Advice Needed: New Mid-$20's SUV - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

al76slc · #1 06-10-2009, 07:39 PM

My brother and wife need a new vehicle, and this is the segment they've chosen.

Will be used mostly by the wife, won't be pampered (the car, not the wife), kept outdoors. Driven about 15K miles a year. Although located in NY, not an especially snowy area. They hold onto cars for 10 years or so.

They want to buy new (or at most a year or 2 CPO). My bro is NOT mechanically proficient, so they need something very reliable.

Help please.

(Although I'm the car guy in the family, I know nothing about this segment).

Thanks,
Al

DieselAddict · #2 06-10-2009, 07:50 PM

What are you looking for as far as power, mileage, 2WD/4WD, seating capacity?

powerpig · #3 06-10-2009, 07:53 PM

If you can wait until around August, Nissan may be having a close out like they did last year. I picked up a brand new loaded Nissan Xterra for my wife for $18000 out the door. List was $28000.

Stoneseller · #4 06-10-2009, 08:05 PM

I helped out my SIL last year with a new car, right in your price range.
I researched a bunch of used vehicles, then new vehicles. The short list ended up being Toyota rav4, Honda CRV, or Subaru Forester 2.5

The Subaru won hands down. Lots of room, decent mileage, very green company, attractive, and the right price. SIL loves it. IIRC we drove it off the lot for around $24K. Quite a nice value, and reasonably attractive.

LUVMBDiesels · #5 06-10-2009, 08:05 PM

How big? A Subaru Forrester is a great and reliable car-like almost SUV. So is the Outback. These cars can run a long time with hardly any maintenance.

I would stay away from the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV-4 as I have driven both of them and did not like either of them.

I have driven a Hyundai Sante Fe and the Kia Grand Vitarra and both are competent Jeep CJ like trucksters, not all that comfortable, but heavy duty. They both have part time 4wd not awd like the Subbies and the other Japanese crap, so you have to shift into 4hi in the snow.

My wife had a mid 1990's CJ-7 that she loved. It had a lot of creature comforts (especially when compared to the '74 CJ-5 I have now) but was expensive and bad on gas.

If they want bigger go for a Chevy Tahoe. I think this is the perfect size truck. Not too big like my Suburban and not so small that you can't get three rows of seats if you want. PLUS they are so despised right now that you could get a NEW one for the money you are talking about and they used to sticker for almost 50K!

If they are going to tow or haul a lot of building materials, than a Suburban makes sense. Same drive train as the Tahoe, but a good 500 pounds heavier so it is slower -- BUT you can fit an enormous amount of stuff in them (I have) and still tow a Jeep CJ behind it!

I don't know about the newer Jeep models, but the older Cherokee Limited (the original AMC design) with the 4.0 liter six was a loaded vehicle and a great performer. They are about 10 years old now, so that might not be a choice they would consider.

I don't know the Fords except for a buddy who had an Excursion. That truck is HUGE. Too tall to fit in the garage my 'burban fit into! With the 10 cylinder gas engine it drank gas like a thirsty bedouin!
It was comfortable though

This is the time to get a great deal on SUVs so they have lots of choices!

Hatterasguy · #6 06-10-2009, 08:26 PM

Both the CRV and Rav4 are great vehicals. I wouldn't go for 4wd unless you really need it. My moms 2wd Rav4 is fine for a few inch's of snow on our hill, any more than that and she doesn't go out.

Without 4wd it gets just about 30mpg on the highway, and low 20's around town.

IMHO the CRV is a better driving vehical, but has a funky interior. Another thing against the Honda is that it has a timing belt, which costs about $600 to change. The Toyota uses a chain, so if your planning on keeping it long enough to need it you can save $600 over your ownership with the Toyota.

We have had my moms Rav4 for 3 years now and its been totaly flawless as expected from a Toyota.

DieselAddict · #7 06-10-2009, 08:32 PM

My wife also has a RAV4. Bought it new last year. It's the only vehicle that we could find that has a theoretical 7-person seat capacity, 4WD, top-notch safety rating, and 25+ mpg. And unlike most vehicles, you can put a child seat in the middle of the backseat and still seat 2 adults comfortably next to it. Our RAV4 has the 2.5L 4-cylinder gas engine which is economical, though somewhat underpowered, but good enough for normal driving. A turbodiesel engine would make it perfect.

PaulC · #8 06-10-2009, 08:38 PM

If they don't tow or go off-road, a truck-based SUV like the Xterra, Tahoe, Explorer would probably be overkill. OTO, if they want to hold on to it for a decade, then something a little overbuilt for their intended use like a Xterra might be a decent choice. If you want something that drives like a car, then I concur with the RAV4. Forester, CRV selection, tending to lean more towards the Forester.

PaulC · #9 06-10-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

My wife also has a RAV4. Bought it new last year. It's the only vehicle that we could find that has a theoretical 7-person seat capacity, 4WD, top-notch safety rating, and 25+ mpg. And unlike most vehicles, you can put a child seat in the middle of the backseat and still seat 2 adults comfortably next to it. Our RAV4 has the 2.5L 4-cylinder gas engine which is economical, though somewhat underpowered, but good enough for normal driving. A turbodiesel engine would make it perfect.

I drove a RAV4 last year. Unless the 7 persons you have in mind were extras for the munchkin scene in Wizard of Oz, forget it. Engine power seemed acceptable, but the automatic tranmission had to up and downshift itself quite a bit to keep the engine in its powerband.

TylerH860 · #10 06-10-2009, 08:46 PM

If I had to drive a normal new mid size SUV it would be a Subaru Forester. They did a great job with that car, and are very reasonably priced.

DieselAddict · #11 06-10-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

I drove a RAV4 last year. Unless the 7 persons you have in mind were extras for the munchkin scene in Wizard of Oz, forget it. Engine power seemed acceptable, but the automatic tranmission had to up and downshift itself quite a bit to keep the engine in its powerband.

The optional 3rd row is no doubt for emergency/short-trip use only. That's why I said it had a "theoretical" 7-person capacity.

DieselAddict · #12 06-10-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

If I had to drive a normal new mid size SUV it would be a Subaru Forester. They did a great job with that car, and are very reasonably priced.

We looked at the Forester as well, but didn't like the hump in the middle of the backseat (makes it tough to put a child seat there) and it's really just a 5-person wagon.

tankdriver · #13 06-10-2009, 09:04 PM

I would go with a Honda Element. The Element isn't gorgeous, but that thing is cavernous. Drives okay, not mushy but not a sports car. AWD, approx. $25K MSRP, so around $20 after neg. If you get the SC, the nav system is std. Indestructible (as you can get anyway) interior (a concern if they've got kids).
If it's just too ugly, then I'd say a Pilot. My buddy has the Pilot and it is pretty decent for an SUV in terms of an enjoyable drive. Pushes your price range, but if you find a deal $25K shouldn't be out of the question.
Both are reliable.

LUVMBDiesels · #14 06-10-2009, 10:05 PM

The RAV I drove was very small inside. It didn't have room for a third row unless it would be rear facing. The transmission would hunt and peck and was never happy and this was in flat Ohio.

It did have a low range if I recall.

My mother's CR-V is a toaster! it has no road feel, the 2.4 litre four is a great engine -- in a Civic. in the heavier CR-V it is too small and needs to have the snot revved out of it to get the car moving. My mother gets 16.7 mpg according to the trip computer!

I loved my 1992 Subbie. It went 290K with no issues before I donated it to the blind. My famil has had three legacies, two Outbacks and a Forrester and has never had a breakdown. My brother, mother, ex-wife, and sister in law all drive or drove them and NONE of them are 'into' car maintenance... I think my ex-wife's 2000 Outback is still on the oil from the last oil change I did to it back in 2000!

The only issue with the Forrester is thatit is a small vehicle. If they are going to drag car seats and 'stuff' around, go for the Outback wagon. At least Subaru still makes a decent station wagon. I still miss mine, but with the Suburban around I could not justify another wagon and I needed the space only a 'burban can provide...

As for timing belts, do them at 55000 miles and you are OK. The flat engines do tend to burn a little oil on startup since oil can collect in the cylinders, but it is negligble and the drivetrains on these cars is bulletproof...

aklim · #15 06-10-2009, 10:46 PM

Used by the wife for what? Passenger manifest?

An Excursion was the only choice for us because we needed a turbo diesel that was reliable. Our Toy Hauler was about 8000# and we have 2 ATVs in them. We might go up high altitudes so forced induction was a must. This vehicle would transport our dogs so it needed to be larger than most. Also this is our 2nd car when the wife is driving the MB. It was that or a truck with 4 doors and a long bed and a cap. We wanted to have AC for our dogs so we went with the SUV. This way we can leave them in the car while we get lunch or whatever.

What are your needs? Will it have to tow a rubber dinghy or carry large dogs or many kids or what?