Small SUV's (need help)

AUTailgatingRules · « **on:** April 21, 2011, 04:31:12 PM »

The wife has decided that her Maxima is a little to small for our need due to the baby. I have spent the last week shopping for and test driving new small SUV's. I brought her a Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander, and today a Kia Sedona.

To get to the price we need I have tested the mid range Higlander (cloth seats), the base Murano (cloth seats), and the Kia Sorento loaded to the hilt. It looks like all 3 are gong to be about the same price.

Someone please talk me out of the Kia. It is by far my favorite out of all 3.

Opinions please

AUTiger1 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2011, 04:35:54 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on April 21, 2011, 04:31:12 PM

The wife has decided that her Maxima is a little to small for our need due to the baby. I have spent the last week shopping for and test driving new small SUV's. I brought her a Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander, and today a Kia Sedona.

To get to the price we need I have tested the mid range Higlander (cloth seats), the base Murano (cloth seats), and the Kia loaded to the hilt. It looks like all 3 are gong to be about the same price.

Someone please talk me out of the Kia. It is by far my favorite out of all 3.

Opinions please

We have a Honda CRV and the wife loves it. Maybe try one of those?

Buzz Killington · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2011, 04:37:19 PM »

Out of those three, I would definitely go with the Kia.
The Highlander is just not a good vehicle, and Nissan does not know how to make a decent SUV imnsho.

Have you checked out the GMC Terrain? That's what I will most likely move to when the Yukon finally craps out on me. It's in the same size range as the others you are looking at, and is supposed to get around 24mpg.

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2011, 04:46:27 PM »

Quote from: Buzz Killington on April 21, 2011, 04:37:19 PM

Out of those three, I would definitely go with the Kia.
The Highlander is just not a good vehicle, and Nissan does not know how to make a decent SUV imnsho.

Have you checked out the GMC Terrain? That's what I will most likely move to when the Yukon finally craps out on me. It's in the same size range as the others you are looking at, and is supposed to get around 24mpg.

I refuse to buy a GM for obvious reasons.

AUTiger1 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2011, 04:46:50 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on April 21, 2011, 04:46:27 PM

I refuse to buy a GM for obvious reasons.

Good man you are.

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2011, 04:48:28 PM »

Quote from: AUTiger1 on April 21, 2011, 04:35:54 PM

We have a Honda CRV and the wife loves it. Maybe try one of those?

The CRV seems a little small to me, we have to fit a baby seat in the middle of the back seat and still have room for an adult next to it. Plus the Kia and the Highlander have 3rd row seating for when she gets a little oldar and we have to tote her little buddies around.

Token · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2011, 05:07:22 PM »

I seen a Kia Sedona that flipped about 15 times on the interstate a few weeks ago. I was impressed with the sustained damage to the vehicle, although, the guy lost all of his tomatoes and was dead as a wedge. May he rest in peace.

Hope that helps.

dallaswareagle · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2011, 05:34:49 PM »

Quote from: Buzz Killington on April 21, 2011, 04:37:19 PM

Out of those three, I would definitely go with the Kia.
The Highlander is just not a good vehicle, and Nissan does not know how to make a decent SUV imnsho.

Have you checked out the GMC Terrain? That's what I will most likely move to when the Yukon finally craps out on me. It's in the same size range as the others you are looking at, and is supposed to get around 24mpg.

My 11 year old X-terra disagrees. And is now pissed.

djsimp · « **Reply #8 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:14:17 PM »

I actually like the Kia. They have come along way in their engineering and still much better priced than the others. Very sound vehicle.

Jumbo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:16:54 PM »

I would go with the Kia.

Buzz Killington · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:56:12 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on April 21, 2011, 04:46:27 PM

I refuse to buy a GM for obvious reasons.

Sorry...wasn't thinking for a moment. I bought mine before the bailouts at least.

Still, go with the Kia.

Buzz Killington · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:57:10 PM »

Quote from: dallaswareagle on April 21, 2011, 05:34:49 PM

My 11 year old X-terra disagrees. And is now pissed.

I bought a 2001 model and traded it back in by 2003. It sucked donkey balls.

CCTAU · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2011, 08:21:51 PM »

Got a friend who has the Kia for about 4 years now. His wife loves it. 10 yr 100,000 goes a long way.

The highlander is a camry.
The Kia is a whatever their car is and is made in GA.

Doesn't Hyundai make an suv? (same as Kia?)

Or you could go with the Ford Explorer. It is damn car now also.

Tiger Wench · « **Reply #13 on:** April 21, 2011, 10:32:25 PM »

Carl has a Ford Escape - it's the second one we have owned. He likes it.

I cannot stress enough that the leather seats upgrade is worth it with kids. Makes a HUGE difference later - you can clean ANYTHING off leather.

AUTiger1 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 21, 2011, 11:51:36 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on April 21, 2011, 04:48:28 PM

The CRV seems a little small to me, we have to fit a baby seat in the middle of the back seat and still have room for an adult next to it. Plus the Kia and the Highlander have 3rd row seating for when she gets a little oldar and we have to tote her little buddies around.

We have no problem with the baby seat and having adults riding on either side.....then again, now that I think about it, I have never ridden (ridden? is that correct? hmmm, Eagle Rare says yes) in the back with Will. My mother in law, mom and wife are the only ones. They range from 5'1" to 5'3" and 100 to 120......yeah, you may have a problem with that.

AU_Tiger_2000 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 22, 2011, 01:20:07 AM »

My Brother-in-law and his wife had a Murano. They ditched it after two years for an Explorer. I think there biggest problem was dealing with the dealership on some warranty work.

Saniflush · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2011, 07:08:51 AM »

Quote from: Tiger Wench on April 21, 2011, 10:32:25 PM

Carl has a Ford Escape - it's the second one we have owned. He likes it.

I cannot stress enough that the leather seats upgrade is worth it with kids. Makes a HUGE difference later - you can clean ANYTHING off leather.

Including pecker tracks if you decide to start working on another one.

AuburnChopper 3.0 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2011, 08:40:27 AM »

My advice would be to look at Hyundai. I'd also agree with Wench on the Ford Escape.

Both are excellent.

I think you'll get more bang for your buck with the Hyundai. I just bought a new 2011 Hyundai Sonata and was blown away with what all I got for a little less. I test drove and chose it over the Camry, Accord and Buick Regal.

Hyundai's financing is extremely aggressive right now also. They're taking full advantage of GM, Ford and other company's stingy rules as they get through the economic issues. I got financing and a better rate from Hyundai Motor Finance and was out the door in less than a few hours total from walking on the lot, to delivery.

Check it out!

GH2001 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2011, 09:14:02 AM »

Agree with Wench on the Escape. Ive never owned one as I am a good American and go strictly for gas guzzling V8 behomeths, F150 and Expedition.

But I do know 2 folks who have Escapes. One is a 2001 and its still going, no issues, 204K miles. The other is a 2005, same deal. They both seemed pleased.

When I bought my F150 from the dealer a couple of years ago, I asked them what the hardest car was to keep on the lot (it was a Ford dealer). They said without a doubt the Escape was. Colored me shocked. Sure enough, they had only 2 new ones out there parked next to 13 Explorers and 71 Mustangs. And those 2 were being looked at by customers. They seem to hold value well looking at them on the used market.

The Hyandai seems to get good marks as well. I'm with AUTR on GM. Never again. Kia's a good DEAL but its still a Kia.

Personally at this point, I'd go with Ford or Honda.

EDIT: I forgot Simp also has an Escape, so maybe he can opine too.

Kaos · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2011, 09:31:08 AM »

Look for one of these.

You can find a 2008 or 2009 for less or equao to what you'll pay for a new Kia. Can find something with 30-40k miles. Where you'll win is the service plan. It's outstanding. Everything from oil changes to new headlights is covered for 100k.