What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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Yukon Maiden
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What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by Yukon Maiden »

So my Toyota Camry was smushed by a light runner and is a write off. It never was a great choice for these northern roads, but I loved the fuel economy and creature comforts. Since the secondary and residental streets are rarely or never plowed, I have reluctantly admitted that I really would be much better off in a 4WD or all wheel drive with good ground clearance. Some weeks each winter, my Camry couldn't make it down the road until the "Big Boys" packed it down enough. I also am tired of being the squashee, instead of the squasher. Not that I want either! So, I would like something bigger, but not an enormous beast that needs a whole parking lot to get turned.

I really have no knowledge of SUV and the like. I would like to stay under $40,000. Reliabilty and safety are a must. Suggestions?
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by Springbok »

Yukon Maiden wrote:So my Toyota Camry was smushed by a light runner and is a write off. It never was a great choice for these northern roads, but I loved the fuel economy and creature comforts. Since the secondary and residental streets are rarely or never plowed, I have reluctantly admitted that I really would be much better off in a 4WD or all wheel drive with good ground clearance. Some weeks each winter, my Camry couldn't make it down the road until the "Big Boys" packed it down enough. I also am tired of being the squashee, instead of the squasher. Not that I want either! So, I would like something bigger, but not an enormous beast that needs a whole parking lot to get turned.

I really have no knowledge of SUV and the like. I would like to stay under $40,000. Reliabilty and safety are a must. Suggestions?

If you want a crossover and want to stay with Toyota, they have the Venza. Honda's Crosstour is also worth looking at. For a domestic, maybe look at an Equinox. Many many other possibilities! Good Luck. I would try and buy something that has a local dealership that you are happy with.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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Lots of options with that amount of money. You want new? What is your other vehicle if your a two car family?
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by Yukon Maiden »

Oh, I would be thrilled to pay half of that, although everything is pricey here. If I could get something a year or two old for $20,000ish, I would concider that too. We have a beat up old 4wd Ford Truck for hauling "stuff", but I don't trust it. It also takes an entire parking lot to turn, which I hate. He drives it around, I don't unless I am in a pinch or snowbound.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by HardWorker »

What else do you need aside from ground clearance and 4wd? Any towing? How many seats, etc?

Theres a lot of good reviews on the 2011 Ford Explorer, specially with its much improved fuel economy. But its the first year of the major make over, so I'd pass. Toyota and Honda both make good small SUVs.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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No children at this point, and none on the horizon. I do occasionally have business clients in my car, so the back seat should fit two adults comfortably. Back seats that fold down to provide extra cargo space would be a major plus.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by BRIAN5000 »

Crash abliltiy but Big, a Suburban, a bit smaller Tahoe, cheaper then new, crappy MPG.
If your other vehicles are beaters having a nice go to town car like a Rav4, Venza, Subaru might be nice. Top of the line RAV4 tax's in would be about $40.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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Yukon Maiden wrote:No children at this point, and none on the horizon. I do occasionally have business clients in my car, so the back seat should fit two adults comfortably. Back seats that fold down to provide extra cargo space would be a major plus.
I think pretty much all of them will have the folding seats, just like any car would. If you won't tow with it, then a 4 cylinder will do, although in some model the 6 is much better choice. I'm assuming in the meantime you have a rental car from insurance, so why not for a few test drives? See what you like, and then do some research. And you might even find a very good deal on a used one. It definitely sounds like you should looks at a car based SUV, and not truck based. The fuel economy on some models won't be that far off your Camry, but you'll love the 4wd and versatility.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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Yes, I am in a rental. A 4WD outlander. It's okay, but not a winner. Also no dealer here. Only the big Three and Toyota. Otherwise a long, long road trip for service. Like to Edmonton.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by HardWorker »

Test drive the Rav4 and see what you think. I personally find them a little small. And if you end up buying used, as long as you have a trusty shop near you, you won't need a dealer close by. There are very issues a local shop can't take care, or if a dealer part is required, then it could be shipped out to you.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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The Rav4 really attracts me, but I am worried it is too small? Would it be any better then my Camry up against a one ton truck? That is the typical vehicle on the road here.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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I am really quite uncomfortable driving big vehicles, but I am also not wanting to be the bug in someone's grill anymore. I need a happy medium.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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I personally found the Rav4 a little cramped, but you should check it out for yourself, I rode with a co-worker in one, maybe an '04? I'd say a higher, larger vehicle will fare better against a truck, but check the crash test and safety ratings of your chosen vehicle. You'll give up some fuel economy for the larger vehicle, but it sounds like it'll be well worth it for your psyche.

Don't be overly intimated by driving a larger vehicle, you can learn a few techniques and you'll feel much better behind the wheel. My wife out right refused to drive our Suburban at first, but a few lessons in an empty parking lot, and now she'd much rather drive it than our little shoe box, heavy springs, and loud diesel included.

Heres a decent list of smaller SUVs to consider. I don't know about the credit worthiness of the site, but its a good list and good starting point. BTW, I am a total Jeep nut, I've owned many over the years and love them to bits. But I highly suggest you stay away from all of their models. They're great fun, but awful on fuel and reliability.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/ca ... pact-SUVs/
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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I do occasionally have business clients in my car, so the back seat should fit two adults comfortably. Back seats that fold down to provide extra cargo space would be a major plus.
What kind of a business do you do, Yukon Maiden? :twisted:
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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Lol, absolutly prim and proper business I assure you!
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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I will try renting my top choices before I buy. Making such a big switch from what I am used to, I don't trust just doing a quick test drive.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by zinfit »

If RAV4 is to small try the Ford Edge. Its a pretty impressive vehicle . A Nissan Murano and a Hyundai Sante Fe are good choices. If you want something bigger then this group look at the Chevy Traverse, Ford Flex, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Mazda 9. I an not sold on the new GM yet. As was said the new Ford Explorer is just out, its a new model show one has to be careful and cautious. I believe this is an area in which the companies have all produced solid vehicles and it isn't easy deciding which one is superior.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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Yesterday I was at Toyota, today I will check out Ford if they are open. Not sure about quality and reliablity with the Fords, though.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

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Either the Honda CRV or the Toyota RAV4 are the best value IMO. I'd go with the local dealer that has the best reputation and is within reasonable distance.

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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by scomac »

I am well pleased with my 2010 Ford Escape. Ours is AWD and equipped with a V6 engine.

Fuel consumption is around 10.5l/100km in winter with snow tires and a roof box attached. In the summer, I have gotten this down to 9l/100 km on long journeys.

The vehicle has plenty of room for 4 adults (I'm 6'2" and 230# and don't feel cramped one bit even in the back seat). The smaller overall dimensions makes this a manoeuvrable vehicle that is easy to park. While the Escape is quite a bit smaller than the Tahoe it replaced, I don't feel that I am giving up very much in the way of usable space and cargo capacity.

The reliability record for this Ford/Mazda JV has been excellent over the years. In terms of price for performance/features, I would rate the Escape right at the top of its class. These can be bought brand new at very favourable pricing.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by Yukon Maiden »

Hearing that Mazda is envolved is encouraging. Any other Ford models they have JV on?
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by Bylo Selhi »

Dennis wrote:Either the Honda CRV or the Toyota RAV4 are the best value IMO. I'd go with the local dealer that has the best reputation and is within reasonable distance.
A caveat to those who keep recommending Honda, let alone more obscure makes: YM's Location is "Arctic Circle" and she said upthread, "no dealer here. Only the big Three and Toyota. Otherwise a long, long road trip for service. Like to Edmonton."
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Mine too. However most of what they recommend isn't generally available in Whitehorse or Yellowknife ;)
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by biker »

There is at least one Honda dealer in the Yukon. This one fixed a light for me when driving the Alaska Highway a few years ago.

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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by Yukon Maiden »

Sadly, I am no longer in Whitehorse at this time. I am a bit off the NWT boarder right now, so Edmonton would be the shorter drive, then back to Whitehorse.
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Re: What to buy? SUV/Crossover suggestions, please.

Post by iluvnascar »

I think the Ford Escape is the best overall choice due to size (not TOO big.....but certainly not small by any means); reliability (it's been around a while!); features (anything you might want is available); and price (reasonable by any measure......and they have 60 months - or is it 72? - of 0.0% financing available right now). My wife has an Escape (her 3rd one) and wouldn't be without it!

I also agree that a Ford Edge is another great choice.........not quite an SUV....but hard to tell the real difference in an AWD version.
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