Which used crossover would you buy now?

[zanemoseley]

I'm still driving my graduation present from HS, a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE with 128,000 miles. It is about ready for another set of $500 tires and it has me thinking of a new(er) vehicle. While it still runs pretty good its getting a bit old and more importantly a 2001 Sentra is pretty small for a family, my 6 year old is getting more cramped in the back seat by the day. I haven't been entirely thrilled with my Nissan quality-wise, I've had to repaint it, almost entire new AC system, starter rebuild, front axle replacement and some interior plastic trim issues.

I would like a new crossover but not sure if I can justify the $25k expense. I feel comfortable putting $8k-10k. I'm thinking of getting a lightly used crossover with less then 25,000 miles, preferably for no more then $18,000 Here's the contenders.

Honda CRV - 4th Generation 2012+
Toyota Rav4 - 4th Generation 2013+
Nissan Rogue - 1st Generation 2008-2013
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - 3rd Generation 2013+

Initially I liked the new Rav4 at the dealership but since the newer body style just came out in 2013 they're going to be pretty pricey due to Toyota's resale value.

I found a CRV in nearby Nashville that looks nice but I want either black or charcoal color. http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4353623217.html

I've been looking a bit at the NS News Crossover Report: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Crossover-SUVs/ I was surprised how low the Toyota ranked, below the other 3, I expected it to be at the top competing with the CRV.

 

[gorcorps]

Don't put too much stock into those rankings, they're not even for the model years you're looking at. The 2014 Rogue is quite an improvement so don't take that to mean the old ones were that good too. I had a 2011 rogue, and it was decent but the interior felt cheap to me. It also didn't quite have the room I was looking for, but that's not really it's fault (though the new one is bigger).

Just drive them all. One might stand out more than the rest once you're actually behind the wheel.

 

[zanemoseley]

Also thinking of the Mazda CX-5 now too, the 2014 ranks very high on the list. They're still in the first generation, the started production in 2012. I like the Mazda3 hatchback but I'm afraid the back seat is too small. I'll have to drive to a Mazda dealership an hour away to look at them.

 

[dealguru]

I'm still driving my graduation present from HS, a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE with 128,000 miles. It is about ready for another set of $500 tires and it has me thinking of a new(er) vehicle. While it still runs pretty good its getting a bit old and more importantly a 2001 Sentra is pretty small for a family, my 6 year old is getting more cramped in the back seat by the day. I haven't been entirely thrilled with my Nissan quality-wise, I've had to repaint it, almost entire new AC system, starter rebuild, front axle replacement and some interior plastic trim issues.

I would like a new crossover but not sure if I can justify the $25k expense. I feel comfortable putting $8k-10k. I'm thinking of getting a lightly used crossover with less then 25,000 miles, preferably for no more then $18,000 Here's the contenders.

Honda CRV - 4th Generation 2012+
Toyota Rav4 - 4th Generation 2013+
Nissan Rogue - 1st Generation 2008-2013
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - 3rd Generation 2013+

Initially I liked the new Rav4 at the dealership but since the newer body style just came out in 2013 they're going to be pretty pricey due to Toyota's resale value.

I found a CRV in nearby Nashville that looks nice but I want either black or charcoal color. http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4353623217.html

I've been looking a bit at the NS News Crossover Report: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Crossover-SUVs/ I was surprised how low the Toyota ranked, below the other 3, I expected it to be at the top competing with the CRV.

I would go for a Honda CR-V for compactness and efficiency!

 

[toronado97]

In-laws have a 2009 Rav 4 and it rides rough as a cob in the rear seats. No idea what it's like up front, but I am to the point that I flat refuse to go anywhere with them. Harsh is an understatement. On the other hand, I've driven the 1st and 2nd gen CRV and absolutely loved them both, and literally nothing on the market holds resale value like a Honda CRV. It's by far the best investment resale value wise on that list. I'll second the CX-5 as well. We just purchased a '14 Mazda 3s GT and absolutely love it, and the CX-5 is basically just a tall Mazda 3. I'd go drive one for sure.

 

[phreaqe]

In-laws have a 2009 Rav 4 and it rides rough as a cob in the rear seats. No idea what it's like up front, but I am to the point that I flat refuse to go anywhere with them. Harsh is an understatement. On the other hand, I've driven the 1st and 2nd gen CRV and absolutely loved them both, and literally nothing on the market holds resale value like a Honda CRV. It's by far the best investment resale value wise on that list. I'll second the CX-5 as well. We just purchased a '14 Mazda 3s GT and absolutely love it, and the CX-5 is basically just a tall Mazda 3. I'd go drive one for sure.

I have a 2010 santa fe and i feel that it also rides very rough. Similar to a friends rav 4. I feel every bump in the road and hate it. I like the car overall but hate the rough ride. I would also add that while its subjective i could never buy a crv because i think its one of the ugliest cars out there. I hate that gap toothed grin on the front end.

 

[NutBucket]

I'd buy a Forester but I'm biased. Love the huge sunroof though.

 

[MiataNC]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the CUV/SUV's you listed.

The Mazda5 (more like a mini-van) is crazy good for what you spend.

The Ford C-Max Hybrid is hitting the used market loaded @$20-22K. They are not getting the 40+ MPG originally advertised, but they will do mid-30s with all the luxury features you could want and enough space make a decent people hauler.

 

[zanemoseley]

In-laws have a 2009 Rav 4 and it rides rough as a cob in the rear seats. No idea what it's like up front, but I am to the point that I flat refuse to go anywhere with them. Harsh is an understatement. On the other hand, I've driven the 1st and 2nd gen CRV and absolutely loved them both, and literally nothing on the market holds resale value like a Honda CRV. It's by far the best investment resale value wise on that list. I'll second the CX-5 as well. We just purchased a '14 Mazda 3s GT and absolutely love it, and the CX-5 is basically just a tall Mazda 3. I'd go drive one for sure.

I'm going to drag my wife to look at a CRV as I kind of like them but her first impression of a picture I showed her is not good, she thinks it looks like a mini-van. She really like the Mazda stuff. I'd like to fall in love with a CX-5 with a manual transmission because it has everything I need and I like manuals for not having to worry about an auto tranny going out, plus they're only like $22k. On the downside the manual is only available with the 155hp 2.0L engine which is about 20-25hp lower then the Rav4 or CRV. Although in previous models the 155hp was the largest you could get even with the Grand Touring. I hope the manual will make it feel livelier then it would in an auto configuration. Now if I could get a dealer to get me a decent deal, seems like all the crossovers are very tight on price probably due to demand.

 

[toronado97]

I'm going to drag my wife to look at a CRV as I kind of like them but her first impression of a picture I showed her is not good, she thinks it looks like a mini-van. She really like the Mazda stuff. I'd like to fall in love with a CX-5 with a manual transmission because it has everything I need and I like manuals for not having to worry about an auto tranny going out, plus they're only like $22k. On the downside the manual is only available with the 155hp 2.0L engine which is about 20-25hp lower then the Rav4 or CRV. Although in previous models the 155hp was the largest you could get even with the Grand Touring. I hope the manual will make it feel livelier then it would in an auto configuration. Now if I could get a dealer to get me a decent deal, seems like all the crossovers are very tight on price probably due to demand.

Depending on what model year you're looking at, I wouldn't be too worried about that engine. If it's the 155hp engine I assume you're talking about a 2013 with the first gen Skyactive 2.0L in it, and I think it's more than up to the task. The 3 I drove got around just fine with that engine, and while the CX-5 is a bit larger, it's not drastically heavier than the 3 is with that engine in it. Lets be honest though, you're not racing this thing, you're buying it for it's utility and comfort aspects, with mileage as a second tier desire, and 0-60 is lsat on that list. Drive one, I think you'll be impressed.

 

[JTsyo]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the CUV/SUV's you listed.

The Mazda5 (more like a mini-van) is crazy good for what you spend.

The Ford C-Max Hybrid is hitting the used market loaded @$20-22K. They are not getting the 40+ MPG originally advertised, but they will do mid-30s with all the luxury features you could want and enough space make a decent people hauler.

Are the C-Max big? I was thinking they were Focus sized.

 

[NutBucket]

It is Focus sized..a little taller but similar length IIRC.

 

[MiataNC]

Are the C-Max big? I was thinking they were Focus sized.

Up-Sized Focus platform. Like the CX-5 is an up-sized Mazda3.

The C-Max is not "big". It falls into the small CUV segment. About the size (and stance) of a Mazda5. I mentioned it, because the bang for the buck slightly used is pretty impressive. You won't find many cars that get 35+ MPG with solid seating for 4 and all the luxury amenities @$22K 1 year off the lot.

 

[MadScientist]

I would like a new crossover but not sure if I can justify the $25k expense. I feel comfortable putting $8k-10k. I'm thinking of getting a lightly used crossover with less then 25,000 miles, preferably for no more then $18,000 Here's the contenders.

Honda CRV - 4th Generation 2012+
Toyota Rav4 - 4th Generation 2013+
Nissan Rogue - 1st Generation 2008-2013
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - 3rd Generation 2013+

I found a CRV in nearby Nashville that looks nice but I want either black or charcoal color. http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4353623217.html

I'm assuming you live in TN. I too was looking for a small SUV. I searched TN and the surrounding states and test drove all the cars on your list plus the Mazda CX-5, the Jeep Cherokee, and the Ford Escape. I was looking for a 2012-2013 with <15K miles. We also looked at the updated 2014 Nissan Rogue but these were above our budget. Except for the early Nissan Rogues you are not going to find much, if anything, on your list in good condition for no more than $18,000. with <25K miles.
Out of all of them I liked the interior and exterior look, seat comfort, how it drove, noise, and bang for buck of the Ford Escape. See this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2371001

And if you buy from a dealer you are going to be charged the bs dealer doc/admin fee, which in TN ranges from $600. to $1300. A Nissan dealer in Knoxville wanted a $1300. doc fee for a 2014 Rogue.

That 2012 Honda CRV on Craig's list, with all its options and only 11K miles, looks like a good deal.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I would buy another forester. My 08 has been very good to me thus far. (around 95000 miles)