1. Subaru

Hey, scotty i need help to pick out a car for my sister. she looking for a new SUV since her small little 2005 nissan maximum has so many problems to a point where she will go broke. ive told her about a 2004 toyota Rav4 with 123K miles for $2,200 and at a acura Mdx 2005 with only 100k miles for $3,500 but as a stuburn sister she is shes trying to go for a car a little bit newer. both SUV's were clean as heck and very well kept. How can i help her and convice her that both the cars found are good SUV to last longer and for cheaper than the bigger and more expensive luxury cars she wants to get?

I live in a state that snows a decent amount but has very bipolar weather. My dream car is the Lexus IS 350 2014-2017. But I’ve been thinking maybe I should buy an SUV and I really hate the look of the older Toyota RAV4 so I would not buy one unless it was a 2019 model. That being said it’s a newer car and more expensive because I’d want the limited (them heated seats are a must) and it being a newer year insurance and tags would be more expensive as well. I also considered the Mazda CX-5 but it isn’t Toyota/Lexus so I’m not sure how durable and reliable they are. Anyone have any opinions? 

If it snows a decent amount then any vehicle that has 4x4 or AWD will you do much good. I own a 2010 Camaro ss and in the winter time even with winter tires, sandbags in the back and much more to prepare for the winter it still slides around as if I were running slicks on it and trying to drive it in the snow. My truck on the other hand, an 07 Silverado 1500, as soon as it snows I put it in 4x4 and it drives as if the snow weren't even there even with my tires almost bald. Of course i still reccomend to drive it safely whether there is snow or no snow but my point here is if there is any amount of snow that covers the streets where you live then getting a vehicle with 4x4 will be your best and safest way to go.

Base model - Is it a good buy? Also looking for aftermarket options for a Power Liftgate 

Hi Scotty Been a fan of your youtube channel for years keep up the good work very informative and helpful videos.

I am in the U.K and my daughter is about to have a baby and needs a bigger car .She currently has an Audi 2011 A1 and want to get an SUV .She has seen a Nissan Qashqai Tekna 1.2 2015  WITH 60000 Mileage .What is your thought on this ? Or could you recommend a reliable SUV for Uk around £12000 so around $15500 Thanks for your time

Buy a rav4 or crv or lexus rx350

Hi Scotty/everyone.

I'm currently deciding what used SUV to buy, it has come to (no specifically order):

1. 2010 Acura RDX

2. 2010 Acura MDX

3. 2010 Highlander AWD

4. 2011 Honda Crosstour AWD

5. 2011 Pilot AWD

6. 2011 Mercury Mariner v6 AWD

All of them with around 50k miles...

I do requiere awd, as I travel 3 times a week to a ranch trough a 5 mile gravel/dust/mud road and in rain season gets really muddy and no awd cars struggle to go trough (sometimes we need to pull them out). I'm by no means interested in serious trailblazing, just would like peace of mind when going there that Im not getting stuck. Other than that permanent awd in rainy highway might help. It will be my daily drive, so im looking for something not so rugged (and comfortable) and with decent acceleration for highway (4-6 hours of single lane road a week, so i need that punch to overpass trucks and semis)

I might not need something as big as the Highlander or Pilot, but my main concern is reliability. I've read mixed reviews for acuras about torque converter and oil burning issues.

What is the safest bet? Are the issues on Acuras really common?

Can't wait to read your thoughts guys.

Scotty, I’m looking to purchase a used luxury SUV. Looking at a 2017 or 2018 Volvo XC90 T6. Would you recommend this car or not? If not what should I look at? Thanks 

Avoid those Volvos. Get yourself a Lexus or Toyota. 

Obviously you "like" the volvo and you should like what you drive. You could consider leasing a new one rather than 3+ year old used. then after 3 years and no more warranty you could move on. Just something to consider.

I agree with everyone that has answered, you should avoid new Volvo's as they are owned by a Chinese company named Geely and they only have turbo 4 cylinder engines. They are nothing but a problem. You would be better off getting a Lexus SUV instead. 

If your heart is set on a Volvo and you are tired of having everyone tell you Lexus or Toyota, then simply do the smart thing and LEASE one, DO NOT BUY ONE. Forget about everything mechanical for a second and think depreciation. They drop like a rock in value so if you LEASE one you can enjoy it while everything is working and then turn it back in right around the time it would probably start falling apart. Plus on a LEASE everything is under warranty.

If your heart is set on a Volvo and you are tired of having everyone tell you Lexus or Toyota, then simply do the smart thing and LEASE one, DO NOT BUY ONE. Forget about everything mechanical for a second and think depreciation. They drop like a rock in value so if you LEASE one you can enjoy it while everything is working and then turn it back in right around the time it would probably start falling apart. Plus on a LEASE everything is under warranty.

The vehicles you listed are really good choices compared to the rest of the SUVs out there. You should look at each model and see what best suits you and your tastes. AWD or 4WD is a good choice for your situation. Scotty would definitely choose the RAV4 or NX first, but choosing any of the others will not be a bad choice to my knowledge. I wish you luck and hope you enjoy something newer to replace the Audi that unfortunately is giving out.

I would avoid the Subaru's Forester because those years have oil consumption problems, the newer ones don't but the 2015 and 16's do. Also avoid the Subaru Crosstrek all together, they have had quite a few issues and recalls. Other than that the rest of them look like all of them would be great vehicles. Each one is going to have a few recalls because recalls are part of this world, and the Takata airbags have put recalls on a bunch of vehicles. The RAV4 would be the first one, the NX second, and the CR-V third, although if you like sportier vehicles get the CR-V.

The GMC Terrain would most likely be better than the Rogue as the GMC Terrain is quite reliable at that year. Of course a Toyota Rav4 or Honda CR-V of the same year would be better.

Neither. Especially if you plan to keep them for the long term. Toyota and Lexus SUVs are very dependable and keep their resale value the longest. 

Get a RAV4 or CR-V of the same year.

I just bought a Lexus GX470. Lovin' it. (So does Scotty)

I just test drove 2019 CR-V. It was amazing.  Lots of useful features.  Going for this rather than RAV4 which is way out of budget for us. Have to research about transmission.

Scotty has done a video about CX-5.  Have to be careful about changing oil/filter on time oil and transmission fluid. My wife researched that maintenance is more expensive.

I would avoid the Mazda personally just based on past experiences with them. Honda and Toyota both offer better quality.

If you want a good AWD, you can take a look at Subaru. But beware! Some engines are not reliable.

Newer Mazdas can also be decent pick.

Have you ever thought of Volvo XC 70?

I am looking for an SUV for under $4,500, which pretty well puts me in the older than 2010 group - i don't want to finance and $ is tight. I have watched your videos on which SUVs to buy and which to stay away from, which i found most informative and though mainly citing post 2010 models, i pray will roughly translate to the 2004-2010 vehicles of the same make & model.

Now the flip-side - i have found some of the vehicles we have (i have four daughters, all of them driving) easy to work on and some a nightmare - such as my 2001 Isuzu Rodeo that recently died - to change the thermostat i had to remove the entire intake plenum assembly and snake the plenum through under the fuel rail; and replacing the half-shafts was no picnic either.

So how are the Toyota's to work on? The easier the access to the parts, such as starter motors, thermostat (...), plugs, engine mounts, brakes and related components like wheel sensors and ABS system, EGR and everything else, and the lack of needing special purpose built proprietary tools, the better...

Thoughts?

Thank-You!!!

Hi Scotty can you please Tell me about a good reliable SUV. I can buy either 4cylinders or 6 cylinders that is under 10k ? Thank you!

Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 have excellent longevity.

Likely any year. 

I see some questions were merged into one. Am I right?

I have a 2016 Honda CRV that I am thinking of trading in or selling. Is honda still having a problem with oil dilution and should I avoid getting a new CRV due to that. My honda has 75,000 miles and there really is nothing wrong with it but at 72 this might be my last new car if I get one. What do you think?