Best SUV under 15k? RAV4? +Best site to determine car values?

[Evilviking]

Hey there. The wife wants a small used SUV. I'm thinking about a 2010+ Rav4. They run around 13~15k. Any thoughts?

Also what's the best site to determine car values? KBB? Emunds?

Thanks!



Needs:
Has to be dependable and long lasting.
We plan on driving it for 5-10 years. Light use around town. No offroading. Maybe the occasional road trip.
Has to be higher off the ground than a regular car (Accord)
Wife has back issues getting in/out of. Our Accord hurts her back.
Need room for 5 people (Total)
Plan on having more kids soon. Need easy car seat installation/removal.
Needs to be Smaller
Pilot, Tahoe etc are too big.

Pretty easy going about anything else (Bluetooth, rear view camera, moonroof, etc). Prefer better gas mileage. Eye balling the Highlander also.

 

[MiataNC]

KBB, NADA, Edmunds, Truecar, etc. can all be used to give you an general idea of how much you can expect to pay based on condition and miles.

Can you be more specific about your requirements? The RAV4 is a decent SUV as an appliance, but there may be other options to consider based on the features and driving dynamics you are looking for.

 

[MiataNC]

KBB, NADA, Edmunds, Truecar, etc. can all be used to give you an general idea of how much you can expect to pay based on condition and miles.

Can you be more specific about your requirements? The RAV4 is a decent SUV as an appliance, but there may be other options to consider based on the features and driving dynamics you are looking for.

 

[heymrdj]

Jeep Patriot

 

[Evilviking]

KBB, NADA, Edmunds, Truecar, etc. can all be used to give you an general idea of how much you can expect to pay based on condition and miles.

Can you be more specific about your requirements? The RAV4 is a decent SUV as an appliance, but there may be other options to consider based on the features and driving dynamics you are looking for.

Needs:
Has to be dependable and long lasting.
We plan on driving it for 5-10 years. Light use around town. No offroading. Maybe the occasional road trip.
Has to be higher off the ground than a regular car (Accord)
Wife has back issues getting in/out of Accord hurts her back.
Need room for 5 people (Total)
Plan on having more kids soon. Need easy car seat installation/removal.
Needs to be Smaller
Pilot, Tahoe etc are too big.

Pretty easy going about anything else (Bluetooth, rear view camera, moonroof, etc). Prefer better gas mileage. Eye balling the Highlander also.

 

[Jumpem]

Forester or Outback.

 

[NutBucket]

How old are the kids? Back seat will be tight if you've got a rear facing child seat.

 

[Evilviking]

How old are the kids? Back seat will be tight if you've got a rear facing child seat.

1 12 year old. And plan on having more.

 

[SearchMaster]

RAV4 sounds like a good choice honestly. My brother-in-law's parents bought one about 10-12 years ago and got over 300K trouble-free miles out of it, then got a newer one a few years back and have over 200K miles. They do a LOT of traveling (he's a renowned photographer who likes to use the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc. as his subjects).

 

[Vetterin]

If you like the RAV4 make sure you also check out the CR-V.

 

[NutBucket]

1 12 year old. And plan on having more.

We have a Forester. With one rear facing seat you'd better hope the other two kids like each other because they'll be really cozy. Two kid seats in the back? Hope the older kid is skinny, really skinny. Don't forget the law says the kids have to be in some sort of seat until they are at least 8 or 4'9" so you'll be dealing with multiple seats for a long while.

Obviously the Rav4 is a different beast but it's not significantly larger.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Eye balling the Highlander also.

Keep eyeballing it. They sell for nearly the same $$ as the Rav4's but offer a better ride, more room, and IMHO, look nicer. Get the v6.

 

[Evilviking]

Keep eyeballing it. They sell for nearly the same $$ as the Rav4's but offer a better ride, more room, and IMHO, look nicer. Get the v6.

Ya. The 2008+ highlanders I've been looking at offer the third row. I think that would be best with multiple kids. Then again the rav4 also offers a third row.

Thanks for all the info guys!

 

[NutBucket]

That 3rd row (RAV4) is a joke. I don't think your 12yo would be too happy back there. Plus cargo room is minimal with the 3rd row up.

 

[WT]

Kia Sorento is worth a look as well. Second gen offers third row seating and is just a bit larger than the Rav4.

 

[Evilviking]

Kia Sorento is worth a look as well. Second gen offers third row seating and is just a bit larger than the Rav4.

Will look at those. Thanks.

Been looking at pictures of the rav4 third row. Looks like the back window would act as a head rest....

 

[Denly]

LR3 have the best third row, I am almost 6" and sit at the back no issue. Picked up a 08 fully loaded for $18k.

Outlander is also a good SUV, it can be have for cheap.

 

[NutBucket]

LR3 doesn't satisfy the "dependable" requirement.

 

[Denly]

LR3 doesn't satisfy the "dependable" requirement.

A family friend had an 05 since new, now at 250k trouble free. Not saying it is smart to buy one but it is a lot of truck for the money.

V8/7000lb tow/air ride/GPS/BT/7 seats/glass roof/heat front/back seat/heated windshield/leather/park senor...etc

I was surprise how good the ride is, and the gas mileage isn't much worst than my MPV.

 

[BurnItDwn]

1. Sienna or Odyssey
2. Mazda 5 if slightly smaller size is better
3. Quest or Sedona
4. Caravan / Town & Country

Will have most room for a family, great for hauling or carrying lots of junk for road trips, and get tolerable fuel economy.

 

[HitAnyKey]

I have a 2011 RAV4 with the 2.5. Its fine for what it does but it is kinda basic - which doesn't bug me because I treat like an appliance. I wouldn't get it if I was hauling 5 people. Its too small. Dont get me wrong its not a bad vehicle by any means - has decent pep around town and very decent in the snow. Tranny is very smooth too.

But for what you described, I really would look hard at a Minivan. You really can't beat the space and convenience of one.

If I had another kid, I would trade it for a Minivan in a heartbeat.