Posted on 12/31/2010 12:04:58 PM PST by RangerM
Found out yesterday that wife totalled car. Long story short, looks like I'm buying a car soon. She'll want another SUV, but I'm thinking CUV. Looking at....
Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute Hyundai Tuscon Kia Sportage Mitsubishi Outlander Honda CR-V (a bit pricey) Mazda5 (not a CUV, but I'm including it as a wildcard)
I've read a lot of info online, but am hoping to hear from anyone with personal experience and thoughts. I'm going shopping with my wife, when I get back in town.
(NOTE: I refuse to consider RAV4 because my last Toyota was a disappointment, or anything GM/Chrysler)
I’ve driven three Explorers and never had a problem with them.
Models? I’d be looking at Tyra Banks, Elle McPherson, plenty of others in that class.
We got our first SUV last February...a CRV; I was a tad nervous about it only being a big 4 cylinder engine, but those doubts left after a long cross-country trip. It did great, even at 8000 feet, passing at 85, etc.
Get a Kia Sorrento.
I myself didn’t buy one this year. I bought a Toyota Venza. And I STRONLY recommend that.
But - based on your list - A Venza is maybe outta your price range.
A Sorrento starts at about $20,000.00 Look at them.
LOL.
My wife also totaled one of our cars - thankfully she was unhurt, but the Mazda was not so lucky. We wound up getting an '04 Toyota Highlander - much better made then than now, I am told (wouldn't buy one now). I've got 120K on it with minimal problems. I've had full brake repairs and a little suspension work, but that's not unusual given the wear and tear over 6+ years.
We also got an '08 Honda Accord 4-door. It's nicely-made, very quiet, nothing fancy but lots of room inside and in the trunk, decent highway pick-up and it gets great mileage (30mpg/hwy).
BMW X5 or X3
BMW X5 or X3
If a used car is acceptable, you might be able to get a former fleet car at a much better price and quality than a typical used car. Fleet used car dealers don’t advertise much, because they often buy and sell blocks of cars at once.
Starts, accelerates, and drives like new.
No engine or transmission problems. Original starter, alternator, exhaust, etc.
I hate the cruise control buttons. My only gripe.
BMW X5 or X3
My FRiend has a Kia and hates it.
She may not need a 4WD, but if you have to choose between two models and that is the difference, go with 4WD. They generally have stronger frame structures and items 2WD models won’t have like skid plates. It will result in a stronger vehicle, even if she doesn’t use 4WD. (and there is nothing that says you can’t take it out every once in a while and play with the 4WD).
I’m not sure she’d go for the Subaru (I’ll mention it to her), but she likes the higher seating position that a SUV/CUV affords.
I rented a Sportage and loved it but for one feature: the lack of adjustability of the driver’s seat. May not be a factor for you.
Just for fun: really safe cars here, but bad gas mileage: http://www.policeinterceptors.info/
I love the CRV. I'm even thinking about the Acura version of it.
I’m a big Subaru fan. My old one has over 300k miles and still strong. I do my own work on the cars and the Subarus are well designed from a mechanic’s point of view. Still, not much needs to be done to it - just an occasional timing belt, shock absorbers - usual stuff.
The new ones are really quite nice. I’ve had a couple as rental cars.
Worth checking out.
My MIL leases vehicles. She had a Murano - liked it but it was expensive, both lease cost and driving cost. She couldn’t keep the dang thing out of trouble - it got dinged in some minor mishap every other month. I don’t know why she liked it as it was somewhat problematic mechanically.
She replaced it with a Ford Escape. She found it fuel efficient and the lease cost effective. Lease is up in a few weeks and she is replacing the Ford Escape with a Hyundai Santa Fe. She likes the warranty because she doesn’t feel like she will have to worry about mechanical failure. They are giving her a very good deal (better than keeping the Escape). It is fuel efficient and she likes how it drives. Lastly, she feels like it would be a good car for my husband if something happens to her.
My daughter has had a Santa Fe for a couple of years. She loves it and the dealership in her home town is all over it if it needs anything.
My husband likes Nissans and Toyotas but they are certainly more costly to purchase and the CRV isn’t all that fuel efficent. My brother-in-law has the CRV. He likes it fine, but he’s had it in the shop a fair amount.
I drive Fords and never have cause to complain, but that may well be my driving style. I rarely have any car problems, they just like me.
My sister and her family have a total of 4 Hyundai’s and like them a lot. Just keep buying more as the kids need cars - pass the old one down and get a new one of one of the adults.
Well, she is wearing heels.
Wife totalled car; Considering many models; Recommendations?
First I’d want a model that could drive better. Also younger and more athletic and wanting to please her man. I hear a lot of guys like the little Asian models. Very grateful.
Unless you are talking about a new vehicle...? ;)
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