SUV Shopping
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I just got rid of a Nissan Armada for an Acura 2014 MDX. The Armada was a great ride. The MDX seats 4 1/2 not 7. The 3rd row too small for my 5'6" son. The Armada got 15 mpg where the MDX is 22-24. I'd take the extra room and comfort of the Armada over the gas mileage. I also have 2 great Danes that stood tall in the Armada and their shoulders rub the roof of the MDX. No fun cleaning fur from the ceiling.
I would definitely get the Hemi if I went for the Durango. Even though the wife will be the one to drive it most often, I want the power for the odd time I take the wheel. I will take power over fuel economy any day of the week, lol.
What I have read about the Pilot is that it is very badly in need of an update, with the worst interior in the class. I am intrigued by the 4runner, but my one and only experience with Toyota was by far the worst experience I have ever had with a new car, and I promised myself I would shun Toyota for all eternity. I asked my wife about the Subaru, and she assured me that it is a lesbian car and she didn't want to send the wrong signal, lol. Seriously though, I googled it and Lesbians do seem to like their Subarus. Very odd.
I have to say, to my eyes, the best looking SUVS in no particular order are the new 2014 Durango, the new 2015 GMC Yukon Denali, and the new 2015 Escalade. If I was driving it daily instead of the wife, I would probably go for the 2015 Yukon Denali or the 2015 Escalade.
What I have read about the Pilot is that it is very badly in need of an update, with the worst interior in the class. I am intrigued by the 4runner, but my one and only experience with Toyota was by far the worst experience I have ever had with a new car, and I promised myself I would shun Toyota for all eternity. I asked my wife about the Subaru, and she assured me that it is a lesbian car and she didn't want to send the wrong signal, lol. Seriously though, I googled it and Lesbians do seem to like their Subarus. Very odd.
I have to say, to my eyes, the best looking SUVS in no particular order are the new 2014 Durango, the new 2015 GMC Yukon Denali, and the new 2015 Escalade. If I was driving it daily instead of the wife, I would probably go for the 2015 Yukon Denali or the 2015 Escalade.
I would second the 4Runner, they are typically some of the most reliable vehicles in their class. They get average fuel economy, are smaller than a Yukon/Navigator and perform well on road and in snow. Also, they make a larger vehicle called the Sequoia that is comparable to the Yukon/Suburban vehicles. I am a fan of Toyota for the reliability. I have a 1999 4Runner with 160k miles on it and haven't had any trouble with it other than maintenance. FWIW I have a friend who is 6'8" and 375lbs and he just got a 2011 4Runner over other mid sized suvs because he fit better in it.
My wife started to laugh and blew her drink thru her nose! She says that the L's have rainbow bumper stickers and dog restraint gates between the back and front seats - vs - Macy and Nordstrom's shopping bags in the back seat like she has.
Seriously, we've had 3 Subaru's - sold 2 of them around 250,000 miles and people were glad to have them. (The current one has 217,000 and is just now feeling broke-in). My folks have had 2, and my daughter and son-in-law have had 3 also. Can't beat them in the snow. That said, I think all the models are too small for your needs.
Got to go help wipe up the pop she spewed on the walls . . .
#1 Ford, #2 Chevy/GMC products. Only because I did sell them all, never had a problem with all the Fords I have driven in the last 38 years. But I will say that the GM products drive more like a car than a SUV, but you own a Ford truck so you know that they don't drive like a truck anymore either.
Durango not good & I love the old Chrysler products with "Hemi", like something with 426 in front of it.
Durango not good & I love the old Chrysler products with "Hemi", like something with 426 in front of it.
I grew up in Detroit and lived there until I was almost 40. For business reasons I had to drive a big-3 car. Talk about pieces of crap that spent more time in the shop than on the road. I'll never buy another one as long as I live.
plateauguy, I bought my first Subaru almost eight years ago and had a lot of warranty work on it. It was built in
the U.S., Lafayette, Indiana, I think. I had two go-arounds on the a.c.; a blown wheel bearing in the first 40K miles;
two engine fans replaced. It's the last Legacy station wagon they made, and has a lot more style than the current
Outback and Forester, streamlined and elegant. The upside is that the interior, after eight years, looks almost new.
Except for a few parking lot dings, the body is smooth and the finish good. But with only 83K, it needed a new
CV boot, and the shop tells me it needs new head gaskets and a new timing belt. So I am not necessarily looking
forward to enjoying the 200K miles many seem to get out of their Subes. I do love it for versatility, 4WD stability,
the boxer engine with a low center of gravity for evading wrecks, and the wagon configuration for hauling stuff
without buying a big lunker. The ride is extremely comfortable for a compact; I call it my Japanese Buick.
American cars get no respect. Those old "aerodynamic" Ford Taurus's were war horses; some of the 80s and 90s
models are still hauling around. They weren't thrifty on gas, but they kept moving, in many cases. I have yet to own
an "American" brand car. Some cultural problem with the dealers, who seem resistant to talk or deal with me, whereas
Nissan and Subaru salespeople will come out at closing time and bring brochures. Some of the Am-brand dealers
won't even say hello. 1970s through the present. Shrug.
the U.S., Lafayette, Indiana, I think. I had two go-arounds on the a.c.; a blown wheel bearing in the first 40K miles;
two engine fans replaced. It's the last Legacy station wagon they made, and has a lot more style than the current
Outback and Forester, streamlined and elegant. The upside is that the interior, after eight years, looks almost new.
Except for a few parking lot dings, the body is smooth and the finish good. But with only 83K, it needed a new
CV boot, and the shop tells me it needs new head gaskets and a new timing belt. So I am not necessarily looking
forward to enjoying the 200K miles many seem to get out of their Subes. I do love it for versatility, 4WD stability,
the boxer engine with a low center of gravity for evading wrecks, and the wagon configuration for hauling stuff
without buying a big lunker. The ride is extremely comfortable for a compact; I call it my Japanese Buick.
American cars get no respect. Those old "aerodynamic" Ford Taurus's were war horses; some of the 80s and 90s
models are still hauling around. They weren't thrifty on gas, but they kept moving, in many cases. I have yet to own
an "American" brand car. Some cultural problem with the dealers, who seem resistant to talk or deal with me, whereas
Nissan and Subaru salespeople will come out at closing time and bring brochures. Some of the Am-brand dealers
won't even say hello. 1970s through the present. Shrug.
My parents just bought an Audi Q5 and it's a lovely piece if machinery there is a bigger model as well.
I drive a Kia sportage you can buy give of those also lol.
I drive a Kia sportage you can buy give of those also lol.
I have a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Much more in initial cost but it gets 26-28 mpg routinely no matter how I drive. Very quiet, very comfortable and it has the third row of seats that the 4-Runner has as well (and is a smaller vehicle that parks well). Lots of bells and whistles too. Whatever you decide it needs to fit you and your stuff.
Spencer
Spencer
peck, Consumer Reports just issued their 2014 Best Cars issue (April 2014). We have a subscription so I rec'd mine in the mail and don't know if it's on the newstands yet. Just sayin'.
We're shopping for my wife as well. She wants an economical SUV... yeah, good luck with that... I have a Honda that has over 200,000 miles and have looked at the Pilot for her. I also looked at the Ford Edge Hybrid but am not sure it will be big enough. With two kids, two dogs(one a Gold Retriever) and lots of traveling the demand for a roomy SUV is a must. I also looked at the Jeep Grand Cherokee and it is very nice.
I've been a professional specialized auto carrier for quite a few year and have driven EVERY SUV available. I know what I'm talking about. My recommendation to all is without a doubt the Buick Enclave check it out. Any questions contact me. Don't be fooled by all the wanna be SUV vehicles out there. Pipetraveler
Thanks for all the input. After kicking tires for a few weeks, I decided to forgo the third row and order a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The inlaws recently picked up a mini-van, so I figure we can use that when I have to haul them around as well as the family. Unfortunately the Grand Cherokee has to be made so it will take several months to arrive, but I am really looking forward to it.
I'm also looking for a new SUV. From all of my research the Buick Enclave always pops to the top. I drove my friend's this week and am convinced that this is the car for me. I don't care about the third row but the overall storage room, ride and handling is wonderful.
No, I got the 2014 SRT8. It has a 6.4L Hemi with 470 HP. Fun to drive. I test drove the diesel but it was a little lethargic for my taste.
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