Do You Drive A... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Prototype · 07-25-2006, 10:58 AM

Jeep Liberty or a Honda RAV-4. I think my next vehicle is gonna be one of the two, or something close to those. What do you think of yours? Where did you buy? Anything I should look for when shopping?

habernac · 07-25-2006, 11:02 AM

You mean Honda CRV or Toyota Rav4?

I bought a Nissan X Trail, which is pretty much the same. I like mine, only a few things that need improvement. I'm not crazy about the airflow in it, the fan seems extremely weak. The circulation seems to suffer because of it. Also, the back window does not open. Other than that, the 2.5L engine is great, gets you up the mountain passes with no problem. Gas mileage is decent. 4WD is awesome in the snow and the rain. It's very comfortable. Lots of room in it as well.

REDVAN · 07-25-2006, 11:37 AM

My dad used to have a Liberty- did exactly what you want from an SUV. 4WD, excellent power w/ V6, and very rugged.

The problem was that if you want it for city driving only, I would suggest staying away from it. It was a rough ride in the backseat, and a hog on gas.

Prototype · 07-25-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

You mean Honda CRV or Toyota Rav4?

I knew there was a 3rd one, and that's why I couldn't remember what it was. Thanks for the correction.

underGRADFlame · 07-25-2006, 12:01 PM

I have a 2005 Liberty, I love it other than the fact its gas consumption is alot more than my last car (honda accord). To me thats the only downside it has. I love the ride, although it can be bumpy in the back seat, but I never ride back there anyway.

Sylvanfan · 07-25-2006, 12:13 PM

Just got a 2006 Rav4 with the V6. It's certainly not a cheap little vehichle as the delivered price for a V6 sport model approaches $35k and thats before the GST comes. But the engine in the Rav is great. Loads of power and gets terrific gas mileage. It did great coming through the mountains from Edmonton to Kamloops and back. I drove it home on Satuday and you punch it and she takes off nicely and can get by a lot of RV trailers on a straight stretch of road when you do get a passing lane. I think I used about 60 litres of gas to get from Kamloops to St.Albert (800km), and that was with me having a very heavy foot. I had a 2001 X-Terra, and it didn't even compare to the Rav for power or gas mileage. Even getting around Kamloops which has a lot of hills it seemed to get good gas mileage around the city.

Burninator · 07-25-2006, 12:23 PM

First I would buy and read this guys book for New car/truck guide.

http://www.lemonaidcars.com/

I am in the middle of buying a car (Mazda 3) and I found this book extremely helpful. It has reviews of every popular car and a guide for every step of buying a new car.

GrrlGoalie33 · 07-25-2006, 12:51 PM

My parents have an '03 CRV and absolutely love it. Lots of room in the backseat (as opposed to other small SUV's) and really good on gas...so good in fact that they choose to drive it to Sundre every weekend instead of their '00 Cavalier.

Prototype · 07-25-2006, 01:21 PM

The reason I ask is that I want something with a little more room that you conventional car (eventual family, ikea trips, moving into a house, etc). My 05 Merc Sable is horrible on gas, or so I think... I don't really know much better cause it's my first exclusive car to myself.

I used to drive a company Liberty, and loved puttering around in that thing. An easy drive, that's for sure. Tried to find some compairable vehicles so that when I can afford to make the decision, I'm educated and informed to what it is I'm looking for.

Not sure the Rav-4 is something I want. Saw another one on my lunch break, and it seemed too big. And 35k isn't something I'm looking at, although I'm sure Syl packed it to the tits.

GreenTeaFrapp · 07-25-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prottotype

The reason I ask is that I want something with a little more room that you conventional car (eventual family, ikea trips, moving into a house, etc).

Another option would be the Mazda5. It's got way more room then a conventional car, isn't bad on gas and is rather affordable for what you get. The sliding rear doors make it a LOT easier to get things in and out of the back.

Clarkey · 07-25-2006, 01:51 PM

I don't know if you looked at buying a car from the states but there was a post about that a couple weeks ago. You might be able to save a good chunk.

Prototype · 07-25-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkey

I don't know if you looked at buying a car from the states but there was a post about that a couple weeks ago. You might be able to save a good chunk.

Not sure that'd be an option right now. I'm thinking about what I'd buy when I am in the right place to be 'in the market'. I'm probably still a year away, but still trying to get opinions. Not looking for the newest model either. If a 2002 (just to throw out a number) is available, and is in my price range, I'll look at that rather than a 07 or 08...

I just don't wanna jump into this by saying "that one looks nice". Just trying to get opinions from the trusted CP Brethren, and ladies.

underGRADFlame · 07-25-2006, 03:11 PM

Just as a side note, Jeep is releasing 2 new SUV's in the coming months the Compass and the Patriot, the Compass is bigger then the Liberty and the Patriot is slightly smaller, but both look very cool.

Hemi-Cuda · 07-25-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

First I would buy and read this guys book for New car/truck guide.

http://www.lemonaidcars.com/

I am in the middle of buying a car (Mazda 3) and I found this book extremely helpful. It has reviews of every popular car and a guide for every step of buying a new car.

don't mean to derail the thread, but you should be very happy with that car. i bought a 3 last year and it's awesome. recently i've been able to pay it off so i've put a couple mods on it now (exaust, cold air intake) and it's even better. best car in it's market IMO

Burninator · 07-25-2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

don't mean to derail the thread, but you should be very happy with that car. i bought a 3 last year and it's awesome. recently i've been able to pay it off so i've put a couple mods on it now (exaust, cold air intake) and it's even better. best car in it's market IMO

Good to hear!

Yeah I did a bunch of research and heard nothing bad about it, can't wait to get it. My last car that I owned was given a bad review by the Lemon Aid guide and I spent alot of money on repairs, should have listened to him.

Don't you drive a Hemi-Cuda?

the_only_turek_fan · 07-25-2006, 04:20 PM

I just bought a Toyota RAV4 last week. The 2.0L engine is awsome because the car doest consume a whole lot of gas like other SUVs do. I believe most SUVs have an engine of 3.0L or higher?

It is a really really fun car to drive around. The one drawback with the small engine is that it sometimes takes some time to get up big steep hills. But it is a trade off right? I think a engine like habernac's car is ideal.

I give my car two thumbs up!

Nufy · 07-25-2006, 04:30 PM

I am thinking about a 99 or newer Grand Cherokee with the V8.

Anyone have one / know anything about em ???

Clarkey · 07-25-2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nufy

I am thinking about a 99 or newer Grand Cherokee with the V8.

Anyone have one / know anything about em ???

A lot of those reviews and guides have the Grand Cherokees rated pretty poorly. With that said, I give a 10/10 for Jeep Cherokees, don't know about the "Grands" though.

duncan · 07-25-2006, 04:48 PM

We bought a 2006 Ford Escape in August, and absolutely love it. We drove it to Florida in October, and found it handled and rode more like a car than an SUV. I haven't found a single issue with it yet.

Hack&Lube · 07-25-2006, 05:45 PM

Mazda CX-7 is coming out.

4WD, 244HP, 258 ft-lbs, 23 mpg fuel efficiency

From around $24,000+ in the US but will probably be more expensive in Canada