what small SUV

kaiser715

kaiser715

Doing hard time
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Location
7, Pocket, NC
Renee has driven the 2000 Toyota RAV4 SUV since 2003 or 04. From what the adjuster saw yesterday, he thinks it'll probably be a total. He'll have the real numbers tomorrow.

I want her to get something a little bigger than the RAV for safety. She wants great fuel mileage. What small/mid SUV's should be on our list to look for? What to avoid?

Budget...since I just bought a truck and got a payment and we have a lot of other stuff going on....looking to put 10 -14k into it.
 
I know some people VERY happy with the mileage and performance of the CRV. Although it's not an SUV, we like our 08 xB a whole lot. Very roomy and comfortable. Decent mileage, too. And I wouldn't rule out Kia and Hyundai.
 
The wife has a 07 Escape. 95000 miles and not a single issue. Been probably the best car she's ever had.
 
fuel mileage - Chevy tracker

BTW - Don't let insurance company get it. When they total it you have the option to buy it back. Then you can sell it in current condition to someone who wants to fix it and make easy money!
 
CRV, Scion toaster, Tracker, Escape, and Rav 4 are all pretty close to the same size. The highlander is bigger. Based on the Camry chassis. Might see how much the used Hybrids are going for if you want mileage, but I'd bet still in excess of $20k at this point.
 
GubNi said:
Is it driveable at all?
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Yes...only mechanical problem is the radiator and fans. I drove it about 1/8 mile to a lit parking lot, cranked and drove it onto the rollback, then into my driveway after getting it home.

Interior, glass, etc is very nice...just replaced windshield a couple of months ago, when we did the radiator also did interval service and replaced timing belt.
 
Why not a Liberty CRD? I've heard they get great mileage. Not sure about the build quality of the liberty though.
 
rattlecanpaint said:
. Might see how much the used Hybrids are going for if you want mileage, but I'd bet still in excess of $20k at this point.
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Keep in mind with the hybrid Highlander, he will only see mileage benefits in the city, they get worse hwy mileage than the 4cyl, and roughly the same as the 6cly, so it might not be worth the price difference depending on their driving conditions, not to mention the looming possibility of a $5k battery replacement in the future.

99Classic said:
If you're serious about budget...get an xj. for 3500 you could easily get one in perfect condition. I've got less than that in my 99...
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He wants great fuel mileage, XJ need not apply :lol:
 
I want her to get something a little bigger than the RAV for safety.
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Size has little to do with safety these days. It's all about engineering in the real world. Check out the crash safety ratings if that is your concern.

I remember a co-worker buying a Saturn Vue to replace her CR-V after a severe crash because it had a 5-star rating for both front and side impacts. Some of the V-6 models were equipped with a Honda engine that was shared with the $36k Acura MDX. The Honda V6 powered Vue would be a good contender for replacing the Rav4 IMO.
 
GubNi said:
Yep. I bet salvage value is $500 and I'd probably be glad to give $1000. Then I'd probably sell it for $2000, but I haven't seen any pics. Is it driveable at all?
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You were wrong...they did total it out. I asked about salvage value...I was thinking along the same lines, five hunnert or so....nope, buy-back is $1600 bucks.
 
My fiancee loves her CRV. Will likely get her another one in a couple years.
 
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