Topic: Throwing around the idea of a crossover

[rrocket]

2) Rav4 with a V6 is a little hot rod and because of that is fun to drive.

Yup. Forgot about the V6 RAVs. Hard to find tough.

Not really.

[EV Dan]

I briefly drove the base Fe XL and it's a great family vehicle. Although the brakes are a bit light and there isn't much steering feedback, this time around the suspension is quiet and well sorted and there is more than enough power from a smooth V6. It may be a stretch for your budget but you are getting a brand new crossover with 5 year warranty. Oh, and $3500 off.
https://www.hyundaicanada.com/Pages/buildprice/step2_trims.aspx?model=Santa%20Fe%20XL

p.s. it's huge inside and comes with many necessities standard in the base trim, e.g. variable seat heaters.

[Scaerio]

 

My sister had a previous generation FWD Santa Fe, and it was quite a pleasant vehicle.  The latest version should be even better.

[JohnnyMac]

I've read people are having a lot of troubles with the Santa Fe Sport model's turbo engine.  I've been happy with my generation of Santa Fe with the 3.5L V6.  I believe the tow rating is right at the 3,500 mark.

That being said I don't think you could do much better than a used Honda Oddie with tow package.  You'll get space, 3,500 tow rating, a bit better fuel economy than most V6 SUV/CUV's, exceptional reliability, and decent resale value (which could be a negative when you go to buy).

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I'm a HUGE fan of the MDX, and it would likely be my ideal candidate.

I'll probably end up NOT getting anything in the near future, and when the car's a little more paid off, I'll be able to afford the $27K that it takes to get a decent MDX.

[tortoise]

Can you just get a lighter trailer?

[Great_Big_Abyss]

The one we towed is about as small/light as they come.  The problem wasn't with the weight of the trailer, it was with the weight of the stuff that you lug around with you, especially when you have a family.

[Firm]

Pickup crew cab with a cap, better and cheaper then a cuv

Reliable, cheap to insure, will haul any trailer you would want, proper 4x4, cheap to fix/maintain and you can get a really nice 1/2 ton for about $20k

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

^This, for a Tahoe (which is basically the same idea). Failing that an Outback with the 3.6R should get the job done, and will be very pleasant to drive the rest of the time.

[Blueprint]

Mazda CX-9

Same platform / drivetrain as Edge, looks sharper inside / out, seats 7 so large trunk when 3rd row is folded, best-driving CUV around.

New ones started at 30k$ after incentives, so they're probably out there at the 20k$ level.



edit : had a quick look, 20k$ gets you a 2011, maybe 2012.

http://www.autohebdo.net/a/Mazda/CX-9/Toronto/Ontario/5_24028240_ON20080211122607726/?ursrc=hl&showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=86_15_324

[ktm525]

Ahh  yes the Crossover, Jack of all trades and the master of none. How about an old CJ and a wagon?

[ltruong]

The one we towed is about as small/light as they come.  The problem wasn't with the weight of the trailer, it was with the weight of the stuff that you lug around with you, especially when you have a family.

I'm in the same situation.  I own an old tent trailer(less than 900pnd) which I pull with a VW sportwagon TDI.  We also have a long cargo box on top which help for storage.  We put all the pillow, sleeping bags in it.  My family is small though.  I have a almost 3year old daughter and golden retriever and wife.  it's nice but eventually we would like to upgrade to a maybe bigger tent trailer(the big ones are around 2000pnd).  I think the best bang for you buck would be a Highlander v6 from 09 to 14.  they are 5spd tranny but relatively fuel efficient.  You also still have roof rails for cargo and 5000 towing.  I 've looked for the outback 3.5 but fuel economy compared to a highlander is relatively the same  and the 5000 towing capacity gives you more flexibility if you ever want to upgrade from a tent trailer......for example those 16FT Hybrid light weight RV with foldable beds can be as light as 2800 pnd.

[Firm]

Mazda CX-9

Same platform / drivetrain as Edge, looks sharper inside / out, seats 7 so large trunk when 3rd row is folded, best-driving CUV around.

New ones started at 30k$ after incentives, so they're probably out there at the 20k$ level.



edit : had a quick look, 20k$ gets you a 2011, maybe 2012.

http://www.autohebdo.net/a/Mazda/CX-9/Toronto/Ontario/5_24028240_ON20080211122607726/?ursrc=hl&showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=86_15_324

Never liked those much. Too hard to be really comfortable (which is what I'd want in a CUV), poor FE and a silly option package structure (only relevant to new purchases).

[ltruong]

Mazda CX-9

Same platform / drivetrain as Edge, looks sharper inside / out, seats 7 so large trunk when 3rd row is folded, best-driving CUV around.

New ones started at 30k$ after incentives, so they're probably out there at the 20k$ level.



edit : had a quick look, 20k$ gets you a 2011, maybe 2012.

http://www.autohebdo.net/a/Mazda/CX-9/Toronto/Ontario/5_24028240_ON20080211122607726/?ursrc=hl&showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=86_15_324

Never liked those much. Too hard to be really comfortable (which is what I'd want in a CUV), poor FE and a silly option package structure (only relevant to new purchases).

I think they are also a bit hard on gas

[JohnnyMac]

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Porsche/Cayenne/Beloeil/Quebec/5_24422187_20150623203615078/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=8_15_12

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/Burnaby/British+Columbia/5_24638112_20130809142413211/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=7_15_22

Either one of these should be able to pull a decent size tent trailer.  Plus are a whole lot more fun in every day use.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Yeah, I looked at CX-7's online.  They're nice vehicles, but have a couple of things going against it:  1) it only has a 2000lb towing capacity, even with the top engine, and 2) it's top engine is a turbocharged unit.  I kinda want to avoid turbo charging for reliability reasons.

[ArticSteve]

Pickup crew cab with a cap, better and cheaper then a cuv

^^^

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Pickup trucks aren't really better, or even cheaper.  Have you seen the resale on them?  pretty high.  Also, they're an order of magnitude worse on gas, especially if you go with a V8.

[ArticSteve]

I know the exact resale prices of southern Ontario vehicles.  Admittedly, I have no clue regarding the Winnipeg market. 

GM and RAM 1/2 tons are cheap to fix during a long term ownership period (engine specific though).  They are by far the safest units to ride in.

It depends on usage really.   If I was a serious camper with a family, in you're location, then it would be crew cab no question over a "CUV".

Just think of the amount of surplus timber you could carry to the camp.     

[Northernridge]

I think used truck prices are cheapish here and there are tons to choose from.

In fact, driving by rural MB dealerships you'd swear all they sell are trucks by what's on the lot.

[Mach1]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/ottawa/2008-jeep-grand-cherokee-3-0l-diesel/1094155649?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Found this the other day. Not sure for reliability.