Small SUVs....any suggestions??

[mum4jenn]

In the next year I would like to get a new car. I am leaning towards a small SUV. I know KIA has one but what other ones are around. I do not want a real big one because I have trouble driving (backing out) when driving my dh Olds. Rendezvous. Any suggestions?? I am looking for a good price too. Something under $300 a month.

 

[debster812]

Subaru Forrester!!!!!

Great safety rating. Based on a car chassis. All wheel drive. We got one in August, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. You could probably pick up a slightly used one in your price range. We have owned Subarus that have gone over 200K miles, so I would buy a used one with some miles on it with no qualms at all.

We also looked at the Honda CR-V, but for us, the Subaru won out.

 

[minniecarousel]

I really like my Nissan Pathfinder - I gave it to my DS when I bought my Civic Hybrid. There are tons of large SUVs in my area, and this is a nice size - & 4-wheel drive for driving in the snow (which I only did once!) Not sure of the cost, but mine is a '99 & it's still in great shape - so used for this one would work too.

 

[CamColt]

We have 98 and 03 Honda CRVs, and love them both.

 

[CEDmom]

We love our Subaru Forester. It's consistently among the top rated small SUVs. I think you can get a basic model for the low $20k.

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by CEDmom
We love our Subaru Forester. It's consistently among the top rated small SUVs. I think you can get a basic model for the low $20k.

CEDmom is right!!! And the basic/entry level model is pretty well loaded:

ABS breaks
AWD
Dual Front Airbags
Side Curtain Airbags
CD Player
Weather Band Radio ( don't lol too loudly, Subaru touts this as a 'perk')
Keyless entry
Auto Transmission

 

[clh2]

and I'm loving it...

Ours is fairly loaded up, but they have many models for much less.

 

[lulugirl]

Originally posted by CEDmom
We love our Subaru Forester. It's consistently among the top rated small SUVs. I think you can get a basic model for the low $20k.

I agree!! The forester has an excellent reliability rating and does exceptionally well in crash tests!

 

[WDWLVR]

Another very happy Subaru Forester owner!

 

[WishingStar]

Last week I bought a Jeep Libertyand I love it, it's my fourth Jeep but first Liberty. During Jeep days they offer alot of incentives(rebates, low financing rates). I went all out and bought the Columbia edition, but they offer alot of different packages. They're small yet roomy and very reliable. I mean there has to be a reason the Jeep line has been going strong since 1941.

 

[Disney Doll]

My friend has a Ford Escape and she loves it!!!

 

[DSNY FN]

The new Chevy Equinox is a great small SUV and has the best motor of the lot now for the smaller ones it is also built about 20 minutes from where I live.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, for me it was back and forth between the Forrester and the Escape. Finally went with the Escape since we had a great relationship with the dealer/salesperson. And I love it. Mine is fully loaded but it was the one I just had to have. Dh is thinking about getting one for himself when his lease is up. Maybe the hybrid their coming out with.

 

[Dan Murphy]

How about a Subaru Outback? I think maybe a better rollover/safety choice than the regular SUV's. NHTSA.GOV

 

[Tinkbell]

I rented an Escape last summer and had a great time driving it!

 

[phillybeth]

Hyundai Sante Fe. We have had ours for just over a year now and I love it! It drives just like a car. And it comes loaded with lots of stuff standard- power windows, locks, seats, keyless entry. We got every option except for the moon roof and leather seats and our payment is right around $300.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Pathfinder.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

CRV! Love my Honda! Very safe too! This link is the safety list for the year of mine. Consumer Reports rates it as well or better and is recommended by them. CR gives it high safety marks.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/2002SUVs.html

 

[doxdogy]

DD and I rented an Escape last summer in Oklahoma City and I feel in love with it. Her DH has a Mazda Tribute (fancier version of the Escape) and she said the Escape handled better then the Tribute.

 

[Ronda93]

We've got a '98 Forester with 130,000 miles on it. The rear wheel bearings have been replaced half a dozen times. Multiple times on both sides. The first one was on warranty (45k), the next three on extended warranty (65, 80, 95K). The last two on me (105 and 115K). They cost about $350 a pop.

I am very disappointed in the dealership and the regional rep. This is not what I expect from any car, ever. They don't acknowledge a problem with them. They've started to use the "heavy duty" bearings.

The all wheel drive also seems to eat tires like cookies. I can get it aligned every 15,000 and still have cups and chops all over by 40,000 on every set of tires. This could all be related to whatever makes the bearings fail, but we'll never know.

While this was the first year for the Forester and I think they had some things to work out, I read similar bearing complaints on auto message boards for later models.

That said, the car is positively glued to the road. I've never felt out of control while driving and we get some slippery opportunities. It's the perfect size and carries my stuff wonderfully.

I'd check with high mileage drivers of any car. Look at about.com and check the auto forums.