YACT: Battle of the Cute-Utes.

[CrackRabbit]

My GFs Buick is dying a slow death and needs to be replaced. She is wanting a small SUV to replace it with I have narrowed it down to 3 that I think are the best of the bunch, and I'm just curious what ATOTs opinions are on them.


Cheers,

CrackRabbit

Edit: added the X-terra, my GF seems to like them. WTH not.
Edit #2: Well we took her Buick to Carmax today to get it apraised to just to see what we would get for it and while we were there she checked out a PT Crusier and liked it alot, though not a SUV per se (WTF IS it suposed to be classified as?) I guess I need to add it to the list....

 

[Heisenberg]

Does she want a real SUV like a Jeep, or just a soccer-mom SUV?

 

[Baked]

I saw this super mini Rav4 in the parking lot a few years back. That thing's shorter than the original mini cooper.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Baked
I saw this super mini Rav4 in the parking lot a few years back. That thing's shorter than the original mini cooper.

Two-door version?

 

[Colt45]

station wagon.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

CRV

- M4H

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Does she want a real SUV like a Jeep, or just a soccer-mom SUV?

More of a soccer mom SUV sadly. If I had it my way I would be getting a Cherokee or a Liberty, but she hates both of 'em.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Baked
I saw this super mini Rav4 in the parking lot a few years back. That thing's shorter than the original mini cooper.

Two-door version?

Yup. It's ridiculous.

 

[sniperruff]

if it's an older one, the CRV. the newer rav4 looks ok. escape... is a ford.

no xterra?

oh i'd shop for a forester. if you're gonna get something like a wagon with AWD at least get one with a decent AWD.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

I can't believe you're from houston calling an SUV a Ute, how yankee/Canadian of you.

edit: FYI the Escapes are death traps...check out thier crash test scores :shocked:

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Does she want a real SUV like a Jeep, or just a soccer-mom SUV?

More of a soccer mom SUV sadly. If I had it my way I would be getting a Cherokee or a Liberty, but she hates both of 'em.

Okey-dokey, I guess the Wrangler recommendation is out then.

 

[vi edit]

Subaru Forester

 

[CrackRabbit]

The X-Terras that are in the price range we want have too many miles on them.
If I could find one that had fewer miles I might consider it.
No Wagons either, she shot that idea down VERY fast. :|
I'm seeing lots of votes for the escape but no good comments about them...

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
if it's an older one, the CRV. the newer rav4 looks ok. escape... is a ford.

no xterra?

oh i'd shop for a forester. if you're gonna get something like a wagon with AWD at least get one with a decent AWD.

Xterra isn't as small as the other little Japanese SUV's...I think his wife is just looking to be high, not long/wide

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: sniperruff
if it's an older one, the CRV. the newer rav4 looks ok. escape... is a ford.

no xterra?

oh i'd shop for a forester. if you're gonna get something like a wagon with AWD at least get one with a decent AWD.

Xterra isn't as small as the other little Japanese SUV's...I think his wife is just looking to be high, not long/wide

Xterra never seemed that much larger to me*shrug*

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

My parents' have an '01 RAV4 that they use for daily transportation, its one of the two cars I learned to drive in (the other being a Chevy Suburban ). Its very easy to see in all directions from the driver's seat, including blind spots, and its been very reliable... no repairs outside of scheduled maintenance. I've heard good things about the Honda CRV too, so test-drive 'em both.

 

[raildogg]

out of the choices, I like the Ford Escape. The 2005 version looks really nice.

accidently voted for Honda CR-V, oh darn :thumbsup:

 

[Demo24]

Forestor or CRV

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: sniperruff
if it's an older one, the CRV. the newer rav4 looks ok. escape... is a ford.

no xterra?

oh i'd shop for a forester. if you're gonna get something like a wagon with AWD at least get one with a decent AWD.

Xterra isn't as small as the other little Japanese SUV's...I think his wife is just looking to be high, not long/wide

Xterra never seemed that much larger to me*shrug*

I'm just going off the specs...

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
The X-Terras that are in the price range we want have too many miles on them.
If I could find one that had fewer miles I might consider it.
No Wagons either, she shot that idea down VERY fast. :|
I'm seeing lots of votes for the escape but no good comments about them...

awwww. I was thinking WRX wagon

 

[jlee]

I like 4Runners..but that's probably a little too big.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
The X-Terras that are in the price range we want have too many miles on them.
If I could find one that had fewer miles I might consider it.
No Wagons either, she shot that idea down VERY fast. :|
I'm seeing lots of votes for the escape but no good comments about them...

well i sat in a V6 04' escape for two days. interior materials are only slightly better than the focus, and the seats are uncomforable (the seat cushion curves, attempting to hug your ass, but i guess my ass spilled out). the V6 has some oomph if you step on it real hard, and the ride is kinda floaty. noise level is tolerable, and in general it is built pretty ok.

basically not a bad car, if you can find one for cheap, since most fords have low resell value.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Baked
I saw this super mini Rav4 in the parking lot a few years back. That thing's shorter than the original mini cooper.

Two-door version?

Sounds like it.

 

[freebee]

If you buy an Escape, buy only the limiteds (or XLTs) with leather and moonroof. V6 versions are geared low, good initial punch, not too much on the top end. Interior materials ok on the higher end ones. You might also consider the Tribute (Mazda), which is basically the same vehicle.

Make sure you know the history...ie private party only, do not buy fleet cars.* Do not buy from a dealership.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Baked
I saw this super mini Rav4 in the parking lot a few years back. That thing's shorter than the original mini cooper.

Two-door version?

Sounds like it.

Just 147 inches long! That is pretty short...