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Hey Guys!
Quick Intro: Sunny from FL here. Hope everyone's having a fantastic day. I'd like to know your opinions on the following vehicle considerations.
I have these options in mind:
1. Ultimate Hyundai SantaFe AWD
PROS:
- Price - 35/36K for a fully configured one
- Reliable (also this is not a 1st gen vehicle)
- Excellent daily driver
- Panoramic Sunroof
CONS:
- 4cylinder
- Not offroad oriented (may be okay for what I do)
- Not worth of upgrades like suspension / offroad tires / ...
2. Kia Telluride (S / EX)
PROS:
- Good for camping and long drives
- v6
- Good for mods and making it more offload capable (build)
- Better than SantaFe for offroad
CONS:
- Reliability? (being a first gen. I'm aware of the 10k/10yr warranty)
- Price (I know the features vs. price thing - but this is an overall budgetary constraint)
- I really wanted an SX with Nappa leather all all (I know I gotta pay to play - SX variant can take a backseat for now; May be investing that extra 10K in stock market is a smarter choice?)
3. Toyota 4Runner TRD OFFROAD PREMIUM
PROS:
- Super reliable (I think I can drive this thing until 300K or 400k and still may be able to pass this down to my boy!)
- Capable offroad
- Great for modding
- If considered, May be wait for 2020 model with TSS-P and push button start? (Old reliable engine with some creature comforts!)
- Probably can get for around 41/42K out the door (expensive than SantaFe, but cheaper than Telluride)
CONS:
- Super dated and not efficient (definitely a con, but not a big one as its super reliable)
- Noisy
- Not comfortable (can be fixed with aftermarket suspension? or get one with KDSS)
Although a fan of efficiency, I don't care too much about fuel economy. I even considered a ScatPack, but I had to drop that idea cuz I wanted a family SUV for road trips and not just a weekend toy! RIP ScatPack (the test drive blew me out of the water! it was super fun!). Dodge Durango R/T was fun too! but, again, Dodge reliability and blah blah (another topic for another day) and Durangos aint cheap!
I am looking for an ultimate road trip vehicle with the most offroading being like 10% of the time and it would be not more than few muddy / national forrest roads and campgrounds. Not into wheeling.
I love the idea of in-vehicle camping, but not sure how often I would do this.
May be I can go with a cheaper Kia Telluride, but I don't think I can get an EX for about same price as Ultimate SantaFe? Also, do I go for ultimate version of a smaller SUV or basic / midrange version of a bigger SUV?
Looks are subjective and I think I am okay with the looks of all three! They all have their flaws, but yeah, whatever!
I currently drive a 2006 Hyundai Sonata and it has 180K miles. Runs like a champ! I do my own maintenance on the vehicle.
I'm now ready to buy a new vehicle and probably build it over the years and make it more like family! Also, I know that they may not be in the same class - but those are my considerations
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and comments. Cant wait to hear from you guys!
Quick Intro: Sunny from FL here. Hope everyone's having a fantastic day. I'd like to know your opinions on the following vehicle considerations.
I have these options in mind:
1. Ultimate Hyundai SantaFe AWD
PROS:
- Price - 35/36K for a fully configured one
- Reliable (also this is not a 1st gen vehicle)
- Excellent daily driver
- Panoramic Sunroof
CONS:
- 4cylinder
- Not offroad oriented (may be okay for what I do)
- Not worth of upgrades like suspension / offroad tires / ...
2. Kia Telluride (S / EX)
PROS:
- Good for camping and long drives
- v6
- Good for mods and making it more offload capable (build)
- Better than SantaFe for offroad
CONS:
- Reliability? (being a first gen. I'm aware of the 10k/10yr warranty)
- Price (I know the features vs. price thing - but this is an overall budgetary constraint)
- I really wanted an SX with Nappa leather all all (I know I gotta pay to play - SX variant can take a backseat for now; May be investing that extra 10K in stock market is a smarter choice?)
3. Toyota 4Runner TRD OFFROAD PREMIUM
PROS:
- Super reliable (I think I can drive this thing until 300K or 400k and still may be able to pass this down to my boy!)
- Capable offroad
- Great for modding
- If considered, May be wait for 2020 model with TSS-P and push button start? (Old reliable engine with some creature comforts!)
- Probably can get for around 41/42K out the door (expensive than SantaFe, but cheaper than Telluride)
CONS:
- Super dated and not efficient (definitely a con, but not a big one as its super reliable)
- Noisy
- Not comfortable (can be fixed with aftermarket suspension? or get one with KDSS)
Although a fan of efficiency, I don't care too much about fuel economy. I even considered a ScatPack, but I had to drop that idea cuz I wanted a family SUV for road trips and not just a weekend toy! RIP ScatPack (the test drive blew me out of the water! it was super fun!). Dodge Durango R/T was fun too! but, again, Dodge reliability and blah blah (another topic for another day) and Durangos aint cheap!
I am looking for an ultimate road trip vehicle with the most offroading being like 10% of the time and it would be not more than few muddy / national forrest roads and campgrounds. Not into wheeling.
I love the idea of in-vehicle camping, but not sure how often I would do this.
May be I can go with a cheaper Kia Telluride, but I don't think I can get an EX for about same price as Ultimate SantaFe? Also, do I go for ultimate version of a smaller SUV or basic / midrange version of a bigger SUV?
Looks are subjective and I think I am okay with the looks of all three! They all have their flaws, but yeah, whatever!
I currently drive a 2006 Hyundai Sonata and it has 180K miles. Runs like a champ! I do my own maintenance on the vehicle.
I'm now ready to buy a new vehicle and probably build it over the years and make it more like family! Also, I know that they may not be in the same class - but those are my considerations
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and comments. Cant wait to hear from you guys!
