Originally Posted By DAR I thinking in the next year of getting into the new car market. I currently have a Chevy Cavalier about 11 years old some 65,000 miles on it. It's a good I like it a lot but I want to get something where the seating is a little higher. Now I don't want to get a full fledged truck or SUV. But I'm looking at perhaps a Midsize SUV or Sport Utility. Something along the lines of Mazda CX-7, a Nissan Rogue or a Mitsubishi Outlander. Anyone else have a similar vehicle and if so how do you like it.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut The CX-7 is an excellent vehicle. They also just did some updates and it now comes in the non turbo version if you want. Previously it only offered the 2.3L DISI Turbo but now the 2010 models will offer the same 2.5L (non turbo) motor that is offered in the Mazda 3 and 6 as well ast the 2.3L turbo. Good motors.
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer You mean a small SUV is you're talking Rogue/Outlander their midsizers are the Murano and Outlander. Of those hands down the CX-7, you may want to consider the Edge (especially with discounts) if a plusher ride is a concern. The Mazda will outhandle/outstyle/outperform the other two you have listed. You might want to cross shop a Vue (It's a European design and totally unrelated to the old Vue) if price is of concern. Also the Escape Hybrid (2009+) seems pretty good (design is dated but has an impressive powerplant) If you live in a cold climate and get a mid size Highlander, keep WD-40 in the back, you'll need to constantly lube the tailgate to get it to lock (And the Nav system is good, the 3.5L is a tad overwhelmed however). Other then that it's good. The best value is the Sport, or the Limited stay away from the cheapies and SR5's. The Highlander is typical Toyota, souless handling (I mean I miss my body on frame SUV for handling...). Keep in mind that the Lexus ES350 gets lower "driver experience" marks then pretty much every
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer err Midsize is Endevour (which is probably not worth considering imho)
Originally Posted By beamerdog I have a Rogue and I'm happy with it. I have a 4 cylinder which bothers me after driving a sports car with a super engine for years. It also has the "non-shifting" ride, which is also weird, but I'm finally getting used to it. The ride and interior is nice. I have leather seats, a Bose radio, moon roof, etc. Lots of stuff in it for the price. I feel like I got my money's worth (I got a great trade-in for my car and they gave me tons off on the new car.) I shopped on-line and had the dealers trying to out bid each other, lol. It's a small SUV (most people think it's a Murano - it looks like one that stayed in the dryer too long) with a lot of style. The color is Iridium - a sort of medium metallic gray with lavender and orange/rust flecks in it. I moved my son to his new house today and I was shocked at how much fit in the car. Also I was shocked at the size of the furniture that fit in the back with lots of room. I've had none of the little things that go wrong in new cars even though it's the model's first year. I've had it since Feb. '08. I get 24 mpg in the city and close to 30 mpg highway. The major thing that I would improve is the engine size.
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer Beamer, don't you know you should have kept the 3.5 from your old car Glad you like it. My aunt is considering one, she's a Nissan girlie. But I still have to say the Mazda is damned impressive. Oh and beamer will be much happier with the handling of her vehicle over my vehicle that makes a 1960 Impala seem like a sports car...
Originally Posted By iamsally We had a 2000 Honda CRV and loved it. At 50,000 miles (having had NO problems) it was totaled by a drunk driver. I do not like the look of the new CRV. After that we bought a 2005 Honda Pilot. (seats 8) We love it too. Almost 50,000 on this one and one window motor quit working.
Originally Posted By beamerdog >>Beamer, don't you know you should have kept the 3.5 from your old car << I don't think my trade-in would have been as good ;-)
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer <- 2008 Highlander just over 76km (47k mi). Your Pilot was built in my province. How about a nice Cayenne?
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer My transmission now does very jerky shifts, I'll be getting it serviced soon (new gasket, and fluids).
Originally Posted By dshyates I am a HUGE Mazda fan, but if you like the CX-7 but want an American moniker, the Ford Edge is basically the same car as the CX-7. <a href="http://www.ford.com/vehicles/vehicle-showroom#/ford/ford-edge-2009" target="_blank">http://www.ford.com/vehicles/v...dge-2009</a>
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer More "everyday people" type of reviews may be found here: Mazda CX-7 <a href="http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles.php?flowerlimit=0&dlowerlimit=0&tlowerlimit=0&ulowerlimit=0&type=&make=&model=CX-7&low_year=&high_year=&author=&sort1=&sort2=&Submit=Search" target="_blank">http://www.canadiandriver.com/...t=Search</a> Ford Edge <a href="http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles.php?flowerlimit=0&dlowerlimit=0&tlowerlimit=0&ulowerlimit=0&type=&make=&model=Edge&low_year=&high_year=&author=&sort1=&sort2=&Submit=Search" target="_blank">http://www.canadiandriver.com/...t=Search</a> Ford Escape <a href="http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles.php?flowerlimit=0&dlowerlimit=0&tlowerlimit=0&ulowerlimit=0&type=&make=&model=Escape&low_year=&high_year=&author=&sort1=&sort2=&Submit=Search" target="_blank">http://www.canadiandriver.com/...t=Search</a> (read the 2008 & 2009) Nissan Rogue <a href="http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles.php?flowerlimit=0&dlowerlimit=0&tlowerlimit=0&ulowerlimit=0&type=&make=&model=Rogue&low_year=&high_year=&author=&sort1=&sort2=&Submit=Search" target="_blank">http://www.canadiandriver.com/...t=Search</a> Mitsubishi Outlander <a href="http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles.php?flowerlimit=0&dlowerlimit=0&tlowerlimit=0&ulowerlimit=0&type=&make=&model=Outlander&low_year=&high_year=&author=&sort1=&sort2=&Submit=Search" target="_blank">http://www.canadiandriver.com/...t=Search</a> (read the 2007) Now on many of these what applies in 2007 for example mostly applies to the 2009's. And for a "visual" Start here on youtube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmlfoe1Qcw0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...foe1Qcw0</a> There is roadfly, Motortrend, Kelley, Myride etc. Remember though ultimately the decision is yours. Even Consumer Guide has had things wrong in the past. Everything has their bias.
Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 <<I do not like the look of the new CRV.>> Aw I have a 2008 CR-V and I absolutely love it!!! Great gas mileage...even better then what it is listed at...I get 26mpg city and 30mpg highway easily!! So comfy, easy, and fun to drive! My dad has looked at the Lexus, BMW, etc. and keeps going back to wanting a CR-V like mine! When I was getting my SUV I test drove a few others, and nothing compard to the CR-V in features for the price. Also, my mom has a Pilot and loves it as well. Although she probably would have gone with a CR-V as well if it wasn't our big family vacation car.
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 I LOVE my 2007 Kia Sorento LX. Has all the bells and whistles, but, alas, no four wheel drive. Don't figure I'll be doing any driving up to Tahoe in the snow. My mother has a 2006 Kia Sorento LX, too. We did all the research and really liked what we read about the Kia and the test drive sealed the deal. She got hers first, then I got mine 4 months later. I traded in a 2000 Chevy Tahoe that was waaaaay too big for me and the Kia is just the right size. At this point, 33,000 miles later, I have had no problems with it. Gas mileage isn't as good as the CR-V but it is better that that Tahoe!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I drive an 06 Pilot. We loved our basic 04 Pilot so much we upgraded to the frou frou model in 06. We almost went for the CRV but one look at the back space and I knew that it would never do for all the stuff I take on vacations. The seating for 8 is squishy but great for short runs. We test drove the Highlander and the Pilot on the same day and I preferred the way the Pilot handled. My ONE gripe is that the front passenger seat doesn't have positioning capabilities. OK, stop it, you know what I mean. For long road trips with the sun glaring at my side I'd like to be able to move the seat up. DD drives an 05 Pilot and loves it too. None of them have ever had a major or minor problem and they all have/had MILES on them from all the trips to DLR!
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer The pre 2008 Highlander is absolutely horrible. (Very small, etc.) Amazedncal2 Obama is bringing in protectionism, you need to sell your Canadian built Pilots and trade them in for American built 2009's.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 ARGH!!! Maybe I'll just scratch up my Honda a bit and have it painted by a local shop using "environmental" auto paint sold by my brothers store Putting Americans to work and all that. Wait, Canada, that's like a cousin, so it's all good!!
