Hello All,
Please I need to get a car - an SUV, preferably. My budget is N2M - N2.5M. I would like advice on suitable options. I'm a new driver so automatic drive only. I don't want a very big car (i.e a 5 seater is preferred). The car needs not be feminine-looking; it could be rugged. Also, I would like advice on what to look out for when purchasing a car (I assume my budget excludes new cars). I know mileage is important, but what is the maximum value I should accept? Any useful suggestions would be appreciated.

SisiJenni: Hello All,
Please I need to get a car - an SUV, preferably. My budget is N2M - N2.5M. I would like advice on suitable options. I'm a new driver so automatic drive only. I don't want a very big car (i.e a 5 seater is preferred). The car needs not be feminine-looking; it could be rugged. Also, I would like advice on what to look out for when purchasing a car (I assume my budget excludes new cars). I know mileage is important, but what is the maximum value I should accept? Any useful suggestions would be appreciated.

What do you want in a car? Or from it?

@smartchoice,
I want:
1. Reliability: I'm not very knowledgeable about cars, so I need one that works fine without me tinkering with, coaxing or understanding some quirk about it. It should be easy to repair, and parts readily available.

2. The car should also be able to weather the rainy season in Nigeria i.e. it should handle potholes, heavy mud and unpaved roads easily, hence my insistence on an SUV (I think).

3. Good fuel economy: This is a nice-to-have, not a must-have. I'm quite flexible on this point.

4. Whilst I would like it to look stylish, function shouldn't be sacrificed for looks. I really do not want a 'girly' car.

5. Estimated period of use is about 2 years maximum.

Thanks for your reply, smartchoice.

This
https://www.nairaland.com/1924600/reg-lexus-gx470-2005-2.3m

SisiJenni: @smartchoice,
I want:
1. Reliability: I'm not very knowledgeable about cars, so I need one that works fine without me tinkering with, coaxing or understanding some quirk about it. It should be easy to repair, and parts readily available.

2. The car should also be able to weather the rainy season in Nigeria i.e. it should handle potholes, heavy mud and unpaved roads easily, hence my insistence on an SUV (I think).

3. Good fuel economy: This is a nice-to-have, not a must-have. I'm quite flexible on this point.

4. Whilst I would like it to look stylish, function shouldn't be sacrificed for looks. I really do not want a 'girly' car.

5. Estimated period of use is about 2 years maximum.

Thanks for your reply, smartchoice.

This
https://www.nairaland.com/1924600/reg-lexus-gx470-2005-2.3m

Look for a Toyota Highlander ....2005 2008. Check the prices on . to have a good idea of the price range....toks whatever you do please don't buy a Nigeria used car. No matter how clean it looks. .. Get a toks it will serve you the two years without stress. Also talk to femmy2010.

op...... Dia's nothing like an economical suv...... Except you want to buy one with 4 cylinder engine....

For me, i dont like the Highlander cos of its small compact size..... Abi which kind medium size suv get same size with rav4/cr-v.....

I hope you'll like the acura..... You can park it beside any car without feeling intimidated

www.nairaland.com/1926244/2004-acura-mdx-stunning-luxury

oweniwe: op...... Dia's nothing like an economical suv...... Except you want to buy one with 4 cylinder engine....

For me, i dont like the Highlander cos of its small compact size..... Abi which kind medium size suv get same size with rav4/cr-v.....

I hope you'll like the acura..... You can park it beside any car without feeling intimidated

www.nairaland.com/1926244/2004-acura-mdx-stunning-luxury

There are economical SUVS.. Honda CRV, Hyundai Santa fe and Kia rio are very economical.. except if you don't believe crossovers are SUVs..

Coldplay007:
There are economical SUVS.. Honda CRV, Hyundai Santa fe and Kia rio are very economical.. except if you don't believe crossovers are SUVs..

my bad..... You're right.... But dos one are mainly used intra city.... U hardly see them on highways ....

Well, for the o.p's requirement of a rugged vehicle that can handle bad roads often, u wouldnt use a crv or santa fe, would u? ....

And with a budget of 2m for a neatly used vehicle..... It'l be crazy to to buy a small suv with 4 cylinders..... U cant even "shoot it small" on the highway except u wan summersault.

By d way, kia rio is not a suv

Coldplay007:
There are economical SUVS.. Honda CRV, Hyundai Santa fe and Kia rio are very economical.. except if you don't believe crossovers are SUVs..

HaHaHaHa Car GURU!!!

oweniwe:

my bad..... You're right.... But dos one are mainly used intra city.... U hardly see them on highways ....

Well, for the o.p's requirement of a rugged vehicle that can handle bad roads often, u wouldnt use a crv or santa fe, would u? ....

And with a budget of 2m for a neatly used vehicle..... It'l be crazy to to buy a small suv with 4 cylinders..... U cant even "shoot it small" on the highway except u wan summersault.

By d way, kia rio is not a suv

I meant sportage.. those SUVs are as rugged as you can get... and those are the only kind of SUVs you can get With that budget...

Bossforeva: HaHaHaHa Car GURU!!!

You should know I meant sportage...

Toyota highlander d year ur budget can afford, thank me later

Thanks everyone. So basically my choice lies between the Acura MDX and the Lexus GX 470?
The Toyota highlander car amuses me; it's like a minivan for mothers, urghh!

So the CRV isn't an SUV? I didn't know that. Any additional info or suggestions are welcome.

You can try the 3rd generation nissan pathfinder, 2005 to 2010 model year. That beast is rugged and not too common and above all luxurious to an extent.

But if you are adamant on toyota product, you can do the lexus Rx 330 you can get a early good one for 2.5m, it is not an offroader but will do pot holes just fine and it is a luxurious vehicle.

I would have recommended the Acura Mdx, it even has a third row seat but I noticed most have K-legs at the back maybe because of overloading or poor maintenance I can't really say.

The other Suv I would really advice is the Honda pilot second generation facelift I think 2006 upwards, its a capable Suv but not too luxurious.

If you are going to use that vehicle in a muddy area please stay away from the Kia sportage it has a bad offroad handling capability but may do potholes just fine

Go for the lexus Rx 330 American Spec full option or Any of the Lexus ranges within your budget,its better 100% than the Acura,i use the lexus Rx 330 for 3 years going so good my friend uses the MDX Acura,wants to sell it off after 1 year...complains so much about problems....

The Lexus Rx 330 is actually made in partnership with the Toyota company and uses mainly Toyota parts.

Here are the contenders.
1. 2005 to 2007 Nissan Pathfinder/ Xterra
2. 2005 to 2007 Lexus RX350
3. The infiniti fx35
I would go with the lexus get the AWD

Take the Lexus GX470 off your list as it is fitted with a V8 engine which is not fuel friendly especially on city driving, make a choice between the Acura MDX and Lexus RX330 as both are great cars within your budget but the Acura fairs better on fuel economy.
Good luck and dont forget to invite me for the christeining.

mikegood:
Go for the lexus Rx 330 American Spec full option or Any of the Lexus ranges within your budget,its better 100% than the Acura,i use the lexus Rx 330 for 3 years going so good my friend uses the MDX Acura,wants to sell it off after 1 year...complains so much about problems....

The Lexus Rx 330 is actually made in partnership with the Toyota company and uses mainly Toyota parts.

Your post shows you know next to nothing about cars, first Toyota is not in partnership with any company to build Lexus cars, rather Lexus is the luxury arm of Toyota and wholly owned by Toyota.
Secondly the MDX is a great SUV that compete favourably with any SUV of its class in the market, your friend prolly bought himself already abused car.

chucky234:
Take the Lexus GX470 off your list as it is fitted with a V8 engine which is not fuel friendly especially on city driving, make a choice between the Acura MDX and Lexus RX330 as both are great cars within your budget but the Acura fairs better on fuel economy.
Good luck and dont forget to invite me for the christeining.

Chucky, the Acura is bigger, heavier, and has more volumetric ratio than the RX. The RX is 3.3L V6, and the MDX is 3.5l V6 which was replaced with 3.7L V6 when it was reintroduced and the old model went out of production.
Hence, the RX330 is more fuel economical than the MDX. Maybe you're referring to the RDX.

oweniwe:
op...... Dia's nothing like an economical suv...... Except you want to buy one with 4 cylinder engine....

For me, i dont like the Highlander cos of its small compact size..... Abi which kind medium size suv get same size with rav4/cr-v.....

I hope you'll like the acura..... You can park it beside any car without feeling intimidated

www.nairaland.com/1926244/2004-acura-mdx-stunning-luxury

Oweniwe, the Highlander is NOT small and compact. It is a midsized CUV. RAV4, CRV, Sportage, Escape etc are compact CUVs.

The highlander is longer, wider, taller and has more internal space than those above mentioned compact SUVs. It competes with pilot.

chucky234:
Take the Lexus GX470 off your list as it is fitted with a V8 engine which is not fuel friendly especially on city driving, make a choice between the Acura MDX and Lexus RX330 as both are great cars within your budget but the Acura fairs better on fuel economy.
Good luck and dont forget to invite me for the christeining.

Except a modest base model almost empty RX330 she can get for approx 2.6m but no less. The full spec with all optional extras installed goes way beyond 2.8m for tokunbo if its got a clean title and genuine custom clearance (with the exception of owner's specific reason for sale).

smartchoice:
Look for a Toyota Highlander ....2005 2008. Check the prices on . to have a good idea of the price range....toks whatever you do please don't buy a Nigeria used car. No matter how clean it looks. .. Get a toks it will serve you the two years without stress. Also talk to femmy2010.

Don't let the term 'toks' mislead you. 70% of imported toks cars have seen too many abuses to be called cars. I actually deem it fit to call them contraption on wheels. Some Nigerian Used cars are way better than some imported Toks.

I know how meticulous I am when it comes to maintenance and usage of my cars, and at anytime, my cars will stand any toks because inside out, I check for the tiniest details and tune them up regularly when I'm at home I carry out pro-active in my maintenance culture.

There are some guys who take their cars to Elizade, briscoe, coscharis, cfao etc to carry out maintenance work on them on regular schedule.

lomomike:


Oweniwe, the Highlander is NOT small and compact. It is a midsized CUV. RAV4, CRV, Sportage, Escape etc are compact CUVs.

The highlander is longer, wider, taller and has more internal space than those above mentioned compact SUVs. It competes with pilot.

i know.... But the honda pilot, acura mdx, nissan pathfinder and mercedes ml are bigger and higher than the toyota highlander size wise.

Thats why i said d highlander is "smaller" in size.

My aunt owns a 3 row Highlander..... The third row is just dia for decoration cos an average size teen/adult cant comfortably sit dia. Only small children would fit in. The interior space is just ok..... Neither roomy, nor cramped.

SisiJenni:
Hello All,
Please I need to get a car - an SUV, preferably. My budget is N2M - N2.5M. I would like advice on suitable options. I'm a new driver so automatic drive only. I don't want a very big car (i.e a 5 seater is preferred). The car needs not be feminine-looking; it could be rugged. Also, I would like advice on what to look out for when purchasing a car (I assume my budget excludes new cars). I know mileage is important, but what is the maximum value I should accept? Any useful suggestions would be appreciated.

If you want an SUV that you will enjoy, go for highlander. It is a car that won't give you problems at all. It is just servicing and fueling only. Using a good car in Nigeria entail the maintenance, most of the car technicians in Nigeria don't know how to repair these cars ( they end damaging them). Even if you go to reputable servicing outlet, the delay is an headache on its own. besides, it the likes of Rafiu, Taju that will attend to your car. Try the Highlander and you won't regret it

lomomike:


Except a modest base model almost empty RX330 she can get for approx 2.6m but no less. The full spec with all optional extras installed goes way beyond 2.8m for tokunbo if its got a clean title and genuine custom clearance (with the exception of owner's specific reason for sale).

The RX is more expensive here because the RX is overrated and overpriced by Nigerians just like every other Toyota cars, MDX got a higher invoice and retail price in North America.
Head-to-head MDX has been a far better crossover SUV than the RX which uses Camry platform(except RX350).
MDX is nicer and offers far better handling than the RX, as fuel economy;
CITY: RX330 19MPG
MDX 17MPG
HIGHWAY: 25mpg
23mpg

SisiJenni, if u fancy Toyota highlander, go for the 2nd Generation 2007-2013.....

Cos i cant imagine anyone in his/her right sense spending 2m on a 1st generation highlander.

Lexus RX is also good. The first time i got into a RX, I was awed at the cosy, neat, and plush interior. The owner drives it daily through floods and sandy roads (typical niger-delta village roads). So it should meet your off road/rugged parameter

chucky234:
The RX is more expensive here because is overrated and overpriced by Nigerians just like every other Toyota cars, MDX got a higher invoice and retail price in North America.
Head-to-head MDX has been a far better crossover SUV than the RX which uses Camry platform(except RX350).
MDX is nicer and offers far better handling than the RX, as fuel economy;
CITY: RX330 19MPG
MDX 17MPG
HIGHWAY: 25mpg
23mpg

No brother, I will have to disagree with you on this. 1st generation rx300 was the 1st true luxury CUV and the highest selling luxury CUV in North America. It was on this many manufacturers started to dole out CUVs which would compete with RX. Till date none have hit that sweet spot. Guess what, even Merc ML still looks at the RX's annual sales figure with envy.

The price one pays for an RX either brand new or used, is based on sterling build quality, awesome comfortable non sporty cruise, luxury etc. May I inform you some models of RX300 '97 MY had the nakimishi sound system and Navigation system, HID and genuine leather sitting surface, auto dimming mirrors etc which I know was a novelty then and merc couldn't offer them.

The MDX is bigger, yes, its sportier yes, but is it a market pace setter?
NO!

Guess what, 2006, RX introduced 400h which was instant hit in N. American markets. Americans and Canadians aren't stupid, infact Americans would gladly embrace fords, chrysler etc but the reality of better cars available made them have a rethink. Same thing is happening to Nigerians.

By the way, oga how you dey?

mikegood:
Go for the lexus Rx 330 American Spec full option or Any of the Lexus ranges within your budget,its better 100% than the Acura,i use the lexus Rx 330 for 3 years going so good my friend uses the MDX Acura,wants to sell it off after 1 year...complains so much about problems....

The Lexus Rx 330 is actually made in partnership with the Toyota company and uses mainly Toyota parts.

It is not made in partnership, it is an actual Toyota product.

"Lexus (レクサス Rekusasu?) is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus