Ugh. Car buying advise for sibling.

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
03/10/2015 at 00:41 • Filed to: None

here's a Lancia for your time.

First she wanted a Pilot, now a 4Runner. she said she likes it because the rear window goes down for the dog?!? With gas going to be going up I think it's pretty stupid especially since I don't see her ever going off road. She also doesn't have the greatest history of making smart financial decisions.

I've been recommending a CR-v. gives height and isn't crazy big/expensive to operate.

Any advise on what to recommend?

DISCUSSION (33)

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 00:46

CRV works. RAV-4 too.

HammerheadFistpunch > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 00:49

my advice? Don't bother. She's going to get what she wants

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 00:55

The window makes up for the gas mileage. On a Florida spring day, I have not a fuck to give that I am consuming 1 gallon of fuel per 12 miles. Though in newer 4Runners, you should be able to get around 20.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 00:56

Just agree with the 4Runner. It's a good truck that will likely last forever. The Pilot too. 99% of people with them have never off-roaded in their entire lives. Gas will suck eventually, but whatever. Not your problem.

I've learned that simply saying "Oh, yeah. Those are supposed to be good cars/trucks" when someone asks me for car buying advice is usually the best route. Most of the time they don't want legitimate input. They just want you to validate what they want.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 00:57

You could always buy a pontiac Aztek for dirt cheap and then not give a fuck about gas mileage because you paid next to nothing for your vehicle.

Steve in Manhattan > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 00:58

Hyundai Santa Fe or Tucson - often overlooked, pretty decent.

noise > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 01:17

Kinja'd!!!

Conan > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 01:27

4Runners are fine. There's worse taste she could have.

Clay Smith's Revenge > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 01:53

If it's a big dog and she wants something as versatile as possible I'd recommend the Honda Element.

Clam shell side doors for entry:

Kinja'd!!!

And wide hatch with easy clean floors and folding rear seats for maximum capacity:

Kinja'd!!!

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/10/2015 at 02:13

This. I have tried to influence peoples car buying decisions many times, but in the end no one listens. At least these two choices are reliable, I've seen some people make some pretty dumb choices after asking for my advice on buying a car. In the end it's their money and their problem if anything goes wrong, but you can take solace in the fact that you get to tell them I told you so if they made a bad choice.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 03:06

Ha! Don't recommend anything.

My sister's 1999 Ford Escort was really getting worn out — alternator kept failing, no matter how many times a new one would go in. That thing lasted her for 7 years, since 2007, when she graduated from high school and was going to need a car for college commuting. It was bought for $2000 at 60k miles! Best money my dad's probably ever spent.

So 7 months ago, when I voluntarily helped my sister narrow down on what kind of car she was looking for, she wound up getting a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. She needed more power and a larger car. She said she needed a larger car for her work items (job is behavioral/social therapy in kids, especially autistic) - mostly in need of a larger trunk opening to fit things through. I recommended any newish compact car, preferably after 2010, since you know, model bloat. She didn't take heed to it. Since her car is under warranty currently, she dropped it off for some repairs that were needed to the car's cruise control system, and she had an Elantra on loaner, and realized how the Elantra was just as good as the Sonata while being smaller. She didn't listen...

Kevin Barrett > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
03/10/2015 at 03:10

When people ask me for car buying advice, I ask them about their criteria, then listen and nod as they rationalize every reasonable and unreasonable demand. When they're finished and cocking their head at me, repeating my name and waving their in front of my face, I smile and tell them, "Sounds to me like you want a Miata."

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/10/2015 at 04:10

Most of the time they don't want legitimate input. They just want you to validate what they want.

This. Exactly.

Save yourself some frustration.

ciscokidinsf > Clay Smith's Revenge
03/10/2015 at 04:18

Yes- seconded - there is even an OEM doggie Ramp for the Element I believe - Last year of manufacturing was 2013?

pip bip - choose Corrour > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 06:10

Captiva Sport

NoneOfYourBiz > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 07:22

You asked for advice so I'm going to jump in.

It's cart before horse to talk about specific vehicles before identifying needs/wants.

If she's being obstinate, approach with caution. Always ask if they really want an honest opinion. You want buy-in of your advice before giving it or they may as well have their fingers in their ears, yelling "lalalalalalala!"

Once you have a genuine "fuck yeah I want your advice!" start asking them leading questions (Socratic method).

"Are low maintenance costs important to you? Low fuel consumption? Do you often drive on dirt/unmaintained roads?" etc. (I'm guessing those answers are "Yes, yes, never," and you see where I'm going with this.)

4Runner is massive overkill for most people, unless they're driving on unprepared roads. (my buddy has one, a 1996, which I've driven extensively, on dirt/mud trails and around town - it's a tank) A new set of tires is likely $1500 and they burn twice as much fuel as a compact vehicle. A Forerunner is not practical or economical as a daily city driver.

Lead her toward a FWD hatchback or CUV if her needs are as simple as I suspect.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
03/10/2015 at 07:39

It's what its looking like.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Clay Smith's Revenge
03/10/2015 at 07:45

She said she hates boxy stuff like that and the cube.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > NoneOfYourBiz
03/10/2015 at 07:52

That's what I've been trying to do. She likes going into the city, so I said parking could be a bitch, "no it has a camera", "uh its still big compared to small crossover. I think it falls into the wrangler category of "everybody loves the idea of owning a jeep, its when you're using it for regular stuff that it starts to suck."

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 07:53

Why not a Lancia Stratos?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Clay Smith's Revenge
03/10/2015 at 07:53

I've always had a soft spot for these.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/10/2015 at 07:55

Cost, and no room for the dog and 2 people. Also rear visibility sucks and no backup camera.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 08:06

But... It's a Lancia. Doesn't it get a pass on all of that?

Clay Smith's Revenge > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/10/2015 at 08:08

Yeah, they're incredibly handy, easy to maintain and clean (spill a soda, hose it out. Dogs puke on way to dog park, hose it out) and really safe in a rollover (served as an unintentional crash dummy in one, 2.5 revolutions, mild concussion was my only injury).

And the Honda power plant has got enough "oomph" to merge and pass on busy highways.

Not everyone likes the funky style but you can usually win them over with how versatile and intuitively functional it is.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Clay Smith's Revenge
03/10/2015 at 08:10

Yeah, that's essentially why I like it. I almost think that it would have been better received if Honda just said "here's out new stupid functional car-based thing that gets good gas mileage and drives like a car" instead of trying to position it as an "edgy" youth mobile. It would have made a great, honest little car.

Clay Smith's Revenge > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/10/2015 at 08:21

Yeah, Honda marketed to the completely wrong demographic in aiming for the young outdoor activity crowd (20-30 as a daily driver) instead of the 30-40 group where it's not the primary vehicle. We wouldn't have bought it if one of us had to drive it every day but had more than enough need for it that it made perfect sense.

Haven't looked to see where the prices are now but undoubtedly you can find low mileage Elements under $10K

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Clay Smith's Revenge
03/10/2015 at 08:31

Oh yeah, they're cheap. A few years ago I wanted one, but I'm sort of torn about what to do about cargo space since it's looking increasingly like I'm going to want to also tow my racecar like of frequently.

NoneOfYourBiz > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 09:19

How about this: see if you can find one for her to rent or borrow.

I know with the company BMW, a few weeks of it was enough to get the BMW bug out of my system.

Matthew Phillips > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 10:15

And she wants a Pilot ?

ciscokidinsf > Clay Smith's Revenge
03/10/2015 at 11:09

Had it for years - lost my Element in the divorce.

Yeas, Agreed on the good stuff, the bad? Mediocre MPG, Hella Road Noise, and for some reason, the durability of the interiors is less than your average Honda. Still, awesome and great for moving apartments

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/10/2015 at 11:31

What about a subaru forester?

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Matthew Phillips
03/10/2015 at 20:46

I'm having a tough time understanding her logic as well.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
03/10/2015 at 20:51

That's a good compromise.