Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Laughlin, Nevada

Laughlin, NV Car Consumer Discussions

Completed first long trip

by orc on Sun Jul 27 10:14:06 PDT 2008

We just completed a 7,000 mile trip with our new 09 Forester. I ran full synthetic oil and changed it once during the trip. The oil and filter is extremely easy to change as it was on the wife's old Impreza. It's a shame to pay so much money for a dealer or Jiffy lube place to do it. If you are able to lay on your back for a few minutes you can change the oil. I picked up a trailer hitch and installed it at my sister's house while visiting. My B-in-law helped me with the instructions and lent me a hand when needed. It took us 3 hours for the install but we went slow. The self install saved me $200 to $300 labor costs but IMO one should have a basic mechanical aptitude for it to go smoothly. The large plastic bumper piece is the trickiest part to remove and re-install. It's not overly difficult but it's frustrating in a few spots. Yes, you have to remove the entire rear bumper & mufflers and the cheap little plastic button attachment pieces are annoying to work with. Having the knowledge now I feel pretty confident I could do it again in half the time. We drove up Schnebly road in Sedona and did some light hiking out on to the beautiful red rock formations. This road requires high clearance and is very popular with local jeep tour companies. The drivers enjoy telling tall tales over a loud speaker while happily bouncing over the road beating up tourists packed in the back with extra seating under a sun canopy. We rolled down the windows and opened up the panorama moon roof to let the Arizona sun in at 90 degrees F. The 09 handled the road easliy but we went slow with the stock Yokohama Geolander tires. They are not the best tire for sharp rocks and rough roads but they do OK. No complaints with them. We drove city traffic, Interstate, rural twisty roads, mountains, heavy rain and desert (reaching 118F in Laughlin, Nevada). From SE Alaska through BC Canada down to southern Arizona and back. We did one week on the road with my daughter aboard who lives in Vegas. We had our dog along for half the trip and he stayed at my sister's place the other halfof the time. Mileage ranged from 21mpg to a short stretch down a mountain pass at an unbelievable 73.2 mpg. (LOL) I usually set the cruise at 8 to 9 over the speed limit whenever possible. Cops tend to not write tickets at those speeds. Speed limits are 75mph in some western states - I loved that and we cruised at 83-84mph. We used AC much of the time and it never once affected mpg. IMO AC makes has little to no influence with gas mileage. I checked the on board mpg calculator with real numbers and a hand held calculator and they always matched.The average Gas mileage for the entire trip was a credible 27.5 mpg. Complaints? Not many. I wish the drivers seat was more comfortable for a big guy like me on the road all day but it was OK. The plastic gas cover flip open lever cap thing popped off. Seems the pin that holds it on broke or fell out. I can't find it. The lever still works fine. I'll fix it now that I'm home. It's not a biggy. I love the slightly stiffer suspension of the Forester over other small SUV's. I watched them bounce and lean too much in corners while the little Subbie handled such things much better. The Subbie is fun to drive and that's important when on the road several days in a row. Seems the Ford Escape, Toyota Rav4/Highlander, Honda Suv's and Hyundai Suv's rule the the road these days. There are less and less big SUV's and PU trucks out there. I loved my old Expedition and F150 but I'm adapting well to downsizing. With the hitch installed I can use a trailer to haul big bulky stuff. Other than a car hauler with 8 Foresters packed on its back we rarely noticed any 09 Foresters the entire trip through Canada down to Arizona and back. It's still new and I noticed when passing Subaru dealers they had lots of 09's in stock. I think there will be a lot more on the road by the end of the year.

2007 nissan murano gas mileage

by wwinters on Sun Dec 09 09:02:49 PST 2007

we just bought a 2007 nissan murano with 9600 miles and traded in a 2006 pt cruiser.we knew we would'nt get the mileage the cruiser got but so far we've been very happy with the murano.we live approx. 26 miles from town and so far average 24 mpg which is about the same as the cruiser.this is one hell of a cool car and have to fight the wife to drive it.we're going on a road trip to laughlin,nv and we'll be able to see what mieage we get on the road.i guess i don't worry about it as long you're having a great time driving it. :D

Re: It doesn't matter to me... [cooterbfd]

by m1miata on Tue Aug 28 16:37:47 PDT 2007

Dang, that $120 per night for a room would hurt. Haven't taken a vacation for a few years, and had no idea it was that much. Well other than locally. Calif. coast is like $55 to $80 for a Motel6, so good hotel may indeed be $150 to $350 or more on the coastline. Seems like a lot to pay for nothing. It is like the next morning you leave with nothing but $150 less in pocket. Now the old deals in Vegas and Laughlin - wow! Guess they have the deals still at double the low rates. I am use to Super8 like prices of $39+ but alas those days may be gone. And then you add the family. I think I got a deal on a La Quinta room in Reno at a bit over $50, but that may be a $100 now, who knows. I recall the days of the $12 camp site with hookups, and certainly no more than $20 today, I would think. No way a space of ground and perhaps a shower, some electricity and sewer is worth $1,350 per month. Has the World gone mad? I think my cheapest room was atop the CircusCirus 15th floor for $14 per night. Oh, that was a few ago ;) I would love one of those trailers to park in say St George UT for a few months, then leave before the heat. Only if someone else wants to drive the thing however. Trailer are a bit much, I would think to drive around. Quite the deal down there in Quartzsite, Az.

Great Article

by blue330xi on Thu Jan 18 15:27:55 PST 2007

Told everything I wanted to know. This is a nice change. Better to have lots of technical info rather then too little. Well written. Have to go slow on that incline out of laughlin anyway as there are always speed traps along it, but its nice to know the domestics are still top of the heavy duty tow set.

Re: Stop on sales? [lilengineerboy]

by m1miata on Wed Dec 13 21:46:59 PST 2006

You will also recall those years of wild looking Rivieras and really classy looking Rivieras. While the current models are OK, they are unfortunately just OK. Think of the earliest years of classic Buicks as the doctors cars, and upward status. Work of art autos. As years went by Buicks still had loads of class. Then there were a few performance cars sprinkled into the mix. Family had a '61 LeSabre and it was pretty solid. Sure, later years there was the Grand National, but over time most of the Buick line became just another rebadged GM car, which is sad. Will Buick recover? With only a couple cars, some may suppose they are letting go of this once important part of GM. Hope everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a fine auto museum such as the National Auto Museum in Reno, or the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. Note some of that collection at Laughlin's Riverside Hotel is always on display. Most larger museums will have the early year Buicks. Wow, what work went into making of those cars. I bet those earl year owners were loyal to the brand. Fast forward to today, and you see so-so generic cars. Like an owner of an MKZ is going to be as proud an owner as one which owned a Lincoln of real status. Not to say it is bad car, but likewise so is a Milan - Mercury for thousands less. Does it have a powerful V8 and size -- well no. I think Cadillac has a somewhat better grip on what is luxury. No, perhaps still a little rough here or there, but they are not re-badged models. Thank goodness for no more Cimerrons / Cavaliers. At least Cadillac was saved. The Escalade is not something I admire, yet I realize they had to make some extra bucks for the dealers and to keep the factories running. What next, a sports car company building SUVs -- of crap, that happened too. :D -Loren

Re: Temporary Spare Tire Questions..... [vincewood30]

by joecarnut on Fri Dec 30 10:25:14 PST 2005

I live in SoCal too, so that does tell me something. This spare tire issue has someone in my family considering a Camry instead because of the spare tire. We go to Laughlin and the Sierras and would hate to get stranded out in the desert. So unless those spares are rated better these days or if we can put a full size spare in a Corolla, we will be getting a Camry. Thanks.......Ken