Car shopping, maybe

"BJ" (benjamin-bignell) 09/06/2019 at 19:37 • Filed to: old man shops for boring car

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I’m taking a serious look at small SUVs to replace my Passat, which is getting rusty and leaky. This is about practical car shopping, not fun car shopping, and I want your help.

Calm down, this one is not on my list...

Our requirements are pretty simple:

A flat, simple rear bench that seats 3 comfortably and as equally as possible

All-wheel drive that really works

Shorter than the Passat wagon (188") and with a better turning circle (35.8')

2016 or newer

Under $20k (Canadian dollars, please)

If parking wasn’t such an issue here, we’d just go buy the nicest Toyota Sienna we could afford and be done with it. The kids want a minivan, and I agree that they’re supremely practical. Unfortunately, that would be too much trouble on a daily basis. I’d also like to import a Mitsubishi Delica or other JDM minivan in RHD but they’re not street-legal here.

Cute but forbidden.

So, I’m looking at the following:

Toyota RAV4

Honda CR-V

Mazda CX-5

Subaru Crosstrek

Added: Nissan Rogue

Added: Kia Sportage

Added: Acura RDX

SO MUCH “MEH”, but reliable.

Ideally, I’d splurge on a proper SUV like an LR4 HSE with the third row and the fancy sound system and the reliability... but I don’t want to end up poor, and I’m too tired to fake it ‘til I make it.

* insert drooling sounds here *

What else should I be looking at? Maybe I’m doing something wrong, and you can enlighten me?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:03

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Crosstrek hits many marks, but 3 people in the backseat will be snug.

Under_Score > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:06

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This is gonna get hate, but my sister has been happy with her new Rogue. Try to find a used  SL model with the cameras, etc.

BJ > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/06/2019 at 20:09

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This is my concern. I have not tried one yet, and my wife isn’t a fan of the looks...

I have 3 kids. One is still in a booster because he’s normal-sized, and the other two are much more adult-sized. My mother-in-law has a CR-V and the bench is basically flat. It’s no wider than our Passat, but seats three much better.

CB > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:09

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Realistically, if you could haggle the price, a Dodge Journey. It'll be crap and run like crap, but it should run like crap forever. Plus, no concerns if your kids trash it, many available parts, and there are what seems like a million of them around.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:11

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I think a CX-5 mii ight be wide enough to accommodate. Crosstrek is just a lifted Impreza... It’s not like a bloated Camry the way a Highlander is.

BJ > Under_Score 09/06/2019 at 20:11

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They don’t get rated as highly as the other models do, and I’m not convinced about the reliability.

At the same time, my mom rented one last week and she loved it. I’ll put it on the list.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:11

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Buick regal or tourX?

dogisbadob > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:13

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Transit Connect, but it doesn’t have AWD

Does it really have to be AWD? Can’t you just get a separate set of tires for the winter? :p

I don’t think any of the crossovers you listed will have a usable third seat

BJ > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/06/2019 at 20:13

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The Highlander is nice inside, though, but the 3rd row eats ALL the cargo space. And it’s nearly as big as the 4Runner was, which makes it a bit of a no-go for the street parking situation...

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:14

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Current gen CR-V EX is decently loaded and drives really well while returning good mpg in mixed driving. Source: had one as a loaner during the Great Odyssey Crisis of 2019. If you have the extra money the higher trims are definitely worth it, just adds on  more goodies and conveniences like power liftgate and whatnot. AWD isn't necessarily needed for driving experience but helps I guess, especially if you're in a snowy area.

BJ > dogisbadob 09/06/2019 at 20:16

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I like the Transits, but they’re really pricey new and I’ve not looked at the used market. I’ll see what the used market looks like.

AWD isn’t a *must* since winter tires are already required by common sense - and the law - w here we live. But it would be helpful. We have parking space in the backyard that would be useful in winter when the big snows make finding street parking into the Hunger Games, but it’s inaccessible during winter without AWD/4WD .

BJ > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 09/06/2019 at 20:18

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I’m not interested in goodies or features, especially power features that can break.  I’m interested in being cheap. :)

BJ > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/06/2019 at 20:21

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Interesting ideas! I don’t think the TourX is sold in Canada, tho. And it’d probably be out of my budget anyways... I’ll research and see what I find.

Under_Score > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:29

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They’re good values, and the newer ones seem to be more reliable. The Rogue’s redesign was in 2014, so you’re already avoiding the first potential years of trouble.

Now Pathfinders. Yeah, you’ve gotta run from those first couple years. 

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:30

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Ah, then I’d just go EX simply for the extra power and MPG. LX is still decent if you want to save money but has the older 2.4L NA engine that’s merely a lightly updated version of the one in my ‘13 EX-L. The EX makes like 192hp to the LX’s 185, FWIW.

dogisbadob > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:35

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Maybe the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo might work for you, too

But the Transit Connect will probably have the best third seat of any car that meets your other requirements

Amoore100 > BJ 09/06/2019 at 20:38

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If you’re ok with a little more age and mileage (probably closer to 2015, 100k kms for CPO models ) you could look at some RDX’s—I’ve always rather enjoyed the look of this generation before the refresh, beak and all, and I’ve heard generally good things about SH-AWD. I’d imagine the big V6 is a bit thirstier than any of the above, but could be a bit more reliable too what with the CR-V being recalled for oil dilution left and right and Subarus still drinking oil .

Boxer_4 > dogisbadob 09/06/2019 at 20:42

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AWD + snow tires! Accept no substitutes!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB 09/06/2019 at 21:51

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Also can be 4-speed automatic, which is still more trustworthy that other offerings...

Future Heap Owner > Under_Score 09/06/2019 at 22:04

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Whenever someone says “the new ones seem reliable”, I mentally replace with “the new ones are too new to know whether they break or not ”

dogisbadob > BJ 09/06/2019 at 23:05

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Wait, wasn’t the Chevy Orlando available with AWD?  Might be a little older than your cutoff of 2016, but worth considering since it would otherwise check your boxes

Jordan > BJ 09/06/2019 at 23:09

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Have you considered a VW Gold SportWagen? 

SmugAardvark > BJ 09/07/2019 at 00:51

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Probably right near the top end of your price range (or above it) , but maybe the Audi Q3 or BMW X1?

I’m actually considering a Q3 for myself, despite swearing that I’d never buy another crossover.

Longtime Lurker > dogisbadob 09/07/2019 at 01:13

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Chevy Orlando was FWD only.

Forrest > BJ 09/07/2019 at 03:57

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How important is the length requirement? If not, then ... there is the LS 460 AWD. Giant back seat. Comfy. Reliable.  Pretty cheap nowadays.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > BJ 09/07/2019 at 04:16

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Kia Sportage?

BJ > dogisbadob 09/07/2019 at 07:23

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The 5 and Rondo are both FWD only, unfortunately. The Rondo looks ok, but I’m not a fan of the 5. Note that I don’t necessarily need a 3rd row, I just want a rear bench that’s designed to seat 3. The Passat seats are bolstered and sculpted in a way that eats a lot of space on both ends, making it really more appropriate for only 2 passengers.

Cars like the CR-V have a much flatter design:

BJ > Under_Score 09/07/2019 at 07:26

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OK, thanks. I’m going to avoid the Pathfinder because it’s too big - if I wanted a big vehicle like that, I’d get a minivan or a real truck-like vehicle like another 4Runner.

BJ > CB 09/07/2019 at 07:33

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Dear God, no. *shivers*

I’ve never seen one off the new car lot that wasn’t an absolute piece of shit. They fall apart so quickly, and the reviews aren’t kind. It probably drives just fine - when it runs - but I’m not going to put that one on the list, sorry.

BJ > Amoore100 09/07/2019 at 07:36

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This is an interesting idea. I’d have to see what they go for here, but I’m ok with a bit more mileage. We have a LOT of rust issues here, like the Canadian Rust Belt, so it’d have to be extra clean, probably an out-of-province model .

BJ > Forrest 09/07/2019 at 07:41

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This is a wonderful idea. I LOVE BIG SEDANS , and they depreciate very nicely, but I’m not the daily driver. If my wife changes jobs and doesn’t need the car every day, this might work. Otherwise... probably no.

Also, I would need to check that the rear seat is correct for 3 persons - often the luxury cars (like our Passat) are really only made to seat two very comfortably.

BJ > SmugAardvark 09/07/2019 at 07:43

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Hmm, those are almost certainly out of budget.

BJ > Jordan 09/07/2019 at 07:51

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I would love one, but I wouldn’t gain any rear seat space vs the Passat. I’d rather get a Golf R for the AWD, but that’s out of budget!

BJ > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 09/07/2019 at 07:52

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Oops, forgot that one! Yes, it should be on the list as well.

Under_Score > Future Heap Owner 09/07/2019 at 08:29

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By that, I mean “they aren’t having serious problems after two years.” Unfortunately, some cars don’t have that luxury. Another example is the Jeep Cherokee. I wouldn’t want a 2014 model for certain.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > BJ 09/07/2019 at 08:46

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Mini Countryman s All4 with the 3 seat rear seat is close. I think the rear seat is hardest to tel by pictures. I’m also not positive they are under $20k but they likely are- Minis depreciate hard.

dogisbadob > BJ 09/07/2019 at 10:34

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oh ok, that makes it much easier, then! Sorry I misunderstood the seating for 3 requirement! oops

Does the B-Class have a good enough back seat?

Maybe the Mitsubishi RVR might work too

BJ > dogisbadob 09/07/2019 at 10:47

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The RVR is an interesting idea, they’ll probably be dirt dirt cheap. I don’t know much about the B-Class, but I suspect it falls under the “cheap car with expensive repairs ” category due to the badge. I’ll look at it as well, but it’s unlikely to make the shortlist.

Jordan > BJ 09/07/2019 at 12:24

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Its a little bit above 20k Canadian, but for 19k USD, you can get a 2016 3 Series with xDrive. If you go for an earlier one, you can probably get it under 20k Canadian. 

BJ > Jordan 09/07/2019 at 13:01

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A quick look through my local market shows that I could get into a 2015 sedan for 20k, and there might be a wagon or 2 if I open up my search distance a bit.

But what’s going on with middle of the rear bench? Here’s a picture from a one available in my area for just under 20k:

There’s a very definite hump there in the middle , which looks uncomfortable to sit on. And I see a lot of side bolstering on the ends , which is going to eat into the overall usable space.

I might check one out just for the hell of it.

dogisbadob > BJ 09/07/2019 at 14:52

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yeah, sorry, I am a bit biased :p

I like seeing Canadians buy those Canada-only cool cars that we don’t get down here (second-gen Rondo, Orlando, B-class, etc)

Jordan > BJ 09/07/2019 at 16:07

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The bolstering at the end is just a BMW thing I think- my E60 has tha t too. It doesnt take up much space- it just means you have enough space to put your arm, insteat of if being squashed up against the door .

SmugAardvark > BJ 09/07/2019 at 18:30

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Bummer. Time to donate some plasma.

Forrest > BJ 09/07/2019 at 23:41

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After reading all the comments here, it seems like the CR-V might be the right thing. You’ve used its back seat as a benchmark for the type of back seat you’re looking for. You don’t particularly want toys/gadgets. It seems like a “nicer” car would actually be a step down.

I actually had the same experience when buying my current daily driver. I initially looked at the A4 and 3-series, but I decided that less is more, and I ended up getting an MK7 Golf. Over a year   later, I am still  happy with my choice.

BJ > dogisbadob 09/08/2019 at 14:21

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The Orlando is probably a shitty car, but I always thought it looked really great. It’s actually a mini van, the overall style is pleasing , and it would probably look amazing slammed on big chrome wheels.

BJ > Forrest 09/08/2019 at 14:24

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The first 3 on my list (RAV4, CR-V, CX5) are really the top 3 on my list. There’s not a lot of interest in most of the other models , to be honest. I want simple and functional more than anything else.

dogisbadob > BJ 09/08/2019 at 14:29

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Yeah I like it more than I should, and GM made a mistake not selling it down here. I think it would’ve done well

BJ > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/08/2019 at 14:40

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The prices are interesting, but the reliability is a big concern. I’m not sure it’ll make the list, though - it’s at least 20" shorter than our Passat wagon but the turning circle is 3' larger. That sounds like not a lot of fun for parking.

If I happen upon one in a car lot, I’ll check it out .

BJ > dogisbadob 09/08/2019 at 14:42

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