Moving to states, need SUV recommendations.

California Dreamer

lewis wrote: »

Cheers for taking the time to find these SUV`s man, much appreciated.

I am back and forth to the US at least 4 times a year and over the years have had my fair share of SUV's.

I was actually surprised at how expensive the Tahoe was so its not on the list. The model changed in 2016 and is still really expensive. The 2 I liked the most were the GMC Acadia. Although the version I had was the SWB. It drove really nicely and seemed to have lots of room.

But its was the Chevy Traverse that really surprised me the most. I don't want to say that it was a poor man's Audi Q7 but this thing had bags of room. The time I had that I had 4 adults in it with luggage and loads of shopping. I would look deeper into the spec levels, years, mileage and value around the $20k mark. As I said previously you will find plenty of 100k mile plus cars in main dealerships there. I just did a quick search based on a zip code from the centre of Richmond VA to give an idea of local prices.

The only bit of advice I would offer is invest in good tyres there. The americans seem to put all sorts of ****e on their cars. No issue in the dry but a lot handle like a pig on skates in the wet.

lewis

California Dreamer wrote: »

I am back and forth to the US at least 4 times a year and over the years have had my fair share of SUV's.

I was actually surprised at how expensive the Tahoe was so its not on the list. The model changed in 2016 and is still really expensive. The 2 I liked the most were the GMC Acadia. Although the version I had was the SWB. It drove really nicely and seemed to have lots of room.

But its was the Chevy Traverse that really surprised me the most. I don't want to say that it was a poor man's Audi Q7 but this thing had bags of room. The time I had that I had 4 adults in it with luggage and loads of shopping. I would look deeper into the spec levels, years, mileage and value around the $20k mark. As I said previously you will find plenty of 100k mile plus cars in main dealerships there. I just did a quick search based on a zip code from the centre of Richmond VA to give an idea of local prices.

The only bit of advice I would offer is invest in good tyres there. The americans seem to put all sorts of ****e on their cars. No issue in the dry but a lot handle like a pig on skates in the wet.

I ain`t rich that`s for sure so I`m OK with that title, lol.
I like the back seats, the way they have there own arm rests and the cup holders in the door, that`s the kind of room I`m after, if the kids are happy while on a long drive in the back, I`m happy!

I`ll keep that advice in mind man!

Idbatterim

Chevy suburban?

ELM327

Was literally coming to this thread to suggest the suburban.
Gloss black full size SUV with a V8. What more do you want (a duramax of course!)

lewis

Idbatterim wrote: »

Chevy suburban?

ELM327 wrote: »

Was literally coming to this thread to suggest the suburban.
Gloss black full size SUV with a V8. What more do you want (a duramax of course!)

I think I`d lose the kids in the back of that yolk, lol....that might not be a bad thing though...

It`s a lot to big realistically, for my price range the age of the SUV would be to old for me.

Pkiernan

Very few Irish can park a Suburban.

ELM327

Pkiernan wrote: »

Very few Irish can park a Suburban.

I had a 7.4 V8 one over here and I could not fit it into multi storey car parks.
Although at €200 to fill the fuel tank at ~12mpg there will not be many Suburbans in Ireland so it's not a problem we have to worry about.




Most US people (despite the laughable driving test) will have no issues parking a suburban or any other full size SUV/pickup. The country is designed for it over there, wider roads and wider ingress/egress to multi storey carparks and wider spaces.

lewis

Pkiernan wrote: »

The newer style Dodge Durango is an absolute beauty of an SUV.

Pricey, not a great looker either...

ELM327 wrote: »

I had a 7.4 V8 one over here and I could not fit it into multi storey car parks.
Although at €200 to fill the fuel tank at ~12mpg there will not be many Suburbans in Ireland so it's not a problem we have to worry about.

Most US people (despite the laughable driving test) will have no issues parking a suburban or any other full size SUV/pickup. The country is designed for it over there, wider roads and wider ingress/egress to multi storey carparks and wider spaces.

Laughable driving test....is it bad, easy...It`s been many moons since I took a driving test...but with all that room over there how hard can it be??

ELM327

I've never been to the US but have read reports that in a lot of states it's just a quick drive in a carpark around some cones and parallel parking

I believe you can exchange your Irish licence for a US one so there shouldn't be a need for a retest

Royale with Cheese

I rented a Hyundai Santa Fe in Canada last year and found it to be really nice, this one was very well kitted out on the inside. My only gripes would be the auto gearbox being a little laggy (the only thing I can personally compare it to though is a vw dsg) and it had a crappy foot operated parking brake. It handled 5 adults and all their luggage fine, was plenty big enough for what I needed.

I subsequently rented an absolutely massive nissan armada V8 in the states. It made a nice sound when you put your foot down and there was a massive amount of room in the back, but overall I much preferred the Santa Fe.

lewis

ELM327 wrote: »

I believe you can exchange your Irish licence for a US one so there shouldn't be a need for a retest

Really?? That would be handy..

Pkiernan

ELM327 wrote: »

I've never been to the US but have read reports that in a lot of states it's just a quick drive in a carpark around some cones and parallel parking

I believe you can exchange your Irish licence for a US one so there shouldn't be a need for a retest

No exchange between Irish and US licences.

wassie

I highly rate the Santa Fe (2012-2018) - it has incredible value in terms of specification for price, especially the higher end models where second hand you will easily get all you are after including sun-roof. They have proven to be highly reliable and Hyundai have developed a good reputation for not shirking car faults (as always where dealer serviced).

Quiet and good handling on road (V6 petrol) yet quite reasonable if you want to get off the blacktop.

There a motoring journalist from Oz has an engineering backround and is known for his straight talk on vehicles. His review is here and is indepth also:
https://autoexpert.com.au/posts/2012-2018-used-hyundai-santa-fe-buyers-guide

NSAman

Meh, depending on budget and needs, ya can’t bate a dodge ram. 5.7ltr hemi, limited edition has everything you want. Loads of room for the kids in the back, carry anything. Forget about being Irish and the small SUVs ya need BIG... Tahoe suburban Range Rover all are affordable, this is not ireland with road tax (in most states)

PaulKK

The suburban is an absolute dog to drive. As is the expedition. The handling is absolutely terrible and I wouldn't want to live with either daily.

Sure, great V8s in them, but even with petrol at 50c a litre you will get sick of filling them.

Yes they have lots (LOTS) of space, they are not too bad to park, typically they have reversing cameras etc and the parking spaces are much bigger over there, but seriously, they are incredibly large and unnecessary for the average family. It's about the length a long wheel base transit van.

The sweet spot for me would be an edge/explorer over there. Reasonable size, reasonable handling and you won't be getting only 16mpg out of it.

lewis

PaulKK wrote: »

The suburban is an absolute dog to drive. As is the expedition. The handling is absolutely terrible and I wouldn't want to live with either daily.

Sure, great V8s in them, but even with petrol at 50c a litre you will get sick of filling them.

Yes they have lots (LOTS) of space, they are not too bad to park, typically they have reversing cameras etc and the parking spaces are much bigger over there, but seriously, they are incredibly large and unnecessary for the average family. It's about the length a long wheel base transit van.

The sweet spot for me would be an edge/explorer over there. Reasonable size, reasonable handling and you won't be getting only 16mpg out of it.

My thinking exactly, like the missus said that one time.. "I don't want to big" got to be realistic.

I do like the explorer, pity the interior isn't a bit nicer, up to date. Along with that, I'm thinking the Chevrolet Traverse and the Honda Pilot.

NSAman

Lewis, where are you moving to? I would always get 4 wheel drive option on any vehicle depending on where you are, winters are pretty bad here and 2 wheel drive just doesn’t cut it. Today outside is an inch of ice here, ordinary 4 wheel drive is not good enough, but will suffice for most.

Cookie_Monster

Utes/Pickups infinitely more practical than SUVs imo, something like a Nissan Titan Crewcab would be my pick

NSAman

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Utes/Pickups infinitely more practical than SUVs imo, something like a Nissan Titan Crewcab would be my pick

Not a Nissan.... Dodge Ram or F150... there is s reason pickups are one of the most popular modes of transport here. They are useful in so many ways, building, bringing the family and towing... they are a very versatile form of transport. It is the one form of car that America excels in...

Manic Moran

I would make two notes.
Virginia’s not a small State, with varying winters and levels of snow clearing, you may wish to consider a 4x4, especially if it’s your only car. Many SUVs here are not 4x4.

Second, contrary to earlier posters, under a third of the new car sales in the US are leases. They come with a number of concerns which mean that they are suitable only for people in certain situations. That said, lease returns are still a viable source of gently used cars, I have two of them.

As for which vehicle to look at... Heck, there are so many, just go shopping over a day and knock yourself out. The car showrooms around here tend to all be clustered together, so hitting five or six dealers in one go is easy.

queueeye

Acura MDX. It’s the luxury brand of Honda so it’s very reliable. It also drives like a car, has loads of room and is all wheel drive. It’ll be more expensive than a similar size American suv but you get what you pay for.

lewis

NSAman wrote: »

Lewis, where are you moving to? I would always get 4 wheel drive option on any vehicle depending on where you are, winters are pretty bad here and 2 wheel drive just doesn’t cut it. Today outside is an inch of ice here, ordinary 4 wheel drive is not good enough, but will suffice for most.

VA.
I`m doing my best to get a 4X4 while trying to keep in or around my budget.
So far what I`m really interested in is the Chevrolet Traverse, really like the captains seats in the back, head and knee room is plentiful.

Next two would be the Ford Explorer and the Honda Pilot, but the Pilot is a stretch outside my budget...
With the Ford the interior is dated and from watching crash tests for it, it did`nt do to well..

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Utes/Pickups infinitely more practical than SUVs imo, something like a Nissan Titan Crewcab would be my pick

I do like the pickup truck looks, but for now I`m looking at SUV`s...The F150 would definitely be a future choice.

Manic Moran wrote: »

I would make two notes.
Virginia’s not a small State, with varying winters and levels of snow clearing, you may wish to consider a 4x4, especially if it’s your only car. Many SUVs here are not 4x4.

Second, contrary to earlier posters, under a third of the new car sales in the US are leases. They come with a number of concerns which mean that they are suitable only for people in certain situations. That said, lease returns are still a viable source of gently used cars, I have two of them.

As for which vehicle to look at... Heck, there are so many, just go shopping over a day and knock yourself out. The car showrooms around here tend to all be clustered together, so hitting five or six dealers in one go is easy.

Their definitely eager to do business, I`ve gotten a TON of e-mails from local dealers in the area, their a lot to pushy.

I`ve been using this Truecar site, seeing what discounts I can get, not an awful lot so far...

queueeye wrote: »

Acura MDX. It’s the luxury brand of Honda so it’s very reliable. It also drives like a car, has loads of room and is all wheel drive. It’ll be more expensive than a similar size American suv but you get what you pay for.

I`ve just came across this SUV today and I`m doing some research on it...

lewis

Now that we`re fairly close to the big move...(house is practically sold!) I`ve narrowed the SUV`search to the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot/CRV and Ford Explorer...MAYBE the GMC Acadia, but I`ll be gunning for the Traverse..

Now another search is on the horizon, herself also wants to sedan for around the $10k mark, just a go to from work and such.

So I`ve been looking at the Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord and possibly the Toyota Corolla...

endacl

Canyonero!!!

bazz26

notobtuse

I live in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania and we're a family of four. I’ve owned or leased seven 4x4 SUV Jeeps. I also owned a Chevy 4x4 Blazer and drive a GMC Denali at work. The Jeeps were the Cherokees, Grand Cherokees, Liberties and I currently have a Commander that the college daughter is driving. I recently drove a new Jeep Renegade and a used Compass off lease and was not impressed, in the least bit.

My next 4x4 purchase will probably be a used Toyota 4Runner or Subaru Outback. My best luck buying used 4x4's were from car rental agencies (Enterprise is my go to) that turn them over fairly quickly. They're affordable and well maintained.

Brian?

lewis wrote: »

Now that we`re fairly close to the big move...(house is practically sold!) I`ve narrowed the SUV`search to the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot/CRV and Ford Explorer...MAYBE the GMC Acadia, but I`ll be gunning for the Traverse..

Now another search is on the horizon, herself also wants to sedan for around the $10k mark, just a go to from work and such.

So I`ve been looking at the Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord and possibly the Toyota Corolla...

Hands down the Accord. I think you can get them with a 3l V6 Vtech engine in the US.

lewis

Brian? wrote: »

Hands down the Accord. I think you can get them with a 3l V6 Vtech engine in the US.

It's definitely came up as the number one sedan to get, one thing on the looks side, I don't like the silver tash on the front.

I like Mazdas 6 idea with the centre consol dial, it's the ideal position, thus keeping most of your attention on the road, nice trim inside also.

Brian?

lewis wrote: »

It's definitely came up as the number one sedan to get, one thing on the looks side, I don't like the silver tash on the front.

I like Mazdas 6 idea with the centre consol dial, it's the ideal position, thus keeping most of your attention on the road, nice trim inside also.

For most of my time in the US, about 16 months, I drove a Mazda 6, 2.5l V6. Great car, extremely comfortable and surprisingly good on petrol. But a mate had an Accord and it was better in every way.

lewis

Right folks, we're over here in the state almost two weeks now, after sorting some other things out, we've come to the SUV shopping and for our price range and time frame it's down to two, either the Explorer or the Traverse... I'm kind of steered towards the Explorer, but I feel my gut is saying the Traverse.

I'm seeing a lot of Explorers being driven around here, so that must be the go to SUV... I'm stuck!

Marcusm

lewis wrote: »

Right folks, we're over here in the state almost two weeks now, after sorting some other things out, we've come to the SUV shopping and for our price range and time frame it's down to two, either the Explorer or the Traverse... I'm kind of steered towards the Explorer, but I feel my gut is saying the Traverse.

I'm seeing a lot of Explorers being driven around here, so that must be the go to SUV... I'm stuck!

Not sure what age etc; have driven both as rentals and preferred the Explorer. Would have done 300mls or so in Traverse and 1,000 or more in explorer.

lewis

Marcusm wrote: »

Not sure what age etc; have driven both as rentals and preferred the Explorer. Would have done 300mls or so in Traverse and 1,000 or more in explorer.

Was it a comfort thing with the Explorer, or the Milage it has?

I just had a good look at the new Traverse and it is big, comfy, acres of room... Compared to the Explorer and older Traverse, this blows them outta the water... Might try and stretch the funds towards it...

California Dreamer

What’s year/mileage?

What was the budget?

Marcusm

lewis wrote: »

Was it a comfort thing with the Explorer, or the Milage it has?

I just had a good look at the new Traverse and it is big, comfy, acres of room... Compared to the Explorer and older Traverse, this blows them outta the water... Might try and stretch the funds towards it...

Both were rentals but pretty well specc’d. I did a fair bit of driving in the Explorer(Boston to Montreal to New York and around). Think it just fitted me better. Was 3 years ago for Traverse so not new model. My 16 y/o cousin is looking at a new SUV at moment and the Traverse is the chosen one. Although he really wants a 1964 Chevy pick up.

As with everything, the margins between them might be slim and ultimately personal choice is wgat’s Important.

lewis

California Dreamer wrote: »

What’s year/mileage?

What was the budget?

2018/18k/31k

But they had a brand new one for 34k...

James Bond Junior

lewis wrote: »

2018/18k/31k

But they had a brand new one for 34k...

What are they like inside? I am hoping to get a used grand cherokee but a year old or new is doable too.

California Dreamer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoAoe0T8KOA

Fairly balanced review to be fair.

What spec is this new traverse you are looking at?

lewis

James Bond Junior wrote: »

What are they like inside? I am hoping to get a used grand cherokee but a year old or new is doable too.

It's very nice inside, VERY big, bigger than the Tahoe
Comfortable, tons of head room, mainly there space for those long journeys.. With kids and two dogs.

We're actually using our family members Jeep, it's a bit old, but I wouldn't be mad on them.

lewis

California Dreamer wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoAoe0T8KOA

Fairly balanced review to be fair.

What spec is this new traverse you are looking at?

LT Cloth AWD

We also looked at a Denali, it was nice, but since this Traverse is almost the same price, it made more sense to try and go for that, that space is something else..

lewis

For financial reasons we ended up going with the Equinox, sweet SUV, bigger than it looks, very happy with it.

Later on at some stage, we'll go for the Traverse.