OT: Vehicle Buying Advice: Round XXX

[8893]

My wifes been through them all. The Jeep Gand Cherokee always were excellent very few issues of any proportion in 3 in a row she had going back to the late 90's-2000's. Since 2010 she's had various including the Mazda CX9 which I find to have been the best of the lot she's had. As Housekey said seats 7, nice power and drive solid overall car good looking too. Her company has gone to company cars so she now has a loaded Rogue which is nice but not for you or me. Our company just went from Ford to Nissan also so I will be offered the Pathfinder which is a decent ride but not as good as my Explorer now which I would recommend you check out, good solid SUV which I like even on longer drives. My son had an Acura car TL it was one of the nicest rides I've had and man fast so I believe their SUVs have to be sweet. He did just get an Infinity QX35 which is the small combo of SUV/car and it's also a fantastic ride. Guessing their SUVs would be really nice to consider.

Check the Explorer, even if not a Ford fan you will be surprised. I wasn't convinced on choosing that after we had the Taurus offering but really like it.

Couldn't agree more on the Explorer, which has been my "company car" for the past six years or so, during which I have had three different ones, as we buy them lightly used (less than 20k miles) and tend to trade them in every couple years. Therein lies the problem, though, because I can't speak to long-term reliability, having never had one with more than 60k miles. Also, my past two have been the Sport version, which I have found to be a huge step up from the Limited I started out with. The Eco-boost turbo engine is impressive and very responsive; and the vehicle handles very well--twice allowing me to avoid accidents when I thought I was doomed. It's a really comfortable, durable ride with a nice interior. My wife's 2016 Pilot is very nice and she couldn't be happier with it, and I am fine to drive it when I need to, but I like my Explorer Sport a lot better in pretty much every way (except that it's almost 3 mph less fuel efficient). I am currently in a 2016 but I don't think he can touch one in his price range.

Added bonus if you get a black one is that people think you are a cop--including other cops.

 

[minidarren]

Well done. How is it overall? 3.6 or 5.7 2WD or 4WD? It's a Summit so safe to assume leather?

It's loaded. Leather, heated and AC front seats, navigation, 20" wheels, air suspension, headlights that turn when you do, etc. No issues with it at this time and we are at 68k miles. It has the 3.6L.

 

[intlzncster]

Unless I've read soec sheets wrong, I think it Max's out at 3500 lbs. I can get away with 4500 pounds but 3500 is too low. For the midsize SUV market most of the be top outat 3500.

Otherwise, I've heard nothing but good about CX-9.

Awesome vehicle. But you read the specs right. Not for you.

For my money the Cherokee is overpriced. Some people have no issues at all, others get lemons. You get more car for the same price elsewhere imo.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'll throw out my top choice...the new Honda Ridgeline. Ride much like a Pilot, but tow rating is higher and the suspension is stronger. Interior is a carbon copy of the Pilot and the under the bed storage is absolutely genius. New Ford Ranger might be worth a look as well.

I have a Mazda CX-5. Bulletproof after 3 years, but it won't tow anything close to 5,000 pounds. Gas mileage and tow rating don't go together very well, and I think that Ridgeline may be as close as you can get.

 

[Husky25]

Outback? Idk about the 5k pound towing capacity though.

The Outback tows exactly what one should expect from a midsize hatchback, which is well below 5k lbs.

 

[Husky25]

@Chin Diesel I think your best bet is a Pathfinder. When I originally bought my 2008 4Runner, I was considering a similar model year Pathfinder, but that was when the two vehicles were competing. Now the Pathfinder is more appropriately placed in the Highlander's class, but has superior towing capability to the Highlander.

As @HuskyHawk mentions, fuel economy and towing are sort of inverse of one another and a good number of vehicles that used to be thought of as SUVs have been "downgraded (IMO)" to crossover status. In search for better mileage, they forsake power.

 

[intlzncster]

I'll throw out my top choice...the new Honda Ridgeline. Ride much like a Pilot, but tow rating is higher and the suspension is stronger. Interior is a carbon copy of the Pilot and the under the bed storage is absolutely genius. New Ford Ranger might be worth a look as well.

I have a Mazda CX-5. Bulletproof after 3 years, but it won't tow anything close to 5,000 pounds. Gas mileage and tow rating don't go together very well, and I think that Ridgeline may be as close as you can get.

Yeah, the CX-5 towing capacity is like 2000lbs.

 

[intlzncster]

@Chin Diesel
As @HuskyHawk mentions, fuel economy and towing are sort of inverse of one another and a good number of vehicles that used to be thought of as SUVs have been "downgraded (IMO)" to crossover status. In search for better mileage, they forsake power.

Also people just started preferring smaller rides...and SUVs that drove like cars.

 

[NJHusky]

I would add to my prior post that the MDX is substantially bigger than the Cherokee...When I bought it, the cargo capacity was probably the largest in its class....you could put a 4x8 sheet of drywall in the back...the Cherokee is substantially smaller..with no 3 row seating...the MDX actually has storage space behind the 3rd row

 

[UconnFanNVa]

Go with a JL wrangler Sahara (because you want the AWD option). The 2.0 Liter Turbo gets over 20mpg highway with stock wheels and tires. Drives like a dream compared to past wranglers. Only SUV that gives you a convertible in the summer. Comes with all sorts of modern day features now.

 

[Husky25]

Also people just started preferring smaller rides...and SUVs that drove like cars.

SUVs are not cars (sedans), and crossovers are not trucks. So says Autotrader.

 

[Bonehead]

@shizzle787

 

[HooperScooper]

One thing to consider. The pilot and mdx are basically the same substrate with different finishes.

We have a 2010 MDX that my son now drives. Always liked it. Has never given us problems. I don't know about now but when we were in the market in 2010 the MDX drove like a sports car compared to the Pilot. The Pilot felt like I was driving a minivan. Is it better now?

 

[Excalibur]

I

One thing to consider. The pilot and mdx are basically the same substrate with different finishes.

And yet they drive completely differently . . .

 

[NJHusky]

We have a 2010 MDX that my son now drives. Always liked it. Has never given us problems. I don't know about now but when we were in the market in 2010 the MDX drove like a sports car compared to the Pilot. The Pilot felt like I was driving a minivan. Is it better now?

The Pilot was redesigned for the 2016 model year....looks more like an mdx than the pre 2016 pilot. A buddy that is a car guy bought the Pilot since as he said, it's almost the same car but its over 20k cheaper

 

[NJHusky]

And yet they drive completely differently . . .

Haven't been in the new pilot so can't comment...

 

[intlzncster]

SUVs are not cars (sedans), and crossovers are not trucks. So says Autotrader.

True, but 95% of drivers don't even take their SUVs off road, so the distinction doesn't matter to them--hell they probably have no idea of the difference. To them, the term is used in reference to form factor, rather than frame and off road performance.

 

[Excalibur]

Haven't been in the new pilot so can't comment...

Test drove both in May. Pilot still handles like a tank compared to the MDX. Ended up buying a very low mileage (5k) pre owned MDX as the primary family transportation. It fits our needs perfectly and is great to drive.

 

[J187Money]

Bought my son a 2014 XTerra. A little less plush or tech. But rugged, solid for this range of car and that engine will last forever.

And it tows 5000 lbs.

 

[mauconnfan]

Couldn't agree more on the Explorer, which has been my "company car" for the past six years or so, during which I have had three different ones, as we buy them lightly used (less than 20k miles) and tend to trade them in every couple years. Therein lies the problem, though, because I can't speak to long-term reliability, having never had one with more than 60k miles. Also, my past two have been the Sport version, which I have found to be a huge step up from the Limited I started out with. The Eco-boost turbo engine is impressive and very responsive; and the vehicle handles very well--twice allowing me to avoid accidents when I thought I was doomed. It's a really comfortable, durable ride with a nice interior. My wife's 2016 Pilot is very nice and she couldn't be happier with it, and I am fine to drive it when I need to, but I like my Explorer Sport a lot better in pretty much every way (except that it's almost 3 mph less fuel efficient). I am currently in a 2016 but I don't think he can touch one in his price range.

Added bonus if you get a black one is that people think you are a cop--including other cops.

LOL same stuff here 8893. We get brand new and go 60-70K and get new again - normally 24-36 months and I do have black yes people think you're a cop LOL.

 

[Husky25]

True, but 95% of drivers don't even take their SUVs off road, so the distinction doesn't matter to them--hell they probably have no idea of the difference. To them, the term is used in reference to form factor, rather than frame and off road performance.

To me, it's an eye test. My wife drives a Rav4. She would never call it an SUV. I replaced my 2008 4Runner with a the '15 version last month. No one in their right mind would call it a crossover (Though the '15 makes the '08 look like a Highlander). It just doesn't look the part. The gray area exists where vehicles that were formerly termed SUV in previous iterations have been introduced as crossovers in the current generation. Think the Explorer or Pathfinder.

 

[shizzle787]

@shizzle787

Get a 15 or 16 Pathfinder. The CVT issues ended in 2014.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Nice feedback so far.

This is what I am down to based on availability.

2015 Nissan Pathfinder SL- Second from the top trim level with technology upgrade and trailering package. Has about 38k miles. Red exterior, almond interior. Should get 25 mpg and can tow 5k lbs. Checks off all the boxes I need. Dealter is asking $23k.

2012 Lexus GX 460. Base model. Still loaded. 80k miles. Gold exterior, tan interior. About 20 mpg. Asking $24k.

2013 Acura MDX 3.7L Technology Package. 70k miles, should get about 22-23 mpg. This is the last year of the model run. 2014's and newer get a 3.5L engine and about 3-5 mpg more. Otherwise this is fine. Black with a dark tan interior.

2013 GMC Acadia Denali AWD. 67k miles will get about 22-23 mpg. Mrs. Diesel currently has a 2016 GMC Acadia Denali and I'm well aware of how it functions.

As for some of the other vehicles others have mentioned:

CR-V, RAV-4, CX-5- All great cars. I've owned a CR-V, my parents currently have a CX-5. None of them are close to the towing power I need.

Ford Explorer- Nice option. Nothing in my price range within 100 miles. Newer ones are still in owners hands and mostly you see 10+ year old ones for sale with well over 100k miles. Unfortunately the 2WD models on tow 3,500. Need to step up to AWD or the top of the line engine to get 5,000 lbs towing.

Subaru Legacy- Nice. Max's out around 3500 lbs for towing.

Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan XTerra and Toyota Sequoia- All great choices. Car market where I live either has 1-2 year old models still above $35k (most above $40k) or really old ones with 150k miles. If owners get past the first 25,000 miles or so, they hold on to these vehicles for another decade. Fully aware of the Acura-Honda, Lexus-Toyota and Nissan-Infiniti relationship in their model lineup.

Audi, Porshce, Volvo- Not risking reliability or repair costs.

I'm finishing up a business trip out in California and have working this all online and via email. So nice to do most of the leg work without having to go to dealerships and go through all the crud.

 

[Bonehead]

Nice feedback so far.

This is what I am down to based on availability.

2015 Nissan Pathfinder SL- Second from the top trim level with technology upgrade and trailering package. Has about 38k miles. Red exterior, almond interior. Should get 25 mpg and can tow 5k lbs. Checks off all the boxes I need. Dealter is asking $23k.

2012 Lexus GX 460. Base model. Still loaded. 80k miles. Gold exterior, tan interior. About 20 mpg. Asking $24k.

2013 Acura MDX 3.7L Technology Package. 70k miles, should get about 22-23 mpg. This is the last year of the model run. 2014's and newer get a 3.5L engine and about 3-5 mpg more. Otherwise this is fine. Black with a dark tan interior.

2013 GMC Acadia Denali AWD. 67k miles will get about 22-23 mpg. Mrs. Diesel currently has a 2016 GMC Acadia Denali and I'm well aware of how it functions.

As for some of the other vehicles others have mentioned:

CR-V, RAV-4, CX-5- All great cars. I've owned a CR-V, my parents currently have a CX-5. None of them are close to the towing power I need.

Ford Explorer- Nice option. Nothing in my price range within 100 miles. Newer ones are still in owners hands and mostly you see 10+ year old ones for sale with well over 100k miles. Unfortunately the 2WD models on tow 3,500. Need to step up to AWD or the top of the line engine to get 5,000 lbs towing.

Subaru Legacy- Nice. Max's out around 3500 lbs for towing.

Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan XTerra and Toyota Sequoia- All great choices. Car market where I live either has 1-2 year old models still above $35k (most above $40k) or really old ones with 150k miles. If owners get past the first 25,000 miles or so, they hold on to these vehicles for another decade. Fully aware of the Acura-Honda, Lexus-Toyota and Nissan-Infiniti relationship in their model lineup.

Audi, Porshce, Volvo- Not risking reliability or repair costs.

I'm finishing up a business trip out in California and have working this all online and via email. So nice to do most of the leg work without having to go to dealerships and go through all the crud.

Shizzle is your man anything Nissan and maybe others, dependent on pre-owned inventory.

 

[Husky25]

Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan XTerra and Toyota Sequoia- All great choices. Car market where I live either has 1-2 year old models still above $35k (most above $40k) or really old ones with 150k miles. If owners get past the first 25,000 miles or so, they hold on to these vehicles for another decade.

It is true that 4Runner owners love their 4Runners. That is why I upgraded from '08 to '15, but it took me 4 months to find the one I bought last month. I got it with 26K miles for $30K.