Help choosing a vehicle

[tea4one]

I have always wanted an SUV for the longest time. I am rethinking that now though. They only come in 4 doors and I really don't want that. I did see a Ford Edge the other night. I haven't test drove it yet though. Would that be considered an SUV? If not whats the difference? Aren't they considering that a crossover? Whatever that means. When I do finally choose which one I want to at least test drive which would be better FWD, AWD or a 4x4? If I am not mistaken an AWD vehicle is just like a 4x4 only it is always on and can not be turned off. Would I be better off with that? What are the real benefits of being able to shut it off? What are the advantages of FWD in an SUV? I haven't even been to the dealership and I would at least like to know a little about all of this before going in there and test driving one. If I do this it will be the third vehicle I have owned and the last one I bought (my current car) I bought on my own without any down payment, co-signers or any help at all with it, I would like to do it again and have it be a sound purchase. Any help from you would be greatly appreciated.

[Lauren]

I don't know much about the Ford Edge, but there are a lot of smaller SUV's out there, i.e. Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV, etc. Go drive them and see what's comfortable. They'll feel more car-like than truck-like.

After owning two mini-vans and an SUV, I know I pefer being higher up. Why don't you like a 4 door vehicle? I think it's easier for passengers to get in and out and the doors are lighter to open/shut.

I'm not sure about the AWD and 4 wheel drive. I have a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder and it has 4 wheel drive, but you have to turn it on, which I don't like. For instance, one winter I went into a skid and didn't have time to put it in 4 wheel. So now, whenever I feel a little uneasy about road conditions, I turn it on. Other SUV's automatically go into 4 wheel drive. As I said, I'm certainly not an expert. ;)

At our old house we had a very steep driveway that went up an incline to get to the street. With the minivans, I could never get out if there was the slightest bit of snow/ice on the driveway. Once I got the SUV, I would put it in 4-wheel and pull right through the snow. :p

[donleyk]

Just in the way of comparing… I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport. I chose the 2 door because I don’t haul around people I haul golf clubs :) I can and usually do have the back seats folded down so I have plenty of room.

I think the smaller SUV’s are a good compromise but it really depends on what you need it for. My Jeep rides like a tank. It’s heavy and does a good job of sucking down on the road when I need it but I give up a lot for that. My DH likes the Rav4 and the CRV’s. When I was shopping for one the CRV didn’t do well in CR and the RAV4 had way too much plastic in the interior. Both have changed dramatically so I would be test driving them for a good feel.

I can’t really help you regarding all wheel vs 4 wheel. I always put it in 4 wheel if the conditions warrant it. Good luck with your search!

[Robyn1007]

There are a lot of very personal things to consider when purchasing a car. I agree with Lauren though, why do you want a 2 door SUV? Crossover vehicles have some features of a car and some of an SUV and may be a good choice for you depending on what you want to use the vehicle for. As far as FWD, AWD and 4x4 it again depends on what you'll use it for and where you live. If I had the choice I would do AWD vs 4x4 for the reasons that Lauren mentioned. I have a FWD Honda Civic that I've put snow tires on and I do pretty well around here but I also know that I don't have the ability to go up steep hills if they are slick and I don't have clearance (not normally an issue but has been the last two weeks). Go test drive any that you are even remotely interested in as they all feel so different and that is really going to help you narrow it down. Then go to edmunds.com and look at their recommendations and reviews. Good luck!

[Arete]

They only come in 4 doors and I really don't want that.
As others here have mentioned, there are quite a few SUVs that come in 2 doors, the Jeep Cherokee, Ford Explorer, Chevy Blazer, I'm pretty sure the Toyota Rav4 but not positive on that, I think one of the little Suzuki ones...

As for AWD/4WD/2WD, our Blazer has all three. I like this because I can be in 2WD most of the time, but if there are little patches of snow I tend to switch to AWD, then I put it in 4WD for days when it's really snowy. Most vehicles that are AWD are actually functioning in 2WD most of the time and then automatically switch to 4WD when they feel a wheel slipping, the driver doesn't have to do anything. If it were using all wheels all the time, that would just be 4WD. AWD and 4WD cut down on your MPG considerably, but when you want them, they are nice to have. If you are at all worried about having to switch to 4wd (which I do as soon as I see that the road is more than about 30% snow covered) then you might prefer AWD since it does the thinking for you. But in very snowy conditions, 4WD is better since with AWD it is often trying to switch back and forth to 2WD to save mileage whenever it feels like the tires aren't slipping. Also with 4WD, you can switch to 4LO which gives you a lot more torque to get out of deep snow. I don't think most AWD vehicles (that don't also have 4WD options) have a Lo range.

[Sarah428]

We have a Pontiac Vibe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Vibe) that I guess could be considered a crossover. It rides like a car but sits higher up, comes in AWD and gets pretty good MPG.

Good luck!

[badunnin]

As far as the AWD, you do give up some fuel economy in order to have the car turning all those wheels all the time. I was slightly surprised at the mileage my little Subaru gets.

[DeeK]

I've driven a Honda CR-V for the last 8 years. I absolutely adore my CR-V. It gets great gas mileage for an SUV. You can REALLY load up the back with stuff when you need to.

The downsides --- the older models did not have great power. It's also noisy. You hear a lot of road noise, especially if you have the heavy duty SUV tires (which I do for traction in the heavy rain).

I do not have 4WD as it would never be needed here. I can imagine in snowy/icy areas it would be a plus.

This year's CR-V has been drastically redesigned. Some of the new features I like, but the one thing I would really miss is the tire on the back door. That's where my bike rack mounts. The spare is now underneath (or in the hatch, I can't remember). While that makes in better (less damage) in a rear end crash, I really like my bike rack mounted there. :(

My CR-V has 124,000 miles and I have had just a few repairs. It runs great and has kept it's good looks (i.e. the paint and interior have held up well. Although I must admit, it is garage kept.)

At the time CR-V was one of the most reasonably priced small SUVs (1999). I'm not sure how they figure in now.

[Shechef]

My only advice is.....BUY AMERICAN!! Keep American jobs!
O.K., off my sopabox now..........

[Robyn1007]

My only advice is.....BUY AMERICAN!! Keep American jobs!
O.K., off my sopabox now..........

Most of the foreign cars are made here now as well. Given that, if American made cars are not as sound why should my pocketbook take the hit for repairs?

[tea4one]

I guess I should of said why I wanted 2-doors instead of 4-doors in my original post. It is basically for safety reasons, and I will probably be the only one ever in it. Unless it has the feature my cars do/did and locks when you take it out of park then it won't matter I guess. I want to use it for basically all the stuff you would a truck, hauling things, etc. and I think I will also look at those but also for the months when it is snowy and icy I would rather have a truck or SUV, I don't know why but I think I would be better off driving one in that type of weather. Right now if it snows or the roads get bad it doesn't matter I have less than a mile to drive to work and I just don't go anywhere when the roads are bad. But if I move then it will be necessary to have something that will get me safely back and forth to where I am going.

[DeeK]

Most of the foreign cars are made here now as well. Given that, if American made cars are not as sound why should my pocketbook take the hit for repairs?

And many of the cars thought to be typically American are either made overseas OR the majority of their parts are. Several Ford vehicles are made in Mexico and the Crown Victoria is made in Canada.

[Lauren]

Most of the foreign cars are made here now as well. Given that, if American made cars are not as sound why should my pocketbook take the hit for repairs?

Ditto! Maybe it's a coincidence, but I put new transmissions (about $2,000) in two American cars at 60,000 miles. Never had that problem with any of the foreign cars we've owned. In fact, we've had several foreign cars that we've put very high milage on without any major repairs.

Shechef - I definately see your point, though.

Both the Toyota and Honda small SUV's have been recently changed. My Mom bought the new Honda CRV. She's getting rid of her low Acura with high milage and trading up to an SUV.

[Terri_A]

I drive a company car and for the past 3 years that's been a Ford Escape. I really like the size, clearance, etc. On the 23rd I picked up my latest - a Mercury Mariner. I LOVE IT! Although it's essentially the same as the Ford Escape, it's much nicer - not as much plastic and feels heavier - like on a sharp turn I don't feel like I'm going to fall over. It's a solid car. The back seats fold down and I know I fit a new Washing machine in the back of the Escape - box and all, so they have a good amount of room to haul things.

If I were wanting 4wd, I'd get AWD, it seems that the mechanism to turn 4wd on and off would just be another thing that could potentially break. But I don't have to deal with snow ( just lots of flooding ) so my perspective on that may be different.

Good luck!

[Loremma]

After watching "An Inconvienent Truth" with Al Gore, I'd recommend a hybrid. Don't know what ones are offered and if they have all the features you want, but at least look at them.

[Taeler]

Someone might have already said this but, try consumer reports website and if you have a Costco near you, you might consider buying thru them.

[Gumbeaux]

I guess I should of said why I wanted 2-doors instead of 4-doors in my original post. It is basically for safety reasons, and I will probably be the only one ever in it. Unless it has the feature my cars do/did and locks when you take it out of park then it won't matter I guess. I want to use it for basically all the stuff you would a truck, hauling things, etc.

If you want two doors, want to haul stuff, and you will be the only one ever in it, I would suggest a two door extended cab truck. You will be able to put stuff inside and haul stuff like oversize furniture and refrigerators. You can also haul stuff that you shouldn't haul in an SUV like a cord of firewood, mulch bought in bulk, un-containerized garbage and yard waste, lumber, and a heck of a lot of other stuff.

[Valerie226]

I've got a 2004 Subaru Forester that we love. It has 4 doors with lots of usable cargo space. It's the best handling car I've ever driven, and is AWD. I wish the mileage were better but it's not awful. I get 30 mpg on the freeway and mid 20's in town. It has excellent safety features, excellent visaibility. no blind spots. it handles so well, you feel like you're stuck to the road. At the time I was shopping for a car I also looked at the honda CRV and the Rav 4 but liked the forester much better. We drive rough mountain roads a lot & I noticed how many subarus were parked at trailheads. We are not big tall people and the forester fit us both very well.
One downside of AWD is that if you need to get towed, you can't drag it on rear wheels, it has to be put on a flat bed to move it.
There's no substitute for test driving to rule in/out. make a list of what you need & models to look at & then go look. also look at consumer reports to see how the vehicles you're considering are rated both for short term and long term.

[masimmons]

I can't answer all your questions, but I just bought a Toyota RAV and love love love it! I made a choice btw it and the Honda CRV, but the Honda dealers weren't dealing at all, so I got the RAV. I think they are pretty similar. Consumer Reports rates both of them very high. I have a 4 cylinder 4wd. I test drove the 6 cylinder and the pick up is amazing, however it was more than I wanted to spend and, for my driving needs, the 4 cylinder will be fine. The only reason I got the 4wd is it came with it. Around here, Virginia Beach, that is a pretty common item found on the SUVs.

GOOD LUCK!

[sab1976]

I'm planning on buying an SUV early next year. I'm looking at the Toyota RAV-4, Ford Escape (2008), and Jeep Patriot (due out in the next couple months).

[tea4one]

If you want two doors, want to haul stuff, and you will be the only one ever in it, I would suggest a two door extended cab truck. You will be able to put stuff inside and haul stuff like oversize furniture and refrigerators. You can also haul stuff that you shouldn't haul in an SUV like a cord of firewood, mulch bought in bulk, un-containerized garbage and yard waste, lumber, and a heck of a lot of other stuff.

I know I thought of that. I looked at the ford f-150 today and I did test drive one of those a few years ago. I think I am leaning towards something that is not a general motors vehicle, it will be my first one that is not a GM car. I also thought of the mariner as it is about 20" shorter than the explorer and they also do not make the explorer in a 2-door model anymore. I don't think any SUV's are sold in a 2-door model anymore.

[Arete]

If I were wanting 4wd, I'd get AWD, it seems that the mechanism to turn 4wd on and off would just be another thing that could potentially break. But I don't have to deal with snow ( just lots of flooding ) so my perspective on that may be different.
The mechanism inside the car is the same (in both cases it is changing from 2WD to 4WD) The only difference is that in AWD, the car's computer decides when to change back and forth, and with 4WD the driver decides and has to push a button on the dash. Either way, the transfer case then has to go through the actual mechanics of changing from one to the other.

[Gumbeaux]

I don't think any SUV's are sold in a 2-door model anymore.


You might want to look at the the Toyota FJ Cruiser. It is essentially a 2 door SUV. You can get it with 4WD. It is inexpensive, has good reviews, and is more off-road capable than a lot of other small or mid size SUV's.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2007/Toyota/100688146/2007.toyota.fjcruiser.20033034-E.jpg

http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/2007/fjcruiser/gallery/exterior/photo_17.jpg

http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/2007/fjcruiser/gallery/exterior/large/photo_6.jpg

[leightx]

My 6 year old Toyota minivan and DH's 2 year old Ford Expedition only open the driver's side door when you use the clicker, unless you hit the button 2 times to open the rest of the doors. The Expedition also automatically locks all the doors once you start driving. I think both of those features are probably fairly standard now, but you could ask the dealers. It would definitely allow you to expand your options quite a bit.

[DeeK]

You might want to look at the the Toyota FJ Cruiser. It is essentially a 2 door SUV. You can get it with 4WD. It is inexpensive, has good reviews, and is more off-road capable than a lot of other small or mid size SUV's.



I REALLY thought I wanted one of these until I sat in it. For the average size woman the blind spots are horrendous. They are so bad that I get nervous when one is driving beside (or around me). I KNOW they can't see me if I'm anywhere behind the driver's door. :eek:

I also didn't find them to be inexpensive. The one I saw was close to $30,000. I know the MSRP was in the $21,000 range, but there were none on the lot that low.

ETA: I do, however, think they look REALLY COOL! I could see me in one in my fantasies, but the reality, at least for me, wasn't so good.