From: todd@cleo.abt.com (Todd Nix)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Opinions: 4runner, Explorer and Pathfinder
Date: 12 Jan 93 17:41:01 GMT
Organization: Alternative Broadcast Technology

>duncan@informix.com (Duncan Moore) writes:
>>I am still waiting to hear from all of you who have 
>>recently purchased loaded 4runners, Explorers or
>>Pathfinders.  Several people have requested that I
>>post the results of my inquires, but I have not had

I just spent the the last couple of weeks test driving SUVs.
Here's a very quick run down of what I found. Keep in mind
that my most important criteria are 1. ride&handling, 2. comfort&styling
Room is nice, but not the major point. They're all big enough for me.
I wanted to see how they drive. If they don't drive as well as I like,
I won't enjoy it, and I'll have wasted my money. All other conveniences
are secondary to the ride. These are sorted by order of preference.

1. Nissan Pathfinder
	The handling is way beyond what anything else has to offer.
	I'm a little put off by the dash styling...it could use some
	updating, but the outside is great looking. The steering gives good
	feedback and is predictable. Ride quality is excellent. Seat
	support is also good. If I get a better job, I'll buy a new one;
	otherwise, I'll look for a used SE. If major amounts of room is
	you main selling point, then the Pathfinder might not be for you.
	
2. Toyota 4Runner
	The biggest minuses for the 4runner are the price, lame Toyota
	dealers, and the small back seat room. It's a bit slow, but drives
	well. Excellent styling, great dash and controls. I can't believe
	that dealers are still tacking "Additional Dealer Profit" on the
	stickers. I actually drove a used one, since I was so turned off
	by the Toyota dealer who had 4runners in stock. The other Toyota
	dealer didn't have one for me to drive.

3. Isuzu Trooper
	Huge! The Trooper drives very well, comes with a lot of very nice
	standard features, and looks much better with the new styling. The
	seat was a little too flat for me, I'd like some more lumbar support.
	
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
	Very nice interior, but the seats are a bit squishy. The ride is
	good but the power steering is awful. You get no feedback, and it
	is difficult to hold it straight with a side wind because the
	centering is so vague. Nice power. The suspension can handle very
	well and would be really nice if the control could match it. This
	would be higher on the list if they would fix the steering.

5. Isuzu Rodeo
	The new V6 for '93 is a great improvement; plenty of power off the
	line. The price of the new V6 is approaching the bottom end of
	the Trooper which gives you more room, a better ride, and more comfort.
	The Rodeo's ride is a bit busy, but after a while I got used to it
	and found it to be a really fun vehicle to drive. If they were
	still as cheap as they were 2 years ago, this would be higher on 
	the list.

6. Mazda Navajo
	Mazda made a major mistake. This year they only offer brown interior.
	Whatever happened to grey? I didn't like the way this drove, very
	squishy...almost made me seasick. Up and Down. Up and Down. Not a
	bad layout, comfort is nice, but that suspension needs help. I didn't
	bother to drive the Explorer 2dr or 4dr.



-- 
Todd Nix                                                           todd@abt.com
 Movement1981-1982Power,Corruption,andLiesLowLifeBrotherhoodSubstanceTechnique
Newsgroups: rec.autos