Buying an SUV......any suggestions??

[Regul8er]

I will be looking at a few this weekend..and looking to buy in the next month or so.

The three my wife and I have narrowed it down to are:

1) Chevy Equinox
2) Mercury Mariner
3) Ford Escape

Probably leaning towards getting an 09 or 10, with less then 25K miles. Does anyone have any suggestions, or experience with these vehicles. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks Ladies and Gents.

[Sam Odom]

Cheap yet reliable

my Son drives one , had it for 2yrs

[Regul8er]

What is Mr. Odom?? A Dodge what?

We don't want to spend over 20K after final negotiations......as we currently have two cars with over 150K, and could very well be making 2 purchases in the coming future.

[pavyracer]

I wouldn't consider the Mercury. Ford is shutting down the brand next year and will be hard to sell it as used without being able to get parts.

[Sam Odom]

dodge durango

[Dutch]

dodge durango

The Durango got a new look this year, it's pretty sharp looking. I like the older ones and they seem to be pretty cheap. Cheaper than Chevy trail blazers anyway.

[Labr0n]

I really life fords, but the dodge is a beast!

[hugh_morris]

check out the Ford Edge...great little suv....or the small Lincoln MKX...all wheel drive..the wife loves her edge..

[Flexin]

I will be looking at a few this weekend..and looking to buy in the next month or so. The three my wife and I have narrowed it down to are: 1) Chevy Equinox 2) Mercury Mariner 3) Ford Escape Probably leaning towards getting an 09 or 10, with less then 25K miles. Does anyone have any suggestions, or experience with these vehicles. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks Ladies and Gents.

I have a Mazda Tribute that I bought about 2 years ago. Its the twin of the Escape. I was going to buy an Escape but there wasn't one that was priced right at the auction that day. My wife and I have been really happy with our V6 AWD Tribute. Fuel mileage is ok. Not the best of any vehicle I have own but not the worst. Overall I really like it.

James

[Regul8er]

Thanks for ALL the feedback guys.

I looked up the Dodge Durango....seems to be a bit out of my price range.
The Mazda Tribute is nice, but the availability in my area is non existent....closest I can find is over 200 miles.

I'm really leaning Ford Escape right now. I am seeing a 2010, with 9,000 miles with a selling price of $19.8K. With some negotiating and a trade in (BB value of about $2K) hopefully I could work em down to the $18K range.

[Doug]

Honda CR-V

[blackbeSSt]

Honda CR-V

good luck hitting under $20k on that.

[kmarinouofm]

I wouldn't consider the Mercury. Ford is shutting down the brand next year and will be hard to sell it as used without being able to get parts.

Good Call Pavey...


Best two american SUV's right now.. The Brand New Jeep GRand Cherokee is hands down amazing.. but it's pricey

i also love the new GMC Terrian and new models start at 25k... I rented one to make it to Reno Last year for Super Bowl

[ZetaPsi808]

do not buy american cars. i recommend any SUV by honda or toyota

[itchypickle]

I know it sounds crazy...but the new Kia Sorrentos are nice these days. Our neighbor runs a division of the big Kia plant in West Point, Ga and he brings a few of them home sometimes. I was really impressed at the upgrades they have made for the price. Can get a new one for under $21k if you want to look into it. Good luck on the search.

[kmarinouofm]

do not buy american cars. i recommend any SUV by honda or toyota

normally I would agree with this..

however i think GMC, The Grand Cherokee, and Cady Escalade are exceptions to the rule here.... so if you can why not buy american when it makes sense? we could sure use it..

[Regul8er]

itchy.....my wife likes the Sorrento too, but I think it's ugly as sin.
The value is definately there....I just can't personally get past the appearance. Not my cup of tea, you know.

[crustyme]

Get the best and currently the best selling SUV: Honda CR-V.

I used to own one and never had a problem. It also gets nearly 30mpg.

Someone said you cant buy one under $20k but he is wrong. You can buy a brand new 2010 for under $19k here: http://autos.aol.com/best-deal/landing/

[crustyme]

do not buy american cars. i recommend any SUV by honda or toyota

Listen to this dude.

American cars are junk. I've owned several and all of them had major problems that cost thousands in repairs.

Sure they are cheaper initially but cost much more in the end due to all the costly repairs.

Get one of the below and you will enjoy it a long time without major problems.

Honda CR-V, Pilot
Toyota Rav-4, Highlander, 4-Runner

[ronjon619]

GMC Acadia or Audi Q7/Q5 or VW Toureg

[pavyracer]

I have owned many american cars and trust me they don't break down more frequently than Hondas or Toyotas. Any car not maintained properly and driven worse than you drive a mule at a mountain pass will break down. Most cars break down because of bad driving.

Change the oil and fluids, down shift and up shift properly, use the breaks only when is absolutely necessary, etc..

[blackbeSSt]

Get the best and currently the best selling SUV: Honda CR-V.

I used to own one and never had a problem. It also gets nearly 30mpg.

Someone said you cant buy one under $20k but he is wrong. You can buy a brand new 2010 for under $19k here: http://autos.aol.com/best-deal/landing/

seems like a shady website. check out real dealers son. don't know where you live but i just pulled that crap site up around my zip and a base 2010 is still $21k

my local dealer has an 08 for just under $20k

[kmarinouofm]

GMC Acadia or Audi Q7/Q5 or VW Toureg

acadia is nice dude

[big0mar]

Just got one of these:

http://www.landrover.com/us/en/rr/range-rover-sport/

[crustyme]

Shady website? Its run by AOL!

Which zip code? Cause its $3500 off where I am so ur either lying or didnt do it correctly.

[jarrod]

ford transmissions suck.

[blackbeSSt]

Shady website? Its run by AOL!

Which zip code? Cause its $3500 off where I am so ur either lying or didnt do it correctly.

add tax and fees and you are no where near the $20k

[crustyme]

I have owned many american cars and trust me they don't break down more frequently than Hondas or Toyotas. Any car not maintained properly and driven worse than you drive a mule at a mountain pass will break down. Most cars break down because of bad driving.

Change the oil and fluids, down shift and up shift properly, use the breaks only when is absolutely necessary, etc..

Go pick up Consumer Reports Car Buying Guide. 99% of all cars on the "Avoid" list are American cars.

Our American cars were well maintained by the dealer (0 off-roading) yet had major engine, transmission, stalling problems. When your brand new Ford/Chevy/Dodge with 10,000-60,000 miles start breaking down it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. On the other hand, all our imports regularly go 150,000-200,000 miles without a problem

Never again will I buy another American junk.

[dante1]

ford transmissions suck.

I have owned a Toyota auto for the past 20 some years and get a new one every three or four years which is stupid and I will not do it anymore. I now own a 2008 Lexus RX 350 and I love it. Very nice vehicle but overpriced in my opinion. The 15,000 mile service cost me $300 which is another draw back, nothing was wrong with the auto but I did get their wash and wax too. The vehicle I had before this was the Toyota RAV 4, this was a great little car. Consumer Report had it the number one small SUV. Can't go wrong with one of these.

However, my next vehicle is going to be either a Ford product or a Mercedes, probably a one year old Ford.
They have improved in quality big time and they now are competing seriously with Toyota and Honda according to Consumer Reports. That is my bible for purchasing a car. You should check them out.

And I am done purchasing new, one year old for me from now on.

I must reveal that I own Ford stock. lol

[doublej95]

That price range I would go with Toyota RAV-4. Hard to get any better quality that Toyota

[brxbmbers42]

lexus rx 350 is the best suv out there. im on my second one

[crustyme]

What zip code?

Hard to believe a 2011 is discounted more than 2010 in your area.

And no one here said including TTL.

[blackbeSSt]

What zip code?

Hard to believe a 2011 is discounted more than 2010 in your area.

And no one here said including TTL.

so you think i just pulled that picture out of my ass?

and the OP said $20k out the door:

What is Mr. Odom?? A Dodge what?

We don't want to spend over 20K after final negotiations......as we currently have two cars with over 150K, and could very well be making 2 purchases in the coming future.

[tltaylor89]

[crustyme]

Pictures can be edited. Zip code?

Final negotiations dont mean TTL since they are not negotiable since its charged by the government.