new car purchase....

[pnance]

YIKS The Kia doesn't sound like the best option. I've checked the Rav4 and CRV with my insurance, but not the Kia, I'm thinking now I should....I've read reviews on the RAV4 and CRV both are good. The tucson isn't getting as good a review, but the Kia seemed to be. anna_66 I agree I really like the Durango, but the gas would probably cost more than the car payment for me. I drive 35 mi to work 1 way and live in San Diego which basically translates into a huge gas bill even on my civic. The problem is I'm tired of trying to fit 4 big dogs into the back seat of my civic then when I have people in that same seat apologizing for all the dog hair. I think it's the pups goal in life to knock whatever sheet I put down off, so they can sit on the seats , which is why I'm aiming for a small SUV where I can put the back seats down.

[Jessika]

What about a Jimmy then lol

[anna_66]

. anna_66 I agree I really like the Durango, but the gas would probably cost more than the car payment for me. I drive 35 mi to work 1 way and live in San Diego which basically translates into a huge gas bill even on my civic. The problem is I'm tired of trying to fit 4 big dogs into the back seat of my civic then when I have people in that same seat apologizing for all the dog hair. I think it's the pups goal in life to knock whatever sheet I put down off, so they can sit on the seats , which is why I'm aiming for a small SUV where I can put the back seats down.

I can totally understand that. OK you probably don't want a van, but I've heard good things about the Honda vans...good resale value, good gas milage and they go forever! But if your wanting something like the CRV I do remember a couple people on a mastiff board I belong to having a one and seem to really like them.

[areias]

My dad has CR-V. He hasn't had a problem with it so far...it's actually in great shape. I believe it's a 2003 or 2004. We take the dogs sometimes in it, it's very roomy. I live in FL so I'm not sure about the handling in the snow...but I don't really like driving it because it feels a little top heavy. Well, I drive a Toyota Corolla so I guess it would feel different...but it's a pretty nice car.

My mom had an older CR-V, we just ended up trading it in because it started giving her problems, rattling noises and such. I don't suggest older than a 2003. I don't know much about the rest of the cars.

[pnance]

Thanks everyone for the input. I've never consider the outlander, for some reason I thought they fell into the larger SUV catagory? Thanks for the link, I'll check those out. I didn't considered the vans for the same reason, I thought they might be on the big side for what I'd be comfortable with. I'm planning to do some test drives this weekend, which I'm both dreading and looking forward to. If I could test the cars without some of the sales people I'd be much happier. No offense to anyone who sells cars I've just had some really pushy ones before who drive me nuts.

[sammy101]

Jeeps! We had a Gran Cherokee for 8 years and never had a problem with it. And now we have a Liberty.IMO,Jeeps are one of the best SUVS out there.
Out of your list,i would get the Toyota or Honda.

[shutterbug0303]

just curious......

I see everyone saying NO to Kia's - which is cool, I used to have a sportage and hated it because I felt "lame" in it in high school when everyone else had "cool" cars....but did you notice the pattern?

Every Kia that was in an accident might have been totaled, but the people came out of it fine or with little injuries. That says something for their safety rating I would say. It is great on gas mileage, has a really good warranty, and the NEW model looks pretty cute.

That said, I would probably go with the Honda (excellent resell value and good reliability) or the Kia (good pricing and safety rating + warranty....bad resell value though)

[cloverfdx]

Mustang, say no more .

[Jessika]

just curious......

I see everyone saying NO to Kia's - which is cool, I used to have a sportage and hated it because I felt "lame" in it in high school when everyone else had "cool" cars....but did you notice the pattern?

Every Kia that was in an accident might have been totaled, but the people came out of it fine or with little injuries. That says something for their safety rating I would say. It is great on gas mileage, has a really good warranty, and the NEW model looks pretty cute.

That said, I would probably go with the Honda (excellent resell value and good reliability) or the Kia (good pricing and safety rating + warranty....bad resell value though)

That's a very good point, but in my neighbor's accident it wasn't even so bad that the car SHOULD NOT have been totalled. Now if she rolled the car a few times or hit an oncoming car at 60mph, maybe, but she just swerved off the road into a small ditch!!

[slleipnir]

I heard Hundai's and Kia are made by the same group and aren't very good. (duno if this is true...my mom's friend had a hundai, and it was crap)

The other 2 sound good though

[K9karen]

I have a 1997 Rav 4. When I go back to work, I'm getting another. I love it. It's just big enough for me. It is 4 cylinder so sometimes the pickup isn't great, but I've never had a single problem with it. I feel safe in it, it has lots of room for my needs (the back trunk part is Logan's). . I was considering an Element, because they're square and ugly but in a cute way. I wanted to be different, but I'm so happy with my Rav that I'm sticking to it. I heard the same stories about Kia and Hundai. I had a '68 Mustang which I loved, but I couldn't always drive it in the huge snow storms we had. Man! it sure was a Beaute!

[dukedogsmom]

I just got a 2003 Ford Escape a few months ago and love it! It's the perfect size plus gets about 18 miles a gallon.