I did. If Lexus IS has a AWD wagon, that will be #1 choice and there will not be a question. RDX was too small and too much. New CRV is not our tast. Highlander is on the list and I do not like RAV4. I do not prefer Toyota because i got kicked out of Toyota dealership 3 times already.
Actually, I do not even like the CRV interior with the fold down arm rest. I much prefer console type arm rest like Acura MDX or Toyota RAV. The CRV suits my wife because she needs a vehicle that can cut through snow, all-wheel drive, reliability is most important, economical to maintain, easy to drive and park, small in size, must be a SUV and no car, cute looking (again she thinks the CRV is cute looking). The terrain my wife drives is on pavement, no off-roading which is CRV is definitely not build to do. And since we have a 1997 CRV (12 yrs young) and it proves to be reliable and low maintenance, naturally, she rates the CRV very high. And the local Honda service is first class.
If you think of fully loaded Highlander, you may want to look at Lexus RX350, so close in pricing between them. For a family, agree Highlander is great. For me and my wife, it is too big, pricy and thirsty. As for RDX, the review said it is very noisy cos of turbo charger kicking in but RDX has 240 Hp, too pricy for a 4-cylinder. CRV and RAV are 2 of the most popular small SUV here, so many people buying them can't be wrong.
You pick 3 of the 4 brands I would pick too, the one missing is Lexus RX350. I would pick Acura MDX (except too thirsty and drink premium unleaded gas like RX350), Toyota RAV 6-cyl Limited and Honda CRV EXL and the 2008 Pilot (not the new one which is too big and boxy) which use regular unleaded.
I like the way you describe above. If I am retire today, I would go for the Lexus ES350. Since I am still working and drives so much a year on the highway, just does not make sense to buy Lexus, so settle for Honda Accord (3 in a row) and now for the 1st time a Toyota Camry XLE-V6, excellent car.
silentheart, been here? --> http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Full-Size-Wagons/ or http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-Wagons/ the VW Jetta Sportwagen looks pretty good. otherwise, there's the VW Passat Wagon which had a reliability rating of 9.0/10 and a safety rating of 9.3/10 which are both high! the Subaru outback has a safety rating of 9.9/10. Those 3, imo, would all be good buys.
For those forgot to read the first post. A AWD or 4x4 is very important. Also price must be $32,000 or less out of door. May be if I win the Lotto tonight then I can buy a more expensive one. Thank you llpjlau for the links. You and my in-law just moved Outback same as Forester.
well, then your choice is the subaru family. I think lexus and acura has awd but on much more expensive cars, not sure which one since I've never looked into it. my personal choice would be RWD and 5/6 manual transmission. the wife can learn how to deal with those in the snow . thankfully I'm not married yet so car choice is up to my bank account...lol how bout those toyota matrix xrs awd? or the volvo XC70 or something?
Since you have such a budget, then costs of maitenance must be included in your calculations. I have heard various criticisms of the BMW series - expensive maintenance & some minor problems never get fixed properly despite return trips to service.
It is all up to the BOSS lady to decide... Love and marriage, Love and marriage. They goes together like horse and carriage...
What I meant is I don't really like the interior of the CRV, it is my wife's choice. Since there is no such thing as a perfect car/SUV, the CRV fits the bills, her needs and fulfill all we ask for and proven to be a very reliable vehicle. Can't go wrong when the CRV and even the RAV are top sellers in USA and Canada, there so many around.
here u go, lots of readings http://auto.theglobeandmail.com/ser...hSubaruMain0430/GAStory/specialGlobeAuto/home http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...ruMain0430/CommentStory/specialGlobeAuto/home
All cars listed are for men without balls Men with balls, buy a car, bus or truck.. not a f-ing neither-nor-"thingy" /Twobeer
