All you Murano fans....I think it's slowly working it's way to the head of the list. I found a couple used for around $20K with about 30K miles. But they are pretty much base. I'm going to test one out and see if I can't locate one with a couple more options.

Other than that, I'm still pretty impressed with the Pilot. The ones I looked at were really nice. Not as nice as the MDX, but being on a budget, I can afford to give up a couple of the finer things in life. And I think I'll be able to get more for my money.

Thanks for all the input.

 

My mother/stepfather totally love their XC70 Cross Country.

 

Yes, in the $20-$25k range most will be reasonably mileaged strippers (S or base SLs) or well equipped ones with high mileage.

But here is one that seems to have bucked that trend --> LINK Given the relatively low price and low miles, I wonder if the picture is correct.

and another.

 

Cool. That first one would be perfect.

 

Although it is not specified in the description, it looks as though that one has the Touring and Sunroof package. (Touring pkg = leather/memory/heated seats, heated mirros, bi-xenons and intelligent key just to name a few features) 2005 Murano

 

Pilot

 

I would recommend a minivan instead of an SUV, if you are planning to travel a lot, especially with the baby.

The stroller itself takes up 1/3 of the cargo space in my Murano. I went on several road trips with my son, together with his grand parents (4 adults and one 2-year-old). We all sit comfortably (back seat is amazingly spacious for 2 adults + a child in a car seat), but there is just not enough cargo spaces for all the luggages and baby stuff. So I ended up buying a roof top cargo box for the trips.

And the Legacy Wagon, furgettaboutit. There is no way I can fit 2 adults and a child in a car seat at the back...

 

i would choose between santa fe 07 and xterra

 

Usually when we are on the road, it will just be me, the wife and the kid. Our in-laws have really big trucks (makes my CL-s look like a toy), so if we go any place with them, they can drive. And my mom lives in Trinidad. So, people will never be the issue. The thing is whether the kid's crap will all fit comfortably. I really just hate mini-vans.

 

I drove my mother-in-law's Xterra. I thought I would roll over when taking a corner. And that was at about 25 mph. I know there is a big difference between driving a lowered car and a truck, but they just felt really unsafe to me. The Santa Fe does look like a good deal. Maybe I'll test one out.

 

Do you really need an SUV? How about an AWD Dodge Magnum?

 

Yeah and you've only got the SL. Get an SE with the sport tuned suspension with awd and you've got a well handleing CUV (crossover utility vehicle), even though you do have the awd on you SL, which I'm sure helps with the handleing.

 

The Santa Fe is not bad but I would be more inclined to go RAV4.

 

I drove the SL and SE back to back and there is little handling difference. But, I did prefer the SE's sequential shift tranny.

 

BTW, put another vote in the Murono stack for me. One of my buddies got one with the touring package from his work to drive and he took me out in it one day and I was very impressed. Nice car.

 

The sequential shift would be another plus for the SE, but I've never understood how it works with Nissan's CVT transmission.

 

Hey SpeedyV6,
You live right down the road from me. I live in Cedar Park. Sorry, just had to point that out.

 

Likely preset "gear ratio" positions are progammed into the SS.

 

ahh I see. Thank's for the info.

 

Not a bad suggestion, but they get similar mileage as some of the SUV's and doesn't look like they have as much space. The biggest advantage to getting a wagon is the gas mileage.

 

I'm late to the party (what else is new) but I've got a loaded '01 Pathfinder LE 4x4 with 94k. It has been a great truck (it is a true SUV) and I would highly recommend so long as you know what you are getting. It is not going to drive like a Murano, but then again it sure doesn't look like a Murano (a positive to me)

I'm a little perplexed by the anti-PF feeling but the pro-QX-4 love. Since we got a loaded PF, we looked a good bit at a QX but were unmoved by the extras. It looks a bit better and had a slightly nicer interior, but it is a PF. It was not worth the 4K extra (at the time). Unless that gap has dropped to less than 1K, I'm still all over the PF.

We do have a 20 month old and the backseat space (not a strength of the PF) is not an issue in the least. Our child seat is in the middle and we still carry 4 full sized adults with no issues. The cargo room is good as well.

My advice is this...decide what you want. Do you want a real SUV or do you want an car that looks like a SUV ,or do you do better by getting a minivan?

Thankfully your finalists are all very good vehicles that just are aimed at different markets.

Good luck!

 

Thanks keg....good advice.

 

yes. we went with the SE also. definitly got that sports sedan feel to it, plus being able to play with that cvt brings out the full potential of that suv. when i take it around the corners it feels so natural and relaxing that i forget that im even in a bulgy rounded out suv.. i feel like im in a little sports compact coupe ripping up the roads!

 

Actually, I have the SL AWD (w/ Touring pkg) but with your post. It really does have a compact (almost G35C) feel to it. You can almost forget that you are driving a mid-size SUV.

....and how sick are those bixenons? Kick in the high beams and it is instant daytime.

 

oh yes!!! the bixenons. those are so fun to mess around with. have you ever looked into one off to the side? its awesome, as soon as the person in the car flicks the high beam lever, the little piece inside pops open and the HID light just shoots straight out everywhere. seriously the brightest way to light up the entire freakin night!

i still think the murano is the best bet. imean the FX is pretty damn nice too, but its a waste of money. the muranos got the best of everything. and since ravi's going from a CL-S to an suv.. everything else is gonna feel kinda slow, heavy, and unenthusiastic to drive..

 

I own a 95 Pathfinder and love it.

I've driven the newer beast sized pathys and they are very nice, too.

But I will toss my vote to the Murano as well. I had a SL AWD as a rental 2 years ago when I was driving back and forth across country for a month on a TV show. I put over 5000 miles on the thing in less then 4 weeks. Its comfortable...roomy as hell, and handles on rails for an SUV...I took mountain twisties like you wouldnt believe. And the whole time I had myself, my assistant, all the camera/lighting gear and luggage.

Its a really great SUV.

 

The Murano will handle much MUCH better than the Xterra. If I had to get an SUV it would be that one. The QX4 handles similarly to the Pathfinder and Xterra (abysmally).

My uncle and aunt have an 03 Santa Fe. It's not a bad vehicle, but it can't handle well and has a nasty interior along with poor fuel economy. They got it really cheap though (brand new). I can't say anything about the 07 since I haven't driven it. The only problems they've had so far are repeatedly binding brakes and failed emissions testing (replaced cat and it fixed the problem).

 

OK...stop right there.

The Xterra is the car with a great engine...specially with a 6spd stick...but feels like it wants to rollover around every corner...it does indeed handle for shit.

The pathfinders happen to handle very well. Mine never feels like it wants to roll...even when I sometimes enter a corner too hot. I would imagine the QX4 to be the same.

The Murano...is altima based. The thing handles like a champ with the 18" wheels.

 

i actually like the Honda Odyssey, its the pimpest minivan on the market.


if your still into SUVs i would look at something like

MDX
FX35
Lexus GX470
Toyota Highlander



i would not mind driving a Oddyssey though, you mentioned you hated the feel of minivans. me too, but theres something different about the Odyssey.

 

My question would be: what is your budget?

Infiniti QX is in its own class based on your potential selection. It can be almost double the cost (out the door) compared to your other selection with couple of options....

If you can spent 40k+ and that's what you are looking for, I'd consider FX35 and MDX.

 

Thread is a bit old. My budget was in the low $20's. I purchased a 2003 Pathfinder SE and a 2004 Infiniti I35 a little over a year ago. Problem solved.

 

And on that note...