I thought I would sample you guys for some feedback on SUVs since most of you enjoy driving as much as I do:

I need to buy a SUV because I slep cosmetic lasers around. I could do several options. Want to see if any of you have owned/driven these vehicles. Keep in mind that I drive 25,000 miles a year so comfort, reliability and hopefully some fun should be a factor:

1) Honda Element SC. I think this would work. We own a CRV EX-L and I like it but it’s not fun to drive at all and my concern is that I am in a suit all day, and how comfortable the Element will be. Its practical and cheapest option by far. Reliability of course is excellent.

2)HUGE SUV: This make a good choice because the CRV is just not large enough when my parents visit. Between the child seat, 4 adults and stroller, we are out of room and only good for a short trip. (My wife traded in the Cayenne I bought her for the CRV because it was cute, of course I told her to go with the Odyssey but the salesmen said she came back crying after test driving it and said she did not want to be a Minivan momIn this category I am looking at new or even one or two years used. This includes Navigator (or Expedition Limited), Escalade (or Yukon etc.), Infinity Q56, Sequoia, or any other suggestion you may have. I would like for it to have vented/air conditioned seats, rear DVD would also be cool as well as Navi (although I have a Tom Tom

3) GULP! Dare to say Minivan! Odyssey, Sienna etc. etc

Please give me your $.02

Thanks
-Michael

 

Thanks for the helpful input

 

We have a Honda Element, and love it.

Good mileage, lots of space (even held a full size washer and dryer)
AWD
Comfortable
One down side, it only seats four. That's not a downside for us, but might be for you.

There are no more minivan moms. They all drive SUVs now, and the stigma went with them, and are now SUV moms.

 

For those of us who actually have a need for a larger capacity and possibly 4x4 off-road vehicle which is not a MINI, SUV's might not actually suck ***. They might be a very legitimate and appropriate choice.

I just bought a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Now that they have a 4-door option, the Wrangler can do so many more things. It doesn't have air conditioned vented seats (had no idea such things existed), and is a little smaller than those giant SUV's you mentioned, but it is so much FUN. I just can't imagine every getting out of my Lincoln Navigator and saying "Wow, that was FUN", so if fun is more important that must-have airconditioned seat, you might want to at least go test drive it.

Even with the hard top, you can take two big panels off above the driver and passenger in less than a minute and have it completely open.

 

hahaha.

jokes aside, out of those choices, i think the element SC would be
kinda cool.

 

The Acura RDX is nice, but quite a bit more expensive than the Element.

 

2001, and it's great! The newer MDX is much more expensive, and sportier, so the first gen ones can be had for a pretty good price now. Honda Pilot starts at a lower price and has a bit more interior room.

Watch out for the American iron, not the best gas mileage. That's why we ended up with the MDX. about 20% better gas mileage than the equivalant US SUVs... It's too bad that the american offerings are about 2-5 years behind on the power plant curve.... There are some hybrids that GM is selling, and they get about 30% better gas mileage than the others.

My wife is the same way on Minivans, even though they really are a bit more useful.

 

Thanks guys!

I looked at the Wrangler, will not work out. I will need to go drive the Element. As far as the RDX/MDX we have a CRV which is basically a RDX. Way to small for what I need, and the MDX really is not that much bigger. Although the brand new Pilot is great and I will drive that as well. So Mini Van is more practical than a MDX/RX330/Highlander etc. etc.


Fronjoni, I have taken many trips to Vegas in our Cayenne and it was a dream. Very fast and stable and really fun to drive/comfortable. No Problem on our 15 that I am sure you have driven many times as well.

Its not my modified Mini, but after a few hours in the Mini....

 

I have a Jeep Liberty for sale, excellent condition!

 

My husband's "baby" is also the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, I love his, he loves my choice in cars and they are both very functional! Don't need 2 SUV's be definatly need one!

 

too bad you don't live close to me! I have an 05 Buick Rendezvous for sale!! (shameless plug) They are really nice! plenty of room,very luxurious!

 

Recently traded the family truxter Suburban for a new Saturn Vue. Gas mileage is decent, enough room to haul a few things and not so big that you feel like a road hog.

 

u shoudl check out domestic brands as thye are having HUGE ( few thousand dollars) discount

 

How about a Ford Flex? It's looks a bit like a giant MINI Clubman.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/f...x-limited-awd/

 

Proximal, you just read my mind. Went to the ford dealer today. Still weeks away but looks really cool! About 40k with all the options though. Cant wait to drive it.

Anyone own a Sequoia? Do you know if the 2nd and 3rd rows go flat?

 

I left a 2001 Sequoia behind. Of all the different SUV's I've owned, that was my favorite. Trendy (at the time), sporty, reliable, luxurious (at the time)....I loved that truck.

Yes, 2nd and 3rd rows go flat. The only thing with 2nd row (for us) was we had to remove the headrests when we wanted total "flatness", because we're both over 6' and the front bucket seats were all the way back - so unless the headrests were removed they'd bump the frontseat backs and create a small "slope".

 

Thanks guys for all the great feedback!

 

We've been very happy with my wife's 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The Vera Cruz also gets good reviews and is a bit larger. They aren't "sporty", but the Hyundais offer substantial value for a good package.

My folks have the 1st gen Nissan Murano, and it's pretty fun to drive for what it is. Something smaller like an Acura RDX or Mazda CX7 or Rav4 offer better power to weight ratios and are pretty quick, but limited cargo room.

If MPG isn't a big concern (getting fuel expenses back from your company?), then check out a Trailblazer SS. I know 6 guys who have them, and they all love the performance aspect of them, but 12-17 mpg isn't easy on the wallet nowadays.

Best bet is to test drive 5 + vehicles that interest you, so you can get a better feel for what their differences are, and what features you lik0e/dislike about each of them.

 

I have a Veracruz this weekend, even base they're really nice (and for $28k you get a lot of SUV). I've been averaging 20-21mpg over the first 1000 miles (just leased it for work). You can get them with all the bells and whistles and I can get you a discount if you PM me (I work for Hyundai). It actually drives ok - I prefer the MINI, obviously, but I can handle the beast that is the Veracruz. The Santa Fe also consistently gets good reviews and is a little easier to park and the like.
I dunno if either have AC seats, but the Genesis does, so we know how to do it, so that may be an option.

 

I haven't driven one, but I found the Saturn Outlook to be very comfortable, and not obscenely huge.

 

thanks.
The Outlook/Acadia/Lucerne are essential the same vehicle. I drove the Buick and liked it very much. I need to see if the lasers will fit in it. Believe it or not, the third row in these is very large and good for even "normal" adults. Its a good option and I bet I can get a good deal on them with the current gas prices.

 

oops, I meant Buick Enclave not Lucerne

 

My wife purchased an 09 Subaru Forrester two months ago. The only SUV we drove that handled better than it was the BMW X3 with sport package. She opted for the non-turbo but it still has enough pep to get around town and cruise down the interstate. The best part is around town with an automatic she is averaging 21mpg.

It is sort of bland on features such as no auto up windows and the only auto down window is the drivers. There are more luxurious SUV's out there but she got this one because of the external styling, decent performance and very good handling for what it is.

 

not a big fan of toyota's (as you all know) but that new highlander seems
to be a nice ride for the family... given that they are older kids.

my little ones will not be able to climb in on their own..thus im staying
clear of suv's for at least a while. wagon's are the way to go for me.

 

Thanks, so far drove the Infinity q56 Toyota Sequia, navigator, escallade.

Interesting is that the sequia seats really dont go flat. Not too usable. Navigator/Expedition is the leader so far. Still need to drive the Element.