Go 4Runner, no question. I researched all SUVs when I purchased in '99, and chose the Durango. It gave me the features and size I was looking for, within my price range (under $35K). I have several friends who have 4Runners, and after riding in theirs for some time now, I know that will be my next one (or Sequoia, for it's size). They don't have large engines, or frills like radio controls on the steering wheel (which my Durango has, and is usually broken), but the overall quality is top-notch. Such a smooth ride, nice interior, instantly cold air, which is important to me in AZ, and my Durango takes forever to cool off. I haven't riden in the Nissan or Isuzu, but I don't their look or their size.
4Runner probably has the most room for the back seat out of all the SUVs listed, if that's important to you. Pathfinder and the ilk trade back seat space for more cargo room. Overall I think the 4Runner is one of the best SUVs you can get. It probably has the best stock off-road performance of any mid-size SUV out there though I haven't tried out the Grand Cherokee. It also has the highest ground-clearance in its class from what I understand.
kyguy, did you check out the trailtalk forums I linked in the last thread?
kyguy, did you check out the trailtalk forums I linked in the last thread?
The Gasket recall only applies to the 2nd generation 4Runners ('90-'95). The rear spring recall applies to all 1996, 1997, and some of the 1998 4Runners. Under the recall, the dealer is supposed to replace the rear suspension springs and bumpstops from what I understand.
What's the problem? Nissan Pathfinder is descent off road and comfy on road. Not that I would ever buy a truck based SUV, but if I needed one, that's probably the one I would get. I mostly recommend that he gets the pathfinder because his hard earned money will then subsidise other Nissan cars which I do like.
Automakers make huge margins on SUV's, and that helps us car buyers. I like my chevy Blazer older model though a 95 but till in perfect condition with leather its luxurios for its price
GMC Envoy is probably the best mid-sized SUV out right now.
Ford Explorer is also good.
Jeep Liberty is best among small SUV's.
Ford Explorer is also good.
Jeep Liberty is best among small SUV's.
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Picking up my black Acura MDX Touring Edition on Monday or Tuesday
Nice!! I love MDX's! Theyre p1mp!
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Picking up my black Acura MDX Touring Edition on Monday or Tuesday
Did you have to pay over the MSRP to get it?
rich
Originally posted by: richardycc
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Picking up my black Acura MDX Touring Edition on Monday or Tuesday
Did you have to pay over the MSRP to get it?
rich
No, all the dealerships I went to said they would only charge up to MSRP. Still sucks but I need a 7 passenger vehicle and if SuperTool thinks an MDX is not manly enough, what would s/he think if I got a minivan :Q
I dislike SUVs as much as some of the people here but unfortunately, having 2 giant baby seats and usually 2 or 3 people in the car is not very comfortable for the passengers. Even my old car (GS300) was too tiny and cramped. So I have to bite the bullet and go with practicallity.
Going down the list of 7 passenger SUVs, I can't think of a better one than the one I'm getting.
Envoy XL - Ugly
Suzuki XL7 - Ugly POS
Toyota Sequoia - Overpriced
Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX470 - Too expensive
GMC Tahoe/Trailblazer etc - Too big and expensive
Ford Explorer - Not after the blowout incidents. Resale values stink too
Ford Expedition - Too big
Honda Pilot - Came out after I placed my order. Charging over MSRP for it so no way.
Cadillac Escalade - Bling Bling
I don't consider minivans girly. Minivans tell me that a person is comfortable with themselves and is buying a car for practical reasons.
Some SUV owners think they are fooling someone into beliving they are rugged outdoorsy types and not soccermoms and dads
If driving an SUV makes you feel like that, that's great, but you aint fooling noone
Oddysey would be more practical. Since your last car was a GS300, I assume you aren't planning any offroading, and AWD traction is not a major concern. I guess luxury and dealer experience wise MDX is a level above Odyssey, so that's probably the only reasons to buy one IMO.
I personally don't believe SUV's are worth the markups and profit margins, but I am sure glad people buy them because it allows automakers to keep margins low on other cars.
You can think whatever you want. You shouldn't go judging people just because they feel comfortable about what they purchase.
I looked at an Odyssey and a good friend has one too. It is spacious but the interior sucks compared to the MDX. It doesn't even come close. It doesn't come with AWD which is very helpful here in the winters (although maybe not lately).
I looked at all my alternatives. There are no 7 passenger wagons worth buying (E320 is ridiculously expensive). I looked at alot of minivans (MPV, Sienna, Caravan, Odyssey) but most of them were cheesy. The interior of the MDX was the best of the bunch. It felt like I was still in my Lexus.
I'm a city boy and not an outdoorsy guy at all. But with a growing family and lots of junk, there really aren't alot of alternatives for someone who needs 7 seats and wants something luxurious other than SUVs. If I had my way, I'd get an Audi All-Road and have my wife drive a civic alone when we have the family together
I looked at an Odyssey and a good friend has one too. It is spacious but the interior sucks compared to the MDX. It doesn't even come close. It doesn't come with AWD which is very helpful here in the winters (although maybe not lately).
I looked at all my alternatives. There are no 7 passenger wagons worth buying (E320 is ridiculously expensive). I looked at alot of minivans (MPV, Sienna, Caravan, Odyssey) but most of them were cheesy. The interior of the MDX was the best of the bunch. It felt like I was still in my Lexus.
I'm a city boy and not an outdoorsy guy at all. But with a growing family and lots of junk, there really aren't alot of alternatives for someone who needs 7 seats and wants something luxurious other than SUVs. If I had my way, I'd get an Audi All-Road and have my wife drive a civic alone when we have the family together
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Originally posted by: richardycc
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Picking up my black Acura MDX Touring Edition on Monday or Tuesday
Did you have to pay over the MSRP to get it?
rich
No, all the dealerships I went to said they would only charge up to MSRP. Still sucks but I need a 7 passenger vehicle and if SuperTool thinks an MDX is not manly enough, what would s/he think if I got a minivan :Q
I dislike SUVs as much as some of the people here but unfortunately, having 2 giant baby seats and usually 2 or 3 people in the car is not very comfortable for the passengers. Even my old car (GS300) was too tiny and cramped. So I have to bite the bullet and go with practicallity.
Going down the list of 7 passenger SUVs, I can't think of a better one than the one I'm getting.
Envoy XL - Ugly
Suzuki XL7 - Ugly POS
Toyota Sequoia - Overpriced
Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX470 - Too expensive
GMC Tahoe/Trailblazer etc - Too big and expensive
Ford Explorer - Not after the blowout incidents. Resale values stink too
Ford Expedition - Too big
Honda Pilot - Came out after I placed my order. Charging over MSRP for it so no way.
Cadillac Escalade - Bling Bling
They're charging OVER MSRP on the pilot? No wonder why my dealer has 15 of them still on the lot.
As far as SUV's go, I'm not sure if I would buy one. A lot of the practicality Doggiedog is looking for can be found in a minivan for less money with just as much, if not less fuel consumption.
For those who say minivan's suck, you're partially right. But as far as utility goes, it can haul kids and associated family junk around just as well as an SUV.
Base MSRP difference between a new Voyager and a new MDX is about $20,000.
Also impatcting the total cost of ownership is:
Higher insurance rates (more valueable vehicle)
Possibly a luxury tax
Fuel consumption between the MDX and Voyager is in line, so that rounds out to be even
Repairs, usually costing more for imports as a whole. (Acura warranty 4 yr/50k miles (comprehensive) vs 3-7/36k 70k warranty depending on area)
-PAB
WTF are you such a rice lover? The best SUVS and Trucks are American! The japs don't drive SUV's, so why would you trust them to design them?
MDX is nice too. I dont like lexus SUV's at all tho. Right now my top favorites are X5 and the H2...
For me, it would come down to the 4Runner and Pathfinder.
The new Pathfinders come with the 240hp (250hp in manual) VQ.
They look very rugged on the outside, and are very luxurious inside.
The 4Runner is not as powerful, and looks bigger inside and out.
But the engine is weak compared to the VQ.
Of course, if you're buying used, everything I just said goes out the window, because previous Pathfinder had weak engines as well.
The new Pathfinders come with the 240hp (250hp in manual) VQ.
They look very rugged on the outside, and are very luxurious inside.
The 4Runner is not as powerful, and looks bigger inside and out.
But the engine is weak compared to the VQ.
Of course, if you're buying used, everything I just said goes out the window, because previous Pathfinder had weak engines as well.
Hayabusa Rider
Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
- Jan 26, 2000
- 50,879
- 4,268
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Only one I would consider as I am not much of a SUV guy is the VW Toureg if it comes out with the v-10 diesel. Mid-twenties in mpg and incredible HP and torque.
American SUVs aren't "better" they're just "better deals". Japan is only starting to get serious about giving Americans what they want in an SUV. The 4Runner's progression is a perfect example of Japan's attitude on SUVs.
3rd Gen 4Runner:
Engine options were I4 and V6 instead of V6 and V8 like the American SUVs.
Best fuel economy.
Based off a rugged truck platform
Excellent off-road performance.
The 3rd gen was outsold because for the same money, you could get a V8 Tahoe. American SUVs are simply the better choice for soccer moms when you only consider the specs and not the quality.
4th generation 4Runner:
Engine options will either be V6 and V8 or just V8... just like the American SUVs.
3-row seating... just like American.
Not very good off-road peformance... just like American.
Excellent reliability... just like Japanese cars!
My analogie isn't totally perfect. There are exceptions like the Honda Pilot. Honda really hit the nail on the head with this one. Soccer moms don't NEED huge-ass big engine V8s for three row seating anymore. Honda gets the job done with better fuel efficiency for less money. Sure it's smaller, but a lot of soccer moms don't like navigating those American behemoths. Either way, it looks like SUVs are evolving back to station wagons..
I had a '97 Isuzu Rodea and absolutely loved it. It was lacking some of the creature comforts of the other more expensive SUV's but the damn thing was kickass and would do anything I asked it. You name, go up a huge incline, go through mud, haul a boat, anything.
Unfortunately all good things come to an end and I totalled it about 6 hours ago. Sucks to be me. I got nailed in the back right tire by a chick moving through a redlight. Bent the wheel, bent the back axle, and snapped the drive train in half. Sucks.
EtOH
Unfortunately all good things come to an end and I totalled it about 6 hours ago. Sucks to be me. I got nailed in the back right tire by a chick moving through a redlight. Bent the wheel, bent the back axle, and snapped the drive train in half. Sucks.
EtOH
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