Opinions on a new SUV

Given a choice between first year Explorer and a 3rd or 4th year Highlander, I pick the Highlander. I don't like first year vehicles from any manufacturer and other than my neighbor, the Highlander actually ranks very high in reliability and satisfaction amongst various consumer and driver publications.
From the various problems you have mentioned, (e.g. rattles, wind noise) they sound like problems that will probably be recurring.

FWIW, Toyota's major recall involved sudden acceleration problems which has been determined to be most likely driver error, not a software glitch.
 
loudog2 said:
I had new grand cherokee in '96. Had nothing but problems with it. I think it was in the dealer 12 times in 2 years. I finally left the dealer one day and went right to nissan and traded it in.
Click to expand...

I think the Chrysler brand in general would be one I would have serious misgivings about. True, their newest Cherokee is one sweet looking ride, but their track record over the last decade or two suggests lemon city. Maybe the new Cherokee's different from previous generations, but considering it's around $40k, somebody else can be the guinea pig.
 
termigator said:
I think the Chrysler brand in general would be one I would have serious misgivings about. True, their newest Cherokee is one sweet looking ride, but their track record over the last decade or two suggests lemon city. Maybe the new Cherokee's different from previous generations, but considering it's around $40k, somebody else can be the guinea pig.
Click to expand...
I agree! Also, AFAIK the new 2011 Grand Cherokee is just based off the Mercedes W164 platform, which wasn't really anything to rave about.
 
termigator said:
I think the Chrysler brand in general would be one I would have serious misgivings about. True, their newest Cherokee is one sweet looking ride, but their track record over the last decade or two suggests lemon city. Maybe the new Cherokee's different from previous generations, but considering it's around $40k, somebody else can be the guinea pig.
Click to expand...

Well I have a '09 Patriot with CVT Tranny. Put 12k on it since I got it, and no problems whatsoever. Not too many worries from me, since the whole thing is under warranty until 100k miles.

IIRC the Patriot is a model developed completely under Chrysler's ownership.
 
loudog2 said:
I am in need of a new car. Currently I have narrowed it down to the new Ford Explorer Lmited or a new Toyota Highlander Limited, both AWD. What are your opinions on both. I love the explorer, but first year and already 5 recalls are holding me back. My mom has the Highlander and it rides very nice, plus more bang for the buck compared to the explorer. I have bad knees/back(multiple surgeries). so my Infiniti G35 I have is too small for for me now and getting my daughter in and out of the back car seat is a task.

Any highlander or 2011 Explorer owners here?
Click to expand...

What are you planning on doing with the G35?
 
Gas hit $3.39 today in Dallas, TX. Want to know what I really think of SUV's? Why on earth does anyone really need one? Can't tell you how many I see on the road every day with one person in them talking on their phone burning up gas. When gas hits $5, you won't be able to get rid of a SUV, guess you could give it away.
I'm not picking on anyone, these are just my thoughts.
 
skipper1 said:
Gas hit $3.39 today in Dallas, TX. Want to know what I really think of SUV's? Why on earth does anyone really need one? Can't tell you how many I see on the road every day with one person in them talking on their phone burning up gas. When gas hits $5, you won't be able to get rid of a SUV, guess you could give it away.
I'm not picking on anyone, these are just my thoughts.
Click to expand...

Must be nice. It's already $3.50 here! I am in the unfortunate situation that all my cars require premium also. I hope they resolve the Libyan situation soon so gas prices will come back down six months from now. I don't own an SUV, but I still don't like paying high prices for gas.
 
Trade in or private sale(most likely trade in). Sad thing is it only has 4k miles on it, it is a 2008 G35X loaded.. The paint is beyond mint. She bathes in pinnacle bodyworks and her make up is supernatural.
 
Scott DeBrun said:
I'm not trying to be a jerk but like I've said I have owned several Fords and they have been very good vehicles. I get a little touchy when I'm told I don't know what I'm talking about when I have first hand experience. I would say that it's very wise to be careful when buying a first year edition of a vehicle, no matter what the make.
Click to expand...

Nobody said you don't know what you're talking about.... well except for the part about thinking Consumer Reports offers reliable/valuable reviews of cars. :props:
 
My brother and his wife have a Highlander that they've owned for about 5 years and they are happy with it.

FWIW.... I have owned Toyotas for 30 years and have never experienced a recall.
 
skipper1 said:
Gas hit $3.39 today in Dallas, TX. Want to know what I really think of SUV's? Why on earth does anyone really need one? Can't tell you how many I see on the road every day with one person in them talking on their phone burning up gas. When gas hits $5, you won't be able to get rid of a SUV, guess you could give it away.
I'm not picking on anyone, these are just my thoughts.
Click to expand...
Like I stated in the first post. I have had many surgeries do to a work injury. Getting in and out of my car is a task now. So, getting my daughter in and out of the back car seat is not any easier. I can't bend too far, and I keep dragging her head across the roof liner to get her out. I love my car and want to keep it, but it just hurts to get in and out of it right now.

Plus, I bet gas mileage on the 2011 highlander is better than my 2008 Infiniti G35. Espeacially when I'm flying around in it.
 
It's about the same. If you get the 2wd, you come out ahead by 1 mile in the Highlander. 4wd and it's even, but you get 2 miles less on the highway.:)

It's too bad you're having trouble getting in and out of the Infiniti. It's one sweet ride.
 
if you like nissan, how about the new infiniti Q...there is a lot of them around here and they are pretty sweet
 
Personally, I would not buy a Toyota. Too many recall issues. On the other hand, I'm a "Ford" guy. I think Ford (and some other domestic car companies) have better quality reviews in the past few years then many import brands. I have owned many imports over the years and prefer the new domestic brands.

Some people say to stay away from 1st years models, but I own a 2010 Taurus Limited (1st year model) and my odometer just turned 19,000 miles with absolutely NO issues at all!!

Just my 2 cents.
 
Skip the Ford and the Toyota! Forget Jeep and Mazda... I have been working on suv's for a while (mechanic) and honestly I have seen all of them have their issues but one...

The Land Rover LR2 It is an amazing vehicle! I service mostly Land Rovers but we also do work on all other 4x4's and honestly I have never seen one come in with anything besides a brake job or oil change... These are running a Volvo I6 getting about 20mpg city, 6speed auto with "command shift" (this is like tiptronic), and Terain response.

Every person that I have spoken to about the LR2 is in love with them... They are the only Land Rover that is not a maintenance hog and they are reasonable in price (comparable to the Explorer and Highlander)

Check them out!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top