<p>I’m driving a 2002 Tahoe and I think it’s time for something different. I don’t drive a ton, around 30 miles per day when I’m working (I teach). I want to spend under 30k.</p>
<p>What I’ve ruled out:
*All things GM - I couldn’t see around the a-pillar when trying to enter traffic.</p>
<p>*Toyta Rav4 - I couldn’t get the seat adjusted right and kept hitting my knee on the dash (I have very short legs!)</p>
<p>*Ford Explorer - What was Ford thinking with the steering? It was so disconnected and mushy, I almost thought I was playing a video game.</p>
<p>*Hyundai and Kia - I couldn’t see out of these.</p>
<p>On the bubble:
*VW Tiguan - I hate the fact that it need premium fuel and the nearest dealer is 80+ miles away.</p>
<p>*Subaru Forester - Looks perfect on paper, but the nearest dealer is 120 miles away.</p>
<p>*Mazda CX-5 - Once again, looks great on paper! I’m just worried about the engine technology in it. If any little thing goes wrong, will it blow the engine because of the extra compression?</p>
<p>Other things I have looked at:</p>
<p>*Honda CR-V - I don’t recall visibility issues out the front. I need to go back and test-drive this one.</p>
<p>*2013 Ford Escape - I haven’t looked at this because I can’t find one!</p>
<p>What have I not looked at? Any great options that I’m overlooking? Any advice for buying?</p>
<p>The Forester is worth the drive to check it out, IMO. Do you need a brand new SUV? If you are considering a used one, take a look at used Lexus RXs 350.</p>
<p>I have crv LX 2012 and love it. Am averaging 27-28 mpg in mixed driving, but basically I bought it because I loved the cubby and front console layout, and the really great standard backup camera. I told my hubby that I bought it because the console cubby fits my purse ( with my iPad in it). I was only partially kidding. seats fold down easily and I set my side mirrors really wide, like “Click and Clack” teach you, so I have no blind spots or visibility issues. It also helps that the back seat headrests can be in folded down position…</p>
<p>We just went through this and for our price range, it came down to the Subaru Outback and Forester, and Honda CR-V. We decided on the Outback (our third!). We really wanted something different, but the new Outback, while not really an SUV, is much larger (taller) than the older models, and feels more like an SUV than a wagon. It just felt more substantial than the other 2. My husband even decided that he could live with the Outback’s automatic CVT transmission (rather than manual) - we took a long road trip and got 33 mpg! So far we’re happy (nearest dealer is about 80 miles away)…</p>
<p>OP, sorry the Rav4 doesn’t work for you, because I love mine. DH wanted me to get a Forester; it was consistently rated best by Consumer Reports back when we were shopping. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it sat lower like a sedan, and the main reason I wanted a new car was to get some height.</p>
<p>Oh wow, the only one that i would reccomend would be a Rav, as the one my family uses is over 100k and is still going like a champ and gets very good gas mileage.</p>
<p>I will say, my second choice, would be a forester, but its quite a bit bigger than a Rav.</p>
<p>I’ll second the suggestion of the newest model Subaru Outback wagon. It’s technically a station wagon, but it looks more like a small SUV to me. But if the nearest Subaru dealer is 120 miles away, that might be the end of that idea.</p>
<p>What dealers are within reasonable distance?</p>
<p>We’ve had the Subaru Forester for two years and have had no problems. The thing we like best is the visibility from all angles. Some small SUVs have limited views out the back windows.</p>
<p>Have you considered a minivan instead. Visibility out of minivans is wonderful. </p>
<p>Have you test driven cars with power seat adjustments? If not, that might be the way to go. I have to agree with the others, the Rav 4 is the best one on your list but if you can’t see out of it, not a good option.</p>
<p>I love my CRV. I had a mini van for years and while I loved the space to throw almost anything in, I had a harder time parking it. The CRV and my parking ability are a good match and I can still get quite a bit of stuff in it.</p>
<p>I have been eyeing up the new Outbacks and Foresters knowing that in a couple of years, I will be buying probably a “gently used” 2012 or 2013 model.</p>
<p>Depending on your budget, I will mention the Mitzubishi Outlander Sport. My D just bought one this early spring and loves it. Nicely optioned, 4WD, not-too-big-not-too-small, good gas mileage, excellent warranty (10 years, 100,000 miles) and under $20,000 after our negotiating.</p>
<p>Abasket, was that new or what year? I just had a deer run into me and they are going to total my minivan Would really like to find something under $25,000. That seems to preclude anything new that I would want to drive. I’m willing to forgo leather to find something newer but has to have alloy wheels.</p>
<p>The 2012 Escapes are still on dealers’ lots with lots of incentives. We looked at a fully loaded one 2 weeks ago and could get it for well under $25k. (We ended up buying a Ford Edge, as 3 teens in the back of the Escape was too tight).</p>
<p>I have Ford, GM, Dodge/Jeep, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Honda, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi near me.
I love the idea of buying a used luxury car, but there simply isn’t the market in these parts (rural east Texas). I do want an SUV, as I do haul quite a bit of stuff for work and do haul the dogs with me some times. I’ve driven a Tahoe for the last 5 years, so this is already a big jump down in size! I am going to go back and try a Rav4. Everyone I know who has one loves it, I just couldn’t get it to work. I test drove a Ford Escape a couple of years ago, and was not impressed. I take it from the glowing reviews, I need to get up to Dallas to try out a Subaru!</p>
<p>Another point to consider it the reputation of the dealers in your area. In my part of Northern NJ, the Toyota dealers are all crooks (we have friends that have taken a few of them to court for misrepresentation!) and it is a PITA to get our Corolla into the only ‘decent’ dealer for warrenty work and it’s 30 minute away. </p>
<p>Given the economy has been weak, the supply of used cars is slim, so you are better off buying new. </p>
<p>A good time to buy a car is near the end of the month, when dealers are trying to hit their quotas. </p>
<p>Don’t forget to look at AAA or Costco for authorized dealer that have non-negociatiable prices. We got our Edge through the Costco buying plan and feel we got a fair deal.</p>
<p>How about a Honda Insight? 40+ miles per gallon, hatchback with flat folding rear seats gives it almost small SUV hauling capacity, all for $20k or a little less.</p>
Would really like to find something under $25,000. That seems to preclude anything new that I would want to drive. I’m willing to forgo leather to find something newer but has to have alloy wheels.</p>