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Help Me Select a Wagon
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-juice
Krzys
What about a RAV4, or some other car-based sport/cute?
-juice
Iam in the market for a 2007 CR-V EX-L With Navi. Based on my research during the last few days, Understood
that CR-V is going MSRP (The Max i could come up with is MSRP - $500) and Still Wait for a few weeks to
actually get the car delivered.
Here are my questions..
(1). Do any of the NEW CR-V Owners feel that the low end torque is little less?? (I felt it when i was test
driving yesterday -- Propably because its a 4 Cyl Fuel Efficient SUV and we never owned a SUV before).
(2). I also felt that the engine noise was little more particularly when the CR-V starts accelarating?
Are (1) and (2) -- something that is expected from a Fuel Eff 4 Cyl SUV??
VW Passat Wagon 2.0T --
After my initial impression with CR-V (Particularly MSRP on the CR-V).. Iam starting to think towards
07 VW Passat Wagon 2.0T with Package # 2 and NAVI
My driving impressions were good on this, However i might loose some space for the rear seats compared to CR-V
Liked the EPA Mileage and Truck Space.
With all the gadgets this is just $2k over the CR-V (I was offered below invoice).
However iam concerned about the reliability of VW and Any feedback on the VW NAVI(Could not see one yesterday
on the dealers lot, Does it do Voice Recognition?)
Comments are welcome and Thanks in Advance..
* VW needs premium fuel
* VW has less clearance, no AWD on that model
* should handle a lot better, though
* listen for noise levels, I bet the wagon is quieter
Finally, in my experience with Audi NAV, they are not easy to use at all. Perhaps they've gotten better, but I bet the Honda takes you less than half the time to learn.
-juice
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As far as VW reliability goes, all cars are better now than they were 20 years ago. An average car now would have been very reliable back then. My Father has a 2000 Passat wagon with the 1.8t and a stick shift. He has 175,000 miles and has had no issues besides routine maintenance. He still has the original clutch.
Another fun car with VW like handling is the Mazda 3 hatch. Smaller than the others, but I can sit behind myself comfortably (6'-0). It is very affordable and has stability control readily available.
He was lucky, basically.
The 2.0FSI engine has been better so far but VW already has lots of issues with the stereos, and they're still fairly new cars.
If reliability comes first, get the Honda.
-juice
Subaru Legacy wagon, if you can find one, is also quite good drivers car. If you want Legacy wagon hurry up as next model year will be sedan only, as far as I know.
Krzys
-juice
Must haves:
Out-the-door price <=$22,000.
Actual average mpg >=24 mpg, assuming easy-does-it driver, mix of local and hwy.
Room in back seat for three average-sized teenage boys for trips of up to 2 hrs.
Room in cargo area (with back seat up) for four sets of golf clubs.
Heated seats
Nice to haves:
Automatic (but manual not a dealbreaker)
Average reliability rating: unwilling to pay for highest ratings -- we baby our cars.
Low insurance cost rating
Leather
ABS/traction control
New, but would consider <=2 yr. olds.
Don't care:
Looks -- would buy an ugly Aztec if it was reliable.
Performance -- 0-60 mph in less than a week is fine.
Resale -- we keep 'em until they die. This car will replace a '91 Caravan with 220,000 mi.
Greater than 24mpg is a big one. Consumer Reports' most fuel efficient non-hybrid compact SUV was the RAV4, and I think it got 23mpg in their tests. So right away, you're going to have to compromise.
The Hybrid Escape did better, but it blows your price limit out of the water. $28k is more like it, especially with heated leather seats.
3 teens in the back seat means you want some good leg room there. CR-V and Escape do well in that regard, but you might even consider a mid-sizer. Maybe a RAV4.
Heated leather seats tend to go in pricier models. The Forester X Limited can be had for about your $22k price limit, but the back seat is small. It might even come close to your mileage targets, but 3 teens for 2 hours will be complaining.
You didn't mention if FWD would be OK, that would get costs down and might help meet your mileage targets.
We've babied our Forester, and averaged 25.1mpg over its lifetime, but that's avoiding city driving (I have a 2nd car for that). It would be close except the back seat is small.
A Scion xB has the back seat space, price, and fuel efficiency, but it loses on the cargo space. I doubt you could fit two sets of golf clubs in there.
Maybe a Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited? Slightly used?
Saturn Vue Greenline hybrid? Maybe when the new one comes out you could get a deal on the outgoing model?
Do you have to fit the three teenagers and the golf clubs at the same time? If not, I suggest a Mazda5..
A slightly used Freestyle comes to mind, as well..
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Mazda5 will let you fold down one of the 3rd row seats. Not sure if 4 golf bags would fit even then.
A Freestyle would do the trick, and a FWD model might even meet that mileage (or come close).
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Based on visit to Subaru dealer, I can state that four bags of golf clubs do not fit in the back of an Outback or Forester. And my three sons (average size) don't fit in back seat of either one.
Based on suggestions from others, looking at slightly used Freestyles, Saturn Vues, Suzuki Forenza and a neighbor's 2004 Saab 9-5 wagon he's eager to sell.
Other ideas?
I'd be considering a Tom Tom One XL, though, just $400 for a 4.3" screen! :shades:
good fuel economy
not too boring to drive
automatic (I know, voids the above criteria but my husband hates MT)
occasionally has to fit my 86 year old father, so firm seats help
room for two dogs in the back
not as cramped leg room as my old Forester in the back seats
under $20k
I like the Matrix because it has the rubber/plastic back of the back seat and trunk in regard to the dogs.. Any ideas regarding Matrix vs. Versa? Anything else I should look at? We're in the country so not an abundance of brands like Subaru, Audi, etc. We looked at the Fit but it felt very narrow to me.
And for the above poster, I would suggest the Mazda6. It's more roomy in the back seat than some of the other suggestions like Forester or Rav 4, and it holds a ton of stuff in the back. We easily carried all my college daughter's stuff.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
I suspect the Matrix will be more fuel efficient, and may cost less to own, but it's just an ancient design at this point.
The Versa is a wonderful vehicle if you're mostly driving it with just passengers. The CVT is so quiet, very unusual in a small car. We just decided we needed a little more versatility as it's our around-town car.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
And also You can find out The Car Dealers From the Car Dealers Directory at http://www.weebers.com.
Outlook/Acadia/Enclave, CX9, Tribeca, XL7, Pilot, Highlander, just off the top of my head.
Link: ateixeira, "Crossover SUV Comparison" #2684, 2 Aug 2007 8:35 am
I'd take the Ford over the Chrysler. Both vehicles are a good value used since they depreciate so quickly from new.
Might consider a RAV4 as well.
I have a family of 6 including myself. I am looking for a mid-size SUV, CUV or Wagon that has the following features:
AWD, seats 6, has good MPG (25+ avg - diesel would be wonderful but I've given up on that) & relatively inexpensive (late model 15+, newer 20)
Does ANYBODY have any good ideas? Seriously, I've been looking online and asking for 2 months now with NO real stand-outs.
Any real help is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely (stumped)
Andy
Krzys
PS Nobody replies because car that you specify does not exist.
Two classes of vehicle come close.
The new crop of "vanlets", the Mazda5, Kia Rondo, and the upcoming Dodge Journey and just-announced Honda Stream all seat 6 and might meet your fuel economy wishes. Mazda offers AWD in Japan but not here. Honda offers AWD but it's not here yet and who knows if they'll bring that model.
You can get any of those for $20k new. The Kia, even less. The Mazda5 could be well equipped for that price.
Mid-size SUVs and CUVs tend to cost a lot more than $20k new. Even a bargain-basement leftover 2007 Ford Freestyle would run $21-22k, and expecting 25 mpg average may be a little optimistic. Add AWD and the price goes up and the mileage goes down. Still, it's probably closest.
Others, like the Highlander, Tribeca, Pilot, Pathfinder, Veracruz, CX9, and Acadia/Outlook/Enclave all cost a bunch more than your budget and also would not meet your fuel economy goals. With some you'd be lucky to average 20mpg.
Drive a Rondo, a Mazda5, and a Freestyle, is what I would suggest. I think you're just asking for too much. 3 row SUVs and crossovers are both expensive and inefficient overall.
Toyota does still offer an AWD Sienna, but I'd expect to pay about $27-28k for a new one. Used would be a good option, they made them since 2004.
I'm not sure if you'll average 25mpg, but you might come close, maybe low 20s. I have a FWD Sienna and usually average 23-27mpg, with a peak of 30.6mpg on an all highway jaunt.
With 6 kids you surely will appreciate all the space, too.
A van/wagon with snows will do as well or better in the snow than an AWD without snows (remember AWD does not help you stop).
I ran my light and low Integra with snows in SD for 12 years and was not once stopped by the snow. It drove like a snowmobile - a heavier taller vehicle should do even better. Our Sienna is excellent in the snow and ice with FWD and snows (also has traction and stability). Constantly drivng by all the SUV's in the ditch.
If you really need AWD...
-used Ford Freestyle
-used Toyota Sienna (AWD LE model might be close to $20k)
-used 01-03 Chrysler AWD van (not super reliable)
-used Chrysler Pacfica
-used Subaru Tribeca (a bit over $20k)
If you'd prefer to hit close to the 25mpg figure and can live without AWD (I 2nd the snow tire idea)...
-new Mazda5
-new Kia Rondo
-used mini van with one of the smaller engines
I live in the desert Sb so snow & ice aren't really problems. I was looking for something that would do light off-road duty to take the family camping & such.
I REALLY wish that someone (GM, Ford, Saturn, some freakin' body) would come out with a ULSD engine in an AWD here in the States. For crying out loud the Europeans have embraced and in large part perfected small vehicle diesels with really low emissions.
I was just hoping that somebody might have found or seen something that I hadn't.
Sincerely (still stumped)
Andy
Some progress since then huh.
Disconnect the trailer and you're not compromising mileage when you don't need 4WD.
New car criteria is:
very good gas milage
safety package (side airbags)
anti-lock brakes
good warranty
good ratings/feedback
automatic transmission
under $20k
He has given me his choices of: Ford Focus, Toyota Matrix (29/34 milage), Kia Rio5 (29/38), Kia Spectra 5 (27/35)
I have only seen them on paper and have not gone out to the dealerships yet, but on paper they seem so SMALL compared to our Toyota wagon. Is there a true "WAGON" (vs. a hatchback) that fits the above criteria?
I also asked him about small minivans and he said yes there are such things, but they don't get good gas milage.
Thanks in advance MUCH for your advice.
Julie
I would love a Corolla wagon if they still made one.
Hyundai is coming out with a 5 door Elantra wagon/hatch. I would probably put that near the top of my list. ABS and TCS are standard, tons of airbags and good mpg.
Might want to also look at a Honda Fit. Remarkably roomy inside (same amount of passenger room as your Corolla and very expandable). It is small, but with airbags ABS etc, it is much safer than your old Corolla. My mother is considering one.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Thanks for the information and feedback to date.
Julie
In some countries Toyota does market a Corolla Fielder, which is a true wagon.
The Matrix is closer to a 5 door hatch.
Check out how the Fielder is indeed bigger: