Car shopping - Advice

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 08/21/2017 at 17:45 • Filed to: halp

0

61

My mom is shopping for a new car and she’s enlisted my help, a responsibility I take seriously.

In that light I am now offloading the task to you, random internet friends.

She currently drives this

A loaded 2nd gen highlander, something my dad used to refer to as “a really expensive bumper car”. Now I love me mum, but she’s kinda proved his point over 150,000 miles of ownership and now the car is ready to be retired.

They bought this car as a replacement for a GMT400 k2500 suburban with a supercharged 454, so she knows her way around a big car and it will be hard to convince her that she doesn’t need one, even though all of her kids are out of the house. That being said she does have a legit need for semi-frequent cargo and people hauling so I can’t picture her signing off on anything much smaller than this.

Other requirements? I have no idea but here are some guesses.

Decent highway mileage (she drives a lot to places 200-300 miles away)

SAFE! For her and others on the road. Seriously, we all need the safest car we can for her, my grandkids and maybe yours depend on it.

AWD - it snows here alot and she’s all on her own. she buys winters for it.

dog friendly - small dog is in the car with her a lot...which is a whole other thing but suffice it to say that a supreamly nice interior would probably be a waste.

Intuitive infotainment (for my sake)

Something easy to see out of would go a long way towards the safe goal, the highlander has crap visibility.

SUV/Crossover - She likes and uses the space.

abuse tolerant - It needs to be moderately reliable at least.

Big engine option or turbo for high elevations would probably be good

Toyota/Lexus is preferred on account of potential family discounts, but is open to other options.

New or will substantial warranty remaining.

Thinking along the lines of an XC60, RX350,NX, etc.

So, what color should her MX5 be?

ttyymmnn > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 17:50

2

EL_ULY > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 17:53

0

What town’s Craislist are we searching?

HammerheadFistpunch > EL_ULY 08/21/2017 at 17:53

0

New my friend. New. or still in warranty.

bob and john > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 17:54

1

subaru forester?

HammerheadFistpunch > bob and john 08/21/2017 at 17:56

0

Not a bad choice to be perfectly honest, I would like her to have something that has a little more active safety, but honestly being able to see out of it would go a LONG way to the types of accidents she has (mostly backing into stuff.)

TheHondaBro > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 17:56

0

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 17:57

0

What about a Subaru Outback? Subaru makes some very safe cars and eyesight is apparently pretty good. My mom has a 2017 and I like it.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 17:57

0

Honda CRV or Pilot

HammerheadFistpunch > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/21/2017 at 17:58

0

I don’t think I could convince her to do a wagon, even though the new outbacks are enormous. She did say to me that she wants an suv/crossover.

EL_ULY > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 17:59

0

RX350 then because OG crossover is OG triple OG, OG triple triple

HammerheadFistpunch > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 08/21/2017 at 18:00

0

Maybe to pilot. I honestly don’t know why she should need a 7 seat car anymore, and the CRV...I just have a hard time recommending to anyone. Not sure why. Maybe an Acura MDX though, thats kinda in between.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:00

1

2018 Outback 3.6R with the Eyesight system? I had a 17 as a loaner while 15 was in the shop and the system is truly fantastic! It’s also a top safety pick plus from the IIHS! Think of it as a more reliable Volvo with the best AWD system on the market!

xc90v8/I4 :( > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:01

0

What’s the budget? No Idea what a loaded Highlander costs since they’re not available where I live..

HammerheadFistpunch > EL_ULY 08/21/2017 at 18:01

0

Yeah, and thats on the list, but the sightlines on the RX are even worse than the highlander, and that infotainment systems is going to be on ME to figure out for her on a daily/weekly basis....

HammerheadFistpunch > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/21/2017 at 18:02

0

I will definitely point her that way. I can’t say I see her in an outback, but its worth a look for sure.

HammerheadFistpunch > xc90v8/I4 :( 08/21/2017 at 18:02

0

reasonable. Thats the budget. I.e. less than...60k?

sony1492 > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:04

0

Vicente Esteve > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:04

0

Golf Alltrack.

HammerheadFistpunch > sony1492 08/21/2017 at 18:06

0

Too big. No need for 7 seats.

HammerheadFistpunch > Vicente Esteve 08/21/2017 at 18:07

0

maybe? I think it would be a tough sell to get her butt close to the ground.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:07

1

Maybe look into the Touring. It’s got sleeker roof rails, and overall has a less rugged vibe over the regular Outback!

Future next gen S2000 owner > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:08

0

Highlander, next generation or current generation. I have no idea what generation they are on, just another Highlander.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:10

0

Something with a 360 degree camera would go a long way given the trend towards low visibility among all makes/models. I’m not sure if this pushes her too up market though. I would think it is an option on Volvo, BMW, Lexus, MB, etc. Maybe Hyundai is offering them? I’m not really sure, TBH.

HammerheadFistpunch > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/21/2017 at 18:10

0

I liked the Touring trim with that color leather on the Forester. I don’t think its the appearance that would bother her, I think she likes the driving position and the ability to fit tall things in the back. She does a sort of singing roadshow with some friends and she’s her own moving van, which means light but bulky stuff that happens to be tall.

HammerheadFistpunch > Future next gen S2000 owner 08/21/2017 at 18:10

0

thats her current preference. Im trying to get her out of the 7 seat range.

interstate366, now In The Industry > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:10

1

RDX

HammerheadFistpunch > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 08/21/2017 at 18:11

0

upmarket’s not a deal breaker

HammerheadFistpunch > interstate366, now In The Industry 08/21/2017 at 18:11

0

an option for sure.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:16

0

She may be better off with a maxed out Forester XT touring then if she needs a taller cabin, however I’ve carried plenty of large items in my Outback without issue..

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:17

0

That certainly makes things easier. But, has she considered a Miata? Awesome visibility! ;)

Chariotoflove > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:20

1

Then I’m going to suggest an AWD CX-5. Not 7 seats, but still can haul stuff.

Or an F-Pace. Definitely an F-Pace.

HammerheadFistpunch > Chariotoflove 08/21/2017 at 18:24

1

CX5 is on the list. They need to hurry up with the CX7 redesign though.

Future next gen S2000 owner > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:30

0

Rav4? They aren’t exactly small anymore. I like the new XC60 but no idea on reliability.

Chariotoflove > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 18:33

0

Did I miss something? To my knowledge, the CX-7 was discontinued for North America.

HammerheadFistpunch > Chariotoflove 08/21/2017 at 18:38

1

yeah, they need something inbetween the 5 and 9 though.

Vicente Esteve > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 19:01

0

Oh true, people do want the height. I would not mess around and get another Toyota.

My bird IS the word > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 19:16

0

Lexus if she can swing it, Toyota if she can’t I’m looking at a 4Runner myself

wafflesnfalafel > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 19:26

1

The cx9 really isn’t that big, and it’s super pretty. Though if you are getting a price break on the Highlander I’d probably just go with another one of those... (in “toasted walnut pearl”! or maybe not...)

Montalvo > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 19:48

0

You pretty much answered the question yourself. If safety is top priority, you should probably look at Volvo. They have everything else on the list as well.

Tom McParland > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 20:14

0

60k is a healthy budget what about a Lincoln MKX? It’s a two row but sizable, get with the 2.7 EcoBoost and it will pull hard at higher altitude. A fully loaded Black Label goes for 58k, I bet with rebates you can get a deal on one.

If not I say RX350/450H, discounts are pretty strong on these right now. I got a customer in Chicago a fully loaded RX450h (MSRP about 61k) for around 6 grand off.

HammerheadFistpunch > Tom McParland 08/21/2017 at 20:24

0

If we don’t end up narrowing down to the big red t family we’ll probably end up looking you up btw

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-motion > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 20:27

0

How about a 2018 VW Tiguan SEL, 4-motion, with 3rd row seating? It seems to meet all the requirements...

The infotainment system, and overall ergonomics are really good. I recommend the Tiguan over the Atlas, as I personally feel the ergonomics and quality of the Tiguan is better then the Atlas.

The digital cockpit is awesome- and I highly recommend the Tiguan for just that reason alone.

If your mom won’t be regularly hauling 7 adults on long 100+ mile roadtrips, the Tiguan’s 3rd row will work just fine. I’ll admit I’m on the smaller side at 5'8, but I fit very comfortably in the back of the Tiguan.

However, I’m honestly not sure if the 3rd row seats fold flat or not.

Honestly, the only issue is power. Seems to be a little lagging, but still better then a base Jetta. Which isn’t really hard to beat, but don’t expect anything near GTI.

Tom McParland > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 20:29

0

Hey man..you know how to find me. :)

OPPOsaurus WRX > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 20:43

0

1st Gen Allroad

HammerheadFistpunch > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/21/2017 at 20:55

0

So new, so in warranty

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 21:45

0

I love our CX-5, but there’s no high output/Turbo engine option on them. The CX-9 has a turbo though.

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 21:47

0

Because every CR-V since the first gen has been fugly. At least that’s my reason.

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 21:49

0

It’s bigger than necessary, but an Ecoboost Flex ticks all the other boxes. Admittedly I only did a test drive in one, but the sight lines seemed pretty dang good.

OPPOsaurus WRX > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 22:02

0

Poor excuse. What does she have to worry about with one of those

HammerheadFistpunch > shop-teacher 08/21/2017 at 22:17

1

Plus the worst awd system around... At least lately.

HammerheadFistpunch > shop-teacher 08/21/2017 at 22:18

0

We tried on a cx5 when we were shopping. The 2.5 just barely cuts it at our elevation, we weren’t impressed.

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 22:20

0

I’m not surprised. It’s totally fine here in the flatlands, but I don’t think I’d buy one in the mountains. Needs more torques for that.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 22:24

0

Isn’t the mdx based on the pilot? 

HammerheadFistpunch > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/21/2017 at 22:26

0

yeah, but its 5 seat and a little more compact.

avalonian > HammerheadFistpunch 08/21/2017 at 23:21

0

The Volkswagen Atlas, or CPO Toureg.

jordang1028 > HammerheadFistpunch 08/22/2017 at 02:26

0

How about an Audi Q7? Nice looking, high seating position, good amount of interior space, AWD, and a Premium Plus model with the bigger 3.0TT engine is right at 60K.

BJ > HammerheadFistpunch 08/22/2017 at 08:53

0

Would she take a minivan? A Sienna can be optioned with AWD, is kid friendly and dog friendly, and has that famous Toyota reliability (I assume).

Also, it has cargo space for days and days...

HammerheadFistpunch > BJ 08/22/2017 at 10:01

0

Very unlikely, she had one already for a year as a wheelchair van for the last year of my dad’s life. Not great memories

Now_looking_for_a_cheap_car > HammerheadFistpunch 08/22/2017 at 10:38

0

How about the Subaru Forester with Eye-Sight?

Reasons:

* Will be AWD Standard

* Will be reliable and long wearing given you will likely get it new

* Meets Most if not all of your needs

* Dog Tested/ Dog Approved

HammerheadFistpunch > Now_looking_for_a_cheap_car 08/22/2017 at 11:28

0

A surprising frontrunner (in my list to present). The touring with the brown leather sure looks great and it has visibility for days. I don’t know how I feel about the FA/FB engines though, they haven’t exactly been trouble free.

Now_looking_for_a_cheap_car > HammerheadFistpunch 08/22/2017 at 14:15

0

Turns out the new Highlanders get Toyota Safety Sense Standard...maybe replace a highlander with another highlander!