I'm seriously thinking about getting this.

[miss_steele_msp]

i say get it in black. i own a house and the suv comes in handy when im at lowes or home depo. it def comes in handy when we drive from georgia to new jersey with the kids. So everyone knocking the suv if you dont have a reason to get one good for you dont get one,but dont knock the people who do need or want one.

 

[RaiderMS3]

OK, since you are planning a family, you are wanting something safe, right? Well, this thing is only "Marginal" when it comes to frontal offset crashes, the most commong head on collision: Hope you do not need your left foot.
http://www.highwaysafety.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=140

Wanna swerve to avoid a toddler running in a street, or even swerving for the neighbors cat, watch out, it might roll over.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/ford_sporttrac.html

But if it does, call this guy:
http://www.rolloverlawyer.com/chev_gmc/blazer.htm

I have checked out www.highwaysafety.org before I bought my most recent cars. I was tapped at 5 mpg in the right rear corner of my Sonoma once, $4400 in damage. Then I saw this...
http://www.highwaysafety.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=94

Damn, I was lucky I never hit anything.

So choose wisely. Reliability and safety should be the first you look for. With GM headed for bankruptcy, I would not be running to buy one from them.

 

[MazKid]

Well, my wife and I need a truck for a couple of reasons:

1. We own a house, I don't think any further explanation is needed.

2. We plan on starting a family next year. A lowered (stiff) P5 with a system that takes 3/4 of the cargo area (no space) and no warranty (90k miles) AND a miata won't cut it.

As far as fuel is concerned, this vehicle is inline w/ others that we are looking at.

So far we test drove:
-Nissan Pathfinder
-Infiniti FX35
-Ford Expedition
-VW Toureg
-Chrysler Pacifica

and looked, but didn't drive:
'06 Ford Explorer
-Subaru B9 Tribeca
-Chevy Tahoe

Erm, "systems" are wastes of space. Once you have a family you'll realize how useless it is to take up 3/4 of a practical car with some speakers and stuff that's unnecessary.

Personally I'd wait to get anything. Atleast until the CX-7 comes out.

I'm around Tribecas at work...they're pretty nifty(takes a while to get use to the styling), but they don't haul all that much, and with a starting price of $33,000, it's way too expensive for what you need. It drives ok but is sluggish and feels underpowered. Not enough torque IMO.

Really, you don't know what you need yet. You'd be fine with a P5 if you just got rid of the alternator-burden in the back.

 

[jred321]

my parents have an envoy, which is the same car except the gmc version. they've had a few problems in the year or so that they've owned it, nothing major yet i don't think except the 4wd wouldn't go into 4wd any more a few times, they had to replace some controller or something. it seems like the motor in the power seats is dying already too, it has trouble moving the seats and just won't sometimes. no MAJOR problems yet, but some annoying issues that should not happen in a year old car. i certainly wouldn't buy it. sure the one you're looking at has a nice engine, but you're gonna have other problems unrelated to the engine

 

[DE31]

get a subaru outback or legacy wagon. we've hauled alot in our 02 outback. and the new outbacks/legacys have the turbo model. 250hp 250tq or go with the smoother h6 in the outback. 250hp and 219tq. if you go with the turbo you can also get the manual.

 

[k-lea]

ewww.

 

[anarchistchiken]

Meh, I'll hold my judgements. The SS Silverado was supposed to be badass too, but they turned out to be a little bit below pathetic.

I would suggest what everyone else it. Go look at the Subaru's. I love every single model they have out right now (except the new WRX. That thing is ugly as sin). It should definatly be something you check into.

 

[redrims]

^^ That Subaru truck is ugly as sin too...

Get what you want. It's YOUR money.

 

[redwagon02]

How big of a family are you looking to make, jeesh. I dont understand people, you could buy a volvo, and it would be better and safer then buy a SUV and holds the same amount. But unless your a mormon then by all means get a suv. I have a house, and I dont need a SUV. Its called delivery, most furniture places offer it for free.

for furniture delivery? hehe. Do you know how to use power tools? or tools in general? lol

not just for furniture delivery. When I layed the bamboo flooring, I had to rent a truck. When I layed the slate, I had to rent a truck. When I bought a TV, I had to rent a truck. There's plenty of projects I still need to do.

Also, a boat would probably be down the line. Should I pull it with the protege5 or miata? lol again

 

[redwagon02]

I put the pathfinder back @ the top of my list if anyone really cares.

 

[RallyeRedSi]

nooooooooooooooo

 

[redwagon02]

Y, it will be a third vehicle.

 

[uclap5]

minivan.

seriously.

suv's are a waste unless you need to haul your boat or rv.

 

[snowblazin]

Why the pathfinder and not murano? I love that thing!

 

[redwagon02]

I love the FX but dislike the murano. Everyone says get the murano when I tell them that I wanna get an FX. The murano does nothing for me. don't know why.

 

[toucci]

I'm driving a 3 ton suv while the protege is in the shop, and it's kind of cool. sucks getting 10 mpg, though.

it's basically the opposite of the protege in every aspect which is probably why I appreciate it.

 

[snowblazin]

I love the FX but dislike the murano. Everyone says get the murano when I tell them that I wanna get an FX. The murano does nothing for me. don't know why.

Yea, I was gonna say, the murano is very similar to the FX(although I think the FX is a little meaner looking, not sure on performance specs though). I'm surprised it doesn't appeal to ya. (dunno) Good luck in the search!

 

[vindication]

Well I say out of the list go for the Pathfinder. Well actually go for the Pathfinder Armada. My dad has the Titan, basically same thing except it's a truck. Thing is so f'in nice and got balls. Plus there is a nice supercharger out for it

 

[spacemonkey]

I hated my SUV...I had that thing since highschool

I was always the DD and it guzzle gas like it was water.

3800-4000 lbs SUV...no matter how much power or torque its just not worth it. I probally save 13 gallons a week from driving the protege Thats like $50-60 saved a week by not driving a SUV.

Not to mention insurence is higher because when you get in a crasht he liability is higher...causes damage to the other car no matter how small of a accident.

if anything I would look into hybrid SUVs. The new lexus RX hybrid performs bad but I hear its not as bad as everyone thinks....53 mpg with luxury isnt bad.

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

you do know they just had a recall on some sxt trail blazers because the rear hatch would open while driving after a year or so. i dont remember what years it was BUT thhe report said they would just fling open while driving...

we had one as a rental when i was in my accident, i got a chance to drive it i was dissapointed. it was not that awesome it actually sucked...but then again it was car rental type so its probably cheap and crappy. good luck.

might i recomend the expensive bmw x5 4.8? awesome car btw!