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peepl_r_dum · 2005-09-30 3:40 pm

I find myself in a good but confusing situation. I sold my home for more than expected and am using the proceeds to get into a safer vehicle. One that has a 5 star safety rating. I have gone through the plethora of SUV's and cars and have narrowed it down to the Subaru Forester, Jeep Liberty, Pontiac Torrent (new this year) and the Nissan X-Trail. I own a Pontiac Sunfire right now and have owned a Jeep Cherokee Sport in the past. I liked both. Neither have the 5 star rating I'm looking for, however all SUV's listed above do. Has anyone had any experience with any of the vehicles listed? I like the Forester for safety but it is small and spartan and the back seat is almost nonexistent. I like the Jeep for power and control but it's the worst on gas. The Torrent is a nice mix of safety and power but is new and unproven. It's all-wheel-drive as well. I will consider only SUV's, with AWD or 4WD, with a 5 star crash test rating. I looked at the Kia Sportage but due to very poor customer satisfaction ratings, I deleted them from the list. Any suggestions and help would be appreciated.

titok16 · 2005-09-30 4:08 pm

porch
tito

iBubba · 2005-09-30 4:17 pm

No Kia. Evah.

How about taking MPG into account? I keep hearing the rumblings of $5.00 a gallon in the not too distant future. Why not a smaller vehicle with equally good ratings? Personally, I detest SUVs, but that is only my opinion.

peepl_r_dum · 2005-09-30 4:29 pm

I'm not a big SUV fan either but with a growing family and wanting a 5 star safety rating, I'm kinda stuck. The only cars with 5 star rating all around (front, side and rear) are, in good North American fashion, out of my price range. The Jeep is the worst on gas. The Subaru the best. The Torrent is not bad at 30hwy/22city. I don't drive a lot but do drive mostly with my kids in the car. I would go for the Subaru in a heartbeat if the damn back seat wasn't so small.

Tito, thanks. confused

longboy · 2005-09-30 4:34 pm

What's the mileage like on the diesel Liberty? That might be something worth looking into.

Personally, I have a Subaru Outback (the wife's), a Jeep Grand Cherokee (mine), and a Jeep CJ-7. The soob does great for mileage, and is quite peppy. The Grand Cherokee has tons of room, decent power, but the mileage sucks. I'm too damn tall to fit in a Liberty. The CJ-7 is the best out of all 3, just for coolness big_smile

peepl_r_dum · 2005-09-30 4:47 pm

The Jeep I had got me out of some tight spots and was a great vehicle and never failed. I was hoping the Liberty was as good. The customer reviews are outstanding. I just wonder if it's overkill. And the gas is a huge concern. We don't get a lot of snow here, although sometimes we get a huge amount in a short period of time. We get a lot of icy roads though. Again with the Subaru and the damn bag seat. mad

thume · 2005-09-30 4:49 pm

Volvo

peepl_r_dum · 2005-09-30 4:53 pm

thume wrote:
Volvo

Too expensive. Looking for AWD.

Moses · 2005-09-30 4:58 pm

Chevy.

peepl_r_dum · 2005-09-30 5:00 pm

Moses wrote:
Chevy.

Chevy Equinox = Pontiac Torrent.
Same basic vehicle.
The cars are out of the question. Many have safety concerns and no AWD.

thume · 2005-09-30 5:22 pm

V50 T5 AWD$29,615

It's a "SportWagon".
The Torrent starts at 22,000 so it is more expensive for sure, but not a huge amount.

Volvo screams Safety.

Otherwise I'd go for the Subaru, but that's just mho, I've always loved Subaru.

imikus55 · 2005-09-30 5:56 pm

I just ran some numbers and thought might this might help.
Toyota Rav4 AWD, 23,953 24/29 mpg auto 4 star front crash, 5 star side impact,
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

Honda CRV AWD, 26,161 (I got stupid with the options) 5 star rating front crash, 5 star side impact, 4 star rollover
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

Honda Element AWD,21,998 with buku options, 5 star front and side impact no rool over test
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

Honda Pilot AWD, 32,955 with buku options 5star Front and side impact 4 star roll over
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

ScionB 21,125 retails 16. 30/33 MPG (I went completely ape smurf with the options) I couldn't find the crash rating on the NHTSA site but I know it has to be out there. The other two scions both got a 4 star rating.

Ford freestyle AWD, 28,605 19/24 MPG (with decent options) 5 star rating front and side impact, 4 star roll over
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

If your really adamant about the 5 star rating then your options are kinda limited. Anyway I hope this helps you out.

wink

Last edited by imikus55 (2005-09-30 5:59 pm)

peepl_r_dum · 2005-09-30 6:34 pm

thume wrote:
V50 T5 AWD$29,615

It's a "SportWagon".
The Torrent starts at 22,000 so it is more expensive for sure, but not a huge amount.

Volvo screams Safety.

Otherwise I'd go for the Subaru, but that's just mho, I've always loved Subaru.

V50 T5 AWD, $41,120. Welcome to Canada. wink

I have always loved Subaru as well but that back seat is a joke and with kids, it's not a possibility.

peepl_r_dum · 2005-09-30 6:40 pm

imikus55 wrote:
I just ran some numbers and thought might this might help.
Toyota Rav4 AWD, 23,953 24/29 mpg auto 4 star front crash, 5 star side impact,
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

Honda CRV AWD, 26,161 (I got stupid with the options) 5 star rating front crash, 5 star side impact, 4 star rollover
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

Honda Element AWD,21,998 with buku options, 5 star front and side impact no rool over test
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

Honda Pilot AWD, 32,955 with buku options 5star Front and side impact 4 star roll over
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

ScionB 21,125 retails 16. 30/33 MPG (I went completely ape smurf with the options) I couldn't find the crash rating on the NHTSA site but I know it has to be out there. The other two scions both got a 4 star rating.

Ford freestyle AWD, 28,605 19/24 MPG (with decent options) 5 star rating front and side impact, 4 star roll over
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Index2.cfm

If your really adamant about the 5 star rating then your options are kinda limited. Anyway I hope this helps you out.

Thanks imikus55
I looked at the Rav4 and may again. I hate the Element and the Pilot is over by budget. The CR-V, not even for free. Ford Freestyle is also out of my price range. I realized something about the Rav4. The side airbags are standard, which they weren't in '04. Thanks, I'll look at it again. I may have a new front runner. big_smile

Nope, I was right the first time, no side airbags available except on the highest model. Bye-bye Toyota. sad

Last edited by peepl_r_dum (2005-09-30 6:49 pm)

pottymouth · 2005-09-30 9:21 pm

Man, I am so glad I don't have kids and don't have to worry about foolish things like "airbags" and "safety ratings" whatever the hell those are. ; )

A friend of mine leased a liberty for a while and it was the biggest piece of smurf car I've ever had the displeasure of riding in. She got out of that lease right quick and got a cherokee instead. My 60yo mother-in-law has a Forester. I looks like a 60yo Mother's car. shrug That's all I've got.

sharkeyca · 2005-09-30 9:51 pm

I've got a 95 Taurus w/ a bum tranny and no side mirror if ya want it. $50?

Moses · 2005-09-30 10:45 pm

Subaru, get a B9 Tribeca. Awesome.

dv · 2005-09-30 11:01 pm

Just how big are you? Unless you have three kids and a dog, a midsize sedan is plenty large, and front wheel drive is just fine in the snow, provided you aren't in the snow offroad.

Seriously. I live in Minnesota. We get snow here. I haven't gotten stuck yet. AWD is expensive, lowers your mileage, and really isn't all that useful 99% of the time.

icebook1 · 2005-09-30 11:24 pm

Ewww. B9 Tribeca = teh suck. Ugly ugly.

I like Subies though. They seem pretty decent automobiles. I dislike most all GM stuff just because of their crappy interiors. Though Pontiac has gotten better... less gray plastic all around. Jeeps are cool but seem to be a bit underpowered and have less than great gas milage.

I'd go for a sedan, honestly. Try an Altima / Maxima or say, a Mazda 6. Echoing dvpierce, you don't need 4wd / awd all the time. I live in Virginia, and we got by with front wheel drive in the snow for 15 years. Nissan Stanza, Nissan Sentra, Ford Taurus. We drove that Taurus through the Blizzard of 96 with no problems.

WhirlinGraphics · 2005-10-01 12:15 am

Forester: Is built right here in Indiana. I can't move the front seat back far enough to be comfortable though.

Liberty Deisel: Read a favorable article in a car mag comparing it to the Escape Hybrid. My friends Mother has one and seems to like it.

Torrent: Badass looking! Have a friend who likes his Equinox after a year or so.

thume · 2005-10-01 2:43 am

peepl_r_dum wrote:
thume wrote:
V50 T5 AWD$29,615

It's a "SportWagon".
The Torrent starts at 22,000 so it is more expensive for sure, but not a huge amount.

Volvo screams Safety.

Otherwise I'd go for the Subaru, but that's just mho, I've always loved Subaru.
V50 T5 AWD, $41,120. Welcome to Canada.

Yeah that sucks.
Why does always have to be cheaper in the US? hmm

Here: Volvo V50 T5 AWD "Momentum" 11,320,000Huf! eek
That's like $64,318Cdn!
I guess I'll never be buying a Volvo either.

Moses · 2005-10-01 10:31 am

Technically it just looks more expensive. And technically is comes out to about 60� on the Canadian dollar. tongue

Last edited by Moses (2005-10-01 10:33 am)

Malkin · 2005-10-01 10:47 am

dvpierce wrote:
Just how big are you? Unless you have three kids and a dog, a midsize sedan is plenty large, and front wheel drive is just fine in the snow, provided you aren't in the snow offroad.

Seriously. I live in Minnesota. We get snow here. I haven't gotten stuck yet. AWD is expensive, lowers your mileage, and really isn't all that useful 99% of the time.

I concur completely. My family never had trouble fitting into my dad's Accord Coupe, even.

peepl_r_dum · 2005-10-01 11:12 am

DV, I've got two kids, wife, St. Bernard (about 90 lb.). No way are we getting a sedan. AWD is not a must, just an added safety feature. As mentioned, we don't usually get a lot of snow but we often get ice and our roads are not plowed as regularly as some other places. They generally don't get to residential roads for two weeks, especially if the snow is constant. I've been going down a well travelled road in the winter, with no snow and having had no snow for weeks, and hit an ice patch, with a Jeep in RWD and have lost control. I wasn't speeding and was traveling straight. There are just places here were ice builds, due to environmental and structural issues. We get black ice all the time here. My current car is so light that, even with Blizzak Tires on, I slide coming to a stop and taking off, even going under 10 km an hour. We have a fair few hills here and intersections ice up quickly. The safest I ever felt was in my Jeep with winter tires and in 4WD. The Torrent is FWD unless the front wheels slip. Then the rear wheels kick in for traction. So really it's FWD 99% of the time anyhow. It is different than the Subaru, which is in AWD all the time. So gas mileage isn't too bad. The Torrent has also gotten 'Best Pick' in its class for safety, value and gas mileage. The only two things I've heard negative about the Torrent is the power (which compared to the Jeep and the Tribeca is lower but higher than the Kia, Honda, Subaru and Toyota) and the fact the the steering is not 'sporty'. The Jeep Diesel and the Tribeca are both out of my price range. I am leaning towards the Torrent at this point. Thanks for the input thus far.

peepl_r_dum · 2005-10-01 11:37 am

I may have a new contender. The Saab 9-2X. It no side impact rating listed so I'll call and see. It's similar to the Impreza WRX but with more leg rrom. It a GM product.

Forums | MacLife

#1 2005-09-30 3:40 pm

Which vehicle?

#2 2005-09-30 4:08 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

#3 2005-09-30 4:17 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

#4 2005-09-30 4:29 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

#5 2005-09-30 4:34 pm

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#6 2005-09-30 4:47 pm

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#7 2005-09-30 4:49 pm

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#8 2005-09-30 4:53 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

thume wrote:

#9 2005-09-30 4:58 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

#10 2005-09-30 5:00 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

Moses wrote:

#11 2005-09-30 5:22 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

#12 2005-09-30 5:56 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

#13 2005-09-30 6:34 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

thume wrote:

#14 2005-09-30 6:40 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

imikus55 wrote:

#15 2005-09-30 9:21 pm

Re: Which vehicle?

#16 2005-09-30 9:51 pm

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#17 2005-09-30 10:45 pm

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#18 2005-09-30 11:01 pm

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#20 2005-10-01 12:15 am

Re: Which vehicle?

#21 2005-10-01 2:43 am

Re: Which vehicle?

peepl_r_dum wrote:

thume wrote:

#22 2005-10-01 10:31 am

Re: Which vehicle?

#23 2005-10-01 10:47 am

Re: Which vehicle?

dvpierce wrote:

#24 2005-10-01 11:12 am

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#25 2005-10-01 11:37 am

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