SUV Recommendation
 

We are having trouble deciding on a new car. We like SUVs because my husband is a big man. I see a lot of Buick Enclavs around, but we really like the new GMC Terrain because of the seating comfort. However, some of the reviews say it has a transmission problem which scares me. Any advice on this or any other recommendations of SUVs.

Jeep Grand Cherokee gets my recommendation. We have been buying Jeep since 1995 and have no major issues.

My wife wants to replace our 2011 Lincoln MKS with a SUV.
I would suggest the Lincoln MKX, Ford Explorer or wagon Toyota Venza.
Personally I want to replace it with Cadillac XTS, Lexus ES or new Toyota Avalon.
Lease- American or Foreign
Purchase- Foreign only. Better resale value.

I just bought a Ford Edge and am very happy with it. Lots of room, comfortable, and great deals on the right now for a lease. I was a GM manager and finally switched since I thought it was a better deal overall even with my discounts. I got out of a Cadillac SRX and for the money is not worth it. The Terrain/equinox I also think do not compare very well and the costs are higher for the same options. I researched every company, foreign and domestic, and this was the best for the money.

:agree:
Daughter and family have an Edge. Very roomy, extremely comfy, holds a ton of soccer gear, and (for this type of vehicle) gets pretty good gas mileage.

we are on our second Ford Edge. We both like the Edge better than any car we have owned in the past.

I have had a Subaru Forester for six years and love it. Thinking of a new car - does anyone know how the Forester compares in size with the Ford Edge or Escape?

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Fords
 

2010 Edge is my second best car ever.
First was a Caddy deVille 1988.

Take a look at the Honda Pilot - remember, it's a Honda and that's a good thing.

Honda CRV
 

Enjoyed our Honda CRV with all leather and sunroof.

This is our fifth, or is it sixth Chrysler van and we like them because they are roomier and you can haul big stuff and lots of leg room. I know they aren't an SUV but the Chysler van was always MY car and now it's our car and the three of us find it both comfortable and useful. You'd be surprised what you can and will take home in it. Plants, and bushes, and pieces of furniture and a lot of stuff needed when you are settling into a new home.

They are luxurious too. I even used the seat heater the other day. Brrrr.

We love our Honda CRV. It gets great gas mileage, is roomy and can tow my husband's fishing boat. I've had Honda vehicles for the last 20 years and would have a hard time buying anything else.

It's hard to beat Ford in the SUV market. I had an Explorer that I drove for 10 years. Finally just got bored with it and traded it. It's probably still running somewhere. I've also driven and Edge and really like those.

Another vote for the Ford Edge

Another vote for a Pilot (or CRV). I have only owned Honda's since 1991.
Never had an issue I couldn't fix myself.

Our last 2 cars we owned were American. A 2005 Thunderbird we just sold after 7 years with 3,400 miles and a leased 2011 Lincoln MKS.

IMO American brand cars depreciate faster than say Lexus, Infiniti, Honda, Toyota etc.

We have always lost more money on GM/ Ford vehicles.

I was born, raised and lived in Michigan all my life (still do in the summer) and the only CRAP cars I had were GM's in the 1980's through 1990's.

I am considering LEASING an American brand but would never BUY one.

Just curious, why would you not buy. I might learn something here.:pepper2:

Thanks everyone for your input. We will look into your suggestions.

Other than our 2005 Thunderbird which we recently sold after 7 years and only lost 4K from the purchase price and our 1995 Corvette that we sold for 12K less than we paid after 4 years we have lost considerably more with domestic than foreign.

Last "foreign" car was a 2008 Infiniti M35 that we sold after 2 years and recovered all but 3K from the purchase price.

Any Lincoln or GM has taken bigger hits.

Thus my saying I would not "buy" a domestic car.

I would lease and am because it is merely rent and when leasing its about the payment not the resale.

Not really true. When you lease you base the lease rate on your purchase price and the residual value of the car after the lease term. I once leased a new Toyota and after 3 years leased the exact same make and model again and my lease payment dropped by 1/3 due to the high residual value of the vehicle I was turning in. The trick to leasing is to determine the car you want, negotiate the selling price as low as possible, then make the decision to pay cash, buy with dealer financing, or lease. Base all these different options on the sale price you negotiated. Because they base the lease payment on the residual value, a lower selling price will translate into a lower lease payment. I always tell the salesman that I don't know what my plan is, that I will determine that when I sit down with the dealership finance person. They will try real hard to talk you out of that, but stay firm and determine the final selling price first. Only then look at the different options of how you will pay. Once you walk in and say "I want to lease" or "I want the .9% financing" or "I want to trade in this" the deal is already structured in the dealerships favor.

A good rule of thumb when leasing (easy too) is to aim to get a 1.0 to 1.2 Lease to Value Ratio or LVR.
Use the MSRP and forget the rest as mentioned above as its more complicated unless you use your computer like I do to do the formulas to verify.
Example for a 60K car aim for $600.00-$720.00 a month with taxes.
40K MSRP aim for $400.00- $480.
My son just leased a 2013 Chrysler 300 for 46K MSRP and pays $428.00 a month with taxes and 0 down or under 1.0

I have owned a 2004 Porsche Cayenne S and a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8 for nine years. I love them both. They are midsize so if you need to tote large loads they may not be for you. A few days ago I met a man who had just bought a large Airstream trailer. The Airstream dealership recommended he get a diesel Touareg, a V-6, to tow it, high torque and great mileage. He is very happy with his diesel Touareg.

The Porsche of course provides wonderful performance with a stiff ride. The VW provides a much softer but firm enough ride and is not at all tiring to drive for hours at a time.