Really, you can't go wrong with Japanese. Toyota Venza, a used Honda Crosstour (not my first choice), a Mitsubishi Outlander (or RVR -- definitely my first choice), a Mazda CX-5... I mean, you're not going to find anything more reliable. In terms of bang for buck and style, there's nothing better than a Mitsubishi Outlander or RVR. They're both very good looking vehicles with a lot to offer. Next, I'd say a Venza. Then a CX-5. Honestly, if you're going to get a Honda, get a CR-V, because they're up there with the RVR and the Outlander as the best on the market. Crosstours are few and far between. Avoid the RAV4 at all costs.
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There's a reason Crosstours are few and far between. Have you looked at the thing? It's a monstrosity.
I hope the RVR is better, but I found the Mitsubishi Outlander to be one of the biggest pieces of crap I've ever driven. It was barely 2 years old, but the thing felt like it was going to rattle itself apart every time you hit a bump. The only thing worse I can recall was the Jeep Liberty...hands down the most awful car I've driven.
The CX-5 though is a great little crossover. One of the few out there that approaches the handling of a car.
I test drove the RVR a couple years ago and didn't like it. Engine was under powered and the back seat was really uncomfortable. Plus its a compact SUV not a mid size.
There's a reason Crosstours are few and far between. Have you looked at the thing? It's a monstrosity.
I'm apparently a small minority because I like how it looks. It's the same concept as an X6 or ZSX (and no one seems to complain about those cars) but I like the shape better.
__________________ "The great promise of the Internet was that more information would automatically yield better decisions. The great disappointment is that more information actually yields more possibilities to confirm what you already believed anyway." - Brian Eno
I'm apparently a small minority because I like how it looks. It's the same concept as an X6 or ZSX (and no one seems to complain about those cars) but I like the shape better.
Assuming you're talking about the ZDX, but I find those two to be part of the silliest class of vehicles out there. The ones where you get all the bloat of a SUV, but with the interior space of a coupe (and rearward visibility of a tank)!
There's a pretty legendary Top Gear review of the X6.
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It starts around the price of an Audi TT, but it's 500% less LGBT. I would absolutely consider one if I wasn't poor.
If 400hp/355ftlbs in a 3200lb vehicle is 500% less LGBT, then I might be playing for the wrong team. Pending the resolution of my custody battle, the TT is on my short list if things are not favorable. However, I am currently more likely to end up in a Sienna AWD.
Edit: Oh yeah, OT, the golf sportwagon alltrack is coming out and is supposed to be a midsized SUV alternative. Stationwagons on the list?
If 400hp/355ftlbs in a 3200lb vehicle is 500% less LGBT, then I might be playing for the wrong team. Pending the resolution of my custody battle, the TT is on my short list if things are not favorable. However, I am currently more likely to end up in a Sienna AWD.
Edit: Oh yeah, OT, the golf sportwagon alltrack is coming out and is supposed to be a midsized SUV alternative. Stationwagons on the list?
Unlikely on this continent.
FWIW, my Golf R has a more utilitarian trunk space than many compact-suv's, and it's shorter than the Alltrack.
I must digress though, as the OP's budget is $8-10k, for which my suggestions don't accommodate.
Curious question... what are your wife's thoughts on a van? Functionality wise, I preferred the Sienna and Odyssey to most typical SUVs when I'm not driving a car. If I'm not transporting people, then the seats are down for lots of storage room. Fuel economy wasn't ridiculously different either.
I have a few friends who like their Explorer and Jeeps. CRV and Rav4 seem to always get decent support.
Some others have commented that some of the "smaller SUVs" might be too small. I'd suggest you go with your wife to test the vehicle and see what she thinks since she is driving it anyways. Vehicles have gotten bigger in the last few years. I was driving my inlaw's Nissan Murano. It felt like the size the old Nissan Armada and Pathfinders used to be. It felt bigger and bulkier than the older "shoe" shaped Murano that I had driven in the past.
She's dead set against a van. We don't have kids, and probably won't for the next 3-4 years.
Took an xterra and an escape for a test drive.
Thought the xterra was pretty decent.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snipetype
k im just not going to respond to your #### anymore because i have better things to do like #### my model girlfriend rather then try to convince people like you of commonly held hockey knowledge.
Why exactly do women hate vans so much (mine does too)?
Newsflash ladies...
1) If you're worried about looking like a mom, look around. Every mom these days is driving a crossover or SUV, not a minivan.
2) Crossovers are about as sexy as vans...ie, not very much. I get that vans aren't particularly thrilling, but nobody will think more of you because you drive a Murano instead of an Odyssey.
It's kind of funny, most of the vans I see these days are being driven by middle aged men.
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I'd go for a TDI Touareg. Still one of the best vehicles I've ever owned.
- over 700k to a tank of diesel
- fast, plenty of power with the turbo diesel
- lots of space
- could pull a 23ft ski boat no problem
- awd and was unstoppable in the snow
I'd still be driving it if I didn't have 3 car seats.
She's dead set against a van. We don't have kids, and probably won't for the next 3-4 years.
Took an xterra and an escape for a test drive.
Thought the xterra was pretty decent.
Xterra is a pretty rough around the edges SUV with spotty reliability and is generally not your "Japanese Reliable" vehicle. Not saying it's a a bad choice, but it has bad fuel economy, rides roughly on a truck (Frontier) platform and is not hugely reliable... Great off roaders and a solid choice if you're looking for a Jeep alternative...But as a soft roader for a girlfriend, it may not be the best choice?
Plus, they have a reputation as being driven by lesbians...Not that that matters in this day and age (at least, it shouldn't), but if she doesn't like the van stereotype, she will be cast with another in an Xterra.
Here is some empirical datapoints on used Xterras:
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I've tried to steer her away from the xterra a bit, because I've read that the ride is a little rough, and that it really only excels at off-road capabilities.
It's her vehicle though, and she loves the look. She was driving a crew cab dodge dakota, so she's used to more of the truck feel.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snipetype
k im just not going to respond to your #### anymore because i have better things to do like #### my model girlfriend rather then try to convince people like you of commonly held hockey knowledge.
If 400hp/355ftlbs in a 3200lb vehicle is 500% less LGBT, then I might be playing for the wrong team. Pending the resolution of my custody battle, the TT is on my short list if things are not favorable. However, I am currently more likely to end up in a Sienna AWD.
Edit: Oh yeah, OT, the golf sportwagon alltrack is coming out and is supposed to be a midsized SUV alternative. Stationwagons on the list?
You can't get a 400 HP TT for 60K.
The new one looks better, I'll give you that. Pre-2016 TT models look like Beetles that run track.
