My mom is looking for a new used car

"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory) 05/29/2014 at 01:14 • Filed to: None

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Unfortunately, our 1996 Honda Odyssey feels as though it's about to die at 250,000 miles (that's what happens when you take care of a nineties Honda). Any suggestions on a replacement for around $5000? She wants something cheap (hence the target price) but nice and something that will last long. Our Saab is not the best on gas, so mileage is also a good thing. Oh, and it needs to have a fairly upright seating position because she has a knee thing. And it should be "cute". Hauling space is not really an issue, as her knee problems keep her from lifting anything she decides is heavy.

Desu-San-Desu > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:15

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General geographic location?

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Desu-San-Desu 05/29/2014 at 01:18

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Seattle

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:20

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Honda CR-V, toyota RAV-4.

Desu-San-Desu > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:21

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Driving environment- primarily city or highway?

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Desu-San-Desu 05/29/2014 at 01:22

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Highway, but in Seattle, highway and city ain't so different.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/29/2014 at 01:23

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She doesn't like the CUVs so much. We test drove a RAV-4 when shopping last time and we ended up just looking at Swedes. Not complaining, I am glad she chose the 9-5 in the end.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:26

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She wants "upright seating" but doesn't want a CUV/SUV......so she wants another minivan?

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:28

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I've found the complete opposite of what you wanted.

Cheap? no, maintenance will far outweigh the initial cost.
Gas Mileage? haha
Upright? nope
Cute? no way


but it is fucking badass.

a 1994 XJS convertible with only 110 thousand miles

autotrader

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/29/2014 at 01:29

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That's what she said. I think she was alright in an SX4 though.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 05/29/2014 at 01:30

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I found a salvaged 2002 A4 Avant V6... same thing again. To be fair, she'd call that Jag cute though.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:32

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how about this 1996 Honda Odyssey

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 05/29/2014 at 01:34

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Haha, that's the exact same color as hers. Not sure if she'd play ball. It's a really really great car though... What about this?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/449314…

Zibodiz > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:36

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1st or 2nd gen Ford Escape. It's a little more of an SUV than the average CUV is, is upright, decent on fuel, and a lot of fun to drive. Lots of people think they're cute. Super reliable, thanks to Mazda.

CRider > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:37

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$5k and it has to last a long time? You'll probably end up in another Honda. Or an old Toyota.

Zibodiz > Zibodiz 05/29/2014 at 01:38

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And they feel a lot more roomy inside than a Toyota or Honda CUV, particularly on the legroom.

Singhjr96 > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:40

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TRUE THAT! I decided to go to kent last weekend from lynnwood...OMFG! I even took 405 and even that got stop and go for quite a while

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > CRider 05/29/2014 at 01:40

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I know. I told her that she might want to consider spending a little bit more and getting something a little newer and nicer, but she wants to pay for it in cash upfront. So yeah. I dunno, it seems like at this point in car development, 90s Japanese cars are the only place to go for long lifespans, but the problem is the ones of those that have been kept nice are now getting up there in mileage.

Singhjr96 > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:41

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Have you ever had to replace the transmission?

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Singhjr96 05/29/2014 at 01:44

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Nope! The only issues we've had are:

- small exhaust leak

- small oil leak

- broken window motors

CRider > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:45

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Yeah, she can probably lease a new car and once maintenance and everything is factored in, she'll probably be a lot happier. A new Escape would probably suit her well, and you can lease a reasonably equipped one for around $200 a month.

Singhjr96 > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:46

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SHOCKER!!! You seen the regular car review of the odyssey? skip to 3:17 for Tranny's.

Chez burrito > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:48

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How about this honda element! I feel like it ticks most the boxes you are looking for you just have to talk them down a little

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/ctd/447516…

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Chez burrito 05/29/2014 at 01:52

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Hmmm had not thought of this. Good thought!

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:52

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haaha. I think that only fits the cute requirement. I think they'd be a kick arse little car though.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Singhjr96 05/29/2014 at 01:53

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Maybe there's a difference between the 1st gen and 2nd gen. We have a 1st gen.

Desu-San-Desu > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:53

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Ok, I don't know your mom from Eve, but based on what you mentioned up top, estimating age and associated preferred seating position, general Pacific Northwest sensibilities, and accounting for multiple interpretations of 'cute', along with 'haggle room' on pricing, these are some quick preliminary suggestions after about a quick 20 minute search on craigslist:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/449133…

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/448355…

http://seattle.craigslist. org/oly/cto/4493356403.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/447490…

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/448718…

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/449095…

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/448232…

http://seattle.craigslist .org/see/cto/4492494898.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/448940…

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4 448357853.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/448141…

Should cover a decent range of choices and maybe help give the two of you some ideas. Also, don't bother searching for Imprezas for that budget- they're impossible to find in decent condition with an automatic transmission anywhere in that region.

P.S. - Kinja keeps screwing up the format and not showing all of the pictures. Just click each link, lol.

Chez burrito > Chez burrito 05/29/2014 at 01:54

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http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/ctd/447516…

Umm for some reason the link didn't work so I'm trying again!!

Chez burrito > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 01:55

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thanks!!That is the most upright car I could think of! And there are a ton cheaper but they have over twice the mileage this one only has 89,000 miles

Desu-San-Desu > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 02:02

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I thought about one of these, too. I didn't see the black one, but I did find an orange one, which I included in my big list post.

Funny...first thought was a Kia Soul. None available. Then a Nissan Cube. None available. Scion xB? One. What else is boxy, frugal, reliable, and upright? Hmm...oh wait! The Element! There has to be tons of those up north! I found one , lol.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 02:03

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Middle-aged woman in in the Pacific Northwest? Your flagship awaits:

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/29/2014 at 02:04

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She drove one of these a long time ago when she got her 1993 Camry wagon and she despised it. Said it was the most unreasonably cramped cockpit ever.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/29/2014 at 02:11

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Jeep Cherokee. They made a LOT of them so prices are reasonable, and if you can find one with an I-6 you're all set for reliability because those engines are absolutely bulletproof. The seating position is upright but the truck is actually quite small and drives like a car.

If she doesn't find the Cherokee "cute" enough, there's always the Liberty.