New Vehicle Search....

[Capt Caveman]

Based on my aging QX4, I've started the search for a new vehicle. I went to a Subaru dealership today as they were closing to check out the Outback. Looks great but discovered that the standing height in the cargo area may not be high enough for one of my dogs. I'll probably go back tomorrow with the dog.

I'm also planning on checking out the Volvo XC60 and Mazda CX-9(brother's suggestion) tomorrow. Will look at the Acura MDX and Audi Q5 another day.

Looking to spend less than $40k. Need AWD, cargo space, 20+ mpg in the city(or close to) and good ground clearance. Having Xenon HIDs is a bonus.

Other options?

 

[Bignate603]

The 2011 grand cherokee with the new V6 gets 22 highway, has models within your price range and has been getting good reviews. It's probably worth a look.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Forester? New Cherokee, New Explorer, CX-7, CR-V, the rest of those "cute utes"

 

[Dr. Detroit]

No real bad choices with any of the SUV's out. You need to determine your priorities like off-road capability & Towing requirements. From there whittle it down based on engine choices and mpg and your driving experiences.

2011+ Ford Edge
Ford Escape or leftover Mariner Premier (240HP V6)
Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Canyon (32mpg hwy with 4cyl)

 

[Jumpem]

I get 30mpg in my Outback during the non-winter months.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I get 30mpg in my Outback during the non-winter months.

Do you find the 170hp adequate?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Forester? New Cherokee, New Explorer, CX-7, CR-V, the rest of those "cute utes"

Most of those don't have enough cargo space and I used to have an Explorer which has me turned off from getting another.

 

[Capt Caveman]

The 2011 grand cherokee with the new V6 gets 22 highway, has models within your price range and has been getting good reviews. It's probably worth a look.

Yeah, I may check one out. Don't believe it has enough cargo space in back(2nd row of seats up) and would like to get closer to 20mph in the city. That's why the Audi Q5 is not really realistic.

No real bad choices with any of the SUV's out. You need to determine your priorities like off-road capability & Towing requirements. From there whittle it down based on engine choices and mpg and your driving experiences.

2011+ Ford Edge
Ford Escape or leftover Mariner Premier (240HP V6)
Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Canyon (32mpg hwy with 4cyl)

Yeah, I'd like it to have some off-road and towing capability. I've need to use 4WD-Lo and tow with my QX4.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Yeah, I'd like it to have some off-road and towing capability. I've need to use 4WD-Lo and tow with my QX4.

QX4 is a body on frame SUV - these are almost nonexistant with most SUV's having no LO setting and just a AWD feature on a FWD like platform.

Only a handful of RWD body on Frame 4x4 SUV's exist now.

Kia Borrego
Pathfinder
Yukon/Tahoe
4-Runner
Dodge Nitro/Jeep Liberty
Lexus GX470
Explorer Sport-Trac
Expedition

 

[Jumpem]

Do you find the 170hp adequate?

More than enough. I generally use less than half throttle.

 

[punjabiplaya]

New explorer is just a really tall Taurus. It has nothing to do with the old one except its name

 

[PhoKingGuy]

2011 Jeep GC, you can get a loaded 4x4 Overland V8 for under 40k in CA.

 

[TraumaRN]

New explorer is just a really tall Taurus. It has nothing to do with the old one except its name

My parents just took delivery of a new 2011 Explorer...that thing is amazing, much more then a really tall Taurus. It tows just fine(my dad came over today and hauled away an old freezer and 2 couches + other random junk) and given our snowy conditions in Michigan the last few days has apparently really great handling in the snow. Just turn the Terrain Management to snow and it had no problems whatsoever. I was really impressed with the build quality, interior, etc. Everything about it feels solid. It actually feels better to drive then the older body on frame version if that makes any sense.

My parent's actually off-road there older Explorer and will off-road with this one too so I'll be interested to see how it handles, but so far I'm pretty impressed.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

My parents just took delivery of a new 2011 Explorer...that thing is amazing, much more then a really tall Taurus. It tows just fine(my dad came over today and hauled away an old freezer and 2 couches + other random junk) and given our snowy conditions in Michigan the last few days has apparently really great handling in the snow. Just turn the Terrain Management to snow and it had no problems whatsoever. I was really impressed with the build quality, interior, etc. Everything about it feels solid. It actually feels better to drive then the older body on frame version if that makes any sense.

My parent's actually off-road there older Explorer and will off-road with this one too so I'll be interested to see how it handles, but so far I'm pretty impressed.

When I spoke to the Ford engineers at the LA Autoshow I said I would either be interested in the GC or the Explorer. The guy said the new one was a soft to mid roader at best, and that it is more suited to snowy/icy conditions or dirt trails than anything serious.

 

[TraumaRN]

When I spoke to the Ford engineers at the LA Autoshow I said I would either be interested in the GC or the Explorer. The guy said the new one was a soft to mid roader at best, and that it is more suited to snowy/icy conditions or dirt trails than anything serious.

Yeah that's what the dealer told them as well. But it should be fine for them. They have a place in northwest lower Michigan, 125 acres of land with numerous two-tracks cut through the woods and fields, it can get a little dicey back there when it rains a lot but nothing this new Explorer couldn't handle.

 

[LTC8K6]

New Explorer is great. I don't think it has any competition in it's class.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Just checked the Explorer online. Similarly equipped, it costs as much as a Volvo XC60 or Audi Q5. And from my experience with my last Ford vehicle, after five years, things start rattling and breaking down. I'll think about it but don't think it's going to be on my list.

 

[TraumaRN]

Just checked the Explorer online. Similarly equipped, it costs as much as a Volvo XC60 or Audi Q5. And from my experience with my last Ford vehicle, after five years, things start rattling and breaking down. I'll think about it but don't think it's going to be on my list.

Trust me when I say things are much different now. I talked to a Ford engineer at the NAIAS and he was telling me they used the Audi Q5 as 'competition' in terms of similar fit, finish and quality.

I would say drop your old opinion and at least give it a fair shake. I couldn't believe I was sitting in a Ford I'll put it that way.

EDIT: As a personal note I got my Fusion Hybrid in April of 2009 and have put 36K miles on it, had one minor rattle in the sunroof at 30K that the dealer fixed in about 5 minutes. Otherwise it's been an awesome car, great build quality, great interior and still looks very sharp.

 

[LTC8K6]

Ford, GM, and now even Chrysler, are not what they were a few years ago...

 

[rcpratt]

Nevermind.

 

[angry hampster]

I would suggest a Mazda Miata.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Well, if I can't fix my QX4 tomorrow, a new vehicle may be purchased this weekend. Currently, I'm between the Subaru Outback and Volvo XC60. I plan to look at the Explorer and Edge on Saturday but hate the fact to get Xenon HIDs, I have to get Navigation and other stuff I don't want.

Outback for the mpg and price is very tempting but I really do like the XC60 for the luxury and features but not sure if it's an extra $10k.

Funny thing, I was checking the specs on the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 and was impressed with the amount of cargo space behind the 2nd row seats. Just hate their AWD systems.

edit - since every dealer will just wholesale my QX4 is there any source to get an idea of that pricing? Obviously, much less than trade-in value.

 

[PricklyPete]

I would look at the Explorer and the 4Runner.

 

[TraumaRN]

Well, if I can't fix my QX4 tomorrow, a new vehicle may be purchased this weekend. Currently, I'm between the Subaru Outback and Volvo XC60. I plan to look at the Explorer and Edge on Saturday but hate the fact to get Xenon HIDs, I have to get Navigation and other stuff I don't want.

Outback for the mpg and price is very tempting but I really do like the XC60 for the luxury and features but not sure if it's an extra $10k.

Funny thing, I was checking the specs on the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 and was impressed with the amount of cargo space behind the 2nd row seats. Just hate their AWD systems.

edit - since every dealer will just wholesale my QX4 is there any source to get an idea of that pricing? Obviously, much less than trade-in value.

I wouldn't let the lack of HIDs inhibit your buy. Projector beam headlights do a really nice job without blinding other drivers like HIDs can. That said if you are looking at an Edge just skip it and go for the new Explorer, it's much nicer inside interior wise and space wise as well. As I have posted in the past my parent's got a new 2011 Explorer and they love it. Even my technophobe dad has MyFordTouch figured out if that's a concern.

And while this might draw some ire, the interior is easily on par with the XC60 quality and comfort wise.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I wouldn't let the lack of HIDs inhibit your buy. Projector beam headlights do a really nice job without blinding other drivers like HIDs can. That said if you are looking at an Edge just skip it and go for the new Explorer, it's much nicer inside interior wise and space wise as well. As I have posted in the past my parent's got a new 2011 Explorer and they love it. Even my technophobe dad has MyFordTouch figured out if that's a concern.

And while this might draw some ire, the interior is easily on par with the XC60 quality and comfort wise.

Dude, why did you change your username?

Just priced out a Explorer Limited, it came out to be $42k thru truecar, $1.6k over invoice. That's crazy! Insurance estimates shows it's also the highest out of the vehicles I'm looking at, kind of strange. Plus, the R-Design XC60 is less.

I'll check it out but I really do want to get better mileage. And after having HIDs for 11 years, I really don't want to go back.