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Mike Goetzke
09-05-2018, 2:07 PM
She has narrowed it down to Pathfinder or Traverse. The Pathfinders are 2018 and have very good incentives. The Traverse are mostly 2019 with little incentives. Looking for passenger space and (for me) hauling capabilities.


Any experience with these vehicles appreciated.

Matt Day
09-05-2018, 2:36 PM
My Subaru Ascent is supposed to arrive any day. 5000 pound towing capacity.

They start at $33k or so IIRC, and my Limited is about $40k.

Wade Lippman
09-05-2018, 3:38 PM
We just looked at everything, one size down from what you want, and got a Subaru Outback.
So I would agree with Matt and recommend you look at the Ascent. Haven't seen it, but Subarus are always good.

Jim Becker
09-05-2018, 4:40 PM
My Subaru Ascent is supposed to arrive any day. 5000 pound towing capacity.

They start at $33k or so IIRC, and my Limited is about $40k.

Congrats on your new Ascent, Matt! Subaru did a great job with this new vehicle and I'll be looking at it closely when it's time for my next ride.
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Mike, I'm unfortunately unfamiliar with either of the two vehicles you mentions. I'm an "expert" on Grand Cherokee and the Subaru offerings, however.

Art Mann
09-05-2018, 6:48 PM
I think there are better options than either one of these but if I only had the two to choose from, it would be the Nissan.

George Bokros
09-05-2018, 7:14 PM
I think Nissan is having sales issues that is the reason for the good incentives. Near me they are selling 2017, yes I said 2017, models at up to 40% off sticker.

Jim Becker
09-05-2018, 7:41 PM
I think there are better options than either one of these but if I only had the two to choose from, it would be the Nissan.
I will agree with this for sure...of the two stated, I'd pick the Nissan.

Larry Frank
09-05-2018, 7:49 PM
I had a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer that I loved but bought a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and really like it.

There are so many levels of the various models that it takes lot of looking at all the options. I wanted something easy to get in and out and the back up cameras.

Take your time and look at the options carefully.

Mike Goetzke
09-05-2018, 10:18 PM
Thanks for the input. I looked quickly at the Nissan, Subaru, and Chevy. I'm partial to the Chevy Traverse. It seems more like an SUV than a crossover car style SUV and most impressive is it will fit a 4' wide sheet stock in the back.

Jerome Stanek
09-06-2018, 7:17 AM
Let the wife decide she is the one driving it and remember happy wife happy life

Wade Lippman
09-06-2018, 2:49 PM
Thanks for the input. I looked quickly at the Nissan, Subaru, and Chevy. I'm partial to the Chevy Traverse. It seems more like an SUV than a crossover car style SUV and most impressive is it will fit a 4' wide sheet stock in the back.

Sounds like you made a choice.

John M Wilson
09-06-2018, 3:25 PM
I'm partial to the Chevy Traverse. It seems more like an SUV than a crossover car style SUV and most impressive is it will fit a 4' wide sheet stock in the back.

My wife has a Chevy Traverse and likes it quite a bit. I did use it to haul sheet goods before I got my pickup. Fitting a full 4' wide sheet was very tricky (had to tilt it on an angle) so I would usually have the store do the first rough cut so that I didn't have to worry about dinging up her trim.

It's very quiet and has a nice ride. We like it a lot on long trips, as the capacity is ample for people, luggage, or whatever.

Bryan Lisowski
09-06-2018, 3:26 PM
Mike, check out the GMC offerings that are closest to the traverse. When I was looking GMC seemed to offer better deals/incentives than Chevy even though both are GM vehicles.

Art Mann
09-06-2018, 3:51 PM
If you look closely, I think you will find that the Traverse is of unibody construction, just like most other SUVs. If you really want to know whether it has any guts, check the tow rating and payload specifications.


Thanks for the input. I looked quickly at the Nissan, Subaru, and Chevy. I'm partial to the Chevy Traverse. It seems more like an SUV than a crossover car style SUV and most impressive is it will fit a 4' wide sheet stock in the back.

Matt Day
09-06-2018, 6:14 PM
Most suv’s In this class can fit a 4x8 sheet at least on an angle. I used to worry about that and wanted it in my next vehicle (there’s a thread about what vehicles will fit 4x8 sheets), but I don’t anymore since buying a cheap trailer makes a lot more sense. I use that trailer all the time and it’s a heck of a lot easier than cramming things into the car.

There are 2 Traverses in my neighborhood and they seem happy with them. Don’t forget the Highlander, they’re rated #1 by consumer reports, but the Ascent hasn’t been fully reviewed yet I don’t think.

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Thanks Jim! Looking forward to finally getting my hands on it, hopefully soon.

Van Huskey
09-06-2018, 6:32 PM
Most suv’s In this class can fit a 4x8 sheet at least on an angle. I used to worry about that and wanted it in my next vehicle (there’s a thread about what vehicles will fit 4x8 sheets), but I don’t anymore since buying a cheap trailer makes a lot more sense. I use that trailer all the time and it’s a heck of a lot easier than cramming things into the car.

There are 2 Traverses in my neighborhood and they seem happy with them. Don’t forget the Highlander, they’re rated #1 by consumer reports, but the Ascent hasn’t been fully reviewed yet I don’t think.

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Thanks Jim! Looking forward to finally getting my hands on it, hopefully soon.

First 100% agree on the trailer, DIY stuff/wood can be tough on an interior...

Second 100% agree on the Highlander. If you keep a vehicle for 2-3 years it doesn't make much difference what you buy (well maybe unless it is a Fiat Chrysler product) but if you plan to keep a mid-sized CUV for the long term the Highlander (or Lexus RX) are absolutely the best bet.

Mike Goetzke
09-07-2018, 12:15 AM
Most suv’s In this class can fit a 4x8 sheet at least on an angle. I used to worry about that and wanted it in my next vehicle (there’s a thread about what vehicles will fit 4x8 sheets), but I don’t anymore since buying a cheap trailer makes a lot more sense. I use that trailer all the time and it’s a heck of a lot easier than cramming things into the car.

There are 2 Traverses in my neighborhood and they seem happy with them. Don’t forget the Highlander, they’re rated #1 by consumer reports, but the Ascent hasn’t been fully reviewed yet I don’t think.

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Thanks Jim! Looking forward to finally getting my hands on it, hopefully soon.

Maybe I’ll check out the Highlander too.

FYI - the new Traverse fits a 4’ sheet of ply FLAT with maybe 3/4” to spare.

Strange, I looked at the Acadia with my wife and since it has 2-3-2 seating it is narrower than the Traverse maybe 45” vs 49”. The Buick Enclave is nice plus 49” wide but sort of pricey.

Ole Anderson
09-07-2018, 10:05 AM
My 2015 GMC Acadia (same older platform as the current Traverse) would fit 48" sheet goods flat on the floor but not quite shut the hatch. My 2018 Acadia is on the new smaller crossover platform 700# lighter, only 43" between the wheel wells, but on a recent 250 mile trip up north I got 29 mpg with the 310 hp V6. And it sports a more advanced AWD and with a 4000# towing capacity towed my 4 place enclosed snowmobile trailer just fine. I really like the styling. Partial to GMC, as my FIL worked there his whole life and we still get the employee discount. Being in the Detroit area we are not as open minded with other than the big 3. I can still get 10' boards in with the front up on the dash. Third row seating is for very small folks though.

Yonak Hawkins
09-12-2018, 6:04 PM
Based on this thread, I bought a Toyota Highlander today. Figuring I'm mostly retired, I traded in my pick-up truck and I will sell our "people-mover" van.

Jim Becker
09-12-2018, 7:24 PM
That's a good vehicle, Yonak. Enjoy!

Matt Day
09-12-2018, 8:51 PM
An excellent vehicle Yonak! They’ve got a lot of history in that suv, lots of well planned little things too.

Only reason I choose the Subaru was I liked the way it drove better and liked the cvt transmission. Oh, and I’m a Subaru guy! But I considered everything, from Ford Transit Connect to minivans.

Jim Andrew
09-14-2018, 10:05 PM
If you look at the used market, there are a lot of older Toyota Highlanders around, that still look good that are well over ten years old. Saw a nice 03 the other day.