Oppo car recommendations

"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
02/29/2020 at 10:02 • Filed to: None

It’s time to start a thought experiment for what replaces my Volt. It’ll probably be a few months till I actually buy because I have a bonus due to me in May that will be added to the down payment.

I need something that will comfortably fit 2 adults, a 13yo boy, and two decent size dogs. We currently have a greyhound and will probably get a second in the next three to four months.

Budget: $24,000

A wagon, SUV or CUV are the best bet. My wife already shot down the minivan idea unfortunately. I’ll try to get her into one to see if she changes her mind. She’s also pushing for something fairly new after I suggested a 1996 Roadmaster wagon.

I want to see at least mid to high 20mpg on the highway. If I need to compromise this will probably go first because my commutes not long and we’ll be keeping my wife’s little gas sipper.

Reasonable maintenance costs. I can do some work myself though.

I am 6-4 and have a long torso so headroom is important.

Decent winter weather performance before adding snow tires. I work on a military base and am considered essential personnel so come unexpected April blizzard or nuclear launch threat I’m required to make it in.

Cars already on the list to check: Forester, Outback, Santa Fe, Pilot, Flex, one of the Mazda CUVs I’m not sure size wise which would be best.

I know I’m missing tons of possibilities. I looked at TourXs but there aren’t any to look at that are less than 2hrs away.

Picture of the dog that doesn’t even know we plan to get her a buddy.

DISCUSSION (29)

Wacko > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 10:27

I would say wait for the plug in Rav 4 with 300 hp should be interesting.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 10:29

A F lex is probably bigger than you NEED. The Forester sound like a good fit. Maybe a Ford Edge?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 10:31

It's probably too small, but used Kia Niro plug in hybrids are starting to appear on the market for not a whole lot.

bob and john > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 10:31

golf all track or a tiguan?

phenotyp > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 10:33

What an adorable pupper.

Are you set on buying new or used? If you’re thinking new, I’m pretty sure the CX-30 starts in the $21K range, and I think it’s pretty damn good-looking. Especially the interior.

Kinja'd!!!

My SO has a ‘14 CX-5, and it’s been a great car, except for one warrantied replacement of suspension bushings that groaned and squonked.

The CX-3 is way too small (I’m only 6'1"), the CX-5 feels too big to me, but I bet this would hit that Goldilocks sweet spot.

I think Mazda’s just been killing it with their design language, and they keep just looking better.

Or how about an XC-40? Bonus points if you can get an electric one. After almost 3 years of driving electric, unless it’s a ‘69 911, I’m not buying another gas car.

Kinja'd!!!

Spanfeller is a twat > Wacko
02/29/2020 at 10:34

Wise.

Thomas Donohue > bob and john
02/29/2020 at 10:39

2018 Tiguans are right in that range. Keep in mind that MY 2018 and 2019 came with a full six year/72k mile warranty, so look for one w/low miles.

someassemblyrequired > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 10:56

2018 (and occasionally) 2019 Tiguan ex-VW employee cars are high teens here (DC) . IIRC they have 6 yr bumper-to-bumper warranties:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/802123609/overview/

Kiltedpadre > bob and john
02/29/2020 at 10:59

Golf is a no go. My brother in law has one, and I don’t have enough headroom.

Tiguan is one I hadn’t thought of yet though.

facw > phenotyp
02/29/2020 at 11:00

My sense is that an xc40 is not going to be an optimal greyhound car.

phenotyp > facw
02/29/2020 at 11:01

Possibly true. I haven’t driven or been in one, just looked at them.

Kiltedpadre > phenotyp
02/29/2020 at 11:01

I’m not really locked into new or used just yet. I’m leaning towards a CPO most likely but not dead set.

I completely forgot the CX-30 was in that range. I’ll need to see one in person to decide. I was planning to look at a CX-7 and 5 to get a size idea.

Kiltedpadre > Wacko
02/29/2020 at 11:03

Can’t make the price work. I doubt they have any big rebates planned.

Kiltedpadre > BaconSandwich is tasty.
02/29/2020 at 11:04

Unfortunately too small. There’s a Kia dealer a mile away so I already took a look.

phenotyp > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 11:04

CPO is always the best way to go, IMO. I think it’d be hard to go wrong with a CX-5.

Kiltedpadre > OPPOsaurus WRX
02/29/2020 at 11:06

Edge would be right on the borderline as to whether it’s big enough, but it may be worth checking.

I’ve seen decent prices on local Flexs is why it made the list. We have taken a vacation with the current dog, and the extra size would keep that as possible with a second dog.

Boxer_4 > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 11:10

Subaru Forester, based solely on this one I saw a while ago:

Kinja'd!!!

(the details are bit hard to see).

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 11:11

I think a test drive of these cars is in order. I would lean towards the outback because of the interior room it has and comfortable seating for tall people. But you may not like it due to a lethargic engine.

I have driven the Santa Fe and the outback is much nicer, a pilot would be much larger and more expensive. My mom has a CX5 and it is really nice but smaller than an outback.

Kiltedpadre > Boxer_4
02/29/2020 at 11:17

I’d call that a ringing endorsement. I was in Texas for work last fall and saw one of the big Nissan vans with a personal plate GHBUS. It had the bus company logo on the rear side windows.

Unfortunately they didn’t have dogs with them, but when he opened the door I could see most of the seats were removed and replaced with dog beds

Kiltedpadre > someassemblyrequired
02/29/2020 at 11:18

I may have to look into that.

My truck was a demo vehicle, and I got a great deal with it.

Wacko > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 11:24

Guessing you are right but the difference in fuel costs is t he rebate in the long end

someassemblyrequired > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 11:25

yeah most VW employees get crazy lease deals and change them in every year or so, they are very inexpensive used/CPO here.

Kiltedpadre > Wacko
02/29/2020 at 12:05

Unfortunately starting next year Ohio is instituting a new registration fee for plug in hybrids that’ll cut into that.

A regular RAV4 would cost $65 a year to register the plug in hybrid will be $165.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 14:09

I know you said Pilot, but I think the current CR-V would fit your family just fine. They are absolutely cavernous inside for their exterior size. I drive a Forester and I swear my FIL’s CR-V has 50% more room inside of it despite being in the same segment. They have good tech, hit 30 MPG on the highway easily while still having enough power to get out of their own way, and you can get a lot more for your $24k than a Pilot - here’s a loaded, AWD, certified one with under 40k near me asking $25k: https://www.hondaofsantafe.com/certified/Honda/2017-Honda-CR-V-for-sale-santa-fe-f3d24e200a0e0a6b404338b5cc97dcd7.htm

Kiltedpadre > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/29/2020 at 14:21

I keep forgetting just how big some of these vehicles have gotten. I had only ever been in a first gen CRV and forgot that it’s grown a bunch from the “cute ute” days.

Funktheduck > Kiltedpadre
02/29/2020 at 16:18

See also the RAV4. My mom got one last year. Brand new and well equipped for just a little over your budget. I’ve driven it a good bit and it’s really nice. Like the CRV, it’s grown since it’s first generation. I find the lane keep assist to be overly aggressive but she loves it.

Dogsatemypants > Kiltedpadre
03/01/2020 at 01:16

CANYONERO!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Kiltedpadre
03/01/2020 at 02:52

Tesla Model S

Jordan > Kiltedpadre
03/02/2020 at 01:31

E61 BMW 530Xi Touring (aka the wagon). This era of BMW’s were still reliable and easy to work on (at least compared to the newer BMW’s).