CR-V vs Ridgeline vs Other Wife car edition

Flight Service wrote: She wants a Wrangler Unlimited but can't find them with the price and miles requirements.

Sorry, but this is what I keep coming back to. If she really wants a Wrangler that's what you should get. if you can't find one that fits the requirements change the requirements. If I brought home a Honda SUV when my wife wanted a Wrangler she would have beat my ass.

Yeah really if she wants a wrangler get it. Resale is high on them when you buy but will be high when you sell.

Bobzilla wrote: I thought there were quite a few suggestions here..... maybe I'm wrong?

Suggestions:

Rav4

Santa Fe

Listen to wife and buy Wrangler Unlimited even though the one she wants is $10K out of our budget (this is a flat no go. The budget is first the car is second.)

Pilot (might as well get the CR-V with about equal space and 30% improvement in fuel economy)

Trooper (I think that was a joke )

Anti-Suggestions:

Santa Fe

Rav4

CR-V gen 1

Ridgeline

My wife has owned an 02 Escape 4wd and currently an 08 Escape 4wd. She like's them alot. I hate SUV's but actually like them. To me the 2008-2012 are nice looking and not too cute. If I'm not mistaken, they get 5 star reliability ratings every year by CR. No real problems with her's. They had 4 speed autos through the 2008 and then switched to 6 speed in 2009 or 2010 I think. MPG's with 2.3L 4WD 4 speed BEST is 23 highway. With the 6 speed my BIL's wife get's a couple more with 4wd (4-cyl). I'm a Honda guy and wouldn't mind owning/driving one as a DD, especially in the winter.

This is what my wife's looks like exactly:

Are FJ Cruisers that cheap yet? They're kindof strange, but i like them. Far better than the Rav4. (I don't really hate the Rav4 either, though.)

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

I've looked into those too. I forget what prices they were bringing. It's still up there I think.

Get a Miata and lift it. Problem solved!

Find a low mileage, rust-free Jeep XJ (somewhat hard around here) and save the money.

Yeah, looks like $20k is the going rate for one that meets his requirements. Bummer.

HindsFeet wrote: Find a low mileage, rust-free Jeep XJ (somewhat hard around here) and save the money.

I wanted to suggest that so badly.

I've seen a few wranglers unlimiteds in the 14-18 range. I must have misunderstood your budget as most of the other SUV's your talking about are similar money.

nocones wrote: I've seen a few wranglers unlimiteds in the 14-18 range. I must have misunderstood your budget as most of the other SUV's your talking about are similar money.

I have found 1 wrangler unlimited slush box, with 155K for $15K Everything else I have found under 100k is encroaching $20K (or int he 4 door verson blowing by it.)

so we now put the es-cape' on the list.

I would like (and she wouldn't mind) a patriot with freedom drive 2 but my god they are more rare than my 6 speed x3

Well a few more in the mix, and opinions are welcome.

2007+ Nissan Pathfinder - seem to be able to find them in my price range and mileage

2007+ Toyota Highlander - Cheaper than the Rav4s I have seen around, I know they are a stretched cute ute but little else.

Jeep Cherokee CRD 3.0 - not kidding here, I have found 3 in the price range and mileage.

so what does the masses think?

I believe we have found a possible winner.

2003 Rav4L 2wd Auto, with every available option (leather, roof, upgraded stereo, rear hatch cover, spoiler, roof rack)

33,000 miles. That it. Local trade, even has the old person can't see the end of the car bump on the RF.

What say you GRM, is this the next vehicle to replace the Mazda5 for someone who just needs the ground clearance of an SUV in a big hatchback?

Oh yeah the wife likes it and I inspected it today. It really seems to only have 33K and garage kept.