Need help deciding on a full-size SUV ...

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PCAddict

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 1999
3,804
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Hi guys. My father is looking to purchase a full-size SUV. He is finally fed-up with the underpowered and unreliable minivans that he's been buying for my mother for the last 15 years.

Right now, he is looking at the Chevy Suburban and the GMC Yukon XL, which are basically the same vehicle. He does not want a Ford Expedition, for several reasons. First, they have a problem with a crossmember in the front end breaking. Those bastards at Ford won't replace it until it breaks. And, they will only fix the side that breaks. If the right side breaks, they won't replace the left side until it breaks. My mechanic owns an Expedition and this happened to him. He is confident that he would have wrecked it and probably gotten killed if it broke when he was on the freeway. The other reason is Ford's handling of the Firestone tire fiasco. People lost their lives because this was buried by Ford from the top.

I told him to go drive a Dodge Durango, as it would fit the bill for what he is looking for. The main thing he wants is something that is good in the snow, and can haul six people around if needed.

The Toyota 4-Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, along with the other import offerings are out of consideration because none of them are big enough.

Thanks in advance for any replies.
 
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Napalm381

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
2,724
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<< Need help deciding on a full-size SUV >>


IE, not a Grand Cherokee (no offense Soybomb).

Every comparison I've seen rates the Suburban the best. Dodge has lots of transmission problems I hear. I've got a 93 Sub and I can tell you it kicks ass. Better ride than Durango, Yukon, etc. Also the ability to haul 8 foot lumber and other really long stuff is very convenient.
 
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DesignDawg

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,919
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Durango's are pretty small. You sure the pathfinder is too small? It's bigger than a durango.

Check out the Infiniti QX4. NIIIIICE bit of power in those things, and very luxurious. (It's just a REALLY nice pathfinder.) Check 'em out. They may actually be bigger than you think.

Ricky
DesignDawg
 
T

Toonces311

Member
Jun 19, 2000
124
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If money is not an issue, which it probably is, I'd say the 2002 GMC Denali. It is based on the Yukon frame and body. The main differance is that they put the 6.0 Liter engine in it that puts out around 330 horses. The suburban and Yukon XL have the same engine but they only have 300 horses. Only 300 LOL. Plus you get all the toys, leather etc.

Check it out here.
 
F

fishy101

Senior member
Mar 21, 2000
252
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or buy Toyota Rav4 and save yourselves some money, and you would be doing a favor to the environment. :p :)
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91


<< Durango's are pretty small. You sure the pathfinder is too small? It's bigger than a durango. >>


No it's not! The Durango is way bigger than the Pathfinder/QX4. The Durango is bigger than an Explorer, yet smaller than a Tahoe or Expedition. It sortofa middleweight SUV.

Pathfinder/QX4

Wheelbase: 106.3
Length: 182.7
Width: 69.7
Cargo Capacity (rear seat up): 38 cu/ft

Durango

Wheelbase: 116
Length: 193.3
Width: 71.5
Cargo Capacity (rear seat up): 51.3 cu/ft

NFS4 grins from ear to ear ;)
 
D

DesignDawg

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,919
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BLAH BLAH F@CKING BLAH...

No, NOT MISINFORMATION. I may be WRONG, but I'm not misinformed. I got that from riding in BOTH VERY often, and though I may be wrong, the durango feels MUCH smaller than the pathfinder. Excuse me if that doesn't mesh with your little database, NFS4. So, scratch what I said about size, and let's just say one SEEMS bigger than the other. I guess I should have been all bad-ass and consulted a book, like NFS4 did. (ooh, so cool.);)

Ricky
DesignDawg
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
I've driven a '99 Durango, and I've driven a '98 Pathfinder. The Pathfinder not only looks much smaller, but it also feels much smaller. Not to mention that you can get third row seating in the Durango--something you can't get in the Pathfinder because of its small size and short wheelbase. And I didn't use a book ;)
 
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FettsBabe

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 1999
3,708
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If I remember correctly Durango's have a problem with their transmission. My friends parents own one and had to have the trans replaced. Something you may want to check into.
 
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PG

Diamond Member
Oct 25, 1999
3,426
44
91
The Durango is not built on the full sized truck platform but on the Dakota platform. It is not what I would call full sized. Line one up next to a Chevy Tahoe or a Ford Expedition and you will see what I mean. And you could almost fit a Durnago in the back of an Excursion. The Grand Cherokee is also not very big inside. Forget seating for 6, try 4. And then your knees are up too high to be comfortable.

Forget all the imports. They were designed by some 5 foot 2 japenese guys. They have no interior space either. And you can't get one with a V8.

The only SUV's that are built on full size truck plafforms come from either Ford or Chevy. If you don't want a Ford, then your choices are the SUV's made by GM. Pretty simple process of elimination if you ask me.

PG
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91


<< The only SUV's that are built on full size truck plafforms come from either Ford or Chevy. If you don't want a Ford, then your choices are the SUV's made by GM. Pretty simple process of elimination if you ask me.
 >>


Actually no, because Toyota has just released the 8-passenger Sequoia which is based on the full-size Tundra :) Not only do you get Japanese quality and reliability, but you get a silky smooth DOHC V8 straight from the Lexus LS400 (with some modifications of course for truck duty).
 
P

PG

Diamond Member
Oct 25, 1999
3,426
44
91
Hey, that looks pretty good! I hadn't heard of that one. I think the American SUV's can tow slightly more than the Toyota's 6,500 lbs if you get the optional engines, but most people will never pull much anyway. The Toyota engine will also allow the vehicle to be certified as an ULEV.

I like the size and ground clearance of that Toyota. Also, I hate to say it, but the quality and reliability of American vehicles does have me worried. Toyota is very good in this area. Any SUV will be expensive, but at least this one might last which would at least partially justify the price.

PG
 
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Windogg

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,241
0
0
I'm very happy with my Toyota Land Cruiser. Has your dad looked into it? Rock solid reliability.

Windogg
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
The Yukon (i.e. Tahoe in drag) has never really impressed me. It looks like the box it was shipped in, and the interior is as bland and as cheaply made as every other GM vehicle.
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
All of the Big 3...er Big 2 and a German/American Guy :D suck in interior finish/materials. Chrysler has probably been one of the worst offenders in the sub-par materials category in recent years, but all of the current 2000/2001 models are quite good (a trip to the Chrysler dealership in Greensboro, NC proved that). Ironically, the Chrysler model with the best interior material choice/workmanship is the PT Cruiser.
 
L

LAUST

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2000
8,957
1
81
I would go with the Yukon or Suburban they have a much better motor right now then the Durango and are allot cheaper the 360 in the Durango is a gqas guzzler and has no HP or Torque to compensate for the gas station trips made. The Suburban is also huge so if he needs space no problem. Right now I agree with him if's he's not a mechanical person getting an older model I would not choose Ford right now either I like allot of thier lines but the customer service right now is the worst off all auto companies right now.. the Rangers and Explorers have had the problem with the Firestone tires but besides that the same Rangers and Explorers are also having a Slip in the 3-4 clutch pack and ford won't do a thing about it now
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91


<< same Rangers and Explorers are also having a Slip in the 3-4 clutch pack and ford won't do a thing about it now >>


How many Explorers do you know of that are sold with a manual transimission...I didn't think so ;)
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
The Landcruiser is actually SMALLER than the Sequoia and costs ALOT more :Q
 
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