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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 18 of 20

#167 of 193 advice for buying family SUV by oozbooz

Jan 29, 2012 (6:25 pm)

upcoming heavy maintenance on '02 Odyssey started me thinking on replacing it with a mid-size family suv/crossover. After older kid went to school, we are 2 x 2 family. I am planning on buying 2-3 y old car, and ere is what I am looking for
 
- we tend to hike and spend weekends in places w/ no asphalt; however I do see commuting on this vehicle so HW mileage is important
- since we are in Chicago, AWD is must
- cargo area is something that Im used to in Odyssey; don't mind removing row of seats if needed.
- I am 5'11" and 250lbs and can be claustrophobic in smaller cars
- watching budget is important, so we stay away from Acura, Lexus, and Infinity.
 
Here are some of my finds, feel free to add or dismiss them
 
- Mazda CX-9
- Buick Enclave
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Ford Explorer
- GMC Acadia
- Hyundai Veracruz
 
- Subaru SUV is too small
- Being tired of Toyotas and Hondas (we had couple of them), skipping Highlander and Pilot
 
Thanks for suggestions
OB

#168 of 193 TO TRADE OR NOT TO TRADE.....IF SO RAV4 VS CRV by tabbykat54

Feb 07, 2012 (8:07 am)

Ok most knowledgeable fellow forumers....this is the dilemma. I have an '04 Camry that I bought new. Just turned over 112K last day or two. It's always ridden a little rough for my liking but has been good car and still is. I have head wheel bearing "issue" in right front and it's been replaced twice. Have used the same local honest mechanic since beginning of time (yeh I know "honest and mechanic" in same sentence, what an oxymoron THAT is, but he really is great and I trust him). My younger daughter is almost 22 and working part/full time and attempting to get into a dental hygiene program. She is driving the '98 Accord EX I purchased for her to drive when she was 17. At the time it had 160K on it, now has 230300. She says it's running good, no issues, but STILL has orig timing belt on it. I got "the fever" again last week and this time actually spent lots of time doing research and even sent out some internet inquiries for Rav and CRV. I'd forgotten what a truly pain in the ass car hunting is. I consider myself quite the frugal shopper and don't buy anything on a whim. I just got an I-Phone last April and of course now wondered why I waited two phones ago!! Part of my motivation to look for new car was the incredible financing deals out there. Honda has 0.9% for '11 CRVs--of course there are NONE available in a 500mi radius of me! In fact the computer and one Yota internet guy said there wasn't ONE in the state of TX (live in Dallas suburb). So that puts me 2012 model which is redesigned. It is a nice car, only driven one and the dealer was irritating as hell. Wanted too much personal info for even a quote then ran off somewhere to "look for a color". I took that as a stall tactic so set the timer on my fancy phone for 5" (had already sit there for an UNTIMED amout!) and when Bad Romance sounded, it was time to haul my ass out of there. Of course within 10" I get a phone call and then the em with the requested "quote". I told him I wanted "drive out" as we say here, but appar on this forum the proper term is "OTD" so bottom line was EX=$26736 and ODT EXL=28964. A RAV4 Sport (which I haven't seen yet, they had none on the lot, it's coming from another dealership prob tomorrow) had OTD $27500. We here in TX pay 6.25% tax on new cars, better than most of you guys from what I read. SOOOOO all that being said, my dilemma is this....I really don't NEED a new car, I WANT a new car. Had planned to trade later in this year as my Camry would be 8 yrs old and I would've had 3 yrs of no pay'ts and banking the prev paid $362/mo. My other thought process was to give kid my car but make her pay me trade value for it, use the Accord as trade and give her that as "credit" on what she would owe me for my car. Both are in MY name and I bought the Accord outright. I would charge her the same interest rate I was paying on new car (1.9 from Toyota) and this would give her a good reliable car that had been properly serviced and cared for from the start and she could pay off in approx 24mo with pay't under $200. She made 14K last year working so think this is reasonable. Of course kids being kids, she seems rather laissez-faire in the whole thing, and thinks I should just GIVE her the Camry outright--think NOT!! As I said, my motivation was to trade up a few months earlier than planned because of the interest rates offered and to aid HER in having a better ride. Thoughts and input is appreciated! And if anybody foresees what will happen closer to the end of THIS model year in terms of price drops/perks etc., that would be appreciated. I am not in a crunch for anything new to drive right now.

#169 of 193 Re: advice for buying family SUV [oozbooz] by phuckhead

Apr 04, 2012 (10:47 pm)

Replying to: oozbooz (Jan 29, 2012 6:25 pm)
CX9: Love the looks, but it's getting long in the tooth, time for a makeover.
Enclave: Nice but gets pricey quick
Jeep: Rented one last month, loved it but it feels a bit tight on the inside (for claustrophobia).
Explorer: Had an '02, started falling apart at 80,000 miles. Wouldn't buy another one.
Acadia: See Enclave (Although I like its styling better)
Hyundai: Good value but to vanilla looking
 
Just bought a 2012 Pilot Touring, I would really consider checking it out. Very spaceous inside and loaded with features.

#171 of 193 Car for 19 y.o. by bluedevil2015

May 07, 2012 (6:46 pm)

I'm looking at buying a new car for college. My parents want me to get a small sized suv for safety reasons. My only worry about the CR-V is the stigma that it's a somewhat girly car. Thoughts?

#173 of 193 Re: Car for 19 y.o. [bluedevil2015] by bluedevil2015

May 07, 2012 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: bluedevil2015 (May 07, 2012 6:46 pm)
Also, how does it compare to the Mazda cx-5 and rav4? I've heard mixed things.

#175 of 193 CX-7 To ZOOM or Not to ZOOM by solaratia

Jun 12, 2012 (7:05 pm)

I have been eyeing the Mazda CX-7 for a while and I am finally in the market to buy an SUV however they are now being replaced by the CX-5. While I am sure there should be good deals since the 7 is on its way out, is it a wise idea to purchase a vehicle that is no longer produced. By the way I am also considering, Toyota Rav 4 and possibly the Acura RDX along with the CX-9 although it is at the top of my budget

Messages Page 18 of 20

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