![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:06 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
...for a good family friend of mine. She’s the new owner of a flower shop and is wanting a delivery vehicle. She needs something totally reliable, good on gas, and with a relatively large and tall cargo area.
unrelated 1 owner, 2600 miles Testarossa casually parked next to a 512 BBi, Slantnose Turbo, 3 GT3 RS’s, and 2 996 (manual) Turbos
Requirements:
Good mpgs
lots of cargo room
around $6k
very reliable
My initial thoughts are Scion XB, KIA Soul, and Nissan Cube, but after that I’m drawing a blank. Any help or insight would be appreciated.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:09 |
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Jap import Nissan S-cargo?
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:11 |
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for $6k shipped, with little rust and in good mechanical shape? unlikely, plus she’ll want it within a month.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:12 |
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First thought was xB, but you might also look at the Transit Connect. $6500 will probably get you a 2013 model, with older ones even cheaper.
This seems like the ideal vehicle for a lot of small businesses.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:14 |
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HHR Panel?
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:16 |
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she thinks they’re ugly
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:22 |
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If not for the 6k budget I’d have said TSX wagon. I’m assuming you would have too.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:30 |
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there’s no reason not to have a TSX wagon
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:34 |
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I would have gotten one if they were in my price range. If for some reason my sedan dies I’ll replace it with a wagon and put all the manual parts in it. It’d be the only manual CW2 outside Europe.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:35 |
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Just for work or for personal DD as well? Because if just for work, the first thing that comes to mind is a Transit van. They’re available around that price.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:35 |
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She’s right.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:39 |
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I might get one after college, I have some family who have one.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:40 |
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mostly work I believe
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:44 |
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Another vote for the Transit Connect.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:48 |
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The previous owner of my Audi TT owned a flower shop. The TT meets none of those requirements.
That’s all I got.
![]() 10/11/2017 at 23:53 |
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Also Transit,p Connect. It just makes the most sense. That or a second gen Honda Fit, but that could be a bit more expensive, and quite a bit smaller.
![]() 10/12/2017 at 00:08 |
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Honda Element. ALL. DAY. Or scion XB. I swear I’ve seen the Element as a flower delivery vehicle before too.
![]() 10/12/2017 at 01:05 |
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A Mini Clubmen S would be fun but I can’t vouch for reliability. Nissan nv200/Chevy city (shity) express might be within reach but they are the worse to drive. Scrap all my suggestions I’m going with GMC Safari Awd with a manual transmission (this is why you don’t come to OPPO for rational decisions)
![]() 10/12/2017 at 01:26 |
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Grumman LLV
![]() 10/12/2017 at 01:41 |
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Would the Mazda 5 be too short? Heard great things about it otherwise. Aside from that, Transit Connect’s gotta be the way to go. Honda Element?
![]() 10/12/2017 at 01:42 |
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Aside from what you mentioned:
Chrysler PT cruiser with a manual transmission (the automatic ones have performance/MPGs that are worse than you would expect... 26-28mpg for the manual, 22-24mpg for the auto in the real world).
Chevy HHR.
Ford Focus Wagon.
Hyundai Elantra Touring wagon.
Minivans... Like the Mazda 5 or Kia Rondo.
As for something that is “very reliable”, given the budget of only $6000, you’re not gonna find perfection.
From a pure reliability perspective with lots of space, the 2nd Gen Scion xB is the way to go... IF you can find one for $6000 or less.
The PT Cruiser will be reliable as long as you’re proactive with the maintenance/repairs. That means doing the timing belt every 100,000 miles, fix any coolant leaks/cooling issues(things like the radiator/fan/hoses last 6-7 years), do the oil changes every 3000 miles.
Also, the PT is the only one that has easily removable seats, aside from some minivans.
![]() 10/12/2017 at 07:04 |
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I’ve definitely seen one. Came to suggest that too.
![]() 10/12/2017 at 11:06 |
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Hyundai Elantra Touring and KIA Rondo are both really good ideas. I’ve seen several 2nd gen XBs in budget
![]() 10/12/2017 at 11:07 |
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They used to have an AWD Safari, but they hated it so probably won’t be able to talk them into another one.