I'm planning on buying a car sometime between now and next spring. I'm fairly sure I want a small SUV but I'm also thinking Toyota Matrix or Pontaic Vibe for fuel consumption reasons. So I need some opinions. What do you like, dislike about the choices.

I'd love to wait and see what Honda's new small car will be, either the Fit or FR-V but I can't wait until next fall. I'll also most likely be buying used, an 03 or 04 most likely which may eliminate the Equinox since it was just released.

The new ford escape/mazda tribute's are nice for the price.

I'd get a matrix over a vibe.

My vote is for the Honda CR-V. Its a Honda.

Jeep Liberty: Not really big on the styling.

Ford Escape: Terrible MPG if you get the V6 and its a Ford.

Chevy Equinox: Not bad for their first car-based SUV, but they should have put the Honda engine in it like the Saturn VUE.

Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe: They need to put a more powerful engine in it like a 2.4L. IMO, the 1.8L is just too small and underpowered for that vehicle.

Just my

Can't stand the styling of the Tribute so I'd go Escape. Problem, not sure I want a V6 and if I'm going with a 4 it won't be domestic 4. Other problem with the Escape, the 02 to 04 had some problems and nagging issues like poor seats/int quality (I've read/heard) which has been addressed for 05, but I'm buying used.

I actually prefer the styling of the Vibe but the Matrix is a better value.

CR-V holds its value extremly, extremly well. Most used ones are 25 and up for an 03. An 03 Liberty or Escape can be had for 20 or under.

Yes, but they get 30/36 MPG which is why I'm looking at them. Or I could get a XRS or GT that comes with the Celica's 180HP Eng but they're MT only which is a no no in my house. Plus poorer MPG.

I'm seriously

Whos going to be driving it the most? You?

The MPG is great for those vehicles but I drove a Vibe about a year ago and it just didnt have enough pick up(it was an Auto).

What are you going to be using this vehicle for? Everyday driving, beater, or something else? How long do you plan on keeping this vehicle? What is your price range?

IMO, the Honda CR-V will give you the most value.

At these gas price level... i wouldn't recommend the JEEP Liberty... it's insanely consumming.

(Especially if you ride alot in the city)

Its a vehicle for the wife so I can take over full time enjoyment of the TSX Right Now we car pool but will be needing the second vehicle shortly. So pick up will be a non-issue for her.

I'm looking to spend ~$20K CAD. I'm leaning towards the CR-V as well but not sure its worth the premium in price. I can get an 02 for around 20K but its the First model year of the new body style so I want nothing to do with it. I've bought 3 new cars in the past 6 yeras so I want to give resale a try, save some $$$ and hopefully have some luck.

can someone explain why a small SUV is called a Ute? I see it everywhere but can't reason out the name

Like you wrote, if the wifes driving than the engine doesnt matter. How about safety issues? How important is this to you and your wife? Does she want the safest vehicle out there or do you want her to have the safest vehicle?

Yeah the price of even an older CR-V is expensive but they will hold their resale value, as will the RAV4. IMO, if not the CR-V, out of those choices I would get the Toyota Matrix. Its FWD or AWD, so driving in the snow will be fine, just put some winter tires on that thing. As you know, anything will 4WD will kill your MPG.

Again just my

Maybe because Ute is short for Utility?

I don't think the name is unique to small SUV's as I often hear Sport Ute. Ute is a just a short form of Utility.

There also seems to be a large number of 02, 03 Nissan Pathfinders available for 23 and under with 60K and up. I'm guessing most are off lease but thats alot of truck for the money.

Get the CR-V!

I knew that was coming from Clutch.

Other problem with the CR-V is its refreshed for 05. It has VSA, 5Sp AT, 16" Wheels and revised styling. I hate having the old model of a vehicle

Then buy the 2005.

If they'll sell it to me for 20K CAD then I will

And it has a revised AWD system. The old one is apparently

With your selections there, it's an easy choice for me.....Honda CR-V.

Honda CR-V: Like someone has said, it's a Honda.

Jeep Liberty: Don't like Jeep!

Ford Escape: Don't like Ford!

Chevy Equinox: Don't like Chevy!

Toyota Matrix: Toyota brand is fine, but I just don't like the Matrix.

Pontiac Vibe: I know it's basically a Toyota, but I don't like the Pontiac brand!

Can you guess? I don't like American cars except the new Vette.

"New cam-driven Real Time' 4WD mechanism on all models (replaces hydraulic pump-type system)"

It was either me or fdl. I think I'm a little nicer.

I say try for an '05 CR-V. If you really value all that new stuff, then what's wrong with paying a little extra for it?

I'd rather pay off my mortgage than buy another almost 40K car. I'm done with car payments. At least for the next several years, until I get an S2000

Please don't get a liberty... unless you're a chic

The 05 CRV is $40k?!?!?

Your wife might have something to say about that S2000.....

The EX is $31,400 and the EX-L is $33,600

After 15% taxes there $36,110 and $38,640. Mt TSX was $39k after taxes.

Oh yeah... I forgot about the $. What's that in US$?

Honda CR-V EX Auto: $23,350
Honda CR-V EX Man: $22,450
Honda CR-V SE Auto: $25,050

All prices are MSRP and USD

I was going to suggest the Escape, but since you don't want a V6, the 4-banger in the Escape isn't exactly a marvel of an engine. So that leaves you with the CR-V as being the best choice in that list you got there. Adequate engine, quite roomy on the inside. I just wish Honda could've moved the spare tire to the inside, like they did on the new Odyssey. We have a Rav4 with the spare on the rear...it's been rear ended twice already.

But outside of that list, I would suggest a Subaru Forester with the turbo engine.

Not saying I would'nt buy a V6 I just think a 4 would be the smarter choice considering gas prices. So I guess the tire holder gets damaged more easiliy on the outside. Is it an expensive repair?

Forrester is nice but too much $$$,. especially the Turbo.

I would have added the Rav to the list but it only came with the 2.4L engine in 04 and there still too $$$ even used. The 2.2 I've heard isn't enough engine.

Dont know, but check out this forum:

http://www.hondasuv.com/stg/index.php



You are correct. They did add the 2.4L in 2004. It is rated at I think 161hp. 1 more than the CR-V.

LOL, I can only wish it was 2.2. Ours is 2.0L, load it up and the engine will immediately protest.

The damage depends on the severity of the impact...luckily for us, it has only been slight bumps, so it dents the back of the car. Costs less than 1K to repair, though. Around $800 to be exact. To me that's expensive, but I'm just glad it doesn't exceed that 1K barrier.

I had an '04 Liberty for a rental in July after my old car got totaled. Granted it was a rental, but.... Only had 15K on it and it had quite a few rattles. The 6 made a ton of noise but had little action. Handling was squirmish (comparing it to my '01 Pathfinder) and the seats were very, very uncomfortable. I almost turned it back in b/c the seat would kill my back that had just been majorly jostled in my accident. I wanted to keep it for the utility since we were moving and I could beat on a rental The stock cd/radio was junk. Gas mileage was bad...15/16 range. That was typical driving for me. I get 17/18 on our PF and 25/26 on my TSX.
I walked away from the Liberty knowing that I would never buy one. However, it was a rental so we know how those are treated I just did not think that the issues that I had with it would change with a new one.

One good thing...loved the ease in dropping the rear seats and the rear hatch opened from the remote

I'm sure the Liberty won't be part of my purchasing plans but I thoght I'd throw it in there.

DEI, I've been to that site, (provench gave me the link last week) but like any forum, its hard to get a non-biased opinion, according to some of those guys, the CR-V has a great AWD system The more I think about it, the more the Matrix/Vide makes sense. It has some utility and its great on gas and because its basically a tall Corolla it should be reliable.

The other vehicle that I forgot about was the Nissan Xterra, they can be had pretty cheap with a 3.3L V6, thoughts?

A good choice, if your wife is going off-roading. On road it is subpar (or so I hear).

What about the Mazda Protege5??

Escape is a POS. It looks good IMO, but we were underwhelmed by my in-laws' Escape. I had a higher feeling of quality in a Malibu Maxx we just rented.

No, no off roading required I think I need a test drive in the Xterra.

The Protege is just too small. I've been in one and while the Hatch is nice a Matrix/Vibe has alot more space. I'd like to stay with Honda/Toyota but does that ever limit my choices.

The Mazda 3 Hatch would be nice as well but their pushing 27 to 30K here on the road - new.

The xterra is a pig on gas and it's really slow. I would lean towards the Matrix or CR-V myself.

domn, it sounds like you have already made up your decision. Go with the Matrix. You got the reliability of Toyota. You might already know of these sites, but you might get some more information.

http://www.matrixowners.com/
http://www.matrixvibe.net/
http://www.toyotanation.com/

As ooposed to the tire burning AT Matrix and CR-V

Speed is really not an issue but fuel consumption def is. I'm guessing the Xterra is good for 18/24 at best? so that may rule it out.

If only Honda would give us some insight to the Fit or FR-V or whatever they're bringing over. That could seriously change things.

I don't think I could in good conceince join a Toyota forum

Thanks for the links, I'll check em out.