What CUV/SUV/4x4 should I buy?

[BLINGMW]

3rd vote on the Ridgeline, if a good one is in your price range. Not sure what Scotty has against them for towing though, they do that fine too (within their limits).

[Jake]

Not sure which Jeeps Ryan is seeing with issues, it sounds like the KL Cherokees (current models) have been a crapshoot but the WK2 Grand Cherokee (2011+) is pretty solid, with any of the available engines - 3.6 Pentastar, 5.7 Hemi or Diesel.

Bump up the budget and buy my F150.

[rherold9]

Not sure which Jeeps Ryan is seeing with issues, it sounds like the KL Cherokees (current models) have been a crapshoot but the WK2 Grand Cherokee (2011+) is pretty solid, with any of the available engines - 3.6 Pentastar, 5.7 Hemi or Diesel.

Bump up the budget and buy my F150.

Anything that's not a Grand Cherokee. Co-worker dislikes his wrangler. GF's dad isn't too happy with his wrangler. I don't believe Garrett was too happy with his Patriot. I can go on.

[ispoonwithmugen]

100% do not buy a Patriot unless it's manual. Those automatic transmissions use a CVT that a) sucks and is not enjoyable at all (Scott can vouch for me on that), b) has no power and c) detonate usually right around 70k miles.

[JPolen01]

Wranglers are absolute shit. I have no clue how anyone drives those. It's all shit plastic interior. Crap engine. Crap everything.

[ispoonwithmugen]

Wranglers are absolute shit. I have no clue how anyone drives those. It's all shit plastic interior. Crap engine. Crap everything.

Great for offroading, easy to fix and good out of the factory (especially a Rubicon). Cheap plastic is stuff you don't care about when you're in 4ft of water. I still don't find a use for it but they are applicable to that demographic and of course your 16 year old spoiled daughter.

[Goodspeed]

4runner off the table? I think you can get a base model used in that price range. Large interior, capable for anything you'd probably want to get in and have tech. Also they still used the 4.0 so I'm not sure what kind of issues you'd see besides oil and wearables.

The new Tacoma's are nice but seeing issues with the rear diff leaking and lack of acceleration. 12-15 Tacoma still have th 4.0 and no issues that I know of plus some tech but not as much as a 4runner.

Definitely not off the table, I love the V8 4Runner's like Cabell's and Taylor's, I know they're older than my requirement and it's hard for me to stomach the $ they command, but I'm happy as-is with my fancy Toyota of the same era, so hmmmm.

Thanks for the tip on the Tacoma. I actually test drove a '17 TRD Off Road quad cab late last year and loved it. Don't they have a big power boost from the previous gen? I really want to drive a 6 speed manual, quad cab, short bed.

I am not recommending this, but you should be aware it exists. Also, you can get them in a 6 speed but not with AWD.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detai...share_text

lolwuuuut I love you man.

3rd vote on the Ridgeline, if a good one is in your price range. Not sure what Scotty has against them for towing though, they do that fine too (within their limits).

It seems like Ridgeline definitely needs to get on my drive-right-nao list. Will try to make that happen soon :thumbup:

Not sure which Jeeps Ryan is seeing with issues, it sounds like the KL Cherokees (current models) have been a crapshoot but the WK2 Grand Cherokee (2011+) is pretty solid, with any of the available engines - 3.6 Pentastar, 5.7 Hemi or Diesel.

Bump up the budget and buy my F150.

Dieeesel, totally forgot about those. Will have to see what's in my budget from those choices - what's replacing the F150?

Not sure which Jeeps Ryan is seeing with issues, it sounds like the KL Cherokees (current models) have been a crapshoot but the WK2 Grand Cherokee (2011+) is pretty solid, with any of the available engines - 3.6 Pentastar, 5.7 Hemi or Diesel.

Bump up the budget and buy my F150.

Anything that's not a Grand Cherokee. Co-worker dislikes his wrangler. GF's dad isn't too happy with his wrangler. I don't believe Garrett was too happy with his Patriot. I can go on.

Boof. OK, Wranglers were never really on the radar as I've ridden in a few JK's and felt about as comfortable as being on one of those old timey wooden roller coasters. I know they're the supreme options for off roading out of the box, but this will be mostly a street driven vehicle, with the ability to do some light trail work - no offroading for offroading's sake, at least not on the regular.

[WRXtranceformed]

If you liked the 17 taco you will really like the Colorado / Canyon. It's vastly more refined, more comfortable, better mileage, more power, etc etc. Supposedly the new gen of tacos are having lots of issues as well

[ispoonwithmugen]

Definitely not off the table, I love the V8 4Runner's like Cabell's and Taylor's, I know they're older than my requirement and it's hard for me to stomach the $ they command, but I'm happy as-is with my fancy Toyota of the same era, so hmmmm.

Thanks for the tip on the Tacoma. I actually test drove a '17 TRD Off Road quad cab late last year and loved it. Don't they have a big power boost from the previous gen? I really want to drive a 6 speed manual, quad cab, short bed.

I'd encourage looking at the new(er) 4runner's. I'm in a handful of the FB groups and those guys freaking love them. It's not that there are a ton of issues it's just that it isn't as good as the last gen (2nd gen) ones to some. I think they look great, have cool tech and are insanely capable out the door. I'd love my hands on a 16-17 TRD OR in quicksand. The double cab short bed is the way to go. I love it. I don't think they had a large power gain. I think it was just a small little boost. If you can wait for the 18 models supposedly they're addressing all the issues the first few ones had.

If you liked the 17 taco you will really like the Colorado / Canyon. It's vastly more refined, more comfortable, better mileage, more power, etc etc. Supposedly the new gen of tacos are having lots of issues as well

I love my tacoma but he's probably right. If you're not offroading a ton I'd look at them. The thing the new tacomas lack the colorado/canyon picks up. Ford is releasing the new ranger raptor or whatever it's called to be in the same midsize space as well. Might be worth looking at.

[Scott]

Crosstrek

So brain fart, my roommate has one of these. Never driven, but ridden in a few times. It seems to be a pretty sweet all-around vehicle, but the motor/CVT combo makes it feel like the automotive equivalent of a kid with asthma attempting an Ironman tri at every on-ramp.

Crosstrek is available with a 6 speed manual. Drove one a couple weeks ago while car shopping for my wife

Honda Ridgeline.

Yes.

3rd vote on the Ridgeline, if a good one is in your price range. Not sure what Scotty has against them for towing though, they do that fine too (within their limits).

I towed my Spec Miata up and down the east coast with one and it did just fine with my open trailer :dunno: Even towed my Dad's '68 Dart several times to Carlisle and back without breaking a sweat.

[ScottyB]

well count me dumb on the ridgeline towing i guess. i thought they had a lower tow rating what with the more carlike bits. carry on.

[Scott]

They are rated at 5k, which in 2008 was in line with the other small trucks in it's class. It also had much better road manners compared to others. I wouldn't try to tow my enclosed with it, but with the open it was fine.

[HAULN-SS]

Wildcard - GMC Acadias?

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[Goodspeed]

Wildcard - GMC Acadias?

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Those are actually a pretty cool suggestion, but I think I might be tumbling down concurrent CX-5 and Ridgeline rabbit holes. Got out of work early yesterday and took a look at an example of each:

Mazda CX-5

I test drove this 2014 AWD Touring.



I was interested in the '14+ for the bump in displacement to 2.5 liters. With the tech package, it's got a rearview camera, a blind-spot warning system, a six-way power driver seat, a 40/20/40-split-folding rear seat, cloth which I prefer in this instance, and sunroof and I loved it. This definitely felt like it had elements of the Miata in it, much to my amazement - the crisp (for a CUV, or hell, any platform) steering feel and handling, and the punchy 2.5 - this drove excellently.

I was tempted to drive it off the lot right there and then, but wanted to give the Ridgeline its chance. So, back home towards Vienna I went to see...

Honda Ridgeline

This 2014 Ridgeline Sport..



Now this....this was different. And I loved it too. The sheer amount of utility this thing afforded me...I spent much of the test drive just imagining all the things and stuff I could stow in unique and inventive ways for activities. This of course didn't have any of the sports-ish-car-ish handling of the CX-5, and was very different in many other ways (I won't bloviate any more than this given I know many of you have experience with both of these), but man did I dig this thing.

So...decisions are well on their way to being made. Purhase should be revealed shortly. Stay tuned

[JustinG]

If you do CX-5, the 2.5 is a must.

[Jake]

Given you have the Lexus, I"d err on the side of utility and go with the Ridgeline.

[Goodspeed]

It's time for the reveal, but first I wanted to thank everyone for their input! Solid suggestions all around that led me to buying....










A FD RX7 :mrgreen:









Details forthcoming, couldn't have made up my mind without you guys :thumbup:

[ispoonwithmugen]

It's time for the reveal, but first I wanted to thank everyone for their input! Solid suggestions all around that led me to buying....










A FD RX7 :mrgreen:









Details forthcoming, couldn't have made up my mind without you guys :thumbup:

Great choice for a CUV/SUV. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[JPolen01]

What in the actual fuck? If this was an elaborate troll then bravo to you sir!

[WRXtranceformed]

Hahaha excellent!!!

4WD monster