[ARES45]

Hello everyone, in the next year or two I will be in the market for a small SUV for the wife and I and I was wondering if any of you own or can recomend anything.

My wants/needs are comfortable seating for four and decent cargo space. A small towing capacity of 1500 lbs or preferably greater (couple of jetskis or a uhaul trailer). I would like it to be relatively quick and comfortable, luxury is not a necessity but would be nice. Mileage would be nice to keep it around the low to mid 20 range on average. All wheel/4 wheel drive is more or less a must. Looks are subjective so we will leave that out. Price would be nice to have it from 25-35k, and I would look at new or a couple years old.

My possibles are as follows

Audi q3/q5
BMW x1/x3
Toyota Rav4
Infiniti ex35
Nissan Murano
Honda crv


Thoughts or other suggestions?

[randomquickness]

how about: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/0-60-...QQcmdZViewItem

I kid I kid

[QJS]

VW Tiguan, 2.0T and i think they come with DSG.

[ARES45]

Thanks OJS, forgot about vw, will look into.

That Jeep is crazy, I like the efficiency of my 135 about as much as I like the power. Okay not really the power is to die for, but it would be nice to have a balance between the two.

[randomquickness]

tiguan will be efficient but I wouldn't tow with it. the taureg on the other hand, might be an option? I would def also look into the mazda cx9. you can get a fully loaded one new and still be in ur budget. those are fun to drive and capable of towing moderate weight...I bought a 96 grand cherokee limited with a 5.2 when I got back from Iraq just to tow toys. it is NOT my dd! haha

[bigslick82]

My highlander is not bad, and the newer ones have much better pickup. If I had to do it all over again, I would seriously think about the Xterra from Nissan. From the way you're going to use it, that might be the one for you too.

From the ones above, I'd look at the CR-V. It has great resale value, but Honda uses a part time AWD system (VTM-4) that is FWD most of the time. In order for it to be AWD, you need to keep it at or below 2nd gear and click the button. If you look at the RAV-4, in order to tow effectively, you really have to step up to the big engine. The VW I'm not too sure about, but hear good things.

[ARES45]

The rav4 is kind of the front runner, the v6 with 4 wheel drive is rated at 19/26 which isn't significantly lower than the 4 banger. It also has a tow prep packagage available that adds a beefed up oil or transmission oil cooler and a couple other things. The v6 also does 0-60 in 6.3 which is respectable for an suv imo. The crv would be cheaper, but the engine isn't really up to par.

The towing thing will be somewhat sparse, so that really isn't the main purpose, but after the 135, it is nice to have some get up and go.

The vw seems overpriced and possibly underpowered, though I have not driven it yet.

Keep the input coming I do appreciate it.

[TunedM2C]

Wife has the CRV EXL AWD with Nav and she loves it. Has all the features you'd fine on a luxury SUV and it's fantastic on gas @ 26 hwy mpg.

[ARES45]

Thanks Tuned1, I sort of created a monster when I let my wife drive the 135i, now she is addicted to speed which I think is what the crv lacks. She does like them, we are probably going to drive one this saturday.

[Heinzftw]

I was always intrigued by the X3 3.0si.
But the CR-V ad Rav4 are both amazing small SUV's. Just keep cross shopping and you will find what you need. Whats your ballpark budget?

[ARES45]

25k-35k, but with military pricing, the x1/x3 would be possibilities. Though our wisest decision may be to go used and get something under 20k so we don't have to take the depreciation hit. I don't think owning a toyota or a honda out of warranty would be as scary as my 135 out of warranty. I am not convinced that the extra money the luxury brands require is worth what I would get for it.

[nordique14]

Subaru Forester XT. With a few mods easy mods you can be up to 300hp.

[ORIGIN M.]

I said I would never by any SUV, ever. Then I drove the x3 once, and knew this could be the only exception. It drives like a car, and is a true drivers car, and handles like one also. I almost flipped the RDX, on a on-ramp, just to give you a perspective.

[135i_TT]

Audi q3/q5
BMW x1/x3
Infinity ex35
Mazda Cx-7 Turbocharged
Mazda Cx-9

p.s. modifications shouldnt be done to SUV's unless your in some SUV racing team which i have never heard of lol. or unless its for police vehicles..

[DTNJNQ]

I've had a Subaru Forester for the last 6 years. Never had a problem and it drives like a car not a truck. I would say they are the best value for money small SUV on the market and have won moreawards than any other SUV in its class in Australia.

[123D-M]

We have a Mazda CX7 and it's the best handling SUV I've driven. Very little body-roll and it's seriously quick when you give it a thrashing. Don't know if you can get them in manual there but ours is. Just got back from driving it to Berlin and back. Gave a few Germans a shock I think.

[Jack in Jax]

Ares, my son (BTW also a helo driver again, after an IP's IP fixed wing tour) is finding his late model RAV4 4-banger isn't getting the same mileage as a squadron mate's RAV4 V6. They have similar commutes and their conclusion is that the V6 simply has an easier job of pushing the car down the road so you might find mileage better than advertised.

Jack

[ARES45]

Thanks Jack, that makes me feel better about the little extra money for the v6. Tell your son congrats on the fixed wing tour, those seem like a pretty good deal. I hope to end my career with that, but it is harder for attack guys to get.

I finally convinced the wife to look at the subaru, she had some mental block about it but now she is considering it.

[Sherifftruman]

Originally Posted by ARES45

I finally convinced the wife to look at the subaru, she had some mental block about it but now she is considering it.

Just tell her that merely owning a Subaru will not automatically turn her into a Lesbian. :biggrin: [Seinfeld]Not that there is anything wrong with that[/Seinfeld]

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by ARES45

I finally convinced the wife to look at the subaru, she had some mental block about it but now she is considering it.

The Consumer Reports issue from a couple of months ago rated the Forester the best small SUV. You may want to dig up that issue if you need to do any convincing.

[mistermojorizin]

i'd get the previous gen FX45.

[ARES45]

She agreed to look at the forester, however the nearest dealer is 78 miles away, so that will wait until a weekend trip. I like the specs on it and you can do some different customizations with it.