Car suggestions for a family member (pt.2)

"sellphones2493" (sellphones2493)
05/25/2015 at 23:12 • Filed to: None

So last week I posted about my grandfather and his wife, who were looking to replace her awful Lexus CT200h with something less -bad. After spending a frustrating day with her looking for replacements, we came up with a few cars, mostly different !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . None of them are really that similar to eachother. At. All.

Here’s the official list (in no order) - they’re making a decision sometime this week.

Audi Q3: She loves how it feels to drive. Like most Audi’s I’ve been in, it’s super planted and feels very sturdy. The interior is well put together and the seating position works well. The main complaints are that it doesn’t have memory seats (my grandfather claims he needs this), the headrests in the back don’t come down, and the wiggle room on price isn’t much, given the fact they’ve been out for like a month.

Volvo V60 Cross Country: It feels safe, it drives great, and she loves how the headrests just fall right down. We originally looked at the S60, but she likes the rear wiper and having the additional height. The Volvo Dealer is currently doing renovations and they’re practically giving the cars away. They can do (from what I remember) ~$5,000 off S60 Drive-e and ~$3,500 off V60 Cross Country. However, it still comes in as the most expensive out of them all.

Buick Encore: The weirdo choice that seemingly works really, really well. It’s got the height she decided she wants, and the length she wants. It drives well (it’s super slow, but she’s been driving a CT200h, so...), and it’s pretty comfortable. It comes in at around $7,000 less than the Q3 and $9,000 less than the Volvo. However, she stated that it doesn’t feel nearly as substantial as the other choices (aka it doesn’t feel like it’s built like a tank). Surprisingly, there isn’t much wiggle room on these in terms of pricing.

DISCUSSION (46)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:17

Why not a Tiguan R-Line? It’s 95% the same as the Q3, has memory seats, and should have some of that wiggle room you’re looking for

jkm7680 > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:18

Q3 hands down.

sellphones2493 > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/25/2015 at 23:18

She said it was too big. Don’t ask me how the Volvo got into the equation...

My citroen won't start > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:22

Lexus NX?

sellphones2493 > My citroen won't start
05/25/2015 at 23:22

They’re mad at Lexus because the CT is so shitty they decided to ditch the brand.

My citroen won't start > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:23

Fair enough, no BMWs?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:23

What was shitty about it? Not fans of the Prius drivetrain?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:24

The Q3 literally IS a Tiguan. How is that not too big? O.o

sellphones2493 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/25/2015 at 23:25

Build Quality, can’t use the nav when in drive, visibility, no memory seats, surprisingly unreliable (19,600 miles and it’s been towed 3 times)

sellphones2493 > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/25/2015 at 23:26

Idk something about the slanted roofline I guess.

sellphones2493 > My citroen won't start
05/25/2015 at 23:26

X1 would be the only choice and it rides too hard.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:36

Hmm, that’s too bad. Might I suggest a first gen MDX? I know they can seat seven, but they’re not really big at all, good height, memory seats, good visibility... My parents have had theirs for 10 years, 230k miles and still going strong.

Wobbles the Mind > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:36

Ive never researched this model (very rare in my area) but seems like a GMC Terrain would fix the issues with the Encore while keeping premium and kind of give that micro, lifted station wagon feel.

boxrocket > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:36

V60 is definitely the way to go. Is that price for a new model, because used XC60s (the crossover one, mostly the same car) can be had with few miles and less than a mew S/V60.

The Encore feels chintzy and cheap; I shudder at how they manages to make the Trax even cheaper. It’s a Chevy sonic with more weight and a bit more height. Not worth it.

Why the A3 instead of a loaded Jetta wagon? Or does she insist upon Quattro?

sellphones2493 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/25/2015 at 23:42

no used.

Vicente Esteve > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:42

Wow, that’s about the first time I know of a seriously unpleased Lexus owner.

sellphones2493 > Vicente Esteve
05/25/2015 at 23:46

It’s her second Lexus and my grandfather’s third. They loved their old ES300’s, but these new ones aren’t doing it for them. My grandfather moved to a Genesis after his 2001 ES300 Coach Edition.

sellphones2493 > boxrocket
05/25/2015 at 23:47

She didn’t like the looks of the Jetta Wagon and she wants AWD (my grandfather drives a Genesis V8 which doesn’t work in the snow).

As for the used Volvo, they refuse to buy used.

TheHondaBro > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:47

RDX?

sellphones2493 > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2015 at 23:47

Too big.

sellphones2493 > TheHondaBro
05/25/2015 at 23:49

Showed her a CR-V and she didn’t like the size.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sellphones2493
05/25/2015 at 23:56

Given all the comments here, it’s time for more drastic measures. What I’ve gathered so far is as follows:

- must be luxurious (don’t want a Tiguan but are considering a Q3)
- must have hatch or wagonesque shape of some kind
- no BMW
- no Lexus
- no used
- apparently no Honda/Acura
- can’t be “too big”
- AWD

The answer can only be:

Kinja'd!!!

LongbowMkII > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 00:00

What do you think about the Mercedes GLA?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 00:07

I would leave it to her... Spend more on a nicer car with no memory seats with the Audi A3 or save money and get the Buick.

Certainly they can choose between one of two choices for themselves, no?

Wobbles the Mind > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 00:11

Well if it’s a second vehicle, Encore. If its going to be the main vehicle including for longer trips, family gatherings, brunches, and all weather then Q3. If it is going to be their absolutely only vehicle and they plan to be a single vehicle household for the next 4 years, Volvo.

boxrocket > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 00:14

Gotcha. The V60 is easily my top pick and recommendation of these. Amazing seats, surprisingly good visibility, stupidly safe, holds its value, efficient, and the AWD system works very well, even off-road. The V60 XC's greater height is much appreciated for ingress and egress, and it looks a bit tougher.

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 01:12

How about a Mini Countryman? Or whatever the largest one they make is, I think it's called Countryman...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 02:12

Mercedes GLK?

Sneaky Pete > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 02:33

Cadillac SRX?

Spasoje > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 03:37

Sounds to me like the V60 would be the best fit for them. That alone is likely worth the premium in price that it commands over the other two - though I’m guessing it’s not very much?

Alex B > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
05/26/2015 at 07:02

I thought the Tiguan was a Q5, no?

Alex B > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/26/2015 at 07:02

Too big.

Vicente Esteve > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 07:26

He had the coach edition?! Baller!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Alex B
05/26/2015 at 08:04

Not at all. The Q5 is actually quite a bit bigger.

sellphones2493 > Vicente Esteve
05/26/2015 at 09:15

Yeah, haha. It was actually an incredibly rare one because it was the black over black. Most were white or gold over tan.

sellphones2493 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
05/26/2015 at 09:18

There are so many cars I’d recommend over the GLK. It’s incredibly unreliable and overpriced. MB does make that new thing like the GLA or something though

sellphones2493 > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
05/26/2015 at 09:19

I thought about the Countryman and I think the ride may be too rough. Moreover, I don’t think I have it in me to recommend a Mini given how much flack they get for reliability.

sellphones2493 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/26/2015 at 09:21

Too expensive. With nav and all the goodies you’re looking at about 50K+.

sellphones2493 > LongbowMkII
05/26/2015 at 09:23

I thought about it after we went car shopping. To be honest, I didn’t say anything because I didn’t have it in me to go to another dealer with her!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 10:10

Unreliable? What? Not sure we’re talking about the same thing here. The GLK is just a W204 C350 with a different body. I rarely see issues with them other than things related to their owners or simple software bugs.

I like the GLA. However, it’s a bit small and visibility isn’t great. I would argue that it is more overpriced than the GLK for what you’re getting. It’s just a more usable CLA, and the internet seems to hate those.

sellphones2493 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
05/26/2015 at 11:10

I may be thinking of them when they first came out. I remember Consumer Reports gave it a ‘Poor’ in terms of reliability. I figure though, if you’re gonna look at the GLK, you might as well look at the X3, Q5, and XC60, which all seem to be better.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 12:35

I tend not to listen to anything consumer reports says about cars, especially Mercedes. They seem to hate all Mercedes. The BMW guys I know say the latest x3 is a pile. I wouldn’t trust an Audi. Period. I like Volvo, I really do, but I’ve had some bad experiences there And don’t care for working on them.

Pre-facelift GLK’s are fine. Most common problem was probably leaking transfer cases, which is a simple fix, couple hours and under $100 in parts. Biggest gripe, plain Jane cheap feeling interior. But the new one is way classier.

GLK250? 35ish mpg and 370ft.lbs.

Otherwise, go for the V60, those are cool.

sellphones2493 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
05/26/2015 at 12:55

I had to eliminate a decent amount of cars because they’re from the generation that still think diesels suck. I built a GLK250 and it comes in too pricey!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 13:20

Lame! Modern diesels are awesome!

Low mileage CPO? The CPO warranty makes it a pretty sweet deal. The new price seems high to me too, not that I could afford it slightly cheaper anyways. But for a little more money you can have an ML. I feel like the GLK should max out around 50k, and bare bones around 37k.

Vicente Esteve > sellphones2493
05/26/2015 at 14:29

0.0

You lost a great one.

sellphones2493 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
05/26/2015 at 14:34

We’re dealing with a 70-80 year old mentality.

My grandfather’s view on used cars: “I don’t want to buy someone else’s problem”

My grandfather’s wife’s view towards diesels: “I don’t want to be stuck trying to find a gas station that has it”

I’ve tried everything. They’re old and set in their ways!