Ready to buy - Need help deciding

[Minnie]

Not exactly budget as one of he vehicles is brand new.... But I've found the budget board to be a great place for advise so I wanted to post this here

After many helpful comments and tons of research I've narrowed it down to 2 possible vehicles....

- 2011 Nissan Juke AWD (new model released a couple months ago)*

- 2010 Toyota Rav4 4x4 (used) 14k miles

Price is very close on both vehicles.

This vehicle will be used primary as my work car. Only have one teen DS so extra seating is not a concern and I definitely prefer smaller sized vehicles.

Hoping to buy this week... Any comments on which and why would be great

 

[58cognac]

I'm all about pre-owned/warrantied cars so I'm not taking the depreciation hit driving off the lot.

 

[SDSorority]

Not exactly budget as one of he vehicles is brand new.... But I've found the budget board to be a great place for advise so I wanted to post this here

After many helpful comments and tons of research I've narrowed it down to 2 possible vehicles....

- 2011 Nissan Juke AWD (new model released a couple months ago)*

- 2010 Toyota Rav4 4x4 (used) 14k miles

Price is very close on both vehicles.

This vehicle will be used primary as my work car. Only have one teen DS so extra seating is not a concern and I definitely prefer smaller sized vehicles.

Hoping to buy this week... Any comments on which and why would be great

Toyotas last 1 million years... that's the one I'd go with 14K miles is VERY VERY low.

 

[Shleedogg]

Are you planning on/figuring in an extended warranty for the Rav4? DH and I were going back and forth between a lease on a 2011 Honda Odyssey and buying a 2009 Odyssey. Obviously everything is covered with a lease, not the same with buying used even from the dealer. We bought a warranty that's actually better than what comes w/ the new cars. In the end our payment was $20 less for the 2009 with the warranty included, but we own the car (when it's paid off.)

Have you checked consumer reports? My general instinct is to lean more towards the Toyota. My dad has a 93 Toyota truck that hasn't had any major repair work and the same with his 2001 Corolla. We have a 2007 Corolla, also no problems either. Generally Toyotas and Hondas seem to last forever.

 

[Chaoster]

I would not buy a first year car no matter what make it is. You need for them to get the bugs out. If you want the juke I'd wait for 2012.

 

[ORDisneyfans]

Not really familiar with either car personally, however I swear by Edmunds.com and wouldn't buy anything without checking out TMV pricing and the message boards for each vehicle. Lots of great info about any vehicle. I have purchased many cars over the years. Knowledge is power. The dealers are hoping you are not on the internet! There are so many kickbacks and incentives even at invoice they make about $2000 on each car! (My parents owned a car lot) I will say this is probaly the best week of the year to buy a car, as they love to get one more sale in before the new year.

 

[racechick8293]

I just don't like the way the Juke looks; I'd go with the Rav4.

 

[walkdmc]

I know nothing about the Juke but my parents have a RAV-4 and really like it. I think it's about 5 years old and they haven't had any mechanical problems. It does have some rusting on the metal around the passenger's window, which is surprising. Otherwise, it's great, good on gas, comfortable and reliable.

 

[platanito]

I purchased a RAV4 for my parents a couple of years ago and no issues to date, just normal maintenance. I would purchase a proven platform and not purchase anything with no history. I agree with the previous post if you really want the JUKE wait until 2012.

 

[ckrum]

After extensive research, we just bought a '09 Rav4 V6 Ltd. 4WD, yesterday!!! We have an '03 Toyota 4Runner & love it. I second pp recommendation to use Edmonds.com. Toyotas hold their value and are reliable. Ours came from a dealer and is "Toyota certified" so it has a longer warranty. We also negotiated the platinum warranty and are now covered bumper to bumper to 100,000 miles.

We test drove a lot of others (CRV, Tiquan, Outlander, Forrester) and the Rav4 was the winner.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I would not buy a first year car no matter what make it is. You need for them to get the bugs out. If you want the juke I'd wait for 2012.

My thoughts exactly. Never ever buy a car the first year it is out.

 

[JukieMcJukerson]

We actually have a Juke and we love it. There really isn't anything wrong a RAV4, but I much prefer the Juke.

If you want something a little smaller the Juke is the way to go. It can get into a pretty small parallel parking spot, and even though you sit fairly high, it never feels like you're driving a house.

It not only handles like a car, it handles like a sports car! A lot of horsepower compared to it's weight so very good acceleration, and a sport tuned suspension with next to no lean in sharp turns. Because of the tight suspension, the ride is a but bumpier than in an SUV, but not as bad as say, a Honda Civic.

You can get it with AWD (which I suggest. study it's AWD system carefully) and with 7" of clearance you should even be able to shame Subaru Outback Sports when it comes to winter driving. Since it's a hatchback, you can carry larger items than a sedan or coupe with the rear seats down, but it is not anything like a station wagon. Half that much space sounds about right. It actually reminds me of my old Volkswagen Rabbit hatchback, only on steroids.

The Juke also comes standard with most of the trendy electronic gear like bluetooth, ipod integration with audio controls on the wheel (exact same steering wheel as the 370Z... love it!), mp3/cd stereo, etc. The Juke is a great value for the money in that regard. However, the Juke likes premium gas (not required, but suggested) and it is also quite possible that you will never get the gas mileage in the government rating, most people tend to leadfoot the Juke without even thinking about it.

Basically, the Juke is a performance oriented, small and sporty car that just happens to be built like a brick outhouse. It has the spirit of an SUV because it's jacked up and has AWD, but that's where the similarity ends. If you are absolutely sure you don't need a ton of space, I'd go with the Juke.

The RAV4 is great. It's functional and practical and if you buy it I'm sure it'll serve you well. However, the RAV4 isn't going to make your heart beat faster when you drive it. You aren't going to try and park your RAV4 where you can see it from your desk at work so you can occasionally admire it's complex curvy design. The Juke isn't just some appliance that gets you from place to place, it's also work of art.... that you can ride around in.... that goes fast and gives you butterflies in your stomach. To me, that's pretty cool!

Hope some of this helped.

 

[mamaLori05]

I would not buy a first year car no matter what make it is. You need for them to get the bugs out. If you want the juke I'd wait for 2012.

I agree!! I would go with the Toyota as well because they have a decent track record. I know their cars will last a looooong time!

 

[JukieMcJukerson]

I agree!! I would go with the Toyota as well because they have a decent track record. I know their cars will last a looooong time!

Well, you're half right....

In terms of reliability, Toyota isn't nearly as good as they used to be. I think a big part of the reason is that most Toyotas are built in America these days. Nothing against the American workers, but the American factory managers could learn a lesson from their Japanese counterparts.

Reliability is an attribute that fluctuates greatly over time and you can't just assume all models made by a particular brand are reliable because they were in the past. For instance, right now Toyota is no longer #1 in reliability and is busy fending off it's second class action lawsuit involving engine sludge. Some of their engines fill up with sludge and throw rods at as little as 12k miles. Toyota is saying that lack of maintenance is the cause, but statistically, it is plain to see that something is wrong and they aren't standing by their vehicles. I'd read more about Toyota (as well as Nissan) recalls and lawsuits. Nissan had a CVT problem a while back, but extended everyone's warranties to 100k to compensate in addition to reimbursing owners who made the same repairs but were out of warrenty at the time. Even if they had already sold their Nissan! Compare what Toyota does during a "defect crisis" and what Nissan does. I think you will be surprised with what you find. After all, nobody will know that Toyota's reliability is slipping if they never admit a problem exists and refuse to make the repairs, right? Recently, they just don't seem like they want to stand by their work unless someone forces them or lives might be in danger.... and sometimes even then they have to be forced.

Also, just because something is more reliable, doesn't mean it is necessarily better. For instance, Honda is currently #1 in reliability, but Consumer Reports only recommends 80% of their products. Nissan is #5 overall, but 95% of their cars are recommended by Consumer Reports. Any idea why? It's because Nissan's vehicles perform their intended tasks better and are typically a better value for the dollar. Since the Juke is new and you have to guess how it will be rated, I think it's a pretty safe bet it will be a Consumer Reports pick and will have at least average reliability. And if there's ever a problem with their products, I trust Nissan to make it right.

Rant having been made, yes, I agree Toyota is probably more reliable.....technically.

 

[rubato]

I picked the Juke because I want one!
I have an 08 Nissan Versa right now and I love it, but I'm thinking of handing it down to hubby and getting the Juke. I like small cars and love Nissans.

 

[gracie1]

I'd definately go with the Rav4