The BEST SUV (houses, buying, campers)

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

This isn't Canada or North Dakota or even Buffalo for that matter. You do not need a 4 wheel drive in NE PA just for winter weather. I drive a Honda sedan and do just fine in winter weather driving 20 miles to work every day. Unless you have 5 kids or do some heavy hauling, I see no need for an SUV unless you like selling your soul to the devil just to fill up your gas tank.

I get along just fine as well with my front-wheel drive Ford Contour, but I know a lot of people around here feel "safer" with an SUV. Perhaps a Ford Escape Hybrid might be an option?

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by FLhereIcome

I love my Ford Escape. I've had it 7 years and still have not had to make any repairs other than the usual items (brakes, rotors, tires). It now has high mileage and I'm considering replacing it with a Kia Sorento. I've never owned a Sorento, but have driven one and they seem to have good reviews and they start at under $20,000.

Don't buy a Kia...its the sister company of Hyundai. Hyundai translated to English means "crap." I'm personally not an SUV fan...but I would recommend a Honda CR-V. I know a lot of people with CR-V's, including the new design that came out last year, and they love them....very good on gas for an SUV. And you can't beat Honda's reliability record.

Hondas may cost a couple of grand more than Hyundai/Kia, but Hondas have very high resale value, while Hyundais and Kias depreciate probably faster than any other make of car. You'll more than make up the maybe $2,000 difference in price when you go to sell or trade the vehicle someday. Plus, with the Honda, you'll see a lot less of your mechanic than you will with a Kia/Hyundai.

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

This isn't Canada or North Dakota or even Buffalo for that matter. You do not need a 4 wheel drive in NE PA just for winter weather. I drive a Honda sedan and do just fine in winter weather driving 20 miles to work every day. Unless you have 5 kids or do some heavy hauling, I see no need for an SUV unless you like selling your soul to the devil just to fill up your gas tank.

all i can say is i have had both front wheel drive vehicles and 4x4's for over 15 years now. in bad weather there is no comparison. even rain in awd is light years apart. no fish tailing when hitting puddles on the highway. parking in snow piles, stability , all are sooooo much better in awd or 4x4. except for stopping there is nothing that isnt so noticibly better. tell ya what you can stay with your front wheel drive but id never go back.

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

Just bought a Honda CRV - which was just rated as number one. Don't like SUV's but feel they are a necessity in this area - with weather, deer and bear. Plus, if you do highway driving I feel that safety is important.

[okaydorothy]

We have a honda odessy and its great. It cannot be stolen either ; at least It cannot be broken into (without breaking the glass).

We have driven it around nepa and it was great.

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[7micheller]

I forgot to mention driving in the rain is also a little cumbersome; when I was there, it rained 80% of the time, and it is difficult to see in front of my car on the highway because of all the SUV's on the road.

Thanks for all of the ideas and photos; you guys/gals are awesome; thanks!!!!

[greentown]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

This isn't Canada or North Dakota or even Buffalo for that matter. You do not need a 4 wheel drive in NE PA just for winter weather. I drive a Honda sedan and do just fine in winter weather driving 20 miles to work every day. Unless you have 5 kids or do some heavy hauling, I see no need for an SUV unless you like selling your soul to the devil just to fill up your gas tank.

A 4x4 or AWD is not a necessity if you live in the city and only drive on city streets and highways, but if you live in a rural area, you will be much happier knowing that you can get out if you need to. Small cars and minivans just don't cut it when there's 8-12 inches of snow on the ground.

[bldginpa]

Having had a few bad experiences with the Mazda 3 in NEPA, we're going with a 09 Subaru Forester before next winter. People we know that have Subarus cannot say enough good things about them. They are supposedly great in snow, rain, mud, etc. Plus the fact that all their models are AWD is a plus. No waiting for the 4WD to kick in when needed.

[greentown]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

I get along just fine as well with my front-wheel drive Ford Contour, but I know a lot of people around here feel "safer" with an SUV. Perhaps a Ford Escape Hybrid might be an option?

I'm not sure if anyone else has experience with the Escape Hybrids, but we just had friends that traded theirs because their mileage was steadily declining till it dropped down to around 20 MPG. It was repeatedly taken in for service, but the problem was never resolved. Another friend has a regular Ford Escape for the past 6 or 7 years and has no problems with it.

JMO, but I think the "safer" feeling in an SUV comes from sitting up higher and having better visibility.

[poconosmama]

I've had many subarus, 2 since moving to PA. I currently have a Nissan Rogue and it's great, small suv, great gas mileage as far as suvs go, and just the right size. HOWEVER, if I had the choice, I'd go back to my subaru forester in a second.