Two very different answers to the same question: Family Hauler

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher) 09/15/2014 at 23:27 • Filed to: Car buying

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My wife and I have decided to trade-in both her '06 Mazda 3, and the lemony CPO '11 Malibu I bought back in January, and get a new family hauler for her (I would go back to daily driving old reliable, my '06 Sierra crew cab). We have one child, want a second, and a third is a possibility (twins run in my family, so you never know).

Minivan is out. Yes, they are eminently practical, but we don't like them. That's reason enough not to buy one in my book. We'd like something fun/interesting, that looks good. We test drove a GMC Terrain, because my wife saw one in Atlantis Blue (which is really purple) and loved the color. Neither of us cared for the driving experience, and holy hell was that thing slow.

We've found two that we like so far. A Soul Red Mazda CX-5.

And a Deep Impact Blue w/ silver roof Ford Flex. Technically, we haven't actually been able to find one in that color, but that's what we'd want.

So yeah, those are two very different vehicles that we're trying to choose between. The CX-5 will be a little cheaper, get better gas mileage, and is more fun to toss around. The Flex will be a bit more expensive, get a bit worse mileage, and be a whole lot more comfortable for eating up the highway miles. It could even tow our camper in a pinch, like the time I had the camper loaded, the family in the truck, and then saw a bolt sticking out of one of the truck's tires. It would also offer the flexibility of the third row (see what I accidentally did there?).

The one other vehicle on my radar, but not tested yet, is a turbo Forester. Could be fun, but awfully boring to look at.

What are Oppo's thoughts on the matter? Which of those would you choose, and why? Feel free to suggest other vehicles. Must be new , and under $35k.

Steve in Manhattan > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:32

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Try the redesigned RAV4 - heard it's very nice.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:34

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I have to say, we were infinitely surprised and pleased with our Flex. The interior is much larger and more comfortable than any large SUV, MPG isn't as terrible as you'd think, and it's just a generally pleasant place to be. Plus it looks cool, but I prefer the pre-facelift grill.

CRider > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:36

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The Flex Ecoboost hauls ass. Just saying. It's a quick motherfucker. And it has a fridge. It hauls ass and has a fridge. Like a Maybach.

mcseanerson > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:37

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My wife and I are in the same boat. Two kids, boy and girl 4 and nearly 3 respectively. We talk about having another someday. The wife drives a WJ Grand Cherokee and it has cost a lot already and continues to break down. Last two repairs were a headgasket and a radiator and now the deathwobble has returned. I want her to get something smaller, safer, better on gas, and something a little more fun. She wants a Suburban. I got her to drive a Juke and she actually really liked it. Like really really liked it.

On a side note I absolutely loved the 04 Forester XT I test drove a few years ago. Every bit as fast and tossable as a WRX. Unfortunately the new one is blander to the eye and the feels (CVT). Still I'd try one just based on how much I loved that old one.

mcseanerson > CRider 09/15/2014 at 23:45

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Starts at $43k. Otherwise I would have recommended it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Steve in Manhattan 09/15/2014 at 23:45

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My Aunt has one, and it is a Camry on bigger wheels.

sellphones2493 > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:47

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They're very rarely talked about here on Jalopnik, but I strongly recommend this guy:

When I worked at Carmax, i had a bunch of people come in, in similar situations to you. I've test driven everything from Acadia's, to Durango's, to Highlander's, to XC90's, as well as every small SUV. These are built well, drive well, get good MPG, look nice, and aren't too pricey.

Yes, it has a CVT, but it's not too bad.

In fact, i had a guy trade in his 550i Manual to get one of these (because kids), and he was pretty happy. Of course, his was like a 50K Platinum.

Nerd-Vol > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:48

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The mazda by ten miles.

wantafuncar > Steve in Manhattan 09/15/2014 at 23:49

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If you don't need/want AWD, and you're going Toyota you could probably get the larger Highlander for $35k.

We were in a similar situation (only 1 child but would like 2) and ended up with a CPO Pilot & paid a lot less than $35k. Its an ex-l, so it has a nice interior & it is large - it seems just like an odyssey without sliding doors. It drives well for its size. The acceleration is a bit sluggish, but it does have power. It gets reasonable mileage (usually around 18 with mixed driving).

We looked at Pilot, Flex, & Highlander. We went with the Honda because we liked it better and they had a good deal at the time we bought.

DanZman > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:50

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I have heard nothing but good things about the ford flex

shop-teacher > mcseanerson 09/15/2014 at 23:52

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Yeah, that's the problem. I'd love to, but I really am a shop teacher, on a shop teacher's salary.

CRider > mcseanerson 09/15/2014 at 23:53

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It's expensive but it's also a lot of trucklet. It's only a few easy mods away from consistent 13 second 1/4 mile times.

shop-teacher > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 09/15/2014 at 23:55

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I like the old grill better too, but the new one is growing on me. The Flex is super duper comfortable, and I love the way it looks.

Steve in Manhattan > wantafuncar 09/15/2014 at 23:56

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Sensing from shop-teacher's post that they want something smaller than a Highlander (a vehicle I love, BTW).

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:56

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I test-drove a manual CX-5 and it was pretty awesome.

Get the CX-5. It comes in three pedals.

mcseanerson > CRider 09/15/2014 at 23:56

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That's really not that important to a family man on a budget. $35k or less. As someone in the same boat and an even smaller budget my first goal is practicalness followed by how it feels. A car that makes you smile can be significantly cheaper than one that's 6/10 of a second faster down the quarter mile.

shop-teacher > mcseanerson 09/15/2014 at 23:57

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I will certainly drive the Forester XT before I buy anything. If your wife liked the Juke, try the CX-5. I was really impressed by it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:58

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Between those two, I'd get the Flex.

I'd look at the Acadia/Traverse if you havent. They must be selling like mad for a reason.

I'm guessing the Terrain you drove was a 4-Pot?

hike > shop-teacher 09/15/2014 at 23:59

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Both those cars would be great for your needs. But I've got a crazy idea, how about a Dodge Journey? Okay bear with me. A loaded journey comes in under 35k with a great v6, awd, leather, and uconnect (which which loads better than the crap Mazda system). It may not be the most exciting car, but it really isn't a bad choice. A base Durango would also fit the bill, but it would be pretty basic for 35k.

CRider > mcseanerson 09/16/2014 at 00:01

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I know. I know the thing is expensive. The only part I disagree with is the must be new part. There's got to be a ton of 2 year old Flexes (Flex's? Flexs? Flex'?) for under $35k still under warranty.

mcseanerson > shop-teacher 09/16/2014 at 00:03

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I love Mazda, very safe very fun, but the wife is a pain to get her to even test drive something. She really liked the looks of the Juke, she said it's one of the only new cars she can pick out of a crowd, and it got her behind the wheel. I want her to test drive a CX5 and a Forester XT before we buy anything.

mcseanerson > CRider 09/16/2014 at 00:05

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I think he's disappointed in his lemon cpo Malibu and I don't blame him. I would rather buy super old and much cheaper and when it breaks down it's on me anyway than something with the perception of reliability.

shop-teacher > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 09/16/2014 at 00:06

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The Terrain was a 4pot, but we didn't like it enough to bother trying to find a V6 in that color. We don't like the looks of the Acadia/Traverse.

CRider > mcseanerson 09/16/2014 at 00:10

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I understand the desire for a safety net on the "family hauler" but there's no reason it needs to be brand new. A CPO Flex would be the same as a new one, just cheaper and without that genuine adhesive off-gassing new car smell.

blacktruck18 > mcseanerson 09/16/2014 at 00:52

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Holy shit, I never would have thought they cost that much.

blacktruck18 > shop-teacher 09/16/2014 at 00:57

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I was just looking at flexi on ford.com, they have a 3250 rebate right now I think you could do some haggling and get it down to 35k.

BTW, you're doing the Lord's work. I still remember my shop teacher.

shop-teacher > CRider 09/16/2014 at 01:55

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Agreed, but I can't afford it.

shop-teacher > mcseanerson 09/16/2014 at 02:01

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My wife is similarly a pain :)

shop-teacher > blacktruck18 09/16/2014 at 02:03

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Thanks!

shop-teacher > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully 09/16/2014 at 02:03

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The wife isn't interested in 3 pedals :(

shop-teacher > CRider 09/16/2014 at 07:16

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I've had only bad experiences with CPO cars, the Malibu is just the latest one, so I'm sticking with new this time.

shop-teacher > CRider 09/16/2014 at 07:21

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That's what I said about my CPO Malibu. It hasn't gone well. There is something very real you don't get with a used car, protection from the lemon law.

Anyways, my wife has mandated new, and with the experiences I've had, I am going with her judgment.

shop-teacher > Steve in Manhattan 09/16/2014 at 07:25

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We don't really like the looks of any of the Toyota offerings. The toughest part of this search has been finding vehicles we think look good. That's how we landed on two very different vehicles to choose from.

Thanks though!

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > shop-teacher 09/16/2014 at 08:56

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The Flex is huge for two kids. We've got an Escape that works just fine for two kids. Three wouldn't work because there would be no way to add a third car seat.

If you know you need seating for three kids go with the Flex, but if you only need room for two kids I would go with something smaller.

shop-teacher > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 09/16/2014 at 09:23

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Yeah, that's basically the crux of our debate. We're not sure yet. If we go for the smaller, then it will be the CX-5 for us. We both like the looks of it, and my wife's '06 Mazda 3 has been the picture of reliability. It's literally had one part failure (under warranty) since new, only done maintenance otherwise.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > shop-teacher 09/16/2014 at 09:54

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Do you need the vehicle before you find out whether you're adding one or two? If you can wait it might be worth it. If you need one right now then you will have to gamble on whether or not you need the room or want the driving convenience of a smaller vehicle.

I will say bigger is better if you do a lot of road trips. We've done one in the Escape, but usually we take my truck since it has so much more room. It's nice being able to just toss stuff in and going as opposed to spending an hour packing things ever so carefully so that you can fit everything. With a tonneau cover it is awesome because everything that isn't needed while driving goes in the bed and still stays out of the weather.

Stupidru > shop-teacher 09/17/2014 at 12:24

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My $0.02, you've picked two awesome cars that only you can choose from. My wife has an 09 Forester XT and it's great for having some fun around town, eating up the miles, and we can even throw half of our garage contents in the back... plus it's better looking than the new ones. If I were in the market for another hauler, I would get the CX-5 hands down if we had 1-2 kids. 3+ kids, get the Flex Ecoboost Titanium (which ever one has the 3 or 4 moonroofs and the rear seat cooler) if it's in your budget

shop-teacher > mcseanerson 09/18/2014 at 21:27

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Drove a Forester XT today. I hated it! Its got some serious turbo lag, that isn't helped by the CVT, which also makes the engine really drone. The ride was harsh, but the steering and the brakes were as mushy and vague as my '06 Sierra. At least the Sierra has the excuse of being an 8 year old pickemup truck. To make matters worse, the wife wants leather. The only way to get leather is to get EVERY other option as well, which jacks the price up to just a tick under $37 grand! All that money, and you get an ugly car, that handles, sounds, and rides like crap. The only thing I liked was the dusty blue color, but I truly hated everything else about it. Very disappointed.

mcseanerson > shop-teacher 09/18/2014 at 21:34

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Thanks for the update! That's sad to hear, I really loved the '04 model and from everything I could tell I am not surprised. The '04 model weighed withing a couple hundred lbs of a WRX and had shorter gearing so it hit 60 mph faster than a WRX. It had good steering and stability taking a corner over 50 mph over railroad tracks. The visibility was great with tons of glass and small pillars.

The one benefit I have is my wife and I both grew up mostly in Florida so we hate leather.

shop-teacher > mcseanerson 09/18/2014 at 22:12

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They had a used '05 Forester XT with a manual in WR blue at that same dealer a few months ago. It was already sold, but that one looked like a lot of fun. The current one is so compromised, that it's completely pointless. Its good at nothing.

I prefer cloth myself, but m'lady demands cow-hides.

mcseanerson > shop-teacher 09/18/2014 at 22:13

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Leather can be kind of nice in newer cars but if you keep your cars a long time like I do it wears out just way too fast.

shop-teacher > mcseanerson 09/18/2014 at 22:18

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If you keep it conditioned, it lasts pretty well. Clean up is a lot easier too. Its just so damn hot in the summer!

mcseanerson > shop-teacher 09/18/2014 at 22:19

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Exactly. Another great thing I've turned my wife onto is white cars with tinted windows. Now she only wants white cars.

shop-teacher > mcseanerson 09/18/2014 at 22:24

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Its amazing what a difference that makes. My Malibu is dark blue, but if I were going to keep it, I'd definitely tint the windows.