My Wife is Getting and Insurance Payout, What Automobile Should We Buy?

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
08/26/2019 at 15:39 • Filed to: None

We bought a new 2013 Subaru Impreza 2.0L with CVT, and the nice interior. A week and a half ago it got hit and it’s gonna take too much money to fix it. The insurance company decided that $15k is proper compensation for loss of the vehicle. I’m pleased with that and ready to move on.

Before we go any further, it’s my wife’s car. The preferences are not so much for my purposes, but hers. She needs to drive to work daily, and often has to transport a few children in the course of work. Contrary to many opinions around here, the CVT in t he last car was acceptable, but a manual transmission would probably not get her approval.

She seems to prefer a somewhat smaller vehicle, but big enough to carry a modest bit of cargo.

$15k is a starting point, but we can surely afford something more than that. Six figures is fun to thing about, but not realistic.

What should we buy Oppo?

DISCUSSION (35)

Azrek > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 15:55

For that range, I am partial to the Subaru Crosstrek. It has enough room, can scoot in traffic and will be good for basic driving.

If that is too big then I’d consider the Ford Focus.

Arrivederci > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 15:57

Add $5k, buy a 2018 GTI with a DSG, they come with a 6yr/72k bumper-to-bumper warranty. Here’s a CPO one for $20,800 .

Future next gen S2000 owner > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 15:57

Accord.

just-a-scratch > Azrek
08/26/2019 at 15:59

I like the Focus. She was a bit soured on Ford after her previous car, a Contour.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:00

Kia Niro. EX trim or above. It’s basically a hatch despite all the marketing. My wife drives a 2017 EX

Pluses: Spacious for people and cargo , Reliable, fuel efficient 45MPG give or take, has all the safety features, 5 star safety rating, all the tech you ever need.
Minuses: Road noise, has a DCT that sometimes lurches in stop and go traffic but fast shifting otherwise, some cheaper materials

Kinja'd!!!

Wacko > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:01

i would go with another impreza, but the hatchback. no sedan.

smobgirl > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:01

I enjoyed my rental Hyundai Kona more than I want to admit. Plus they come in fun colors.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:01

15 grand?

i think she needs a citroen c1 race car

Kinja'd!!!

and 7 grand left over to pay for all the fines she’d rack up :p

https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/105687/citroen-c1-endurance-race-car-spares-package

412GTI > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:08

If she liked the Impreza, I’d consider keeping it similar and look at the new Forester. Get a little more power over the Crosstrek and all the new interior/safety goodies. Outback’s also have great deals on them right now as they’re about to be redesigned.

*should also say look at a Golf Sportwagen or Alltrack since I’m a VW van and those have been popular around here.

just-a-scratch > farscythe - makin da cawfee!
08/26/2019 at 16:13

If I could get on over here and convince her, that would really be something. Even so, it might be tough to fit child seats in it.

M.T. Blake > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:18

Toyota Sienna SE.

OPPOsaurus WRX > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:22

you should be able to pick up a pretty decent first gen Allroad with plenty left over for tows and relentless repairs.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:26

ah...yeah.. child seats could be an issue.... unless you bolt em to the cage

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:27

Used V60 they can be had in the low 20s

Future ND Owner > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:33

$20k - Hyundai Elantra GT

$25k - Toyota Corolla Hatchback

$30k - Buick Regal TourX

$35k - Subaru Outback 3.6R

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:38

Mazda CX-5

Chariotoflove > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 16:55

Just to get this out of the way, would she just want another of the same, or is she looking at this as an opportunity to try something else?

GLiddy > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 17:27

A Toyota. One that doesn’t have a CVT.

just-a-scratch > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 18:30

I’m trying to be a good husband and allow for o ther options.

just-a-scratch > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/26/2019 at 18:33

I suppose I should also consider an early Vega, right?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 18:43

Clearly you need to get a Prius.

just-a-scratch > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
08/26/2019 at 18:51

I have to drive those at work.

No stars for you.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 19:01

If all she needs/wants is an appliance then I dunno.

If you want to sneak something slightly more fun into the mix then maybe some options are

Hyundai Elantra GT Sport; VW Sportwagen 4Motion; GTI?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 19:09

Then how about a nice GT car... a Mitsubishi Mirage GT.

https://www.mitsubishicars.com/mirage/2019/models#

Oh wait... that’s over your budget. But you can still get the ES model with the CVT and 3 cylinders of POWAHHH!!!

Captain of the Enterprise > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 19:30

Also watch out for the power shift ones, very bad transmissions with a lawsuit against them.

Captain of the Enterprise > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 19:33

Current gen Civic Hatch

Kinja'd!!!

just-a-scratch > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
08/26/2019 at 19:48

Kinja'd!!!

Chariotoflove > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 19:50

Happy wife, happy life.

OPPOsaurus WRX > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 20:10

no but you may want a backup Allroad

Jordan > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 22:27

VW Golf Wagon. Maybe with a diesel engine.

just-a-scratch > Jordan
08/26/2019 at 23:15

DKF is that you?

jminer > just-a-scratch
08/26/2019 at 23:19

I bought a new car late last year and almost got a crosstrek , but ended up with a used 2014 Sportwagen for less and it’s a lot nicer on the inside.

Mine is a TDI 6 speed, but you don’t have to get either of those obviously. A emission fixed MK6 Sportwagen seems to go for $12-14k around these parts with CPO + Emissions warranty around these parts.

pip bip - choose Corrour > just-a-scratch
08/27/2019 at 06:10

something with four wheels and a seat

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > just-a-scratch
08/27/2019 at 11:00

75% joking... but 25% serious in that it would probably be perfectly fine as a cheap/reliable 2nd car.

trmoore09 > just-a-scratch
08/27/2019 at 18:02

Fit/Soul/Mazda 3 hatch?