My uncle and aunt are looking to replace their CRV with another SUV and they wanted my advice. They told me they don't want to get another Honda, because they wanted to try another brand even if Acura is part of Honda. They wanted just a midsize SUV. They asked me some SUV's and I told them to look at the Murano, RDX, Fx 35, Cx-7, 4 runner V6, and Outlander.

Out of this bunch what do you think is a good SUV with reliability, good price, and resale? Here is my summary:
My 4 choices
1. Acura RDX=get everything even navi tech package for under $37K, possibly lower now because dealers might negotiate since it's not selling well? Only bad thing is it's a not a v6.
2. Nissan Murano=unique looking suv, but not sure about the interior, nissan service, and resale value. Built one the SE model loaded with navi and it is $38K for a nissan?
3. Mazda Cx-7= i looked and you can get one loaded w/everything for $31K, but not sure of Mazda reliability and interior
4. Mitsubishi Outlander=everything loaded w navi for $30K, but again not sure of resale value and reliability.

 

My grandmom has a murano and let me start off by saying dont get the SE. That just adds stuff like better suspension and manuel shift for the auto. She got the SL and got automatic HIDs, Navi with back up camara, Heated leather daul power seats, sunroof and in my opinion it has a lot of nice features. She also had to get a car with adjustable pedals because shes short and at the time she wanted an suv and the murano was the only one that had it in her price range (still think it might be the only one that has it). Actually maybe the escape had it but that car didnt have navi plus I told her I wouldnt let her own another american car (first import ever for her.) As for the other cars no idea.

 

how long do they plan on keeping it? and the murano they can get for invoice or less (maybe even the rdx too)

 

I think they said 6-7 years. They had their CRV since 1999

 

Do you know how much an SL costs with all of that? Maybe I'll try to build one at the nissan website.

 

Just wanted to mention in passing-- a Toyota RAV or Highlander fit those criteria.
Mitsubishi resale value is probably among the lowest for all car makes. My impression of Mazdas is that resale value is not as high as its competitors. That's one of several reasons that they will have comparatively good and negotiable prices.
By the way, I detest SUVs and even prefer driving a minivan to an SUV-- do your uncle and aunt really need a compact SUV, as opposed to a Subaru or Audi AWD sedan or wagon?

 

Yeah hers was around 33k or something like that. Its been a great car she really likes it. Caranddriver also rated it pretty high. The only thing she didnt get as an option on the SL was the nicer wheels. She didnt see the point in them. 36k I think is before the discounts. Also I forgot to mention it has the inteliget key like the RL has. She loves that she said she hasnt taken her key out of her purse in a long time.

 

Of the ones you listed, I would go with the RDX

However, I would add the Acadia to the list too. I drove one a few weeks back and was blown away by it.

 

Murano all the way. It's one of my personal favorites. It's got good room, perfect size, and a very comfortable ride. You don't need the SE, the SL is just as good. The difference in ride between the two isn't very much...

 

My buddy has an 06 Murano SL, let me say that's a nice vehicle for it costs.......don't get the SE as said.

The great thing about the Murano is that they lease out like a f*ing champ.

 

I'd pick FX35 just because I've had one for a year now. I went for a 2003 TL-s to 2006 FX35 and I love the FX quite a bit.

Judging from your price range, FX will be out of your budget I belive...

 

If I had to pick one from you list then I go with rdx....other ones are

 

We lease an 05 Murano SL AWD w/Touring package. If I had to purchase a car in this class all over again, I would still pick the Murano. We have taken road trips to Florida and back (from NJ) with the Mo twice and it truly made the trips enjoyable for both driver (me) and passengers on each run.

While the model we bought stickered at ~$37k (non-Navi model), the most direct competitors (mainly the Lexus RX and Infiniti FX) cost thousands more.

And as Beltfed posted, the lease deals on Muranos are hard to beat. (mine is $2k down, $406/mo, 36mos, 15k-yr) <----probably explains why Murano sales have increased with each production year. As our Murano lease is up next year, the wife and I are mulling over a number of options and we both hope to see a 2G (08) Murano in showrooms before making our choice.

 

Murano, I had a rental one for 3 months, loved that car!

 

RDX if I had to pick, but I'm biased.

Otherwise, I think the RAV4 V6 is a much better option given its power and excellent fuel economy. That SUV is just wicked fast with the 269HP engine.

 

I built one on the toyota website it's pretty good, but just curious why they don't offer any navi as an option. I think they told me they might want to get a navi in their suv too.

 

I'd be tossed between the RDX and Murano... the only thing that would make me not want the murano is that its got one helluva blindspot, I am sure I could get used to it, I just have not have enough time behind the wheel to adjust.

 

Pioneer In-Dash Navi unit.

 

RDX all the way. My sister had a Murano before upgrading to the Infiniti FX and I absolutely hated it. Aside from good handling (which I'm sure is nothing compared to the SH-AWD equipped RDX), nothing about it is appealing.

The Mazda and Mitsu are both very ugly vehicles but if you're considering them I'd go with Mazda. My cousin has had Mazdas for 12 years or so now and he swears by them. His current Mazda 6 aint to shabby!

 

What did you think of the Fx?

 

I know its not luxury really, but my roomate just got a Trailblazer SS for 36ish, everything but navi

Bad ass Mid size

 

i had a rdx as a loaner while my tl was in for service and let me tell you that is one fun little suv. pretty cool interior and that turbo engine is great. i did watch the fuel gauge plummet though as i was thoroughly enjoying the turbo.
the fx looks like a fun vehicle too. have not driven one though.

 

ya, i like the Murano too...or the FX if you want to spend the extra $$$. they sound nice and mean too

 

GREAT car. It's a world apart from the Murano. Needless to say the interior is more luxurious and techno-savvy. The FX handles better, is stiffer, more rigid, and much much faster - complemented by the iconic Infiniti exhaust note. If you're looking for AWD - FX. The AWD system in the Murano is very schizophrenic.

 

I saw on the toyota website that the new Highlander arrives in summer. I think I'll let my uncle and aunt know that. As for the Fx, I think they'll look into that and the Murano. Only thing isn't the Fx and Murano getting redesigned soon?

Also, when is the Cx 35 that is supposed to compete with the RDX and X3 coming out? I may look into that myself to replace my TSX with.

 

If utility is important: Murano > FX. As far as the FX35 being quicker/faster than the Mo, . I have run against the FX35 on a few occassions (while driving our Murano) and it was as even as if I were running against another Murano (AWD). The key is knowing how to massage the CVT to extract optimal performance.

 

Does the Murano have any sportshift feature at all?

 

^^^ SE models have it.

 

i'd go with the rdx and then the cx-7.

the rdx has already been mentioned, but the cx-7 hasn't. personally, i like the way it looks inside and out. the car was fun to drive and isn't too costly. and from what i've heard from current mazda owners, reliability is much better with their newer models.

 

 

Murano or CX-9

 

Utilitywise, I don't see how this can be true if they are the same size. They are both capable of doing the same thing. I can see that some of us FX owners might be a little more anal with what they do with their vehicles since the FX cost approx. $10k more than the Murano.

I have to agree with you that FX and Murano are around the same when it comes to speed. I don't think the FX is any faster than Murano, but then again, I don't do retarded things like streetrace so I wouldn't know.

If you are going to mod it, you definitely should go with FX since it has a bigger aftermarket support. There are couple of twin turboed FX35s and stage 4 supercharged FX35s at the fx forums. The twin turbo guys were running high 12s on 1/4 mile runs. Here is the video clip. Not sure if this is a repost. http://videos.streetfire.net/video/2...9a00425ddb.htm

 

I clicked on the link and it said bad request.

 

Sorry, correct link and found couple of more links

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/2...9a00425ddb.htm

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3..._1202_run1.flv

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3..._1202_run2.flv

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3..._1202_run3.flv

 

Toyota is an excellent choice - a quality vehicle that will give you years of trouble-free driving. Lexus is even better - maybe an RX 300(Lexus is #1 in reliability). Mazda is a Ford since Ford owns at least 33% of Mazda. Mitsubishi is just a piece of crap, period. I'm not buying another Acura, either, for various reasons(more like various transmissions), and after their endorsement of mobil 1, I'm glad the rdx is bombing.

Whichever vehicle they choose, I wish them the best with it!

 

The Infiniti FX35 and the Nissan Murano are two different beasts. Although they may look the same, they are differences. It is true that they share an engine design. Both use the Nissan VQ35DE engine. But the engine used by the FX35 is modified to output 275 HP. The one for the Murano outputs 245 HP. The frame which both cars are built from are different as well. The FX35 is built on top of a 350Z frame and the Murano is on the Altima frame. As such, there is actually MORE storage room in the Murano as compared to the FX.

Engine information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infiniti_FX

Size information from: http://www.edmunds.com

 

Comparison (Murano vs FX)
Cargo capacity: 82 cu ft vs 65 cu ft
Towing capacity: 3500lbs vs 3500lbs EVEN
Front Headroom: 40.7 in. vs 40.8 in.
Rear Headroom: 39.7 in. vs 39.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 59.6 in. vs 56.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 59.1 in. vs 57.4 in.
Front Hip Room: 56.2 in. vs 54.3 in.
Rear Hip Room: 56.6 in. vs 55 in.
Front Leg Room: 43.4 in. vs 43.9 in.
Rear Leg Room: 36.1 in. vs 35.2 in.
Maximum Luggage Capacity: 32.6 cu.ft. vs 27.4 cu.ft.

F23A4, who has driven to Florida and back (NJ) twice with a family of 4 and luggage in a Murano. Trust me when I say that 27.4 cu ft (FX) would not have cut it.

 

My uncle and aunt just emailed me and asked me how is the resale value and the Nissan customer service compared to Honda?

 

Well actually I wasn't 100% correct. I should say 04 and up SE models have "simulated" 7-speed manual control.

Mine, of course, is an 03 SE....

 

The Nissan service at my home dealership (Acme Nissan) is probably average for a non-premium brand. The service I receive at my vacation dealership in Florida (Deland Nissan) has been awesome in that I brought the Mo there twice with scheduling and appt. and they took it right for service (once for a throttle body replacement and another time for a repair).

Resale from Autos.com ...not certain how accurate it is though.