm seeing how long it's taking everyone to get theirs, I think I should start looking into it now. I wanted it for summer.

I was also considering a used demo to save a couple thousand, but do you think they're beat up like that? It would have just under 10,000km, but there's a break in period where I doubt they're properly broken in...

The plastic really bothers me, but I'll deal with it. I've always wanted an suv and this one is good on gas, the only thing that was holding me back... I wanted navigation, but for the price, I think I'll pass...

I'm going to the dealer this week to test drive it. I was at the auto show yesterday, and the only thing that discourages me, is the visibility. The windshield seems kind of short and the A pillars are really wide

 

[CompassFan]

visibility

FYI on visibility - Try a jeep patriot - its the sister or brother to the compass and very similar as far as parts go - completely different looks but the visibility out of the sides is much better. Rear windows are square and are easy to see out of then the angled rear windows of the compass. It also and it has bigger side mirrors which increase side visiblity even further.

However that said the read view mirror and rear hatch window are the same or so similar that i didnt notice any difference out of the rear window.

I'm leaning towards the Patriot at this point because of the more truck like looks but also it is a bit cheaper price wise - probably because of the smaller 16" wheels and tires and option 17" wheels on the patriot compared to the standard 17" on the compass with option 18" wheels.

It's worth a look if theres one around - they are still very new and not much of them anywhere yet.

 

[mcatenacci]

The Patriot is not out yet here. I saw one at the auto show yesterday and I don't like the styling too much. I guess it appeals more to a guy. It kinda reminds me of my dad's old 1994 Jeep Cherokee because it's not so rounded like the Compass...

I love the 18" wheels, I just have to see if I can deal with the visibility when driving. I'm going to the dealership on Tuesday...

 

[ACX]

patriot is out, but very sparsely available. A local dealer has 1, non limited, 4x4.

they have not ramped up production on it yet so it will be months before you see alot of them widely available in any numbers, and I would expect special orders could be as long as 6 months away..

for example..

from the start of the year at the belvidere plant up until the first couple days in february..

they had made:

20,779 calibers
14,058 compasses
1,238 patriots

SO yeah, you won't see them for a while, and for the first bit it will likely be - take what you can get, and no luck on dealing on them.