SUV Shopping

I am out on the hunt for a new car. And when I say new car, I mean a new car that just rolled off the train from Canada or Alabama or where ever they make cars now.

My car has not survived the brutal North Dakota winters. Every time I walk out to start it in the morning I place a bet in Las Vegas to what will fall off or not work properly.

There is a 3 to 1 odd going for the car not starting at least one time this month. But do you blame the car. Our low temperatures have been in the -30F range for the last month and a half and our
highs have not been out of the negative numbers in months.

My car is not old by any college standard. It is a 2001 but it was definitely not built for the northern states. Leather without heated seats does not greet one so kindly in the morning. One little paint ding from the hail storm last summer has caused a ripple effect throughout the car, causing paint to chip and peel. The radiator is leaking somewhere, where, I do not know. And it is way too cold to be out there searching for the leak. My hood is being held down
by the emergency latch after popping my hood one day to jump start Ryan's car, my cable that pops the hood snapped as temperatures were a balmy -45F that day.

So it is time for a new one.

The new job has provided me with a greater income than first thought. Along side becoming a North Dakota resident (shivers in disgust) my insurance and tuition have dropped faster than the President's approval rating, all combine to allow me to afford such a purchase. Though I will not be purchasing a new auto until late summer, I am still out there looking. And I think I have narrowed it down to three choices.

I want an SUV. Yeah, go ahead hiss and tell me how much it hurts the environment. When you live in a city that does not plow the streets after a snowfall or leaves snow on the streets until it melts, then you can complain. When you can not head out to the hills and have a bit of summer fun because your car wont go off road, then you can complain.

I am getting an SUV but not one of those monsters. A smaller one.

The Chevy Equinox (top) is a good choice. The Pontiac Torrent (middle) is basically the same as the Equinox only slightly more edgy. And the Mercury Mariner (bottom) is another one of my personal favorites. I am starting to lean towards the Mercury but at this point, all three are good options. The Mercury has the better financing options and also throws in premium sound and a moon roof for free. Gotta love that.

Anyone have any personal opinions or other types of SUV's in the same price range and size range that I have not thought about, let me know.