OT: new cars, and trucks (opinions needed)

For example, you're listing a sort of compact station wagon (I know, we aren't allowed to call them that anymore...it's an XUV) with two small SUV's. The Vue and Escape have 4 and 6 cylinder options. Make sure you're comparing 'apples to apples' as the saying goes.

The stats on the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix don't look very impressive to me. Reviews don't seem to be very positive either. Looks like an experimental fad that won't be around very long. Should cross it right off the list, especially given that your wife already doesn't like it -- it's doubtful that will change if you get one.

From what little you've said, some cargo space on a budget seems to be the key, so compact SUV is probably what you'll go for. I can only imagine this is going to be a commuting/grocery-getting vehicle. Thoughts I've had while shopping:

Which is more important, fuel economy or power? Compact SUV's seem to mostly have the same weak 4-bangers that compact cars have, but they weigh more and are built to haul more. If you need to climb hilly roads frequently, or will have it fully loaded with passengers and cargo a lot of the time, look for a 6-cyl option or higher-output 4-cyl. Don't let lower fuel economy scare you off -- if you need the power and don't have it, the fuel savings isn't doing you any good.

FWD, 4WD or AWD? FWD vehicles seem to do pretty good in all-season driving. If you experience harsh winters, or expect to find some off-highway uses, opt for the 4WD/AWD. Again, if you need it, you aren't saving anything if you thought you could maybe do without it and end up getting stuck frequently.

In addition to what you're already considering, I agree with the Honda and Toyota assessments. Buying one of those brands is almost a guarantee of 200,000+ miles of trouble-free driving. I've been looking a lot at the Honda Element. It's a lot more rugged and cargo-oriented than the other small SUV's, and I need a truck more than a car. Mechanically, it's based on the Honda CR-V. Most people seem to take one glance at the Element and hate it (it is sort of ugly), but if you really look it over it's got charm and versatility. I haven't driven either Honda, but I've heard very good reviews of both. I'm certain I'll find the engine performance excruciating, but I've only owned two vehicles and they're both V-8 powered (quite a bias there). I plan to check out the Toyota RAV4, as it also looks like a nice vehicle.

If I decide I can live without a pickup, I'd definitely be interested in the Element. It comes in 4WD and could probably handle 95% of the stuff I would ever haul. (Although I'd be itching to get a header, performance exhaust, supercharger and other goodies bolted onto it.)

Good luck! I'm all too familiar with how hard it can be to shop for a vehicle when you don't have anything specific in mind.

Wife's had 2 Ford Escapes ('02 & 04 - she's got her own business, so her money's her business).

Put 28K on the first and 11k on the second with nothing wrong but a rear hatch latch that needed "tuned" to keep out some dust.

Front and rear seat/head room are really pretty good for a "mini SUV". 25 MPG, and it'll run smooth and straight as anything we've owned up to 85 mph. Once in awhile I getta pull the boat with it, and that package weighs in at 1900 lbs, well within th 3500 lb tow limit of the thing...and still gets over 20 mpg.

Plenty of space inside, but if heavy towing is normal for you, this ain't the package...but, it get's around in deep snow like nobody's business. Front wheel drive w/rear assist, it looks rather light-duty from the back, but works well.

If you get one, spend $75 and have 'em put on some aftermarket or OEM mudflaps...the body style allows rock chipping without them. Running boards (small by truck standards) get dirty easy and can be a hassle to step out of the vehicle without getting dirt on pants/skirts or even bare legs.

Overall, about 8.5+ on a 1-10 scale. Dang...and I was actually against the first one. Guess it turned out better than I expected.

At this plant they actually make right-hand-drive versions that are sent back to Japan and sold as Toyota Voltz'. My son's grade-school class took a tour of the plant and it is nice to see that it is keeping a fair number of jobs here in the states. It is the last auto plant left in California.

We ended up with Subaru Outback. Should be taking delivery tomorrow.

I am a Chevy man. Own a 2500 silverado. But absolutely could not justify buying anything from domestic big 3. Most of the smaller vehicles from them have enough foreign parts in them to not call them US made anyways.

BTW, there are lots of websites that have owner satisfaction and reliability surveys.

The dealer sets up owner training for maintenance so your wife will know how to do her own oil changes.

The little I've driven it there is some intake growl little road noise (comparing to my boring Impala LS silence.) Electric PS is light. Car is FWD rear axle kicks in when slippage is sensed. Algohrythm was off early on & allowed smoking the fronts before rear kicked in. Found that when I switched out of diesel dump one day. ABS in snow ice holds the pedal solid not like earlier GM that sank the pedal down.

She says it is not as roomy as old Plymouth Voyager. Insurance company didn't know what it was & tried to charge 3X rate until they got their act together 4/02.

I tried to get her into Jeep Liberty but she had trouble with door sill height.

Grandkids think the VUE is kool!

Comparing to minivan 5 transmissions, 20K mi front brake jobs, failed dash panel, peeling paint, water pumps, fuel pumps, bad ABS, 17MPG the VUE is fantastic!

Two dealer visits: one code update for powertrain, one for engine sensor. One was overnight so they gave her a yellow VUE - she didn't like that color!

steve