Thoughts on mid-larger SUVs

2Greys

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So, with a new one joining us and 3 large dogs we need to go bigger than the 03 liberty. I am figuring we will need a 7 seater and am looking in the size of around the Dodge Durango.
Looking for input on it and equivalent sized.

think the Honda Pilot is also around the same size but is also twice the price. We are not the type of people looking for high resale value as we tend to drive cars into the ground rather than sell when the new car smell fades. Also looking at the Highlander...
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aweber

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When my kids came along, I got a Yukon instead of the mini-van route. Best thing I ever did ;)
 

Kunker

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When my kids came along, I got a Yukon instead of the mini-van route. Best thing I ever did ;)

Having owned a Suburban (same vintage as Adrian's) and driven a number of mini-vans at work, the van is by far easier and handier to own, and the price point is a hell of a lot more appealing to me. Even if they are pretty :rainbow: That said, I miss that damn Suburban as it was pretty comfy, and cheap to maintain. Minivans are definitely a disposable vehicle in comparison (only have experience with Caravan's FWIW).

Bunch of the guys here at work have the Pilot and love it, read the same thing about the Highlander. Driven a Durango for a while (rental), and not a huge fan of it to be honest. I'd love a newer Yukon/Tahoe, but they are $$$.
 

2Greys

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Yukon is probably the biggest we would go. Remember I have a wife who is 5'3 who has to drive it. :D

I think the contenders are (in no specific order of preference):
Dodge Durango
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
GMC Yukon
Chevy Tahoe

Through Autotrader, the pilot, Yukon and Tahoe are not easy to find used. For the pilot getting a reasonably newer one the closest is like Kingston.
We are definitely going used and figure 2010-2012 years
 

2Greys

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Having owned a Suburban (same vintage as Adrian's) and driven a number of mini-vans at work, the van is by far easier and handier to own, and the price point is a hell of a lot more appealing to me. Even if they are pretty :rainbow: That said, I miss that damn Suburban as it was pretty comfy, and cheap to maintain. Minivans are definitely a disposable vehicle in comparison (only have experience with Caravan's FWIW).

Bunch of the guys here at work have the Pilot and love it, read the same thing about the Highlander. Driven a Durango for a while (rental), and not a huge fan of it to be honest. I'd love a newer Yukon/Tahoe, but they are $$$.

With the van the biggest detractor is lack of 4wd. We get enough crap days in the winter that as far as I am concerned makes it more needed than AC in the summer (this week excluded :) )

Size wise the only time we would need the extra room is when we have everyone in it which would be maybe once or twice a month on average but the libby is now 12 years old and is starting to see its days. It is still all intact but I can see rust perforation starting to happen in the next couple years and if we had the room I would keep it as it would make an awesome winter beater. So it is going to have to go (Anne is sad as she loved it).
 

Kunker

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Yukon is probably the biggest we would go. Remember I have a wife who is 5'3 who has to drive it. :D

I think the contenders are (in no specific order of preference):
Dodge Durango
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
GMC Yukon
Chevy Tahoe

Through Autotrader, the pilot, Yukon and Tahoe are not easy to find used. For the pilot getting a reasonably newer one the closest is like Kingston.
We are definitely going used and figure 2010-2012 years

The Trailblazer/Envoy was available with the 7 passenger seating as well, 5.3 as an option, and has been pretty reliable for us. Even with the 4.2, it's a nice vehicle to drive. TB SS with the LS6 is even more fun, and AWD for winter :D
 

2Greys

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Hard to find a newer one than 2010 (did they discontinue them around the whole bailout?)

Twice the price I want to take on but Mitko would be proud:
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes...0141103110822574/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=8_15_8

The Trailblazer/Envoy was available with the 7 passenger seating as well, 5.3 as an option, and has been pretty reliable for us. Even with the 4.2, it's a nice vehicle to drive. TB SS with the LS6 is even more fun, and AWD for winter :D
 

trixter192

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Will you consider a 7 seater 4runner, Sequoia, or Suzuki GV XL7?

Lexus or LC200 would be nice, but pricey.

Do you dogs need actual seats? Even a 5 seater 4runner has a lot of room for dogs to lay down in the cargo area. Roof rack also means you can carry everything you need.

Not biased whatsoever. I do like my Boss' Trail Blazer. None of my Ford work trucks and cars have ever failed me either.
 

2Greys

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Will you consider a 7 seater 4runner, Sequoia, or Suzuki GV XL7?

Lexus or LC200 would be nice, but pricey.

Do you dogs need actual seats? Even a 5 seater 4runner has a lot of room for dogs to lay down in the cargo area. Roof rack also means you can carry everything you need.

Not biased whatsoever. I do like my Boss' Trail Blazer. None of my Ford work trucks and cars have ever failed me either.

Actually I would prefer 5 seater as the seats in the back of the liberty have been folded down for almost the last 8 years and have been up maybe a total of 3 days in that time. The intent of the a 7 seater was it was looking difficult to find a 5 seater with adequate cargo space behind them so we would be folding down the last row anyways and half of the middle row. The dogs don't stand (Jeep and George definitely don't) so we want to have enough room that they can lay down. Right now all three of them can lay down no problem. Will have to look at the above as I just assumed they were smaller than the highlander (also forgot about the Zuk)
EDIT: just looked at the GV, doesn't look to be bigger than the liberty. Also the Sequoia is like the pilot and hard to find in the area but will keep that in mind as well.Just realized I should have been looking at the 4runner more than the highlander. I got the two mixed up of which was the bigger one.
 
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2Greys

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I also forgot that I like Volvo's. They are sensible, last forever, and have tons of space.

And the price to go with it :)

The XC90 is not badly priced in the 2010-2011 years, problem is closest one is in Mirabel. Ottawa is a desolate market for midsize SUVs
 

Function > Form

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I have the same thing mulling about in my head. Need something newer and a bit bigger, but love the lib. Probably will keep the lib for fun as it's really not worth too much.

I've also considered the 7-pass Pathfinder, not the current model, the blockier one. Also had considered the 7-pass 4Runner, but they are a bit tight on space and are expensive as hell. Has a V8 option though.

Armada? Big, V8, 4WD, hard to find though.
 

2Greys

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I have the same thing mulling about in my head. Need something newer and a bit bigger, but love the lib. Probably will keep the lib for fun as it's really not worth too much.

I've also considered the 7-pass Pathfinder, not the current model, the blockier one. Also had considered the 7-pass 4Runner, but they are a bit tight on space and are expensive as hell. Has a V8 option though.

Armada? Big, V8, 4WD, hard to find though.

The 4runners are not that much more than the Pathfinder but they are harder to find.
Now minivans..... christ, you can't walk two steps without tripping over one.
 

Function > Form

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Yeah I think the lesser availability drives up the price on the 4Runner. I feel like the interior shoulder room would be better in the Pathfinder as it has a more square cross section.

Eff minivans lol - except if they ever have a new version of the Astro ....with a 231 and a lift that is...

Wish they had more 7-pass options with diesel power.
 

2Greys

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On average I am finding maybe 3-5 of any type of 7 passenger SUV within 100km in my price range (the only exception is Honda Pilot which is 1 and is in Kingston). The only thing stopping me from getting a minivan is lack of 4wd. The prices are like half and the interior space is redonculous.
 

Function > Form

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Hard to find a newer one than 2010 (did they discontinue them around the whole bailout?)

Twice the price I want to take on but Mitko would be proud:
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes...0141103110822574/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=8_15_8

Isn't the Enclave on the same platform as the Envoy? Seems to be around your price range if the G was 2x. I know nothing about them though...it's got a little 'Gramps' style going on. :/

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...er/1087252160?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Lincoln MKT are pretty quick and pretty lux inside; the exterior ...some love it some hate it.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/ottawa/2012-lincoln-mkt-awd/1081241429

Sequoia just listed today - cheap with high kms, but could spend the balance of what you are planning on refreshing it - not sure what your goals are.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ll/1087242625?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
 
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