SUV owners...please brag about them
Is there something you love about your SUV, or not... wish you didn't buy it. What is the make, and year? We need something with more power to tow a camping trailer, haul 2 kids, and 2 dogs...handle well, with a built in dvd. Prefer leather...4-wheel drive, abs brakes, air cond, cd player etc...park like a vw bug 
Hubby likes Chev...I am open to a vehicle that is all around good doesn't matter to me who made it. |
|
|
| Henry likes our Jeep Grand Cherokee, and I like the grille that attaches to the car's frame that keeps him in the back and safe, but with 16 MPG and gas at $2.50 I would recommend looking into a hybrid. |
Wish I could help, but I've become a mini-van mom. Eek! LOL I can recommend a Chevy Town & Country if you are possibly considering minivans.  |
| Daisie,
I have a friend who has the Chevy Trail Blazer...leather all the bells and whistles.... It's very nice and bigger than the 96 Blazer. My Sister-in-law has a Ford Expedition... She loves it and it's very roomy and drives really nice. Good Luck with whatever you decide. Elissa |
Cherokees get the job done and they're a lot better on gas than most of the other behemoth vehicles on the road now. Living in Detroit, with everyone working at the auto companies, giant vehicles are so cheap to buy or lease for employees and their families, that seems to be everyone's choice. I bought an old Cherokee just so I could take the dogs places and it's great-- it's almost 20 years old and rides awesome! My other car is a Mini Cooper S and my boyfriend has a BMW M3 so 2 people and 2 big dogs just physically can't happen in either car! But if I were to buy a new SUV, I like the BMW X5 4.8is. I've driven one a few times and I really like the fact that you're in a truck but you really would never know it by the feel of the ride or the way it handles. It's nice and roomy but has lots of power. Not as much of a gas hog as a Ford either  |
| If anyone asks, I'll deny I ever said this, but I love my Dodge Caravan w/Stow n Go seats . . . . I can't believe I'm driving a minivan, but it's more versatile than the Explorer I had before. And those seats are seriously cool.
J |
| We have an '04 Mitsubishi Outalnder. It's an SUV/Station Wagon crossover vehicle. Great gas mileage and package options, drives like a car. 0 percent financing and a big warranty/service package. I don't think that they have a towing package with it but the Montero (next bigger model) does. Everything's pretty similar in that.
P.S. It's also fun to yell OUTLANDER like in Children of the Corn when people are asking you what kind of vehicle you're getting! |
| We have a 2005 Xterra (husband JUST bought it for me)!!! ...and it's the BEST in its class in every consumer report beating ford escape, mazda tribute, and jeep liberty.
First off, don't trust anyone's opinion if they only have experience with 2004. 2004 is equivalent to a Jeep Liberty. 2005 is SO REFINED AND PERFECTTTTTT for a SHEEPDOG. It's the only SUV that comes standard with all plastic bottom (opposed to cloth) when seats are pulled down. ...which means your sheepie can have all the accidents he/she wants. The front passenger seat EVEN comes down so you can carry very long pieces of plywood. The seats come down with ease. They don't have janky seats that COME OUT. It's very easy! It has 256 or was it 265 horsepower and ALL standard models are V6's. It's the only one in its class ...again, this is me bragging and being bias... that looks great at the VERY BASE MODEL. Of the SUV's I mentioned, you HAVE TO buy the "better models" of that vehicle to get what the Xterra comes STANDARD. .....and after you put ALL the crap in it to match it up with the Xterra... it's the SAME CAR BUT LESS MONEY (for the xterra). Liberty is small, imo. We went in it, and it was like driving my Toyota ECHO (had to press hard on gas to get it to move and not a lot of power). I WORKED for Mazda, so let's just say you're not getting your money's worth if you buy a Tribute (again, when compared to its class). The tribute is the same body frame as the Ford Escape. However, I love the cars already mentioned... but they're above the class of SUV's i'm talking about. Lots of room and it also has stadium seating (the passengers sit higher). HEre's what we did. You find folks who have all the cars in its class and sit them next to each other. Then decide which one you want from that. You'd be surprised in your opinion. However, if you can spend a tad more money... I would have gotten a Murano (Nissan). If you haven't driven one.. jee whiz.. get in one and I promise it says "PERFECT" allllllll over it. Both of these vehicles can sit in any ritzy neighborhood and "fit in" though it was a lot cheaper than a Lexus SUV (ex). Husband and I drove every car in the class we were looking for, AND THEN a few cars ABOVE it so I could see the difference. |
| We looked at SUV's 3 years ago. They were more expensive at that time than a minivan, with no real advantages. GAs being what it is now I would look at function and economy. I have a Chrysler Town & Country Limited, it is a very good vehicle and gets about 22 mpg on the Hwy and 18 or 19 mpg in the city. I like the removable seats also. Get the V8 version if they make one and a towing package and you are set. |
JakobandBrandonsmom wrote: Wish I could help, but I've become a mini-van mom. Eek! LOL I can recommend a Chevy Town & Country if you are possibly considering minivans.
oops...I meant Chrysler T&C. Kids are making me lose my mind, I swear! My husband has the Chevy - lol It's a '63 Chevy C-10 truck though, so no help answering your question either. |
Have a grand cherokee here - I'm trading it in for a smaller car (need better gas milage for a college student) - but I DO love my car.  It barely ever has problems with it and it'll tell you what's wrong with your car too (I have a 97 - not sure if other's do this too). Mine tells me if I need to change a light and where - it also will tell me if anything is getting low (not just those crummy little lights that always stay on  )
But even without that - it's a really great car and I love it to death - but the gas is killing me since I don't have a ton of people to haul around (or stuff for that matter) to really say that I "need it" |
| If ...IF "sob sob" we move over to the van group...can they pull anything? That where we need to improve, we have this monster of a trailer (19ft) 3000 lbs, and our truck can handle it, but it would chose not to I think. I do love the idea of better gas mileage. All SUV are hogs.
Of Van's I am interested in the Montana. Hubby will not drive a Ford, unless it was a classic mustang I LOVE the stow away seats, and the comercial with the cricket in it...who makes that one?? I like its look...is that the Chevy UPLANDER??
Is the Xterra, a full size SUV? Does it have the fun burnt orange color/black rubber around it. I see these vehicles driving around and like the look but have no idea who it belongs too. I don't mean the Honda SUV, I know what that looks like. Is it similar in look as the Avalanche trucks, but the SUV...does this make sense? Stationwagons or any small suv is not strong enough for us. The big problem will be the higher we go the higher the payments too. Our Blazer was used, and it's a great size for us. We first looked at the higher end and that was the Tahoe, and the payments would have killed us. He is thinking of checking that one out again. We could fix the truck and keep using it, it is in great shape. I enjoy driving it. Our last car was a Honda civic, and hubby has his Camaro Iroc. But I can't drive a stick, so this vehicle has to be an automatic. I've never seen any Town and Country models. And unfortunately for us all Lexus, Cadillac,etc is too high end for us...they have some really nice vehicles. |
| Just checked out the Xterra...LOVE it. It is so snazy, exactly what style I would like. BUT we couldn't find a towing pkg info on it. Otherwise we both like everything else about it.
From the pictures, the passenger door looks small...is it like that? Or an optical illusion...we have 2 kids in car seats. I love the water proof seat idea...that is smart. Apparantly our Blazer also gets 22 mpg for highway, and 17/18 in the city. |
| My husband said there is definitely a towing package. It's built on the same frame as the Nissan Frontier. In otherwords, it's built to be strong like a truck.
If you want third row seating, the Nissan Pathfinder is like 7-9 inches longer. However, when it comes for most for your money...my recommendation goes back to Xterra. But if you have money for a Grand Cher. ...wow, that's a great vehicle. |
| Husband said "Back doors do look small, but they're not."
He also said the Pathfinder is your best bet if you want leather. Pathfinder might even have 270 hp. We don't recommend getting the DVD option though. They're more expensive than the post-market DVD player, and they're several years behind in technology, so it takes a long time to integrate it in the stereo system. Have anyone put it in afterwards, and you'll save a bundle and get something twice as better!!
Pathfinder is just a little larger, a tad classier, but the same vehicle basically. Here's a pic of the color we have. I LOVE ours. Again, I wanted the murano (soccer mom thing and they drive like a baby!) ...but I can't imagine life now w/o my Xterra. You sit high, so when you're next to cars in its class ...and even the Grand Cher or a Lexus SUV... you feel awesome. http://www.autobase.com/cgi/showphoto.exe?bc=1632982 One thing ...coming again from someone who worked in Sales for Kia/Mazda in Tx ....you will get the most for your money when it comes time to resale with companies such as Nissan, Honda, or Toyota. Something to think about if you're the type of person who likes to trade in every 5 yrs. They hold their value whereas there are other companies that immediately lose 5,000 just for driving off the lot (ALL of their vehicles). Otherwise, if you keep your cars for a long time ...then it doesn't really matter. |
| Got to say I like my Forester, but I'd love a Tahoe...... |
| Okay, I had to check the Xterra out for myself. Again, LOVE it. It has everything, we would take the SE pkg, in red I think.
Thanks Jo for all the info, I asked about the Pathfinder and it is nice but out of price range, and I like the size of Xterra better. I can go back to cloth... 
Hubby still looking at the Chevy line, thinking of the Yukon too. Or just a newer Blazer. But once he sees how many options come with this at a price less than any other SUV... He was building a truck on the online website for GM, and to get what we need it was still min 10 thousand more than the Xterra. Now I sat in it, I did feel a little crowded in the elbow room. The Blazer I can lean over to rest my arm on the door...in the Xterra I didn't have to move at all, my rest was right beneath my arm. The steering wheel is smaller, and the window sits higher. Jo can I ask how the ride feels? Things like driving over potholes, railroad tracks, does it feel nice and stiff or like your in a semi bouncing all over. What about noise on the highway, is it quiet? I found out it can tow 5000 lbs. |
jsmarcus wrote: Got to say I like my Forester, but I'd love a Tahoe...... You're just trying to butter me up...
<img src="http://www.happiecamper.com/assets/images/were_off_1126.jpg" /img> On Daytona Beach <img src="http://www.happiecamper.com/assets/images/DaytonaTahoeTracks_1201.jpg" /img> Next to a Cactus in Arizona <img src="http://www.happiecamper.com/assets/images/TahoeQMtn_1475.jpg" /img> It's a 1995 Full-Size Chevy Tahoe with 147,000 miles on the odometer, and another 27,000 being dragged around by the nose. |
| Let me be honest, ...it's not going to drive like a Camry or a Lincoln. It rides smoother than the vehicles that can compare. I can put our 2 yr old neice in there, and she can fall asleep w/no probs. You'd have to test drive it yourself. It's a "truck" so it's powerful ...but also sporty and safe.
My husband, Sheepie, maltese, and me all slept in it a few weeks ago. We had plenty of room. I laid my seat ALL the way back AFTER we laid down the seats. Again, it's all plastic and PERFECTLY FLAT (after seats pulled down), so we laid a huge blanket in there, and it saved us from getting in a car wreck (we were tired from a long drive).
Just go in really knowing what you can get the car for. If I recall, Nissan actually has a calculator on the site that tells you what you should expect. We got a GREAT deal for the SE *added 2 packages* ...I'd have to look again later, but my husband said they were a must for me (safety and women-proof). We got it for about $23,000 (after title fees registration etc) and they even added a few features I didn't ask for (there's a cover for the back seat so you can store stuff w/o people seeing it, and then a cargo basket for groceries). Most of it was because I was picky and wanted the one STILL ON THE TRUCK (hadn't unloaded the new car). So mine had only 8 miles on it. Again, I can't emphasize that to get what the Xterra comes with (SE model) in other vehicles... you have to add tons of features and then it ends up being more or the same price. Plus, it still won't have the same power as the Xterra or look as pretty.
You wouldn't believe what one looks like standing next to a Tribute, Escape, 2004 Xterra, and Santa Fe. BLOWS them away (never believed it until all of them were lined up). |
| I went from a Villager for dog show hauling to a Mountaineer, which I loved. Now I have a Z71 Tahoe which is okay. I got an employee price at 0% so the price was right. Because I drive so many miles gas is a major expense, about $150 a week. Since I live in Northern MI deer are a problem, I've hit 2 this year and in a smaller vehicle probably would have been hurt. |
| I smell a road trip in Ron's RV!!!!
I several friends (I guess you could include me on that list) that cold get into a lot of trouble in that. |
| We have a Ford Escape and yes, it's a small SUV but I really like it so far. We put down one of the seats in the back to fit in Odin's crate and we're driving it down to SC for our vacation in Charleston/Myrtle Beach. We got a luggage carrier installed on top and another trailer type thing for the back so it won't be too squishy..Otherwise it drives pretty good.
Odin is a car dog and loves going for rides in the car. He's never gotten carsick once. So when he's big enough he'll be sitting in one of the back seats with a harness and I'm sure he'll be one of those dogs with his head out the window. |
| Well I am supposed to give Chevy another chance...so I will head into a dealership and see the Tahoe, a Trailblazer, and a GMC Envoy.
Then he will go see the Xterra...I really like it so if history proves anything I will get to pick. Now tho, I've been thinking...we have an old trailer, 1970 something ... made of heavy materials that's why it is so heavy. We;ve paid almost nothing for it, easy to part with. Our Blazer suits us very well, it is a sound truck, with no damage, or rust...no real reason to sell it except it's 10 yrs old soon. I am thinking we'd be better off keeping the truck, and buying a brand new lightweight holiday trailer. They are approx 10,000+ alot cheaper than any new truck. And our problem is solved. I wish one could get both, at a Ford dealership near here they were selling vehicles and giving away new tent trailers. But to be on the safe side, the truck got a super cleaning job, I even steam cleaned the carpet, and removed all signs of dogs being in it. Pup had peed, and threw up...he's good now, enjoys the car rides. The kids spill everything, and now until we decide what to do, no more eating or drinking in their car seats. It's so nice to drive a spotless vehicle, smells so nice.......tommorrow I am off to the dog park...life goes on. Thanks everyone... |
| Just as long as y'all can actually justify having an SUV (living out in the sticks or needing the room to transport doggies).
Here in the UK we have a major gripe about people of a certain type (usually that of more money than sense) who buy SUVs even though they don't need them (they live, say in the middle of london) - they;re easily spotted as the travel in convoy at 8.30 every morning to a school 300 yards down the road, each one dropping off a single child beofre travelling another 200 yards to the Gym........aaargh! Thank you. I shall now gget off my soap box. |
Mikeyg wrote: Just as long as y'all can actually justify having an SUV (living out in the sticks or needing the room to transport doggies).
. Hehe...I definitely live out in the sticks. We're 30 minutes away from the closest gas station and grocery store. We also have two young toddlers and Jasper. We travel 6 hours every other month, pretty much, so space was needed. Besides that, my hubby is 6'3, and our car was getting too small for the boys carseats as they got older (my husband is too tall to have the seat move forward any). I definitely understand where your post is coming from though. Our other car was an '02 Olds Intrigue. and the minivan actually gets about the same gas milage as the car. When the boys get older and don't need carseats I'd LOVE to get a hybird...or even better, maybe solar powered cars will be out by then (one can hope)! |
| We started our "family" vehicle in a Honda civc, 4 door. Tried camping on summer with it, we had it so packed with no visiblity...and still had to leave things at home. Kids take up so much room and need so many things, and when #2 came, we needed a double stroller...it barely fit in the trunk. So the Blazer was purchased.
Now we have two kids, 2 big car seats, two doggies, love our camping trips...it is very uselful to use...even tho the school is only a 5 min drive. I wouldn't go back to a car. In time the kids will be old enough to walk the distance. Now I think we've made our decison. Hubby and I have been doing a pro and con list. We agree we won't get much for a trade in on the truck...we won't be able to sell it for alot until we fix our turning right problem. So we might as well keep enjoying it, and spend the money for a lightweight trailer. One we know we will enjoy forever. When you buy a trailer, it can last your needs for a very long time. It will always hold some value. BUT...when we do buy a new vehicle I WANT that Xterra. I am so hooked on it. Thanks for sharing your experiences. |
| Satun Vue!
Red, got it for my 50th.... Great gas mileage, easy to drive, not too big, not too small. Love the place that they designed for grocerys in the back... My vote, is American and Saturn! |
| I don't know if you've heard, but GM has decided to end the Saturn "experiment". All future vehicles will come out of the regular GM development process, and gone will be the plastic panels and everything else that made Saturn unique.
What a shame. |
| I hadn't heard about that... wonder if I can pick one up cheap then? |
| They are planning on continuing the marque, but with regular GM cars under the skin, just like every other division.
Saturn customer loyalty is legendary, but I'm guessing that'll fade quickly. After owning Chevys my entire adult life, I've seen the way that a Lincoln dealership treats a customer who bought a used Towncar at another dealership. They are treated like royalty. My next purchase of a new or late model under-warranty used vehicle will be a lincoln. I wonder if there are any good used Navigators on the market that can be picked up after their substantial first year or two depreciation? |
| hehehe... this is the first time I've been able to read this board since the last time I posted.
I'm glad you're hooked because it's awesome. I brought it home, and my mom (normally drives an Avalon) begs to take the Xterra out. She LOVES how high it is, and how she feels so safe. |
I traded in a convertable for a Land Rover LR3 because of the dog ! No, no not really, but she does fit better in it. I needed something different for a few reasons, to drive more than 2 kids and to be able to get out of here fast and safe during hurricanes and bad weather. It floods quickly where I live and the convertable couldn't make it thru a small puddle. I have been off roading in mine and it came make it thru anything providing you don't take your foot off the gas pedal  . For you camping buffs, you can get a tent attactment for the back of the car.
English dog, English car, go figure. |
| UPDATE:
We got the trailer out of storage, 3 hours to my aunt and uncle acreage...anyways the trailer was great, no leaks over winter and everything was still working. So we towed it home. Half way the truck started to overheat..we pulled over and let it cool down. Drove slowly the rest of the way...got home very late. Sold the trailer to the first caller of about 15 people interested. Went to look at different trailer, an old one...truck started acting up. Hubby thinks we burnt the torque converter/clutch out...it won't lock into a gear at the right speed. We can't go up any hills with out it making a burnt smell, and we can't go any decent speed. So we are now forced to trade it in as is...and buying a trailer is on hold. We spent the weekend looking a dealerships, for a used SUV and used Quad cab trucks. After thinking it over, we decided on another SUV. We picked our next vehicle...a Tahoe, 2002, cream leather interior, in Navy Blue. Two dealerships have the same thing, now it's down to miles and condition, and amount of financing. I asked him to take a look at the Xterra, and he will, but most likely we will get another Chevy. Unfortunately we won't get anything for trade in, and can't fix it for a private sale...we can't be without a vehicle...totally a catch 22. He is taking the afternoon off to get something...I'm excited |
| Terrible luck with your truck but it is exciting to get something new!
I just went with my sister this morning to pick up their new truck. They bought a Ford F250 Powerstroke Disel (whatever that means) for the same reason as you - to pull their new camper. They're excited and going on their first camping trip of the season this weekend. |
| I loved driving my sister's Tahoe. Personally, I didn't like driving the Xterra--I did look at it a few years ago and was very nervous in turns as it felt so top heavy and I thought it would flip. On the plus side, I did squeek the tires during launch, which is always a plus in my book. I wound up getting a Wrangler back then and LOVED it....Now I drive a Subaru Forester which is great, but not much fun to drive. Good gas mileage, great capacity, but definately not fun. |
| Well looks like your bad news turned into good news. Glad it all worked out and you guys got another hip vehicle. |
| We now have a 2002 Tahoe in Pewter..light taupe color. With cream leather interior, completely loaded....so far it is great. It needs the sunroof replaced, and a touch up here or there...but mechanically everything checked out...180pt inspection???they check EVERYTHING with the optimun GMC dealerships. I can even heat the seats in winter...my tou-shi is happy
We also found a used trailer 1977 Holidaire, it is exactly the same type as what our family used when I was a kid. I felt so nostalgic when I went inside, made feel like I was home. It's been kept in perfect condition, and so far no problems and everything works. Funny thing now, the Tahoe would have been able to pull the old trailer, and the Blazer wouldn't have any problems pulling this new trailer. I am excited tho, the new trailer is normal looking and fits in better with the neighbourhood. I think the old trailer took the property value down
Anyways, we now rejoin the groups with massive debt...we were just getting comfortable with our spending and at a point of trying to save...hahaha  |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|