Mid-Size SUV (Don't Light Me Up, Please)

We picked up a year old 99 Explorer in 2000. A couple recalls, butthat has been it. It is my wife's EDD (every day driver).

We jsut got an '05 Explorer. I'm a big guy, and prefer not to feel sardined. Plenty of room. While they could have a better long-term warranty, I've had no issues with them.

This will be the first time ever we've had all Fords. Up til now, I was GM products all the way, but Ford's trucks are prettty tough.

I do like the Toyotas, and haven't had a chance to review the Honda Pilot, but $$ factors kept us to the Fords.
 
If you drive the Toyota, you won't be going to another dealership. I'll leave it at that. :)
 
jmxcpter said:
.....often eclipsing even the German marques in overall quality surveys these days.....
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My wife works in the automotive field on an international level and last year she emailed me the results of a survey that had been submitted to German drivers about vehicle reliability, etc. I think the results listed 50 entries in total.

Honda and Toyota tied for 1st place. Mercedes-Benz came in at #48.

I drive a 2003 Honda Pilot on a daily basis - because I love driving it (and I also have automotive "toys"). The handling is superb, the ride is great, the fit and finish excellent, the cargo space generous. I'm 6'3" (lots of headroom) but I usually have the seat extended to max for my legs.

Take a test drive.
 
cockroachfarm said:
My wife works in the automotive field on an international level and last year she emailed me the results of a survey that had been submitted to German drivers about vehicle reliability, etc. I think the results listed 50 entries in total.

Honda and Toyota tied for 1st place. Mercedes-Benz came in at #48.

I drive a 2003 Honda Pilot on a daily basis - because I love driving it (and I also have automotive "toys"). The handling is superb, the ride is great, the fit and finish excellent, the cargo space generous. I'm 6'3" (lots of headroom) but I usually have the seat extended to max for my legs.

Take a test drive.
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Gotta agree with you. The two most reliable cars I've had are a toyota and a honda. We just got a Pilot which I love. I think its kind of weird that with all that interior space the driver's seat just barely goes back far enough for me at 6' and I see you have the same problem (although 3" worse).
 
Cindy Denning said:
Chevy Trailblazer shouldn't be a problem for your height. I have a Chevy LS Blazer and have never had a problem, they seem to run pretty much the same. Don't buy a Ford.
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And I say exactly the opposite.

Any of your choices would be solid, except for the Chevy. Reliability on the Chevy Trailblazer is less than good. Like Jim stated; add the Grand Cherokee to that list as well. I drive a '95 Explorer that I bought a month ago, and it was a one owner trade in. It looks, feels, and drives like a new rig, and I got a steal deal from a local dealer, who got it in trade on a new Mountaineer. It was an old man rig, garaged its entire life. I also have a '94 Explorer that my daughter drives, and it is in great shape, with no reliability issues at all.

I suggest you review Consumer Reports, and see what they have to say about reliability and drivability. Remember, they are independent, and their reviews are usually spot on.

As I said above; avoid the GM products until they solve their realiability issues.

I need to add the Honda Pilot to the list, as well as the Acura MDX. (same rig except for luxury stuff on the MDX) My Mom bought an MDX in December, after driving it and a Pilot. She went with the MDX simply because she got the equipment she wanted on it, thatwasn't available on the Pilot. Honda's reliability has been stellar over the years, and I myself would consider one when my old lady wears out her minivan.
 
If I was looking at a mid-size SUV, I'd definitely go for the Grand Cherokee. :cool: I think K.V. had/has one, no? Any input? Anyway, I've been in a couple (as a passenger) and they seem to be pretty solid.
 
Hi cockroachfarm-

cockroachfarm said:
Honda and Toyota tied for 1st place. Mercedes-Benz came in at #48.
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I find it hard to believe that forty-six other BRANDS of automobile placed higher than Mercedes-Benz. Smaller companies like Aston Martin, Bugatti, and Maybach don't market enough vehicles to make a statistical drop in the bucket. Could you just post the survey results here?

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Blue Jays said:
Hi cockroachfarm-

I find it hard to believe that forty-six other BRANDS of automobile placed higher than Mercedes-Benz. Smaller companies like Aston Martin, Bugatti, and Maybach don't market enough vehicles to make a statistical drop in the bucket. Could you just post the survey results here?

~ Blue Jays ~
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That is kind of amazing. Around here, I've heard nothing but bad news about the Mercedes SUV's. For some reason, they have serious reliability issues. Go figure ... They're sure not cheap.
 
If you want something that's quick and handles good look at a Subaru Forester XT. Turbocharged flat 4 with AWD. They're fast and practical. I have one and I love it. It's definately not your Grandmother's Forester. :) www.subaru.com
 
Something I didn't see or get a feel for was price range.

The Nissan Xterra looks just like the Nissan Pickup I tried to wear out. My only complaint was the rough ride. Driving an Xterra, or even a two wheel drive Pickup over 1K miles in a day will put a real hurt on your body. Cost of ownership in my case darn cheap. I will also say it did not fare well in fender benders. One idiot who was late to work was doing 70MPH in 40MPH zone while it was raining. His Ford Half ton fared much better. Same goes of the Police officer who didn't stop for the school bus like I did.

Dynamic Stability packages on SUV's help the brain dead who don't know how to drive. I have had more then one unpleasant experience with a someone generally in the mid-twenties who sticks the SUV in 4 wheel drive and think they are impervious to normal hazzards on the road. Yes, driving 70MPH upto an icy bridge and stepping on the brakes will send you spinning, 4 wheel drive or not. Got a little body lean? Whip it hard to the other side, then whip it hard back to the opposite side. Do it right and you can flip a SUV several times.

Off the soap box

The Volvo XC90 looks like a good option if you can afford it. The Honda Pilot is a sweet ride but, I found the engine a little weak on the bottom end. The Honda Pilot is certainly a good option for city use and light off road work on that occasional vacation.

In cheaper vehicles, I would look over the Nissan and Toyota products. Good build quality at reasonable prices.

And yes, check the Consumer Reports April issue before you buy. I have found them to be highly reliable for every car I have owned. Their ratings matched my personal experiences very closely.
 
I've driven several Explorers (our department has one, and so do several friends) and I don't care for them. At least in my brief experience, they feel top-heavy and unstable.

Our department just aquired a new Escape, and I drove it the last couple of nights. Much nicer! Stable handling, pretty agile for an SUV, and decent performance. I know nothing about the vehicle, but at least it "feels" better than it's bigger cousin.
 
Razzierb said:
That is kind of amazing. Around here, I've heard nothing but bad news about the Mercedes SUV's. For some reason, they have serious reliability issues. Go figure ... They're sure not cheap.
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I'll see if I can find the email that my wife sent me with this info.

FWIW, I'm also going by personal experience (unlike Sebenza bashers who have never owned one ;) )

I have owned fourteen (14) Mercedes since the early 1970's - including an ML-320 bought new. Biggest piece of junk I have ever owned/driven. Last year my son bought a used ML-320 (against my advice) and he's having the same problems.
 
I have a 99' Jeep Grand Cherokee and must say I love it. Have had two chevy Blazers and they were nice also.But when its time for a new one it will be a KIA Sorento. Talked to alot of people how own and love them and I mostly look and the warranty offered. 10 yrs 100,000 miles.Starting at $16k and has as much room as my Jeep that I paid twice that much for.
Todd
 
You should check out the Chevy Equinox. It's a great little SUV that gets better gas mileage than a Trailblazer.

We just bought one a few months ago and it is great. The main thing I noticed is that there is a lot of room in the rear seat and it can be moved forward and backward to accomodate your needs.

Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention: 5 Star Frontal and Side-Impact Crash Safety Rating.
 
I'll put in another vote for the Explorer - especially now that its built on a beefier chassis. The option of a V8 is nice too. (BTW I own a 2000 Expedition, so my veiw is a little biased :cool: )
 
Blue Jays said:
Hi cockroachfarm-

I find it hard to believe that forty-six other BRANDS of automobile placed higher than Mercedes-Benz. Smaller companies like Aston Martin, Bugatti, and Maybach don't market enough vehicles to make a statistical drop in the bucket. Could you just post the survey results here?

~ Blue Jays ~
Click to expand...

My wife said she no longer has the email she sent me but the study it referred to was the German equivalent of one of these JD Power surveys.

101503527.jpg
 
J.D. Powers rankings are often questionable, they and Consumer Reports (who let journalism majors test automobiles) often pick Hondas over Benzes (and anything else for that matter), but if you have the money who in the world would buy an accord over an S600, noboday I know. Probably the same people would take a Glock 17 over a $3,000 custom 1911.

Back to the thread, the guy said he needed a REAL 4X4 that pretty much limits it to the 4Runner or the Grand Cherokee, with the 4Runner having the edge in overall quality but you can get a better deal on a Jeep. if BEST 4X4 is not a priority check out the Explorer or my fav SUV the Lexus RX330. Also is your family is big size wise the 4Runner and Cherokee may be a tight fit and you'd be better served by a Expedition or Sequoia.
 
Real happy with the Hyundai Santa Fe, 100,000/10 year warranty, we've had our since 03 and I'm very happy with it.
 
My turn to chime in. I test drove the new Pilot and Highlander. The Honda is bigger inside (and feels it), the Toyota is nicer inside and rides nicer (Camry chasis). That said...I bought a Volvo xc90. The thing is amazing!! Safest car in the world (IMHO). I did some research online, and the thing is a tank. I don't think it is possible to roll it (they let a bunch of car journalists try at the unveiling, and they couldn't). There is a video online somewhere of Volvo rolling it down a ramp. It rolls, like 6 times, the pull it onto it's wheels and open the door. It has whiplash protection, seating for 7 and a side curtain airbag that goes all the way back...supposedly the third row seat is as safe as the first (not even close to the case with Honda or Toyota). It drives very well and they just came out with a V8 (which gets better gas milage than my 6 cyl.)
Down sides: Crappy gas milage and tires and brakes need replacing often (the friggin' thing weighs six thousand pounds)

That said, from your list I would go with the Toyota. Then the Highlander, and if you can afford it the Volvo (hell, it's owned by Ford) Good luck , Josh
 
Congratulations on your new arrival.

I would suggest a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, or a Toyota 4 Runner. Both are really good vehicles, and would hold a decent resale value.
 
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