Need an Opponion Again: Help my Mom Find a New Car Edition!

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
02/21/2014 at 17:15 • Filed to: Opponion

EDIT: Sadly as much as I'm okay with a Subaru or a Nissan, my dad, who hates Asian car makers like we were still in WW2 or the Cold War won't let one in the driveway so it MUST be American or German or British or anything that's not an Asian car. (Sorry if it sounds racist)

My mom's looking for a replacement for her '99 Ford Windstar this year. A friend of ours is selling his 1st or 2nd gen. LR Discovery for $6k(I don't think it's worth that much). I don't know the mileage ATM. I think it's a bad idea so once again, I'm turning to my fellow opponauts and jalops to see what else is out there!

This is the criteria that must be met in the new car:

1. Around $6-10k(for now)

2. Not another minivan

3. SUV or Crossover would be nice

4. Gets good mileage(the Discovery does not)

5. MUST be automatic(Sadly)

6. Must come from a car maker that isn't gone(Sorry Saturn :( )

7. Can be American or German

8. Good cargo space

9. RELIABLE

These are the cars I think would suit her nicely:

Ford Edge 1st gen

VW Tiguan

Chevy Equinox

Jeep Compass

Jeep Cherokee(looks are subjective with her suffice to say)

Volvo XC60

What do guys think? Should she go with the Discovery? Or pick one of my options or something else?

DISCUSSION (36)

Party-vi > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:16

Something something Land Rover reliability.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Party-vi
02/21/2014 at 17:19

That's what I may or may not be thinking.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:19

Don't buy from a friend...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:19

HammerheadFistpunch > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:20

Why not a forester? huge cargo space for the exterior dimensions, super reliable, and decent on fuel and nice ones can be had for that money.

hethoughtofcars > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:21

Stay away from that Land Rover! Tiguan would be fine but I don't think they've fallen into the $6-10K range yet. I helped my mom shop for a car a few years ago and she upgraded from an unreliable VW New Beetle and bought a Nissan Cube. She really loves it. Scion xB maybe? They both have tons of space, certainly for their size, and the Cube gets 30 mpg with the CVT easy.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:23

Tiguan is not big. Add explorer because there are shit tons of them used out there. Also maybe chevy traverse. Dodge caravan is the best bet for affordability, utility, and reliability - alas its a mini van

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > HammerheadFistpunch
02/21/2014 at 17:24

Because #7

My dad hates Asian car makers as if it were still WW2 or the cold war.

crowmolly > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:26

If you go for the Edge, stay away from the AWD version.

HammerheadFistpunch > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:26

man, a lot of anti-Asian car manufacture going on in here today from peoples folks. 'Cmon guys...its been a long time since Japan has been anything but awesome to us.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:27

Your Dad does realize we fought against ze Germans, right?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > crowmolly
02/21/2014 at 17:27

What's wrong with the AWD version? Just curious.

AMC/Renauledge > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:29

Kinja'd!!!

2005-07 Buick Rendezvous. You can find one in excellent condition in her price range, easily. TONS of space inside. Incredibly comfortable, especially on longer trips. With AWD, expect 20-25mpg real-world all day long.

And I'd recommend both the 3.5L V6 and the optional 3.6L. 2007 models only come with FWD, though.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
02/21/2014 at 17:29

That may be my comment of the day!

Remember my new car search? You know why I couldn't get a GTI over an ST. And yes he does have 911, but we'll never know why as he gives the same biased and genuinely brash reason every time. So we simply live with it.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:33

I mean this in the most respectful way possible, but your Dad is a dick.

crowmolly > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:34

PTU unit takes a shit. Leaks a little, then bangs when it engages and it has to be replaced.

I am on my third in 65,000. When the extended warranty is up I am going to have some heavy discussions with them.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
02/21/2014 at 17:36

And I respectfully agree when it comes to him and cars, sometimes. outside of cars, and tires(remember that too) he really doesn't care where something comes from. It's just cars and tires.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:43

Hung up about WW2 but OK with German cars? Interesting....

What about a Jeep Liberty? My girlfriend has an '03 and I actually love the 3.7 motor, has a decent amount of poke. Actual 4x4 too. Gas mileage isn't the greatest though. Can probably find a newer one of the 1st gen within the price range?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
02/21/2014 at 17:48

Adding the Liberty, regardless of it's mileage, to the list.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:51

And do NOT go for a Discovery....from everything I've heard and seen they're a maintenance nightmare. They're cheap on the used market for a reason.

hethoughtofcars > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:52

my dad, who hates Asian car makers like we were still in WW2 or the Cold War

Strangely, my dad felt similar. He didn't despise all Japanese brands, just those that were associated with the military: namely Mitsubishi and Toshiba. We always owned Japanese cars after his experiences with American cars of the 60s and 70s. He's got a Camry Hybrid in the driveway right now.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > hethoughtofcars
02/21/2014 at 17:55

I wish my dad was like yours in that aspect. He doesn't believe in the reliability claims and the act that they're not American built blah blah blah! you probably know how it is.

Mailbox Cancer > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 17:57

They're not my first choice, but what about something from Kia or Hyundai?

Asian? Yeah. But it's from the GOOD Korea, and I believe their SUV models are made in Georgia somethingorother. The new Santa Fe is a sharp looking vehicle everywhere I see it, and the older generation Tucson doesn't look all that bad either (would probably fit his budget nicely.)

willkinton247 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 18:03

FLEX FLEX FLEX FLEX FLEX

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > willkinton247
02/21/2014 at 18:08

Amazing how many cars I forgot. Adding that to the list too!

Textured Soy Protein > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 18:15

Edge & Equinox are the only decent choices you've listed so far. I would probably go for the Edge, or otherwise a '10-up Equinox. Jeep Patriot & Liberty could be worth a look along with the Dodge Nitro (which is a 2nd gen Liberty).

Discovery - No. Just no. Not even close to reliable.

Cherokee - I don't think that's going to suit your mom all that well, it's just old-fashioned

Compass - Dreadful, dreadful car. If you have to get this platform then at least go for a Patriot that's not so ugly.

Tiguan - you said you wanted reliable.

hethoughtofcars > willkinton247
02/21/2014 at 18:24

This. I was trying to think of a Crossover that wasn't from Japan and wasn't extremely bland and boring. Might be too pricey though :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Textured Soy Protein
02/21/2014 at 18:25

I actually meant new Cherokee but I see your point with the old ver.

Mercedes Streeter > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 18:27

Ok, I'll shoot, what's wrong with Saturn? All of the later models are just rebadged Chevys and Opels anyway... :(

AMC/Renauledge > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 18:38

You're not going to find a good Flex for $6-10k. Maybe a Freestyle or Taurus X, if you're lucky. But certainly not a Flex.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Mercedes Streeter
02/21/2014 at 18:40

I love Saturn, but my dad doesn't want to go with a discontinued brand; even though I reckon parts wouldn't be hard to find should something happen.

Nothing > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 18:44

Volvo XC70/XC90 would be in that price range. Mine have been reliable, same with other family members. They're kinda close to Germany.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Nothing
02/21/2014 at 18:49

I forgot Volvo!!!!!!!!

She loves the XC60.

Mercedes Streeter > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 18:53

Ah, I see. In that case, I second the suggestion for the Volvo XC60...You can't go wrong with a Volvo!

Textured Soy Protein > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
02/21/2014 at 19:44

New Cherokee just came out, you're not getting one for $6-10k.

willkinton247 > AMC/Renauledge
02/21/2014 at 20:14

Flexes are just the best the best they're the best cross over they have so much space and you deserve that much space