Kia Sorento has AWD with locking center diff and either a 290hp v6 or 264hp turbo 4banger.
Small, AWD, simple vehicles
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Fairly small, simple, AWD, reliable, good resale...
Honda CR-V.
The only thing it doesn't have is lots of power. They are good vehicles though, they stand up well.
Honda CR-V.
The only thing it doesn't have is lots of power. They are good vehicles though, they stand up well.
I am with bubbatime- it does not exist. I would give up trying to help her. Sounds like nothing will satisfy her. The car she had is no bigger than a civic and she wants one smaller with more HP and awd? I know some saudi prince paid a million bucks for a Nissan juke with a the engine from a GT-R.
Originally Posted By: tdpark
I am with bubbatime- it does not exist. I would give up trying to help her. Sounds like nothing will satisfy her. The car she had is no bigger than a civic and she wants one smaller with more HP and awd? I know some saudi prince paid a million bucks for a Nissan juke with a the engine from a GT-R.
Juke-R... Love!
I am with bubbatime- it does not exist. I would give up trying to help her. Sounds like nothing will satisfy her. The car she had is no bigger than a civic and she wants one smaller with more HP and awd? I know some saudi prince paid a million bucks for a Nissan juke with a the engine from a GT-R.
Juke-R... Love!
Suzuki SX4 and Hyundai Tucson offer AWD and are small...but hp might be an issue
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: tdpark
I am with bubbatime- it does not exist. I would give up trying to help her. Sounds like nothing will satisfy her. The car she had is no bigger than a civic and she wants one smaller with more HP and awd? I know some saudi prince paid a million bucks for a Nissan juke with a the engine from a GT-R.
Juke-R... Love!
I have to agree with this.. with Subaru out of the question the Nissan Juke is probably the most ideal car.. Small.. plenty of power.. and AWD, I personally feel the price tag is a little high.. but an awesome looking car..
Originally Posted By: tdpark
I am with bubbatime- it does not exist. I would give up trying to help her. Sounds like nothing will satisfy her. The car she had is no bigger than a civic and she wants one smaller with more HP and awd? I know some saudi prince paid a million bucks for a Nissan juke with a the engine from a GT-R.
Juke-R... Love!
I have to agree with this.. with Subaru out of the question the Nissan Juke is probably the most ideal car.. Small.. plenty of power.. and AWD, I personally feel the price tag is a little high.. but an awesome looking car..
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Rust.
Carwell then.
Rust.
Carwell then.
A V6 02-04 Tracker/Vitara? 160hp and 3100-3200lbs with a manual trans?
You should just tell her the CRV has 190hp... I don't find them underpowered, the 5spd auto can keep it moving with traffic easily.
The SX4 should be reasonably quick as well with 150hp. Also some of the Aerio's had a 2.4L 4 with 155hp and AWD.
Chrysler/dodge has lots of V6 midsize sedans with AWD too, Avenger for one. For 07 there was a 3.5L AWD Sebring, how simple that is, I don't know...
You should just tell her the CRV has 190hp... I don't find them underpowered, the 5spd auto can keep it moving with traffic easily.
The SX4 should be reasonably quick as well with 150hp. Also some of the Aerio's had a 2.4L 4 with 155hp and AWD.
Chrysler/dodge has lots of V6 midsize sedans with AWD too, Avenger for one. For 07 there was a 3.5L AWD Sebring, how simple that is, I don't know...
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Ford and Toyota use 4 cylinders in the Escape / Rav now.
That is the case now, but the original post said that the purchase will most likely involve a used vehicle, and the previous generation of both offered V-6 engines.
Ford and Toyota use 4 cylinders in the Escape / Rav now.
That is the case now, but the original post said that the purchase will most likely involve a used vehicle, and the previous generation of both offered V-6 engines.
Older gen outback/impreza sport? LOVE those cars, for me this would be the dream beater ...someday...
EDIT - nevermind, just saw that the requirements are a bit unrealistic. And she''s not looking for a spare/beater but more of a 'main' car.
EDIT - nevermind, just saw that the requirements are a bit unrealistic. And she''s not looking for a spare/beater but more of a 'main' car.
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I like the suzuki idea... of course a used one from an orphaned brand better have the corresponding correct price.
Does it have to be AWD? Because a 4 cyl jeep liberty will do with a grind 'em xfer case, or presumably a deluxe version will have something more sophisticated. The 4 cyl liberty will probably also be underpowered.
Does it have to be AWD? Because a 4 cyl jeep liberty will do with a grind 'em xfer case, or presumably a deluxe version will have something more sophisticated. The 4 cyl liberty will probably also be underpowered.
If she's okay with the size of the CRV, why not look at a RDX. It's basically an upscale CRV with a lot more power.
x3? or x1?
The car is not my decision, so there's not much I can do about Subaru being on the table or off. Even if it were not for her dislike of Subaru, most don't have the power she's looking for either way.
I think AWD is the only realistic option, she's not going to want to be in the habit of engaging and disengaging a transfer case manually.
I looked at the Ford Escape but truedelta.com reliability information left me feeling that even a Chevy Equinox would be a better option. However, her husband is very anti-GM and Chrysler so I think I'm out of leads there as well.
They've owned an X3 but I think she is trying to get away from the maintenance issues with BMW. They own 4 BMW's currently and I think the experience has slowly left a sour taste.
I doubt she will go for anything Kia/Hyundai and honestly, she's looking for something a little more upscale than most of their offerings.
I keep personally plugging the CR-V since I think it's the closest thing out there to a fit, but I agree with posters who say she will need to compromise. I keep hoping I am missing some obvious ones but it's starting to seem like I am not. I have been trying to steer her towards at least considering FWD vehicles but my worry is that if I am successful, she'll get stuck at some point this winter and make me regret ever opening my mouth about non-AWD options.
I think the RDX might genuinely be a good suggestion, I had forgotten it was basically a turbo CR-V. I need to do some research on that one.
I think AWD is the only realistic option, she's not going to want to be in the habit of engaging and disengaging a transfer case manually.
I looked at the Ford Escape but truedelta.com reliability information left me feeling that even a Chevy Equinox would be a better option. However, her husband is very anti-GM and Chrysler so I think I'm out of leads there as well.
They've owned an X3 but I think she is trying to get away from the maintenance issues with BMW. They own 4 BMW's currently and I think the experience has slowly left a sour taste.
I doubt she will go for anything Kia/Hyundai and honestly, she's looking for something a little more upscale than most of their offerings.
I keep personally plugging the CR-V since I think it's the closest thing out there to a fit, but I agree with posters who say she will need to compromise. I keep hoping I am missing some obvious ones but it's starting to seem like I am not. I have been trying to steer her towards at least considering FWD vehicles but my worry is that if I am successful, she'll get stuck at some point this winter and make me regret ever opening my mouth about non-AWD options.
I think the RDX might genuinely be a good suggestion, I had forgotten it was basically a turbo CR-V. I need to do some research on that one.
Does the RDX have the Joker face still or have they changed it?
so.... she sounds like a helpless girl with unreasonable opinions, who wants the prefect car without having to do any research, never wants to makes any repairs, wants amazing acceleration, yet still get good mileage,
you mention a husband? maybe he should do some research
you mention a husband? maybe he should do some research
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I'd say it's closer to the mark to say she has been "spoiled" by BMW but is now trying to broaden her horizons.
Originally Posted By: Brybo86
so.... she sounds like a helpless girl with unreasonable opinions, who wants the prefect car without having to do any research, never wants to makes any repairs, wants amazing acceleration, yet still get good mileage,
Technically fuel economy was never part of the picture
Originally Posted By: Brybo86
so.... she sounds like a helpless girl with unreasonable opinions, who wants the prefect car without having to do any research, never wants to makes any repairs, wants amazing acceleration, yet still get good mileage,
Technically fuel economy was never part of the picture
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Does the RDX have the Joker face still or have they changed it?
Seems like the Joker-face is intact. But, the RDX reviews I've been reading are lukewarm at best.
Does the RDX have the Joker face still or have they changed it?
Seems like the Joker-face is intact. But, the RDX reviews I've been reading are lukewarm at best.
The RDX is basically a turbocharged CR-V, yes. The interior is completely different, and actually the drivetrain is a little different as well. The RDX uses Acura's awesome SH-AWD system, whereas the CR-V uses the more pedestrian Dual Pump AWD system (similar in nature to a Haldex AWD unit). The SH-AWD system has the ability to transfer 100% of the available rear torque to the outside wheel during cornering.
The new one is completely different. It lost much of its character, much of its spunk; the turbo four is gone in favor of Honda's corporate 3.5L V-6 (which is a heckuva engine regardless) and the SH-AWD system is gone in favor of a simpler AWD system (so says the marketing materials; I think they're simply using the CR-V's Dual Pump system now).
The new one is completely different. It lost much of its character, much of its spunk; the turbo four is gone in favor of Honda's corporate 3.5L V-6 (which is a heckuva engine regardless) and the SH-AWD system is gone in favor of a simpler AWD system (so says the marketing materials; I think they're simply using the CR-V's Dual Pump system now).
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