Automotive:

[Phraust]

Idk if this is exactly the right spot, but I'm seeking input on peoples' experiences with the following cars(listed at the end) so that I could get a better idea of which to buy. I figured BG would have a decent population to probe for advice.

Personally my requirements are pretty simple so If you have another car that you personally have had experience with that you think might be worth checking out let me know too.

What I am looking for:

- V6
- 4 Door (2 door if it's a truck, not too interested in crew cabs.)
- Good Visibility
- Decent room for carrying stuff (Hardware, computers, lumber, plants, bodies, etc...)
- $25,000 ( I could go a little over)
- Reliable
- NOT Crystler or GM (if you can help it.)

Cars I am currently looking at (in no particular order):

Ford Escape
Toyota Tacoma
Mazda 5 (the micro station wagon thing (yes I know it's an I4))
Nissan Altima
Scion Xb 2008+

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Kiree]

Subaru-anything

Fits your price range
Smooth ride
Boxer engines (fk ya)
Decent gas mileage for an AWD
Symetrical AWD
Plenty of room for dead bodies in the backseat/trunk/hatchback

Many other pros to it, some cons (haven't found anything wrong with my impreza, so far, so good) but if you live somewhere that winter driving is an issue, hard to beat the subie.


Hope that helps...

[Isiolia]

I'd second a Subie, 'cept a couple caveats...

- Mostly what you'd be looking at there are 4 cylinder boxer engines, not V-6s

- Visibility isn't stellar

I like my '06 Impreza wagon though. Zero problems thus far, fun to drive, and plenty of space with the seats folded down (though rear seat legroom...not so great).

IMO, they do need some revs to get moving compared to some other makes, but the gearing may be adjusted in the newer ones. If you're looking at V-6 for low end grunt, the feel of 'em may not be what you want, but I'd still recommend test driving one to see for yourself. I also have a stick...so maybe I can tell a bit more versus just jamming down the gas XD


My dad has had a higher end Escape for a few years now, and he's had great luck with it. My parents have swapped around cars a number of times, and have had three between the two of them for a while. He's yet to find a reason to trade in his Escape. I think the Edge is similar if you want something else to look at on the Ford lot.

While I haven't driven a Mazda5, my brother had a Mazda3 hatch for a while. Those are some fun to drive cars.

[Phraust]

Thanks! Yeah I'll throw Subaru on the list. A Boxer 4 is arguably better than a larger V6, they're great engines. What specifically was wrong with visibility?

And yeah the escape gets accolades wherever I go. I owned a ford before it was viciously killed by a mini cooper recently. I had no problems with it, owned it for nearly 10 years; so it earned a place on the list. The edge is kinda pricey where I live, but I'll give it another look.

Again, thanks. =]

[Isiolia]

Thanks! Yeah I'll throw Subaru on the list. A Boxer 4 is arguably better than a larger V6, they're great engines. What specifically was wrong with visibility?

Well, couple considerations - most of the vehicles you listed are simply higher up, whether in suspension or a more upright seating position. Depending on the Subaru in question, that may not be the case - Outback versions do have higher suspensions, for example, but a regular Impreza doesn't. My wagon isn't low like a sports car or something, but it's not exactly the commanding view of the road that a truck affords either.

Secondly is simply the rear quarter view, just isn't great. Could easily be worse too. I think most cars have their weak angles to look out anyway. This, again, is something that may be improved with the new body style.

[sekaran]

New? Used? Do you need all wheel drive?

I'd personally take a look at some 2007 Infiniti G35 sedans. I drove a loaner while my coupe was getting serviced and it drove amazing. If I was looking for four doors, that would be pretty high on my list.

[Phraust]

New? Used? Do you need all wheel drive?

I'd personally take a look at some 2007 Infiniti G35 sedans. I drove a loaner while my coupe was getting serviced and it drove amazing. If I was looking for four doors, that would be pretty high on my list.

Preferably new, iirc the Nissan Altima IS the G35, but for less money and imo better looks but yeah, high on my list. Just not sure if I want to do a sedan again. But that line really looks well designed.

[mootsfox]

You could look at a base model Legacy, or a mid range Impreza for $25,000. Both have AWD, at least 170HP/torque and are sexy and useable.

Mind you, my family has like seven Subaru's from 1989 to 2008, and they've all been great, so I highly recommend them.

[sekaran]

Preferably new, iirc the Nissan Altima IS the G35, but for less money and imo better looks but yeah, high on my list. Just not sure if I want to do a sedan again. But that line really looks well designed.

Altima = FWD
G35 = RWD

Believe the V6 is the same motor at its core though.

A new WRX starts at around $25k. Great cars as well.

[cdgreg]

A couple years ago when I was in the market for a newish used vehicle I was stuck between a Suburu (preferably WRX) and a Jeep. I ultimately went for the Jeep because I found a great deal on one but to this day regret it. Not because the Jeep isn't awesome, I've had 0 problems with it in 40kish miles and it handles amazingly in the snow, it has been spectacular, but the gas mileage blows.

I've had the in-dash computer thing keeping track of my MPG for like a year and a half now through all 4 seasons and it's at 18.3 MPG with most of my daily driving being express way at 60-70MPH with cruise control on. I wanted something that would be safe in my 25mile commute to work in the snow and went with the 4WD option instead of the AWD because of the deal I found, I'm curious, how is the gas mileage on Suburus?

[Kiree]

The in dash MPG estimate on my impreza (no turbo, base model 2.5i) has been sitting around 30+ give or take 1-2 really depends on how you drive it.

[mootsfox]

A couple years ago when I was in the market for a newish used vehicle I was stuck between a Suburu (preferably WRX) and a Jeep. I ultimately went for the Jeep because I found a great deal on one but to this day regret it. Not because the Jeep isn't awesome, I've had 0 problems with it in 40kish miles and it handles amazingly in the snow, it has been spectacular, but the gas mileage blows.

I've had the in-dash computer thing keeping track of my MPG for like a year and a half now through all 4 seasons and it's at 18.3 MPG with most of my daily driving being express way at 60-70MPH with cruise control on. I wanted something that would be safe in my 25mile commute to work in the snow and went with the 4WD option instead of the AWD because of the deal I found, I'm curious, how is the gas mileage on Suburus?

Horrid city. Decent freeway.

It's AWD, and you have to remember that when driving it.

My truck gets 26 in the city and 31 on the freeway.

The subaru gets 13-18 city (mostly around 17) and 25-29 on the freeway (mostly around 28).

I'd rather take one of the Subarus offroading versus my truck though...

[Cyn]

Of all the sedans I've owned or driven, have to say my favorite was the V6 Volkswagen Passat. Really smooth comfortable rides with well done interiors and incredible stock sound systems. They're a lot punchier than you'd expect based on their size too.

Only downside is that they're pretty expensive to have repaired.

[Isiolia]

I tend to get ~25 in my daily commute/around town type driving on my Impreza, but a good chunk of that is 70MPH highway. On longer trips without around town mixed in, usually more around 30. So yeah, I would say probably in the ~20 city ~30 highway range with the basic 2.5 liter 4. WRX is a little less I believe.

If I was focused more on mileage, I'd look at a VW TDI - very torquey, and great MPG (40+ highway). My mom has had a couple, a Golf, and currently a Jetta. She actually likes the Jetta more than her old BMW 330i...though that car was problematic to say the least.

[Vile23]

I have an 06 Nissan Frontier. Love it. Its the Nismo offroad edition (V6, suspension, etc) Very nice looking, powerful truck. My only complaint is its not as smooth of a drive as a full size truck. Oh it gets roughly 17 city / 24 highway. Not too shabby for the power it pushes.

[Electro]

I drive a 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500. Gets decent gas mileage. On highway about 24ish. I enjoy trucks because it can be very useful. I hate the "can i borrow your truck to move something" or paying for someone to move something. I got mine for around $21,000. Trucks are getting cheap due to the economy. Everyone seems to be going smaller.

If you insist on a car. I'd check out the Subaru lineup as well.

[Phraust]

That Nissan truck actually looks pretty sturdy.

Subaru gettin a lot of love. With the mileage, I thought they were suppose to be a lit better mileage than that. Is that decrease really from the AWD? I would have assumed a Boxer4 would have been a little more efficient.

Thanks still to all the input. As to the Jetta, drove cross country in a '95 in '98(if that makes sense). Good car; But yes, way more expensive than it needs to be to fix. And I know it's a safety feature or whatever, but on most if not all the modern VW's I've had experience with, it seems like the default setting in the computer when ANYTHING goes wrong is to just not let the engine run. Anything from a cylinder leaking pressure, to a clogged injector to the trunk light burning out...

Thanks again for all the input.

[Sanoske]

Thanks still to all the input. As to the Jetta, drove cross country in a '95 in '98(if that makes sense). Good car; But yes, way more expensive than it needs to be to fix. And I know it's a safety feature or whatever, but on most if not all the modern VW's I've had experience with, it seems like the default setting in the computer when ANYTHING goes wrong is to flash the Check Engine Light til the end of time. Anything from a cylinder leaking pressure, to a clogged injector to the trunk light burning out...

Fixed.

[Kiree]

Is that decrease really from the AWD? I would have assumed a Boxer4 would have been a little more efficient.

Yes, pretty much from full time AWD. Boxer4 is very efficient just the price you pay for having the stability in all weather conditions. Can't wait till snow falls, gunna feel like the only time I want/need the AWD. 30~ish isn't bad, but it isn't great. I had a saturn that got damn near 40, but SUCKED to drive in the snow (tires sucked too but heh, fk front-wheel-drive). I'll take that 10~ MPG hit for a subaru if it means I get to actually have fun driving the car in the winter.

[Phraust]

AWD drive is kinda wasted on me, Where I live, we have two seasons: Warm and Warmer.... lol....