Need help finding an SUV/Truck

[whyjay91]

If anyone has a recommendation on an SUV or Truck for me to purchase for my wife, I'd love to hear the make/model and why you feel it's better than the competition.

I've been test driving everything in sight and have been stumped with the limited offerings. I somewhat like the GX470 but it seems a bit top-heavy to me and my wife is not the best driver.

So far, the 4runner seems to be a great value, but I'm not big on the current styling. Geez, I'm so picky.

[trackmagic]

F350 Diesel. Its amazing.

[UFGatorG35]

Originally Posted by whyjay91

it seems a bit top-heavy to me and my wife is not the best driver.

If this is the case I would aviod anything with a lot of height (true SUVs). I learned to drive in an SUV and have driven them for 12 years. While they are more prone to rollovers, by far the majority of the time it is driver error that causes it.

I would stick to the corssovers like the Infinit FX, VW Touareg, and Volvo XC90. All of these give you the room of an SUV, but ground clearance and stability more along the lines of a station wagon (which in my mind they are, but thats another topic). If she flips one of those I would get her a bus pass.

Good luck!

[whyjay91]

Originally Posted by UFGatorG35

If this is the case I would aviod anything with a lot of height (true SUVs). I learned to drive in an SUV and have driven them for 12 years. While they are more prone to rollovers, by far the majority of the time it is driver error that causes it.

I would stick to the corssovers like the Infinit FX, VW Touareg, and Volvo XC90. All of these give you the room of an SUV, but ground clearance and stability more along the lines of a station wagon (which in my mind they are, but thats another topic). If she flips one of those I would get her a bus pass.

Good luck!

I like the bus pass comment. Pretty good one.

I'm certainly no stranger to SUVs and trucks but I'm just not seeing a lot out there for the money (value). I would like to be able to tow a couple of jet skis or maybe a small trailer with some gravel or beauty bark so it can't be a complete wimp. I did have a 4x4 dakota quad cab some time ago and she managed to back it into a parked corolla. This is what I'm most concerned with. It might be a one time incident but I'd rather not try again. The Titan is a good value with all of its rebates but is somewhat large. She likes the XC90 but I'm not a fan of volvo reliability. The touareg might be an option but I'm not a huge fan of volkswagen either and they are either underpowered (v6) or overpriced (v8). I mentioned the GX470 because I think they are solid, stout, machines with good resale. I would spend the $48k for one of those but probably not dump it into a v8 touareg.

The commander was pretty decent with a loaded limited hemi, but it also seemed a bit large for her. And the Jeep interiors these days, wow. What's the deal. Anyone sit in a new grand cherokee overland lately? Ridiculous amount of cheap plastic.

As you can see, I'm pretty picky. The G was a great value with style, power, and handling. I'm hoping to find something similar in an SUV. The FX35 is decent but the interior room, at least in the cargo area, is not so great. I like real SUVs...on frames but am having trouble finding one that fits our needs/wants.

[UFGatorG35]

Originally Posted by whyjay91

I like the bus pass comment. Pretty good one.

I'm certainly no stranger to SUVs and trucks but I'm just not seeing a lot out there for the money (value). I would like to be able to tow a couple of jet skis or maybe a small trailer with some gravel or beauty bark so it can't be a complete wimp. I did have a 4x4 dakota quad cab some time ago and she managed to back it into a parked corolla. This is what I'm most concerned with. It might be a one time incident but I'd rather not try again. The Titan is a good value with all of its rebates but is somewhat large. She likes the XC90 but I'm not a fan of volvo reliability. The touareg might be an option but I'm not a huge fan of volkswagen either and they are either underpowered (v6) or overpriced (v8). I mentioned the GX470 because I think they are solid, stout, machines with good resale. I would spend the $48k for one of those but probably not dump it into a v8 touareg.

The commander was pretty decent with a loaded limited hemi, but it also seemed a bit large for her. And the Jeep interiors these days, wow. What's the deal. Anyone sit in a new grand cherokee overland lately? Ridiculous amount of cheap plastic.

As you can see, I'm pretty picky. The G was a great value with style, power, and handling. I'm hoping to find something similar in an SUV. The FX35 is decent but the interior room, at least in the cargo area, is not so great. I like real SUVs...on frames but am having trouble finding one that fits our needs/wants.

A ton of great points here, you have your work cut out for you! I completely understand, when I go back to SUVs there will be no hybrid in the running. People knock them, but my father and I have both had a lot of luck with Explorers, and Ive had pleanty of friends with Expeditions and Tahoes with no complaints. The 4Runner is nice, good power and nicely done on the inside. I think my favorite right now is the Armada, and the interior of the Infiniti version is very well finished. RangeRover sport is a little pricey and too small IMO. Have fun, I'm sure youll like what you decide on in the end.

And thanks for seeing the humor in the bus pass, some people in here have been WAY too sensative lately.

[Garnet Canuck]

Pathfinder or Honda Pilot maybe?

[bulldog25]

the new tahoe is sweet. but a gas guzzler w/ gas over 3.00 now.

[telegramsam]

Got my wife the FX35 which is a very nice vehicle but I am really taken with the new Trailblazer SS. An SUV on steroids. They sound so sweet. Some aftermarket wheels and exhaust and it would be perfect.

[machavez702]

Need more info...lots of passengers? kids? need diesel? 3 rows of seating? gas mileage?

My wife drives an Armada. She wanted a Yukon Denali but I asked her to test out the Toyota & Nissan. She also checked out the Suburban & Escalade. She didn't like any of the others (GMs were too cheezy for her & Toyota just didn't please her). Her requirements were easy access to the third row for our children (inluding a 5 year old), 4 doors, and plenty of cargo room. The selling point for her was our 5yr old could flip the second row to get in the back. She didn't like the styling but she wouldn't trade for any other SUV out right now. I did do some aftermarket wheels, stereo, intake & exhaust for her. She has become a novice car snob since we have been together.
It's too large for my liking. It feels like everyone is trying to run into me when I drive it.

[GLuXuRy]

X5 4.8 iS

[IlirG]

Originally Posted by trackmagic

F350 Diesel. Its amazing.

Amazing how much of a peice of crap it is. I owned a 2002 model, brand new, and the peice of **** had so many problems by 20k miles, I swore never to buy another Ford again.

[whyjay91]

Thanks for all of the responses. It does get my car juices flowing and triggers potential choices.

I also liked the SS trailblazer but the interior has not been upgraded yet to the new Chevy/GMC standard found in the new Tahoe and Yukon. After years of having the same interior, they've really done a nice job on the new upgrades.

The Armada fell out of the running when my findings showed several reliability concerns. Plus, it might be a little big for what my wife needs.

I was thinking of the new Yukon Denali. Reliability and quality seem to have gone up substantially. I just can't get over the huge drop in resale in the first year. It's enormous.

I think we've agreed upon the Lexus GX470. It seems a little top-heavy but hopefully it's not a concern. I haven't read of any rollover incidents with it. It seems to come with everything we're looking for and it has that proven powertrain. I'm really shocked when I drive my friends '99 Lexus LX with over 100k on it and it rides and sounds like it was new. Doesn't chew through brakes or tires. I also rode in my friends '00 4runner and it also felt new. Both have had 0 problems. Would I like a bigger motor in the GX? Of course, but this should do the trick for a while.

Thanks again to those who chimed in.

[machavez702]

GX470 is nice. Lexus makes outstanding vehicles. Plush.

[BigPuppy]

Perhaps you will be seduced, as I had been, by this...

RRS S/C vs...Royal Tank Regiment???

It's a Top Gear video that's been around for a few months, but still makes me want to grab my checkbook and head down to the local LR dealer - oh wait, I did that last weekend

Jaguar V8 + Aston Martin Tranny + unparalleled off-road prowess...seems like a no brainer if you can fit it in your budget - or otherwise delude yourself into believing you can.

Alas, 2006 being the first year there had been some software issues with earlier production runs, so reliability remains a consideration, but on the plus side it did garner the the ALG Residual Value Award and, at least in my eyes, exudes almost as much sex appeal as Anna Kournikova in a pair of tight jeans.

I've decided to wait for the TDV8 in '08, when you'll be able to see 470+ lb ft of torque and 25+ MPG from an SUV that weighs 5,700 lbs!

Oh, but as others have pointed out, the GX470 is nice as well

[Houston G]

How about the new 07' Avalanche or Tahoe? The milage is very good considering it's a large V8; it uses regular grade fuel (not premium). I just got my wife an 07' AV w/22's. For about 40K, it came with touch screen navigation, rear camera, heated memory seats, power foldaway mirrors, car phone, Onstar, power adjustable pedal, remote start, universal home remote, and much much more. It think it is a great value in terms of looks, versatility, power, and cool features. I luv driving my 06' 6MT G35 coupe on the weekdays and my wife's 07' AV on the weekends. Best of both worlds. Check out this site: http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/24/auto...nche/index.htm