Purchasing new SUV help?

[luv2hunt]

I am looking to purchase a new compact SUV for the wife. I have driven the Acura RDX and been looking at the 4Runner and Ford Explorer. Does anyone have the new Explorer and what are your thoughts. I like the 4runner for resale but I'm not a huge fan of the looks. The rig I purchase has to be a compact or it won't fit in my garage, it also has to be able to tow my Malibu boat to and from the launch which is only two miles round trip. The vehicle is for my wife so garage parking is a must. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Crunchy]

I drove a 2013 Ford Explorer for five months.  I like the car which got an average of 20mpg.  Pretty nice ride and handled well.  Its on my list to purchase this year as well as the 4runner, Durango, and Traverse.  Not sure which i will pick just yet.

[Craig]

We bought a Volvo XC60 and love it. The XC90 is a little bigger to pull the boat but still compact.

[huntnphool]

Take a look at the MDX as well.

[jackelope]

I see new Ford Explorers every day. They're far from compact. Really very few mechanical problems with them. Sync software issues are mostly all worked out, good mpg's. Id buy one and probably will in the next year or so.
I'm fairly certain if I do buy one I'll have to revamp my garage storage setup so it fits inside. Its significantly bigger than my '06 Grand Cherokee.

[Hunterman]

Have you looked into Jeep? We have a 2008 Jeep Compus, and the wife loves it. Nice and compact, but plenty big for what we need..

Hunterman(Tony)

[rainshadow1]

Maybe not as new as you're thinking, but I have a Silver 2005 Acura MDX that I'm going to sell. It's a fantastic rig, but I have a 4runner for hunting/fishing/towing, etc, and I have no economy vehicle, so I'm going to let it go and get a 4cyl. Something like 135k on it.

[luv2hunt]

I have nothing against jeeps but have never been a fan of them. I have looked at the MDX but the price substantially goes up compare to the 4Runner and Explorer. My garage door width is 8' and the Explorer is 7' 5" to the outside of the mirrors, its also 6" longer than the 4runner. Do the mirrors electronically fold on the Explorers? If not that's not much room to spare. Thanks

[jackelope]

Do the mirrors electronically fold on the Explorers? If not that's not much room to spare. Thanks

I'm not sure. I believe it is an option. I'll be at work tomorrow and can find out for sure but I think that it's an option. If you're looking at the Explorer, do yourself a favor and have a look at the Grand Cherokee too. Very nice ride. It's down to an Explorer or a GC for us.
Fortunately for me, I get deals on either one.

[Bean Counter]

I don't have much experience with the autos you're considering, but would like to add some financial advice: Pay cash for the car. if you can't afford to do that, you don't have any business buying brand new. Just my humble opinion and I respect anyones right to disagree. 

[FC]

I see new Ford Explorers every day. They're far from compact. Really very few mechanical problems with them.

Is that for more than the first couple years? I used to see an awful lot of Exploders too and their owners were generally pissed about it. Those things have been a disaster for over 20 years!

[luv2hunt]

I don't have much experience with the autos you're considering, but would like to add some financial advice: Pay cash for the car. if you can't afford to do that, you don't have any business buying brand new. Just my humble opinion and I respect anyones right to disagree. 

Can I ask why? I own both my houses free and clear and could pay cash for the rig I choose, but why would you not take advantage of 0% financing for 48 months and keep making interest on your money?

[rainshadow1]

I had a dealership for 10 years, I'm a little out of the loop now, but my standard for Fords was, never unless they're under 50k miles, and (as a private owner) always sell before they get to 100k. The only caveat was full sized pickups, and even then with caution. Toyota/Lexus, and Honda/Acura for longevity.

[jackelope]

I see new Ford Explorers every day. They're far from compact. Really very few mechanical problems with them.

Is that for more than the first couple years? I used to see an awful lot of Exploders too and their owners were generally pissed about it. Those things have been a disaster for over 20 years!

I don't know yet. They're all new as of 3 years ago. The older ones are problems for sure. The ones I see at the dealer...(Read--I don't see old Explorers much...usually 2004 or newer mostly?) are not too bad relative to everything else I've seen. They're definitely better than Jeeps of the same vintage. The new ones are a lot nicer than the old ones, and we make very few serious repairs to them. That's what I know.

[jackelope]

I don't have much experience with the autos you're considering, but would like to add some financial advice: Pay cash for the car. if you can't afford to do that, you don't have any business buying brand new. Just my humble opinion and I respect anyones right to disagree. 

Can I ask why? I own both my houses free and clear and could pay cash for the rig I choose, but why would you not take advantage of 0% financing for 48 months and keep making interest on your money?

 
Seems logical to me.