Help me decide on my next car

[shane_c]

Hi everyone, So I've moved east and will be taking possession of our house down here towards the end of Oct. My father picked up a beater car for me, it's a 98 Dodge Stratus and he'll be bringing it up to me next week. I've never driven one of these so I don't know what to expect, but at least I'll have some wheels again. So my plan is to drive it for a while so that I don't have a car payment and to save some money up and then get something more my style. I would buy used so that I could keep the payment down. Here's some that I'm considering, let me know if you have any experience with any of them, other than the Vibe of course. I'd prefer something 4x4 because we usually get some dumpings of snow and freezing rain in the winter. And I need enought room behind the back seat for my 2 huskies. They were getting pretty tight in the back of the Vibe. Subaru ForresterFord EscapeVibe AWDNissan X-TrailJeep LibertyJeep Patriot

[northvibe]

My dad has a ford escape and I love the thing. He tested a liberty but didnt like it. I was looking into getting a hybrid escape. The ford escape, mercury mariner and mazda tribute are all the same except the body panels so you could find the mazda a little cheaper and its a tiny bit more sporty. The 4x4 escape is fwd until it senses the wheels breaking loose then does 4wd all automatic (removed) its sooo smooth. Ive never felt it engage but know its there because I took it out in the snow last winter and went a little crazy ahahha. The new hybrid one uses lots of greener materials on the inside too the subie should be okay too but its awd all the time so mileage suffers and well the forrester imo is ugly.vibe awd you'd have to get a used one if you can find one. they are hard to find here in MN.

[drunkenmaxx]

i would just buy an STI.

[Kamikaze]

I had a friend with the Liberty, she hated it. mechanically it was ok, but there was very little room for passengers in the back, it is fairly cramped. I can't vouch for any of the others but the vibe, although never driven the AWD model.

[NibCrom]

Well, we are on a Vibe website, so I'm suggesting the AWD Vibe. Other than that, I would suggest you NOT buy the Patriot. I've heard they might be discontinuing it, which typically hurts a cars resale value. Unless you can get one really cheap after they discontinue it.

[Whelan]

Subaru ForesterNo experience with these, loads of room though, and the AWD is a great system. I'm sure Sublime would vote for this as well.Ford EscapeIf you like trucks, go for it. My cousin and my Aunt and my other Uncle all have them. They are ok, kinda bland and not very comfortable to drive in at all. No issues with maintenance or problems from what I've seen though.Vibe AWDYou will have to get an 06 or earlier model cause they stopped making them. They are hard to find alread, it took me a month to find my XR AWD Trix. They have become a demand up here in the Northeast especially cause of their good gas mileage and AWD capabilities. Nissan X-TrailThis is the new smaller ute from Nissan right? Not the X-Terra. If so, it would be a first year model in the U.S., so I would be skeptical, even if it's from a good company like Nissan. First year models typically have small kinks and bugs. Jeep LibertyLove Love Love Love Love Love Love Love Love LoveMy fience has one, bought it brand new in 05, got a Renegade. She has the external fog lamps, wide body fenders, aluminum rails, lightbar (installed by me), and lots of other toys. It's not a smooth cushy car ride, but you are getting a Jeep! It's fun to drive, it's quick and has a meaty engine. The 3.7L V6 is got gobs and gobs of torque. It will go places any other car you mentioned cannot, even the Subaru. You have a 4-lo and 4-hi selection on the 4WD and this thing can drive through whatever you throw at it. Storage is actually slightly less than my Trix in the rear but the rear seats fold flad. Nice swing tailgate design with flip glass. Not to mention it just looks good. To date we have over 25,000 miles on Louey and not one issue. The engines are bullet proof and you cannot kill this thing.Jeep PatriotNew addition to the family, based off the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass frame. The Patriot is the guys version of the Compass essentially. Nice looking car, it's a Jeep built for regular roads. You will not have the capability of say the Liberty, but it will do what all the others on your list can, get you through slop and look good. It's a Jeep so I would assume the same reliability and fun to drive aspect.

[nygiantzz1]

I would consider the Escape or the AWD Vibe (if you can find one). My father in law has a Jeep Liberty which has been pretty reliable but it's a pretty harsh ride w/ uncomfortable seats. I don't know enough about the Patriot to comment. You can never go wrong with a Subaru, but I don't like the looks of the Forester. As far as Nissan, never liked them, probably never will. My last vehicle was a Ford Explorer and it was very reliable for the 4 1/2 yrs I owned it, gas mileage was terrible, but overall, a great SUV.

[Whelan]

That's the other thing, the Jeep probably has the worst gas mileage of any of those. The ride is a bit rougher than a typical car-based SUV, but I love it, feels rugged. Not to mention my fience looks hot driving around in a guys SUV. We took a 7 hour round trip to upstate NY in it, She's driven it to NC from CT and we have been up to Mass a few times, always felt comfortable for us. But we are young and not in need of plush leather.

[nygiantzz1]

Yeah, my father in law complains about the gas mileage too. I remember when he was shopping around, I tried to push him towards the Rav4 or an Outlander and he wouldn't even consider them.

[Whelan]

We looked at the Saturn VUE V6 AWD as well but she loved the Jeep, couldn't get her off of it, not that I was trying to, hehe. But luckily she only drives literally 5 minutes to work each day so her commute is not bad. She gets an average 280-300 per tank but her tank is 20 gallons. I get that with 12, LOL