Oppo, help me decide on a new(to me) car UPDATE

"Nobi" (nobi)
01/05/2015 at 16:06 • Filed to: None

This is my winter beater. A '91 Civic RT4WD. Its lifted, running 205 Firestone Winterforce tires, and has served me well over the past few years. Unfortunately, as you can probably tell from the duct tape bodywork on the quarter panel, winter and salt haven't been too kind to her. (I bought it that way) Last week, I replaced the radiator. as I was putting her up on a lift, the left rear lift point on the pinchweld crumbled and folded. I've also got an '04 GTO, but through trial and error, I've found that while a child seat will fit into the back seat, getting a child into and out of it is nigh impossible. Here's my situation: I've got a kid on the way, due in late June/early July. My fiancee loves me and won't allow me to sell the GTO(she's a keeper), but has politely asked that I replace the Civic with something a little safer, with air bags, and much less rusty. She's got an '05 Toyota Matrix which has over 160k on it. The only non-maintenance things she's done to it was replace the wheel bearings (I replaced those) and have the bearings in the front diff replaced(someone else did those). I'm thinking something along the same lines, but the Matrixes (Matrices?) around here are quite expensive. Maybe a Pontiac Vibe? I don't mind the lower rent interior as long as it has the Toyota's drivetrain which will run forever with basic maintenance. I'd like something akin to a small wagon with available AWD as it's great for snow hooning safety in the winter. I've thought about Foresters, Imprezas, and Legacys, but the head gasket issues are making me shy away. I'd like something I won't have to worry about for a few years. I'm a tech at an Acura dealership, so something in the Honda family would be nice since I can get the parts cheap and do the work myself. I've thought about CR-V's as I know you can lift them and put 31's on them they are a very sensible family vehicle. Do you guys have any other suggestions? My budget is about 3500, so I'm not expecting anything too new or fancy here. Something cheap, safe, and reliable I can haul my future wife, 2 kids and some spare things comfortably with.

UPDATE: So, I talked it over with the future wife and we decided that the Civic is going to go, and I'll take over driving duties on her 2000 Grand Cherokee Laredo. Only thing is I'm not allowed to modify it. Who wants a beater Civic?

UPDATE #2: Talked it over with the future wife some more, and since I use it primarily for driving back and forth to work, she says I might as well keep it. I'll still entertain offers on it though.

DISCUSSION (30)

jkm7680 > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 16:10

Not a CR-V, Those things are some of the most boring cars possible to buy.

Maybe a B7 A4 Avant Quattro?

JGrabowMSt > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 16:11

Legacy wagon? Baja?! Get the Baja!

Steve in Manhattan > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 16:15

I have rented a few CR-Vs over the years. The redesigned one is much more confidence-inspiring than the earlier generations, which felt top-heavy to me. That said, a CR-V seems to be your best choice given its pedigree and setup. There are also Hyundai Tucsons and similar, maybe some sort of Jeep?

44444444444 > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 16:17

2004-2007 Volvo XC70. Pretty reliable. Only weak points are the angle gear sleeve and the PCV system. The transmission issues were ironed out by 2003, but the AWD was massively improved for 2004. They have haldex rather than a viscous coupling in the rear. As long as the t-belt is changed every 120k, the PCV system inspected semi frequently, and the front control arms are in good shape (they used recycled rubber which reduces the life of the bushings) should just keep going. Can be had with 150k for around 3k ish.

44444444444 > jkm7680
01/05/2015 at 16:18

We think rather alike... However, I was thinking a certain Swedish lifted wagon.

Nobi > jkm7680
01/05/2015 at 16:19

I know CR-V's well though, so as boring as it may be, I know their quirks. I'd considered an Audi, but I'd like something with fewer special tools needed to work on it.

Nobi > JGrabowMSt
01/05/2015 at 16:20

The Legamino, while cool, still has that boxer engine.

Nobi > Steve in Manhattan
01/05/2015 at 16:21

The fiancee also has a Grand Cherokee which I've been fixing up for her. It's a thought, since they're as complex as a rock, and can be fixed with one too, but I wouldn't mind something with some better mileage.

Nobi > 44444444444
01/05/2015 at 16:23

That's a good one. I'm not too familiar with Volvos though. Is the timing belt a complicated procedure? Do I need special tools for it?

jkm7680 > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 16:23

To be honest, the CR-V is the only car that I can't stand the sight of. It's like the triscuit of cars. No matter how you configure it, or what you put on it. It'll still be bland.

To work on an Audi, You should probably have a service manual and since you've got background working on cars you should probably be able to manage it. Certain tools though are a bit hard to come across. Certain people on Audizine loan them out though.

The Q5 is another idea.

JGrabowMSt > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 16:24

3.5L Dodge Magnum?

Nobi > jkm7680
01/05/2015 at 16:26

The Q5 is way out of my price range. Due to her experience with a New Beetle, I doubt the fiancee will allow a VW product.

Steve in Manhattan > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 16:32

Yeah, if you have to drive a long way, mileage is a factor. Rented a Grand Cherokee about 9 years ago, and I was surprised how much I liked it. Buddy of mine has a Trailblazer, which felt much more ungainly. Explorers always felt, at least to me, kind of like they were about to tip over. Good luck - let us know what happens.

Nobi > JGrabowMSt
01/05/2015 at 16:33

Is the 3.5 any good MPG wise? I like the Magnum, and it's available AWD, but it's got that air of old Chrysler build quality to it. My father has a 300 with the 3.5 though, and he loves it. Although, this is a guy that once had an '85 Seville that was covered in yellow and red primer that crabbed down the road.

44444444444 > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 16:36

Not really, just take the cover off, jack up the passenger wheel, pull a plastic panel aside, swap the belt/tensioner (and a lot of people also swap the water pump), put new belt on, retime car. You just need to lock the two cams in place because they have intake and exhaust variable valve timing. Takes 2 hours max. There are a bazillion how to's for it. Just remember it's an interference engine.

JGrabowMSt > Nobi
01/05/2015 at 17:04

3.5L is good for low 20's in the MPG department. I think around 23 or so is the most you'll squeeze out of it on the highway. The 5.7L with MDS will actually get higher highway MPG.

The LX platform (Charger/300/Magnum/Challenger) were in the Diamler-Benz era, so they have a lot of good Mercedes bits around them, so they do a very good job. My 05 Magnum is getting a new 5.7L because of a dropped valve seat (more of a defect than anything else), and being a 2005 and a mostly NJ car for most of it's life, it has very little rust, which was a big thing for me. My 2004 Neon had a lot more, and the body was starting to go. Very big difference in the cars Benz had their hands in compared to the Chrysler only ones.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Nobi
01/06/2015 at 11:12

Kinja'd!!!

When new it was the cheapest 4WD car on the market. Someone else here has one (can't remember who) and we've heard nothing but good things about it.

Nobi > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
01/06/2015 at 11:43

That one's definitely on my radar, but it's slightly outside my price range. Are they classified as SUV's or Wagons? I remember them being marketed as the "SX4 Crossover."

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Nobi
01/06/2015 at 12:04

I'd call it more of a lifted hatch than a true crossover.

Nobi > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
01/06/2015 at 12:10

The insurance companies might not agree.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Nobi
01/06/2015 at 12:40

The insurance companies can suck my dick.