Buying a small SUV this week

[zooom]

his price point is much lower and if it's out of warranty that will be the bill to repair it in three years.  BMW - break my wallet 

older X3 2.5's are pretty durned reliable....

[Speedbag]

A depreciated luxury brand costs the same to fix as though it were new. 

[IZ]

I think I have it narrowed down to 2..testing them tonight.


'09 Rogue..newer and with lower mileage.  Comfort in the back seat..not so much.
http://powernissantempe.com/Tempe/For-Sale/Used/Nissan/Rogue/2009-SL-Silver-SUV/3192736/


'06 RAV4 with V6 4x4. More cargo room and rear seats that recline for a lot of riding for the passangers (my parents).
http://www.showcasehonda.com/used/Toyota/2006-Toyota-RAV4-cb5a9d6c0a0d048e009bf20197fda835.htm?useHistory=true#

If it were down to these two..no other options..which one

[ducatiz]

I think I have it narrowed down to 2..testing them tonight.


'09 Rogue..newer and with lower mileage.  Comfort in the back seat..not so much.
http://powernissantempe.com/Tempe/For-Sale/Used/Nissan/Rogue/2009-SL-Silver-SUV/3192736/


'06 RAV4 with V6 4x4. More cargo room and rear seats that recline for a lot of riding for the passangers (my parents).
http://www.showcasehonda.com/used/Toyota/2006-Toyota-RAV4-cb5a9d6c0a0d048e009bf20197fda835.htm?useHistory=true#

If it were down to these two..no other options..which one

between those two, i would go for the toy.  the rogue isn't in the same class imho. 

that being said, the looks of the rav me no likey.

i like the toyota's v6 over the nissan's I4..

[il d00d]

RAV4 seconded, with similar reservations.

BTW, are you hoping to have passengers on either side of a car seat in the back of whatever you buy?   If so, you should bring the carseat along to get an idea of how much space is left with it in the middle.  The person-carseat-person configuration is hard to pull off.   If you want to put people in the back row, also make sure there is a way to flip down the second row with a carseat installed (would have to be a non-center position), and that the third row is comfortable-ish, and relatively easy to get to (it was a consideration for us and our ageing parents)

[IZ]

Back seat will just have my wife and or my mom on one side and the baby seat on the other.   I don't particularly care for the looks of the Toyota either but it gets higher marks.  The Rogue has about 10K less in mileage though. Not sure if The RAV is Toyota certified either.

[Zulu]

Back seat will just have my wife and or my mom on one side and the baby seat on the other.   I don't particularly care for the looks of the Toyota either but it gets higher marks.  The Rogue has about 10K less in mileage though. Not sure if The RAV is Toyota certified either.

If you are buying rav4 from a Toyota dealership , ask them if they can certify it. They might charge you $350 to $500 more than non certified, Its fees dealer have to pay when the car is sold certified .

If they say they might have to fix a few minor things to get the car certified, I say let them do that and pay for that.


IF dealer says they CANNOT certify the car. Walk away...

[duccarlos]

I hate the RAV4. Simply can't stand the damn thing.

I was actually looking at the VW, but the wife was not comfortable sitting in it. We moved on to the Ford Edge, but it has no 3rd seat available. So now we're looking at the Subaru Tribeca. It might be a bit larger than what you're looking for.

[zooom]

If you are buying rav4 from a Toyota dealership , ask them if they can certify it. They might charge you $350 to $500 more than non certified, Its fees dealer have to pay when the car is sold certified .

If they say they might have to fix a few minor things to get the car certified, I say let them do that and pay for that.


IF dealer says they CANNOT certify the car. Walk away...

sometimes, certifying a car isn't as simple as you think....the manufacturer has VERY specific guidelines for that and most dealers want to certify a car, because they can sell it for more with that label....

[ducatiz]

I hate the RAV4. Simply can't stand the damn thing.
J
I was actually looking at the VW, but the wife was not comfortable sitting in it. We moved on to the Ford Edge, but it has no 3rd seat available. So now we're looking at the Subaru Tribeca. It might be a bit larger than what you're looking for.

Only a few in that size with a 3rd row

I'm very partial to the Kia.  It has exceeded all expectations.

Kia Sorento, Dodge Journey, Toyota Rav and the Suzuki I think.  Most of the ones with a 3rd row are bigger.

[lilmonster]

If you are looking at a Rogue or RAV4, maybe you would like a Subaru Forester. We test drove CR-V's, RAV 4, Dodge Nitro and Journey etc. We purchased the Subaru. The thing that sold me on the Forester is that handles more like a car than a SUV and is fun to drive (for a SUV). Fuel economy is not as good as some of the others on paper, I doubt that most of them actually get advertised fuel economy in real world driving.

[ducatiz]

Subie needs to put the 6sp from the Outback into the Forrester.  Much better MPG.

[lilmonster]

I thought The Outback has CVT, anyway the 4 speed is not that bad plus it has Sport Shift to manually shift which is handy for on ramps or some twistys.  The Forester is not the best at any one thing but It does have a good amount of room in the back, also has good safety ratings. We did get some snow here in Texas last year and the AWD worked great. Even my Wife was able to drive to work in the snow.

[ducatiz]

I thought The Outback has CVT,

You are correct, it has a 6-speed "linearmatic" mode I thought it was a straight 6 speed auto.

Meanwhile:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/kia-motors-america-posts-highest-brand-loyalty-ranking-in-latest-study-by-experian-automotive-2011-10-17

Kia keeps scooping up the awards.

[cokey]

Need3 rows just get the 2011-12 durango, might aswell get thehemi,only live once....  on that note, no 3rd row needed, trailblazer ss or jeep srt8... just go balls to the wall...   i need a 3rd row, dodge it is once the new baby is born...


Car seat, its better to fit it in the middle incase of side impact..