Ask the Car People.SM


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 16 of 20

#145 of 193 Which crossover would you suggest? by misterjohnny

Jul 21, 2011 (6:27 pm)

I don't want a third row seat, we've got a minivan if we are hauling a lot of people. Needs to fit 3 comfortably in the back seat, as I have 3 kids and don't want to hear too many complaints.
 
I need AWD, as we will be taking it to the mountains. Since my wife is 10 inches shorter than me, I have to have memory seats. I am really tired of banging my knees on the steering wheel.
 
Needs some guts. I'm currently driving an Accord with a 3.0L V6, and that amount of power works.
 
Mostly I will be driving in commuter traffic in Los Angeles, but weekend trips to the mountains (year round) makes me think of an AWD SUV.
 
I think I want to stay away from Honda, as both of our Hondas had transmission problems at 50k miles and I don't like the way we were treated by Honda and the local dealership.
 
Suggestions?

#146 of 193 switched from a minivan? by steve_ HOST

Aug 01, 2011 (6:55 pm)

A Women’s Health magazine reporter is interested in speaking with women on the appeal of SUV’s and Minivans. If you previously owned a minivan and currently own an SUV or other crossover utility vehicle and are interested in speaking with this reporter about why you chose it and what you like about it, please respond to predmunds.com with your name, email address and day time phone number by Wednesday, August 3, 2011.

#147 of 193 Considering another SUV in about a year... by wasfan

Sep 01, 2011 (3:22 pm)

Currently drive a Honda CRV, first generation style.
 
Used it will have to be. Small SUV or small-to-mid size.
 
Manual transmission. I know that limits me more and more as time goes on but I'd rather shift than ride the brakes, especially if snow or ice is involved. Better control, too.
 
I get 24 to 27 mpg in the CRV, depending on whether the AC is on or not, and that does not include much freeway driving. I usually get better mpg than is listed for the car. I'd like to keep that mileage but I'd also like more oomph, so maybe a little give there to get a 6 cylinder.
 
Would love to keep the dependability of the Honda, but Honda seems to be abandoning manual transmissions like other makers and the CRV does not come in a 6 cylinder.
 
Any suggestions? I did a search and came up with:
 
Mitsubishi Outlander
RAV 4
Mazda Tribute
 
Any input on those? Can I buy a used one, around 45,000 miles, and keep it another 10 years? We take very good car of our cars.
 
Thanks.

#148 of 193 Re: Considering another SUV in about a year... [wasfan] by kyfdx HOST

Sep 01, 2011 (8:48 pm)

Replying to: wasfan (Sep 01, 2011 3:22 pm)
If you have a 1st generation CR-V, why not upgrade to a 2nd gen? Last year was 2006, but that will be at least five years newer than yours...
 
As a former owner of a manual 1st Gen and an automatic 2nd Gen, believe me, the difference in power will blow you away!
 
If you want AWD and manual transmission, maybe a late model Subaru Outback Sport? It's more of a hatchback than an SUV, but still has a lot of utility..... easy to find in a stick, too....

#149 of 193 Also... by kyfdx HOST

Sep 01, 2011 (8:49 pm)

What is your price range? 2008 BMW X3s are wholesaling for around $18K-$21K.... you can find those in a manual.. 255 HP!!

#150 of 193 Thanks for response by wasfan

Sep 04, 2011 (11:33 am)

kyfdx, thanks for the replies.
 
I'm AC shy of any but late models CRV's and those don't come with a manual transmission and I'm not inclined, at the moment, to patronize Honda for that AC dust up.
 
I'll take a look at the Outbacks but those seem more car sized? (Height especially?)
 
The Outlander seems to get good reviews.
 
BMW- When I looked on Edmunds, MPG seems a little low compared to others. I know, wanting more ooomph and MPG at the same time may not work.
 
I just, time and again, think of the times where the manual has gotten me out of trouble or been easier to handle a situation with, that it's hard for me to consider an automatic. The only time the automatic seems better is in constant stop and go and I'm not in the kind of traffic enough to warrent the trade off.
 
I've got about a year to sort this out so I can try and think on the options for a while.
 
What about the RAV 4 and Mazda Tribute, along with the Mitsubishi Outlander? I'd like a car that returns minimal trouble for good care.

#151 of 193 What SUV can best Fit my needs by leasleyn

Sep 09, 2011 (9:18 am)

I am a single mother of a set of 13 year olds and will soon have my nieces who are both in car seats come live with me. What SUV can I get that will best fit my needs. I prefer a 4 Cylinder

#152 of 193 Re: What SUV can best Fit my needs [leasleyn] by kyfdx HOST

Sep 09, 2011 (9:51 am)

Replying to: leasleyn (Sep 09, 2011 9:18 am)
A Mazda 5 will seat six.. and, has a 4-cylinder..

#154 of 193 Tired of my Kia, what about the RAV4? by mkconnell

Sep 09, 2011 (6:18 pm)

Hello All,
 
I'm new to the forum and have a dilemma. I bought a 2011 Kia Sorento about 5 months ago and now....well, I am sort of not thrilled with it. Can't really put my finger on it but the more I drive it, it just seems cheap and not very durable. I had a 1999 Passport with 160,000 miles on it (gave to my mom to replace her 200k Crown Vic) and loved it. I don't see this Kia getting any where near that age. I'm willing to suck it up and trade in the car, have read pretty good things about the RAV4, but I have a question: is the acceleration during passing and merging that much better than the CR-V? I would imagine it is since the RAV4 has a V6 option. My job requires that I make a major relocation every 3-6 months and that usually requires driving around Texas (high speed drivers) and through New Mexico (up and down mountains) I'm also considering a CR-V and maybe an XTerra. All answers and opinions appreciated and sorry so wordy!
 
Mary

Messages Page 16 of 20

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement