Hello,

My wife wants an SUV (awd not the ole fashioned 4x4) the budget is 25 +- 3K. Would like it to be about 3.5K lbs in weight with ability to tow on all 4s if possible. The driving environment is the midwest, snow, rains and light off road duty. Ability to serve as a utility stuff hauler.

She likes the CRV a bit, does not like the minilandy (too small). Would like heated seats and leather if possible.

Need to choose soon. HELP

__________________
Diesel-Lover
STABLEs STAR MEMBERS
190, 220-Missgreatly
E300D95-Smoothassilk

The Freelander seems to be way overpriced for what you get. 30K+ for a decently equipped model, and its underpowered. The CRV seems to me to be the most functional/economical/efficient choice, but its nothing to get excited about. It got a "best pick" from the IIHS, gets 22/26 mpg, and only weighs 3287 lbs. If you can live with the boring personality of it, it looks to be a good choice.

We purchased the CRV new in '97. It is now at 120k miles and there have been absolutely no problems with the car. It is a very good little SUV. Averages around 22 mpg and the only thing I have ever had to do to it was brake pads and tires (once) and the normal fluid/filter change. Oh yea, changed the timing belt/water pump and seals at Honda recommended 110k miles. I do see some seepage coming out of the front right 1/2 shaft boot that I am going to keep a watch on. Next brake job will require new rotors.

__________________
Jim

Isuzu is discontinuing the Trooper, and the 2002 model year is available new at a steep discount. So I've heard......

Something like $22K fully loaded.

http://www.isuzu.com/deal/deal_2002.html

Ken300D

I like the Kia Sorento. It's affordable, has tons of features, has power, and if you are worried about quality issues, it has the 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty.
http://www.kia.com/sorento/index.shtml

And I can't believe I just plugged Kia on a Mercedes website

The Saturn VUE, with AWD, the V-6 engine, and the CVT transmission seems like a pretty spiffy buy.

I think you could get a Honda Pilot for less than $30K though.

A used Lexus RX300 would also fall well into the price range.



Yeah, ditto.

-Sam

Just buy what pollutes the least amount.

Jeep is coming out with a Liberty turbodiesel at the end of the year.

Women with SUV's they don't need is really getting old. I am too tired to rant on this.

Please think green. (The more mileage the better)

__________________
1989 300CE - 269,000 km
1994 SL600 - 59,000 km

I’ve seen many CRV’s and RAV’s being towed behind RVs. As PaulC indicated, the Subies are excellent 4WD vehicles as well. They (Subies) are probably in about 25% of the houses in mountain towns around here

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Hi All,

We used to own two subbys a wagon and a sedan both awd. Tested the new outback, found it to be much noiser than our old subbys which were gotten rid of due to intimidation by exterminator SUVs all around. The last straw was when one of these exterminator SUVs literally cut across the hood of the subby while we were going down the road about 40 mph!

After considering all the inputs here and the wants/needs of the family etc we ended up with a pilot EX-L. It was a few K more than we wanted to go but you know how shopping is!

Its considered as one of the lowest polluters in its class as is a crv (22-26 mpg) and pilot is (17-22 mpg). Looked at the Sorento virtually it looks great outside and inside, but the mpg of the crv and larger pilot is better. Test drove the saturn it did not feel as solid as it could be and road noise is more than crv and pilot.

Sorry but the ranting/raving is just that else we would all be peds or something. I dunno what makes a man more appropriate for an SUV when compared to a woman but then to each own.

Any way the pilot is not an exterminator, burbon, or a G or a Hx though it does ride nice and steady in the paved jungle while sipping gas (when compared to its class).

Any one out there wanting a 2000 silver xterra SE 4wd v6 auto, lemme know I will throw in the original commercial on a tape! It can even be towed behind, all set up for brakes etc.

Thanks again for your inputs and as you can see it was heeded. The CRV will have to wait a bit specially if I can find a nice 4 seat dunebuggy with a soft stop!

Thanks again and happy motoring.

__________________
Diesel-Lover
STABLEs STAR MEMBERS
190, 220-Missgreatly
E300D95-Smoothassilk

That's one SUV I can stand.

The Pilot will get the same fuel economy as the 380SE while having nearly the same displacement, and over 80 more horsepower, and a lot more torque, with more weight to haul around.

Honda seems to design good SUVs.

-Sam

We test drove a Pilot awhile back. It seemed to be a nice ride. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

__________________
Jim