Purchasing new SUV help?

[bobcat]

Have you looked at the Subaru Forester?

(2014 Motor Trend SUV of the year)

[FC]

They're definitely better than Jeeps of the same vintage.

No argument there! Heeps are the only thing that could compete for worst POS against em! 

Toyota/Lexus or Honda/Acura for longevity indeed, tough to go wrong there.

Have you looked at the Subaru Forester?

(2014 Motor Trend SUV of the year)

Excellent choice as well.

[Dhoey07]

Have you looked at the Subaru Forester?

(2014 Motor Trend SUV of the year)

We have a 2011 forester and it has been nothing but great to us, but the OP said he needs to be able to tow a boat and i really don't think that the 4 banger would toy anything.  They do make a turbo'd Forester than might tow.

[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. 

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.

Once again I go assuming that a person on the other side of the internet is of a similar background to me  If you own two houses paid for, free and clear, then you likely don't need a lecture in debt and financial responsibility. I offer that advice wholesale because most people looking for a new car usually have no business buying one.  As I alluded to above that's usually young toolbags early in their career (i.e. me) who by God's blessing have managed to  land a good job and therefore "can afford" the car payment, but otherwise are riddled with a mortgage, student loans, and no nest egg of cash. Some attach their self esteem to the condition and value of their vehicle, others find the status it brings necessary in their career growth. Ie what the boss sees you drive into work each day.

I look at a car as a depreciable tool and not a status symbol. I happen to ignore them when things are going well and find them a headache when I've got either a payment or mechanical problems.  Debt or not, I think its foolish to own depreciating vehicles that equal 50% of your annual salary. Say your annual household income is $50,000 and you own $25,000 in vehicles.  Its just beyond my comfort level. YMMV and I appreciate peoples right to disagree. I hunt, commute, like 4wd, and have a growing family. Despite all those particularities being satisfied by my vehicles, the total value of all our autos is less than 15% of my annual household income. This keeps me free from car payments, keeps insurance low, and keeps me emotionally detached from my vehicles. I got rear ended once and took the $1,500 insurance settlement and threw it in my bank account. I didn't even bother fixing what amounted to a cosmetic impairment of the bumper only.

If I were a financial advisor (I'm not) I wouldn't have a problem with you buying that new car on a loan. But to stimulate thought: what is the opportunity cost you speak of? Ie earning interest on the money. Banks are paying what, 0.25% right now? To me, I'd rather just pay cash and be done with it. That's exactly what I did with our last two purchases and there's nothing like driving them away after purchase and knowing that there isn't a bill for a payment coming in the mail in a few weeks.  Then you can focus all your energy on building up your 401k or IRA or both   

Congrats on owning the houses outright 

[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?

 
Seems logical to me.

Once again I go assuming that a person on the other side of the internet is of a similar background to me  If you own two houses paid for, free and clear, then you likely don't need a lecture in debt and financial responsibility. I offer that advice wholesale because most people looking for a new car usually have no business buying one.  As I alluded to above that's usually young toolbags early in their career (i.e. me) who by God's blessing have managed to  land a good job and therefore "can afford" the car payment, but otherwise are riddled with a mortgage, student loans, and no nest egg of cash. Some attach their self esteem to the condition and value of their vehicle, others find the status it brings necessary in their career growth. Ie what the boss sees you drive into work each day.

I look at a car as a depreciable tool and not a status symbol. I happen to ignore them when things are going well and find them a headache when I've got either a payment or mechanical problems.  Debt or not, I think its foolish to own depreciating vehicles that equal 50% of your annual salary. Say your annual household income is $50,000 and you own $25,000 in vehicles.  Its just beyond my comfort level. YMMV and I appreciate peoples right to disagree. I hunt, commute, like 4wd, and have a growing family. Despite all those particularities being satisfied by my vehicles, the total value of all our autos is less than 15% of my annual household income. This keeps me free from car payments, keeps insurance low, and keeps me emotionally detached from my vehicles. I got rear ended once and took the $1,500 insurance settlement and threw it in my bank account. I didn't even bother fixing what amounted to a cosmetic impairment of the bumper only.

If I were a financial advisor (I'm not) I wouldn't have a problem with you buying that new car on a loan. But to stimulate thought: what is the opportunity cost you speak of? Ie earning interest on the money. Banks are paying what, 0.25% right now? To me, I'd rather just pay cash and be done with it. That's exactly what I did with our last two purchases and there's nothing like driving them away after purchase and knowing that there isn't a bill for a payment coming in the mail in a few weeks.  Then you can focus all your energy on building up your 401k or IRA or both   

Congrats on owning the houses outright 

You make some great points BC, I was just asking the question because of the way you came across as to buying new. I have never bought a new car/truck in my life, hence maybe the reason I'm in the financial position I'm in, now I'm about to turn 48 and I am still having a hard time with it. Can I afford it yes, will it make the wife happy yes, is there anything wrong with whats she's driving now other than it won't pull a boat no, if I don't buy it is she going to divorce me after 27 yrs hmmm we'll see. Sometimes asking these simple kinds of questions on a forum can save a guy 40k. Thx

[4fletch]

I am looking also. Have a 93 grand Cherokee had to replace the heads. A auto machinist friend said jeep  v 8 do have problems at times. I have noticed on Craig's list quite a few used ones have had head gaskets replaced.

[Bean Counter]

You make some great points BC, I was just asking the question because of the way you came across as to buying new. I have never bought a new car/truck in my life, hence maybe the reason I'm in the financial position I'm in, now I'm about to turn 48 and I am still having a hard time with it. Can I afford it yes, will it make the wife happy yes, is there anything wrong with whats she's driving now other than it won't pull a boat no, if I don't buy it is she going to divorce me after 27 yrs hmmm we'll see. Sometimes asking these simple kinds of questions on a forum can save a guy 40k. Thx

Cheaper to keep her! Buy her the car, boss. Make it happen!

[jeepster]

Get a jeep!

Grand Cherokees are awesome

Don't forget the 4 door wrangler

[jackelope]

I am looking also. Have a 93 grand Cherokee had to replace the heads. A auto machinist friend said jeep  v 8 do have problems at times. I have noticed on Craig's list quite a few used ones have had head gaskets replaced.

99-02 or so 4.7L v8's had cracked cylinder head issues from time to time. If I remember correctly they fixed the problem on the newer ones. 99% of the time you'd get a #1 cylinder misfire. The plug gets caked up because of the cracked head burning coolant. There's also some head gasket issues too, but mostly cracked heads.

[Mongo Hunter]

Had a 96 Ford Explorer Sport back in 03. Ball joints went bad on me twice and had to put in a new tranny at 110K. replaced it with a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 60k on the clock. Over heating problems (New radiator, 2 water pumps and a thermostat) and an electrical short I chased till I sold it. This whole time I was surrounded by Toyota's (04 cammery, 03 Tacoma, 04 Tacoma, 00 Rav4), so my next rig was a 09 Tundra...Never gunna look back, its been a fantastic truck. so my vote is for the 4runner.

[luv2hunt]

Had a 96 Ford Explorer Sport back in 03. Ball joints went bad on me twice and had to put in a new tranny at 110K. replaced it with a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 60k on the clock. Over heating problems (New radiator, 2 water pumps and a thermostat) and an electrical short I chased till I sold it. This whole time I was surrounded by Toyota's (04 cammery, 03 Tacoma, 04 Tacoma, 00 Rav4), so my next rig was a 09 Tundra...Never gunna look back, its been a fantastic truck. so my vote is for the 4runner.

Thanks Mongo,
I am leaning that way, if only I could get over the looks of the newer 4Runner body style it would be a no brainer. I do like the fact that the 4Runner comes standard with the class III tow receiver where it's a $500.00 + option with all the other vehicles. My Dad had a 03 Sequoia limited and sold it to my brother, it has 230k on it now and the only thing done is water pump and timing belt replacements. I have been looking for a 07 Sequoia limited (last year of that body style) but they are next to impossible to find (in the right color that is). I guess it's time to start test driving and see who the winner is. Thanks to everyone for your help.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Look at the Honda CRV, too.

[Mongo Hunter]

If you don't like the 4runner what about the highlander, FJ, or Land cruiser? are they too big for your garage?

[6x6in6]

The Mrs. daily driver is an '08 Ford Escape.  2nd owner and bought it with 20k on it in late 2010.  74k on it now and not a single issue.  She's driven twice to southern Colorado and another trip there this summer.
Good grocery getter, decent MPG. 
I'm luke warm to it.  But I'm 6-2 and 210 lbs but I shoe horn my way in.  I'd rather drive one of my full size trucks.   

[6x6in6]

Jackelope - what's the service department skinny on the Edge?