Need some advice on a new car

[Dover]

Here's my main criteria (besides good mechanical performance, of course). I'm thinking something in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

I'm looking for a small SUV, sport wagon or hatchback because I haul things around, but enjoy comfort.
I also enjoy somewhat high seating rather than having to climb up and out of a car, and a roomy feel (long legs).
Good gas mileage (mid 20's and higher).

I'm willing to buy a good used or new vehicle.

If my current vehicle wasn't on its last legs, I'd wait another year or two for a greater selection of hybrids and gas efficient cars.
(It is rumored that the 2007 Honda CRV will be a hybrid which might be perfect).

I'm not all that familiar with what's coming out in 2006, though I'm fairly informed about 2005 models. I've looked at the Suburu Forrester, the Honda CRV, the Rav4, etc. The 2006 Audi A3 looks like a possibility but I've never dealt with that company and don't know much about its track record for quality and service.

I may try to just purchase something used that will get me through the next year or two until choices improve. I feel pretty stuck.......HELP!

[flvegan]

1. I have a Mazda PR5 sportwagon

I love it. It was replaced last year by the Mazda 3 5-door. Lotsa room for hauling stuff, great mileage, very reliable. You can snag one loaded for around $20k, and the resale should be pretty good. Get the burnt orange color.

My 2002 PR5 gets 30 mpg easily (unless I keep my foot down, which I tend to do). The tiptronic auto shift is pretty cool too.

[Dover]

8. I read your reply a couple of weeks ago and made a mental note.

And when I stopped by the Mazda dealership I took a look at a used one. I DO really like it's looks and it seemed pretty roomy and solid. But I was shocked to hear (at least according to the salesman) that it got much less MPG than you've indicated. I seem to recall it was around 20. Do you remember what the sticker quoted when you bought it?

I have owned Mazdas in the past (along with other family members and friends) and have loved them AND the good service at our local dealership. But I think since I owned mine, Ford has taken over the helm and things have gone down hill. So I'd be hesitant....

[LTR]

2. Chevy has a couple good vehicles

The Equinox is their new compact SUV. It's longer than most in it's class, but it has lots of room and it's a unibody construction, meaning it has a car-like ride. Fuel economy is roughly 19/25, a little better than most SUV's.

The new Malibu Maxx is a really good car, and is more like a wagon. Decent fuel economy for that type of vehicle (22/30). And that's with a 3.5 V6!

I am a little biased, since I sell Chevy. But I am pretty impressed with both vehicles, and disliked many of Chevy's offerings from the past decade.

If fuel economy is most important to you, go to this site:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov

and find all you need to know about fuel economy for new and used cars. Here are some rankings for the classes you are interested in:

Most Efficient Station Wagons:

Volkswagen Passat Wagon (Diesel)
4 cyl, 2 L, Automatic(S5), 27/38

Ford Focus Station Wagon
4 cyl, 2 L, Manual(5), Regular 26/35

Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (Diesel)
4 cyl, 1.9 L, Manual(5) 36/43

Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (Diesel)
4 cyl, 1.9 L, Automatic(S5) 32/43


Most Efficient Sport Utility Vehicles

Ford Escape HEV 2WD (hybrid)
4 cyl, 2.3 L, Automatic(variable), Regular 36/31

Toyota Rav4 2WD
4 cyl, 2.4 L, Manual(5), Regular 24/30


Toyota is rolling out a Highlander hybrid, but I imagine that the sticker price will be a bit high (as if Toyotas aren't priced high enough).

[Dover]

9. Oops......I must have missed your reference to the Malibu Maxx

Thanks for your post. See mine below about the MMSS.


Your list of fuel efficient vehicles represents more or less the cars I've looked at so far, though I'd add a couple of more such as the Audi A3, Toyota Matrix, the Honda CRV.

I'll tell you what I REALLY want...and would be willing to pay the cost (unusual for me since I've NEVER bought a new car). That is a Volvo XC70 DIESEL with 38 mpg! Power, luxury, reliability, safety AND good efficiency/mileage. That's a combination that I feel very hardpressed to find in the U.S. car market...and even in the current imports (the most gas/diesel efficient foreign cars don't seem to make it to our market).
And Volvo probably won't be sending their new clean quiet diesels to our market.

That's why I'm feeling so stuck. Considering the large expenditure of money for a new car, is it too much to ask for something I like and feel good about? I've always, in the past, managed to find a car that I got excited about owning....but no more (with the exception of the Volvo).

I find myself just so fed up with this situation I could blow a gasket!...automotively speaking.

[trashcanistanista]

13. I'm in the same boat, I was looking at the

Chevy Colorado - it seems to get mixed reviews. I need a small p/u with 4wd for snow, my dirt road, and better mileage. What do you know about comparable small pick-ups?

[Pert_UK]

3. Unless the A3 is SEVERELY different in the US...

it's nowhere near the same category as the others you mention....

Subaru, Rav4 and CRV are all highish off the ground, spacious and 4wd (or AWD in the Subaru's case, oddly enough)....at least I'm pretty sure that the CRV is 4wd.

The A3 is a fairly compact, low-to-the ground model, 2WD hatchback...Don't get me wrong, I think that they're great and Audi have a great repuation for build quality. They're just not that roomy, especially if you're going to be hauling stuff around. Sure, you'll probably get stuff in the back with the seats down, but you'll wreck the nice trim.

The Subarus have great build quality and reliability and you can fit a whole cow in the back (I exaggerate) without putting seats down. Don't know a lot about the Rav4, but I drive a Toyota and think that they're FANTASTIC for reliability and build quality - it's VERY solid, and my car is a tiny, tiny thing. The Rav4 is supposed to be a 4wd with GTI performance (i.e. VW Golf GTI, in case you were wondering)....though I doubt it's actually anywhere near that fast.

Don't know anything about the CRV.

[Dover]

10. Thanks.........just saw an A3 up close and have to agree with you.

However I did read that the A3 will be available in AWD next year.


I like the Subaru for all the reasons you mentioned, but they are surprisingly poor on gas mileage. I was planning on a hybrid, but a friend reminded me that I drive mainly highway miles, not inner city, so I might be better off with a low mileage car. The Toyota Matrix and the Honda CRV are currently at the top of my list.
I drove a Prius for the first time the other day and LOVED it. Roomy, quiet, simple dash, plenty of pep. The only downside was that the upholstery was light colored (not many choices either)and very thin cotton or something. Looked like it would get soiled or worn through in no time. And the back seats did not fold down adequately to provide a truly flat surface. But that's the only problem. I'm anxious to try out the Highlander. And even more important, perhaps, is that Toyota has wonderful reputation for service. Every Toyota owner I know loves the treatment and quality of service at the local dealership.

As I noted in my response post above, I feel so stuck with my current choices! For the expense of a new car is it too much to ask to feel GOOD about my purchase rather than so compromised? I love the European and Japanese cars and companies....the cars are everything I want (efficient/low mileage and solidly built,luxury, power,and safety ). I don't think these combined characteristics exist in an American car right now...or even in most of the current imports (the mileage issue usually being the sore point).

*sigh*....I may need to move to own the car I want (Volvo XC70 diesel).

[nickinSTL]

12. more info on the RAV4 and CR-V

Both are available in 2WD with traction control standard, the CR-V is also available with AWD and the RAV4 with 4WD.

Both get the best gas mileage of any other small SUV, as far as I'm aware (I stopped monitoring small SUVs closely after I bought one a few years ago)

The RAV4 is quite small, but decent space, whether it's big enough depends on your needs. The CR-V is larger, and I found it to be really comfortable when I test drove one.

Both have excellent turning circles, and decent visibility (though the center rear headrest limits visibility considerably in the CR-V - most owners remove it when not in use)

Both Honda and Toyota are well-known for their reliability.

If I were to spend 20-30k on a small SUV, these 2 would be my top contenders, though I'd want to know if a hybrid version was coming out soon before buying right now.

[AndyP]

4. I'd go wtih a hybrid of some sort

I know Ford and Toyota and Honda have one. Good gas mileage and they are pretty much the same as their gas guzzlin brothers.

Outside the hybrids, do you like the lexus SUV's (used of course). I like them because they are smaller and not as bulky.

[Dover]

6. I should add that the majority of my driving is highway rather than city

so I might be better off with a traditional car (gas or diesel) that gets good mileage. For instance, I think Toyota Matrix gets around 30 hwy. And I think the Honda CRV is about the same.

[Xtreme]

5. Pontiac vibe

17 to 20 grand :)

[Dover]

7. Yeah, I was just looking at these the other day. It caught my eye

when I passed a used car lot. Apparently it is made with many Toyota parts and is very similar to their Matrix. I've only read there was a problem with the paint being too thin/chipping (may have been corrected...don't know). I like the look. I'll have to do more research on it.

Another car that caught my eye, which I'd never seen on the road was the Chevy Malibu SS. But it's a little too small and the truth is I don't think I'll ever buy another American car...for more reasons than I can count.

http://motortrend.com/autoshows/coverage/new_york/112_nyas_malibuss/

[LTR]

11. The Malibu SS is new

It's an '06 model, and it hasn't hit stores yet.

It's also available on the Maxx model.

Chevy also added a new one you might like. It's called the HHR:

http://www.chevrolet.com/hhr06/



And no, it's not a PT Cruiser knock-off. It's actually a highly functional new wagon, built on the compact Cobalt platform.

Lots of SUV-like usefulness, such as fold-flat seats (including front passenger) and a back adjustable shelf.

As for your 'American car' statement, what, in your definition, IS an 'American car'? And why wouldn't you consider one?

[benEzra]

14. If you do decide to get a new car, what about a Volvo V50?

http://www.volvocars.us/models/v50/



Price would be mid-20's to low-30's, depending on engine/transmission choice and other options.

[MemphisTiger]

15. I had a Subaru Outback and loved it

with your price range you could get a nice one new or an even nicer one that is a year or two old. Mine averaged 27mpg, not bad for and AWD vehicle and the thing will last you forever. Give it some serious consideration, if you go with it I doubt you'll regret it.