Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Thoughts on smallish SUVs...

So, since moving into the house and conducting some rennovations, it has come to our attention that 1) the Saab will not last far beyond winter, and 2) not much fits in the G20.

So, I will continue to drive "Sally" until the Spring, but we may need to buy a {GASP} SUV-type vehicle from the following list to replace the Infiniti. Don't suggest any wagons not listed herein because the wife won't look at them. Also keep in mind we are looking for a lower mileage, 1 or 2 year old car, not brand new that will get at least 20 MPG, hopefully higher.

Land Rover Freelander HSE
Jeep Liberty Limited
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Nissan Pathfinder XLE
Nissan Murano
Subaru Legacy Outback
Subaru Forester XS or XT
Lexus RX 300/330
Mercedes ML 320
Mazda Tribute (Maybe)

I have intentially left out a few like the Xterra and Escape because neither of us really likes them. And there's nothing from Honda, GM, or Toyota that is very compelling. The only other Ford offering I'd consider is the Aviator because it looks better than the Ford/Mercury counterparts are has a host of incentives that bring it down to Explorer levels for 2004 models. I have also looked at an X5, but the resale is still too high for the 4.4i and the 3.0i is grossly underpowered, IMO.

Any thoughts? Rankings?

For the price, performance and utility factor, I'd say you CAN NOT go wrong with the Subaru Forester.

-J

Will any of these hold a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

And what no Mazda 6s wagon?



I see a crew-cab truck or minivan being more useful.

Throw a hitch on the G20 and use a small trailer.

My daily driver, when I can drive, is an '05 Escape Limited AWD. I really do like the thing. The interior improvements are surprising for Ford (ducks, looks for wife swinging bat). The price is right as well. I would at least consider it on the list you have going. If I weren't tied to the FOMOCO umbrella, i'd be seriously looking at the Subaru Forester. It's only drawback is price.

As for holding a sheet of 4x8, a quality roof rack (Yakima or Thule) solves all of your issues.

4 bikes and a Space Booster:


Mark

if you have ruled out the escape because you don't like it then you must also rule out the tribute as they are the same car, iirc.

mb's can be expensive to repair and maintain......

for cheap, reliable transportaion the subarus arn't bad. cheap meaning not spending an arm and a leg....

i am not a nissan fan although i have nothing against them....

the lexus is just plain ugly imo....

iirc, isn't the freelander based on the escape? maybe i am wrong but i thought i read that somewhere....

i like the aviator because it looks good and it is a lincoln....

but for somethng that was on your list i personally like the jeep grand cherokee

Tribute/Escape = same platform
Freelander = completely different

if youre a big fan of saab they have an suv coming. Ford has a nice one coming, the freestar (wagon?) still good looking.

Personally, I'd go with one of the Jeeps or the Nissan. No real special reasons other than Jeeps tend to be pretty tough still, and a good friend has ahd two older Pathfinders (95 and 92) and could haul all kind of stuff in those things, including almost his entire SR20DET swap (for his sentra), including the engine. Plus I haven't seen a Nissan yet that didn't run forever if taken care of half decently.

I would go with either subaru, very reliable, quick with the turbo engine, cheaper insurance (most likely) and for most instances more practical. My stepfather has 77k on his and has only had to do maintaince so far!

thanks for the feedback! we'll definitely take a more serious look at the Scoobies now.

to answer a few of your comments:

1) The Saab can hold a 4x8 sheet of plywood. In fact, it can hold five. So that is covered for the time being. Besides, that is the one household item I haven't found necessary to buy ... YET!

2) The Saab SUV, 9-7x, is just a rebadged TrailBlazer and it's ugly, IMO. And I don't want to invest in GM products.

3) I realize that the Escape and Tribute are essentially the same car, but I have driven both and there is something about the Mazda that looks and feels sportier. And the customer service is far better.

4) The Freelander shares *some* components with the Ford counterparts, but it is a completely different car. I think some of the engine bits are shared and that's about it.

5) As for pickup trucks, I don't need THAT much utility and I need A LOT more sport than they can offer. And she says a Lightning is out of the question for now...

6) As for wagons, we are sort of considering the Mazda 6, Volvo XC70, and Saab 95 Aero. But neither of us are completely enthralled about driving a wagon at age 27.

7) As for Nissan, our Infiniti is a great little car. 41000 miles on it and nothing to repair except an O2 sensor which was under warranty. So, Nissan is currently at the top of the list, but I don't know much about their trucks other than the QX4 which is just a hopped up Pathfinder, and the FX35/45 which is an amazing machine, but she doesn't like that either. (But I get to drive her dad's when I want.)

Keep the suggestions coming....