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Compact SUV advice?

Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:17 pm
Posted by Zach
Gizmonic Institute
Member since May 2005
112484 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:17 pm
I hate buying cars. But it's time.

The wife wants a Buick Enclave because 'it's pretty.'
The Nissan Rogue looks like a good price.
Son says 'Don't buy European.'
WSJ had a guy who said Subaru is the best but didn't give a model name.

I'm gonna spend most of the day Thursday test driving and dickering. Any advice up in here would be appreciated to narrow my choices down.
Posted by hungryone
river parishes
Member since Sep 2010
11987 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:22 pm to
No advice about compact SUVs...but I do have one observation after buying two new cars in the last 12 months: the compact SUV category is overpriced, IMHO. Think long & hard about whether you need the cargo capacity, high clearance, etc before you buy. I ended up with a compact hatchback and a sedan....the compact hatch (with rear seat folded down) holds more than most small SUVs, and both cars are less expensive to insure & have way way better gas mileage than small SUVs.

I love the Subaru Forester---but it's premium priced. If I lived in a snowy climate, it would be my first choice.
This post was edited on 8/17/15 at 3:45 pm
Posted by tokenBoiler
Lafayette, Indiana
Member since Aug 2012
4415 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:38 pm to
quote:

WSJ had a guy who said Subaru is the best but didn't give a model name.


Either a Forester (slightly more SUV-like) or an Outback (slightly more station-wagon-like).

Both excellent choices, pretty close to the same interior volume, same (or extremely similar) drive-train choices.
This post was edited on 8/17/15 at 3:41 pm
Posted by Hawkeye95
Member since Dec 2013
20293 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 4:00 pm to
quote:



Either a Forester (slightly more SUV-like) or an Outback (slightly more station-wagon-like).

Both excellent choices, pretty close to the same interior volume, same (or extremely similar) drive-train choices.


i have yet to meet a subaru owner that didn't love their car. I certainly love my subie.

I rented a rogue, and thought meh. I do like the murano but that is a tad more expensive.
Posted by Ridgewalker
Member since Aug 2012
3560 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 4:19 pm to
Just bought the wife a RAV4 Limited. So far so good. Good mileage, AWD for the hills in this area, good visibility and way too many toys.

31K MSRP but I didn't pay that thanks to Toyota's H pricing.
Posted by GaryMyMan
Shreveport
Member since May 2007
13498 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 5:06 pm to
Certified Pre Owned Lexus RX350. Or new Mazda CX-5, or Honda CRV. If you need a 3rd row: Toyota Highlander.

They make a Subaru Forrester with a turbo 4cyl that's supposed to be a lot of fun to drive. If you need AWD that would be a good option.

My sister has that Buick and the interior is crap. Her's looked 10 years old after about 2 years. Typical GM.
This post was edited on 8/17/15 at 5:09 pm
Posted by BACONisMEATcandy
Member since Dec 2007
46643 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 5:18 pm to
The Nissian has a weird Transmission that takes some getting used to and Suburu does not line up with your political beliefs. Not sure if that matters to you or not
Posted by UltimaParadox
Huntsville
Member since Nov 2008
40858 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 6:34 pm to
Wife has been very pleased with the Mazda CX-5. It feel like it has a lot more torque than the GMC terrain she had before. Also she is getting 27-28mpg in the city and over 30 on the highway
Posted by BACONisMEATcandy
Member since Dec 2007
46643 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 7:34 pm to
The Terrain is just a plain awful car. We were considering buying one before I got one as a rental. Would never buy one.

Very happy with our Jeep Grand Cherokee
Posted by Jag_Warrior
Virginia
Member since May 2015
4101 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 8:15 pm to
I bought my first one in 2004 and now I have three Subies - two bought new and one used. I've owned a lot of brands over the years but Subaru has proven to be the most dependable make that I've ever owned. IMO, they provide excellent value, price aside.

I tell friends who ask me for car advice that Subarus are what Apple products USED to be: they just work. The car salesmen on here may have a different opinion, but I swear by Subies now.
Posted by UltimaParadox
Huntsville
Member since Nov 2008
40858 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 8:30 pm to
quote:

The Terrain is just a plain awful car.


If there is anything taken from the thread this is it. Worst vehicle we have ever owned. We will never buy another GM.
Posted by CoachRobertson
Denham Springs
Member since Dec 2014
364 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 8:33 pm to
Want price on Sportage? I also have ton of preowned suv, so email for info
Posted by Jon Ham
Member since Jun 2011
28588 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 8:37 pm to
I own an '06 CRV and love it. I drove a new Buick Encore and hated just about everything about it. My gf has a late 2000's Jeep Liberty which is not bad. Best bet is to set your budget, test drive the ones in your budget, and go from there.
Posted by BACONisMEATcandy
Member since Dec 2007
46643 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 8:38 pm to
I'll buy GM, just nothing smaller than the Silverado, Suburban, or Tahoe.
Posted by GaryMyMan
Shreveport
Member since May 2007
13498 posts
Posted on 8/17/15 at 9:12 pm to
quote:

I'll buy GM, just nothing smaller than the Silverado, Suburban, or Tahoe.


It's 2015 and they still can't get the DRL's to work on their $65,000 SUVs.

Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
17998 posts
Posted on 8/18/15 at 7:39 am to
Look at Honda HRV, Mazda CX-3 and Subaru XV Crosstek. No need wasting time looking at anything else. Buy what you like best.
Posted by Feed Me Popeyes
Baltimore, MD
Member since Apr 2008
2104 posts
Posted on 8/18/15 at 8:13 am to
quote:

the compact SUV category is overpriced, IMHO. Think long & hard about whether you need the cargo capacity, high clearance, etc before you buy. I ended up with a compact hatchback and a sedan....the compact hatch (with rear seat folded down) holds more than most small SUVs, and both cars are less expensive to insure & have way way better gas mileage than small SUVs.


After 5 years of owning a compact SUV, I agree with all of this.

I'm planning to downsize to a compact hatchback soon. I expect to lose only about 10 cubic feet of storage, which is irrelevant 99% of the time I drive. I'll get a cargo box for the roof if I really miss it that other 1% of the time
This post was edited on 8/18/15 at 8:14 am
Posted by The Spleen
Member since Dec 2010
38865 posts
Posted on 8/18/15 at 9:26 am to
quote:

i have yet to meet a subaru owner that didn't love their car



Love my OUtback. Best car I've ever owned.


Looked at a Forester and it was nice as well, but liked the Outback better.
Posted by mmonro3
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2013
3925 posts
Posted on 8/18/15 at 9:35 am to
Get a forester or outback. If you want to spend more money acura mdx
Posted by LNCHBOX
70448
Member since Jun 2009
84118 posts
Posted on 8/18/15 at 10:09 am to
quote:

If you want to spend more money acura mdx


You give some of the worst car advice I've seen. An MDX for someone looking for a compact SUV?

OP, the CX-5 is where'd I'd look. A friend just picked up a top line 2016, and it is very nice. Just like this one:





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