Full Size SUV's

[MarkV]

Full Size SUV\'s

We have been having a frustrating year with our Land Rover Discovery and my wife is starting to tell me, as only she can, that if she doesn’t get a new vehicle, I can forget any tractor related purchases, forever./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif We will start looking at full size 4x4 SUV’s and don’t have any particular loyalties to any given brand. The Suburban and Expedition are larger than what she wants to drive so those are out. Vehicles in the Yukon size range are more what she is interested in. I don’t follow the car market much so I thought I would ask my friends here for advice.

What are “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” on the current line up of larger SUV’s?

Any good web sites to look at dealer costs and options available?

I sure will appreciate any information or options you have to offer.

Thanks,
MarkV

 

[GarageSmoker]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

I don't have one and will follow this thread for guidence on next year's purchase. I have found Edmunds to be a good source of the information you want on pricing etc.

Good luck;

GS

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://WWW.Edmunds.com>Edmunds</A>

 

[gws]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

I guess the first issues is what wrong with the Discovery? What problems do you need to solve with another SUV?

The Disco matches in size more with the midsize SUVs, and while the Disco is 17 inches smaller is wheelbase than the Yukon/Tahoe The driver/passenger area are similar in roomyness with the exception of headroom. Yukon/Tahoe gets A little better gas millage but not much more.


As for sizes several sizes to pick from.
In Chevy, Suburban, tahoe, trailblazer, blazer
In GMC, Yukon XL, Yukon, envoy
I Ford Excursion, Expediton, explorer, escape.

 

[MarkV]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

Gary,
<font color=blue> I guess the first issues is what wrong with the Discovery? What problems do you need to solve with another SUV?</font color=blue>

The problem has been a relentless engine problem. Rather than get into it all I’ll just say that in the last 6 months the lifters and push rods have been replaced twice, the oil pump and heads once. It is back in the shop again. Besides the cost, the dealer is tired of seeing us and we have long past the point of being tired of them. It has gotten ugly a couple of times now. The biggest issue, besides they can’t seem to fix it, is the wife doesn’t trust it anymore. In the past fifteen years I have learned that it is better to just do what she wants, when she takes the attitude she has about the Land Rover now./w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

Thanks for the reply.

MarkV

 

[Mosey]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

The best SUV ever made with any real comfort was probably the IH Scout, but they don't make them anymore. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is pretty hard to beat, I know they'll take a beating and keep going. We have a Suburban with over 175K and still going strong, but since you don't want anything quite that big, I'd have to recommend the Tahoe, since it's basically the same thing as a Suburban only a little shorter. The full sized width provides extra comfort over the narrower vehicles.

 

[Dozernut]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

We have a Mitsubishi Montero that has been an excellent vehicle. We have over 50,000 miles on it and it has not been back to the shop once, except for routine maintenance.

 

[RanchMan]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

Several folks I know have Suburbans & Tahoes. I won't start the "holy war" of Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge, but I will say we looked/drove just about every brand under the sun before our purchase and seemed to keep coming back to the Dodge Durango ('99). So far it has been a very good vehicle, with a few warts of course.

The biggest issue was that the power window motors seem to have a very short half life (thank you extended warranty!). Apparently though, from what the Dodge folks say, the motors went through a redesign about a year and a half back that solves this issue. Other "breakages" include a sensor in the differential for non-skid breaking (20 minute repair) and an upgrade to the fan/shroud (technical service bulletin from Dodge). None of these cost us.

We wound up getting 4WD w/ the heavy duty towing package (5.9 vs. the 5.2 available at the time, deeper gears in the axle, etc.) Don't get me wrong, it isn't a diesel with regards to towing, but it does just fine on flat land. As a matter of fact, I use it as my primary tow vehicle. In some of the mountains of Colorado (6%+) it WILL struggle a bit with a heavy load, but just about everybody does (including the 18 wheelers). With the 7400# towing capacity, (similar to the Tahoe, etc.) it has enough capacity for my uses.

I've never had a problem with the 4WD (stick on the floor version, no buttons like now) on it, and unlike most folks, I actually use 4WD often - (I didn't get it for "looks.") Never had a problem with anything else either that I can recall, other than that I pointed out above.

My wife really likes it (technically it's "her" car) because it is very nimble and has plenty of get-up-n-go and lots of room - more than you would first think. (I actually use the Durango on the ranch more than my truck since I can store so much and it stays secure when I'm in town.) The turning radius is extremely tight - surprisingly so - and we find the size "just right."

Even if you aren't interested in a Dodge, you ought to drive one just for comparison. I haven't driven the 4.7L, but the 5.9 with the towing package has enough acceleration to get you in trouble with Johnny Law if you aren't careful. Believe it or not, it is quite a bit "sportier" than you may think (and this coming from a guy who used to drive a sports car! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif)

Good luck.

 

[hazmat]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

<font color=blue> In the past fifteen years I have learned that it is better to just do what she wants, when she takes the attitude she has about the Land Rover now.</font color=blue>

Sounds like you better get her out testdriving than listen to us guys tell you which truck to buy./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I'll echo the comment about Edmunds. Great place for pricing info.

I'm kind of curious why the Expedition is too big, but the tahoe is the right size, If memory serves me right the expedition is a just a tad bigger than the tahoe, but smaller than the suburban.

My wife is 5'2". She has a honda civic, I drive a Ford F150 Supercrew. Well I USED TO anyway. At first she was a bit intimidated by the size. Now that she is comfortable driving it, she takes it to work as her commute is shorter.

You can compare specs on the web untill you are blue in the face, but it comes down to, what features are important to you & which dealer is going to give you the best service.

Things to think about(IF they're important to you), towing capacity, ease of seat folding / removing, power pedals (ford), solid axle (chevy & dodge exept for ford exursion) more car like (Mercedes ML, Toyota Highlander, new Honda etc) comfort of seat, view from driver seat, does SHE like the color? etc etc etc.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the major brands (Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Honda, MB, Jeep).

 

[hazmat]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

$.02 more,

Check out a good range of SUV's go for the quicky test drive etc. Tell the salesman up front that you are thinning the pack down & are not going to buy today, might save you some of the "hard sell" headaches.

Once you've got it narrowed down to a 2-3 choices. Go back for an extended test drive. Use it like you would when you own it, highway, rural, city etc. try to park the thing in a lot or two (gives you a better feel for the size). If you tow, hitch it up to your trailer, and give it a spin around the block.

 

[MarkV]

Re: Full Size SUV\'s

Hazmat,
When I said I didn’t follow the vehicle market you unintentionally proved that to be a fact. I was thinking the Expedition was Ford’s big one. What I wanted to say was that the Excursion was bigger than she wanted to drive. Thanks for making that clear. I drive a Ford and sure don’t eliminate them from the equation. My ’99 Ford E250 van has been problem free.

MarkV