Best small SUV (open to input)
- Thread starter JohnBrowning
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JHZR2
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Thats interesting about the Subaru.
When my MB got hit, I needed a new commuter car. I was impressed by the new legacy turbo GT, because it seemed a pretty good price and lots of content for the $. I was amazed that at the point when i was shopping (August), the Legacy had just came out, and they were willing to sell to me just above invoice!
Maybe they needed to get them out on the road, I dont know, but I was suprised, given the perfoirmance that the Legacy GT 2.5 turbo offers, for the price.
In the end it was the MPG that made me not want to buy one.
But there may be better Subaru deals to be found, depending on where one lives.
JMH
JHZR2
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For sure! Coming from a MB diesel, I learned to appreciate reliability. That car was ready to run, and was by far as reliable a car as Id ever seen. It has 228k, $6800 worth of damage, and Im going to repair it and keep driving it, because itll go strong for another 2-300k miles.
For gassers, cant really beat how my GF's integra (163k miles) runs. That little car amazes me with its good design (but poor maintenance access!) of engine and suspension. I always enjoy driving it, and it is as reliable as can be. Hondas are indeed excellent cars in every way, except that they put an access handle over the driver's door, and I hit it with my head every time
JMH
P, if the AWD is important, have you thought about a Matrix?
The reliability issue has everything to do with the ill-fated Eastern-European made CVT trans that was only available in the 4 cylinder model. Avoid that at all costs. The 6 cyls had a 5 speed automatic that works A-OK.
Places like Consumer Reports don't differentiate between the car's 4cyl or 6cyl. As a result, the 6cyl models (even the old 3.0L models) have an undeserved black-eye from the ultra-poor CVT trans reliability.
Isn't the Vue a GM platform running with the Honda engine? I don't think the engine by itself makes it equivalent to a Pilot.
Are you intent on an SUV, or will a 4wd pickup work too ? Although it's only smaller than a long bed, I found a Dodge quad cab, 3/4 ton, 4x4, short bed, manual transmission (what I wanted) diesel for less than $26k. I get 19mpg to 20mpg on the road and 17mpg to 18mpg in town. I suspect I could do low 20s at 60mph to 65mph. Family loves traveling in it as it has a lot of room. It's a candidate for longest lasting vehicle and seems like it holds it's value well. Offroad/snow/ice capability depends more on tire selection than number of driven wheels, and with that in mind it seems to do just fine. Payload doesn't seem to affect mileage, and although I don't tow the diesel trucks do it better than other offerings.
If you go shopping with a list you'll end up paying $35k to $45k like other friends and coworkers have. I hunted loss leaders in four states before finding mine, and I lucked out as Dodge had also had a sale on at the time.
If you go shopping with a list you'll end up paying $35k to $45k like other friends and coworkers have. I hunted loss leaders in four states before finding mine, and I lucked out as Dodge had also had a sale on at the time.
Paul, PLEASE don't get anything with AWD. If you want more than two wheels driving get something with real 4WD and a low range. If it were me(which I realize it's not), I'd go find used late-model Cherokee. Not everybody can or will deal with the plain-jane lack of bells and whistles, but a good XJ will not let you down. I've had mine for 8 years and other than routine maintenence I've spent exactly zip.
But if you want a new one, Liberty is good, but I don't like the looks of it. I think the new Xterra would be worth a look, other than that, I agree that a 4Runner would be the choice.
Have fun, and go drive them all(like you stole 'em).
But if you want a new one, Liberty is good, but I don't like the looks of it. I think the new Xterra would be worth a look, other than that, I agree that a 4Runner would be the choice.
Have fun, and go drive them all(like you stole 'em).
What's out there?
How much and how good is the Jeep Liberty?
Toyota? Honda? Hyundai?
usual Pablo open topic looking for your feedback!
How much and how good is the Jeep Liberty?
Toyota? Honda? Hyundai?
usual Pablo open topic looking for your feedback!
Are you looking for offroad, towing, performance, reliability, or the best combination of some of these? Of course offroad & towing aren't exactly what I think of when I hear small SUV.
To me SUV means it must have a transfer case and 4-LO if not then it isnt a SUV in my book, just a grocery getter soft roader for the mall crowd.
So Liberty would fit into the SUV category in my book. Friend has a 05 with the 3.7 and 6 speed manual. Getting about 20 MPG and loves it. He got rid of Lancer EVo which was the biggest mistake he ever made, had major problems with the center diff and rear diffs and clutch. Took a major hit trading it in after only owning it for 6 months but it was his wifes and after it was at the Mitsu dealer 9 times to try to corret the problems she had enough. Mitsu techs were clueless and Mitsu rep also equally useless.
So Liberty would fit into the SUV category in my book. Friend has a 05 with the 3.7 and 6 speed manual. Getting about 20 MPG and loves it. He got rid of Lancer EVo which was the biggest mistake he ever made, had major problems with the center diff and rear diffs and clutch. Took a major hit trading it in after only owning it for 6 months but it was his wifes and after it was at the Mitsu dealer 9 times to try to corret the problems she had enough. Mitsu techs were clueless and Mitsu rep also equally useless.
What is the intended use?
Crossovers
Most thought filled design would be the Honda CR-V. They will surprise you with the ergonomics.
Suburu Forester.. Is it an SUV or a station wagon? Fun to drive but the quarters inside seem cramped compared to a CR-v .. But it is fun to drive!
Mitsubish Outlander... This is what my wife and I decided on based on price points. We bought it as a used demo with 6k miles on it for 13,900. AWD etc. Can't beat it for the price and it has the fun to drive factor and is halfway between the Forester and the CR-V in interior conveneiance. Plus Power windows locks etc are standard and not an option on Mitsubish vehicles.
Rav-4- My wife just didn't like it interior is very poorl;y laid out. Too bad as I am a Toy fan.
Jeep Liberty- If you intend to do moderate offroading Get this and get the diesel!
Other options is the Mazda and Ford line which We felt lacked lower end power(city acceleration), even with the V-6. Pricing points were very attractive though.
After 4 months with the Mitsubishi Outlander we feel we made the right choice. No initial quality issues and an easy vehicle to get in and out of. The MiVEC powerplant is seamless and can provide zip in the city and highway cruises in the 90's without complaint of buzziness. It will getthe liste 28 MPG on the highway if I keep it dowen at 70 mph.. but this is Texas And I don't want to get ran over by a barrellling semi truck. So 85-95 is the flow of traffic ! It is getting an A# rated oil on it's next oilchange due to this highway speed that it experinceds often enough.
We test drove and priced just about everything.
Edited to add. Safety. I think the CR-V is the safest of the lot. Standard with side curtain airbags this year. But if budget is a concern you are advised that you will pay what they want for the Honda.
Crossovers
Most thought filled design would be the Honda CR-V. They will surprise you with the ergonomics.
Suburu Forester.. Is it an SUV or a station wagon? Fun to drive but the quarters inside seem cramped compared to a CR-v .. But it is fun to drive!
Mitsubish Outlander... This is what my wife and I decided on based on price points. We bought it as a used demo with 6k miles on it for 13,900. AWD etc. Can't beat it for the price and it has the fun to drive factor and is halfway between the Forester and the CR-V in interior conveneiance. Plus Power windows locks etc are standard and not an option on Mitsubish vehicles.
Rav-4- My wife just didn't like it interior is very poorl;y laid out. Too bad as I am a Toy fan.
Jeep Liberty- If you intend to do moderate offroading Get this and get the diesel!
Other options is the Mazda and Ford line which We felt lacked lower end power(city acceleration), even with the V-6. Pricing points were very attractive though.
After 4 months with the Mitsubishi Outlander we feel we made the right choice. No initial quality issues and an easy vehicle to get in and out of. The MiVEC powerplant is seamless and can provide zip in the city and highway cruises in the 90's without complaint of buzziness. It will getthe liste 28 MPG on the highway if I keep it dowen at 70 mph.. but this is Texas And I don't want to get ran over by a barrellling semi truck. So 85-95 is the flow of traffic ! It is getting an A# rated oil on it's next oilchange due to this highway speed that it experinceds often enough.
We test drove and priced just about everything.
Edited to add. Safety. I think the CR-V is the safest of the lot. Standard with side curtain airbags this year. But if budget is a concern you are advised that you will pay what they want for the Honda.
JHZR2 said "Honestly, PLEASE, consider getting a good value car, and a good set of snow tires. If you dont need flat floor space for carrying stuff, these vehicles offer very little, IMO."
I recall reading an article by a gentleman in New England who drove a Taurus station wagon, commenting on the SUV 'craze' among his friends and neighbors. He justs put snow tires on in the winter and with the FWD didn't have any problem, while quite a few with SUVs were in the ditches. He also got 29mpg while most of the larger SUVs got half that or less. They also paid quite a bit more than he did.
But, people do like their SUVs. People we know with Ford Escapes, Honda CRVs (?) or Subarus seem pretty content, while we've seen people get rid of large Toyota SUVs, Hummers, and Jeeps. When traveling in the summer it seems that I see a fair number of new, large Jeep SUVs on the side on the road.
I recall reading an article by a gentleman in New England who drove a Taurus station wagon, commenting on the SUV 'craze' among his friends and neighbors. He justs put snow tires on in the winter and with the FWD didn't have any problem, while quite a few with SUVs were in the ditches. He also got 29mpg while most of the larger SUVs got half that or less. They also paid quite a bit more than he did.
But, people do like their SUVs. People we know with Ford Escapes, Honda CRVs (?) or Subarus seem pretty content, while we've seen people get rid of large Toyota SUVs, Hummers, and Jeeps. When traveling in the summer it seems that I see a fair number of new, large Jeep SUVs on the side on the road.
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