my aunt is shopping for a small suv... somewhere between 30-33k, possibly a hybrid, 4x4, no need for anymore bells and whistles. she is looking into the ford escape and toyota highlander. anybody have any experiences with these cars? any other suggestions? thanks for the help....

 

Highlander is a toyota good car...what about the new Rav4? its quite a bit larger and pretty zippy with the now offered V6.

 

my brother leased the X3 2.5i that's been discontinued...a lil bit outside the price range, but maybe a few are still around for a deeper discount?

 

keep the RDX in mind

 

all the Highlander owners I've heard from say that they love their car. I've driven one of them once, feels like your driving a sedan.

 

well it based off the camry chassis.

i drive around a 3.3L V6/AWD highlander as my primary commute vehicle. it does drive like a sedan, and while i'll never take it off-roading, it does well in the snow and rain. expect to average 18-20 mpg for city/hwy driving, and closer to 23 for extended highway trips.

that said, it is a boring vehicle. it does handle adequately and has decent performance considering what it is, but i can't wait for the company lease (wife works for corporate toyota) to be up on it, so we can move to something different.

FJ Cruiser or 4Runner will be on the horizon.

 

take a strong look at the tribeca for the 30K price range. 0.0% financing for 24 months on it right now.

a good friend's wife just picked one up fully loaded with Navi, it's a sharp ride.

 

Jeep Liberty

 

I think we are the only two people on this board that actually like that vehicle.

 

first the FJ, and now this? you're scaring me mr. sarlacc.

 

whatever dude. I was in love with the FJ before your wifey got her demo for a weekend. phhhhhhhhht

 

Nope, me three.

Awesome deals to be had for a sweet vehicle.

 

CR-V SE even without working over the salesman she'll be able to get the CR-V to throw in tax.title, and plates for 30 grand easy with all the options.

 

who in their right mind would consider a CR-V versus the new RAV4?

 

Murano and Mazda CX7

 

we test drove the highlander, she says she didnt 'love" it but it was ok. she didnt like the new rav 4. but fawk it, im not goin car shopping with her again. before we hit the dealer she had it locked that she wanted a small suv and most likely a hybrid. we get there and she puts her eyes on the new camry and then says "im not sure if i want a car or truck". so im like ok, you need to figure out what you want cause your only gonna make it more difficult. today she went and looked at the escape and says it was to small. tomorrow she is gonna look at the equinox.... women and car shopping = pain in the ass

 

Indeed!!

Try out a Murano. Per Edmunds, you should be able to secure a 'typically equipped' S AWD (w/ convenience pkg) for $28,698 OR an SL AWD (w/ Touring pkg) for $33,572.

My best friend and his new bride rode in my SL AWD yesterday and LOVED it. Caveat: The Murano (while not exactly a Tahoe), is not what I would classify as a small SUV. But it sure is fun to drive and is one of the most trendy of SUVs on the road.

 

i like the murano. i showed her pics and she said she didnt like the back. right now im trying to talk her into a tribeca but she isnt digging it at all... today she went with my uncle to look at a crv, she says its her taste and size... god help me

 

Girls are a pain in the ass lol. I knew i wanted black, and a manual, and my dad insisted that i have navi. It kinda limited my choices because it had to be an acura. I really like the tribeca, it looks good on the road

 

We love our Subaru Forester - we have the XT with all the bells and whistles, turbocharged engine, but theres also an X (base model), and XS (bells & wistles, no turbo). Low to mid $20K range depending on add-ons.

The Forester is small but comfortable - about the same size as RAV4 & CR-V. Highlander is a bigger vehicle.

We were seriously considering other options before the test drive. Subarus handle great with their low center of gravity due to engine placement.

Subaru is easy to shop for and dealers really don't haggle too much. It's pretty easy to find pricing online (see--> http://www.cars101.com/ ) Subaru is Japanese car reliable and low hassle for maintenance.

Edit - I also like the Tribeca and am considering this for our next family car.

 

she isnt feelin the tribeca.... im pushin for her to look at the cx7. i think they are pretty nice looking. she likes the crv and im tellin her if she likes it to get it, but i think there is alot more out there that she hasnt seen. i think she is just startin to get into the mode where she just wants somthing and will settle on somethin without lookin further. interiors - *>crv

 

I personally like the CR-V my sister used to have a CR-V before she traded it on a new element like 2-3 years ago and now she wishes she never traded the CR-V in. it was not to big (like a Expedition) but it got the job done.

 

Has she checked out the new Hyundai Santa Fe?? (Just throwin' it out there.)