My husband and I both drive smaller 4 door cars. We'd like to trade in his car for a van or SUV because taking both a baby and a dog anywhere in either one of our cars would be impossible. We've been looking into various models and I think we'd definitely prefer an SUV to a van but does anyone drive a vehicle that they're absolutely in love with? I've been checking Consumer Reports and stuff but it's always nice to hear personal opinions and suggestions. Thanks!
I am in love with the Honda CRV. I don't have one but that is what I'm planning to get in Dec of this year. My friend has one that she just got this summer before she moved and she really likes it. She was debating between a Toyota Rav 4 and the CRV and she went with the CRV because Honda was willing to go down on the price more than Toyota (might have just been the dealers she was working with). She got the basic CRV not a delux package but she is happy with it and I think she said she got it under $20K. Oh and one of her favorite things about it is that it comes with a picnic/folding table.
Edited to add: My bf and his friend both drive Izusu (sp?) rodeos and they like them alot also. Not sure much else about them.
also, consider the Chevy HHR - I'm not a big fan of the styling, as it looks somewhat like the PT Cruiser, but it's actually really practical, comfortable, and really good on gas
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"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
My bf drives a Toyota Rav4, which is on the smaller side of SUVs. We really like it, its fun to drive and good on gas. We have never had any issues with it, Toyotas last forever.
I also really liked the Honda CRV when I was car shopping, but I couldn't justify having two SUVs.
Toyota Four Runners are very reliable and last forever, my one uncle has had his forever and now has over 200, 000 miles and still no problems!! Another family member has one and is around 120,000 with no problems.
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"Deep down you may still be that same great guy I used to know. But it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you" Rachel Dawes, Batman Begins
My mom bought this 5 years ago and has not had one single problem with it. Not one. Very good car.
I have this. It's okay, no major problems but it does have little quirks about it that need to be fixed every so often. Def. not as good of a car as the Lexus. But I do love the size of it.
My mom has an '05 Saturn Vue and she loves it. She says it's small enough for her to handle, but it enough room to fit anything in it.
(This isn't ours... same color but she has the "sport package" with alloys, spoiler, and runners, which I don't recommend for this car because they just make me trip every time I try to get out )
Personally, I'm a fan of the Toyota 4Runner. It was on my list of vehicles I might want to get (before plans changed). I test drove one, and I really liked it.
DH has a new Envoy. He LOVES it and I do too. It is a little on the bigger side but it will make you feel VERY safe and I'm sure thats important to you with the baby coming!
I swear by Toyotas. My husband had one that went to 150k miles and was in perfect condition, and I had a 4Runner that was at 100k miles when I sold it with no problems.
I drive a Rav4 and I love it. I don't put babies back there, obviously, but it fits my 2 big dogs. I think Karina has one too. I am in love with the 06 model:
and the 4Runner is huge. My stepmom used to cart around all 3 of us as kids, plus 2 dogs:
I want my next car (in like 8 years, LOL...so I have time to save) to be this one that Jen posted (Lexus is made by Toyota):
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
I and my whole family have Pathfinders. We love them and never have a problem with them. I also am in love with the xterra. My mom drives this one and she likes it: I have an older one, the last model and I love it.
There's also the new Tahoe that is E85 fuel compatable (ethanol) and is supposed to be very fuel efficient, but the EPA mpg has not been released yet...
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"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
Guess I'm the only mini-vanner here, but I have an '04 Toyota Sienna and I LOVE it. I never thought I would love a minivan. It drives great and is sooo versatile. We have the 7 seater with club chairs in the front and middle. The back row is a 40/60 split bench seat that folds flat (which is how we have it most of the time). When we need to haul something in it, we can take the middle seats out, or move one over. I've even driven it with all the seats out but mine and then I had the passenger seat folded down for use as a table. It has 14 cup holders (overkill, I know). Interchangeable consoles, cubbyholes galore, built in sun screens. Our version has the leather seats and beautiful wood trim. It also has the 2 side doors and trunk on remote open and that has been a godsend when I have my 2 girls with me. I always use the remote. It's also Consumer Reports (and most other auto guide's top rated minivan). It's just great.
Hey, just wanted to let you know that I have absolutely nothing against gianormous suv's, except the fact that I may run everyone over and have to have 4 parking places cause I'd be afraid of running over a ford focus or something Cause I'd totally love me a bling blinging Escalade someday
Thanks for the recs everyone! There are a lot of really great cars so I think that it's going to be hard to choose. At first we were thinking about something like the CRV or the Liberty but I think we want to go with something a bit bigger, although not HUGE (I really doubt that I'd be able to park a Yukon or a Suburban). I'll let everyone know what we end up doing. Thanks again for the suggestions!