New vehicle Recommendations

jcash · 03-25-2005, 11:21 PM

My wife is in the market for a new vehicle, and since I value "most" of the opinions here, I would like your recommendations. She currently drives a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan EX. She has never liked the Mini-van class of vehicles, and now it is out of warranty and starting to have some mechanical issues.

She does have a few requirements...

MSRP less than $21,000
- Air Conditioning
- at least 20MPG city - 24MPG Highway
- seating for 5 (four comfortably)
- able to pull a small trailer (motorcycle trailer)

Not to bias your opinions, but we are looking at the new Hyundai Tucson (GLS-V6-2WD) and Kia Sportage (EX-V6-2WD)...both seem like good value, with the latest safety features.

What do you all think?

Thanks in advance.

Zulee · 03-26-2005, 12:41 AM

I saw a comparison betwen those two cars you mentioned (in swedish) and they clearly like the Kia more. It's suposed to be the same car due to Kia and Hyundai working together in the development department. The Kia had more equipment and the "quality feel" was higher for less money!

What about Toyota Rav4, are they much more expensive?

mcdonald43 · 03-26-2005, 12:41 AM

I would personally stay away from the Korean cars, they don't have the build quality that the Japanese cars do. My preference is Honda then Toyota. As for the model it depends upon what you want to do with it. Both makes will just be getting broken in at 100K miles. I may be biased as I have had very positive experience with both. My sister just bought a CRV and loves it.
My $ 0.02

Jim_abx · 03-26-2005, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdonald43

I would personally stay away from the Korean cars, they don't have the build quality that the Japanese cars do. My preference is Honda then Toyota. As for the model it depends upon what you want to do with it. Both makes will just be getting broken in at 100K miles. I may be biased as I have had very positive experience with both. My sister just bought a CRV and loves it.
My $ 0.02

Another vote for the CRV. Bulletproof and more importantly, better resale value than the Hyundai or Kia for sure.

TroNiXx · 03-26-2005, 05:32 AM

XJ. · 03-26-2005, 10:23 AM

I wasn't too impressed with my brother-in-law's CRV. Seemed very "un-honda" like in terms of control layout. The AWD didn't seem to work well (at least when trying to get out of 12" of snow in a drive way) - granted there were a few inches of of granulated ice/snow under that 12", but still...

flex22 · 03-26-2005, 10:27 AM

check this one out

*Fraoch* · 03-26-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flex22

check this one out

Umm...I highly doubt that has an MSRP less than $21k. Try tripling it. And the fuel economy is definitely out of the desired range too.

I have heard very bad things about Kia, but very good things about Hyundai. Kia is owned by Hyundai but their vehicles are not the same - check just about any quality reports. On the ones I saw, Hyundai was #3 and Kia was way, wayyy down there.

I just bought a Santa Fe back in December. I've put 6000 km on it and it's been excellent so far.

I would've actually gotten the Tuscon, but I got this one for a price I couldn't refuse - it was actually cheaper than the smaller Tuscon. Since the Tuscon is new, the financing wasn't that great at the time. However I did test drive the Tuscon and was thoroughly impressed. The V6 gives it gobs of power, I was seriously having problems maintaining controllable starts with that thing. I find the Santa Fe underpowered as it's much heavier but uses the same engine, but the Tuscon was just right.

I used to be a Honda guy and compared it to the CRV, but the CRV is the same price but much smaller and severely underpowered. The Santa Fe compares more closely to the Pilot, but the Pilot is $5-$10k more! I suppose the CRV compares to the Tuscon, but you will get more with the Tuscon for less money. I don't think the CRV has a V6, for example.

BTW in terms of fuel economy, we use l/100 km here and I've always had trouble converting it, but I get 10 l/100 km highway and 12 city, which is pretty good and exactly what the website lists.

Griff · 03-26-2005, 11:56 AM

Check these out, don't know what the price is in the USA.
Ford Freestyle

Eldonko · 03-26-2005, 12:50 PM

How about a Mitsubishi Lancer? It meets your requirements and comes with the best warrenty in the industry, 10 years.

EDIT: read your post again, dunno about pulling trailers with one though heh

Jorrell · 03-26-2005, 03:22 PM

A light motorcycle trailer should be fine pulled behind a decent car unless you're doing it on a regular basis. I wouldn't go with a 4-cylinder but its definitely possible to use. The larger the frame the better off you'll be. A motorcycle trailer is usually very light anyway and wouldn't stress most frames. Of course you'd need to add a hitch on there but that's not difficult.

hondaman_abx · 03-26-2005, 06:59 PM

Jcash, here is my reccomendation to you.
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/...ategory=4WD+LX

I have owned 8 different Hondas in the past, and have worked on 100's all different makes and models. I do not regret owning a single one, and in my opinion you cant go wrong with a crv (honda).

Gbud · 03-26-2005, 07:06 PM

What about the Honda Element?

**SKI** · 03-26-2005, 07:11 PM

If you must stay with an SUV-like vehicle, I'd suggest CRV or a Saturn VUE, given your desires. My Mom & Step-Dad bought one of the first Sportages (4X4 4 cyl) in 9'2 and are still driving it, with relatively few problems, at around 150k miles, for what it's worth. Unless they've changed them a lot, 5 passengers in a Sportage is pushing it, though.

However, I have something REALLY different to suggest: 6 cyl Dodge Magnum or Chevy Malibu MAXX... These don't quite hit your price point, but it sure would get your wife out of the "wife's car/mini-van" arena! I've driven both a MAXX and several 6 cyl Malibu sedans, and they hit your mileage requirements in the real world (despite my heavy foot), with PLENTY of power to pull a bike trailer. As I understand it, the Magnum isn't quite as healthy as the Chev, but it's still a nice ride. Either car would also easily rival the carrying capacity of the small SUV's you're looking at.

jcash · 03-26-2005, 09:34 PM

Drove home with a new Toyota Rav4 today.

Per some of the suggestions here, we checked out the Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Saturn VUE, Suzuki XR-7, the Small FORD and Chevy (forgot what they are called, but they were over-priced.

Toyota's reputation, the gas mileage, and two very sweet dealer incentives today made up our minds.

They took the Factory $500 rebate and made it $1500, and offered us a 7 year/100,000 mile extended warrenty ($2000 value for free) as part of their 25th anniversary sale days...AND gave us top dollar trade in for the Caravan.

Thanks again for the input.

03-25-2005, 11:21 PM	#1
jcash ~Not an Expert~ Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,678	New vehicle Recommendations My wife is in the market for a new vehicle, and since I value "most" of the opinions here, I would like your recommendations. She currently drives a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan EX. She has never liked the Mini-van class of vehicles, and now it is out of warranty and starting to have some mechanical issues. She does have a few requirements... MSRP less than $21,000 - Air Conditioning - at least 20MPG city - 24MPG Highway - seating for 5 (four comfortably) - able to pull a small trailer (motorcycle trailer) Not to bias your opinions, but we are looking at the new Hyundai Tucson (GLS-V6-2WD) and Kia Sportage (EX-V6-2WD)...both seem like good value, with the latest safety features. What do you all think? Thanks in advance. __________________ [ABX]-Kahn - "Keepin' Time!"
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03-26-2005, 12:41 AM	#2
Zulee Join Date: Dec 1983 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 455	I saw a comparison betwen those two cars you mentioned (in swedish) and they clearly like the Kia more. It's suposed to be the same car due to Kia and Hyundai working together in the development department. The Kia had more equipment and the "quality feel" was higher for less money! What about Toyota Rav4, are they much more expensive? __________________ < ThermalTake Tsunami >< HiperGroup Type R 480W >< P4P800 >< P4 Prescott 3.2@3.8GHz, Idle: 39C, Load 55C >< Zalman CNPS7700Cu >< 2xDiamondMax10 250GB 16MB RAID0 >< Selectra PC3200 2x1024MB 1:1 235MHz, 2.5,3,3,6 >< LeadTek 6800LE (12x1/6) @ 420/900 >< SB Audigy >< NEC-ND3500A >< MX1000 >< Hyundai L90D+ 19" 8ms > 3DMark03 3DMark05
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03-26-2005, 12:41 AM	#3
mcdonald43 ilegitimi non carborundum Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: SLC, Utah Posts: 694	I would personally stay away from the Korean cars, they don't have the build quality that the Japanese cars do. My preference is Honda then Toyota. As for the model it depends upon what you want to do with it. Both makes will just be getting broken in at 100K miles. I may be biased as I have had very positive experience with both. My sister just bought a CRV and loves it. My $ 0.02 __________________ A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do. - Walter Bagehot
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03-26-2005, 05:32 AM	#5
TroNiXx Confuzzled ABXer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Casselberry, FL Posts: 1,989	Crv. __________________ ASUS P5NE-SLI - INTEL C2D E6750 @ 3.6GHZ - 4GB CORSAIR XMS DDR2800 - EVGA 8800GTS - ENERMAX 600W PSU - VISTA ULTIMATE 32
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03-26-2005, 10:23 AM	#6
XJ. ... Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NH, USA Posts: 6,076	I wasn't too impressed with my brother-in-law's CRV. Seemed very "un-honda" like in terms of control layout. The AWD didn't seem to work well (at least when trying to get out of 12" of snow in a drive way) - granted there were a few inches of of granulated ice/snow under that 12", but still... __________________
(Offline)

03-26-2005, 12:50 PM	#10
Eldonko Revolutionary Mule Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 2,987	How about a Mitsubishi Lancer? It meets your requirements and comes with the best warrenty in the industry, 10 years. EDIT: read your post again, dunno about pulling trailers with one though heh __________________ PM me for Mushkin questions or support.
(Offline)

03-26-2005, 03:22 PM	#11
Jorrell baka neko Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714	A light motorcycle trailer should be fine pulled behind a decent car unless you're doing it on a regular basis. I wouldn't go with a 4-cylinder but its definitely possible to use. The larger the frame the better off you'll be. A motorcycle trailer is usually very light anyway and wouldn't stress most frames. Of course you'd need to add a hitch on there but that's not difficult. __________________
(Offline)

03-26-2005, 06:59 PM	#12
hondaman_abx F@H NOOB Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: GREENSBORO, MD Posts: 1,249	Jcash, here is my reccomendation to you. http://automobiles.honda.com/models/...ategory=4WD+LX I have owned 8 different Hondas in the past, and have worked on 100's all different makes and models. I do not regret owning a single one, and in my opinion you cant go wrong with a crv (honda). __________________ Game Rig AMD ATHLON 64 X2 3800, ASUS A8N-SLI, OCZ Platinum 2 x 1GB DDR 400 Dual Channel, ATI X1800XT, Enermax Noistaker 485W, 2X WD Raptors 36GB RAID 0, 2X SEAGATE SATA 80 gb RAID 0, Antec 900, Sony DRU-720 `16X Dual Layer, Windows XP PRO X64.
(Offline)

03-26-2005, 07:06 PM	#13
Gbud Not an Expert Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cotati Posts: 771	What about the Honda Element?
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03-26-2005, 07:11 PM	#14
SKI Comms Moderator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tempe, AZ (or wherever my luggage is) Posts: 8,487	If you must stay with an SUV-like vehicle, I'd suggest CRV or a Saturn VUE, given your desires. My Mom & Step-Dad bought one of the first Sportages (4X4 4 cyl) in 9'2 and are still driving it, with relatively few problems, at around 150k miles, for what it's worth. Unless they've changed them a lot, 5 passengers in a Sportage is pushing it, though. However, I have something REALLY different to suggest: 6 cyl Dodge Magnum or Chevy Malibu MAXX... These don't quite hit your price point, but it sure would get your wife out of the "wife's car/mini-van" arena! I've driven both a MAXX and several 6 cyl Malibu sedans, and they hit your mileage requirements in the real world (despite my heavy foot), with PLENTY of power to pull a bike trailer. As I understand it, the Magnum isn't quite as healthy as the Chev, but it's still a nice ride. Either car would also easily rival the carrying capacity of the small SUV's you're looking at.
(Offline)

03-26-2005, 09:34 PM	#15
jcash ~Not an Expert~ Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,678	Thanks for your input..... Drove home with a new Toyota Rav4 today. Per some of the suggestions here, we checked out the Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Saturn VUE, Suzuki XR-7, the Small FORD and Chevy (forgot what they are called, but they were over-priced. Toyota's reputation, the gas mileage, and two very sweet dealer incentives today made up our minds. They took the Factory $500 rebate and made it $1500, and offered us a 7 year/100,000 mile extended warrenty ($2000 value for free) as part of their 25th anniversary sale days...AND gave us top dollar trade in for the Caravan. Thanks again for the input. __________________ [ABX]-Kahn - "Keepin' Time!"
(Offline)

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