Car Shopping - SUV/Van Edition

[LinktheDeme]

As the thread states I am going car shopping for a Van or SUV type vehicle for my mom. She is a bit impulsive and I am the kind of person that likes to thoroughly research before any major decisions. The type of vehicle she owns now is a Dodge Caravan from a long time ago.

I am not looking for a fancy smancy car. We are looking for something that is going to last(most likely staying away from american unless research proves otherwise but normally I read the Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are good calls). And something that is affordable.

Also I remember someone posting previously websites that gave price ranges for areas but I no longer seem to have it bookmarked so if anyone has similar links they would be much appreciated.

All in all open to all suggestions New AND used, but not looking really to break the 20k mark. Thanks in advance for the help that those that post provide.

[Tyche]

With vans, foreign are significantly more expensive than the american counterparts, or at least it seemed so when we bought one a few months ago. Honda makes a great van, but expensive comparatively speaking. Can't speak for Toyota or Nissan. Stay away from all things Kia. Been there, done that.

[*Shinzon*]

New SUV? Subaru Forester. We've owned 2, last one purchased might have been 23k? As a base model. They're bulletproof for the most part AWD if you need it, don't guzzle gas. You should examine wagons unless you need a third row of seating as well. Idk why most americans hate wagons but they are a million times more practical than a standard suv.

[Dantrag]

Only new AND awd in that price range is going to be Subaru Forester.

[Anakron]

I doubt you'll be able to get a quality van for 20k, so if you're sticking to that price range, compact SUVs are really your only choices. The new 2012 Honda CR-Vs are coming out soon, so you may be able to get a good deal for a 2011 model then. The CR-V and RAV4 are both pretty reliable, but you may have to go a little above 20k (maybe 22-23k out-the-door). The Nissan Rogue is available for about the same price.

If you're thinking used, then, subjective styling aside, the Highlander, Venza and Crosstour are pretty solid choices. The Murano is in the same class, but gets worse gas mileage than both the Venza and Crosstour.

The 20k range are high-volume cars, so I doubt prices will fluctuate much between regions, but you can price various models here:
http://www.edmunds.com/new-cars/

You can check current incentives here:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-incentives/

EDIT: Does your mom like high-riding cars, and that's why you're looking at vans and SUVs? Because at the 20k price range, the compact SUVs don't really offer much over sedans and wagons except for the higher ride height.

[LinktheDeme]

Mom went to the dealership and found a Nissan Rogue the sticker was about 22,000-23,000 but the guy offered around 19,900 and was wondering good or not?

edit: my mom likes the high riding effect.

[Anakron]

If that's the guy's offer, he can probably do much better. Nissan's offering $500 cash back on the Rogue, so depending on if it's closer to $22k or $23k, I think you can try for 19,000 (for the car), maybe even $18,500.

[archibaldcrane]

Mom went to the dealership and found a Nissan Rogue the sticker was about 22,000-23,000 but the guy offered around 19,900 and was wondering good or not?

edit: my mom likes the high riding effect.

truecar.com

Find out.

[Heavencloud]

Mom went to the dealership and found a Nissan Rogue the sticker was about 22,000-23,000 but the guy offered around 19,900 and was wondering good or not?

edit: my mom likes the high riding effect.

Make sure she test drives a Forester before she goes with a Rogue. From what I've read, the Rogue is a nice car but it has major blind spot issues and feels much smaller than then Forester. The Forester also has MUCH better AWD, although I don't know where you live so that may not matter.

I'm slightly partial, as my mother has a Forester and it's been great for 4 years so far. Not a single issue and it's at like 50k miles.