Logic717

Ok, right now my wife's job is paying for her BMW 325i :-) and it is a 2 year lease that expires next year in March. We will either take a 300 /mo allowance for the next two years to buy a vehicle for her, or lease a new vehicle. I'm leaning towards taking the 300 /mo and buying a vehicle of her choice.

We are looking at having kids in the near future and love the convenience of an SUV... so with that said my top choices are:

2003-04 Honda Pilot EX
2003-04 Nissan Pathfinder LE
2003-04 Toyota Highlander Limited or loaded
2003-04 Toyota 4Runner Limited or Loaded

Aight, those are the options, let me know what you all think.

Thanks!

-Logic

sipark

I have '03 4Runner Limited.. Can't complain, vary solid vehicle.

jz-97-c7

i say get the runner...the path has an old lookin interior, the highlander is a little small but it's solid, my mother-in-law has one, and the pilot just never struck me

hey logic... where out in atl are you?? the wife lives out in doraville

dabuda

you should be able to get a new 4runner for under 35k

ilitig8

If you do not need to tow, I would say the Pilot or the Highlander. Both are very reliable and are cheaper to own than the truck based SUVs. The 04 Pathy is the "old" version, very reliable but very long in the tooth. The Runner is an excellent choice but only if you need a "truck" just as with the Pathy. For me the negative for the Pilot and the Highlander is neither moves me from a visual sense. Since you are buying used it often comes down to what you find when you need to buy, but again assuming you have your choice and do not need to tow (I assume you don't since it is replacing a 3 series) I would probably look to the Pilot first and the Highlander second, though the Highlander has a slightly lower cost to own I think the Pilot looks better and has more room.

Vandy

ilitig8

You should be able to get any one of them new for under 35k.

05 Pilot EX-L w/ Nav or DVD
05 Pathy LE 4X4 with Nav or DVD
05 4 Runner Limited
05 Highlander Limited loaded

All are available for under 35K out the door (not counting Tax). However, if I am not mistaken buying used from an individual in GA avoids sales tax, which could be a significant issue here.

Vandy

F23A4

Of the choices mentioned, I'd take the Pilot (or a slightly used MDX). I'd also consider the Murano SL AWD.

Logic717

I live over by that big ole rock on the east side, Stone Mountain. But I got through Doraville every day on my communte

Logic717

Ok, maybe I should restate the question. The 35k limit is if my wife's boss was to lease the vehicle new, I'll edit my original question. If I'm buying the vehicle (the option I'm leaning towards) I'm only spending about 25k... so that's why I'm targeting the model years listed, because that is the best time to buy a vehicle off lease. 2-3 years old.

Doh! I can't edit the original... ah well.

ilitig8

This understood I stick by my original post, Pilot or Highlander, it makes no sense to get a higher cost to own truck based SUV since you haven't listed any reason to need one. Although, no one has picked the Highlander, including me, it does have the added (initial cost, maintenance, fuel, etc) incentive to go with the FWD version, living in Atlanta probably precludes the need for AWD. The Highlander may not be the cuite of the bunch but I think it is the logical choice of the four for what I pereceive as your intended usage.

Vandy

Doom878

I'd go with the Highlander. Of the 4 if I'm not mistaken it comes with 3 rows and it's the smallest. :wtf: But I think the Pilot comes with a 3rd row this year. I'd get the Highlander also due to cost, reliability (Pilot tranny = Accord tranny = will break), and gas. I'd recommend 3 rows also because say you want to go out with your wife, child or 2, and friends you got more space to fit everyone. All the reviews I've read have been highly favorable also. I was shopping this car but I'm looking more at a Chevy Uplander/Saturn Relay as they are cheaper since I work for GM, come with DVD out the box, and way roomier but it's not on your list.

Logic717

Thanks for the input... RE: the Saturn and/or Chevy, I just have no desire to get an american car. Don't like the interiors. Good point about the Pilot tranny... didn't realize they suffered from the same issue.

louisn

Don't be piker--try a NEW 2004 Cadillac SRX for less than 35,000 with 10,000 dealer incentives; rebates; and discounts. I did--it's unbelievable for 34,000. This a 50,000 dolar rig that beats the likes of BMW, Volvo, Mercedes in all th tests. The v8 320 hp is awesome and the car looks so coool. I can't see the others when this is available for close to the same money-Traded a 2002 Highlander in on it.

Logic717

I'm not buying a Caddy... sorry guess that makes me a piker.

teg_to_bike

RDX.

Of course that means you'll be taking the bus until it comes out

nahooneyya

you can never go wrong with the 4 runners! plus 4 runners resale values are crazy high!

gocubsgo55

Pilot, Pilot, Pilot!

Believe me, the Highlander drives well, but its quality is not as good as my friend's Pilot. The 4Runner is overpriced IMO but offers more room. I've never been in a Pathfinder, although my uncle's QX4 rides just fine. One thing I could NOT get used to in his car was the throttle, VERY touchy. After sitting in my friend's Pilot, I got annoyed with my mom's decision (although I made it, basically). She liked the smaller Highlander compared to the Pilot. If it were my dad's or my car, there'd be a Pilot sitting outside.

Fibonacci

I know someone who has negotiated an MDX at $550 over invoice here in Motown, which would put you under the $35k limit you require.

gocubsgo55

I got my family's 2005 everything BUT Navi Highlander Ltd. for $100 UNDER invoice! I even did the negotiating, what a joke

Whiskers

I'd vote, but you would probably end up getting an Oldsmobile....

Fibonacci

You might get a good deal on domn's rendezvous....hehe.

Scrib

Just went through this and I ended up with a Murano. The Pilot is great but damn boring. Same with the Toyotas. Great cars, but very boring.

The Murano is a great SUV, handles well, quiet, built in Japan, Xenon headlights, 18" wheels standard... Great vehicle. Highly recommended. Wife loves it.

gocubsgo55

Murano made in Japan? Did they transfer build point after they started offering it there? I know the Highlander is built in Nippon, too, which suprised me. Despite both the Murano and Highlander being built in Japan, they say the Pilot still has better quality all around. I kind of regret my mom buying the Highlander, but she said the Murano/FX were too "sporty" and the Pilot/MDX were too big. She has always loved the old RX300, so it was a decision between the 05 Highlander or 11k 04 demo RX330. Same price, but obviously Toyota negotiated with us. She likes it, ultimately all that matters.

But I agree, the Murano is a nice SUV for the price. It's a good idea.

phile

I don't know who "they" would be, but from Edmunds Pilot threads, it doesn't appear as if the Pilot is the standard bearer when it comes to quality; above average (compared to GM and Ford, anyway) but not outstanding. And from personal time in it, I don't think it is, either.

Logic717

You think the Murano might be in the 25k price range next year? or are you saying that my boss should lease that new for her? I'm not so sure about the CVT tranny in the Murano... after the warranty expires.

Scrib

You can get a pretty good lease on them from what I've seen. I bought mine, so I can't really talk about leasing terms.

I don't see the CVT being of any concern. Get an extended warranty to help your concerns.

ilitig8

I would not be concerned about the CVT unless you are towing.

Vandy

louisn

Try it; it's as fast as the CL-S and has the same engine as their 75,000 sports car. It's just such a deal I'd though I'd let my Acura friends in on it. I wouldn't have considered it since it's outside of my price range w/o the deal. But after one drive, it was good-by Toyota and hell-o 50,000 caddy that I'm buying for 34,000 and getting almost retail price on my trade.

MattT516

You aren't considering an FX35? May I ask why not?

I'd get the Pathfinder, but not that disgusting new body they have out now. See if you could still swipe an new '04 3.5SE off the lot for cheap and save the rest of the money on your mortgage or something.

If not that, I'd go with the Pilot. I like it a lot from experience in my friend's truck. The Highlander is overpriced in my opinion and I've never been crazy about the 4 Runner.

Sarlacc

I had a Murano as a rental for over a month while doing a tv show...put over 6000 miles on it in 3-4 weeks. spent a lot of time in that thing...

Car is simply awesome...had the SL AWD. And I wouldnt worry about the tranny. lots of cars are using CVT now, and I beat the shit out of it shifting in its quasi hi/lo mode.

Car is a great buy imo.

DownUnder

Where can you rent Murano's? Cause I'd like to rent one for a trip cause I'm sick of driving rental Chevy Trailblazer's and Jeep Cherokee's.

Sarlacc

I think it was enteprise that had them.

They also had FX35s...I wanted one of those...


Oh yeah the Muranos are roomy as hell!

I carried myself, one other person, our personal gear and TON of camera and lighting gear...still got decent mileage, good power. and i couild see out the windows.

DownUnder

Cool, I'll checkout Enterprise next time I need a rental.