Opinions on newer car/suv

mommucked

Endeavoring to persevere
Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Location
Rural Apex n.c.
Wifey needs a new to her car. She was going to get another Escape, but now seems to want to go cheaper than what we've seen for 08-11 models ( how cool is that? :D) . I was wanting her to get a used Rav 4 w the 269hp v6 awd. I drove a used limited one home from Va. for a friend 2 yrs ago and was very impressed by the power and handling of the wagon on steroids. She's now thinking sedan or other non SUV but really MPG, price and dependability ( for 3-5 years ) is most important and hopefully not a 4 cyl like her old 06 Escape. What do yall recomend?
 
I like the tdi volkswagons great gas mileage reliability seems to be good extra cool points for being a diesel.its kinda what im trying to convince the wife she needs
 
That's ironic Barry.......she's now driving a 03 Jetta gas 1.8turbo 5 spd borrowed from her brother-in-law ( he wants her to buy it ) it's got 155k on it and she really does'nt like this car or the 5 speed. I've driven it and it's not much fun in stop and go traffic she deals w to and from her job, the turbo is quirky also. She wants something w more power/acceleration than the anemic 4cyl. Escape she wrecked.
 
Well I'm a Jeep guy, I've never owned a car of any type except a few Mustangs so i won't even act like I know anything about a car. I have owned a few trucks, mostly Ford and a whole pile of Jeeps, Scouts. If I were buying something for my wife right now I would get her a 06-10 Grand Cherokee or Commander with either the 3.7 or the 4.7 in it. The Hemi is great and I love mine but it likes gas! I'm not a fan of the "wanna be" Jeeps like the Libby/Patriot/Compass junk. I would stay clear of those.

If I couldn't own a Jeep I would look at Toyota then Nissan but then again I might just ride a bike if I couldn't own a Jeep.
 
She's been lookin online at Hyundas and Kias.........I'm skeptical ( or saying Hell No! )


My mom has an '07 Kia Sportage. It's really not that bad. Nothing really wrong with it. Acceleration kind of sucks, you almost have to floor it to get it moving in a hurry, but other than that it isn't terrible to drive. It's got a fair bit of cargo space too, more than my XJ does. The Sportage's front passenger seat folds flat too, which adds a lot of space. They haven't had any major problems with it, and my mom treats her cars like crap.

No experience with Hyundai's, but Kia and Hyundai are pretty much the same company.
 
i'm not a fan of hyundai or kia, but i think that hyundai's are one of the best cars on the road. they never come in the shop for work (probably because of the 100,000 mile warranty). when they do come in the shop it's for average stuff, brakes,tune up but never for major repairs.
(if you have never driven a genesis, it is a rocket)
 
I've got an 04 TDI Passat. Quite a bit different from the Jettas. It's been a fantastic car, has 187k miles on it, still gets 40mpg everywhere, and can easily get 45mpg on the interstate if you stay under 70, OR go exactly 85mph. I imagine the new TDI Passats are the same or better.
 
I DISPISE CARSALESMEN ( and womern ) Looked at a 11 Impalla 3.5, 50k, I asked the saleswomern if it was a rentalcar and she said no it was a tradein from a local lady. While on a testdrive I picked up the info folder on the floorboard and see the carfax, 2 owners, 1st owner to 33K was a RENTAL :kaioken: Salesperson claimed not to know this fact though she had said she personally took the tradein from the previous owner!!.......... looking at V6 Ford Fusions, 09 and 10 now at other dealerships and considering buying from private sellers.............................
 
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Anything with a year of age an 30k+ miles on it is either a rental or a fleet car, neither of which are maintained for shit.

Rental car we had in 2011 was '11 Impala, Enterprise rental. Needed oil change ( 9000 miles over due ) when we got it.

New GM vehicles require the use of "Dexos" which is GM spec and branded oil to retain full warranty on engine (5yr-100k ) Enterprise uses Firestone for the service, You really think Enterprise is popping for the spendy synthetic stuff ? Fawk no, Enterprise had no clue.

Guess who gets stuck with warranty denial when the engine shits because of lack of maintainance ? BTW, stay away from any 2011 Dark Blue Impalas with light grey interior, the one we had was wrecked, and took a pretty good hit, got into A pillar, car was repaired and sold. $10,000 repair bill

Buying used cars is a gamble any more, as most of the most popular ARE or have been rentals
 
Hi, for a daily driver I have owned Hondas and Toyotas for about 20 years now and highly recommed either. Currently between my house and the my family down the road we have following: 10 Tacoma; 12 Rav4; 12 Honda Pilot; 07 Honda Civic and a 05 Honda CRV. They all have been fire and forget. I can honestly say the same for all the other Toyotas and Hondas we have owned over the years. I, we have owned other non-Toyotas and Hondas and I cannot say the same, they were always in the shop for something major $$$. I do know that the other car companies have improved thier products over the years though.
 
wife drives an 08 Kia Sorento...v6 in it is peppy as hell and gets 27 miles a gallon.Picked it up used 3 years ago. Issues have been a noisy rear that was covered,a finnicky F.B.W. gas pedal system that was also covered.These were issues with the 08s.I wouldn't hesitate buying another one.I drove a Soul while the rear was being replaced and liked it.If it got 40 mpg,I'd have one as a dd.Alot of right ups have them being compared to Hondas and such in relibilty and fitment now.
 
What about a gubment fleet vehicle ? 09 w 30k looks new allover and price is nice. I would assume this car would have had routine maintenence and not driven like a rental.......found out this car was a Navy fleetcar in Norfolk . Misses don't want to ride 3 yrs to see/buy it in Charlotte.
 
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Ive driven 4 Impala's to over 100k (07-12)...all were rentals and then fleet maintained.
One managed to get 4 oil changes between 11k and 100k.

Still going strong at 145k when they sold it.
 
I liked the 11 we drove and wish it was'nt a rental. It was clean and it went straight down the road at 70 w no hands and had a plush ride, interior was plain. It had some computer that said 8.9mpg after my testdrive where I sorta flogged it. I heard a quiet, repeating rattling noise from the front of the engine at idle I assume was a timing chain. Wife thought it was big and " grandma ish " and not impressed w that Chevy. Might try a Malibu today and a Camry.
 
She's wanting another Escape and we're lookin at a 2011 2.5ltr. w 70k tomorrow. I hope it has a lil more power than the 06 2.3 she wrecked. I think it has a 5 spd auto also. I really wanted her to get a v6 in whatever, but she thinks we can't find one for what she wants to spend.
 
Bought a 10 V6 Escape today for a good price, bank said it appraised at 17. Much nicer than the 11 4 cyl we looked at and about the same price. 65k on the motor and it's quiet and smooth. 6 speed auto functions flawlessly and a sunroof. thanks for the replies, I'm glad we took our time and found a great deal on a nice used car
 
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