Looking to buy small-midsize SUV

[93AccordLXwhite]

Well my mom's 1997 Dodge Caravan Sport is finally about to go and she's looking to buy a new/used SUV. Small to midsize, closer to mid.


Here are the requirements:

First of all she mainly wants to sit high and be able to see easily

Small to midsize, closer to mid.

Easy to drive, and easy to park

Must be reliable!

Less than $25,000

Less than 60,000 miles if used

Newer than year 2000 if used

Drivers seat needs to adjust up and down

It does not need to be able to go offroading(Southern California=all paved roads)

2 wheel drive is ideal; insurance=cheaper

It's going to be a daily driver, not pampered

Mainly just to and from work(less than 10 miles a day)

Good gas mileage 20 and above city

Not necessarily luxurious luxurious, but she likes the 'simple luxuries' i.e. power seats, navigation, telescoping steering wheel.

Canopy/side airbags/side curtain airbags are obviously a plus as is an ABS

5-8 seater

Roof rack is a plus, but not necessary

No towing will be done with it



So far we've test drivven the new 2007 Honda CRV, she said it was ok, not bad. Priced around $24,000

A used 2003 Acura MDX at a Acura dealership, 44,000 miles, @$24,000. She liked the car much better than the CRV as did I. For the same price she said she'd prefer the used Acura. Plus the MDX had MUCH more rear cargo room than the CRV did. As well as 7 seats vs 5

Here's a list of the models I've suggested that I can remember:

I do not know much about companies other than Honda and Acura so if I've listed some extremely bad cars-PLEASE TELL ME. That's the point, I'm trying to learn more. This list is just to give some idea about size and what I've thought of until this point. I'm trying to think of other makes because I'm usually Honda-biased(trying hard not to be) Also many of the cars I list are cars that I see a lot of on the road, I figure that if so many are still on the road they have a higher chance of being made well.

GMC Jimmy/Chevy Blazer 1994
Toyota 4Runner 1990-2002
Honda CRV 2002-present
Honda Ridgeline
Acura MDX 2001-present
Acura RDX
Scion XB(not likely) 2007
Ford Escape, Ford Escape Hybrid 2001-2007
BMW X3 2003-present
Lexus RX 1998-present
edit for more:
Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999-present
Ford Freestyle
Ford Edge
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Ford Expedition 2 door
Saturn VUE 2002-present
No Hyundais, Izuzus, or Kias because my mom said so.(Sorry I'm not bashing owners at all)


I'll include others if I remember them

If anyone has any helpful experience, knowledge, or suggestions please share! I don't know that much about the reliability of many of the models. I have heard extremely positive things about the Toyota 4Runner's reliability, and know that Honda/Acura rock. So please enlighten me on the others! I know I threw a pickup in, we have yet to test drive one and she was worried mostly about ride quality, I thought since they sit high why not consider them.

Keep this in mind please, I do not know everything, and don't claim I do. Any help is greatly appreciated and will be taken into consideration

Thanks in advance guys, Autopia rocks!

[odonnellb]

x3, drives like a sedan, girly- moms like it, cheap (esp lease prices) but im sure you can find one used for around 20

[93AccordLXwhite]

When I said BMW my mom was concerned that maintenance would be $$$ in the future. I know that BMW has a promotion, something like 3 years of service free, but AFAIK that's for new cars only, which would put the X3 out of the $25,000 price range if I'm correct.

[SpoiledMan]

There are literally tons of MDX's (lease return low mileage) at the local Acura dealers.

I don't understand though how a Pilot is too big but an MDX is OK as they're the same stinkin truck.

[Slick61]

Saturn Vue... '04 through '07 are available with the Honda 3.5L DOHC V6 & 5 speed auto transmission... 250 hp/250 tq. Very quick, light on its feet, nice, tidy size, height adjustable driver's seat, roof rack available, dent-resistant polymer panels, ~ 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway. Can be optioned with most of the popular luxuries. '06 & '07 models have a more refined interior/exterior styling. The V6 has tons of power, great mileage, and smooth as silk. Here's my '04...

[93AccordLXwhite]

The MDX "seems" smaller to her, less wide, for parking in Los Angeles. Thanks for the input. I will have her take another look at the Pilot.

[BigAl3]

i have yet to test drive the new crv's, but they seem pretty nice and are one of the choices i would definitely look at out of the ones you listed. oh by the way... it's a HONDA!





2007 Honda CR-V - the Official Honda Web Site

[pt91]

i would look at the new CR-V.

[93AccordLXwhite]

Yeah we went to our local Honda dealership and she test drove a CRV. As I said in the original post she thought it was ok, not exceptional. She said that she'd prefer the used Acura MDX(2003, 44,000 miles) that we test drove at the Acura dealership for the same ammount of money- around $24,000.

I didn't drive the CRV so I can't say anything about it's handling, but after looking at the MDX, the CRV really seems like 'just a car.' Not that that's bad or anything I talked with my mechanic the other day(works at the Honda dealership) about reliability issues of the MDX, CRV, and Pilot; said they didn't have any issues, built like any other Honda My dad's been taking his cars to him for the past 10+ years so I trust his judgement.

Thanks for all the quick replies guys! Keep 'em coming!!

Today I'm going to try and get her to test drive the Honda Ridgeline and Honda Pilot. Maybe some new Fords as well.


If anyone owns any of the models listed you're encouraged to discuss them Thanks for the info so far about the Saturn and BMW. My cousin used to own a Saturn so I can ask them how they liked it.

Boy those late model MDXs sure are easy to find!

[Slick61]

after getting sideswiped while parked along Santa Monica Blvd, I am a BIG fan of the polymer panels on the Vue... was able to detail out all of the damage. No door dings to worry about either. I have the same engine/transmission as the Pilot & MDX, but in a smaller, lighter package. It doesn't have the cachet of the MDX, but its smaller size is more maneuverable... a big plus in L.A. I had looked at the CRV & Element before I bought the Vue... but wanted more power for getting through the passes effortlessly. The Pilot & MDX were just too big for my tastes. Almost every time someone gets in my Vue for the first time, the most frequent reaction is "wow, this is roomy!" The Honda engine & transmission are what really sold me on the Vue tho... definitely gives it an upscale feel (and does not require premium fuel).

An explorer's too big, but you're looking at a Ridgeline? Ditto for the Pilot/MDX... they're all pretty good size. Size was one reason I got rid of my Lincoln Mark VIII... too big to navigate the tight confines of L.A.

But whatever... buy what makes you happy...

[BlackElantraGT]

IMO, your list is all screwed up. You say it "Must be reliable" yet some of the cars on the list are far from that. The title of your thread is for a small-midsize SUVs, yet some of the cars you listed aren't even in the same size class. Your mom says she doesn't want to be a guinea pig for Hyundai or Kia, yet she's coming from a Dodge Caravan that you even mentioned wasn't great, maintenance-wise. And to make it even worse, she only has a $24,000 price limit and you're excluding a lot of the cars because it's not "your cup of tea.". Sounds to me like this is more about what Jr wants than what Mom wants. Good luck with your search.

[barryscott]

Hey Now:
Wife recently bought an 07 Honda SC Element. Never had liked the E until I rode and drove the car. Lots of room inside, Honda built, enough said. Give it a try with a open mind and I think mom might just be in an Element. If you can find left over 07 on the lot, you can expect to pay about $1500 below INVOICE. Honda has an $1000 marketing support now until 9-4-2007 and low apr from Honda. The only thing I see that the E does not have in your requirements, is it is a 4 seater, but has huge cargo space. Got ours for $21,149 before taxes and title. Hope this helps