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What is the Best SUV For me?

193 messages,  Last post on Mar 05, 2013 at 5:28 PM

You are in the SUVs Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Xterra, Toyota RAV4, Honda Pilot, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, SUV

Messages Page 14 of 20

#127 of 193 help choosing suv by batavia02

Sep 20, 2009 (2:00 pm)

me and my wife are looking to switch from a too small car to a suv for myself,( she has a canyan truck) we need one with a third row because of parents family etc we have no kids.Dont know if we should take a chance on hyundai veracruz or kia borrego, we have ruled out the small sized models I know the honda pilot is great but pricey also we also need to have power seats and lumbar because of back issues, any help would be appreciated thanks

#129 of 193 Need help picking an SUV or SUV-Type of Vehicle by littleceli

Feb 10, 2010 (12:57 pm)

Hello,
I am looking to get an SUV for my girlfriend, but I have never bought an SUV or looked into them so I don't even know where to start. Here are the basic things we are hoping to get and the rough price range we are looking to stay in. Also, like I said we are looking for an SUV or similar type of vehicle...like a smaller "SUV" or whatever they call the small SUV's. I am mechanically inclined and do auto body work and painting so I can always pick up one that needs a little attention if need be.
  
We are looking to spend between $5,000 to $9,000. We are hoping to get a 2004-05 or newer. We live in Northern Michigan so we need 4WD or AWD. She wants an SUV or small SUV-type vehicle. Other than that we're not too picky.
  
Please let me know if you have any ideas, or if you know SUV's to steer clear of. Just let me know if you know types of SUV's that are good, you don't have to find me one thats actually for sale, I have a lot of places to find SUV's, I just need to know what models are good. (If you know of one for sale though, feel free to let me know about it). Like I said, I am just not very familiar with SUV's, I am good with cars but not sure on SUV's. I really apreciate the help! Thank you!!

#130 of 193 2010: Pilot vs Highlander vs CX-9 by arbys

Feb 12, 2010 (10:15 am)

Going to have 2 kids very soon, and will likely have various relatives staying with us on and off after that. Thus looking for an SUV with the following: 1) comfortable 3rd row seating, 2) handling closer to a car than truck, and 3) minimal visits to the shop. I think they all look "good" to me from the inside and outside. Which of the 3 best suits my purpose? I rarely see the Mazda one on the road, but have read good things about it. Never owned anything but sedans in the past...
 
(Currently own 2 Honda sedans, so am partial to them.)

#131 of 193 Re: 2010: Pilot vs Highlander vs CX-9 [arbys] by denver5357

Feb 12, 2010 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: arbys (Feb 12, 2010 10:15 am)
So much of this is personal taste.
 
We have two kids, and we just went through the same process you are going through. What we felt, and this is only our opinion:
 
- Mazda CX-9 was too small, especially the third row and driver seat (with that huge, elbow-high console in the center)
- Highlander was too small, and wife just didn't like styling
- Armada we liked, but just to big and expensive
- Pathfinder was OK
- Acura MDX was nice to drive but too small
- Head good things about Buick Enclave, but given inherent questions about reliability and a price that started too high we never looked at it
- Same for Chevy Traverse
- I suspect Hyndai might be the value play, but couldn't get wife to look at it
- Already owned a CR-V and love it
 
We bought a Pilot. A little bit truck like, but has a servicable third row for visitors and handles well for its size. Good luck.

#132 of 193 Advice on buying suv by chickory

Mar 20, 2010 (6:37 pm)

I have 4 large dogs & a husband & would like something that I can fit them all in if needed. I also would like one that has lower emissions but could actually get off the road if necessary. I looked at the GMC Terrain & the 2010 Chevy Equinox but they are both low riders. I don't often need to go off road but I do sometimes. I was all excited about the Jeep Patriot 'til I actually saw one & saw how small they are. No 4 large dogs in that. The Jeep Wrangler looks cool but reviewers seem to really dislike it. I have a Prius now & can deal with so-so gas mileage but I really want at least to have low emissions. If I had been thinking about never being able to fit my family in my car & knew what a low rider the Prius is, I would not own it. Otherwise it is great. Does anyone have any ideas?

#133 of 193 Re: Advice on buying suv [chickory] by denver5357

Mar 21, 2010 (2:19 pm)

Replying to: chickory (Mar 20, 2010 6:37 pm)
Given your priority seems to be ultra low emissions plus some off road capability, I suggest the Subaru Outback or Forester. They might even have a hybrid version.
 
I would stay away from Jeeps unless you like to do your own repairs. They consistently come out at the bottom of the list when it comes to reliability, and a couple of them have even been named "worst buys." Jeeps are largely an image play.

#134 of 193 Need help with finding a best suv with an infant seat by ask420

Jun 17, 2010 (10:14 am)

Hello,
 
 I am expecting a baby in september and we are planning to buy an suv sometime soon. We are expecting our parents too. Initially, we were thinking of buying toyota highlander ltd model but the problem is the 3rd row seat...its not spacious enough for an adult to be considered for a long drive. Our next option would be Honda Pilot, which has much better room in the 3rd row. But have heard some break issues with the Pilot. Anybody who owns a Pilot if they can throw some light on this would really be appreciated.
Also, is the third row safe for infants??? and is it ok to put a child in the 3rd row seat as per the law??? Have no idea about this...
 
Any suggestions on other suv with a great mpg and with a safe infant seat would really help. Not really interested in buying a minivan.
 
Thanks

#135 of 193 Re: Need help with finding a best suv with an infant seat [ask420] by mtairyordge

Jun 18, 2010 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: ask420 (Jun 17, 2010 10:14 am)
I owned four Toyota Highlanders all Limited, a 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2008. I got rid of the 2008 for a 2011 Pilot because I noticed the quality on toyotas's had slipped markedly. Other reasons I got the Pilot nice room in the 3rd seat compared to HL. Neither 3rd row is SAFE for baby, so forget it, the 3rd row is okay for smaller adults. It is not a full size row.
 
The real reasons I like the Honda over the HL:
Navigation - the passenger can manually adjust the navigation while the car is moving.
Bluetooth - So much better than Toyota system. Better voice recognition, better sound, easier to control volume, etc.
Windows: On hot days push the key fob button 3 time hold it on 3rd time and windows open letting heat out of car. LOVE IT.
 
Breaks are better than HL. I always hated the HL breaks they are too mushy. On the Pilot I recently had to hit the breaks hard and stopped with enough room and control to be safe. Given the same situation on the HL I would be dealing with insurance company now.
 
I know what I speak about the HL I drove the 4 over 350,000 miles. I won't drive one again.
 
There are drawbacks to the Pilot that I know the mileage is not the greatest. I have 10K mile on my 2011 and love it so far.
 
Hope this helps.
 
I purchased a 2011 Touring with Nav and RES for 36K

Messages Page 14 of 20

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