Which SUV-Saturn, Toyota 4Runner, Chevy?

[frannn]

Dh and I both have cars- I have a '96 Toyota Corolla, DH has a '95 Chevy Monte Carlo. My car is running fine, his is one headache after another (just over 100,000 miles). We have been putting $ in left & right for DH car, thinking we would save by not buying a new one-oh well... Anyway, we were looking at the above vehicles (the Chevy is a Trailblazer). Our main concerns are $, safety and reliability. I am terrified to drive an SUV or a truck due to size, but told DH I am willing to compromise & try the Saturn. We have 3 DDs, so he thinks it may not be big enough. I think we will look into whatever we can find a great deal on. We may have to lease, because I think the most we can really afford is like 350/month. We are still throwing ideas around here. Thoughts, opinions?

 

[stinkerbelle]

I haven't driven the newer 4Runner - but my mom has a 1998...and personally, I don't like it. It drives like a jacked up station wagon.

the new Highlander would be perfect for you - but I think it's pretty $$$$.

I like the Trailblazer (again - I haven't driven a new one - only my friends older Blazer) - love that car. But it does drive like a 'truck'.

No idea about the Saturn.

I, personally, drive a Nissan Pathfinder - 2001 (my father has a 2003). I'm at 63k miles and I haven't had ONE problem with it. It drives really nice...not "truck" like at all. (although I think it might be rather cramped with 3 children/teenagers in the backseat!)

Another option is the Dodge Durango - more affordable (most models) it does drive 'rough' like a truck though...but it DOES have the room inside you are looking for.

You gotta just go out and start driving them...see what makes you feel most comfortable. My Pathfinder was my first SUV...I drove a Camry wagon and a Camry sedan before it...I was such a timid driver the first few weeks with the SUV...but now...heck, I prefer sitting up high...I actually get car-sick in sedans now!

good luck!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A few sites that may be of help......


http://www.edmunds.com/

http://www.kbb.com//

http://autos.msn.com/Default.aspx

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

Based on your stated needs and desires, sounds like a minivan would be great.

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/index.cfm/act/class/classid/5

SUV's are essentially trucks and unless you go into the BIG ones ($$$$), not really designed for 5 people, comfortable. Minivans are. And with fuel costs where they are now, and anticipated to go (and for how long, we do not know), make sure to consider that into the buying equation.

 

[Kimberle]

I don't have a SUV, but I do have a Saturn. I got a LS200 about 2 years ago.

I really like it! What I really like is the customer service. I had to replace the entire computer last fall. It was fine over the w/end, when I went to start it Mon morning, all the lights were going off like crazy. I drove it right to the dealer. They didn't even blink and had it ready by 2pm that afternoon. I KNOW if I still had my Chevy it would have sat at the dealer for many days......

In general, I always get an appt when I need one, I never have to wait. They also hand wash my car everytime.

 

[Cruise04]

I will tell you from experience - we have the Trailblazer regular size and it would be too small. Especially once your kids get bigger (don't know how big they are now) but the back seat is fine for 3 smaller people but not as they get older. I LOVE MY TRAILBLAZER - don't get me wrong. I've had some minor problems with it but they've fixed it with no problem or issue. My suggestion if you go with any SUV would be to get one that would have the 3rd row (Ext for the Trailblazer). That will allow you plenty of room when traveling. We took the Trailblazer to VA this past Christmas and it was nice but it was tight. And since you have dd's - imagine the luggage they can end up taking when traveling

I do think the Saturn would be a tight fit for 5 people. One word of warning. If you plan on parking your vehicle in your garage, make sure it will fit. We had the fortunate ability to test drive an EXT for a weekend and it didn't fit in our garage. Glad we hadn't bought it before trying that out.

Oh, and the only difference between driving an SUV and your dh's Monte Carlo will be the height. Once you get up higher, you won't want to drive a lower vehicle again - it's awesome!!!! I loved my van and would have stuck with a van (which is that an option for you???? sometimes better gas mileage and more cargo space) but our hope is to get a camper so we'd need a vehicle that could tow.

 

[HollyJoy]

DH is looking to sell his Camry and looking at some of the SUV's. He's looking at the Ford Explorer, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the smaller SUV Saturn Vue. I really like the Saturns!!!

 

[pkasbohm]

my dh has an older blazer and he seems to like it! We have 3 kids 9, 6, and 2 so when we all get in there to go it is very crowded! Thank goodness it is our 2nd car!!
Before getting our van we test drove newer
durangos--didn't like it--it drove really rough.
suburban--very long and was kinda hard for me to get use to parking-even though we did have a van at the time!
tahoe--we like that but it was bigger and decided we would wait awhile before getting on because it is so big that the kids had a hard time getting in and out.
we haven't drove the trailblazer but my cousin has one and he seems to really like it--it only has two kids though.

hope i help some!
Pam

 

[DSNY FN]

We have driven all 3 and I didn't like the 4 Runner not the new ones anyhow the older ones are great but get problematic after a time. I loved the Saturn Vue but we to have 3 kids and it was just a wee bit tight for everyone and all our stuff when we go places. The trailblazer is really nice we are getting an Envoy XL with the 3 rows of seats. It drives really nice and can tow if you have anything to pull behind it. There is lots of room in it it is wider than the VUE and drives great has a nice inline 6 with 270 HP and lots of torque. It also has an optional V8 not that you need it with everything the 6 gives you. I would reccomend either the Trailblazer or the Vue hands down over the toyota.

 

[StuartMI]

We're picking up a Volkswagen Touareg in November. Of course, this is in the same class as the Merc M and the BMW X. The price I was quoted was just over $600 a month lease. $0 down, $0 security deposit, and 15k miles a year for 4 years. 60% residual, too, I believe.

That was for a V6 with Navigation system, Park Assist, Xenon lights, and Premium II package.

 

[katerkat]

My ILs have the Saturn Vue and I drove it during our SUV hunt. It drove nicely, like a car. However, it's SMALL! I was feeling cramped in the back seat.

We crossed the Trailbrazer off our list because of towing ability/engine stuff, as I recall. Never even test drove it.

The Highlander is also small, and I didn't enjoy driving it. (Though it was still car-like, not truck-like.) We thought about the 4-Runner but the price decided things for us there.

The Explorer drove like a truck, so it was immediately off the list. However, it was more roomy.

The Pathfinder was NICE - roomy, drove nicely, met most of our requirements. It was our second choice.

We ended up with a Honda Pilot. It's a bit bigger than the mid-size SUVs. Drives like a car, tons of room, third row so we can separate the (future) kids, plenty of trunk space when the third row is down, etc. The third row does NOT have enough room for adults, though. But, when driving somewhere with my parents, we can stick the kiddos back there and not have to take two cars.

 

[Beast fan]

We too are throwing money left and right into our 1996 Chevy Blazer (we bought it used). As soon as we sell our condo, we will be considering either the Saturn Vue or the Chevy Equinox. We have had terrific results with Saturn so far (DW has owned/leased 3 since 1990).

You are correct (IMO). Get the best vehicle you can afford.

Good Luck.

Dave

 

[StuartMI]

Dave,

My cousin lives in Dorchester, ON and works at CAMI where the Equinox is made. Many problems he tells me however I haven't gotten specifics from him. It's a new model line so IMHO I would personally wait till the 2nd year of production.

 

[tinkerbell27]

I have a Suturn Vue and I absolutly love it !! I have 3 car seats in the back seat, so I really don't think it's small ! I went from an Explorer sport to my Vue and the Vue is sooo much nicer to drive, I highly recomend it !!!
Kelly

 

[two4ruff]

I have a '94 4Runner that has over 150,000 miles on it and has never had a major repair necessary. Love it!

(I've probably jixed things by saying that though!)

 

[makaylee]

I remember reading something from a woman whos husband worked for GMAC and he said they were having one problem after another with the Envoy/ Traiblazers. He said they hadn't worked all the kinks out yet. Lots of people were bringing them in for different problems. He recomended the Tahoe or Suburban (I Love Mine) But I think from what you said these will be to big and expensive. I just wanted to make sure you did your homework before you possibly get a Trail Blazer. They could have worked the kinks out by now I don't know.

 

[buzzlady]

I owned a 1999 4 Runner. I hated it. It felt like I was driving a bouncing ball on wheels. It was difficult to handle - if you were going around a curve and hit a bump it felt like it was going to flip. The tires wer inflated properly too. I know there was another thread about SUVs and the 4 Runner was one that people had posted horror stories about accidents.

 

[Mercy]

I have a brand new 4Runner and love it! It drives very smoothly, my DH always comments on how smooth it drives also. I went from a Corolla to the 4Runner and was afraid of it being too big, but it is very easy to drive and see out of (and I am very small only 4'11"). I know some have made negative comments about the older 4Runners, but I think the new ones with the newer design are much nicer, I believe they are on a different type of suspension or frame. Toyota's are also known for their resale value and dependability.