Kim, you are asking a person who has a Firebird sportscar and a Mini Van. Though we are looking to get rid of the Firebird next year. Emma just doesn't fit in the backseat with her car seat real well. Hubby is sad!

We did test drive a Liberty and it was OK. Hubby didn't like the get up and go... but we were looking at something that can pull a trailer. Also, the seats aren't as comfy.

I have only been the first year RAV 4's. I know they did some upgrades since then, so I don't know about that one.

Don't know anything about the others. Check out their reliabilty tho, SUV's can have problems!!

Good luck

Hey Kay... I will agree that the Tahoe and Trailblazer are better choices, but much more costly than the ones Kim mentioned. Remember that you get what you pay for in some cases. The comfyier ones are more expensive.

Also, hubby told me last week that the mark up on SUV's is astronomical. Like the Ford Expedition profits $30,000. What's up with that!

Jen~
 

I know! I saw the PBS special (yes I am a dork) on SUVs and it was disgusting how much the automakers are profiting. I guess it all boils down to supply and demand economice, but still! They said that the average 35,000 SUV only costs around 7K to make.

As far as the trailblazer and the tahoe are concerned, I really didn't know the price. I drive a 'stang, so I'm not used to paying over 20K for a vehicle. ;) I don't know what we are going to do if we need to get another car. DHs car is a really old boat-mobile and I refuse to use that as my family car. I am thinking about a Camry or an Accord. I also like Jettas, but I don't know how roomy they are.

anywho. can ya'll tell I'm bored? :)

My SUV Two Cents
 

My thoughts on a new SUV would definitely be the Mazda Tribute. They're actually made by Ford and are almost exactly like the Escape, except that I like them a little bit better. I see tons of Escapes here, and have only seen one Tribute on the road, so if you're looking for something slightly more "original", my vote would be definitely the Tribute.

Also, I'm not sure whether or not you like them, but Chevy Blazers are always a good choice. I came really close to buying one but decided that my Sunfire is more practical for me right now... (But I'm still very jealous of you. :))

Kay... that was the same show hubby saw. He is a dork along with you!! HA HA. Actually, he loves trivia, history, etc!!

Jess, the blazer does not exist anymore. It is now a Trailblazer. I had one as a rental car last fall. It is a little larger and higher off the ground. It was hard to throw a super heavy suitcase into the backend because it is high in the back. Nice car tho, for a rental. You can never totally trust the performance of a rental car, they are usually beat pretty hard!

Thanks for all the tips!

I will look at the Tribute, thanks. The reason I was thinking of a mini-SUV, and not a larger one, is mostly because of the price, and also because of the fact that I'm so short (5 feet). One of our company vehicles is an Explorer, and I can barely see over the steering wheel! When I test drove the Liberty, I couldn't rest my foot comfortably on the floor when it was on the gas pedal. (And Jen, I also noticed it didn't have much get up and go.)

The Escape and RAV4 both get highway gas mileage around 27, which ain't too bad. Although my '94 Mitsbushi STILL gets 30 miles to the gallon. How about that!

I think I'm going to check out a few Volkswagons, too, the Beetle and the Cabrio. My dad used to have a Jetta and I never felt very comfortable driving it.

Kim...
 

I drive an Escape and I really like it! It doesn't feel "too big" like a mamma-jamma SUV, but you're higher than the cars, though.
We got ours at around 19,000 (Brett got a discount since he works at Hertz) and it's been well worth it!
Good luck and don't settle!!