I need a ride!!

February 15, 2008 9:03 AM

Need opinions before I buy a new car...

I'll be getting a new car in the next week or two and I've researched myself to death. I've narrowed it down to two models. The Acura MDX and the GMC Yukon. Both have similar packages and goodies, the Acura fares a little better with higher resale value. Does anyone have any experience with either one? Would you buy either one? Why or why not? Also, wanting to move from a large SUV to something smaller (hence the choices) and I want to be sure that they are family friendly. Family friendly as in we still have several years of carseats, strollers and such ahead of us. Thanks again and I'm open to any other suggestions you might have.

posted by pearlybob to shopping (12 comments total)

Don't buy products "engineered" by people in Detroit. Period.
posted by Jay Reimenschneider at 9:05 AM on February 15, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

As much as I would like to say something that would help the U.S. auto industry, I must echo Jay R: General Motors is a dying auto company. One that may survive, but that is bleeding and looking for every possible way to cut costs. Moreover, they do not understand that the way to save the company is to improve their products. They think that incentives and financing are the way to sell more cars. In reality, the solution is to make a better product. They may learn that someday, but they haven't figured it out yet. Furthermore, the American car companies do not seem to be run by people who actually like cars.

Bottom line: A car company that is bleeding and dying is going to pass the pain on to you through low quality and poor service. It may be that a low price will justify that for you. But it doesn't for me.
posted by The World Famous at 9:10 AM on February 15, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Couple things:
Do you really need 4 wheel drive? It's an incredible energy suck, even if you can turn it completely off.
The gas mileage on these things suggests that you might as well keep the behemoth. (If I drive nice, I can get 18mpg out of a fullsize ten-year-old pickup truck with an old iron-block v8.)

How many kids do you have? Two adults + 2 kids plus small strollers would fit in a Mazda 5-door.
posted by notsnot at 9:16 AM on February 15, 2008

If fuel economy is a concern (guessing this might be an issue since you are moving from a larger SUV), but you still want something larger and more capable, test-drive the Highlander Hybrid. Lots of room, AWD, Toyota reliability and hybrid economy. A great vehicle.
posted by WinnipegDragon at 9:22 AM on February 15, 2008

My ex had a Yukon which I absolutely hated. It was like driving a bouncing ball. I never really felt like I had control of the thing. I have no direct experience with the Acura but would expect that the quality of the vehicle is MUCH higher.
posted by Carbolic at 9:24 AM on February 15, 2008

Find a 5 year old version of each on a used car lot and test drive those to get an impression of what they will be like down the road. you said you've researched yourself to death, but have you driven them both? With the recent fall of the dollar compared to the yen, GM may be more competitive now. US automakers biggest problem is their high labor costs and continuing benefits packages for retirees. Way to screw yourselves out of the marketplace, unions!
posted by Daddy-O at 9:38 AM on February 15, 2008

If you really want family friendly, look into a minivan. I know some people dislike the very idea of a van (like my wife, who had a very nice Honda Odyssey for about a year).

I upgraded our mid-size rental car on our last vacation to a minivan, and it was great for our two young boys, our oversized suitcases, and whatnot. Gas mileage is much better than an SUV with less interior room and often less trunk space (my mother-in-law's Yukon can hold virtually nothing in the trunk when the last row is in place).

They're much easier to get kids in and out of, you can get them nicely equipped with all the DVD players, leather, etc if that's what you're looking for.

And on a related tangent, I don't know if you meant an actual new vehicle, but you can save a bundle by looking at just a year or two old with very few miles, often still under the original warranty.
posted by shinynewnick at 9:39 AM on February 15, 2008

We have an acura MDX and highly recommend it. It is not based on a truck chassis and therefore has more safety features and better ride and handling than something like the Yukon. Honda reliability is also excellent. The resale value did not enter into our decision as we plan to drive it into the ground.

Since we bought it in 2004 we have driven from GA to TX, Maine, and chicago as well as shorter trips without a hitch. I like it so much that when I had to replace my beloved Miata I also got an Acura (car, not SUV).
posted by TedW at 9:44 AM on February 15, 2008

Thanks everyone! I think I am going to go for the MDX just for the reasons listed above. I've had 5 various toyotas (all great cars) and sadly, moving back to a domestic would probably be a disappointment for me. Also, I'm not going to be towing anything so the car aspect/drive feel of the Acura is attractive. I really appreciate all the responses. Really helps to get first hand opinions!!
posted by pearlybob at 12:43 PM on February 15, 2008

I've noticed at least one person here already saying that you're best not buying a US-designed vehicle.

As a happy Honda owner on my fourth Honda vehicle, I heartily recommend Hondas. And Acuras are fancy Hondas, so this would feel like a no-brainer to me.
posted by SlyBevel at 12:45 PM on February 15, 2008

Consumer Reports raved about the Toyota RAV-4, especially the one with the 6 cylinder. Otherwise, I'd say Acura.
posted by electroboy at 12:52 PM on February 15, 2008

I have to speak up for the V6 RAV4. That's what I'm driving (2007 Sport model), and it is bar none the best vehicle I have ever owned.

I would have recommended it alongside the Highlander, but I thought it was a bit too small given the other models you were looking at.
posted by WinnipegDragon at 1:01 PM on February 15, 2008