Buying an SUV

“a few of my friends have jeeps. the one got a lemon and is selling it pronto.”

“Must not know how to drive it. My brother and mom have had 0 problems with theirs also...and each has over 100k miles.”

“not know how to drive it? wow. that's quite a comment... especially considering it's brand new. less than 4 months old.
last edited: 1/22/05 11:13:23 PM”

“:P”

“ok”

“Get your new SUV off of eBay. I saved $7000 on my TransAm by getting it off of eBay.”

“i would never do such a thing.

i like to test drive the car i'm buying.”

“Well duh! You think I just bought it and never drove it first?”

“No offense Dub, but taking advice from a guy who still lives with his Mom is not good advice.”

“wouldn't surprise me.”

“I'm not a woman.”

“nope, just sexist.

moron.”

“I'm not sexist, I just know that men are better.”

“it'll get you no where in life, dub.

if you can't have a conversation without making preposterous comments that have nothing to do with the topic on-hand, then, please, spare the air i breathe.”

“Don't you kids already have a thread for this?”

“You're the one who poked at me with the "wouldn't surprise me" comment about not test driving a car first. Anyone who buys a used car from a dealership is an idiot. With Autotrader and eBay you can get a good reliable car for thousands less than you can get it at any dealer. I was just trying to off your some good advice on how to save a ton of cash and get a good car so you can afford your $300 or less payment and get a little better car but don't listen to me. Pay dealership prices and get a lesser car.”

“i'm done disputing, bbw, don't worry.

although, it is quite entertaining.
last edited: 1/22/05 11:25:54 PM”

“I'm driving a Subaru wagon. We had a 10 year old Toyota wagon. Our insurance DROPPED when we bought the new Subaru.

In the Chicago area, typically, insurance discount is 20% with an ignition-interupt alarm.”

“That's a pretty good discount. You only get 2% for that in Ohio.”

“Subaru has the highest crash rating.”

“"That is the difference, between a four and six cylinder.”
bbw
11:03:47 PM
1/22/05

It doesn't matter, the auto-trans will hunt up and down in mountain driving.

When you push on the accelerator with a manual, it stays in whatever gear you are in no matter what kind of engine you have.

Drive whatever you want to drive.

I've been driving since the '60s.....my mind is made up.
last edited: 1/22/05 11:40:36 PM”

“Your mind is stuck in the 60's.

The difference between a 4 cylinder and a 6 cylinder is memorable.”

“2003 Jeep Cherokee - 6 complaints
2003 Ford Escape - 108 complaints
2003 Nissan Xterra - 32 complaints
2003 Subaru Forester - 42 complaints
2003 Honda CRV - 76 complaints
2003 Honda CR-V - 37 complaints
2003 Toyota Rav4 - 13 complaints

Seems that the Escape has quite a few problems as it got 108 complaints. Toyota and Jeep the fewest. I'd probably go to the website and read the concerns on any vehicle you seriously consider. Of course those complaints are just complaints, they don't take into account the number sold but ODI still provides good research information.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsearch.cfm”

“What is the difference between a CRV and a CR-V?”

“Not sure if there is any...but it was listed both ways and each had different results.”

“I am not sure how valid your data is.”

“It's a government office that gathers complaints just like consumer reports. Considering the source I'd say it's pretty valid. Look up a car you've owned and see if any of the complaints you've had match the ones there.”

“It asked for an ODI number. How do you search on Jeep?”

“From the link I gave look to the right of the page where it says "vehicle" and then click "search selected type." Then choose year, make, model, and all components on the last page to get every complaint. I would also like to add that their Recall database is acurate for every car I've owned--so I would trust the information on this website.”

“Doesnt ford or toyota have a v6 or v8 hybrid SUV that gets 40mpg???
I had a 1987 4x4 jeep cherokee.
No probs.
It had an inline 6 with 5 spd.
on flat hiway i got 25 mpg @60mph.
It was a champ off road and you dont ever to need to shovel snow again.
You can get a decent lo mileage one for a few grand.
The pros are its super cheap to buy.
Its a real 4x4 and you will get anywhere with it.
It gets decent gas mileage.
If you dont like it or learn like me that you dont do enough off roading as you thought you would then you can sell it fast and not lose any sleep.
O yes,4 cylinder and 4x4 just isnt a reality.For 4x4 to be effective in a vehicle u need power of a 6 or 8.
I wouldnt buy a new 4x4.I would first wet my feet and buy a used one to see if i really needed it.”

“if you can wait just a bit, the new honda ridgeline sport utility truck will be coming out in a few months....all wheel drive....5 passenger....2 way tailgate and a very trick cargo bed that lifts up like a trunk and has a lockable storage compartment under the bed (for an ice chest, tool box, whatever)

actually a pretty solid looking vehicle (supposed to sell in the $27k range)”

“did you have a look at the lemonaide guide? i think there's a whole section in there about SUVs.”

“I actually have 3. I used my jeep wrangler for the woods & not the roads. I had an 8,000 pound power winch, hundreds of feet of strapping, chains & cable. Come-a-longs & tackle. Bridging material carried on a sturdy roof rack for washed out roads & collapsed bridges. My wife had the other 2 Xterra's. Now I'm getting rid of the jeep & using the older Xterra for plowing. Know what I drive to work? A hyundai elantra. I go in at all hours (long before they plow) & come home at all hours long before the roads are clear. I do buy VERY GOOD ice&snow snow tires. Usually only last 1 season. I have tire cables (not chains) which have worked well on other vehicles but have not used them on this one.
My brother-in-law lives in the Adirondack mountains & drives a little Honda w/ 4 studded snows. When I lived on the Scandaga, I drove a VW bug. Have 3 well running SUV's in the driveway & early monday morning, I'll take my little car to work.”

“those jeeps with the I-6's are torque monsters. Great off roaders. Built like tanks too, but that's jeep for ya.

I actually know a lot of people that seriously off road and perfer the auto tranny. Since it's a fluid coupling it helps a lot when rock crawling. YOu can get from tight spot to tight spot a little more fluidly and not worry about stalling. It also takes years to master a 5 speed to the point you can off road with it.

The one thing I always think when making a major purchase is what I intend to use it for. Then I go with the one option a tad higher. I have never been disappointed doing this. Once you get a truck that has off road capability, you'll start looking at trails that are only accessible by jeep trail. Some of the best backcountry hiking is only accessible with a 4wd. So imagine how dissapointed you'll be if your 4x4 isn't up to the task of even a moderate jeep trail. If you have 4wd, might as well use it.


if you really want good honest opinions on 4x4's and what to buy, go post at www.PavementSucks.com

They are hard core off roaders, but know these trucks inside and out. I'm sure they've found just about every weak part and have broken it twice.”

“I'm an old timer that LOVES 5 speeds. LOVE low-range 4wd & locking diferentials. Haven't had locking hubs since my '68 jeep. I've tried auto's but overheat them & lose everything until they cool down.

I tried Subaru's but "1" cylinder went out of round & subaru blew me off. I'll NEVER touch another subaru. Jeep has been good & the Xterra's (V6- needs power locks or it's a pain) have been good. My wife's new one is an auto,(power everything) since manuels are harder to get now.”

“yea i love a good 5 speed too. My truck is a 5 speed and i wouldn't get rid of it for anything...well maybe the T-56 6 speed out of a Viper.... The trucks a 2wd tho, so i accepted that fact and started building it for more of an auto-x/track set up.

Once I'm actually making money I'd love to get an old bronco and do a solid front axle with full ladder bar suspension. maybe a Couple Dana 44's with an atlas transfer case. That would be a beast and a half on the trail.

the key with an auto is a big honkin cooler. I've known some guys to route their tranny line through the A/C system so they can chill it if it starts getting too hot.”

“http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Insurance/P63955.asp


Sport utility vehicles and minivans. In the small-sized SUV category, the top vehicles for safety were the Saturn VUE (V6), the Honda CR-V EX and the Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (V6). In the midsized category, the winners were the Lexus RX300, the Acura MDX and the Toyota Highlander. SUVs that did poorly were the Chevrolet Trail Blazer, the GMC Envoy and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
last edited: 1/23/05 6:13:26 AM”

“http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summaries/smsuv_overall_c.htm
Lists as safest.

1. Toyota RAV4 (side air bags)
2. Honda CR-V (side air bags)
3. Suburu Forester (side air bags)
4. Hyundai Sante Fe”

“http://community.webshots.com/photo/138941022/138947040hPntVk

Get the CRV and you will be very happy. I would never use it for off-road use though. Dirt forest service roads should be fine as long as the ruts are no more than 6 inches deep.
last edited: 1/23/05 6:52:43 AM”

“after doing more research, i'm leaning more towards the rav 4”

“A friend had an RAV 4 and loved it. But it had a hard ride. You could feel every pebble in the road.
last edited: 1/23/05 7:27:43 AM”

“Ruby has a Rav4.”

“The RAV4 good points are:
Decent gas milege
Low road noise
Excellent handling
Vehicle stability control feature
Traction control feature
Good All Wheel Drive system uses active AWD instead of reactive AWD
Flat tire warning system
Peppy engine
Removable back seats
Full size spare
Decent warranty

Low points:
Loud engine
Weak rear door design can be easily damaged
Some cheesy interior parts
Well documented dashboard rattle problem
Thin body panels
Higher insurance costs
Smaller interior than most
Rear mounted spare tire”

“One other low point is that the factory stereo is terrible.”

“Another good point for the RAV4 is high resale value.”

“and i love my stereos.

some of those low points are really low.... god. i wish there was just a perfect SUV that's affordable for me!”

“I found out there's no such thing. Honda's have some issues that I don't like either, but I think it all boils down to just picking out what is most important to you. I wanted reliability above everything else so when my RAV had some initial quality issues I was really annoyed. I still haven't really gotten over it and have some doubts. You can always get the upgrade stereo, but I'm not sure how good it is. It's an easy thing to check on.”

“I have a 2004 RAV4 Scorchy. Just bought it after Thanksgiving and when it snows now, I just get in it and drive like a bancheeeee!!! My payments are 353 and my insurance only went up 14 bucks a month. I pay 130.66 a month for full coverage. I like the RAV4 but I won't drive anything but a Toyota so my pickins' were slim for affordability.”

“The RAV does well in the snow. I took mine out yesterday for the first time in some serious snow and the handling and traction was excellent even with the factory tires.”

“Alright already, bbw prefers the sissy-shifter.”