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Used SUV advice

Topshelf

Topshelf

Active Member
Jan 31, 2007
916
27
28
Ames, IA
Hey fellow CF'ers, need any advice you have on a good used SUV for my wife and I. We have one child so far but want something bigger than our camry. We have been looking at a Chrysler Pacifica at Nissan but thought if anybody would have good advice, it would be CF.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.
 
I bought a brand new Trailblazer in 07 and its been nothing but problems internally and externally.
If I had to do it again I would probably get a Toyota Highlander.

Also be aware of the additional tag fees every year, I think its close to $350.
 
We are looking at 3rd row seating SUVs right now, we have a 2nd kid on the way and by the time you get 2 car seats in the back our lab has no where to sit when we go to the lake. I like the Chrysler Aspen, Outlook/Acadia, and the Sequoia although it is a costly option. Highlander and Sorrento were small inside, not any bigger than my Cherokee so I gained nothing.
 
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Minivans are great.....:biggrin: We love our Odyssey.

Lot's of good choices for SUV's. The GM Lamda's look nice, but I'd probably still wonder about long term reliability. The Ford Edge looks pretty interesting to me.

Hard to go wrong with a Honda or Toyota. Mazda CX 7 & 9 has gotten a lot of kind reviews.
 
Topshelf said:
Hey fellow CF'ers, need any advice you have on a good used SUV for my wife and I. We have one child so far but want something bigger than our camry. We have been looking at a Chrysler Pacifica at Nissan but thought if anybody would have good advice, it would be CF.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.
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Bought a used '06 Pacifica in '07 and love it. Don't use the 3rd row much, but have it if needed. Been a great vehicle.
 
IMO, If you're thinking of going the Pacifica route you may as well just go to a minivan.
 
Topshelf said:
Hey fellow CF'ers, need any advice you have on a good used SUV for my wife and I. We have one child so far but want something bigger than our camry. We have been looking at a Chrysler Pacifica at Nissan but thought if anybody would have good advice, it would be CF.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I would highly suggest a used Lexus RX. We bought an 01 RX 300 3 years ago and have had a great experience with it. The ride and the fit and finish are much better than the new vehicles in the category. we paid a little less than the new price on the available options in the crossover category. Go see Ray Crohn (sp?) at Willis if you're near DSM.
 
clones26 said:
We are looking at 3rd row seating SUVs right now, we have a 2nd kid on the way and by the time you get 2 car seats in the back our lab has no where to sit when we go to the lake. I like the Chrysler Aspen, Outlook/Acadia, and the Sequoia although it is a costly option. Highlander and Sorrento were small inside, not any bigger than my Cherokee so I gained nothing.
Click to expand...

We looked at an acadia/traverse, and the scary thing is I could get a volvo XC90 for the same price.
 
I think we need more info.

Do you prefer an SUV?
Seating for how many?
New or used?
Budget?

Without a budget people could recommend everything from a Kia Soul to a Porsche Cayenne.

What I like to tell family that want to buy a new car is to go out and look at used versions that are 6 or 7 years old.

What's the resale like on the used ones?
How has the interior held up?

About any car you buy today is going to seem great because it's new but drive a used one and you'll get a lot better view of how they hold up.
 
agcy68 said:
Does the Edge have a 3rd row?
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No. No option to add either as it is considered "mid-sized". Ford's next size up crossover with a third row would be the Flex but it looks just plain ugly to me.

If you want something with size, 3rd row, and cargo I'd go with an Expedition.
 
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Ford Taurus X. Took the place of the freestyle, has a bigger engine, a 3rd row seat, gets 24 mpg on the highway, and there is more room in the back than our Durango had. Not too many people know about them because the Flex took it's place, but it's a nice car with leather, sunroof, 6 disc cd with satellite, and we got it for a little over 21,000.
 
We've had a number of SUVs, and I currently have a Buick Enclave. For the money, the best deal imo is a Suburban. A solid used Suburban can be bought for less than $10,000 for a vehicle that sold for $50.000 new. They are safe, ride like a car and the gas mileage isn't that much different from a new crossover. My son got one six months ago, and loves it. For the little difference is gas, you can save thousands upfront, and have money in the bank. Plus, they will go 300,000 miles with no problem. They are way underpriced for used vehicals because of all the other choices out there. Drive one.

And if you want to tow a boat or a popup camper with the kids, no problem
 
dmclone said:
I think we need more info.

Do you prefer an SUV?
Seating for how many?
New or used?
Budget?

Without a budget people could recommend everything from a Kia Soul to a Porsche Cayenne.

What I like to tell family that want to buy a new car is to go out and look at used versions that are 6 or 7 years old.

What's the resale like on the used ones?
How has the interior held up?

About any car you buy today is going to seem great because it's new but drive a used one and you'll get a lot better view of how they hold up.
Click to expand...

Good point. I was thinking about that this morning. Forgot to put down this info.

We prefer an SUV. We are thinking $8000 - $10,000. We are looking used.

So far everyone has given great advice, that's what I love about this site.

Thanks again.
 
I bought a used Jeep Grand Cherokee last year with 70,000 miles. It was in great condition and you can find a nice sweet spot in that mileage range for prices. The 2005(?) models and later are the new body style and they look pretty sweet too.
 
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