Car Shopping

[George K]

D4 is looking for a car.

Less than $20K.
Compact SUV.

I've suggested Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape, Honda CRV and Toyota RAV-4.

Any others I've missed?

Also, when shopping online, what's the best site to get an overall view of my options?

[Aqua Letifer]

@george-k said in Car Shopping:

Honda CRV

What made me get one was what my mechanic said about them: they're the T-34 of cars, they're absolutely everywhere. If I break down in the middle Mojave and have to hitchhike to the nearest service station, sure they might steal my money and bury my body but they're also going to have the parts my car needs.

[Jolly]

@george-k said in Car Shopping:

D4 is looking for a car.

Less than $20K.
Compact SUV.

I've suggested Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape, Honda CRV and Toyota RAV-4.

Any others I've missed?

Also, when shopping online, what's the best site to get an overall view of my options?

I think you can do a Tucson base for about 20, but I'd spring about 2K more for the Value (a couple of additional safety features, roof rack, heated seats and mirrors and electric driver's seat). AWD would also add to the price, if that's a got-to-have.

Don't know about the Sportage. I wouldn't have a Ford.

The only way into the Honda or Toyota is used. I do like the CR-V over the Toyota for everyday driving. Although it's a little noisier, the ride is better. The Toyota is a little choppy.

Again, used, but add the Subaru Forester to the list.

Note: The above opinions and $1 will buy a cup of senior coffee at McDonald's.

[George K]

@jolly said in Car Shopping:

I think you can do a Tucson base for about 20, b

The SEL (next level up) goes for about $20 for a late-model (2018). The Sportage is the same car, different badge. Both have a 100K mile warranty on engine and drivetrain.

I wouldn't have a Ford.

Neither would I, but she saw one she liked yesterday.

Honda or Toyota is used

Yup. In fact, she's looking at used for them all.

Forgot about the Subaru!

[Klaus]

VW Tiguan or T-Roc, maybe?

Mercedes GLA?

[Jolly]

@george-k said in Car Shopping:

@jolly said in Car Shopping:

I think you can do a Tucson base for about 20, b

The SEL (next level up) goes for about $20 for a late-model (2018). The Sportage is the same car, different badge. Both have a 100K mile warranty on engine and drivetrain.

I wouldn't have a Ford.

Neither would I, but she saw one she liked yesterday.

Honda or Toyota is used

Yup. In fact, she's looking at used for them all.

Forgot about the Subaru!

The used Honda/Toyota vs. the new Hyundai is a classic problem. Hyundai has that big new car warranty...5/60 bumper-to-bumber, 10/100 drivetrain, 5 years roadside assistance. And a longer rust-through warranty.

But the Hyundai has the crappy resale value. Not as bad as years past, but it ain't Honda/Toyota. And Honda/Toyota have better reliability ratings.

I think the Forester may out-handle all of them, especially if the others don't have the AWD.

A lot of this depends on how long she plans to keep the vehicle and how much she drives.

[Mik]

Nissan Rogue. 2019s under $18K, mileage under 50K.

Don't forget to look at Enterprise car sales. Most rental cars are driven mostly highway miles and, contrary to belief, are not really driven hard. Take it from someone who has rented cars hundreds of times. It's really only the performance cars that people (like me) run a bit hard.

https://www.enterprisecarsales.com/list/used-2019-nissan-rogue/

[Jolly]

@mik said in Car Shopping:

Nissan Rogue.

Yep, another one to add to the list. I ain't wild about the JAPCO transmission and Nissans have a good bit of power, but also a few engine reliability issues.

Speaking about transmissions...I don't like anybody's CVT. Toyota may do the best job, they build their own...But haul any one of those CVT's into a transmission shop...They're expensive, a bitch to work on and guys often don't get them right. Easier to grit your teeth, drop 4-5 grand and put a new one in.

[Axtremus]

For something a bit smaller (lighter, more fuel efficient) and lower cost than Honda C-RV or Nisson Rogue, consider the Honda H-RV or the Nissan Kicks. I had a Nissan Kicks as rental for something like a couple of weeks after my regular car got totaled in an accident. For urban and suburban driving I think it worked rather well.

[LuFins Dad]

Why does she need a small SUV? Why not a medium sized sedan?

I get better storage/trunk space in a Camry than I do a RAV4, more leg space in the interior, and it’s a lot more comfortable drive...