I need a new car

[Horse with no Name]

I am looking at either a Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty or a Kia Sportage.
They are all within the same basic price range.
I generally haul 3-4 adults and a baby--sometimes a dog and we travel frequently enough to need something a little bigger. I don't want to go to a full size SUV, but these get 26-27 mph on the highway.
Does anyone have any insight into which one would be a good choice or which one would be a bad choice?

[YOY]

1. Just get a minivan

You can justify it with your needs....who needs those micro-SUVs? Just miniturized versions of the ultimate waste of money for status symbol.

And they are nice and easy to load-up when it comes to grocery getting!

[trotsky]

6. I'll second the minivan.

Ours has been great. Roomier than an SUV, better mileage, easier access (sliding doors).

[Horse with no Name]

16. AHHH I can't do a minivan

I'm 42 and trying to get everyone to leave the nest and I don't want to get stuck with it,lol.
Now, 10 years ago I may have got one, but I tend to keep vehicles until I HAVE to purchase a new one, and that time has now come.
Last new car was 1994. It now has well over 240,000+ miles on it and the repairs are starting.

[SmokingJacket]

36. I had a mininvan for a while, what a mistake.

Couldn't see squat out the back, terrible mileage. I agree with you about no minivan.

[Snotcicles]

60. Check out the new Mazda 5 n/t

[GoneOffShore]

2. Had a Jeep Liberty for 3 weeks

as a loaner while my Saab was being fixed.
What a piece of crap!
It steers like a hog on ice, especially in the rain. The finish is abysmal and the gas mileage sucks. Feels like it's going to tip over when you go into a sharp turn.
It was scarier to drive than a motorcycle in the wintertime.
Have no experience with the others.
(added on edit)
Get a minivan or a station wagon.

[ultraist]

10. That sounds like my Honda CRV

It was the first generation, a 2000, nearly flipped it. The seats were VERY uncomfortable. I only kept it for 2 years and sold it.

Kia's are super cheapy, pieces of crap too. I test drove one.

[dbt]

28. In short, the Liberty handles like a Jeep.

Having said that, I agree that its mileage is awful.

[Old and In the Way]

3. I kinda like that Ford Escape.

I think that's the 4-door with 1/2 pick-up body? If so, I'd check that one out...

[lectrobyte]

20. You're thinking of Explorer Sport Trac -- the Escape/Tribute is

more along the lines of a CRV/RAV4.

[Old and In the Way]

39. Ah, thanks for the clarification. nt

[Nite Owl]

4. Honda's and Toyota's

are the safest bets. My son's friend has an Escape and it has had problems. Jeep don't know. KIA aka killed in action, don't go there.

[MercutioATC]

12. I second the Honda or Toyota.

I've owned both and loved them.

I've also owned a Ford...horrible car.

[BeeBee]

54. Just got a Toyota Highlander Hybrid

and absolutely love it!

[Lefty48197]

5. The Detroiter in me makes me want to yell, buy the Ford, buy the Jeep!

but here's what J.D. Powers says:

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20050630/b_power_lists30.art.htm

[Rosco T.]

7. Check the Honda Element while you're at it.... ranks higher than..

. the CR-V over at JD Power. Got one last year and love it. Seats 4, plenty of dog room. May not be the prettiest, but is solid and well built.

[idiosyncratic]

27. The Honda Element doesn't get as good mileage as Toyota Matrix

I had a Honda Civic for 26 years and was partial to that brand. However, the only car they had that fit my needs now was the Element and its mileage is rated about 10 mpg less than my Matrix.

It does have a lot more room however . . .

[Rosco T.]

30. Gotta trade somewhere.... room vs mileage...

Pull out the rear seats in the Element and I swear it echos in there :)

[idiosyncratic]

8. I have a Toyota Matrix and it gets 34 mpg sometimes

It seats four adults and there is a bit of room in the very back for a small dog with the seats up.

I have had it for more than two years and it is perfect for me. It is even large enough to sleep in when camping.

I only paid $14,300 for it (before tax and license) in CA.

I don't think any of the other cars in your list get as good mileage as the Matrix . . . but it isn't as large as the Escape, Liberty, or Sportage.

You can't go wrong with Toyota reliability.

[wellstone dem]

33. I just got a Matrix too

and it seems palatial given I was using a corolla. I love it. Might be just a bit small, but would certainly comfortably seat 4 adults, I'm not sure about adding a baby. I love it so much I have a hard time letting my dogs ride in it.

[musiclawyer]

9. Hyundai Tucson

Test drive all the models. Best vslue for the the price

[wideopen]

11. A friend just got rid of an Escape

He traded it for a mini van. He said the Escape was only getting about 17 mpg and was too small. He loves the minivan.

[AndyTiedye]

13. You can Get an Escape Hybrid

Better mileage, better performance, less pollution.



It is the only hybrid automobile made in the USA.
(It is also sold as the Mercury Mariner now, with slightly different trim).

[paula777]

14. We just bought a Ford Escape Hybrid and are very happy with it

It's getting about 30 to 32 miles per gallon in city streets

[Deep13]

15. 4 wheel drive is more trouble than it's worth.

Why 4 adults? If they don't live with you, it would be better to have them driver seperately once in a while and have something more efficient most of the time. If so, I suggest the Honda Accord. Safe, reasonably efficent and last forever.

Oh yeah, you can get one three years old that has been detailed and warranted by Honda. Plus most of them are made in America.

[Horse with no Name]

21. They are my teenaged children, grandchild and my significant other

I wouldn't mind leaving (some of) them behind sometimes.
They all live with me and will continue to do so until they are out of college--within the next 4-5 years they should all be gone (including the SO);)

[anitar1]

25. I have a 92 Honda Accord--it is the best cvar I hav ever

bought. Has 97,000 miles on it and only had 2 repairs which were minor. I think Honda and Toyota are the most reliable. Friends have Toyotas and love them.

[SoCalDem]

44. '91 Honda Accord EX ..loved it then..still do

It's starting to cost us a bit in repairs, but it's served us faithfully for 158K miles, and still has pep and rides like a dream..

I will never buy anything but Honda..

We got ours used in 93 (I think), and paid about 1/2 of what it cost new..(it only had 20K miles when we bought it)..

My advice would be to rent a "biggie" for long trips, and stick to an economical one for around town..

Your kids must be different from mine.. we had to practically PAY them to go places with us when they were teens.. they always were "busy":)

[MercutioATC]

61. '96 Honda Accord LX

Even with the 4-cylinder, it has plenty of pep...bulletproof, too (158,000 mi).

[lectrobyte]

17. The CRV or RAV4 would be my first choices, based on gas

mileage. I'd probably avoid the Liberty, but that's coming from my experience with its predecessor, the Cherokee. Don't know enough about Kia or the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute to say. There seems to be lots more "crossover" vehicles that may be good choices as well. I'm not sure about 3 or 4 adults and a baby in a CRV-sized vehicle and a dog. Seems like a minivan would work a lot better.

[LSK]

18. Ford Escape Hybrid

Over 30 mpg CITY

[Lex]

19. I like my PT Cruiser!

Plenty of room to haul around whatever you need hauling.

I didn't need or want the expense of an SUV so this was a good alternative for me.

It's given me no problems whatsoever.

[hvn_nbr_2]

40. That's actually a very practical car

I thought they were just a trendy gimmick car for "hip youngsters" (I'm in my late 50's) but I had one for a rental car once. It was very comfortable and practical, had a lot of interior space even though it's not a big car. I was impressed. Also has very good visibility for driving and parking.

[idiosyncratic]

45. A friend has a P.T. Cruiser and it even thinks it is a Jeep . . sometimes

Really, we have taken it some amazing places while out Geocaching. :)

[ultraist]

22. What about a used Mercedes SUV?

They are about the same size as those you listed and you will get a lot of mileage out of a Mercedes. I have a friend who has one and she loves it.

You can get a used one for about the same price as a new Honda SUV. I'd go for a slightly used higher quality vehicle over a new lesser one. ;)

[acmejack]

23. VW station wagon

with the TDI. Will run on vegetable oil and gets terrific mileage. Definitely worth the look.

[getmeouttahere]

24. 5 yrs from now, or less....

you will wish you'd bought a hybrid...do it now so it will be easier for you to trade this one in for another one if necessary

[back2basics909]

26. The one...

.. Bought from a liberal supporting dealer ;)

[ripple]

29. Check into a Subaru

Forester or Outback. With the all-wheel drive, they serve the same function as an SUV, but with MUCH better gas mileage. My friend has one and just loves it. B-)

If you're looking for the cheapest, KIA is probably the way to go. I'd be hesitant, though, as they haven't really been around long enough to assess their durability over time.

Whatever you decide to get, you might want to wait a a couple of months if possible. They're already offering deals on the 2005 models, but in a couple of months, they'll be practically trying to give them away.

Good luck! :hi:

[hvn_nbr_2]

37. I second that.

I have a '99 Outback and haven't had any problems with it. Carries 5 adults (4 comfortably for longer trips), carries lots of camping gear, gets decent gas mileage, and is quite comfortable. Even if you don't go off-road or dirt road, the 4-wheel drive is nice in rain (and presumably snow, but I don't get snow in California). I haven't looked at prices since '99 but I suspect the Outback is a bit more than the others mentioned in the OP, but Forester should be right in there.

Somewhere I read a columnist who said that he'd noticed that at any kind of environmentalist meeting, half the cars in the parking lot were Subarus and he wondered why. Seemed obvious to me--comfortable, practical, good for outdoorsy people, and yet reasonably environmentally firendly.

[VOX]

57. Subaru makes excellent wheels! n/t

[satya]

31. The Toyota Highlander hybrid is available now.

http://toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/hhybrid/index.html

If you do more city driving than highway, the hybrids will get better mileage.

Disclaimer: I have no personal experience with hybrids; I use biodiesel.

[Trailrider1951]

32. Well, I bought a new Rav 4 in 1997

about 130,000 miles ago. Not one single problem. 28 miles per gallon on the highway, about 24 mpg city. I love the way the interior is convertable for carrying loads and/or passengers. My only real complaint is that the 4 cylinder engine is a bit under powered for climbing hills. But that gas mileage and reliability is hard to beat. I'd buy another one, except that this one is not worn out yet!

[Corgigal]

34. RAV4

2004 model and up have stabilizing traction. They are the safest "small" SUV's on the market. I will be buying one next year when my daughter becomes 17. It will be her first car.

[Bethany Rockafella]

35. I need a new car too.

Although I'll take a good used one. I have a '91 and it's starting to make old car noises. :-)

[CountAllVotes]

38. I was looking at the Honda CRV

I'd say forget one of those - it is basically a Honda Civic body sitting on top of this SUV structure. The engine and frame are not enough to support this SUV (or any SUV for that matter) is my opinion.

I looked at the Toyota and the other ones you mention also.

I ended up buying a Honda Accord at the end up the year. I got a good deal on it and it is the best car I've ever owned. It gets about 25 mpg around town; likely 30+ on a trip.

It will comfortably seat 4 persons and it has a lift on the driver's side to make it easy to get in and out of which is a real plus. I got what is called the Special Edition in 2002. Supposedly they make one of these every 2 years. I'd really recommend this model if you can find one of them because it comes with a lot of great extras for free (moon roof, CD player, tape deck, etc.) and therefore you get a lot of value for your money with this particular Honda. I really like Hondas in case you haven't guessed. I owned 3 Civics prior to purchasing this Accord and the Accord is a much better car and very solid (worth the extra money).

I don't know what the Accord hybrid costs, but I have seen them. I suspect a lot more than a regular one and I don't know how good they are.

Best of luck deciding and good luck with what you end up with.

P.S. I too would avoid FORDs (fix or repair daily; found on the road dead) ... *eek* :D :sarcasm:

:kick:

[Czolgosz]

41. The Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, and Kia Sportage are unsafe. I do not know

about the Honda CRV and Toyota Rav4, but the Escape is quite unstable, the Liberty has fuel system integrity problems (i.e., Ford Pinto problems), and the Sportage is unstable and structurally flimsy. I wouldn't put a family member in any of those vehicles.

Here's some research:

<http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_escape.html>
<http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/67-int/2004/ford/escape/xls/>
<http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000020025193/>
<http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/67-int/2004/jeep/liberty/renegade/>
<http://www.debtsmart.com/pages/article_lemon_list.html>
<http://www.accidentreconstruction.com/news/apr02/041602b.asp>
<http://www.automotive.com/2005/12/kia/sportage/recalls/>
<http://www.carreview.com/cat/automobiles/suv/kia/PRD_107_1524crx.aspx>

[skids]

42. If you want to splurge...

There's a Lexis hybrid (Toyota) that looks like some sort of sports station wagon.

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. look at the Escape Hybrid

We have a civic and we love it

[theHandpuppet]

46. Why not consider a station wagon?

A lot safer than an SUV and better gas mileage. We have a pair.

[Warren DeMontague]

48. Volvo makes some fine station wagons

very safe.

[Warren DeMontague]

47. I would get on the list for the Toyota Hybrid SUV, myself.

If not that, the Honda.

[Vinca]

49. I love my Rav! The Toyota stationwagon I had before it went

for 150,000 miles and I imagine the Rav will, too. I haven't had one problem in 3 years. It's okay on fuel and holds tons of stuff. I buy and sell antiques and haul furniture around in the back sometimes. I love the sun roof, AC and CD player. My only advice: don't buy black unless you love washing your car.

[Nite Owl]

50. Since we seem to moving you up in

price how about a Saab 9-2x? Reviews were excellent and the warranty covers everything for 2yrs maintainance wise. I drove one and it was nice. Good deals now too. I think they go for low 20's in the 165hp turbo models, aeros are more.

[Horse with no Name]

51. Would I have to vote Republican?

;)

[Nite Owl]

52. I know GM

but they are still made in that socialist nation of Sweden! lol

Very popular car brand in NY and NE and usually has a Kerry or Dean bumbersticker.

[LeftyMom]

53. What about a Subaru?

The Legacy is a bit wider, which is important if you need to seat two adults and a child seat in the back. The Forester would probably work too. If you need to seat three across the back, a wider vehicle is a much better idea than a tall narrow one like the Rav 4 or the CRV.

[Cronus Protagonist]

55. Ford Freestyle

With that many people and pets, you could use the space, and it's not a minivan - the back seats flip for tailgate parties or camping or whatever, and all the seats fold flat so it can carry almost as much luggage as a pickup truck.

[notadmblnd]

56. I'm looking at this.. 2005 Scion

so far I've only hear good reviews.

[Booster]

58. I have a RAV4 and, although it's fun to drive and handles like a

little sports car, I can't really recommend it because the wheel noise/motor noise is really, really loud. On a long trip it's not very comfortable and I'm not exactly thrilled with the gas mileage since the thing is so small. I would look at the Highlander, a Sante Fe or a Kia Sorento. Hope this helps. Not putting the RAV down, but I don't think I'll buy another one.

[jburton]

59. There are better choices safety-wise

Mini-SUV's have the worst of both worlds: rollover prone like a large SUV and terrible side-impact safety like 1980s economy cars.

Just sayin'

[Imagevision]

62. wHATEVER- JUST PREPARE FOR THE $3.00+ PER GALLON SCENARIO

nOW THEY'RE RAISING THE PRICE OF CRUDE BECAUSE IT'S STORM SEASON? -- NEW TALENT AT TEXACO-CHEVRON

[JVS]

63. Take a look at the base level Dodge Magnum with the 2.7 liter engine

[Contrary1]

64. We have had great luck with Hyundai...

We are thinking about a Sante Fe to replace my husband's old car. I work for a used car wholesaler. Kia has really improved the last
few years. As far as trade-ins go, we seem to get more Jeeps. From what I understand, repairs are very expensive. That may be the reason.

You might want to check out some of the online consumer ratings/reviews before you decide.

[greenbriar]

65. I LOVE MY LIBERTY

we have A Liberty Renegade

has been wonderful.


I will NEVER drive a mini van

I am not a security/soccer mom!@

We have one child and ONE vehicle in our family...


(until our daughter turns 14 which will be december. Then we are going to buy a $500.oo car