Used SUV opinions

**mbrownin** · 03-21-2011, 05:04 PM

Just lookin' for suggestions on buying a used SUV, mainly for my 6'6" son. Car he's driving now doesn't have enough legroom. Our budget is $9-11k, 75k miles or less, gas mileage is a concern with current and possible future gas prices.

At this point, considering Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner, Chevy Equinox, Mazda Tribute.

Any experience with these or others in the category you wish to impart would be appreciated.

**98maro** · 03-21-2011, 05:11 PM

i have had ford explores which is the same as the mariner, they are okay, gas mileage is not to bad,

chevy equinox looks good, i dnt knw bout the gas mileage,
what you think bout the trailblazer?/
i had the 98 blazer gas mileage is horrible,, im hopping the new new 4.2 has better gas mileage.

i bought a jeep 00 v8 few days ago, gas mileage is not to bad.

**mbrownin** · 03-21-2011, 05:19 PM

I'm afraid the gas mileage would suck too much (figuratively and literally) with the mid-size Trailblazer or Explorer. The Mercury equivalent of the Explorer is the Mountaineer. Mecury Mariner = Ford Escape

**HOBS** · 03-21-2011, 05:47 PM

Buy him a Jeep Liberty. Then you never have to worry about him knocking a girl up.

**mbrownin** · 03-21-2011, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by HOBS

Buy him a Jeep Liberty. Then you never have to worry about him knocking a girl up.

Neh. Too fugly.

**98maro** · 03-21-2011, 05:48 PM

My bad I got confused with the mountanieer
I forgot they had one that looks like the escape.

I'll probably go for the equinox.
They look okay.
EScape doesn't look bad but I'm not a big fan of ford.

Did you any research on gas mileage about the options you have?

**HOBS** · 03-21-2011, 05:57 PM

Oh I agree its fugly that was my point. Out of the ones you named tho I don't believe the ford or merc have enough legroom for your son. I think the equinox has the most leg room out of all of them and pretty good mpg to boot.

**mbrownin** · 03-21-2011, 06:13 PM

A little bit of research. Looks like the smaller SUVs, even if it's a V6, will get at worst high teens city, low-to-mid 20's hiway. I don't want to get much lower than that. Mid-sizers (Explorer, Trailblazer, etc) seem to be more like 15/19-20.

**cammed goat** · 03-21-2011, 06:23 PM

How about the Saturn Vue Redline. I think it has the Honda Accord's V6 under the hood. Very sporty with room as well.

**krese** · 03-21-2011, 06:36 PM

my mother in law had an 05 equinox and it was nothing but issues.

i got 17-19mpg in my 06 trailblazer. i loved it and wish i didn't get rid of it.

**davidz28guy** · 03-21-2011, 06:53 PM

you could always do what my friend did who is 6'8, he drives a 4 door 3 series bmw and just moved the seat tracks back until he was comfortable and remounted them, its pretty funny seeing him going down the road looking out the back window

**INMY01TA** · 03-21-2011, 08:26 PM

I'm 6'6 and drove my fathers Equinox from Md to Ny and back with no issues. He's never had any problems with it mechanically.

**Sassy Cassie** · 03-22-2011, 02:49 PM

How about a truck? That way, he won't look like a soccer mom.

**0rion** · 03-22-2011, 02:51 PM

look at Durango's.....love the 05 we have. 156k miles and still running strong, averages 18mpg, gets up to 23mpg on the highway, and is optioned much better than the others for less money.

**KMdef9** · 03-22-2011, 03:27 PM

Jeep Grand Cherokee. 4.7L HO

**bigrondownhiller** · 03-22-2011, 03:51 PM

My buddy has a Jeep Grand Cherokee and he is 6'8" and fits fine. I am 6'4" and fit in most cars fine. Biggest problem is seats. Most are terrible on the back. I have a subaru legacy and fit fine. Still can go back with the seat.

**Schmalgar** · 03-22-2011, 03:58 PM

My mom has always loved Jeep Grand Cherokees. She is on her second now, and my brother in law has one too. They have plenty of room for me, thought I am only 6'00". I think she's said that the newer ones gets worse mileage than the older ones, but if you're looking for used, that might be ok.

**Sassy Cassie** · 03-22-2011, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Schmalgar

My mom has always loved Jeep Grand Cherokees. She is on her second now, and my brother in law has one too. They have plenty of room for me, thought I am only 6'00". I think she's said that the newer ones gets worse mileage than the older ones, but if you're looking for used, that might be ok.

They all get shitty gas mileage.

**310stanger** · 03-22-2011, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

How about the Saturn Vue Redline. I think it has the Honda Accord's V6 under the hood. Very sporty with room as well.

The vue was one of the biggest pieces of shit to ever come out of GM. The honda engine was the only good thing ever put in a saturn besides the 1.9 4 cyls

**mbrownin** · 03-22-2011, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by 310stanger

The vue was one of the biggest pieces of shit to ever come out of GM. The honda engine was the only good thing ever put in a saturn besides the 1.9 4 cyls

Even more so than the Aztec?