Best USED Fun Family Hauler - Sub $10k?

"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown) 03/12/2015 at 12:14 • Filed to: None

2

18

Mileage is no object but price sure as hell is. Priority list is as follows:

Reliability (~$1k/yr maintenance is alright)

Fits 5 comfortably

Fun (points for manual transmission)

Look-Back-Factor (stare as you walk away or bust)

Luxuries

MPG

Resale

First thought is a manual transmission first generation BMW X5 . They exist though the chance of scoring one for said price point is slim. Other ideas?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 12:18

1

I actually found a few manual x3s in my area. Might be worth a look for you

Stupidru > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 12:22

0

WK Grand Cherokee Diesel

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 12:22

0

Cadillac Brougham! just avoid the 4.1L. You can get one with a small block chevy how much more reliable do you want? it's luxurious, spacious and how can you not look back at this?

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 12:27

0

Volvo 940 Turbo, preferably in wagon form. Either that or an old 500 ci Cadillac, or even better, a '70s LeSabre with the Wildcat 455.

Something like this:

jariten1781 > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 12:47

4

Resale on a <10k car? OK...haha

Anyhow, my choice would be first gen manual Mazda 6 wagon.

William Byrd > jariten1781 03/12/2015 at 13:00

0

To be fair, he listed it last. haha

Best option I've seen proposed so far. Although the other options were older than I am (and I'm 38).

RightFootDown > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 03/12/2015 at 13:00

0

Really? Where is said area?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 13:01

0

I have a 250 mile search bubble around Chicago and like 2 popped up in indiana

RightFootDown > jariten1781 03/12/2015 at 13:02

0

The rate of depreciation on an already depreciated vehicle is usually pretty good. Interesting call on the Mazda 6 wagon. It's got looks.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 13:03

0

How often do you really need to fit 5 people? If it is 5 people in a pinch, but generally 4 people then any larger sedan (or even better, wagon would be perfect). Probably a Subaru outback or legacy would be pretty good. Or maybe a mazda 6? Idk if it would go within budget, but a Ford Taurus SHO would be pretty sweet.

jariten1781 > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 13:13

0

Yeah, I had one for 10 years and it treated me well. Plus, it's got a trick cargo divider that can turn into a retractable dog screen as a little bonus (assuming the PO hasn't discarded it). It also mounts behind the rear seats when they're up providing the cargo cover.

The reason I chuckle on the resale thing is that any <10k$ normal car that you get and drive for ~5 years 60k miles will be a <4k$ car at sale. They hit bottom so resale is kind of a wash. There are things like Land Cruisers and WRXs that will hold a bit higher at their bottom if they're in good condition, but they usually require a premium to get into which negates it anyway.

RightFootDown > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 03/12/2015 at 13:15

0

Our bi-annual border runs (VA to Toronto) usually involves extended family which is 5, sometimes 6 heads. Then there's the half dozen 4 hr long trips to Ocean City, Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach (8hrs) in the summer.

RightFootDown > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 03/12/2015 at 13:17

0

Thanks. I won't be 'recommending' your reply. :)

Then Something New > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 13:18

0

Subaru Legacy GT Wagon I'm responding to everything on Oppo with this answer.

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventory…

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RightFootDown 03/12/2015 at 14:55

0

Do any vehicles outside of minivans really offer comfortable seating for more than 4 then? Definitely not a vehicle that can hit points 3 or 4, but if its only the family hauler and not your DD, why not just get a minivan? They get so much hate for being a "soccer mom mobile" but really minivans are so useful and comfortable for road trips. Plus if it has fold flat seats, it can be quite the utility vehicle for carrying crap.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > RightFootDown 03/13/2015 at 01:38

2

First gen X5 reliable?! That's hilarious!

E500 4matic wagon, S211 chassis. Seats 7, has over 300hp, classy. If well maintained they are surprisingly trouble free, especially the engine and trans which are basically bulletproof aside from some minor and very cheap to fix oil leaks.

RightFootDown > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 03/13/2015 at 10:34

0

In all fairness I had a 2001 X5 4.4i with 130k miles that drove like a dream. Except that time the transmission failed. That's also why I said manual trans.

The E500 is an interesting suggestion. Will look in to that.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > RightFootDown 03/13/2015 at 15:30

0

Some manual transmissions are worse than autos for reliability, so be careful for that. You probably weren't far away from needing a bunch of bushings and oil leaks fixed, not to mention deeper engine issues like timing and vanos things.