The SUV Love Affair

(P.S.: Why you can get a $6000 off Deal on Nissan ROGUE 2013 at the Universal City Nissan Dealership)

What else could it be? Love is blind. SUV drivers were paying a high price for sitting in a high chair to see more, but couldn't even see how many nice cars were moving around them. What's more, the mileage is terrible, cargo is mediocre, no extra safety advantages in crashes, rollover is always a hazard and similarly equipped cars cost much less.

As a matter of fact, the domestic auto industry was in luck when SUVs took off. For them, the truck was always the most profitable product. It became even more profitable on SUVs, when the industry built it on the truck platform. The EXPLORER was the biggest success (based on F-150*).

Money was pouring into Ford's pocket like there was no tomorrow. Instead of spending money to improve this success, they went on a shopping spree: JAGUAR, ASTON MARTIN, VOLVO, RANGE ROVER and MAZDA. They were the dumbest investments of the century (They were sold later with huge losses). The EXPLORER is still in the Ford portfolio, but with no success, whatsoever.

The JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE was another huge hit for CHRYSLER. Just wondering - where did all the money go?

When oil prices took off, all the SUVs were looking for the automobile cemetery. The solution came quickly. Instead of the truck platform, the car platform came in. Better mileage, car-like ride, and still sitting high (a must-have option). Now they call it the CROSSOVER. And the Love Affair is back - bigger than ever. The popularity is so high that they are outselling all other segments. So, if You must “crossover”, consider the following trio.

The HONDA CR-V is the leader for now. Quality, mileage, reliability and compatible price makes it irresistible for HONDA lovers. Looks good, too, surprisingly. But, there are no deals, as usual, on HONDAs.

The TOYOTA RAV-4 is so popular that they dropped the third-row seating and the optional V-6 for the redesign of the 2013 model. Smart move! It is very smooth, slick, reliable and well equipped. Easy to buy, also. Discounts are all over town. The interest rate is extremely low: very close to zero. It is a really tempting buy.

The NISSAN ROGUE is aging. Totally redesigned, the 2014 should be on dealer lots in a month or so. Most people are waiting for it. I wouldn't.

The 2013 ROUGE may be an older model, but, it is still very competitive. Obviously, NISSAN is trying to clear its inventory. I would take advantage of it. The price is what matters. Right now, $6000 is the average discount. Universal City Nissan on Cahuenga Blvd has about 150 of 2013 ROGUE (http://www.universalcitynissan.com). Other dealers have about 50-100 cars.

That’s a big opportunity for those of us who are looking for a real bargain. And I always am.

* - F-150 Pickup Truck