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Advice needed:

katrina

Well-known member
I'm (kinda) shopping for a four wheel drive with really good gas mileage. All comments are appreciated and those in the peanut row it better be good!

Buick enclave?
Chevy equinox?
Toyota highlander?
Ford escape?
 

hillsdown

Well-known member
Please don't shoot the messenger but I would go with the Toyota.

I want a new car this summer, so I can buy a new one or buy a used one and also get a new tractor. I am looking at a Volkswagen Passat ,maybe even a turbo diesel.

I really want a Toyota but hubby put the stop on that. :(
 

WyomingRancher

Well-known member
I have an 04 Toyota Tundra which gets in the low 20's. It's very nice, and rides like a car. I traded my last Toyota off at 160,000 miles, and never had a problem with it. I also like that this pickup was made in Indiana :D .
 

katrina

Well-known member
hillsdown said:
Please don't shoot the messenger but I would go with the Toyota.

I want a new car this summer, so I can buy a new one or buy a used one and also get a new tractor. I am looking at a Volkswagen Passat ,maybe even a turbo diesel.

I really want a Toyota but hubby put the stop on that. :(

We have a Toyota camry hybrid.... I love it... I'm spoiled now that if it don't get good gas milage I don't want it... I drive 120 miles aday and 80 of that is gravel... I just need four wheel drive with the bad weather..
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
Katrina, I don't think the Buick Enclave is a 4 wheel drive; perhaps all-wheel drive, but not 4 wheel drive. There's already a recall on the
Equinox and I rode in a Ford Escape and thought it was a tin can.
I like the Toyota Highlander but Toyota isn't the greatest as far as mph.
I'd still go with the Highlander. I tried one out, I liked the way it handled
better than the Sequoia. Toyota says Highlanders make 20/27 mpg, but
I take that with a grain of salt;
that's always under perfect conditions. I have a Toyota Avalon and it
gets maybe 27-29 on a trip. That's not as good as some, but I love my
little Avalon. I tried out the Venza and the fuel mileage that got was only
about 20 on the highway...and that was going 300 miles.


Good Luck!
 

balestabber

Well-known member
in northern arkansas,down towards the Buffalo River, near a state forest,south of the Ozarks,is some pretty rough country.there are alot of back roads with some back-woods type people who can make some good moonshine.just let'n ya know that it is TOYOTA country.their advise is that they are tough with good gas milage. i know they coming out with the stainless steel fuel lines now and will take the alcohol/gas the rubber lines wont.like ethonol-----i kinda like the new 4 door with a short box
 

Liveoak

Well-known member
Consumer Reports

The Highlander scores high for its refinement, quiet interior, ride comfort, and flexible and roomy second-row seat. Its 3.5-liter V6 delivers solid performance and 18 mpg overall. The hybrid model gets 24 mpg and drives similarly, and can propel itself on electric power alone at low speeds. Handling is sound and secure, but not particularly agile and the steering feels vague. The third-row seat is tight and does not fold in a 50/50 split. The easy-to-use controls and good fit and finish make the interior pleasant. Cabin access is easy. A new 2.7-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic is available on FWD models. Rated "Better than average" on Reliability

The Buick Enclave is a large, car-based SUV with three rows of seats. It shares a new platform with the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. All use GM's contemporary 3.6-liter V6 engine, which makes 288 hp for 2009. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sometimes hesitates to downshift. We found the ride comfortable and quiet, and the powertrain smooth. Handling is agile and secure. The third-row seat is roomy enough for adults. Fit and finish is excellent. Fuel economy was slightly worse for the heavier Enclave than for our tested Traverse. Reliability of the AWD version improved to average.
CR's overall mileage, mpg
CR's overall milage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city simulation, highway cruising, and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving.
CR's overall mileage, mpg 15
CR's city/highway, mpg
Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city simulation and highway cruising.
CR's city/highway, mpg 10 / 24
CR's 150-mile trip, mpg
Measured fuel usage on CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving.
CR's 150-mile trip, mpg 19


The redesigned 2010 Equinox is light years better than its predecessor. The ride is taut yet supple and controlled, the interior is well finished, access is easy, and handling is responsive and secure. The V6 model has good steering. The Equinox has a larger footprint than most competitors, and GM used that length for a roomy rear seat. Overall, though, it still falls a little short of the class leaders from Toyota and Subaru. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder averaged a respectable 21 mpg but is not particularly brisk and a bit raspy. The optional 3.0-liter V6 is more civilized but thirstier, getting 18 mpg. The transmission is a little pokey, especially with the four-cylinder engine. (no prediction on reliability since this vehicle is new)

The Escape has a roomy interior, spacious rear seat, and good cargo space. Fit and finish is unimpressive and the car is noisy. The V6 provides strong acceleration and 19 mpg overall. The four-cylinder provides adequate acceleration and 21 mpg overall. Both engines are loud. Braking performance is improved. The hybrid drivetrain works well but the ride is unsettled and handling is imprecise. It gets 26 mpg overall, the best fuel economy of any SUV we've tested. ESC is standard. These improvements allow the Escape to now score high enough to be recommended. Rated "Average on Reliability.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

For whatever it's worth, I've had 2 Highlanders. The first was hit by an eighteen-wheeler that crossed over the grassy median of an interstate highway during a thunderstorm hitting the front side of the car with its trailer. Tore the door clean off and blew out the windshield. Myself, two passengers and the dogs were uninjured. I bought another one!
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
I just saw where KIA is made in the USA. I like the looks of them.
On that note, some friends of ours in Washington State bought
their second Hyundi. They really like them. We rode in it, it
was nice. They like the gas mileage, but being low altitude helps
with better fuel mileage.

Let us know what you decide katrina. Good luck!
 

CattleArmy

Well-known member
katrina said:
I'm (kinda) shopping for a four wheel drive with really good gas mileage. All comments are appreciated and those in the peanut row it better be good!

Buick enclave?
Chevy equinox?
Toyota highlander?
Ford escape?

I'm also shopping and have been looking and asking various people.

Chevy equinox - The chevy sales lady here told me she drove one to Omaha and it only averaged 24. For that in my opinion might as well drive an explorer due to more room.

Ford Escape - Ok now I have to admit to Faster Horses I drive a tin can :p but I love it (I've never thought of it as a tin can I've been really pleased with it). A manual transmission can get you 33 miles to the gallon. Mine has been out in the calving lot, the hay field, and all over the ranch. I looked at the new models and they have more cargo area it appears. However I've been told automatics only get around 24.


I also looked at a Ford Edge and it gets around 25 miles to the gallon.

I've seen the commercials for a GMC suv that claims to get good gas millege but have yet to look into it much myself.

My problem is with a fast growing, raised on corn fed beef, boy I wonder if he won't outgrow the back of an escape before I'm done with it. If it weren't for fuel economy I'd already have an explorer. I love how there is a third seat now and it lays flat in the cargo area when you want it to.
 

CattleArmy

Well-known member
hillsdown said:
Please don't shoot the messenger but I would go with the Toyota.

I want a new car this summer, so I can buy a new one or buy a used one and also get a new tractor. I am looking at a Volkswagen Passat ,maybe even a turbo diesel.

I really want a Toyota but hubby put the stop on that. :(

I also looked at Volkswagon diesel cars. I looked at the Jetta. Love the fuel economy but worry about how one will hold up to a deer or if it can get me everywhere I want to go.

Toyota's are more expensive but they sure hold their value.
 

katrina

Well-known member
CattleArmy said:
katrina said:
I'm (kinda) shopping for a four wheel drive with really good gas mileage. All comments are appreciated and those in the peanut row it better be good!

Buick enclave?
Chevy equinox?
Toyota highlander?
Ford escape?

I'm also shopping and have been looking and asking various people.

Chevy equinox - The chevy sales lady here told me she drove one to Omaha and it only averaged 24. For that in my opinion might as well drive an explorer due to more room.

Ford Escape - Ok now I have to admit to Faster Horses I drive a tin can :p but I love it (I've never thought of it as a tin can I've been really pleased with it). A manual transmission can get you 33 miles to the gallon. Mine has been out in the calving lot, the hay field, and all over the ranch. I looked at the new models and they have more cargo area it appears. However I've been told automatics only get around 24.


I also looked at a Ford Edge and it gets around 25 miles to the gallon.

I've seen the commercials for a GMC suv that claims to get good gas millege but have yet to look into it much myself.

My problem is with a fast growing, raised on corn fed beef, boy I wonder if he won't outgrow the back of an escape before I'm done with it. If it weren't for fuel economy I'd already have an explorer. I love how there is a third seat now and it lays flat in the cargo area when you want it to.

Let me know what ya do??? I'm in the same boat.
And drive... All advice is welcomed...
I thought we would drive older sons ranger that he drove, but he took it to college instead of his newer pickup... :roll:
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
Since it is a white-out outside, and I love car shopping, I've been doing
some reading about smaller SUVs. I came across this Katrina and it shows
a different perspective on what to buy. This was Escape vs. Highlander.

"I sold new Fords for about four years and I was even part of the launch of the Escape. It is a great vehicle and is a fine American made vehicle. Your question could be answered by how long do you keep your vehicles if you drive them over 100k then the Toyota is the way to go as it will be more durable for longer. If you only keep your cars for 3-5 years then go with the Escape and save the money .. Another thought the Mazda Tribute is the same vehicle as the Escape Exactly the same except Mazda offers a better warranty."

I know when I buy a vehicle, it's important that a dealership be
fairly close in case I have a problem. That might not matter where you
live; it really does matter here. We would have to go 250 miles
to find KIA or Hyundai; 120 for Honda, Toyota, Mazda, etc. Which
reminds me, I've heard real good things about Honda Pilot.

Are you looking at new?

CRM: on the Volkswagens; their reliablity record is AWFUL. And it
costs a lot to fix them. I lived next door to a car dealer and that's
what he told me. He did sell used ones, but...
 

Turkey Track Bar

Well-known member
Katrina...

If it were me, I think I'd look pretty carefully at the Buick Enclave. My folks drove Buicks for years...they are cars that are built to be fault free and long lasting, yet have great fuel milage. Kinda like good cows, easy keeping, low maintenance, and sound made. A co worker of mine has a Buick sedan and it has over 200,000 miles on it, and it still keeps ticking.

Lazy Ace's grandparents have a Ford Escape...that would be the last vehicle I would buy. It might (and I emphasize might) be fuel efficient, but it is as uncomfortable as can be to ride it, and sure doesn't seem to be very stable (top heavy.)

I can not voice an opinion about the Toyota...

My vote would go to the Enclave...I want (want and need are two different issues) one myself!

Let us know what you do...

Cheers---

TTB :wink:
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
TTB, I don't think Enclave is 4 wheel drive. It's all wheel drive
and that cuts down on the fuel mileage. It sure is beautiful tho,
as is the Arcadia. Here's a review, katrina:

A large, yet midsized luxury crossover sport utility vehicle, the 2010 Buick Enclave enters into its third year with multiple equipment upgrades and a new engine with increased power. Being a crossover, the Enclave offers loads of truck-like spaciousness, but has been built with the unibody construction standards. This means that fuel economy is increased and ride quality is greatly enhanced. The Enclave platform is basically the same as those on the GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse and the Saturn Outlook, yet it is still as different from all of those as a salmon is to a goat.

The 2010 Enclave from Buick has been designed and manufactured to compete with more upscale challengers like the Lexus RX 350, the Mercedes-Benz R350 and the Acura MDX. Its styling standards, both interior and exterior, set it far apart from its lower-scale siblings. Inside of the ultra-modern cabin, you will find crisp illumination, genuine leather and beautiful wood trim. In addition, stylish graphics are included on all display instruments. Cubbyholes are everywhere for convenient storage and slightly more than 115 cubic feet of cargo volume abounds.

Ready, peppy power is provided by the new GM 24-valve 3.6L 288 horsepower 270 lb-ft direct injected V6 engine. Since last year, 13 extra horses and 19 extra lb-ft of torque have been created. It has been married to a CVT transmission. And still, even as an all-wheel-drive vehicle, EPA estimations for fuel efficiency rate at 17/24 MPG. Also, this 2010 Enclave is capable of towing up to 4500 pounds in practical, smooth style. In fact, this could be the finest Buick ever created.

Standard features for 2010 include Bluetooth connectivity, state-of-the-art navigation with real time traffic info, a 110 volt outlet as part of any of the available entertainment systems and a snazzy new rear viewing camera that places its images on your rearview mirror. In addition, the firm, comfortable seats can be ordered with the ability to heat and cool themselves. Second-row seating is available either as bench-style or overstuffed captain's chairs. Your selection between the two will determine if your Enclave will be able to seat seven or eight.

Pricing ranges from $35,165 up to $43,695 for the 2010 Buick Enclave. Trim levels include the CX and the CXL - both available in either a front wheel drive configuration or AWD. There are no plans at this time to offer a diesel, V8 or hybrid version.
 

katrina

Well-known member
Enclaves peaked my interest, but I thought they cost too much... I might have to reconsider that.... What about a cj cruiser??? Highlanders are a consideration.... My camry has me spoiled rotten... :oops:
 

loomixguy

Well-known member
For the money all these new rigs cost, and what repairs run for the foreign jobs, I believe I'd look at an Expedition that's 2-3 years old, and pay the bit of extra gas it takes and have a vehicle worth having. Daddy always said "economy ain't cheap".

Just my 2 cents.
 
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