What would oppo buy?

"MUSASHI66" (musashi66) 10/12/2016 at 11:04 • Filed to: None

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As some of you know, I drive a 2014 FIAT 500 Abarth Convertible GQ Edition as my nice weather car, and in February of this year, I bought a 2016 Subaru Forester XT as my winter car and dog transportation.

Due to some life circumstances (we got a third dog that will grow up large, my wife is opening her own law firm and it might be us striking it rich or it might be a bust, and the fact that I kept the FIAT in the garage whole winter long while the XT stayed outside and I got sick of cleaning snow and defrosting the car before I go to work), I have been toying with the idea of something different, and going back to one car only.

I don’t have much equity in either of the cars - Forester XT was bought with zero down and my trade-in was my lease return, and my FIAT was purchased with the idea of driving it for a while, plus I spent $2000 or so one the new wheels and Abarth bits.

What I am looking for:

I want to stay under $500 per month on a 60 or a 72 month loan, so my upper maximum on a car is $35000

It needs to fit the three dogs and 4 adults - most of the time it is just me and the wife and three large dogs, but sometimes I have my parents in the car too, so Golf sized cars won’t work. They sort of fit in the Forester now, but the little girl dog will double in size in no time.

If I am to get rid of my Abarth, I want a car that is somewhat fun or cool - reasonably fast, decent horsepower, maybe manual transmission, maybe a special edition of some sort

If I go used, it needs to be close to new, under warranty, under 20k or maximum 30k miles.

Based on these parameters, I am not presented with many choices.

I found a used 2016 Ford Flex Limited 3.5 TT eco-boost with the appearance package and 20k miles or so. I might go test drive it, although it is on the very top of what I’d spend on a car. It would be awesome for three dogs though, especially if I remove the third row seats. It would be like having a minivan almost, but one that accelerates like a banshee.

Another option is Golf Alltrack with the manual transmission to wring out the most out of those 170HP. I can have a new one for $25-30000.

I like the idea of a Jeep Grand Cherokee TrailHawk, but they are too pricey. Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk is probably too small.

I love the Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition, but they cost too much new and they have way too many miles when they are used and around $30k - people sell them for $30000 with 80k+ miles which is just silly.

Other cars to consider: Ford Explorer Sport with eco-boost. 4 door pick up with a topper and a lot of HP, although I am not excited about the idea of DD a pickup.

I can’t think of many cars that would fit what I am after. Oppo, your thoughts? 2 out of 3 dogs for your time

S65 > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:09

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Chevy Express with the 6.0 Vortec, keep the Abarth

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > S65 10/12/2016 at 11:12

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Can confirm, is fun

Moves-Like-Senna > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:12

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Honestly, go drive the Ford Flex. They run solid low 14s at the drag strip and haul ass elsewhere.

MUSASHI66 > S65 10/12/2016 at 11:13

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I have toyed with the idea of buying a beater for the winters and the dogs, but having three cars with a 2 car garage and a small driveway is a bit of a hassle.

S65 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 10/12/2016 at 11:14

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That’s reassuring, I want one

MUSASHI66 > Moves-Like-Senna 10/12/2016 at 11:23

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I always liked the Flex, and the appearance package ones are awesome - this one is silver with black roof and black wheels and the eco-boost and I dig it. Wife is not the biggest fan, but I am sure she’d convert after seeing how fast and comfortable it is, and how well the dogs would fit.

Thomas Donohue > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:31

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When one of the dogs is old enough, just get them their own car.

Keep the Abarth and go used Mazda CX-7 or CX-9.

Moves-Like-Senna > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:31

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I agree, with the right color combo like that they look upscale and the headlights just look fantastic! Hahaha, bring her along, I’ve been trying to get the GF onboard with any wagon but she’s still stuck on the Camero.

Shift24 > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:32

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Civic hatch maybe? I mean getting away from CUVs/SUVs it is Turbo, Manual, hatchback, and if anything like the sedan, fun to drive. The 1.5L turbo is deceivingly quick (almost as fast as the 14 Si) and its almost mid size due to the segment its self growing bigger and bigger. Starts under 21k and loaded 26.5k i think?

http://jalopnik.com/honda-will-sell-you-a-civic-hatchback-with-three-pedals-1787037492

CAR_IS_MI > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:34

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I’m selling my 08 S63 for 33... it has lots of room for activities and all the power you want...

MUSASHI66 > Thomas Donohue 10/12/2016 at 11:40

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Big boy is 8 - that’s like 56 in human years, so he can drive :). If I am to keep the Abarth, I might just keep the Forester as well and drive the the 40% portion of the rear seats down, and I’ll build some contraption to keep the dogs in their little space.

finn's arm > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:40

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I have 4 cars and a 2 car garage. Before my wife & I got married, it was 3 cars, 1 guy (Sort of still is 3 cars for me :D). Car tetris isn’t so bad :P

MUSASHI66 > Shift24 10/12/2016 at 11:42

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No way 3 large dogs and 4 adults can fit

Already have the Abarth and no way Civic is more fun

MUSASHI66 > CAR_IS_MI 10/12/2016 at 11:42

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Sure, I’ll finance $33k and leave my kidney as a deposit for future repairs

MUSASHI66 > finn's arm 10/12/2016 at 11:45

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In the near future, I’ll park the Abarth outside with a car cover and I’ll keep the Forester inside so it is nice and toasty for the winter. Unless I go and buy the Flex tonight - I’ve been known to make rash decisions before :)

Captain of the Enterprise > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:48

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I like the 4Runner idea they do run a long time. I’ve heard good things about the flex and think they look cool as well so that’s probably worth at least a test drive. I would skip the Cherokee, I think I would take the flex over an explorer but it’s just personal preference. I’ve never been a fan of the dogs in the bed of the pickup so I would personally skip that, the alltrack sounds interesting but I’d probably buy a crosstrek instead

finn's arm > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 11:49

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I like the Flex - I don’t like the new Explorers, which is weird.

The Flex is a great car and the Venza seems to be its only competitor in exterior shape and interior comfort. The Flex blows it away on the drivetrain. There are no other cars in that specific niche.

Milky > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 12:01

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I’d still look at non TrailHawk GCs and Durangos. New or Slightly used.

Could get either with a Hemi and do some exhaust work, or V6 if you want better mileage. GC have some really nice trim levels and/or other off road oriented ones.

EDIT: forgot about the diesel. My old boss has last gen with one and she has a ton of miles on the thing.

Mid Engine > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 12:05

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I’ve seen a lot of Volvo wagons with allowances for doggies, a meshed off thingy to keep them from hopping into the backseat. I would imagine you can find a CPO in your price range.

Toby F., Manager > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 12:29

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A truck with a camper top for the dogs?

Shift24 > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 12:37

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Wasnt thinking about 4 people but depending on the hatch maybe but most likely not. If you sticking FCA id say Wangler 4 door, used ‘14 near me is 28K https://cargur.us/bC28h . Since im a bit bias an Acura RDX v6 starts at 35K and used around 28k, ‘14 with AWD and Navi  https://cargur.us/cf7f2 .

And so an Alltrack, Flex, Explore, or Grand Cherokee is going to be more fun than the Abarth? 4Runner maybe because of its possibilities as an offroader but DD? Look your compromising and giving something thats probably a blast to drive for space. I never said the Civic was better than the Fiat but it would be more fun as a DD than an SUV.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 13:05

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Okay, hear me out!

It’s like a Flex, but better! More luxurious, quieter, tons of space on the inside...

I always laughed at these things, but then I drove a couple and was surprised.

Vicente Esteve > Milky 10/12/2016 at 13:36

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That is one bitchin Durango

MUSASHI66 > Shift24 10/12/2016 at 14:28

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None are going to be more fun than the Abarth, but I want some fun while transporting 3 dogs and 4 people. I can’t have a DD that doesn’t fit the three dogs.

MUSASHI66 > Milky 10/12/2016 at 14:29

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Jesus that is cheap for a Summit! Those are $50k+ brand new. I had a 2013 JGC with the Hemi and didn’t like it - it felt too heavy and it was waaay to thirsty - 13mpg city. 2014+ models are pretty nice though.

MUSASHI66 > Captain of the Enterprise 10/12/2016 at 14:30

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If I get a P/U for dogs, it would have a topper. I am considering it because it wold keep my cabin clean - we take them swimming all the time and they can ruin the inside of a car pretty quickly.

MUSASHI66 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 10/12/2016 at 14:31

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I know all that, but they are just so damn ugly to me, while the Flex has a charm I like.

MUSASHI66 > Toby F., Manager 10/12/2016 at 14:31

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Best option for cabin cleanliness, but I don’t think I want to drive a truck as a DD and my old dog is 8+, he can’t jump in easily any longer and I’d have to make a ramp for him.

MUSASHI66 > Mid Engine 10/12/2016 at 14:58

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I like Volvo. V60 is too small, same with XC60, XC90 is too expensive, same as V90, so that leaves me with XC70. I do liek the XC70 and maybe I could get a new one if they have some sales.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > MUSASHI66 10/12/2016 at 15:05

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No I understand that completely

It just surprised the hell out of me when I drove it.

I do like the flex a lot too though.

MUSASHI66 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 10/12/2016 at 15:14

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I just looked at a few - similar price and miles as the Flex Limiteds, but 2 year older models. If they depreciated like crazy I would maybe consider one, but I think Flex makes more sense.