SUVs Opinions

Live forum: http://forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=46737

bballp6699

05-10-2006 20:54:16

I'm in the market for a new car. I've had beater cars since I got my license six years ago, and I'm looking for something "decent" this time. I'm thinking about getting an SUV. I want something bigger because I lug shit around a lots. Trucks don't have enough seating and vans, well are vans.

I've heard some bad things about SUVs from friends, and wanted to know if any of you had opinions about them...

Any recommendations? Looking to spend about 10k, so obviously I expect some miles on it, but looking for a best bang for my buck sort of thing...

Really the only things I'm concerned about are gas milage, and I don't want something that looks too soccer momish...

theysayjump

05-10-2006 20:59:02

http//www.suv.org/economic.html

ilanbg

05-10-2006 21:00:46

SUV = bad gas milage. There's no way around this, I'm afraid.

bballp6699

05-10-2006 21:03:23

I've found some 4 cylinder SUVs that aren't too bad on gas. 26 or so mpg. Most look pretty fruity though.

Just trying to get some opinions from people that had them...

Good read though, TSJ. I'm not definatley getting one, just trying to weigh the pros and cons before I choose.

TFOAF

05-10-2006 21:04:36

Read "Consumer Reports". D

shaggz

06-10-2006 05:25:42

I've been looking into new SUV's as well.

the 2007 Toyota Rav has a 3rd Row Seat now, and get 30mpg

I'm leaning towards that )\

TSJ - the referrences on that page are all from 1999/1998 .. very outdated page )

dmorris68

06-10-2006 05:55:27

I've owned nothing but SUV's for the past 10 years -- 4 of them, in total. Next year most likely I'll have my 5th, when this one is paid off. Personally, I will drive nothing else.

Without doubt, Toyota/Lexus makes the best SUV's (my opinion, of course, but mine is the only one that matters, so get over it). Since you seem to want a small one, if you can find a RAV4, Highlander, or 4Runner that's been well cared for, it would be a great vehicle and should last you several hundred thousand miles (I know people with Toyo's that have 400K miles on them without a hiccup). Doubt you can find a Highlander or a recent 4Runner in good shape for $10K though, but sometimes you get lucky.

johnjimjones

06-10-2006 06:01:28

[quotedca250e12c="dmorris68"]I've owned nothing but SUV's for the past 10 years -- 4 of them, in total. Next year most likely I'll have my 5th, when this one is paid off. Personally, I will drive nothing else.

Without doubt, Toyota/Lexus makes the best SUV's (my opinion, of course, but mine is the only one that matters, so get over it). Since you seem to want a small one, if you can find a RAV4, Highlander, or 4Runner that's been well cared for, it would be a great vehicle and should last you several hundred thousand miles (I know people with Toyo's that have 400K miles on them without a hiccup). Doubt you can find a Highlander or a recent 4Runner in good shape for $10K though, but sometimes you get lucky.[/quotedca250e12c]

My friend just got a new RAV4, it's really nice for an SUV if that's what you're looking for, but it wouldn't be my preference. Definitely nothing compares to Lexus' RX series. Really nice car, the only SUV I'd drive.

romanodog

06-10-2006 06:55:53

big SUV's are a waste of gas and space.
If you absolutely need one, get a small one, like a RAV4.
I doubt you'll want to do anything "rugged" with a lexus

bballp6699

06-10-2006 07:49:21

Yeah, I saw how great on gas RAV4s are, but I also saw how expensive they are shock.

jy3

06-10-2006 08:00:47

well i love my saturn vue. they have new hybrids coming out for 2007.

bballp6699

06-10-2006 08:02:26

Any thoughts on the following?

Jimmys
Santa Fes
Blazers
Trackers
Jeep Cherokees

Brutus

06-10-2006 08:53:34

[quote79a166d77a="jy3"]well i love my saturn vue. they have new hybrids coming out for 2007.[/quote79a166d77a]


Same here.

doylnea

06-10-2006 08:55:41

[quotec773817258="bballp6699"]Any thoughts on the following?

Jimmys
Santa Fes
Blazers
Trackers
Jeep Cherokees[/quotec773817258]

Hybrid Highlanders...SUV, and decent mileage if you're in the city, stop and go type of traffic...

dmorris68

06-10-2006 10:55:40

[quotebbafed5e69="bballp6699"]Any thoughts on the following?

Jimmys
Santa Fes
Blazers
Trackers
Jeep Cherokees[/quotebbafed5e69]
I'm not a fan of domestics, but if I were forced to I would choose GM. Chrysler sucks big time -- Jeeps haven't been the same since Chrysler bought them, and Mercedes hasn't made it any better since they bought Chrysler. I have a buddy who owns one of the last pre-Chrysler Grand Cherokees. He has like 300K miles on it and refuses to get rid of it. However he wanted something newer to drive his clients around in, so he went and bought a new Grand Cherokee. He's had it like a month and it's been in the shop about 3 times now.

Dave82

06-10-2006 14:28:18

My best friend skis and surfs and plays a million sports and has so many nieces and nephews so he has always drove and SUV. I personally think the larger ones are too expensive gas efficiency wise.

I read this awhile ago and craiglist and just htought i'd post

[quotee32d84a111]
Date 2006-08-04, 1043AM CDT


Dear Mr. FUV driver

Please accept my apologies for not letting you merge into my lane this morning after you tried to get around a line of cars by using the blocked off construction lane. I know your gigantic Suburban is better than my little girly car and can handle that bumpy, stripped road, and that you could have taken off the front end of my Civic for not letting you in, but see, here’s my theory you already take up too much.

-You take up too much of the road. I know, the lanes should be wider to accommodate you, but they aren’t yet. You take up the entire lane from left to right, and if that isn’t enough, you usually don’t pay attention to your driving, so you take up even more by drifting over at me. Or, you are tailgating me at 80 MPH on the highway to make you move out of your way. So you pretty much already get the majority of the road.

-You take up too much parking space. Your long ass car hangs out into the driving lane. You take forever to park because you can’t maneuver your battleship into the space; if you are conscientious enough to care that you are parked between the lines, or close to the curb, which isn’t the norm. So, you usually take up more than your share of parking spaces by parking like shit. But hey, you are special, and you’ll “only be a minute”. I should be more patient.

-You take up too much of my line of vision. I can’t see around you to see if I can make a left turn; I can’t see around you to see if I should pull into traffic. I can’t see the road ahead of me for your big ass. I’m usually stuck reading the stupid stickers you put on that big ass to announce your alliances. I know I should care about New Trier, or the fact that you are proud of your University of Dayton alumni status, but I really don’t.

-You take up too much gas. I know it’s your right if you can afford to pay for it, but I can’t help feeling sorry for those mothers who are paying for your gas addiction with their sons. I’ll try harder to get over it.

-You take up too much air. I know your FUV is officially categorized by the government as a truck so you don’t have to adhere to regular emissions standards, but it’s my ozone too. And I’d like a few days of summer to be less than 100 degrees, I still like snow in the winter, but hey, I’m selfish that way.

-You take up too much velocity. When you hit me doing your 50 mph, there is no doubt I will die because your two tons of metal will not be slowed significantly by my compact car. I guess I should be grateful that I will go quickly, if not painlessly.

-You take up too many cell phone minutes. Is there some secret FUV club that I am not aware of? Because you are all, always, on your cell phones.

So, Mr. or Ms. FUV driver, if you see me in my little Civic, know that I’m sorry that I don’t let you cut into traffic after driving around those waiting in line. I’m sorry I don’t give you the option at a 4 way stop. I’m sorry if I don’t move out of your way immediately on the highway when you tailgate. I’m sorry I’m not more courteous, because, to me, just the fact that you are driving that thing without a legitimate reason makes you a selfish prick.

H. Civic
[/quotee32d84a111]

http//www.craigslist.org/about/best/chi/189977402.html


made me laugh D

Dave82

06-10-2006 14:30:19

[quote61fb6c0a31="dmorris68"][quote61fb6c0a31="bballp6699"]Any thoughts on the following?

Jimmys
Santa Fes
Blazers
Trackers
Jeep Cherokees[/quote61fb6c0a31]
I'm not a fan of domestics, but if I were forced to I would choose GM. Chrysler sucks big time -- Jeeps haven't been the same since Chrysler bought them, and Mercedes hasn't made it any better since they bought Chrysler. I have a buddy who owns one of the last pre-Chrysler Grand Cherokees. He has like [b61fb6c0a31]300K miles [/b61fb6c0a31]on it and refuses to get rid of it. However he wanted something newer to drive his clients around in, so he went and bought a new Grand Cherokee. He's had it like a month and it's been in the shop about 3 times now.[/quote61fb6c0a31]


omg

shock

bballp6699

06-10-2006 15:22:19

I'm driving a sweet 1992 Cavalier right now with 175k miles. It's got one headlight, wipers only work on high mode, back tire is bald and lumpy, ceiling cloth is falling down, siding is rusting away, eats through gas (might be leaking), and I haven't changed the oil in about 15k miles.

Anything is better than this POS.

ragefu

06-10-2006 15:23:47

Yes get a small SUV if you want to look like a queer (j/k, I'm just not a big fan). I'm a little biased but I'd suggest getting a yukon. My family has 3 yukon xls, never had any problems with them.

Even if you have subs in the trunk there's still more trunk space than you have in most small suv's. Plus it's good for towing. They're not great on gas since V8 comes standard but they're not much worse than small suvs (about 15-18

You can definitely get an older model (00-02) probably with something like 130k on it for 10k.

bballp6699

06-10-2006 15:26:46

[quote694b7ff434="ragefu"]Yes get a small SUV if you want to look like a queer (j/k, I'm just not a big fan). [/quote694b7ff434]

Nah, that's what I want to hear. Better to know now than get it and look fruity.

amir89630

06-10-2006 16:08:35

i got a 99 4runner limited w/ about 115k on it. KBB is like 13 or 14k. BUt i think the version w/out 4wd is like 11.

But like, the car is a fucking trooper. It doesn't ever fail to deliver. The drive isn't anything special, but offroad, it never fails to deliver. Its also got a nice interior w/ plenty of cargo space.

Although, mine always seems to be having tire balance issues. Nothing big, but it just always comes back to vibrating a little at the wheel around 65.

Vector

06-10-2006 16:23:32

my dad has a 99 rav 4 that rides pretty well, its a 2.0 with real good gas milage, better than my sports sedan!

ummchacha

06-10-2006 19:33:43

We are thinking of the 07 Sequoia...Toyota. They are nice to drive. Getting rid of the (shhhhhh) mini van. LOL

dmorris68

06-10-2006 19:37:41

[quoteb9f239dd51="ummchacha"]We are thinking of the 07 Sequoia...Toyota. They are nice to drive. Getting rid of the (shhhhhh) mini van. LOL[/quoteb9f239dd51]
I have a 2001 Sequoia Limited 4x4. Bought it new in 8/01. Best vehicle I've ever owned. Will probably trade it next year for either another Sequoia, a Land Cruiser, or a Lexus LX470. I've always wanted a Cruiser...

ummchacha

06-10-2006 19:46:52

We just got 2 new Toyota cars and are itching to get the Sequoia! Glad to hear you are happy with yours.

JordanE

06-10-2006 19:58:47

My mom just got a porsche cayenne its pretty sweet.

dmorris68

06-10-2006 20:25:09

[quote026fa44d9d="JordanE"]My mom just got a porsche cayenne its pretty sweet.[/quote026fa44d9d]
I'm jealous. I've always been a Porsche fan, always wanted a 911 Carrera, but they just aren't build for somebody my size. ( Kinda got excited when the Cayenne came out, until I saw the price tag.

amir89630

06-10-2006 22:28:34

oh yeah, and if ur a fan of the higher end SUVs.

My moms got an 05 lexus gx470. It packs the same engine as the lx, is 15k cheaper, and is quicker.

I LURVE it, Its so quick, smooth, responsive. It is everyhting I could ever want in a car. For some reason it feels familiar too. My 4runner and the lexus feel similar, of course the lexus pwns my 4runner 360 degrees mayne.

My dad has a 04 range rover. I can honestly say that it doesn't really drive much better than the lexus, even tho its like 30k more or something like that. Honestly, the lexus nearly trumps it in every category; electronics, random ass features, offroad (maybe), smoothness, and the lexus has a third row. But the range rover just has a sexy design that will make u shite ur pants.


The range rover also depreciates 8-13k a year. like shite mayne. WUZAAAAAAA shock im soo hammmerds a

Tsmith10803

06-10-2006 22:43:12

[quote3ee4ea68f6="TFOAF"]Read "Consumer Reports". D[/quote3ee4ea68f6]
My dad works with them a lot....good people, they have this awesome track in Connecticut to test cars

bballp6699

07-10-2006 07:55:09

[quote23ea32333f="amir89630"]oh yeah, and if ur a fan of the higher end SUVs.

My moms got an 05 lexus gx470. It packs the same engine as the lx, is 15k cheaper, and is quicker.

I LURVE it, Its so quick, smooth, responsive. It is everyhting I could ever want in a car. For some reason it feels familiar too. My 4runner and the lexus feel similar, of course the lexus pwns my 4runner 360 degrees mayne.

My dad has a 04 range rover. I can honestly say that it doesn't really drive much better than the lexus, even tho its like 30k more or something like that. Honestly, the lexus nearly trumps it in every category; electronics, random ass features, offroad (maybe), smoothness, and the lexus has a third row. But the range rover just has a sexy design that will make u shite ur pants.


The range rover also depreciates 8-13k a year. like shite mayne. WUZAAAAAAA shock im soo hammmerds a[/quote23ea32333f]

Somebody's family is loaded.

dmorris68

07-10-2006 08:10:27

I like Range Rovers (and the new LR3 is sweet) but what keeps me away from Land Rover is their depreciation and quality. Resale value is squat -- you can buy 3-4 year old Range Rovers around here for like $25K-$30K, and they were $85K-$90K new. I guess it's good if you're into buying used, but I'm not.

Toyota/Lexus can't be beat on resale value or quality, so I'm most likely staying with them.

ummchacha

07-10-2006 08:12:02

We are also considering the Lexus. I just always figured they were out of my price range. The Sequoia base price was 53K, but I am sure it will be a bit lower after dealing. I am thinking about leasing one, since we trade in the family car every 3 yrs anyway.

amir89630

07-10-2006 08:19:06

[quotefe559707be="ummchacha"]We are also considering the Lexus. I just always figured they were out of my price range. [bfe559707be]The Sequoia base price was 53K[/bfe559707be], but I am sure it will be a bit lower after dealing. I am thinking about leasing one, since we trade in the family car every 3 yrs anyway.[/quotefe559707be]


53k would be the absolute most pimped out sequoia ever. Like limited w/ 4wd, navi, and entertainment system. It actually starts out w/a base of 33k. Well equipped is around 38-40.

dmorris68

07-10-2006 08:25:43

[quote5787865cca="amir89630"]53k would be the absolute most pimped out sequoia ever. Like limited w/ 4wd, navi, and entertainment system. It actually starts out w/a base of 33k. [b5787865cca]Well equipped is around 38-40.[/b5787865cca][/quote5787865cca]
Not for a Limited 4x4. Mine was a little over $48K MSRP five years ago, and I didn't get every single option. I just looked at Sequoia's again recently when I had mine at the dealer to be serviced, and all the Limited's on the lot started at $50K sticker.

The prices you're talking (38-40) for well-equipped are for SR5's, not Limited's. I just looked at an SR5 yesterday on the lot with a $38K sticker, and it wasn't even 4x4.

ummchacha

07-10-2006 08:26:57

Okay, I was wrong....it was 52K. If we buy, I will keep this one for a long, long, long time. No more trading in as soon as it hits 50K miles. LOL Here is what we want

Sequoia 4x4 Limited 5-Speed Automatic
Base Priceli
$45,660
Delivery, Processing
& Handling Feelili
$645
Options
$5,160
Accessories
$605
Total MSRPlilili
$52,070
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