OT - Please don't hate me because I need one of these...
 

My business dictates a need to get a new SUV. My '94 Explorer feels close to giving up the ghost. I've looked at small station wagons (Volvos and the like), but I'm not sure they'll work with some of the larger framed art pieces I have to carry, which, as a shameless plug, can be seen at clampettstudio.com.

I've narrowed myself down to a GMC Envoy or a Ford Escape (the Ford, if supercharged, does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds ;) ). And I'd really like to stick with something American made. Hummers need not apply.

I'd like to know if any of you guys have other recommendations or experiences with the two brands listed above.

Thanks in advance.

What's so bad about having a tow/support vehicle ? :D

I don't have any time w/ the ?medium? size stuff, so my experience may not apply. As far as the heavy duty consumer trucks go, I wouldn't go near a Ford again. My '99 F250SD PowerStroke was nothing but trouble and I didn't ask that much from it. Just short of 4 years ownership I took a $14K loss on it and it's GMC 2500HD (w/ Isuzu diesel) makes me kick myself for not doing this sooner.

I really got sick of Ford's better ideas and things failing, plus the GMC cruises, hauls and handles better in the mountains.

Volvo, yes they have just came out with a suv, i just seen one up close in black and i thought it was a great looking suv, in silver the big black bumpers stick out a little but not bad, We just got out first Volvo sedan this past spring and the wife really likes, (i had to put 17' wheels/tires on it) heres a link, it is bigger then it looks in the picture, Kevin
http://www.volvoxc90.com/home/

Guy I work with has the Honda SUV and I rented the Volvo one a while back. Am impressed with both.

When you look at the cost of operation and security the Honda is hard to beat but the Volvo has been one of the safest cars on the road for eons. Were my family to be in one, it would be the Volvo...

Lets face it, anyone with a family is not going to make it with a 911 and will have to have something with more room... Find a lease turn in, two or three years old and in good shape and enjoy!

Joe

The suv just came out weeks ago, i would be careful with the honda, you may find that the build quality was poor on the cvx, lots of complaints, lots of lemons, Kevin

Really? Mind if I ask happened with yours? I have logged tens of thousands of hard-duty miles on those trucks, and have had very little trouble. Just curious.

Those Isuzu engines are sweet, though, no doubt.

DTW
 

Tens of thousands are exactly what I logged on mine. 75,000 as a matter of fact, and the Isuzu engine is in excellent shape. Transmissions are another deal - I broke one and that cost 5k to replace. It's going through some electrical gremlins as of now, and just "feels" tired. Nonetheless, it is a workhorse, and I'm sure it can go another two years, but I'd hate for something horrible (like another transmission) to go bad in it. 5k is about what its worth.

As an aside, I thought of modifying it a little to get some new life in the truck. Explorer Express, for those interested, is a good place to go. Heck, I may still go that route, though the possibility is remote.

why not a Durango, or Jeep?

rattlsnak
 

Again - transmission problems. I've heard Jeeps and Durangosare notorious for broken gearboxes.

My girlfriend has a 2002 Envoy, it has so many gizmos and gadgets I feel lost. Very comfortable truck, very easy to drive, with lots of torque. Too big for city parking, but worth it nonetheless.

My first Jeep was the old Grand Waggoner, great car, real big, for just me and my dog.
Next was a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, 170000 miles. Still have it, great car, great tow rig, I have towed trailers with Porsches on them from Seattle to Portland at 80 MPH, no that was 55MPH.
Now I have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited,25000 miles great car, I would recommend to anyone. The dog died,so it's just me.
Still have the 1995 Jeep, great parts running car and all around tow rig.
Craig C. Laughlin CAMP 914

I would rather get a HUMMER!


Then think about what SUV to buy;)


Chris

Up until recently, I'd have recommended a Jeep Cherokee - but my parents' one that I'm using while my 911 is off the road blew a heater hose and stranded me last week, leaving me with a 20 mile hitch-hike home (water-pumping POS). Fortunately, my parents have one other vehicle (another air-cooled flat six, if I'm not much mistaken, of the 1970 Chevy pickup truck variety :D ) that I've been able to use in the meantime...
which doesn't help much.
What about an Audi stationwagon, or would that be too small?

The Audi and Volvo offerings are nice...
 

...so are the Subarus. I think these would make good alternatives to the traditional SUV, and to some degrees, cheaper to buy and maintain. Interior space is a main concern.

The new Volvo is especially nice. Thanks, Kevin.

But as an aside, any one have experience with the Audi and/or Subaru wagons, AWD or standard FWD?

Thanks again.

I've had great luck with Jeep Grand Cherokee . My first, a '93 ran flawlessly till 150,000 miles when I sold it to get a '00. My '00 has 50,000 miles. Again, no problems. I pound my Jeeps a bit, taking them flyfishing all over the Sierras.

same boat
 

We were in the same boat just a few months ago...we looked at the Escapes and the Envoys and everything else on the market. We finally ended up with the new Jeep Liberty, which most know replaced the regular Cherokee. It's pretty much my wifes car, but it has a 3.7 inline six which gets up and goes pretty good. It has already been from NC to FL twice with no problems, gas mileage is good, and if you do need to tow anything its rated at just above 5000 lbs. It is by far not as large as one of the Envoys and the likes, but has alot of room for two and our 90lb lab, we really like it. Just my 2 cents. Also you might want to check what your insurance will be, our insurance quote for a Mitsubishi(sp) Montero Sport was almost $100 more than for the Liberty
Ryan