Dpeters86

Hi All,

I found a 2014 IS 350 with 25k miles for $21k. I plan on buying a house next year, and may get a dog in a few years. I like to take an occasional road trip with friends (4 at a time?) and aspire to do more biking/adventure sports. I really want an SUV as I've never had one and think they'd be useful, but that's such a great value I'm trying to convince myself if I put a roof rack/hitch on it, I'll be able to do most of the things I could with an SUV (aside from possibly transport a future dog I don't even have yet ). Any thoughts?

E46CT

I'd go SUV. All the signs of your life seem to be pointing to that. No Acura though. Go RX350 or NX200t.

i want a suv/crossover for my next car.

Dpeters86

Thank you. I really like those - the only challenge is I don’t see myself getting anywhere close to that value in an RX or NX. I feel like I’d have to go closer to $30k...maybe I just bite the bullet and take out the larger loan. Thanks, again.

Rhydg1

+1 on that. The 13-18 RDX is pretty much a glorified CRV lacking the SH-AWD of the 1st and current generation.

Sculler75

I don't think the IS is the vehicle you want for the activities you describe so SUV is my recommendation. I believe that model year of the RDX has the Honda V6 with the on demand AWD system from the CRV so it will move and get you through the snow and dirt roads. More room for your future dog too!

Dpeters86

That’s helpful and maybe a little confirming :/. I really like how that IS drives though, haha. Thanks for all the feedback so far, guys...was kind of hoping I could make the IS work

HOMER350

I was in a similar predicament, but we had need for 2 cars. But not the budget for IS and RX without going older than I wanted on the RX. So we went economy on the CUV Hyundai. Fine car great value but its not Lexus or Acura.

The IS fits a reverse baby car seat, and plenty of room for my wife but she's about 5ft tall. I could sit there but uncomfortably at 5' 10".

I did test fit the car seat in the middle, leaving enough room for both front passengers. You would want to test fit your seat and insure its up to the safety standards, but for me looked fine. Would leave no room for rear passengers though.

E46CT

I do like the CRV Hybrid. The Rav4/Hybrid seems kinda cheap looking. I drove the new Rav4, two in fact, and I guess it drives OK. Pretty solid feeling. But it looks cheap compared to the CRV. The CRV comes off as more upscale. Of course there's always the Mazda CX5 which undoubtedly looks the best, but has aging powertrains and crappy fuel mileage. If Mazda could license (yeah right) Toyota's hybrid tech and pair it with the CX5, they'd undoubtedly have the best crossover on the market.