Author Topic: SUV Advice  (Read 693 times)

Offline Bulldog9

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SUV Advice
« on: June 02, 2023, 08:02:37 PM »
My daughter has been driving my 2006 Commander. I "sold" it to her about 5 years ago. The beast has been faithful and gave 200K mostly trouble free miles, but is making odd noises and is about ready to go out to pasture.

She is an avid hiker and likes to go off road and needs something with the same capability and interior space, but not necessarily a rock climber, etc. She is leaning towards the Outback which is a great AWD lifted wagon, but not sure on its off road prowess. My gut says to recommend into a newer Grand Cherokee, but I know they sell a couple others like the Cherokee and car based Compass and Renegade (I think too small)

Anyone have experience or ownership of the recent Jeep Cherokee, Compass or Renegade?

Also happy to hear other vehicle experiences

She is in the $20K range.
« Last Edit: June 02, 2023, 08:17:14 PM by Bulldog9 »
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Offline Ryan

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2023, 08:34:34 PM »
I am on my second Subaru Outback. It is awesome in the snow, best rig I have ever had for that. I use winter tires. Off-road experience has been limited to fire roads and some not too rough 2-track. With proper tires, it goes most places I need. When I am going into really rough stuff, I take the Suburban. I was an auto broker for years, and in my experience the Renegade, Compass, and Cherokee are crap. Transmission failures lead the list, followed by electrical issues and an engine fire. Keep in mind I hated these rigs, and over a decade I sold fewer than 20. The Subaru is not perfect and will not replace a Wrangler for serious off-roading. If she wants something with better off-road chops, take a look at the Xterra.

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2023, 09:25:01 PM »
When asking our very trusted auto mechanic what to buy to replace our aging Chevy SUV, he said "Just buy a late model Toyota. But then, I'll probably never see you again."
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Offline john fish

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2023, 06:17:25 AM »
I have a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.  Depending on who you ask, these are the best unknown cars out there, or ticking time bombs that will definitely blow up on you.  The FB groups seem to show that they are very reliable.  The AWD system has worked great for me but I do no offroading.  All in all, I'm very pleased with my choice.

So, I recommend Toyota.   :thumb:  It's a known quantity. 
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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2023, 06:17:25 AM »

Offline Bulldog9

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2023, 10:48:53 AM »
I have a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.  Depending on who you ask, these are the best unknown cars out there, or ticking time bombs that will definitely blow up on you.  The FB groups seem to show that they are very reliable.  The AWD system has worked great for me but I do no offroading.  All in all, I'm very pleased with my choice.

So, I recommend Toyota.   :thumb:  It's a known quantity.

I really like the look of the Outlander, but agree it is more AWD than the 4WD she needs. From what I understand several of the new Outlanders are based on Nissans.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2023, 04:46:36 PM by Bulldog9 »
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Offline Cam3512

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2023, 01:08:55 PM »
Subaru's are great, and among the safest on the road.  We're on our 4th between my wife and daughter.  Wife's currently driving a '23 Outback, and my daughter had a Crosstrek after getting her license.  Both are similar, except for size.

I like the piece of mind with the AWD and structural safety.

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Offline Vagrant

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2023, 01:27:59 PM »
Honestly, with the stupid current pricing of both used and new, and you are basically at a used price, I see two choices.
1 Fix what you have.
2 Get a new Rav 4 with AWD and make some payments. 2 would be my choice as she will still be driving it twenty years from now with few if any repairs. .
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Offline mr_pacman

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2023, 02:53:29 PM »
A Toyota 4Runner could be considered. I've had them in the past and they don't seem to die, regardless of what you do to them. I just picked up a 2023 last week and hoping to get 10+ years out of it.  I had 2 x 2012 Subaru Outback's that I recently sold (to make room for the 4runner and a VW Tiguan) and they were very reliable and easy to fix. However, they have some quirks like headgaskets that seem to blow, regardless of how careful you are plus the new CVT transmissions are ticking time bombs

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2023, 03:00:35 PM »
Go big or go home! RAM Power Wagon!

Of course you could buy 2 or 3 Subarus for one Power Wagon. But she won't get stuck! LOL

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Offline blackcat

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2023, 03:16:31 PM »
I have a 2013 Outback with the 3.6 engine and non-CVT transmission, no complaints except for the occasional leaking sunroof but that is because the car sits outside all the time(too many bikes in the garage) and we have lots of tree’s in the yard. Can’t say how it would do off road but I’m sure it’s ok for some not too difficult terrain. The 3.6 engine has lots of power compared to the four cylinder Outback’s but I haven’t driven the newer models with the improved CVT.

I’ve had a few Toyota pickups, with the 2000 Tacoma being my favorite and sorry I sold the truck, they all had 4-wheel drive and never gave me any problems. Don’t really like the late model Toyota trucks from an aesthetic point of view, but then it’s just a truck.
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Offline aklawok

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2023, 03:19:27 PM »
I'm my jaded opinion: ANYTHING but a jeep 4 door!!
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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2023, 03:32:08 PM »
Another vote for a 4 Runner, really like the wife's even better than my Tacoma.  Never drove a Jeep probably never will, I just don't get them. 
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2023, 08:03:37 PM »
I have a 2013 Outback with the 3.6 engine and non-CVT transmission, no complaints except for the occasional leaking sunroof but that is because the car sits outside all the time(too many bikes in the garage) and we have lots of tree’s in the yard. Can’t say how it would do off road but I’m sure it’s ok for some not too difficult terrain. The 3.6 engine has lots of power compared to the four cylinder Outback’s but I haven’t driven the newer models with the improved CVT.

I’ve had a few Toyota pickups, with the 2000 Tacoma being my favorite and sorry I sold the truck, they all had 4-wheel drive and never gave me any problems. Don’t really like the late model Toyota trucks from an aesthetic point of view, but then it’s just a truck.

We had the 2005 Eddie Bauer Edition 3.0R VDC and put 200K without any major issues. I live the feel of the 6cyl motor.  Call me whatever you want, but I am NOT a fan of the CVT..... I dont care what or how they program it, I don't like the concept.
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Offline kballowe

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2023, 08:44:25 PM »
just put some knobbies on an older Ford Escape.  AWD, of course.

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Offline LowRyter

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2023, 12:06:58 PM »
My neighbor widow lady has a RAV4 AWD hybrid.  It would be number one for me given cost, reliability and economy.   I think they make a plug-in version as well but I'm not sure it's worth extra cost.  She scoots around the neighborhood and I can't even hear it.

I think AWD part is electric.  totally rational and capable vehicle
« Last Edit: June 04, 2023, 12:07:56 PM by LowRyter »
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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #15 on: June 04, 2023, 01:07:36 PM »

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Offline Moparnut72

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #16 on: June 04, 2023, 08:40:25 PM »
Not a fan of Subaru's. I worked in a NAPA store for a couple of years. Head gaskets are a major problem as are front axles. Niggly problem they eat headlight bulbs for breakfast. Jeeps may have some issues but provide many trouble free miles for a lot of people. We have a Jeep Grand Cherokee approaching 50,000 miles with zero issue. I know that is low mileage in this day and age but it has been absolutely trouble free. We had a Dodge Durango prior, similar vehicle, over 100,000 miles trouble free.
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #17 on: June 06, 2023, 05:03:10 PM »
Not a fan of Subaru's. I worked in a NAPA store for a couple of years. Head gaskets are a major problem as are front axles. Niggly problem they eat headlight bulbs for breakfast. Jeeps may have some issues but provide many trouble free miles for a lot of people. We have a Jeep Grand Cherokee approaching 50,000 miles with zero issue. I know that is low mileage in this day and age but it has been absolutely trouble free. We had a Dodge Durango prior, similar vehicle, over 100,000 miles trouble free.
kk

We had a 2005 Outback 3.0 VDC that ate its headlights like a fat kid eats Hershey Bars. We also found that it ate the front CV Boots and control arm bushings as well as sway bar end links over the 200K miles we had it.

I had an 80's Cherokee, 90's Grand Cherokee and 2006 Commander that all got to the 10 year and 150K range mostly trouble free, but I do all my own work, my daughter CAN change a tire and check her fluids, but that's iit.

I'm steering her towards a Grand Cherokee or 4 Runner (lower trims), but her budget is the controlling issue. I'm also encouraging her to go for a New or CPO Rav4 or CRV and break the no more than 4 finance rule if she goes that route.  She just showed me the Wilderness version of the Outback..... I'm having fun ;-)
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Online AJ Huff

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #18 on: June 06, 2023, 05:24:49 PM »
I had 215,000 miles on my Gen 1 Durango when I sold it 2 years ago. Lady who bought it blew the transfer case inside of 2 weeks. Don't drive everday  in 4wd on dry pavement. Oh well. It was a great truck.

-AJ

Not a fan of Subaru's. I worked in a NAPA store for a couple of years. Head gaskets are a major problem as are front axles. Niggly problem they eat headlight bulbs for breakfast. Jeeps may have some issues but provide many trouble free miles for a lot of people. We have a Jeep Grand Cherokee approaching 50,000 miles with zero issue. I know that is low mileage in this day and age but it has been absolutely trouble free. We had a Dodge Durango prior, similar vehicle, over 100,000 miles trouble free.
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Offline Grainbelt

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #19 on: June 10, 2023, 06:20:31 AM »
I went thru this recently. Replaced my Forester with... a Tiguan. But in the process I did a ton of research.

If you really need more offroad capability, I'd look at the Honda Passport. The ancient body-on-frame midsize SUVs that still exist are small on the inside, get horrific gas mileage, and ride like garbage on the road.

The Passport is a 5-seat version of the Pilot that seems to run a bit under the radar.  With a good set of tires I'd be willing to bet it will do anything those unibody Jeeps will do - but reliably. I was looking at off-lease 2-3 year old models in the low 30s in the EXL trim, which is nicely appointed without being stupid expensive.

At the end of the day I didn't need the towing/offroad capacity or V6 and strangely ended up with  VW Tiguan. Enjoying over 30mpg highway, a german interior and the CPO warranty runs til well after it's paid for. We'll see how that goes.
« Last Edit: June 10, 2023, 06:20:41 AM by Grainbelt »

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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #20 on: June 10, 2023, 07:56:20 AM »
I am on my second Hyundai Tucson SUV, a 2021 Limited AWD model. 

I put 175K trouble-free miles on my first one (2011), and only sold it to pay for some medical bills.

Reliable, dependable, with an outstanding warranty program...For the money, thumbs up all around! :thumb:
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Re: SUV Advice
« Reply #21 on: June 10, 2023, 09:11:22 AM »

If $20k is the price range.....

Years ago, I had a buddy who claimed to have the car thing figured out.

"I go out and I buy a $500 car that I want.  I take it to a mechanic I trust and say replace everything you can think of that needs replacing, belts, hoses, shocks, tires, brakes, etc.  The bill is always less than $1500.  I end up with a great reliable car that has many years of trouble free life."

If I were in your daughters shoes (size 11 I hope) and since I have no experience with any SUV's newer than 20 years old, I would be tempted to spend $5k on a used Honda Element, CRV, Jeep Cherokee XJ (inline 6 with Toyota transmission only) and plan on spending another $5-7k at a shop I trust to end up with a reliable SUV at a below new SUV price.
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