smaller SUVs and crossovers?

crunchierthanthou

New member

• Mar 16, 2010

• #1

After $1,100 in repairs in the last three weeks, I think it's time to bump our Subaru Outback down to second car status. I'd prefer to buy used (2-3 years old), but I'm easily distracted by shiny new things.

Which ones are worth looking at?

Currently, a Mazda CX-7 or CX-9 top my list. I'm open to a Hyundai/Kia if they have good safety ratings. I think dh would go for some of the GM ones.

I don't really like any of the Chrysler ones (including Jeep). I also don't care for the look of the Ford Edge, Flex and Taurus X. I don't like the Honda Crosstour or Element and I think the Pilot is out of our price range. Toyota issues aside, I think the Rav-4 backseat is ridiculous and dh will never go for the Highlander based on looks.

What does that leave? Am I missing something? Maybe Nissans?

oh, but nothing like the Nissan Cube, Scion Xb, Kia Soul... those little boxy things don't do it for me.

 

G

Guest

New member

• Mar 16, 2010

• #2

A CX-7 or CX-9 is small? What's large?

Pathfinder has a 3rd row, but it's pretty ridiculous. You could argue it's about the size of a Highlander tho. Looks better anyways IMO.

If the Mazdas are in your price range, I don't see why the Pilot or the GM crossovers (like the Acadia or Traverse) aren't as well.

That new Hyundai looks scrumptious tho. The 5 seater.

 

crunchierthanthou

New member

• Mar 16, 2010

• #3

I supposed it should say "crossovers and smaller SUVs". at first I only wrote crossovers, but then I added the smaller SUVs (in the front. don't ask why).

I want to stay under $20k. Could I find an 07 or newer Pilot for that? but like I said, I'm easily distracted by new and shiny.

I've been in the third row of a Pathfinder, and 7 months pregnant at that. I'd forgotten about it and was thinking more like Rogue or Murano when I threw Nissan out there. I'm clueless on their pricing, though. Third row isn't a must, either. We only have two kids and third rows in these types are usually barely functional.

That new Hyundai looks scrumptious tho. The 5 seater.

Click to expand...

The Tucson? Yeah, we kept seeing them on our trip last weekend. I couldn't find crash test data on the 2010 though.

 

G

Guest

New member

• Mar 16, 2010

• #4

Carmax shows a 2007 Pilot with 27K for $20599 in Las Vegas. I imagine you could match that price at a lot of used car places.

Pathfinders seem to be similarly priced (woulda thought they'd be cheaper). The Murano is well within your budget tho. I'm not fond of the Murano's luggage space tho. Or the exterior looks for that matter.

 

rosey2007

Active member

• Mar 17, 2010

• #5

Take a look at the(07 or newer) Hyundai Santa Fe. They have very good crash test ratings.

 

Tracy

CPST Instructor

• Mar 17, 2010

• #6

When I was looking at this class of vehicle last spring, I had narrowed it down to the CX-7 and the Forester. I consulted Consumer Reports and the CS-7 had bad ratings for reliability, engine repairs, etc. I couldn't see out of the CX-7 very well either. I ended up with the 2009 Forester and I couldn't love it more ! I the monstrous sunroof, too!

Before anybody says how bad it is for car seats, let me say that I have had my two grandsons seats in RF using LATCh and had no problems. They are both in large shell seats...

Tracy

 

A

A&T's mom

New member

• Mar 17, 2010

• #7

I am not a big fan of the newer Murano's but I have a 2007 Murano and LOVE it! This is my fourth SUV, previous owner of 2 Nissan Pathfinders and Ford Explorer. This one is by far my favorite so far, but I keep finding myself leaning towards the (gasp!) minivan that I said I would never purchase.

Pros:
-Drives like a car- tight steering, easy to navigate in traffic
-Good gas mileage- avg 22-23: great compared to other SUVs i have owned
-Rearview camera standard- i am so in love with the feature I will never buy another car without it

Cons:
-Big enough for two car seats in the back row, but not much else-I currently have a nautilus and roundabout 50 (rf), but nothing else will get in there
-No center latch in the backseat
-center RF tether is at the far end of cargo area by the hatch door- impedes all cargo loaded
-Not a great turning radius, decent, but nothing compared to the ford explorer

That is my 2 cents, good luck in your search!

 

cookie123

New member

• Mar 17, 2010

• #8

The new Escape coming in 2011 looks really nice. I know you want now, though! I like the Hyundai. It has that nice warranty. I have my eye on a 2008 with 15,000 miles and a 3rd row seat. I know the 3rd row is barely functional but it should do in a pinch. I really don't want a minivan. The tan interior is holding me back - and that it's 2 hours away.

Also that new Ford thing is coming, but now I think it's not until 2012 - it's mazda 5 ish.

 

emars002

New member

• Apr 13, 2010

• #9

we just bought a dodge journey and love it - we only got the 5 passenger version but it does have a 7 passenger option. We get awesome gas mileage and it has great crash test ratings. We bought a 2009 with 30,000 on it for under $15000

 

bobandjess99

Senior Community Member

• Apr 13, 2010

• #10

cookie123 said:

Also that new Ford thing is coming, but now I think it's not until 2012 - it's mazda 5 ish.

Click to expand...

details?

 

cookie123

New member

• Apr 14, 2010

• #11

With a quick google I found this. I don't remember where I read about it specifically, and It's too late to look around! DH is long in bed, so can't ask him. I just got home from work.

http://jalopnik.com/5352186/ford-c+max-focus+based-mini+minivan-may-come-stateside/gallery/

 

Nisha

New member

• Apr 14, 2010

• #12

We just bought an '04 Honda Pilot for 13k and we really love it!

 

Meg

Well-known member

• Apr 15, 2010

• #13

I'm currently in the same boat as you and trying to find a crossover for under 20k.

Have you looked at the Honda CR-V? I really liked the CR-V when I test drove it last week. 2007 and newer is the most recently designed model. It did great in crash tests and has a lot of nice safety features. I would have bought it if I was able to get it for below $20,000, but we weren't able to get them to go that low even for an '08.

You can probably get a '10 Hyundai Tucson for under 20k. This year's model is redesigned and looks really nice. My only reservation is that it seems smaller than other crossovers and doesn't have a whole lot of cargo space. I think I'm test driving one tonight though.

I was going to test drive a Rav-4 the other day, but didn't even bother when I saw the weird middle seat. :thumbsdown: What a disappointment that was!

 

B

BellesMom

New member

• Apr 16, 2010

• #14

Do you need to have a 7 passenger vehicle? If that's not a priority, then you have a lot of choices! I think the Mazda CX's are really pretty, but I have never been in one.

I like a lot of the crossovers, but with (almost) 3 kids, we need a vehicle that seats more than five. Even with only 2 kids we found we needed a third row - which is why I had to become a minivan momma. I love everything about my minivan ... except the way it looks from the oustide.

 

pastrygirl

New member

• Apr 16, 2010

• #15

Tracy said:

When I was looking at this class of vehicle last spring, I had narrowed it down to the CX-7 and the Forester. I consulted Consumer Reports and the CS-7 had bad ratings for reliability, engine repairs, etc. I couldn't see out of the CX-7 very well either. I ended up with the 2009 Forester and I couldn't love it more ! I the monstrous sunroof, too!

Before anybody says how bad it is for car seats, let me say that I have had my two grandsons seats in RF using LATCh and had no problems. They are both in large shell seats...

Tracy

Click to expand...

I my 2009 Forester, too. I don't have any problems installing seats outboard, except for the original Frontier with seat belt but I did it wrong. Oh, and the Chaperone, but I eventually got it in OK. RF Radians are an easy install and fit very well.

The only problem is the center. I can't install anything there.

One thing I love about it is the storage cubbies under the floor in the hatch. They fit two headrests perfectly!! (Since you have to remove the headrests for FF installs.)

 

Tracy

CPST Instructor

• Apr 16, 2010

• #16

cristina -- I couldn't help but notice your siggy -- my oldest child's name is Toebi too!

Tracy