Hi,
I'm looking to buy a used SUV such as Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, Lexus NX, Subaru Crosstrek and Forrester for 2015 or 2016. I'm looking at all the car problems/recalls and I don't know if I should choose from the models listed or I should look for something else. I want to buy a reliable vehicle that is not overly expensive, AWD or 4WD because I live in Canada and snow banks, slushy roads and icy conditions is part of life for 6 months of the year. I like cars that are fun to drive and I currently drive an 2001 Audi a4 quattro that is falling apart. I don't know anything under the hood and I would really appreciate any help I can get.
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
Newer volvos will give you nothing but problems. They look cool and are fast, without a doubt. But they are not good cars. Volvo was bought out by a Chinese company a few years ago and ever since then their quality and engineering has plummeted. I would strongly strongly advise a good used Lexus! It will be a lot cheaper and will be a solid vehicle. Don’t let 7+ years scare you away, these things age at half the rate of volvos. Look into a good used LX or GS series on facebook marketplace or even craigslist. Be sure to do a carfax check. Dealers will sometimes have them but it will cost more. Hope this helps! Scotty would agree, I may be quoting him actually
@subawoo
I agree with this. Volvos are not close to what they used to be. If you are set on getting one lease a brand new one. That way you don’t pay for any repairs and maintenance.
Lexus has fantastic luxury SUVs. And they last a long time.
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!!!
Toyota's are not bad to work on but they're generally extremely expensive so good luck finding one another good price realize you are looking at SUVs which are the most prized and highly price vehicles out there you might think of sedans instead like a Toyota Camry that you can get a much better deal on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsUPlNlNhi8
and heres what I found for >4,500$ https://www.autotempest.com/results?zip=47150&maxprice=4500&bodystyle=suv
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!
2007-2011 CRVs, or toyota Rav4s, highlanders.
Mr. Ranger is right.
I'll also add to stay away from GM, Nissan, Ford, and Hyundai.
Since SUV's are heavy vehicles, I'd say look for 6-cylinder engines for better gas mileage and less straining.
Good luck
I'm looking for a good suv that's fairly cheap that will last me a long time. Preferably something below 2010, good gas mileage, and little to no problems.please leave the car brand, and year. Thank you.
@bryan1282
Toyota 4Runner from any year is a great choice. Highly durable and reliable.
Hello,
I think you may need to elaborate a little, do you require a 4x4, Auto or Manual, and rear door access, tailgate (Mercedes ML) or 50/50 split (Range Rover)
All the Best.
@dvkala
I'm looking for a personal small or midsize suv to drive from work to home. I'm not looking for an awd but mainly fwd and I need an automatic.
Toyota so, Honda are good but a little more troublesome, Subaru, you will be on a first name basis with your mechanic in no time.
All the Best.
Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 have excellent longevity.
Likely any year.
I see some questions were merged into one. Am I right?
@g-t
yes
Not bad. I suggest this is the sticky one so anyone who looks for a SUV, puts his question there. What do you think?
@g-t
Maybe. I'll run it by the other mods
@HillBilly @Inthedetails @Jacksonishere @_Aragorn_7 @nick20s @Readywolf
@g-t
I'm fine for trying/seeing pros/cons and can toggle it easy back.
Just save this post in the Shared Info folder and then we can reference this if we need to. I think Scotty's made enough videos on this topic where we don't need a sticky. Most SVU buying questions can be answered in one post. Thanks for the suggestion though.
@Jacksonishere
Right, but how are visitors going to find that post
@g-t
Just link it: https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/what-used-suv-to-buy/paged/2/#post-10682 <--- save that in the mods sharded forum and then anyone can find it if they need to. Long threads like this are hard to read through for new people to the site and I just link people to Scotty's SUV video and its really simple. I'm glad we have enough people and mods on here now that we see posts like this and most people buying just need a few links to get them in the right direction. This thread is a bit overkill.
@Jacksonishere
Can you please provide a link to the SUV video?
@moountainmanjoe I don't think so personally. I wouldn't want to have to scroll through a bunch of old comments to find newly answered ones, even if I did change the way the were sorted. I like just seeing new questions being posted and answered and then they will slowly get pushed down.
@g-t
Honestly, i find my post entirely lost in the grouping. There might have been one or two other posts dealing with the 2005 - 2011 date range, and as i have seen, just because a 2020 vehicle is great that doesn't mean the 2007 version was any good at all, and same for if the 2007 version was good it has nothing to do with the 2016 version - just see the interspersed chatter on Volvo.
And perhaps my fault for thinking it would be a stand-alone where i slightly deviated in scope to wish to include not only thoughts on reliability, but also thoughts on DIY repair-ability. There's next to no chance whatsoever for that to be addressed now. Any of the Scotty Videos on SUVs to buy appeared to me to strictly address 2015 to present, though i easily might have missed something, so i am just left looking for another forum for assistance. Certainly bunching every question about an SUV together in one big unsortable heap has the "pro" of putting the heap all in one place, but as the "con", as i gave myself as example, i read post after post where the question was not answered.
With respect, just my two cents-
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?
@marcschoenfeld
0W16 oil was developed to cure oil dillution.