New Vehicle

[phishphreek]

I've just recently started looking for a new vehicle. I'm currenlty in a 2003 Jeep Liberty 4x4- Freedom Edition.
I like it, but I just want some thing new and different. I need a change.

I've been looking at the following two vehicles.

Dodge Nitro
I took the Nitro for a test drive last night. The 3.7L 6cyl 210hp is a nice fit for the vehicle. Not too much nor too little power. It has an availalbe 4.0L 6cyl 255hp engine too... but I don't think I'll need that. I liked the way it drives. It's much more smoother than my Jeep. It actually feels just like my brother's Dodge Dakota. It has plenty of room and it has a lot of nice "standard" features. The load n go cargo option is pretty nice too... since I've been having lower back problems lately and I'm always loading/unloading heavier stuff.

Ford Edge
I plan to drive this one today after work. It has a little more power than the Nitro and the "standard" options are not too bad either. I don't know that much about it yet. Just read a couple of reviews and thats it.

I was looking at cars too, but I like the SUV/Crossover. I do a lot of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking/canoeing and I'm constantly loading/unloading computers/etc from my Jeep. I like having the cargo space.

We use my girl's Nissan Altima for long distance driving for both comfort and for better gas milage.

I personally would prefer to buy American. I've never owned a foreign car and I don't plan to. (Aside from my girl's Nissan... but that is her's, not mine.)

Please give me your opinions. Which do you like better out of the two above? Why? Why do you not like one over the other? Or, would you go a whole other direction?

I've also thought about getting another Jeep... and I love the Jeep. But, like I said above... I want something different. Those two are def. different.

I want to keep it under $30K and I'm looking to buy as early as this weekend.