Fibonacci

I've been extremely happy with my MS/5AT/Non-Navi for six months and 12k miles now.

Here's my quandry - I strongly dislike SUV's (slow, sloppy, thirsty) but my wife insists on buying one. We just sold my beloved '95 Prelude Si which she had been driving, but she hates the low seating position and wants more space (for shopping...argh! No kids yet). She doesn't feel comfortable driving a monstrosity - so it looks like we're shopping in the mini-ute category.

Must haves:
AWD
ABS & Stability Control
SAB & Side Curtains
less than $30k
HID's would be nice

Eliminated from contention/reason:
05 Honda CRV - no side curtains
05 Hyndai Tucson - v6 engine too unrefined
05 Toyota Highlander - just too damn ugly
Any 05 GM/Ford/Chrysler - crappy resale value, still have questions about reliability, lack of combination of all must have features.

I guess this means she's driving a RAV4, even though it feels like a tin can - unless I hear of any suggestions from the astute readers of this forum.

The RDX can't get here soon enough - I need to buy now!

Whiskers

My wife has a Pacifica and I like it alot. We picked it because it's not huge, but it's big enough. The 2004 was a little underpowered with a 2.7 Litter engine, but the 2005 has a larger engine.

Fibonacci

I actually like the look of the Pacifica too, but it doesn't offer SAB - only side curtains, please correct me if I'm wrong. Safety is my number one priority.

Whiskers

Looks like the curtains. I didn't think you really need both . It is a safe car...
'
Advanced multistage driver and front-passenger air bags with occupant classification system*
Three-row supplemental side-curtain air bags* standard on Limited and Signature Series all-wheel drive (AWD) and available on Pacifica and Touring
Inflatable knee blocker* for the driver
Side-window laminated glass, available on Touring and Limited models, helps prevent shattering in the event of a collision, and reduces noise and UV rays

Fibonacci

I beg to differ about 'not needing SAB' -- I did my homework.

Whiskers

Cool. I learn something every day.

Fibonacci

BTW here in Motown, every Chrylser dealership is throwing absolutely disgustingly cheap lease deals on Pacifica's. I prefer buying outright, not leasing. It's awfully tempting....but I gotta have the complete package. I haven't tested the Murano yet.

ricecake

not sure what this is doing in relationships. gonna move it...

MemRheins

Slightly used MDX perhaps.... My mom has it, not bad for a truck on a car platform..pritty much a huge verson of our car w/ worse handeling....

You might atcually wanna take a look at the new Jeep

That things got a HEMI

sipark

He's looking for sort of a mini-ute and a slightly used MDX probably will cost more than 30K.

eidji

Did you do your homework?

Thinking of safety, the RAV4 has a lower safety rating than the CR-V according to NHTSA. I know you mentioned side particularly, but what good is it if the frontal impacts aren't as good.

Honda: driver front 5, passenger front 5, front side 5, rear side 5
Toyota: driver front 4, passenger front 4, front side 5, rear side 5

Also, according to Honda website and NHTSA, the CR-V has side and side curtain airbags (standard on all models, RAV4's are optional).

IIHS rates the 2002-2004 CR-V as marginal without the at-the-time optional side airbags. I can imagine had they used the optional airbags (now standard), the test results would have been Good (no 2005 side impact test). The frontal crash results are already marked good, and rear passenger side impact results were good.

Maybe reconsider the CR-V.

dom

http://automobiles.honda.com/models/...2DV&Category=6

Yup all 05 CR-V's have

Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)

Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor

Its part of Honda's "Safety for Everyone" Campaign where all there vehicles will have side airbags by 06.

The CR-V also meets all your other criteria and has an enhanced (see far better) AWD system for 05.

Bananaairsoft

My wife's car is a Forrester XT. Good power and not too big. Wish it has a 5AT!

MemRheins

Now that I think about it Nissan Xterra was a nice truck...allmost brought one but then ended up w/ the TSX...much happier need to be low to the ground...but anyway the Xterra was a nice truck, not too bad to drive, and on the weekends it could attcually go off road, compaired to most trucks now a days... that would have problems poping a curb... Allthough I once watched some drunk lady drive a Explorer over a 4 foot wall, not a scratch on it...



Edit: Drive....not roll...lol

Fibonacci

For some reason, I could have sworn that I read that CRV's only had SAB - not Side Curtains for '05. Will definitely reconsider the CRV if this is true...


....back from finishing my incomplete homework - I stand corrected.

Domn's word is good as gold Looks like I'll be getting the missus a CRV!

jmathew34

girlfriend has a Jeep Cherokee Country 4.0L, i think that counts

Godwhacker

I have a CR-V and love it, but I know you ruled it out...

I used to have a thing against minivans, but when I took my CR-V in for oil change/tire rotation at my Honda dealership, I checked out the new Odyssey. I really liked it, and it drives so easy....it looks big, but doesn't drive like a big car, has great HP, handles very well, and has lots of neat gadgets, space, etc, and has every air bag known to man. My wife really likes SUV's, and was very skeptical of minivans until she drove the Odyssey. Her reaction "it drives just like my accord!"

If minivan is totally out, you may be able to get a Highlander with few options for under 30,000.

I, too, am curious to see what Acura does with the RDX...

Fibonacci

eidji - I know why I thought the '05 CRV didn't have side curtains - it's because the '05 Pilot doesn't (kind of strange). The dangers of assumption....


My wife is not ready for a minivan yet...although the new Oddy is fully decked out --- except for AWD, we live in the snowbelt afterall and make frequent ski trips up North.

Junkster

How about the new Outbacks? If your not into the 'tall ride', it's a pretty good alternative... although getting one at below 30k would mean that you leave out some goodies like leather and such...

Junkster, who also thinks the Forrester is okay

Fibonacci

Is it just me, or does the Highlander look like mother of Forrester. Not that the CRV is much to look at, but ugh - whenever I think of Subies, I picture Martina Navratilova bitch slapping me...

I ruled out Forrester because it didn't have side curtains. (I could be wrong about this too).

Junkster

oooh, try looking through edmunds.com, they catagorize by price and then you can read through the features.

Junkster, who likes to refer to edmunds for prices and specs

edit: hehe, just caught that line above avatar... detroit basketbrawl... hehe

Godwhacker

I used Edmunds to find my TSX and to evaluate other cars I have bought recently. That, and also C&D's website for more in depth opinoins/road tests, etc.

May also want to check out the CR-V Limited Edition which is coming out.

knthornt

There is not a snowball's chance in hell of getting a Jeep with the HEMI for under $30k. The Hemi with 4WD is minimum $37k if you price it ou on Jeep's website.

However, if you wanted to look into Jeep's, there may still be a few 04's left on the lots that you could get your hands on. My mother just got a pretty good deal on a Grand Cherokee for something like $26.

dzuy

not me, nor will i ever own one

sipark

I already have one... '03 4Runner, really nice truck , but my family will be taking it over soon... It was really their vehicle, anyway.

Will get TSX later this month or next month.

MemRheins

Didnt really think of the price when I said the jeep comment...however an 04 might be a good idea...just somewhat impressed from what ive read/seen of the HEMI jeep....the new HEMI really Seems to be the Meracle Engine DCry needed... Once again though, id take a look at the Xterra too...allmost got that but settled on the TSX...happy w/ that decision...but still like that truck

Fibonacci

Just got a quote for a '05 AWD CRV LX Auto for $20,095 plus a voucher for $250.

A brand new Honda with AWD, SAB/Side Curtains, ABS, Stability Control for $19,845.00 plus tax, title and plate - WOW! I think I'm gonna buy on Friday, unless someone can tell me what I can assume a lease for one year until the RDX is here.

Godwhacker

Sounds great! My dad moved to Detroit area last year, and he claims that you can get a good deal on Hondas and other imports up there, because many in the area prefer American cars (because they work for GM, Ford, etc.).