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no. no. no. no. no. not the accord.  we're getting rid of my wife's crappy Mazda Protege and we want to get an SUV.  im looking for thoughts/opinions/experiences from you guys

yea, ive read all the consumer reports and done the research but i'd like to get your thoughts too.  i want something that can handle the new england winters, get loaded up with snowboards and head to the mountains, go offroading on the beach and can also be an overall good reliable vehicle for highways, commute, etc.  this won't be a pretty-boy SUV that never see's a day off road.

im looking at something that is used (around 05-08) with less than 40K on the odometer.  drop a vote or offer up alternatives.  
pros/cons

Xterra -
pros: high reliability rating, least expensive option, many on the market, looks badass, handles well off road
cons: dont know anybody thats ever owned one, very crappy radio/stereo, "cheap" interior

Grand Cherokee
pros:  its a jeep, known many people that have had one (myself included) with good experiences, tow capability
cons: expensive, had problems with my last jeep when it was on its last leg, expensive to repair

Rav4
pros: good gas mileage, my wife likes it (hehe), cargo room
cons: never owned a toyota before, least "rugged" option, more expensive than i had thought

what'aya think?

I'd go with the Rav 4. My aunt has one (brand new last year) and she loves it.

Toyota reliability made me vote for the Rav4.

My mother Drives a Highlander, "The Rav 4's bigger brother", and it's been nothing short of great since 2003 I'd get the rav 4

Toyota FTW, although Nissan/Infiniti has a special part in my heart.

lots of the rav4's ive found tend to be the 4cyl models.  v6 all the way FTW!

thanks for your thoughts guys - keep them coming?

any other SUV's you guys have owned that you'd reco?  Another one i was toying with was the FJ Cruiser.  It's a lot less expensive and better on gas mileage than i had originally thought.

What no Honda Justin?...shame on you. What bout the Honda Ridgeline or Pilot? Maybe the Ridgeline might be more classified as a truck tho. I've never driven in either one so can't say how they are, but wouldn't hurt to check em out.

Sorry Justin, but FJ Cruisers are FUGLY!!

What about the honda CRV seems like your going for the smaller SUV's and the new ones look sweet! Good luck with whatever you decide on!

I chose the Rav4 based on Toyota's reliability. I wouldn't go with the Xterra because of the higher center of gravity and it being a bit top heavy as opposed to the Toyota. And as far as the Grand Cherokee, don't. Had one and it was a pile. Swore to never again purchase a Daimler Chrysler product again.

the previous generation of pilots (not the new boxy thing) are very nice cars. my dad has one and i love it. but it just depends on what youre looking for

Another con with the jeep is depending if you buy a brand new one or a used one Chrysler transmissions(automatic) have a bad problem of wearing out at around 60k miles... Every dodge my family has owned the tranny has went out around 60k

Do Honda...

You can only get a 4banger in the Honda and it sounds like he wants a 6 cylinder. My family is literally obsessed with Toyota products. I have driven an xterra and I hated it!! My best friend has the Grand Cherokee with the Hemi and it is nice. It drives good, but Its american so I wouldnt touch it. So that only leaves the Rav 4. One option would be an 00-03 or 04-09 RX300/330/350. We have had all three and the 300 is the most Rugged of them all. It has been a great car. It has a 3 liter V6. I believe you can get AWD. Just another option.
I dont know how much you want to spend but you can get these relatively cheap. The new ones are more of a Luxury car with little functionality.
Something Like This Retails for 13-15k for an 02
(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd296/wtcii/2003lexusrx2030020169251-E.jpg)

Toyota, we have a sequoia and it's been holding up nicely. But your right on the fact that it is not as off-road worthy without some upgrades.

The exterra is ok...a couple friends back in highschool owned them, but they are rather "cheap"

I would suggest a Highlander but, I dont know how much you wnat to spend

well he could still get a V6 pilot if he wants something mid-sized

i would say honda and toyota are your best bets on something reliable

definitely looking for mid-size with a v6.  the CRV is too small - a glorified station wagon in my eyes.  The Honda Pilot is also somewhat under consideration.  i hadnt given it too much thought.

my criteria is an 05-08, under $15-16K, under 45K miles, and a v6 with 4wd.  


...fuck it, maybe ill just get an STi

But an STi isn't a V6 Justin.

Pilot for sure.  My mom has one and it is a wonderful car.  They have the automatic 4x4 so as soon as it senses the fornt wheels spinnnig it kicks in the rears wheels.  ANd you dont even realize it and notice when it does it because its so smooth.  When its in snow or mud it is extremely hard to get it to spin tires.  Its plenty reliable.  Shes had it since 04 and it has never had to be in the shop for anything, the only weve had to change is the oil, filters, and brakes and tires.  The only downfall is that it does get bad gas milage for what it is.  It get an average of about 18-20 mpg which is exactly the same as my dad 3/4 ton chevy truck with a 5.3l V8.

I would go with the Xterra because of what you want to do with it. It's a great offroad vehicle!  The FJ cruiser is also good for what you want to do but it has CRAZY blindspots and the rear windows are extremely small.  I felt like an idiot trying to back one in a spot on our lot one night. Since it was dark I couldnt see a damn thing in that truck. Cheap interior on the Xterra is because it's made for people that hike, ski, bike, etc. It's a interior that is simple so that it's easy to clean and will hold up.

yea, the FJ cruisers are pretty beat but i ran a search on them while searching for Rav4's in my area and they're in the same price range (or less) than the Rav4.  i was really surprised by that.  they look like a Tonka Truck IMO

I'm not really surprised they're running the same as the Rav4. The FJ never really took off, there were a few who ran out and got the newest weird lookin vehicle but for the most part they've never sold well.

A while back i looked into the Honda Element(got bored while car was being serviced) for a smaller SUV they are not so bad. they have a lot of cool features. If you consider one of those i would deff only look at the SC model though(they come with a tribal interior and do not have the ugly plastic panels) One of the cool features is the backseats flip up to the sides so you have a huge cargo space. Also, lets face it, Im a fatass and most of my friends are not small haha and i sat in the back seat of one comfortably.

There's one snag with the SC Element. It doesn't come in AWD. Also the newer Elements don't have those plastic panels you're talking about. Its only the first two model years  that do.

I've driven the Xterra before and believe me it will handle anything. It was the first SUV I drove and it was around a swamp/muddy place and it took everything. Holes,water,mud, everything and as far as I know my friend still has it running and it has yet to break. Just my .02. Although I agree on the part of it of being "cheap" the interiors are really crappy.

yea, the element isnt exactly the direction im looking in.  i'd hesitate to classify it as an SUV.  like i said in my original post, im looking for something that is actually going to be a utility vehicle.  im looking to take the strain off of the accord for every day abuse.

im still saving up some dough, but am looking to pull the trigger on a new ride sometime in the next 2 months.  right now the Xterra is the frontrunner, but rav4 and pilot are still under consideration.

I talked to one of the guys at work who has an xterra him and his wife love the thing he said he has driven it thru a few trails to get to like hiking spots and things like that and says it does fine

i bought my wife a BMW X3 and i always find an excuse to drive it

but w/ your poll i choose the rav4....

mom owns a element while its fun to drive, its not at all comfortable, im only 5'11 and  the seat belt will eat your neck. i agree with the pilot.

whats wrong wtih CR-V? it has K24!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

A+ on the Xterra, you can always change the radio, as for the interior, you want it for play anyway.
A friend of mine has one, never given him a problem, very low maintenance.

thanks for the input fellas.  me and the lady are pretty much set on an 06 xterra at this point.  we'll have to see what's out there though.  gotta get her lemon fixed once and for all then gonna be doing some test drives and scouting over the next month or so and ill keep y'all posted!

thanks again for the input - we had to put off taking the plunge for about a year because, well you know, life gets in the way.  it was great because it gave us the chance to stash away some more cash.

after a couple months of searching and a ton of test drives, we pulled the trigger last night on a white 08 Xterra S.  I'm in love with this car so far.  I said during the search that white or my black was my preferred color but miles/price/condition was way more important.  as it turns out, the best car for the best price happened to be white.  so stoked... enjoy!

(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/x3.jpg)

(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/x2.jpg)

(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/x1.jpg)

Got some pics man?

There are pics Mike.  Glad you finally got what you wanted Justin.

Oops I sometimes can't view photos hosted from certain sites while i'm at work.

how about superchared xterra? i think they came with that option

Now that I see the pics it looks good. I think the wheels look a little out of place.

Damn! It's been a while since I've seen this thread. I'm happy you found what you wanted man. Props bro.

i like the xterra. its very rugged. congrates man

thanks guys - finally brought it home yesterday.  drives great and really happy with it overall so far.  we'll see how it does this summer out on Race Point Beach on cape cod  


the 2nd gen models did back in 02-03(ish)

I haven’t been to Race Point in years. I think I might have to head out there this year. I almost drowned there when I was like 7 or 8.