I have zero complaints on the RAV4 it has the 3.5 V6 with plenty of scoot but yeah it's a little loud and the short wheelbase is less comfortable than others . I will keep the Highlander in mind . What about Nissan Pathfinders or Toyota 4Runners ? Or in the go big or go home category what about Nissan Armada or Toyota Sequoia ?

We do not need AWD or 4WD and being retired we don't put the miles on like we did when working . So would prefer a front wheel drive or rear wheel drive only in a perfect world . I hadn't considered a wagon but a Volvo or maybe a VW diesel wagon could be a good way to go . Keep the suggestions coming .

The choice is obvious

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Add Volvo wagon to my previous suggestions. Ours has been very reliable, easy to work on and the parts aren’t expensive. We bought a beater too... so for $10-15k you could get a pretty nice one... perhaps still under warranty? Maybe?

a lot depends on what you want out of it... just a high seating position, or some off-road (includes two-tracks)??

if the former, a used RX is very nice (but way too soft for bad roads)

Mazda seems to have the best handling

RAV4 hybrid is pretty good on bad roads; good fuel mileage

CRV & Mazda have nice interiors

Sube is good for bad roads, and I hear good things about the RAV4 hybrid for that too

My favorite thing about my SUV is it feeds plants CO2. They love it.

Just having rented a new RAV4 I have to second what was said. Bumpy, loud, cheap interior. Pass!

Marauder.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1557192535.jpg

At $15-20K, you are looking used...

For a "soft" soft-roader consider:

1) Buick Envision
2) Caddy XT5

If you have one nearby, hit up the local carmax if only for the convenience of seeing mulitple brands for sits and tst drives without having to go all over creation. Then, if you can cut your list down to 2-3 models, find the one that hits the most needs.

Any thoughts on a 2011 Volvo XC90 ? Found a low mileage FWD with a straight six . 3rd row seating it's a nice looking vehicle . Found online so may call the dealership tomorrow . Any specific items to look for on these in regards to trouble spots ?

An XC90 could be a good choice if it has low miles. How low on the 2011? Built like a tank and well screwed together, ridiculously safe. From the time it came to the US in 2003 until early 2014 (the last year of that body style) it was involved in 94 fatal accidents in the US. 89 of them were in the other car. The XC90 V8s were very cool- 4.4L V8 built by Yamaha got virtually the same fuel economy as the 3.2L six and feels worlds more luxurious. Probably soft on the market due to perceived gas hogginess. 2011 was the last year of that gem- but don't get a Sport or R-Design. They're not comfy.

I'd say the main issues with the XC90 has to do with the AWD models. They have some trouble spots like anything- clock spring, front control arm bushings. Steer clear of an early T6 AWD with the 2.9L six. Tranny trouble galore. Have a PPI done by somebody who knows the car. Kind of old to put a warranty on it.

I was going to suggest a 2015ish to 2017 XC60. Maybe a budget buster, but a CPO warranty could be upgraded to 10 years from the car's original in-service date with either 100,000 miles or unlimited miles. Those upgrades are $2,500+, but well worth it. A later (2012-2016) XC70 is a great car- probably more trouble than the XC90, but cushier. Heavy and solid feel. The T6 3.0L is the sweet one.

Part of a comfort discussing means seat comfort to me. In that, Volvo excels.

I bought my daughter an older model with the 2.5 turbo and I cannot say it has been a pillar of reliability. Stuff just seems to fail from motor mounts to shifter sensors to strut bearings and on and on. It drives great but I just know that although I bought it once I seem to be paying for it over and over.

The 2011 I found online has 61,000 miles which I think is low mileage . They are asking $12.5K which may be a little high but the pics look like it is mint . Yeah that Yamaha designed 4.4 sounds like a sweet motor .

Wow after posting above I found another 2011 also with 61,000 miles for $8995.00 ! I sent an email via CarGurus to the selling dealer for more details on the vehicle . It is also a six cylinder and FWD only which is fine for our needs .

A guy I work with bought his wife a new volvo about three years ago.
He tells me she's put almost as many miles on the loaner car as she has her car, because it's been the shop several times and usually needs some obscure part that will take three weeks to get.

He's not very happy with it.

it could be cheap for a reason

or it could be a great deal - you'd only be out 9k (as long as you avoid tossing stacks of dollar bills at it, time after time)

I see huge numbers of these things around here, so they can't be all bad. I also recall some good things being said about that inline 6, but not sure what it was...

Virtually all the reviews online for model year 2011 XC90's are very positive . Some complaints about wishing for more power out of the six is about all I can find . I think if you dig deep enough or talk to enough folks you will find an unhappy customer on ALL brands . By today's standards a 2011 is an archaic vehicle but I'm okay with somewhat simpler .

That sounds like a 2016 XC90 T8.

I like the Mazda CX-5 a lot. That being said, I just bought a used Jeep Cherokee in Feb. It's a roll of the dice regarding reliability. Some people have no problems at all. I really enjoy driving it. It's super comfortable and Mercedes quiet inside. The V6 is a sweet engine. The 2014 and 2015 had transmission issues that are mostly fixed with software updates. The later ones are supposed to be much better. I did buy an extended warranty, which I've never done in my life, so I assume the next 48 months and 48K miles will be completely trouble free! :D

One of the main drivers in this search for a vehicle is my wife's crazy notion that we need 3rd row seating :rolleyes: We are retired and it's just us two and the dogs in the house . Yes we have our oldest son and his family near by ( 3 grandchildren ) but we rarely have more than 5 in the car . But being married for 41 years this year :eek: I know when to pick my battles ;) That's another reason why I want to keep the costs as reasonable as possible . Having said all that I realize a larger vehicle that has a 3rd row will " probably " be a comfortable car/truck to drive as long as your not the one in the very back seats :D

Sue would " like " to have a 3rd row but she agreed she doesn't " have " to have it so there is some flexibility . That opens up a huge window of vehicles that could fit the bill . One of the 2011 Volvo's I discussed earlier has been sold . The other for 8995 is still available but the Carfax shows possible odometer rollback tampering :eek: so that one is out ! This morning I found a 2010 XC90 with a 6 and FWD with 42,000 miles and clean 2 owner Carfax they are asking 12,995 . I am getting ready to call them but I have looked at the Carfax report and all looks legit . And yes I do know the report is only as good as the info that was reported to the data base . The online pics of the car support the low mileage . If I can get 3k - 4k for the Toyota on trade value that gets me to a difference of about 9K or so which I would just pay cash and be done . If not no biggie we just keep looking :D

Whatever you decide, be sure to test drive it. Don't just "buy a price". My wife was set on replacing our Sienna with a small Volvo XC60. Then we drove one.. She realized it was too small and a bit hard to see out of. Test drove a bunch of "must have 3rd row even if its useless" SUV's. Settled on the Highlander.