Help on picking an SUV

[virtuamike]

Rodeos are on the small side. I'd say you'd have just as much hauling room as a Pathfinder, if not less. If you want room and power, get an Explorer or even a Durango (plenty of both). Besides Durango should be in your price range, but when they say 13mpg, they mean 13mpg. I agree, try to stay as close to $500 above invoice as possible. It helps big time if you tell them you're financing a huge amount or if you're interested in buying an extended warranty (only if you need it though, most cases you don't). That'll get more money for the dealership in the long run. Only reason they fight so hard for initial price is so the salesperson has some extra take-home cash, the manager is probably more interested in long term cash than short term, more bonuses for them.

 

[dieselstation]

I own a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo LS which i bought back in Sept. I have to say that it's a REALLY NICE truck. not a single problem so far. The truck looks good with nice and clean lines and not too wussy like the RAV4 or CRV. The size is not too big and not too small. power is awesome cuz it's got 210hp which at the time was the most hp in it's class. I don't know if things have changed since sept. But the main reason i bought it was the price was $24,500 total including tax/license/allthatothercrap. It's got a 10yr/100,000 mile warranty which is the longest in america at the time. The ride is decent but the tires do squeal when you do a full turn at even at low speeds. the interior quality is very good. I live in CA, and it costs me about $25 to fill up the gas every week which gets me about 300 miles. the reason i chose the Rodeo was that it was CHEAPER then the Passport (same car, different name) and Pathfinder and 4Runner, better looking then the Explorer, smaller then the Durango, and better then all the small SUVs. reliability has been a nonissue but then again, i've only had it since sept of last year. Over all.. a REALLY REALLY good ride for a ridiculously small amount of money for a midsize SUV.

Pictures here

Forgot to mention that mine is 2WD since we don't get much foul weather here in Southern Cali. The price was another $1000 for the 4WD version.

 

[virtuamike]

I agree, Rodeo is a great midsize, wouldn't go with the Passport. I heard they changed the ride on the Passport, wanted it smoother. At the price it's a great deal esp if you get good financing. But if you're looking for something bigger, check out a Durango or Explorer, really depends on what you want in an SUV. If the Rodeo is big enough by all means get it, it's a great SUV.

 

[~zonker~]

Go look at the Ford Escape.. with a V6 automatic and all the trimmings. I just got the scaled down version and I am very happy with it. It's a mini SUV, but there is plenty of room for five adults and a decent amount of storgae space.. It has a very smooth ride for an SUV, great handling, and with the V^ and 4WD there is nothing you couldn't do with it..

 

[perry]

Try buying the car through AutoByTel... Supposedly a very easy no haggle buying process. Just go into the dealer when you're ready to sign the papers. You can also look at the invoice and MSRP of the car on the same screen. Like invoice price on that Montero is 26,077 while MSRP is 28667. Don't pay more than 26,100, maybe even less if you can get some of the holdback.

 

[Static911]

suburban?

Static911

 

[ScAndal]

Static: Midsize, The suburban is bigger than my apartment

Thanks for all the info guys. I love this forum, You guys are
always such help. I will windup saving lots of money cause I'm
going to pay 27k max, since invoice is a hair over 26k.

To those that recommend the Ford Explorer. I will not buy this
vehicle, simply cause everyone in the world has one. It is a
nice vehicle, at a nice price but its too common.

I sure do like the 0.0% financing on the Isuzu Rodeo. I'll let you
know tomorrow what happens on the test drives.

Thanks a million,
ScAndal

 

[prontospyder]

Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango.

Doesn't Isuzu have a new SUV out....called the Axiom or something?

 

[dieselstation]

the Isuzu Axiom is based on the Rodeo chassis.. basically, same car, different bodystyle. but i think it's butt ugly.

 

[ScAndal]

I agree, I saw a couple Isuzu Axioms at the dealer and they are not pretty.

ScAndal