Buying a new SUV ?

[Galaril]

I am looking to move back to the US from Asia with my wife and daughter and am looking at a new car. We have narrowed are search based on price,safety, and features to three vehicles:

Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, And the Toyota RAV-4.
I am aware the Tucson is a new vehicle sfor 2005 so I am more interested in peoples opinions of the other two. I would prefer first hand or nearly that advice.Thanks.We BTW will be buying in June of 2005 if it matters.If I am missing a SUv small to mid sized that you would highly recomend let me know(got to be under $30,000)

[WSUCougar]

Depends on what you are looking for in terms of an SUV. The Mazda Tribute gives pretty good bang for the buck.

[GrantDawg]

Just say no.

[John Galt]

I have a 2004 Rav-4 and like it a lot. It's not a gas guzzler (it only gets a couple miles per gallon less than the Camry). It also drives like a car. If you get the side airbags, it is the only SUV that gets perfect safety ratings for front and side collisions. It doesn't have the most storage space, but I highly recommend it.

[CamEdwards]

no offense, and maybe it's just me, but I always thought of the Rav-4 as a chick SUV.

Of course, I drive a Matrix, which some might consider a chick compact car. :D

[flere-imsaho]

Out of those 3, I'd take the Santa Fe. However, I'm sure there are vehicles out there that better suit your needs. What criteria, in general, are you looking for in a vehicle?

[MizzouRah]

no offense, and maybe it's just me, but I always thought of the Rav-4 as a chick SUV.

Of course, I drive a Matrix, which some might consider a chick compact car. :D

Funny... the only person I know who has one (Rav-4) is this hottie from work. :)

Other 'chick' cars: Cavalier, V6 Mustangs, Sunfire, base neon. MILF vehicle, hands down "mini-van".


Todd

[Blackadar]

I am looking to move back to the US from Asia with my wife and daughter and am looking at a new car. We have narrowed are search based on price,safety, and features to three vehicles:

Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, And the Toyota RAV-4.
I am aware the Tucson is a new vehicle sfor 2005 so I am more interested in peoples opinions of the other two. I would prefer first hand or nearly that advice.Thanks.We BTW will be buying in June of 2005 if it matters.If I am missing a SUv small to mid sized that you would highly recomend let me know(got to be under $30,000)


Dude, if you're under 30k and want a small SUV, why not check out the Subaru Forester? It's better than any of the 3 you mentioned.

[rkmsuf]

no offense, and maybe it's just me, but I always thought of the Rav-4 as a chick SUV.




This is true.

How about a Jeep Grand Cherokee

[sabotai]

Other 'chick' cars: Cavalier, V6 Mustangs, Sunfire, base neon. MILF vehicle, hands down "mini-van".

*takes out notepad and crosses Cavalier, V6 Mustang and Sunfire off the list of possible cars to buy in the future.*

[Desnudo]

no offense, and maybe it's just me, but I always thought of the Rav-4 as a chick SUV.

Of course, I drive a Matrix, which some might consider a chick compact car. :D

Definitely true. I would add most of the Rav-4s around Seattle seem to have rainbow coalition bumper stickers.

[Swaggs]

Dude, if you're under 30k and want a small SUV, why not check out the Subaru Forester? It's better than any of the 3 you mentioned.

I'll back that up.

Great mileage, zero problems, and all wheel drive on my Forester. I would say the only problem with it would be somewhat small backseats (for adults). Probably fine for children.

[Subby]

Definitely true. I would add most of the Rav-4s around Seattle seem to have rainbow coalition bumper stickers.
Jesse Jackson drives a RAV-4?

[Desnudo]

Jesse Jackson drives a RAV-4?

Very likely, very likely.

[CamEdwards]

Jesse Jackson drives a RAV-4?

LOL.

On a side note, I would also suggest looking at the Forester. From what I've seen, it looks like a nice ride (and is also a bit less chickish).

[Desnudo]

Can't go wrong with a Canyonero

[Silver Owl]

I just bought a Sante Fe and love it. Hard to beat the 10 yr. 100,000 mile warranty.

[Blackadar]

I'll back that up.

Great mileage, zero problems, and all wheel drive on my Forester. I would say the only problem with it would be somewhat small backseats (for adults). Probably fine for children.

I've had one since the orginal, limited-release model year ('98, I think). Damn thing is a champ.

[LoneStarGirl]

*takes out notepad and crosses Cavalier, V6 Mustang and Sunfire off the list of possible cars to buy in the future.*




*takes out notepad and crosses off all pick-up trucks and replaces Cavalier, V6 Mustang and Sunifire on the list of possible cars to buy in the future*

[GrantDawg]

*takes out notepad and crosses Cavalier, V6 Mustang and Sunfire off the list of possible cars to buy in the future.*
I would agree on the Cavalier and Sunfire, but a v6 Mustang? I would love to own one.

[LoneStarGirl]

Well being from Texas every time i see a guy in a mustang I think that he is driving his girlfriend's or sister's car because his is in the shop or something. Either that or he's clearly gay. :)

[MizzouRah]

Well being from Texas every time i see a guy in a mustang I think that he is driving his girlfriend's or sister's car because his is in the shop or something. Either that or he's clearly gay. :)

LOL and spit out my juice. :D

For GD, V6 Mustangs look so girly.. maybe that's the reason. I passed a green one tonight, looked over at the driver, yup a girl. :)


Todd

[GrantDawg]

LOL and spit out my juice. :D

For GD, V6 Mustangs look so girly.. maybe that's the reason. I passed a green one tonight, looked over at the driver, yup a girl. :)


Todd
No, a V6 Mustang looks a lot cheaper than a V8, and that is what I'd be looking at.

[MizzouRah]

No, a V6 Mustang looks a lot cheaper than a V8, and that is what I'd be looking at.

You hit the nail on the head. That's what those cars have in common - although a cutie driving a NEW V6 Mustang, just might have a rich daddy.


Todd

[John Galt]

no offense, and maybe it's just me, but I always thought of the Rav-4 as a chick SUV.

Of course, I drive a Matrix, which some might consider a chick compact car. :D

What can I say? I chose safety over masculinity. Besides, no one supported my other choice which was the Element.

[sabotai]

My mom drives a V6 Mustang, so that's actually been off my list for quite some time. :)

[Galaril]

Out of those 3, I'd take the Santa Fe. However, I'm sure there are vehicles out there that better suit your needs. What criteria, in general, are you looking for in a vehicle?

We will be living in the Boston area so a AWD/4WD vehicles is a must. I am most conserned about safety and it should have some decent interior room especially for the rear seat passengers. My hobby is SCUBA diving and my wife is a snowboarder so it should be able to haul a fair amount in the back. I am hoping for a price in the mid to low 20,000. I also, am kind leaning to a foreign made over domestic.Warranty is fairly important which is a big plus with Hyundai's.

[Craptacular]

Before we bought our Mazda 6 Wagon (by the way, take a look at wagons like the 6, the Subaru's, or the Dodge Magnum if you think you need a small SUV), we considered some smaller SUVs or crossovers. I liked the Mercury Mariner (sister of Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute), Ford Freestyle, and when they had a really good rebate on it, the Saturn Vue. The V6 Vue actually has a 250hp Honda engine. The interior leaves a little to be desired, but otherwise, it seemed pretty good. The Freestyle is the kind of vehicle we'll likely get next. It's very versatile, is built on a Volvo platform, and is basically a cross between a wagon and an SUV. When they at least offer a better engine as an option, I think it will be attractive to a lot of buyers. I think the Santa Fe is a great vehicle if it fits your needs. The storage area with the back seats up was not big enough for our needs (as was the case with most of the smaller SUVs), so we didn't strongly pursue one. I also own a 2003 Hyundai Elantra, and it's been great so far. Hyundai has made VAST improvements over the last few years.

[Craptacular]

We will be living in the Boston area so a AWD/4WD vehicles is a must. I am most conserned about safety and it should have some decent interior room especially for the rear seat passengers. My hobby is SCUBA diving and my wife is a snowboarder so it should be able to haul a fair amount in the back. I am hoping for a price in the mid to low 20,000. I also, am kind leaning to a foreign made over domestic.Warranty is fairly important which is a big plus with Hyundai's. Hadn't seen this post when I hit reply before. Remember that a lot of the cargo room in an SUV is in height, which isn't always useful (but of course, can be as well). For snowboards and scuba gear, you're probably more concerned with floor area. Seriously, take a look at some of the wagons. The Mazda 6 does not have available 4WD or AWD, so that rules it out for you. Obviously, the Subaru's have it, and the Magnum has an AWD version now. Again, I'll also give props to the Ford Freestyle, although it is a domestic. It's built on a Volvo platform (there's your safety), and has fold-flat seats in the second and third rows, as well as the front passenger seat. When we were looking at it, we basically assumed we'd have the third row seats folded down most of the time. Even with the third row up, it still had a decent amount of room for groceries or luggage.

edit: To be fair, the warranty on the Freestyle ain't so great, and since it is a brand new model, you have to wonder about reliability.

[Tasan]

I like my Mitsubishi Outlander, gets good gas mileage and handles real well on the Lancer frame. Might have a smallish gas tank though, for the decent gas mileage just doesn't get you extremely far.

[Fritz]

no more love for the expidition since gas prices took off