New SUV Time!

[boomhower]

I like the new Edge.

 

[desy]

The Durango is basically a Mercedes tho for half the price but your right the resale is going to be poor likely. The Jeep is excellent and won't have poor resale.
The Forester looks almost the same as the Rav? Put them up side by side on the screen and she'll see the similarity.
The 4Runner is great but brutal fuel economy and a frame as opposed to unibody design and its best suited for real 4X4
Lots of good choices in this class

 

[ElFenix]

so is ford going to put the flex out of its misery with the new explorer around? same platform.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The RX is nothing more than a warmed over camry wagon, plus the AWD system blows chunks. For the same price as one of those you could probably score a loaded new Explorer with a much better AWD system or even an MDX with SH-AWD (ugly but functional)

🙄 Well, it's not as though he's going off-roading with it.

I've actually driven an RX for extended periods and it is an excellent on road SUV IMO and nothing like a "warmed over Camry wagon." Much better than the Exploder anyway.

 

[Soccerman06]

No Chrysler products, jeep maybe but I already have one >.>

 

[DesiPower]

I have driven loner Rav4, don't even think about it... felt very cheap...

colleague has 07 or 08 4Runner, in which we go for lunch every now and then, seems like rough ride compared 10 Explorer which I rented for a week...

 

[jdwright]

+1 for outback

I don't chime in often, but a couple things that I have noted as an 09 owner:

1. We have a chocolate lab and a golden retriever and they are able to manage nicely in the older smaller outback rear.
2. Dogs get old and the jump to the back of an outback is MUCH easier than other vehicles in the family (tahoe, explorer)
3. Highest retail of all automakers (just overtook Toyota or Honda? could be mistaken)
4. I can pull into my garage with a space case on top...VERY handy and safe.
5. Fit and finish leaves a bit to be desired. My kids have broken the cup holder in the back twice (both covered by warrantee =))
6. High 20's gas mileage is pretty sweet for a vehicle with this kind of utility.
7. Handles like a dream in the snow...very solid and a bit more juice in the rear for that bit of fishing around corners =P.

It sounds like you're looking for something a bit more SUV-like, but having had the outback for a while, it's pretty slick...no regrets here at all.

 

[freeway]

I like my 07 Hyundai Santa Fe. It's been a good car and I can fold the seats flat and haul a lot of stuff in it. I was not impressed with the automatic transmission, so I so I bought the 5 speed with the 2.7 V6. I'm not sure what has changed with the newer models. Maybe try a Nissan Murano also. I have never test driven one, but I really like the CVT in my Altima and would check out the Murano if it also has a CVT. I have always been a big SUV guy - 79 Blazer, 85 Bronco and 99 Tahoe before the Santa Fe, but it does everything I need it to do. Also it was $19,500 new.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I like my 07 Hyundai Santa Fe. It's been a good car and I can fold the seats flat and haul a lot of stuff in it. I was not impressed with the automatic transmission, so I so I bought the 5 speed with the 2.7 V6. I'm not sure what has changed with the newer models. Maybe try a Nissan Murano also. I have never test driven one, but I really like the CVT in my Altima and would check out the Murano if it also has a CVT. I have always been a big SUV guy - 79 Blazer, 85 Bronco and 99 Tahoe before the Santa Fe, but it does everything I need it to do. Also it was $19,500 new.

The Murano isn't bad. I had one as a loaner car once. It is comfortable and roomy but kind of plain looking. If the BMW X5 is raisin bread toasted with butter the Murano is dry white toast.

It does have the CVT and it works well in the Murano.

 

[CrackRabbit]

I :wub: the new Explorer, it is just a bit on the pricey side though.

Might also want to look at the Kia Sorrento, its a cousin to the Santa Fe but with a better looking interior (for the time being).

 

[tk149]

I like my 2010 RAV4 AWD (base model). It's been pretty solid, but Toyota skimped on the interior and the seats do feel kind of cheap, but nothing is rattling yet.

It's handled Wisconsin snow pretty well so far.

I don't know about the 2011's, but the 2010 had the most cargo room in its class.

 

[Soccerman06]

I drove the Hyundai vehicles they are ok, but not on the level of the brand new Ford/Chevy chassis and drive wise and not as well done interiors as the Ford vehicles. The gc I drove was typical a typical jeep, nothing special. The Lexus was nice but still can't afford one and have it demolished by my dogs, and even used its 40k. Wouldn't mind a vw touareg tdi but a tad expensive. I'll need to try a Nissan something. Unfortunately I can only get 0% financing through gm and ford, and both below invoice (ty work discounts).

Edge is priced at 34k invoice
Explorer 36k
Rav4 30k
Traverse 35k

 

[Capt Caveman]

I will be looking to replace my SUV soon. I'm going to be looking at the Acura MDX, Volvo XC60 and Subaru Outback. I have a 115lb Rhodesian Ridgeback who's as tall as any GS and he'll be to stand in anyone of them.

 

[Soccerman06]

Will check out an audi q5 tomorrow and hopefully a correctly specced edge, the only edges in town are either sports (20" wheels bleh) or fwd.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Will check out an audi q5 tomorrow and hopefully a correctly specced edge, the only edges in town are either sports (20" wheels bleh) or fwd.

If you're checking out the Q5 (which is nice albeit a tad small) then you should also try out the XC60 as well, supposedly the best in the segment.

 

[IronWing]

I had a rental Murano for three weeks. It was an 2008 so things might have changed. It was a nice ride, very comfortable, lots of toys to play with. The engine was fine, I didn't do much highway driving with it to really say too much. However, for being as big as it is, the interior space isn't very usable. Also, the rear and side visibility is horrible. I drive an FJ Cruiser and it has better rear/side visibility than the Murano.

 

[SandEagle]

You can get a 2011 xterra, auto 4x4, for about 23k otd. Or get a pilot hondA

 

[JulesMaximus]

I rented a Ford Edge a few years ago for a few days and, overall, I liked it. It drove well, was comfortable but a bit small inside, especially with 5 adults, which made it downright cramped. It got lousy gas mileage though, it averaged 17mpg with a lot of rural driving in and around the outer banks of North Carolina.

The Murano seemed larger to me and got better mileage. I think the Murano is a few grand more expensive than the Edge though.

 

[Soccerman06]

I think the murano was like 37k properly specced, more than most, even the audi. I'll check the xc60 as well, they are at the same dealership here...

 

[BUTCH1]

With gas prices creeping up might be a good idea to get something that's somewhat fuel efficient, back when gas got over $4 a couple of local dealerships refused to take any large SUV as a trade-in, they just could not re-sell 'em...

 

[Soccerman06]

Went to local audi place, they said they had no q5 and wouldn't for 4-6 months... same with the xc60. Fucking small dealerships, would think a town with 100000 people would have a competent dealership somewhere.

 

[GoatMonkey]

I would go for one of the Fords out of that list, just for the Sync systems.

 

[kevman]

Pathfinder

 

[thegimp03]

I like the new 4runners and Jeep GC's.

 

[Zivic]

You can get a 2011 xterra, auto 4x4, for about 23k otd. Or get a pilot hondA

I had an 05 xterra..... sold it a little over a yr ago. still kicking myself. I WILL own another one down the road. a great vehicle. MORE than capable, but milage isn't the greatest.