Starting research for buying a new vehicle...

[Reason]

I have been driving the same truck since high school and it has been really good to me, 6 years or so worth of moderate driving on a very used car that 100,000+ miles on it to begin with.

It is just now starting to have some costly repairs needed, (my catalytic converter is dying and needs to be completely replaced).

I am looking to start researching my options for a new vehicle.

I want a vehicle that can jump curbs if needed.

I want a vehicle with better gas millage.

I want a vehicle with 4 doors.

I like sitting up in a truck or compact suv type chassis (don't like driving cars where I feel like my ass is sliding on the ground).

This is what I am used to.

And I love my truck but I think it's time to move on :o

I don't know much about current company trends in terms of quality so if anyone could point me in the direction of some good research I would be most appreciative!

 

[M House]

Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo! Um...a good gas mileage curb jumper? I don't believe yer looking a Unimog or a Hummer. That Mercedes SUV the pope uses is nice. It's not cheap though.

 

[brandon]

http://www.edmunds.com/

 

[Reason]

Anyone know anything about the following models?

Equinox

TrailBlazer

 

[M House]

Dude if you got some money just get a new Subaru. Excellent AWD, engine design, and suspension. Mileage has gotta be better than that thing.

 

[M House]

Subaru Forester unfortunately is more of an off road vehicle than any of the modern marketed crap. 2.5l Turbo Boxer engine! In fact the newer ones have a double wishbone rear suspension. It's also a true balanced AWD system. With couplers and differentials you know the actual mechanical stuff that would be needed.

 

[TonySutton]

I have a 2000 Chevy Astro with 200K miles on it.

I imagine it can jump curbs although I have never tried it.

Mine gets 16 in the city and 20 on the highway with a 3.23 rear end

It has 3 side doors and 2 in the back

It sits up high.

These are pretty good vehicles, typically do not require a lot of maintenance and can pull 5-6K depending on the rear end installed.

 

[Reason]

Anyone know anything about the Suzuki Grand Vitara model?

 

[M House]

Eh I don't know it's no Subaru.

 

[Reason]

Eh I don't know it's no Subaru.

Some of the Subaru's I looked at didn't seem very visually appealing to me for some reason.

 

[TonySutton]

Here you go:

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-SUVs/

 

[angelatc]

Consumer Reports is your friend. They accept no advertising. I've never bought a car that wasn't recommended by them and I've never had any problem.

Their reliability history gives your Suzuki excellent ratings in everything except the drive system (absolutely awful!) and the fuel system (mediocre).

Here's their summary:

The Vitara is available as a two-door soft-top and a four-door hardtop SUV. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard. The four-door Grand Vitara packs a stronger 2.5-liter V6 and more standard equipment. The V6 feels sluggish, its power blunted by the automatic transmission. We've found all of these vehicles to be slow, noisy, and uncomfortable. The redesigned 2006 Grand Vitara has unibody construction and a fully independent suspension. The V6 is sluggish and returns just 18 mpg. It has a stiff and jittery ride and handling is reluctant, with vague steering. ESC is standard.

 

[Reason]

Here you go:

[url]http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-SUVs/[/URL]

ty

Consumer Reports is your friend. They accept no advertising. I've never bought a car that wasn't recommended by them and I've never had any problem.

Their reliability history gives your Suzuki excellent ratings in everything except the drive system (absolutely awful!) and the fuel system (mediocre).

Here's their summary:

do you have to have a subscription to consumer reports?

 

[M House]

Are you kidding me the Honda CR-V is top rated!

 

[angelatc]

ty



do you have to have a subscription to consumer reports?

I do.

 

[angelatc]

Here are their "best used car choices" for SUVs:

Midsized & large SUVs

The Pilot is a roomy, refined, and fuel-efficient SUV. It has flexible seating for eight passengers, and crash-test results are impressive. The Toyota Highlander is another good car-based SUV, and the truck-based 4Runner is a good choice for serious off-roading.
Other good choices:

* Toyota 4Runner
* Toyota Highlander*
* Lexus RX
* Toyota Land Cruiser
* Acura MDX
* Infiniti FX35
* Infiniti QX4
* Hyundai Santa Fe (V6)
* Lexus GX (except '08-09)
* Subaru Tribeca

Small SUVs
Honda CR-V

The comfortable, carlike CR-V has a smooth, spirited four-cylinder engine and gets good fuel economy. Look for models from 2005 on, when ESC and curtain air bags became standard. Reliability has been better than average each year.
Another good choice:

* Acura RDX
* Hyundai Tucson
* Mitsubishi Outlander
* Kia Sportage ('05-09)
* Ford Escape Hybrid
* Mercury Mariner Hybrid
* Subaru Forester

 

[M House]

Eh get a 2001-2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with the AWD option and larger V6. It has a viscous coupler torque split 60:40 full-time drive. Unlike the later models that went totally sissy. That would be very affordable to find. I mean come-on this is knowledge all men should have.

 

[youngbuck]

Toyota Tacoma or Toyota 4Runner with the 3.4L 5VZFE engine.

For cars, stick with Toyotas (includes Lexus), Subarus and Hondas (includes Acura).

 

[specsaregood]

//

 

[M House]

Just remember if you go wussy on this detail a Toyota Previa All-Trac will have more off-road capability than yer vehicle.