The Best Compact SUV

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rollazn

rollazn

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rollazn
What do you think is the best new compact SUV in the market right now?

My sister wants a new car. She is currently interested in the Toyota Rav4 and the Honda CR-V. She is leaning toward the Rav4 – because of its look mainly. I heard a rumor that Toyota will re-design the Rav4 in 2006 – does anyone have any information on that? Which do you think is better overall – the Toyota Rav4 or the Honda CR-V?

Now – we don’t want to go over 23K. It doesn’t have to be fully loaded – but it has to be comfortably equipped. So suggest away.

So far these are the ones she is interested in…

2005 Toyota Rav4
2005 Honda CR-V
 
Well I can tell you what not to buy, and that would be a Blazer/Jimmy. :lol: Yes they still sit on the lots.

But I really like the Saturn VUE. They are very good SUV's and they can come in AWD which is a plus. Right now with the GM discount you can't steal one for the price they are going for now.

But save yourself trouble and just ask M5.
 
Does it have to be an "SUV" shape??? If not, you have some decent choices in wagons. They generally have just as much utility as an SUV. If thats the case, here are some choices I have.......

Subaru 2.5RS Wagon - $19k starting
Subaru WRX Wagon - $24k starting
Saabaru 9-2X Wagon - $24k starting
Honda Element AWD - $19k LX, $21k EX starting

Those are my choices. All are AWD, and even in "base" form, come with great features. And, side note. If you act quick before the deal ends, you can get the Saabaru dirt cheap with the GM "Employee Discount" thing. With those deals, you could get the "Aero" version with turbo for under your price limit. Just something to think about.

Hilg
 
First off, the Saturn Vue V6 is horrid ugly. It has great performance but of course performance isn’t the top priority in this case. We are looking for a great compact SUV over all – and performance is last on the list.

Therefore the Saturn Vue V6 is out of the question.

As far as the Subaru wagons – my sister isn’t too fond of how it looks.

Yes – I am waiting for the great M5Power to give me a full page essay on which is the best. :lol:

Edit:

My sister loved the way the Honda Element look (she's obviously crazy). My father refuse to pay for the Honda Element. :lol: So that is out of the question as well.

With this GM discount thing - does that include Impreza WRX and STi? Just wondering...
 
Well with those out of the line up. I guess you could try a Ford Escape.

With the GM discount I think you can get it on an STI, I don't know the rules of it but I know I could get an STI with my GM discount.
 
The GMC Envoy is a decent SUV. If I may I'd like to recommend the '05 4door Hatchback Focus. Good interior room, enough space to haul luggage, fully loaded @ $20K, and some decent power.

/end Advert

Yes I own one. :sly:
 
does she really need an SUV? theres plenty of vehicles with utility enough that arent SUVS

i like the new hyundai tucson personally.

the CRV is a sure winner. cant go wrong with it.

but an outback wagon or legacy wagon would be my first choice, (relatively) horrible fuel milage aside.

for $5000 she could get an early 90s mercedes wagon.
 
Well, according to the GM website on this, its only the companys that GM has a direct connection to. I know Subaru and GM are linked in minor ways, but this only applies to the following.....

Chevy
Pontiac
Buick
Cadillac
GMC
Olds (??)
Saturn
Hummer
Saab

With the discount, the 9-2X Aero (turbo) is only $19.4K. Thats a hell of a deal for a sweet looking, turbo, AWD machine.

Not sure about the Olds on the list. I would think if a dealership still had a new Olds on the lot, with this "Employee Discount" thing, they might PAY YOU to take it. Keep an eye out. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hilg
 
She might want to have a look at the Hyundai Tuscon and Santa Fe. My mom has had a Santa Fe for 3 years now, and it's been a great car. Not too much power (even with the V6), but it's got plenty of space inside, the ride quality is good, handling is good for an SUV, reliability has been perfect so far, and the transmission is amazing (tiptronic). The Tuscon is very similar to the Santa Fe, but it is a bit smaller.

And best of all, because they are Hyundais, they are very cheap, and you still get a good vehicle for the money (only drawback I can see are the bland interiors which use cheap plastics; probably not a concern for your sister).
 
neanderthal
does she really need an SUV? theres plenty of vehicles with utility enough that arent SUVS

i like the new hyundai tucson personally.

the CRV is a sure winner. cant go wrong with it.

but an outback wagon or legacy wagon would be my first choice, (relatively) horrible fuel milage aside.

for $5000 she could get an early 90s mercedes wagon.
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Yes - it's her car - and unfortunately she wants a SUV.

Hyundai Tuscon - doesn't appeal to my father. The reliabiliy of a Hyundai worries him.

CR-V, I have heard, does out do the Toyota Rav4. But she likes the look of the Rav4 more - maybe we should just wait till 2006 and see what the new Rav4 will look like.

Outback - once again is not her style. If I would have to choose a SUV - it would be the Forester 2.5XT. OOOH YEAH. 👍 The performance of a Saturn Vue V6 - and better looks. 👍

JNasty4G63
Well, according to the GM website on this, its only the companys that GM has a direct connection to. I know Subaru and GM are linked in minor ways, but this only applies to the following.....

Chevy
Pontiac
Buick
Cadillac
GMC
Olds (??)
Saturn
Hummer
Saab

With the discount, the 9-2X Aero (turbo) is only $19.4K. Thats a hell of a deal for a sweet looking, turbo, AWD machine.

Not sure about the Olds on the list. I would think if a dealership still had a new Olds on the lot, with this "Employee Discount" thing, they might PAY YOU to take it. Keep an eye out. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hilg
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Yes - I went and look it up. I found the same result - no Subaru. There was, however, Saab - which isn't quite the same.

I'd rather take a Subaru Impreza WRX over a 9-2X anytime...

Ev0
She might want to have a look at the Hyundai Tuscon and Santa Fe. My mom has had a Santa Fe for 3 years now, and it's been a great car. Not too much power (even with the V6), but it's got plenty of space inside, the ride quality is good, handling is good for an SUV, reliability has been perfect so far, and the transmission is amazing (tiptronic). The Tuscon is very similar to the Santa Fe, but it is a bit smaller.

And best of all, because they are Hyundais, they are very cheap, and you still get a good vehicle for the money (only drawback I can see are the bland interiors which use cheap plastics; probably not a concern for your sister).
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From what I read - it's no better than a Honda CR-V. From the reviews - that I have read - people seem to think the Honda CR-V is the best buy in it's category. Which is good news.

The Tuscon - isn't bad looking - and around the same price as the Honda CR-V. I'll see if she likes it. My dad is still shady about Hyundai - or any Korean cars. Lets just say - we have a few family members that have bought Hyundai and experience reliablily issues.
 
JNasty4G63
Subaru 2.5RS Wagon - $19k starting
Subaru WRX Wagon - $24k starting
Saabaru 9-2X Wagon - $24k starting
Honda Element AWD - $19k LX, $21k EX starting
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I really like J's choices here. Element AWD for $19 grand, what a steal!

If there really is no way she'd get those, I'd go for CRV. Don't forget to check out Explorer and Escape. There might be a lot of incentives for Explorers right now. Plus, U-Haul has banned renting trailers for Explorers(probably some lawsuit), so that adds more bargaining power for the buyers. Good luck! :)
 
a6m5
I really like J's choices here. Element AWD for $19 grand, what a steal!

If there really is no way she'd get those, I'd go for CRV. Don't forget to check out Explorer and Escape. There might be a lot of incentives for Explorers right now. Plus, U-Haul has banned renting trailers for Explorers(probably some lawsuit), so that adds more bargaining power for the buyers. Good luck! :)
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Have you seen what an Element looks like? Or did you get a basketball thrown at your head. :lol:

Explorer is a little too big - and a tad too expensive. The Escape on the other hand is great - but she doesn't like it. She seems to think it's not that great looking - and yet she likes how the Element looks. Something is wrong.
 
rollazn
Have you seen what an Element looks like? Or did you get a basketball thrown at your head. :lol:

Explorer is a little too big - and a tad too expensive. The Escape on the other hand is great - but she doesn't like it. She seems to think it's not that great looking - and yet she likes how the Element looks. Something is wrong.
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Yes, basketball has hit me in the head, usually my face(I know! how do I still look this good!)many times! :lol:

I love Element, and still can't get over how many people hates it. But if your sister likes the car, I think your dad should give in. :D
 
When I first saw the Element in pictures I thought it'd be nice looking... then it turns out the weird two tone paint wasn't just a concept vehicle thing, and it's like 1.5 times bigger than it should be.

So basically, Scion xB :)

Edit: Two Oregon members don't think the Element looks that bad... must be something in the water over here :)
 
retsmah
When I first saw the Element in pictures I thought it'd be nice looking... then it turns out the weird two tone paint wasn't just a concept vehicle thing, and it's like 1.5 times bigger than it should be.

So basically, Scion xB :)

Edit: Two Oregon members don't think the Element looks that bad... must be something in the water over here :)
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Right on. :) I've heard complaints about the "two tone" paint before. My buddy who doesn't like Element said, he saw one with painted bumper covers, and it looked good. I wonder why Honda didn't look into doing it themselves.
 
rollazn
As far as the Subaru wagons – my sister isn’t too fond of how it looks.
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Good hell, is she off her rocker?! The current Legacy wagon is one of the nicest-looking cars on the road right now (behind the Legacy sedan :D).

Make her get a Forester 2.5XT. If she mentions anything about looks, just slap her, then point to its 0-60 time.

Do Magnums come in under that price ceiling? (Getting the Hemi at that price is hopeless, mind you.)
 
I love the Element too. My sister has one, and its totally sweet. No, not the best looking thing out there, but not the worst. Inside is a totally usable sized car. Its AWD, so it gets around fine, and she lives in Wisconsin so she knows what weather is like. Its a Honda, so it will basically run forever. And, starting with the '05 models, you could get Black plastic paneling. She has black with black, and it looks great. Not as bold as the gray plastic that would contrast so much with the others. Overall, great cars.
rollazn
I'd rather take a Subaru Impreza WRX over a 9-2X anytime...
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Really??? All the fun, none of the ugly. Whats not to like about that??? Oh well. Your call. But, if given the choice, WRX Wagon or 9-2X Aero, I'm getting the Saab every time.

Hilg
 
JNasty4G63
Really??? All the fun, none of the ugly. Whats not to like about that??? Oh well. Your call. But, if given the choice, WRX Wagon or 9-2X Aero, I'm getting the Saab every time.

Hilg
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Well - without this GM discount ordeal - the Saab is more expensive. I find the Impreza WRX as a good-looking car, and the Saab isn’t needed (although I might admit it does look good in pictures). For a person like me – I’d be satisfied with the cheaper WRX. Even if the Saab has better interior (not by much, from what I hear) and a few other luxuries – I don’t think it’s worth the extra 3K. But in this case with the GM discount – 19K for a Saab is a freaking steal.

If I had to choose between a WRX Wagon (I prefer the sedan) or the Saab 9-2X Aero… I might as well go with the 9-2X given the discount right now.

My dad loves the Nissan Murano - but once again my sisters dislikes it. It'll be her car so - I guess it's her choice.

There is something wrong...

She finds the Honda Element attractive...
She finds the Subaru Forester ugly...

Wow.
 
I'll do it tomorrow, but let me warn you right now that I'm going to give you about sixty reasons why the Saturn Vue V6 is the best small SUV ever manufactured by god or man. Then I'm going to break down and admit the Jeep Liberty is a perfectly acceptable alternative, as is whichever version of the six-cylinder Ford Escape / Mazda Tribute / Mercury Mariner duo (duo of three!) you can get with the most spec for the cheapest price.

Tomorrow though, right now I'm about to die of thirst. Thirst of sleep, that is. What?
 
M5 is really weird tonight. :nervous: I just wanna say, out of the Ford Escape / Mazda Tribute / Mercury Mariner trio he mentioned, I think Escape is the best looking one.
 
M5Power
I'll do it tomorrow, but let me warn you right now that I'm going to give you about sixty reasons why the Saturn Vue V6 is the best small SUV ever manufactured by god or man. Then I'm going to break down and admit the Jeep Liberty is a perfectly acceptable alternative, as is whichever version of the six-cylinder Ford Escape / Mazda Tribute / Mercury Mariner duo (duo of three!) you can get with the most spec for the cheapest price.

Tomorrow though, right now I'm about to die of thirst. Thirst of sleep, that is. What?
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Oh god...

Let's just say this now - no matter how great the Saturn Vue V6 is - my sister doesn't like the looks. Performance is not important - mind you.

Jeep Libery is a nice... and so is the Mazda Tribute.

Oh I can't wait for your reply.
 

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