I hope they get it ironed out for you Bill h.I have been lucky knock on wood.My Malibu has 9000something miles and no issues.My 05 Buick went through the warranty period with no issues.I just bought a GMPP to cover it for 4 more years I like that car and plan to keep it.I just traded my old 1994 Buick Regal work car with 142000 miles for a used 1999 Buick Century with 80,000 miles. My parents have a 05 Buick Teraza that has had issues.It now has 34,000 miles and goes in Friday for a Check engine light issue.They had to order the part EGR valve to solve this issue.They had a rattle clunky sound awhile back from the front.Turned out to be the rubber bushings were worn at less then 30,000 miles.They also have tire ware issues.There remote sliding door sometimes does not close completly.Plus a few other things early on.There not real happy with the van.I mentioned they should consider a GMPP if they plan to keep it.I think they just might need it.I bought one on my 05 just for piece of mind.Hope I never need to use it.

The Honda CR-V has been top choice for several years. This year (2013) Toyota is trying to unseat Honda's grip on the market and reviews so far indicate that Toyota has finally hit the mark. Toyota's 2013 model includes a base engine, 2.5 L, 4-cylinder matching Honda's 2.4 L 4-cyl offering. Last year, I went shopping for a used Honda, Toyota, or Subaru and came away with the Honda. I was hesitant about the smallish engine for that size vehicle, but that concern went away when I test drove the vehicle. Honda;s engine has variable valve timing and it works flawlessly. Honda wrings about 170 hp out of that mill and it is surprisingly smooth; The 5 speed transmission shifts are smooth and the conntrol suytem logically seeks the correct gear. I rate Honda's engine-transmission as the best 4 cyl engine I have ever driven. For 2013, Honda has tweaked 4-cyl engine tuning and bumped output to 175 hp. I bought the Honda CR-V last summer and used it for a 3000 mile trip - loved it. One caveat: The CR-V, and others of similar design have a big blind spot to the rear when backing up. Objects near the vehicle are unseen. I recommend a backup camera. It is available, but I don't know in which year that began. Mileage around town is 23 to 25 miles/gal; highway at expressway speeds is 27 to 31 mpg. Among my associates, two have tried the Toyota RAV-4, was dissatisfied and changed to the Honda CR-V. However, that could change for the 2013 models. But for a used vehicle, you'd be shopping for models older than 2012, and for these, I recommend the Honda. Toyota did offer both 4-cyl and 6-cyl engines in the RAV-4. I recommend the 6-cyl. The gas mileage is about the same as the 4 and it is a much better engine for the application. The Honda CR-V is available in front wheel drive and AWD (all wheel drive). The AWD is engaged at all times. When the system detects that the front wheels are slipping, up to 50% torque can be supplied to the rear wheels. This comes in handy for getting through a slick spot, but in my opinion, is not as good as a true 4-wheel drive ala Jeep. Because the sysem is enaged all the time, there are restrictions. The vehicle should not be towed (front wheels on a dolly and rear wheels on the road); Instead, it should be put on the bed of the tow truck or trailer. All tires must be the same size. Mixing a new tire with nearly worn out ones can cause the torque transfer clutch to drag. AWD also adds weight. Additional components are the rear drive shaft, rear differential and drive axles, and transfer gears. These parts add maintence items. In the used Honda market in my area, the AWD option holds value. For same models of used CR-Vs, the ones with AWD commands a price addition equal to the cost of the AWD option when new.

Along the lines of what Funky said, in 2015, I bought a used Lexus RX350, with low mileage that looked new. Its been great to haul dogs, compost, small trees, you-name-it. Brace yourself - I bought it after seeing it on Craigslist, and doing careful researching and having it checked out. It's incredible. A friend has a Toyota 4Runner that he loves, but he says the Lexus has more zip. It's called a crossover, meaning "the difference between the two is simple: A crossover is based on a car's platform, while an SUV uses the chassis of a truck. The result is that crossovers use "unibody" architecture, meaning the body and frame are one piece, while SUVs use a "body on frame" design." I also have a WONDERFUL place in Maine that services it for much less than the local dealership. They are all former dealership employees and do not try to up-sell anything like the dealer. I wish everyone had access to a place as nice as this one.

LOL bpath, did B pay you to say that ;) Thanks Maire_cate. This camera feature is a real game-changer. I can't wait to pick it up. I drove my Pathfinder today and it was SO bad in the little bit of snow we had (It's a 2-wheel drive because I bought it in FL)