Car Comparisons (need input)

greenagate99

Hello,
I am finally in my final semester of college, and am beginning to research vehicles and searching online for a newer (used) car. I currently drive a 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport. I love this car, but I admit that I do have trouble getting out of the car because of how low it sits.

I went with my dad to the Midwest Auto Show here in Omaha, and sat in a 2017 Ford F-150 XLT. It is a beautiful truck! But, I had to really work to get in/out of the truck because of how tall it is. I know I have a soft spot for trucks, but I don't think I should jump into a full-size pickup truck right from a little Subaru (especially when I am not comfortable driving my mom's 2006 Mazda MPV, there's something about the driver's seat that makes me feel super uncomfortable, and I fear being that way in a full-size pickup truck). I also sat in a 2017 Nissan Frontier... Holy crap, what a difference! I was shocked at how easily I could get in/out of that truck! I mean, I have trouble getting in/out of my aunt and uncle's 2003 Ford Ranger, and yet I had absolutely no issues with the Frontier!

Now, before my dad and I left, we test drove some Toyotas (they had something set up outside only for four of their cars). I drove a Corolla and RAV4. I was caught off-guard by the sensitivity of the brakes and gas pedals, and I was overwhelmed by all the technology and buttons on the dash. I preferred the RAV4, simply because of the size. The RAV4, I believe, was closer in height to the Nissan Frontier. After the test drive was done, the guy asked my dad and I about interest in getting a new car, and my dad pointed me out and stated about how I am most likely looking to get an SUV or pickup truck (my mom is opposed to the pickup truck, but my dad doesn't seem to be that way and doesn't understand why not).

My dilemma with choosing a newer vehicle is this:
-I want as limited technology as possible, while it still being an upgrade from my 1999 Subaru.
-I will NOT drive a car that is push to start.
-I am somewhat concerned with MPG.
-I am mainly attracted to SUVs and pickup trucks (very open to compact or mid-size pickups)
-I would prefer a vehicle that is easy to get in/out of
-The vehicle will be parked outside 24/7, so it can't be super new (weather damage)
-I cannot drive a manual vehicle (never learned)
-I MUST have an AWD or 4x4 vehicle (I live in Nebraska...)
-I prefer the transmission/gear shift to be in the center console rather than by the steering wheel
-I would prefer a vehicle that has a USB port (so I can charge my insulin pump when I'm driving), but I can use a cigarette lighter adapter instead
-I would prefer a vehicle under $20,000, so that I may possibly pay the full price right away.

A little about me:
-23 years old (female)
-not a girly girl
-drive maybe 4,000 miles every year (mostly city, but the vehicle would get some highway)
-I have no credit cards, so I don't have any credit built up.


Any suggestions? Anyone own any of the vehicles I am interested in that can give a yay or nay?

Mr_Shiftright

Well the AWD is going to knock you out of some nifty "compact crossovers" which it sounds like would suit you best (Mazda CX-3, Kia Soul). Have you tried the Subaru Forester?

As far as tech goes, more often than not those are premium options, so if you shop for base models, you might not see too much tech, especially since you are going to probably be shopping for a car a few years old.

You could also look at the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4.

thebean

Nissan Rogue?  Should be some good deals on 3-4 year old ones.  Why do you not want push button start.  I have that and love it.  Don't have to fumble with keys.  

greenagate99

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well the AWD is going to knock you out of some nifty "compact crossovers" which it sounds like would suit you best (Mazda CX-3, Kia Soul). Have you tried the Subaru Forester? As far as tech goes, more often than not those are premium options, so if you shop for base models, you might not see too much tech, especially since you are going to probably be shopping for a car a few years old. You could also look at the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4.

My mom isn't big on me getting another Subaru, simply because with some mechanical problems we've had to take it to a little shop that is in a questionable neighborhood that is not close to where we live. 

greenagate99

thebean said:

Nissan Rogue?  Should be some good deals on 3-4 year old ones.  Why do you not want push button start.  I have that and love it.  Don't have to fumble with keys.  

My aunt has a Rogue, and I hate the back window on it. It is way too small for my comfort. As far as push to start, I don't trust it. I prefer having keys. With how I am, I'd forget the key fob in my pocket and it would get sent through the wash. I'm just not a fan of buttons for things like that, in my opinion they should only be for selecting radio stations, hazard lights, etc. 

Mr_Shiftright

greenagate99 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well the AWD is going to knock you out of some nifty "compact crossovers" which it sounds like would suit you best (Mazda CX-3, Kia Soul). Have you tried the Subaru Forester?

As far as tech goes, more often than not those are premium options, so if you shop for base models, you might not see too much tech, especially since you are going to probably be shopping for a car a few years old.

You could also look at the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4.

My mom isn't big on me getting another Subaru, simply because with some mechanical problems we've had to take it to a little shop that is in a questionable neighborhood that is not close to where we live. 

I don't see why a more modern Forester couldn't be maintained by any good independent shop--you don't need a specialist.

mlevine

greenagate99
Subaru makes great SUV 4x4 and I would test drive them. My son did not fit well in them. RAV 4 also a great SUV and handles well and is also well equipped and our friends daughter has one and is happy with it. Thought Nissan Roque was not made well. I think the ford F 150 will be expensive.

greenagate99

Mr_Shiftright said:

greenagate99 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well the AWD is going to knock you out of some nifty "compact crossovers" which it sounds like would suit you best (Mazda CX-3, Kia Soul). Have you tried the Subaru Forester?

As far as tech goes, more often than not those are premium options, so if you shop for base models, you might not see too much tech, especially since you are going to probably be shopping for a car a few years old.

You could also look at the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4.

My mom isn't big on me getting another Subaru, simply because with some mechanical problems we've had to take it to a little shop that is in a questionable neighborhood that is not close to where we live. 

I don't see why a more modern Forester couldn't be maintained by any good independent shop--you don't need a specialist.

In Omaha, the shops around here won't take a Subaru when it has Subaru-specific problems (not general like an oil change). Or, they will charge a ridiculous amount. The Subaru specialty shop only charges for the cost of the part, and not for labor (if I remember correctly), so it was cheaper to take my car there. My engine light has been on for like 3-4 years now. It will turn on after something is fixed at that specialty shop, but if it is driven on the interstate, the light comes back on again and stays on. My car is only worth maybe $1,200 as is, so we won't put any more money into it to fix it up.

greenagate99

mlevine said:

greenagate99
Subaru makes great SUV 4x4 and I would test drive them. My son did not fit well in them. RAV 4 also a great SUV and handles well and is also well equipped and our friends daughter has one and is happy with it. Thought Nissan Roque was not made well. I think the ford F 150 will be expensive.

I'm thinking maybe the RAV4 or Nissan Frontier (small truck) instead of a full-size truck.

mlevine

greenagate99
Would test drive the RAV4. The LE and SE models are probably the way to go.

mlevine

My mistake, the RAV4 models are XLE and XSE. Most popular is XLE.

Mr_Shiftright

My Bogus meter is going off here with what people are telling you about fixing Subarus. Any qualified mechanic should be able to repair most common problems, especially a check engine light.

But ok, you have to work with what you got I guess. Nonetheless Omaha is a big city with lots of automotive talent.

greenagate99

Mr_Shiftright said:

My Bogus meter is going off here with what people are telling you about fixing Subarus. Any qualified mechanic should be able to repair most common problems, especially a check engine light. But ok, you have to work with what you got I guess. Nonetheless Omaha is a big city with lots of automotive talent.

The mechanics around here want to charge 3x the amount that the Subaru specialist mechanic will charge, unless is something simple like an oil change. One of my uncles always recommends his friend who runs a mechanic shop, but the story is the same with him. He will charge like $350 while the Subaru specialist will charge maybe $60. The price is what influences my parents.

greenagate99

There's a 2010 Nissan Frontier SE extended cab with 148,000 miles on it for sale near me for $10,988. Wondering if that's a good deal? It used to be owned by the state of Nebraska, and so it has a good record on Carfax.

Mr_Shiftright

That's a 4X4? Price is about retail, neither great or terrible. Lotta miles though.

greenagate99

Mr_Shiftright said:

That's a 4X4? Price is about retail, neither great or terrible. Lotta miles though.

Yes it's for a 4x4. The price gets dropped every 6-12 days. I am looking past the miles since the vehicle will be kept outside 24/7 anyway and so will eventually get weather damage (as has my Subaru which has two softball size rust holes under the passenger side doors, so people have to be careful getting in/out so they don't get cut).

Mr_Shiftright

So you've checked the CARFAX?

greenagate99

Mr_Shiftright said:

So you've checked the CARFAX?       

Yes, and it showed a clean record. It also showed all the maintenance done on the vehicle, such as oil changes and tire rotations. It was a city vehicle from 2010- late 2016. The dealership checked it and did some maintenance before putting it out on the lot.

Mr_Shiftright

Still, that's a lotta miles.

mlevine

I am not a big fan of high mileage vehicles. You may want to pick up a pre-owned vehicle coming off lease. My son picked up a 2014 C-Class MB for low $20,000. I believe you could get a RAV4 for mid $20,000 range. The Toyota dealer that I like and have used offers 3 year maintenance and tires for life.

greenagate99

mlevine said:

I am not a big fan of high mileage vehicles. You may want to pick up a pre-owned vehicle coming off lease. My son picked up a 2014 C-Class MB for low $20,000. I believe you could get a RAV4 for mid $20,000 range. The Toyota dealer that I like and have used offers 3 year maintenance and tires for life.

I just found out that I have up to $25,000 that I could use for s vehicle, but if I use only half that I can apply the rest toward insurance, fuel, and any maintenance needed. I currently am unemployed and seeking a job, so that's also affecting how much I can apply to a vehicle. The place I'm seeking a job at is a 10-minute drive on city streets, and less than half that if I travel via the interstate. So that's why I'm looking at the $10,000 vehicle with a lot of miles on it. Not to mention it's going to rust bad from being parked outside 24/7 in Nebraska.

kyfdx

Cars don't rust, just because they are parked outside.
Using your current 18 year old Subaru as an example is probably not indicative of what will happen.
No point in getting a crappy, old vehicle, just because it might rust.

But, with no job, I'd avoid spending all the money that's available. I'd stay away from pickup trucks, as they depreciate slowly, making them a poor value as a used car. (not to mention safety, fuel, etc). Until you know for sure about your employment situation, I'd keep driving your old car.

The RAV4 is a great option, if you need AWD. You can always ignore any tech items that you don't want to deal with. Might want to get over the obsession with no push button start. Every car with remote keyless entry comes with a fob, anyway, pushbutton or not. Restricting your choices over that only hurts your chances of finding an appropriate vehicle. My 88-yr-old uncle has a late model RAV4. If he can cope with it, you should have no problems. I've driven his vehicle a few times over the last six weeks. It's a very, very nice package.

greenagate99

kyfdx said:

Cars don't rust, just because they are parked outside. Using your current 18 year old Subaru as an example is probably not indicative of what will happen. No point in getting a crappy, old vehicle, just because it might rust. But, with no job, I'd avoid spending all the money that's available. I'd stay away from pickup trucks, as they depreciate slowly, making them a poor value as a used car. (not to mention safety, fuel, etc). Until you know for sure about your employment situation, I'd keep driving your old car. The RAV4 is a great option, if you need AWD. You can always ignore any tech items that you don't want to deal with. Might want to get over the obsession with no push button start. Every car with remote keyless entry comes with a fob, anyway, pushbutton or not. Restricting your choices over that only hurts your chances of finding an appropriate vehicle. My 88-yr-old uncle has a late model RAV4. If he can cope with it, you should have no problems. I've driven his vehicle a few times over the last six weeks. It's a very, very nice package.

My car is worth only about $1,000. Trucks seem to hold their value and seem to resell well. My mom just wants to get rid of my car after I graduate, because the engine light is on and the car makes a thunking noise while driving that stops when the brakes are applied. She doesn't want any more mint put into the vehicle, and if it breaks down before I graduate then it's just going to the dump. I'm just not a big fan of Toyota or Chevy even. Not sure why. The only brands I like are Ford, Dodge, and Nissan. As far as push to start, I prefer having a tactile key to insert and twist. The button feels lazy to me and I hate that. Plus, my aunt had issues with her push to start after an oil change or something, and it took weeks to get the things figured out. I'm an old school kind of girl, and am almost tempted to just get a Bronco or Ramcharger instead of a newer vehicle. I don't really even want a touch screen in the car, because I feel that would be a distraction that is uneccesary. I've got a GPS device from my parents that they no longer use, so I can always plug that into the car instead if needed. I rarely have passengers, and when I do, I usually only have one. Rarely do I have more than that. I also usually travel to locations that are within 10 miles or less of my home, with further distances being travelled much less often. Road trips are usually done in my mom's van.