In laws are car shopping. What would you get?

"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
05/14/2015 at 13:33 • Filed to: None

My MIL has a highly optioned current gen Escape that she doesn’t like having to pay for. She also feels like it gets poor gas mileage and doesn’t have enough space. My FIL drives a no options manual current gen Focus sedan. She’s been throwing around the idea of replacing the Escape with a Focus hatch. I told her a wagon would be better and she immediately dismissed this idea. We also brought up a minivan as a solution which was also immediately dismissed.

This will be interesting to see play out. Before she got the Escape she went shopping for an SUV and ended up bringing a 2001 All Road (which is consistently listed as one of the worst used cars of all time) home because her bro is a scumbag and sells used cars.

Opponoughts what would you buy that is more spacious, economical and cheaper than a new Escape? I’d get a Taurus wagon because I’ve fallen in love with that 3.0.

Red over tan.

DISCUSSION (38)

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 13:36

I would not get a Taurus wagon. I had one, a 1999. It was one of the worst cars I've ever had.

If she wants a Focus, how about an ST?

King Hoondai > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 13:36

I recommend a Hyundai Accent. If they want something cheap and reliable,that is.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 13:37

Subaru Outback or Forester, probably.

CalzoneGolem > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
05/14/2015 at 13:37

I won't listen to you malign the Taurus!

CalzoneGolem > Snuze: Needs another Swede
05/14/2015 at 13:38

I think either of those options would be perfect for her.

CalzoneGolem > King Hoondai
05/14/2015 at 13:39

I think that falls way out of the more space requirement.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 13:44

I think either of those options would be perfect for most people. The no wagon thing kills the Outback, but the new Forester is upright SUV enough to work.

CalzoneGolem > Snuze: Needs another Swede
05/14/2015 at 13:50

Knowing her she’ll end up with some sporty coupe or something completely left field from what her search was.

yamahog > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
05/14/2015 at 13:52

My grandparents had matching Ford and Mercury wagons of the same vintage. My dad did their maintenance and repairs and I think he wept tears of joy when they sold them.

For some reason my grandpa really wanted a Flex or an Edge, but then he test drove both of them and a Fusion and ended up buying the Fusion. I say go to the dealer, let them do their job, then advice as needed.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 13:52

Ahh, gotcha. My father in law does that too. He had a TT that he was in love with, for reasons I can’t understand. Anyways, when it was finally time to let go, he started talking about a Corvette, then a used SL500. Then he came home with a Volt.

Sethersm > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 13:52

Gas mileage though. She doesn’t like the mileage of the Escape, so she likely won’t like the mileage of a Subaru.

CalzoneGolem > Sethersm
05/14/2015 at 13:53

She doesn’t have a clue what she wants but it is entertaining to watch.

E92M3 > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 13:56

Since they seem partial to Fords how about a Ford Flex? Not my thing, but they seem to get good reviews.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 13:59

R63 AMG

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 14:01

Hmmm, do you like the in-laws? Because that would have an impact on the recommendation.

I’d say Outback, Mazda3 hatch, Mazda CX-5, or Prius V.

Or, if you don’t care for them, how about a used PT Cruiser?

CalzoneGolem > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
05/14/2015 at 14:04

I’m not making recommendations. I’ve tried that before. I’m just asking what you’d get.

CalzoneGolem > E92M3
05/14/2015 at 14:05

FIL is on board with that but MIL “doesn’t want to drive a hearse.”

CalzoneGolem > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/14/2015 at 14:05

I like it!

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 14:15

Smart move.

Aside from gas mileage and maintenance costs, this looks pretty great:

Kinja'd!!!

530xi - $15,000, 54k miles.

Takuro Spirit > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 14:16

Mother In Law and Malfunction Indicator Lamp have the same acronym.

CalzoneGolem > Takuro Spirit
05/14/2015 at 14:20

Meringue Icicle Lollipop.

Steve Zissou > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 14:24

The Escape doesn’t have enough space, so she wants a Focus hatchback? Does not compute.

CalzoneGolem > Steve Zissou
05/14/2015 at 14:27

Yeah but it’s entertaining to watch.

Steve Zissou > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 14:37

Not what I would get, but maybe what I would suggest to her:

Toyota Venza

Honda Crosstour

Subaru Outback

and my wildest card: Mini Cooper Countryman

Panther Brown Tdi Volvo Shooting Brake Manual Miata RWD Wagon Stole HondaBro's Accord. > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 14:37

You like 3.0 Vulcan?

CalzoneGolem > Steve Zissou
05/14/2015 at 15:04

But ... I asked what you’d get. I’m not making suggestions to her.

CalzoneGolem > Panther Brown Tdi Volvo Shooting Brake Manual Miata RWD Wagon Stole HondaBro's Accord.
05/14/2015 at 15:05

Yes.

Panther Brown Tdi Volvo Shooting Brake Manual Miata RWD Wagon Stole HondaBro's Accord. > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 15:06

What about the duratec

Steve Zissou > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 15:12

Upon further reflection, it appears you are correct. My bad. I’d get a wagon of some sort. Sooo...

Golf Sportwagen (debatably bigger)

Outback (debatably wagon)

XC70 (debatably wagon)

TSX wagon

You know what? I might even think about the Flex (debatably more efficient)

CalzoneGolem > Steve Zissou
05/14/2015 at 15:15

Flex would be what I’d go with. The sportwagon a close second.

CalzoneGolem > Panther Brown Tdi Volvo Shooting Brake Manual Miata RWD Wagon Stole HondaBro's Accord.
05/14/2015 at 15:16

That to.

Steve Zissou > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 15:59

Another answer if the costs were right would be Volvo V60, but I think that’s probably not cheaper than a loaded Escape?

King Hoondai > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 16:24

Well, I base it on my personal experience. So I recommend either the Accent or a tenth generation F-150 (not my photo)

Kinja'd!!!

wafflesnfalafel > CalzoneGolem
05/14/2015 at 22:06

that sounds like a no win situation - bigger, better gas mileage and cheaper than her now used Escape?

handsoff > CalzoneGolem
05/15/2015 at 00:44

My inlaws were recently in the same boat. We talked them into a Fit (manual tranny, natch) and they LOVE it. More room inside than their past larger Hondas, easier to see out of, excellent mileage, and a great driver.

CalzoneGolem > handsoff
05/15/2015 at 08:43

Yeah, the Fit would work well for them.

CalzoneGolem > wafflesnfalafel
05/15/2015 at 08:44

I know. I can’t wait to see what they come up with.

Destructive Tester > Takuro Spirit
05/18/2015 at 10:36

I don't think that's an accident...