I am looking to get a used SUV because I could use some more room over my sedan. I want to probably stick with the smaller SUVs due to cost and was hoping to get some advice/suggestions. I would like to keep the cost to around $15k and the biggest factor for me is reliability. I will sacrifice features for reliability as I don't want something that will need repairs often. Obviously lower miles is better as well so I assume this limits my options. So far I have considered the Honda CRV and Mazda CX-5. Any opinions on those or other suggestions?

It looks like around me I could get a 2014 CX-5 with a lot of options and lowish miles for right around $15k. The CRV's seem to be a little more unless I go down a year or two (which is fine with me if it is worth it).

12/20/2016 1:08:54 PM

Have you considered a station wagon? 2013 Prius V maybe?

12/20/2016 2:29:14 PM

CRV is my vote.

Would a Subaru Forester meet your criteria as far as reliability?

12/20/2016 2:30:03 PM

^^ I haven't considered a station wagon, I don't know how roomy one would be but one of the main factors is transporting my daughter and getting her in and out of her car seat (which is a major pain in the ass in my sedan). Also have a couple dogs so I like the idea of an SUV where I can put a barrier between the trunk and car. I'll look into the Prius V option to see how it would work.

^ I don't have any knowledge on Foresters, are they considered reliable?

12/20/2016 3:50:53 PM

Toyota Sienna

12/20/2016 4:32:15 PM

CRV

12/20/2016 4:38:00 PM

^^^Not sure to be honest. I've heard decent things and they tend to be pretty highly rated but I have no first-hand experience.

12/20/2016 5:00:55 PM

tahoe without AFM system and as few miles as you can find. you would actually have money left over. rock solid.

12/20/2016 5:36:11 PM

What Tahoes have AFM? I'm just guessing that was something that messes up a lot?

12/20/2016 5:59:59 PM

Wife has a 2010 RAV4 with 37k miles and loves it - we're getting her a minivan in march but otherwise she'd keep for many more years. I recommend it.

12/20/2016 8:41:07 PM

I'm not sure what year it started. 2007 possibly, but I don't think all of the post 2007 Tahoes have it. You'd need to look into that. Active Fuel Management is what they call the system that cuts 4 cylinders out when not needed. It uses solenoid valves to cut oil off to certain lifters so that the valves don't open and close on the cylinders that aren't getting fuel. It can give problems.

Otherwise, the Tahoes, Suburbans, Silverados, and their GMC counterparts are all excellent trucks. You get a real truck frame that can actually haul stuff and pull a trailer properly. Probably get like 17 mpg avg, even on the 4wd models. The things are ubiquitous, so there's tons of info online about any of the common issues, which means they're easy to diagnose and work on.

Personally, I'd take a 2006 Tahoe with 150k miles over any 2 or 3 year old small car frame "SUV". You'll save money and have a more capable vehicle and you won't have to eat the depreciation. I'd say either go with a real truck frame SUV or a wagon. Anything else is kinda dumb, imo.

12/20/2016 9:11:00 PM

Yeah I understand what you're saying. What I really want is a 4Runner but I can't justify one right now. Really the ones I am looking at would hardly cost me anything out of pocket and would just be something to hold me over until I can save up for what I really want. The big thing is to just get something that is bigger than my car and not a money pit. My parents are right up the street and my dad has an F250 so if I need a truck I can use his.

12/20/2016 9:34:57 PM

Most station wagons are roomier than small and medium sized CUVs. The problem is, hardly anyone sells them in the US anymore so you're kinda screwed

Since you just want a vehicle for a few years only I'd recommend a Subaru Outback. They have excellent resale value and have plenty of interior space. Basically any mid-sized wagon will hold it's value pretty well as they're not built in large numbers right now (scarcity = strong value) but are continually popular with people on the used market.

12/21/2016 10:40:46 AM

Toyota Highlander

IMO, Toyota makes the most reliable vehicles on the planet.

12/22/2016 10:28:35 PM

Well I told my parents I was going to go car shopping and they told me my mom was about to get a new car and they would just sell me hers for what the dealer would give in a trade in since that was what they were planning on anyways. Looks like I'll be getting a Lexus RX350 with less than 80k miles for just under $10k which is better than I thought I would ever find elsewhere. It was in a wreck so the value was taken down a decent amount but it was just cosmetic damage that has all been fixed.

12/22/2016 10:38:29 PM

That'll do. I haven't looked up the realibility on those but I'd expect it to be pretty great.

It's not a RWD stickshift disel wagon but i still think you'll be happy with it

12/23/2016 10:19:21 AM

Yeah it's basically a fancy Toyota so the reliability should be good and I know my parents took really good care of it so that's nice. I will probably get some sort of project car to have fun with over the next few years but for now this will do.

12/23/2016 10:29:03 AM

Nice. Keep up on the maintenance and you'll be able to drive it for as long as you'd like.

12/27/2016 8:17:06 AM

BTTT

Anybody have a Highlander or Sequoia? Or any other recommendations for a 3rd row X/SUV?

Kinda worried a Highlander won't have enough room if people happen to be sitting in the 3rd row, but I'd rather it get the better gas mileage and I'm probably not going to tow anything.

My brother has an Expedition and I was surprised at how little cargo room there was with the seats up. Maybe they're all like that? If that's the case, maybe the smaller XUV type is just as good?

4/25/2019 3:46:29 PM

they will all have even less luggage room than the expedition with the 3rd row, go minivan or something like a suburban if you need 3 rows and lots of luggage

4/25/2019 4:03:43 PM

If you need 3 rows get a minivan.

4/26/2019 3:22:20 PM