Author Topic: Help Me Buy a (Small) Used SUV! (Read 1693 times)

sailor723 · « **Reply #80 on:** February 01, 2012, 07:20:00 pm »

Quote from: Brigitte on February 01, 2012, 07:08:19 pm

Something tells me I need to go back to square one. And maybe start a poll.

My best suggestion is to keep an open mind and check out all your options. The last two times I was shopping I ended up with a car that wasn't even on my radar at the beginning.

Good luck and have fun!

Brigitte · « **Reply #81 on:** February 01, 2012, 07:37:14 pm »

Quote from: sailor723 on February 01, 2012, 07:20:00 pm

My best suggestion is to keep an open mind and check out all your options. The last two times I was shopping I ended up with a car that wasn't even on my radar at the beginning.

Great advice. Thank you.

Quote from: johngenx on February 01, 2012, 06:46:28 pm

Forester:

Minuses:

-The interior is improved from the 98-08 versions, but still pretty dowdy.
-Inconsistent dealer service levels
-Crappy audio systems
-Only four gears in the automatic
-Just okay fuel economy
-Insurance costs are a little higher as Subaru body parts are expensive

Pluses:

-Great space for a CUV, cargo area shape is nice. (Some sloped rear windows on others really cut into the space)
-Subaru AWD - No need to elaborate
-The old automatic is bullet-proof
-Overall reliability is very good. CR rates very highly.
-Dealers suck, but lots of indies can service as it's not terribly complex

You, sir, are relentless.

Quote from: Snowman on February 01, 2012, 06:17:20 pm

Think hard about a 2009 Subaru Forester, no rush

As are you.

Quote from: sirAQUAMAN64 on February 01, 2012, 05:32:33 pm

Forester is a great vehicle all-around and space efficient IMO.

And you.

Again, this is why I asked. I respect (mostly) the general consensus (usually) of all the instincts and knowledge on this forum. Well, I absorb it, anyway.

I truly had written off the Forester, but will give it a spot in this lineup.

johngenx · « **Reply #82 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:09:32 pm »

I'm only relentless when I'm obviously correct.

articsteve · « **Reply #83 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:13:09 pm »

My daughter has an 08 Tribeca bought in Oct 07. She's at just under 120,000 kms on the clock and has had zero issues so far.

Just a heads up that the 2008 Tribeca has a better motor that runs on regular. That 2006 would be a terrible buy for the purposes described here.

johngenx · « **Reply #84 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:22:44 pm »

Tribecas are nice, but the 06/07 models have some troubles that would have me stay away from them, mostly around the automatic transmissions. As AS noted, the 3.6L from 08- is more powerful and uses regular fuel AND gives the same fuel economy as the 3.0L. Honestly, if I were shopping a Tribeca, I'd go for a 2009 or later, as they're really well sorted, but that late might be out of the running in terms of budget.

The cargo area of the Tribeca is marginally larger than the Forester. It is quieter and rides nicely, but is not as fun to drive as the lighter Forester.

The Tribeca does have the superb VTD AWD. While all Scoob AWD systems are good, the VTD is particularly awesome.

Brigitte · « **Reply #85 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:25:57 pm »

Cool - thank you!

Now, go vote: http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,77630.0.html

Shnak · « **Reply #86 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:28:55 am »

Quote from: Juke1 on February 01, 2012, 06:52:53 pm

Quote from: Factger on February 01, 2012, 06:26:39 pm
mazda cx-7?

My bother had a mazda tribute and now has a 2010 edge. My sister had a escape. Based on their experiences i would look into a 2008-2010 santa fe. Brother loves his edge but it burns alot of gas.(much more than our 2011 edge) A guy from work has a 2007 santa fe with 200000km on it and has had no major issues with it.

Santa Fe is nice but used I would pick the V6, the 4 is underpowered and as Shnack pointed out in a Kia thread the new more powerful Hyundai I4 is only out as of this year.

Only the 2012 Kia Sorento has the direct-injected I4, though, not the Santa Fe.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #87 on:** February 02, 2012, 11:16:21 am »

I never liked the seating position of the Santa Fe (too flat), but otherwise do think a SF V6 is a good choice. And they should be plentiful on the used market, and did they have the super long warranty too?

Was Mitsubishi's 10 year warranty transferrable? (or is that just in the US?)

The current generation RAV4's cargo area is quite large IMO... and the load floor ridiculously flat and accessible. I don't like much about the rest of the interior, and don't really fit into the driver's seat well because my knees are close to the dash, but that V6 is hard to beat - it's an efficient rocket.

Brigitte, love that you come with such a defined set of parameters. At least you know what you want -- and don't want -- in the general sense.

airbalancer · « **Reply #88 on:** February 02, 2012, 01:02:40 pm »

Quote from: sirAQUAMAN64 on February 02, 2012, 11:16:21 am

I never liked the seating position of the Santa Fe (too flat), but otherwise do think a SF V6 is a good choice. And they should be plentiful on the used market, and did they have the super long warranty too?

Was Mitsubishi's 10 year warranty transferrable? (or is that just in the US?)

The current generation RAV4's cargo area is quite large IMO... and the load floor ridiculously flat and accessible. I don't like much about the rest of the interior, and don't really fit into the driver's seat well because my knees are close to the dash, but that V6 is hard to beat - it's an efficient rocket.

Brigitte, love that you come with such a defined set of parameters. At least you know what you want -- and don't want -- in the general sense.

In a Rav4 in can put my 3 ft high cart in standing up which I cannot do in a Venza, Higherland and all other Cuvs , I was very surprised at that

erich · « **Reply #89 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:21:04 pm »

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/03/why-did-you-need-awd-again/

Reliable? Checked
Automatic? Checked
Room for four? Checked
Can carry a bicycle? Checked
Can go to bumfack nowhere? Checked

Railton · « **Reply #90 on:** February 03, 2012, 08:45:21 pm »

Call me crazy (wouldn't be the first time) but you're going to have a hard time finding a 2008 Subaru Forester with heated seats and under 60K for $18k in Ontario. Even in the states those specs will put you in the $19k to $20k range. Are you willing to go stateside to shop?
Railton

Vmango · « **Reply #91 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:02:53 pm »

Peruse at your convenience.

http://tinyurl.com/7qk3fod

Railton appears to be correct.

Railton · « **Reply #92 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:11:24 pm »

Quote from: chrischasescars on February 01, 2012, 04:21:05 pm

Quote from: Brigitte on February 01, 2012, 01:49:13 pm

I wanted to run the choices by here first - because I am just that kind of masochist.

Going from a Jetta into an Escape? You *are* some kind of masochist. The Escape eats transmissions for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Another fallacy from a so-called car expert.

Mrs. Railton has had her Escape Limited for 9 years now with 170K on it. Same tranny. She says she’ll never sell it…unfortunately.

Besides, would you want to drive the same vehicle (CRV)as Mr. No H2O ?

Railton

Brigitte · « **Reply #93 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:19:33 pm »

Quote from: Railton on February 03, 2012, 08:45:21 pm

Call me crazy (wouldn't be the first time) but you're going to have a hard time finding a 2008 Subaru Forester with heated seats and under 60K for $18k in Ontario. Even in the states those specs will put you in the $19k to $20k range. Are you willing to go stateside to shop?
Railton

No. But everything is negociable, as you know. If the Canadians don't wanna play, I ain't gonna pay.

Railton · « **Reply #94 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:23:15 pm »

While we're at it, the Outlander.
http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,63675.40.html
Page 3, half way down.

As far as the Rav goes. Well, you're a girl so, I guess it's OK.

Railton

Brigitte · « **Reply #95 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:39:01 pm »

Quote from: Railton on February 03, 2012, 09:23:15 pm

As far as the Rav goes. Well, you're a girl so, I guess it's OK.

You're a little late to the party, so you can be forgiven. I've already started a poll. Just vote. All will get their due. http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,77630.0.html

Railton · « **Reply #96 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:43:08 pm »

Quote from: Brigitte on February 03, 2012, 09:39:01 pm

Quote from: Railton on February 03, 2012, 09:23:15 pm
As far as the Rav goes. Well, you're a girl so, I guess it's OK.

You're a little late to the party, so you can be forgiven. I've already started a poll. Just vote. All will get their due. http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,77630.0.html

I don't want to vote.

Railton

Brigitte · « **Reply #97 on:** February 04, 2012, 07:18:09 am »

Fine. Don't vote. Why are you being such a crankypants?

Julie · « **Reply #98 on:** February 04, 2012, 11:25:01 am »

I don't know anything about SUVs

, but just wanted to wish you lots of fun vehicle shopping.

Brigitte · « **Reply #99 on:** February 04, 2012, 09:29:26 pm »

Thanks, Julie. I am having lots of fun! Every day on the highway is a shopping expedition... "Oh, that one's nice!" and, "Oh, there's that Forester!" or, "That Escape looks great in white!"