Looked at new suv's today.

mantis

Whats up ????

With the gas prices out of control I figured it would be a bad time to start looking for a better suv. I currently own a Nissan Pathfinder Se which is awesome in every way but I think I can do better on fuel then it gets, lower monthly payments but still retain the features I love.

I want a SUV that first off has a tow hitch. 2 inch for my bike rack. this is the single most Important feature. I also want cloth seats with some kind of sunroof. Cup holders everywhere and enough room for the family, I have 2 kids and a wife. There are minor features like Ipod, rear mirror auto tint , auto wipers , AWD , and at very least a leather wrapped steering wheel. And I want the vechicle under 34k.

You would think that isn't hard but it is. I looked today at the Nissan Rogue. It's a nice suv for a younger dude or chick. It's small and not well equiped. It's cheap coming in at 27k loaded up. I drove it and it's not for me.

next up was the Nissan Morano. this is a Hell of a nice suv. It's really loaded with everything I want with one big huge **** thing, if you want a sunroof , you have to get leather. That sucks. I love cloth seats especially Nissans Suv seats as they are washable. So cloth and no roof or leather and roof. It comes in at 35k or 31 without roof and leather. I couldn't do it. it just didn't fit my current needs.

I'm going to check out the Mazda CX7 Suv and the Ford Edge. Both offer things I want. Hoepfully one can come home with me.

mrmusicman

Whats wrong with the Pathfinder?

PolkWannabie

Would you still want a SUV with gas at $10 / gallon ?

avelanchefan

mantis wrote: »

Whats up ????

You would think that isn't hard but it is. I looked today at the Nissan Rogue. It's a nice suv for a younger dude or chick. It's small and not well equiped. It's cheap coming in at 27k loaded up. I drove it and it's not for me.


I'm going to check out the Mazda CX7 Suv and the Ford Edge. Both offer things I want. Hoepfully one can come home with me.

So what did you find wrong with the Rogue? I did not know of this model until your post, I checked it out on the Nissan website and I actually like the looks of it. Was it underpowered? Or just did not drive nice.

The new VW Tiguan has me really interested. Has the GTI 2.0 Turbocharged 4cylinder in it.

mantis

mrmusicman wrote: »

Whats wrong with the Pathfinder?

Nothing before the gas prices went up. I love my Pathfinder. What I want to achieve is find something close to or as versitile as my Pathfinder that gets alittle better gas milage plus lower my monthly payments. The Pathfinder was 34 or 35k somewhere around there I paid for it. I'm looking for something close to 30k. I get 15 to 21 mpg I would love to get something like 17 to 24 or better.

Other then that my Pathfinder is awesome. I also don't need a 3rd row of seats. The truck is a bit to big. One of the reasons I checked out the Rouge. But that thing is a bit to small.

mantis

PolkWannabie wrote: »

Would you still want a SUV with gas at $10 / gallon ?

If I could find a Hybrid or something like that and fill my needs, Hell no. SUV I need due to my lifestyle. But if there are other things out there I could use in place of it, I'm all ears.
I was thinking about the VW Passat wagon. It looks like something like that might work. Wish they offered a Hybrid but it's mpg looks great.

mantis

avelanchefan wrote: »

So what did you find wrong with the Rogue? I did not know of this model until your post, I checked it out on the Nissan website and I actually like the looks of it. Was it underpowered? Or just did not drive nice.

The new VW Tiguan has me really interested. Has the GTI 2.0 Turbocharged 4cylinder in it.

Don't get me wrong, the Rogue was a very nice affordable small SUV. But it seemed alittle to small. I have 2 kids 10 and 12 going on 13. the back seat looked to be getting close to the uncomfortable area if we had to go on a trip in it. Not to mention it had a rubber steering wheel and shifter. I perfer Leather shifter and wheel. If you build one on the website, you really don't have many options to build it up. It does however have a sunroof and cloth seat option which I did like that. It also gets pretty good mpg.

VW I want to look at the Passat wagon but I will check out the Tiguan as well. I don't even know what that is. Thanks for the tip,

Dan

McLoki

Have you looked at the Ford Escape or Saturn Vue hybrid's? They may not be large enough for your needs, but for a hybrid SUV, they are not bad and depending on options, should fit in your price range.

(I would love a Tahoe Hybrid, but for 50k I will just add a little more gas to the non-hybrid (and older) version I have.)

Michael

BTW - I always use carsdirect.com to price check cars (with options) prior to going to a dealer to look at them. At least it gives you an idea of what price to try and beat and lets you know up front any rebates that are going on.

janmike

Dan, any deals to be had with regards to gas savings over a period of time. I did see one add on TV, but forget the auto maker that was doing that. Just wondering if any others are following suit. Good luck.

heiney9

mantis wrote: »

If I could find a Hybrid or something like that and fill my needs, Hell no. SUV I need due to my lifestyle. But if there are other things out there I could use in place of it, I'm all ears.
I was thinking about the VW Passat wagon. It looks like something like that might work. Wish they offered a Hybrid but it's mpg looks great.

VW should soon be releasing their new diesel engine in most of it's product line. Knowing VW the first units will be limited and with the cost of gas good luck getting an early unit. It's something to consider.

The Passat Wagon if it's available with the 2.0T would be great. Stay away from the 2.5L 5 cylinder motor as it gets terrible gas mileage. Looks like the 2.0T is available in the Passat Wagon mpg is 23/32.

JoshParsons84

If I was gonna get an SUV which first of all I'm not an SUV man I would like at Subaru B9 Tribeca's. I think they're bad ****. But that's me.

shawn474

Chrysler (I think) is running the gas promotion now where if you buy a car, they lock you into 2.99 "gas guarantee". Not sure of the fine print, but check out the website.

bobman1235

Keiko wrote: »

I don't know about tow options but we own an 05 Subaru Forrester. It's loaded with standard features, AWD, is one of the safest vehicles on the road today and gets an impressive 28mpg highway.

+1 to this suggestion. Subaru is a great car, if you can get past the very questionable styling.

The Foresters and Outbacks are both available with tow hitches.

MikeC78

Take a peek at the GMC Acadia's, the inside room almost matches the Tahoe's.

I looked hard at SUV's... I still settled for a Honda Odyssey. Yes, it's a mini-van, however, consider the gas mileage, price, room, versatility, practicality, it can't be beat.:)

danger boy

how about a Mazda 5? one of my coworkers has one of them he has two kids.. and loves that car.

bobman1235

McLoki wrote: »

H
(I would love a Tahoe Hybrid, but for 50k I will just add a little more gas to the non-hybrid (and older) version I have.).

A Tahoe hybrid gets 22MPG. If you're going to spend all that money on a hybrid and still get **** gas mileage, what's the point?

Jstas

Why not get a Dodge Magnum?

The V6 version gets about 18 city/24 highway and it's a full sized car. It also starts at just over $24K which isn't bad.

mantis

Thanks for all the suggestions. Alot to think about when your trying to find a car/truck/crossover when gas is high and you really have a suv need. Kinda sucks but It's what I need.

Keep em coming

McLoki

bobman1235 wrote: »

A Tahoe hybrid gets 22MPG. If you're going to spend all that money on a hybrid and still get **** gas mileage, what's the point?

Because my standard tahoe gets about 14-16mpg so about a 33% increase.

Also - try to tow a top heavy, 4,500 pound horse trailer with a Toyota Prius and see what kind of mileage you get and how long it lasts....

Michael

Edit - the tahoe is a 3rd vehicle for us, but my wife loves driving it so much, it is her primary vehicle of choice (her other option being a 300C.)

Willow

FWIW, I really like the all new 09 SUB. Forester, it no longer looks like a granola eater SUV. it kinda looks like the BMW X3.

http://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=10921.

We like our Nissan Xtrail, but no longer avail. in Canada. replaced by the Rogue, which I don't like.

bobman1235

McLoki wrote: »

Because my standard tahoe gets about 14-16mpg so about a 33% increase.

Also - try to tow a top heavy, 4,500 pound horse trailer with a Toyota Prius and see what kind of mileage you get and how long it lasts....

Michael

Edit - the tahoe is a 3rd vehicle for us, but my wife loves driving it so much, it is her primary vehicle of choice (her other option being a 300C.)

I didn't say there's anything wrong with the Tahoe, it's a badass car, it's just that the mileage isn't great and that's something he's concerned about. It's a big increase from the 14-16 but 22 still isn't GOOD when gas is hitting 4 bucks plus this summer. His Pathfinder gets 21 and he's getting rid of that because of gas concerns...

wingnut4772

You could always take over my Hummer lease.:p

McLoki

bobman1235 wrote: »

I didn't say there's anything wrong with the Tahoe, it's a badass car, it's just that the mileage isn't great and that's something he's concerned about. It's a big increase from the 14-16 but 22 still isn't GOOD when gas is hitting 4 bucks plus this summer. His Pathfinder gets 21 and he's getting rid of that because of gas concerns...

Point taken (if a bit late) sorry for the snide comback....

Anyway - I did point him at a couple SUV hybrids that are more the size he was looking for and in his price range. I just meant for my situation, I would love a hybrid Tahoe due to the fact that while a third vehicle, my wife drives it as her primary one.

Personally, I don't buy into the purchase a new car to save on gas philosophy unless your car is not paid for or not mechanically sound. (It sounds like Mantis will be lowering his car payment as well as increasing his gas mileage so it may work out for him.)

One other thing Mantis might want to consider is a Scion Xb. Moderatly ugly (imo) but a great price and decent gas mileage. It may also have the storage room he needs.

janmike

The SUV (next year) I look at will be the KIA Sorento. I do not drive a lot in the course of a year and think they have come a long way with their products. Mileage is good, they look nice and I'm not all about have top of the line vehicles. I'll save that for Audio. Good luck.

Ricardo

Have you looked at Honda? The Pilot might be too big for what you'r looking, but the CRV could do it.

MikeC78

The price difference between a Tahoe Hybrid and a standard Tahoe, doesn't justify the gas mileage gain, IMHO. The Hybrid is about what, 10-15k more?? Not worth it to me when you could drive for several years with a standard model before you come out ahead, and thats not considering all the mechanical failures you might encounter in this new technology of Hybrids.

Check out the Toyota Highlander, decent on gas and could also be in the price range you're looking at.


McLoki-

Give me a call sometime...

phuz

4Runner.

Airplay355

Subaru Tribeca? I just like subarus

mrmusicman

Mantis,
If you really like your pathfinder and it fits your needs keep it, if your wanting to get rid of a vehicle to try to gain only 3-5 mpg doesn't seem like its worth it..if your going from a huge suv to a compact car to save 20mpg makes more sense.Also remeber most mpg stickers on new cars aren't very accurate to actual,your better off asking someone who actually owns the model your interested in.

ND13

I just snagged a GM position with a Nissan lot if anyone needs help or info on their superb products, just let me know.

The Rogue and all new 2009 Murano are kick ****. The Altima sells itself.

bobman1235

Congrats on the new position Noel!