Sell me (or not) a family car

"Reborn Pyrrhic" (pyrrhic) 12/02/2014 at 10:10 • Filed to: purchasing advice, carbuying, used cars, mazda 5, honda fit, honda element, saab wagon, wagon, people mover, rpiereck

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I will be moving to the USA next week and will be looking to buy a family car when I get there. Our family car here in Germany has been a trusty 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon, which i comfortable, fast, huge inside, and despite having a few maintenance issues it has been very reliable (it's a fourteen year old daily driven car, something will always break).

The car that will replace it doesn't need to be as fast (my wife drives it most of the time), has to have better gas mileage (the Saab drank gas pretty well under boost...), have enough room in the rear seat for a baby seat, and ne reliable. Trunk space is nice, but I could augment with a roof top box if there are incentives for a smaller car (fuel economy, for example). Oh, the car also needs to be automatic. Yes, I prefer driving manual myself, and my daily driver has a clutch, but this being my wife's car it needs to have only two pedals (trust me, I tried teaching her manual, but she gave up). Things I don't NEED but will take are the new amenities you find in never cars, like Bluetooth, powered rear lift gate (who needs that?), etc, etc.

Cars I have considered: Saab 9-3 SC, Saab 9-5 Combi, Mazda 5, Honda Element (I like the box on wheels), Honda Fit, VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI, Volvo wagons etc. My wife would like sliding rear doors, so the Mazda 5 is a prime one right now.

If you own or have experiences with any of these prime people movers please chime in. Tell me about how they drive, which transmissions just suck the life out of the car, which ones to avoid like the plague.

Margin Of Error > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:15

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As much room as a minivan

As much power as a sports car

As much comfort as a Mercedes

As much style as a Caddy

I own dead car brands only > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:15

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i drive a 2011 Saab 9-5 sedan. Its the 2.0 Biopower, its very fuel efficient. I get about 20-23 mpg in city. The new generation 9-5 sportcombi did not make it to the states. But the sedan is huge inside. Has been reliable so far. I would avoid the 2.0 found in older 9-3s, they have intake valve issues leading to lost compression and potentially a destroyed engine.

But a happy wife means a happy life so probably get the Mazda 5

M54B30 > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:18

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where are you coming from?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:20

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What's our budget here?

Jon-o > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:22

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My boss has a Mazda 5 which replaced his Mazda 3 when he had a baby. He says the fuel economy is quite good, handles well and the seats are comfortable. One thing I've noticed in the North East is that they start to rust noticeably considering they are relatively new... But if you are going somewhere they don't salt like crazy it would be a great choice or maybe don't keep it too too long unless you get it rust protected.

Your boy, BJR > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:23

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I have a well kept and documented 2004 Honda Pilot that, although fantastic on every single level, isn't a RWD Chevy Monte Carlo, so it just doesn't make me happy.

$9000

GhostZ > Margin Of Error 12/02/2014 at 10:42

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My go-to suggestion, and I am so glad you posted it.

I think most other countries are blissfully unaware of how incredibly cheap it is to own one of these used and drive it for 100,000+ miles compared to the amount of comfort and utility they offer. Quite possibly the cheapest car to repair in the world.

Tohru > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:48

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You're coming to America. Embrace American car culture.

V8. Rear wheel drive. Automatic. 25mpg. Wagon. Trunk space. Prime people mover. 3 rows of seating. Fold flat load floor. Leather interior. American luxury. The size of a German apartment.

Buick Roadmaster wagon.

Tohru > Margin Of Error 12/02/2014 at 10:49

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So close! He likes wagons. Looks like the GM B-body wins out over the Panther.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:49

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As much as I like the Elements, I cannot recommend... Above 45-50mph they get worse MPG than a 3.5L Pilot. What part of the country are you moving to?

Mustafaluigi > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 10:55

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Because welcome to America.

505Turbeaux > Tohru 12/02/2014 at 11:54

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mine pulled 26-27 with the a/c on at 75 down the highway. Loved it

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Tohru 12/02/2014 at 12:10

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+1 million for this. Also they're dirt cheap, absolutely indestructible, and if you really want you can dump a Corvette engine+transmission into one for the ultimate in sleeper status.

GhostZ > 505Turbeaux 12/02/2014 at 12:16

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Nothing quite like an engine that will still pass cars on the highway withoutout breaking 1500rpm.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Tohru 12/02/2014 at 12:55

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WANT

Reborn Pyrrhic > Tohru 12/02/2014 at 20:11

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No, my wife is a tiny Korean lady, the stereotypical Asian woman driver, and I'm not kidding. She doesn't need something bigger than our current Saab.

Reborn Pyrrhic > Jon-o 12/02/2014 at 20:14

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Going to Newport News, VA. Not too much snow there.

Reborn Pyrrhic > Mustafaluigi 12/02/2014 at 20:14

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I'd love it but it's a bit too big for my wife.

Reborn Pyrrhic > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/02/2014 at 20:15

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5000 to 15000, wide margin. Maybe 18000.

Reborn Pyrrhic > M54B30 12/02/2014 at 20:15

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Ansbach, Germany.

Reborn Pyrrhic > Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge 12/02/2014 at 20:17

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Newport News, VA. I was worried about the Element's highway mileage too.

Tohru > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/02/2014 at 20:26

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The Caprice variant was used as a police vehicle (package 1A2, Special Service Wagon), so you can get push bars for the front.

If this is too big, I shouldn't even show you the other ones...

4 rows of seats.

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4 wheel drive.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/03/2014 at 06:03

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Oh you don't say! Some friends of mine live there. lol Yeah, the Elements are cool, but not practical for realistic driving. You shouldn't be seeing more than light snow at the worst around there, so you won't really need AWD/4WD. If your wife really wants sliding doors, the Mazda 5 and Ford Transit are really your only options without going into Odyssey/Town and Country territory. Though, if you do decide to go the full-size minivan route, the 2005-2010 Odyssey is hard to beat.

Now, if you're looking for something more enthusiast-friendly, I would highly recommend a '95-'97 or '06-'10 Lincoln Town Car. Endless amount of trunk space, full-frame, easy to fix, perfect for long trips, the gas mileage really isn't bad if you keep your foot out of it, and the older cars can be had for under $8K in very good condition. I would also recommend a 9-5 Combi and any Volvo wagon, but those can be pricey to maintain on this side of the pond. Idk what the parts availability/prices are over there.

P.S. Sorry for the book... I take these matters very seriously. haha

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/03/2014 at 10:35

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http://toledo.craigslist.org/ctd/4771593352…

The Mazda 6 is a SOLID car. I basically have a Mercury version as my daily driver - 07 Mercury Milan V6, unfortunately they only sold the Mazda as a wagon. Though I will tell you a full size rear facing convertible car seat fits in the back of my Milan no problem. The V6 isn't as fast as the fun Saab, might be, but with the V6 it'll get moving in a spirited manner. I know the Milan surprised me.

The platform is used for Mazda 6, Fusion, Milan, and MKZ with various engines.

ALL ARE GOOD

Good gas mileage and awesome reliability. My goal for this car is 200k miles or so. I've put 45k on my Milan in 2.5 years with just oil changes, a set of brakes, and a set of tires. (I'm just over 90k now)

44444444444 > Reborn Pyrrhic 12/05/2014 at 08:13

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Volvo V70R.

This one is geartronic but manuals can be found.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/478999…