Ok, my father is in the market for a SUV.

List of choice :

Murano (My father's prefer choice)
CX-7 (My choice )
RDX (My brother's choice)
RX400h (Father's second choice)
CRX (I know is the low end version of RDX)
New Impreza 5 Door WRX (I know its not SUV, but it has AWD and looks ok)

Any ideas ? What will you pick ?

Father is a lazy person, so he is looking for *trouble free* operation. Yeah I know I will be his personal mechanic. but u know .... the old fashion parent hood thinking?? he wants something he can trust/count on for at LEAST 10 years without major problems (His PoS Nissan Quest finally gave up the ghost couple days ago, 12 years of service, bye bye)

 

RDX man... RX400h is also nice but I'm not a big fan of Lexus though....
You probably chose the CX-7 because you're a die hard Mazda fan
For some reason, the phrase "Trust/count on for at LEAST 10 years" and turbo don't seem like a good combination. So, I wouldn't buy the CX-7.... I know they're reliable but I just don't trust fi that much... It's just a small phobia I have.

 

The RDX is a turbo...

I'd suggest taking a look at the X3 3.0i, free scheduled maintenance from BMW and probably the best all around small SUV out there. If it were me I'd just get a wagon like an A4 or Legacy GT.

 

get a toyota sequia or a 4runner i have seen these things come in to the dealership where i work and they have like 150k on the odo and they are in awesome condition with nothing wrong drivetrain or engine wise.

 

+1 to Ike's wagon sentiments. Though I'd go with an A3, MS3, GTI, or BMW 3-series wagon (yes, they make them, saw one in Chicago).

Much better behaved with all the storage you're likely to ever need.

 

My uncle had a really bad experience with Toyota, he got a Sienna and it overheat for no reason, dealership tried to fix it like 3-4 times but still nothing.

I think Toyota is a good company, none of my family members like the *design* of most Toyotas so they're *out* of this game.

RDX is Turbocharged. Like CX-7. but I think CX-7 has a higher factory boost, not sure about long term reliability of it. (different engine, so cant really compare)

and I hate BMWs, so no no no no BMW.

My father looked at Q7 before but dont really like it. not sure about A3/A4 tho. Will show it to him tomorrow.

MS3 is no no, my father knows how to do manual, he drive stick shift before I was born ! but he is getting lazy (and old ...) so Manual is also a no no (I love to have stick shift cars, but oh well, unless theres some magic pill that can change my father's mind)

GTI also a no no, VW's customer service suck ***, and their car's long term reliability is pretty bad (online ratings)

We gonna start go out and test drive around tomorrow. so more inputs anyone ?

 

not really, when it comes to car shopping Im open to all opinions. I mean hey its money ya know, no matter how big of a fan I am, if Mazda's car suck *** I will not buy them.

CX-7 is not a bad choice, but there are tons of choices out there. and Buying a Car is like committed to a relationship. and its not a cheap relationship. You have to face it at least couple of years, so its pretty important to pick something you really like. ya' know ?

 

Are the RDX's really turboed? I didn't know that.

Well, Honda's (Also known as Acura) are reliable so... I think I can trust the RDX even if it's turboed.

I also love the equipment that comes standard with the RDX.

 

Yes, I think RDX is Honda's first factory turbocharged car.

My father does not need stuff like Navigation. I mean I can probably get one for less and its better than Factory one.(like the one I use now)

RDX is nice, its in the list. Any other ideas anyone ?

 

CX-7 AWD, BMW X3, or Acura RDX. We both live in NYC and lets admit it... Lexus RX's are way to common and played out.

 

i would totally agree with the BMW X3 option..it's a really nice car on the inside and the engine is one of the most tested and developed engines on all the models out there. that engine has been around since i think 2000 unlike the mazda's and the honda's.

but still...why get gas suckers when you can get wagons...they are much better.

 

what's his feelings towards domestic SUVs? The ones I would give at least a test drive would be the Buick Enclave or the GMC Acadia. Or the Jeep Patriot to take advantage of the lifetime powertrain warranty they're offering right now lol

 

Yea ... I know ... especially you see all these blind freaking women (no offense here!) driving them but they're too short and cant see ****, cut your lane without looking, almost got me killed couple of times, Horn them and their face was like *Wtf did I do?* my god.

X3 is nice, we even thought about getting M5, but I hate BMWs so much so I dropped them. (DIE BMWs DIE !)

Wagon is good, but AWD is our *first and most important concerns*, most wagons (or hatchbacks) out there dont have AWD option ...

Why AWD ? cuz I am sick of shoveling all these freaking snow, winter is coming !

Our family has no faith in domestic vehicle, so any GM or Ford or whatever will be out of this *game*.

*sigh*

 

what about hyundai? The Santa Fe is pretty nice. My friend got one and I must say i like it.
plus it rated higher than the CX-7 according to JD power
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/mazda/cx-7/2007
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/hyundai/santa-fe/2007

 

I told my father about Hyundai, but as soon as I said the word *Hyundai ...*

He said *You crazy?*

So .... move on.

 

Blind fold him until he is in the car. He would probably like it once he gets inside and drives one.


On another note you can get anything audi makes in AWD and subaru makes nice AWD cars/wagons.

 

cx-9 GT!!!! hell yea

 

I can try but he probably gonna kick my *** ...

Going to check out Nissan first, then manybe Subaru. then Mazda.

 

personally i prefer the CX-9 over the CX-7, the larger dimensions make it look more substantial and the new 3.7L v6 in there is nice too.

 

Another reason why I didn't pick the CX-7/9 was because of the center console... It's very similar to all the other Mazdas like the 8 and 6...

 

What about the Subaru Forester? AWD, and can go withe the XT with is alot of fun

 

Infiniti FX35. There's a handfull of RX-8ers here that owns one including myself.

 

Yeah, I hate awesome stuff too!

 

I recently picked up an '07 Jeep Patriot for my Winter ride (prior Liberty started having recurring problems). It's rated no. 2 best mileage for gas-powered SUV's. The smaller 4-cyl took a bit of getting used to, but with DOHC/16 valves it picks up better than anticipated. Rides nicely and cruises well, while getting that good gas economy. The AWD setup in the Limited should do very nicely in the snow. Have your Dad gve it a test drive.

 

can't wait till that chrysler is owned by the chinnese!