Ideas for SUV or alternative

[AstroManLuca]

If you're not going to drive it much, why not get a big truck-based SUV for an awesome low price? You'll have more than enough room for whatever you need, and the amount extra you spend on gas will be easily outweighed by the low purchase price. Seriously, the deals on used truck-based SUVs are incredible. I've seen ones selling for 1/3 their original purchase price and they aren't even that old.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Station wagon.

ZV

 

[HannibalX]

I own an Explorer (2002) and it has been a superb vehicle. My truck has the 4.0L V6 engine with a 5-speed auto and 4WD. I can easily get 21/22 mpg on the highway and 18-19 around town. It's all in how you drive. If you drive the truck like it's a Corvette yes it will do 13-14 mpg around town.

 

[rh71]

No reason to be that worried about mpg and resale value if you're buying a used weekend car. Buy what you'd enjoy driving the most (that will fit the 5 of you of course).

 

[boomhower]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. You talked some sense and I think I will go with the larger truck I want. Yukon XL Denali here I come.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: boomhower
Thanks for the thoughts guys. You talked some sense and I think I will go with the larger truck I want. Yukon XL Denali here I come.

:thumbsup:

 

[Capt Caveman]

Honda Pilot and get a roof box

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Honda Pilot and get a roof box

Talk about cutting your highway millage in half.

 

[boomhower]

I had thought about a mid-sized SUV and putting a roof box on but that is going to knock the gas mileage to at best even with the larger truck. Pilot rated at 19Hwy and the Yukon at 17Hyw. I would not be the least bit surprised if the aero hit of the box dropped the Pilot or equivalent down below the Yukon.

 

[Fenixgoon]

what about a CUV? (despite the fact that i hate that moniker).

ford edge, buick enclave, etc. they (as a class) tend to get ~18/24 mpg city/highway.

 

[paulxcook]

The '06 Mitsubishi Outlander I just purchased for $9000 (including taxes, title, fees, all that stuff) is about the size you're looking for and supposedly gets 21/26 mpg. I also looked at Ford Escape, Saturn Vue, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage. You can get those with pretty low mileage for about the price range you're looking at.

edit: I have two mastiffs that fit in the back, so your one large dog should be fine in any of those.

edit 2: I didn't think about your suitcases and such. If you're not willing to put the luggage on the roof I don't know if you'll ever find a vehicle that fits your needs. You need the space that a large suv would provide but you don't want to deal with the gas mileage that goes with that.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: boomhower
Not going to happen for a variety of reasons though some of these may vary on model: reliability, resale value, still poor gas mileage(18MPG van vs. 15MPG truck), and I would prefer 4WD. And yes the old stand-by, I am a man and I will not drive a minivan.

Yeah, I shy away from minivans for the same reason. Not the "its a minivan" part, I don't care about that...but they get just as bad of gas mileage as an SUV. However, many minivans do have a better tow rating then small SUVs, which typically are rated to tow no better the a compact car.

I'd look at the forester/outback, which is kind of what I'm looking forward too. Nice AWD, decent gas mileage and they can tow like 3500lbs, which ain't half bad.

 

[krunchykrome]

Honda CRV

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: boomhower
Not going to happen for a variety of reasons though some of these may vary on model: reliability, resale value, still poor gas mileage(18MPG van vs. 15MPG truck), and I would prefer 4WD. And yes the old stand-by, I am a man and I will not drive a minivan.

Yeah, I shy away from minivans for the same reason. Not the "its a minivan" part, I don't care about that...but they get just as bad of gas mileage as an SUV. However, many minivans do have a better tow rating then small SUVs, which typically are rated to tow no better the a compact car.

I'd look at the forester/outback, which is kind of what I'm looking forward too. Nice AWD, decent gas mileage and they can tow like 3500lbs, which ain't half bad.

But unlike an SUV you can actually fit crap in a minivan. There isn't enough floor to roof height in the smaller SUVs to put bulky things in them and the big ones aren't much better. Plus their tailgate height makes it a pita to get heavy things in them. My old ass beater 89 dodge caravan without an overdrive trans still pulls down 23-24mpg highway.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: boomhower
Not going to happen for a variety of reasons though some of these may vary on model: reliability, resale value, still poor gas mileage(18MPG van vs. 15MPG truck), and I would prefer 4WD. And yes the old stand-by, I am a man and I will not drive a minivan.

Yeah, I shy away from minivans for the same reason. Not the "its a minivan" part, I don't care about that...but they get just as bad of gas mileage as an SUV. However, many minivans do have a better tow rating then small SUVs, which typically are rated to tow no better the a compact car.

I'd look at the forester/outback, which is kind of what I'm looking forward too. Nice AWD, decent gas mileage and they can tow like 3500lbs, which ain't half bad.

But unlike an SUV you can actually fit crap in a minivan. There isn't enough floor to roof height in the smaller SUVs to put bulky things in them and the big ones aren't much better. Plus their tailgate height makes it a pita to get heavy things in them. My old ass beater 89 dodge caravan without an overdrive trans still pulls down 23-24mpg highway.

Oh, I agree minivans are underrated for their abilities and actual utility. If you need a lot of covered space they can be the better option versus an SUV.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I love the look of the Chevy Trail blazers, but man they get crap mileage....

do not get a minivan, you will get laughed at all the way down the road...by everyone, including your kids!

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: boomhower
Not going to happen for a variety of reasons though some of these may vary on model: reliability, resale value, still poor gas mileage(18MPG van vs. 15MPG truck), and I would prefer 4WD. And yes the old stand-by, I am a man and I will not drive a minivan.

Yeah, I shy away from minivans for the same reason. Not the "its a minivan" part, I don't care about that...but they get just as bad of gas mileage as an SUV. However, many minivans do have a better tow rating then small SUVs, which typically are rated to tow no better the a compact car.

I'd look at the forester/outback, which is kind of what I'm looking forward too. Nice AWD, decent gas mileage and they can tow like 3500lbs, which ain't half bad.

But unlike an SUV you can actually fit crap in a minivan. There isn't enough floor to roof height in the smaller SUVs to put bulky things in them and the big ones aren't much better. Plus their tailgate height makes it a pita to get heavy things in them. My old ass beater 89 dodge caravan without an overdrive trans still pulls down 23-24mpg highway.

Oh, I agree minivans are underrated for their abilities and actual utility. If you need a lot of covered space they can be the better option versus an SUV.

Live is too short to drive a minivan unless you really absolutely are not a car enthusiast at all

 

[desy]

I'm on Van number 3
If you have a two car family one vehicle can be your 'driving' vehicle and the other can be pure utility.
Hauling stuff and kids? Nothing beats minivan

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: boomhower
Not going to happen for a variety of reasons though some of these may vary on model: reliability, resale value, still poor gas mileage(18MPG van vs. 15MPG truck), and I would prefer 4WD. And yes the old stand-by, I am a man and I will not drive a minivan.

Yeah, I shy away from minivans for the same reason. Not the "its a minivan" part, I don't care about that...but they get just as bad of gas mileage as an SUV. However, many minivans do have a better tow rating then small SUVs, which typically are rated to tow no better the a compact car.

I'd look at the forester/outback, which is kind of what I'm looking forward too. Nice AWD, decent gas mileage and they can tow like 3500lbs, which ain't half bad.

But unlike an SUV you can actually fit crap in a minivan. There isn't enough floor to roof height in the smaller SUVs to put bulky things in them and the big ones aren't much better. Plus their tailgate height makes it a pita to get heavy things in them. My old ass beater 89 dodge caravan without an overdrive trans still pulls down 23-24mpg highway.

Oh, I agree minivans are underrated for their abilities and actual utility. If you need a lot of covered space they can be the better option versus an SUV.

Live is too short to drive a minivan unless you really absolutely are not a car enthusiast at all

How is a SUV any more fun to drive then a regular minivan? They both handle like crap, are slow, and are no fun to drive. Unless you actually drive off road there isn't any difference really other then the minivan being more practicle in most cases. Nobody laughs at you when you drive a minivan because nobody pays any attention to the guy driving the minivan. I have a miata turbo for my fun car. This is a 3rd car for this dude.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
If that dog is really going to weigh 140 -180lbs I don't think any crossover will fit your weekend suitcases + the dog.

I think with the 3rd row folded in the Explorer, Freestyle or Pacifica you will still not have enough room.

I would go with a pick-up truck and a canopy. Stick the dog in the bed and when pooch needs some attention just roll down the power rear window.

With your budget you should be able to get a nice used F150 crew-cab or perhaps a Explorer Sport Trac.

My 1990 Volvo 740 Wagon holds luggage for me, the wife, and two kids for a four day trip with room for a 120lb dog in the back. Yeah, he doesn't have a whole lot of space, but he fits

 

[imported_hollywood]

Anyone of you considered a CNG kit? The BOMB my friends!!!! $5.20 to fill this AM...

Chow 4 now!

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: boomhower
Not going to happen for a variety of reasons though some of these may vary on model: reliability, resale value, still poor gas mileage(18MPG van vs. 15MPG truck), and I would prefer 4WD. And yes the old stand-by, I am a man and I will not drive a minivan.

Yeah, I shy away from minivans for the same reason. Not the "its a minivan" part, I don't care about that...but they get just as bad of gas mileage as an SUV. However, many minivans do have a better tow rating then small SUVs, which typically are rated to tow no better the a compact car.

I'd look at the forester/outback, which is kind of what I'm looking forward too. Nice AWD, decent gas mileage and they can tow like 3500lbs, which ain't half bad.

But unlike an SUV you can actually fit crap in a minivan. There isn't enough floor to roof height in the smaller SUVs to put bulky things in them and the big ones aren't much better. Plus their tailgate height makes it a pita to get heavy things in them. My old ass beater 89 dodge caravan without an overdrive trans still pulls down 23-24mpg highway.

Oh, I agree minivans are underrated for their abilities and actual utility. If you need a lot of covered space they can be the better option versus an SUV.

Live is too short to drive a minivan unless you really absolutely are not a car enthusiast at all

How is a SUV any more fun to drive then a regular minivan? They both handle like crap, are slow, and are no fun to drive. Unless you actually drive off road there isn't any difference really other then the minivan being more practicle in most cases. Nobody laughs at you when you drive a minivan because nobody pays any attention to the guy driving the minivan. I have a miata turbo for my fun car. This is a 3rd car for this dude.

It's not that they're minivans. It's the whitebreadness of buying a minivan that bothers me. IMO, once you buy that oversized house in the treeless suburbs, marry a woman you hate, have annoying kids, and drive one of these you already have a foot in the grave.

I'd rock a minivan with character like your Chrysler or a VW Transporter. But those bloated watermelon beasts are a crime against humanity. The same goes for full size SUVs


Sweet van
Not a sleeper

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Pale Rider

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Honda Pilot and get a roof box

Talk about cutting your highway millage in half.

It'll only take a couple of miles off one's mpg. I should know I've driven cross-country multiple times with one on my suv.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: boomhower
Not going to happen for a variety of reasons though some of these may vary on model: reliability, resale value, still poor gas mileage(18MPG van vs. 15MPG truck), and I would prefer 4WD. And yes the old stand-by, I am a man and I will not drive a minivan.

Yeah, I shy away from minivans for the same reason. Not the "its a minivan" part, I don't care about that...but they get just as bad of gas mileage as an SUV. However, many minivans do have a better tow rating then small SUVs, which typically are rated to tow no better the a compact car.

I'd look at the forester/outback, which is kind of what I'm looking forward too. Nice AWD, decent gas mileage and they can tow like 3500lbs, which ain't half bad.

But unlike an SUV you can actually fit crap in a minivan. There isn't enough floor to roof height in the smaller SUVs to put bulky things in them and the big ones aren't much better. Plus their tailgate height makes it a pita to get heavy things in them. My old ass beater 89 dodge caravan without an overdrive trans still pulls down 23-24mpg highway.

Oh, I agree minivans are underrated for their abilities and actual utility. If you need a lot of covered space they can be the better option versus an SUV.

Live is too short to drive a minivan unless you really absolutely are not a car enthusiast at all

How is a SUV any more fun to drive then a regular minivan? They both handle like crap, are slow, and are no fun to drive. Unless you actually drive off road there isn't any difference really other then the minivan being more practicle in most cases. Nobody laughs at you when you drive a minivan because nobody pays any attention to the guy driving the minivan. I have a miata turbo for my fun car. This is a 3rd car for this dude.

It's not that they're minivans. It's the whitebreadness of buying a minivan that bothers me. IMO, once you buy that oversized house in the treeless suburbs, marry a woman you hate, have annoying kids, and drive one of these you already have a foot in the grave.

I'd rock a minivan with character like your Chrysler or a VW Transporter. But those bloated watermelon beasts are a crime against humanity. The same goes for full size SUVs


Sweet van
Not a sleeper

That VW is too new..

 

[Elstupido]

Manly men do not drive minivans