$20k budget for used car

[msi1337]

Hey all,

My 2010 CRV was just totalled. Before that I had a 2009 G37x. Torn between getting another family car/suv (3 kids and a fiance), or a sporty sedan like the G... What would you do?

 

[EXCellR8]

Crossovers ok? I recently got my GF into the Crosstrek and she loves it but she came from a beater 2001 Civic so that's not exactly a good baseline.

Would you consider anything European?

 

[msi1337]

crossovers are okay..its a hard decision because I have had both a sporty sedan and an SUV. I really liked the room of the SUV, but not so much the comfort/ride. Prefer Japanese cars to European just due to overall lower maintenance costs and I am more familiar with them.

 

[EXCellR8]

I hear you... though if you're going Asian you're choices of AWD mid-size sedans are very limited if you don't count Infiniti, Lexus, Acura... I'm definitely a car guy but I'd try to figure out what you'd prefer more and then go from there. I also like the Subarus but they hold their value and people tend to know this so most get priced a bit higher. Some crossovers are nice though because they are basically like taller cars and have more utility.

The Legacy is a great car but imho they don't look very nice in comparison to some of the other AWD cars out there. You'd probably appreciate the reliability though.

 

[BurnItDwn]

If you are ok with FWD, or possibly FWD Biased AWD systems: There's tons of used RX350 and ES350s on the road. Nice roomy comfortable interiors in Midsized Car or Crossover format.

A bit bigger and Highlander Hybrid is big & roomy, gets decent fuel economy, and it's reasonably quick. It's a pretty stiff unibody, but, due to it's size and high center of gravity, won't handle quite like a car. Might be worth checking one of them out, at least on paper.


I have an 08 forester, and it's slow, but, it more or less corners and handles like a small car (2nd gen, before they jacked the height up to full SUV height.)

 

[snoopy7548]

Mazda has some crossovers with AWD - the CX-3 is the cheapest/lowest end while the CX-5 is midrange. Mazda always makes cars that are fun to drive, or so I hear.

 

[herm0016]

i find the subies underpowered, at least at elevation and do not like the CVT much at all. they drive much like i expect a large, loaded pickup to drive. in fact, i find...

I did not finish my thought....

my 1/2 ton GMC 4 door 6.5 bed truck drives better than an outback with 5 people in it.


i think i would check out the mazda also.

 

[ponyo]

3 kids? Toyota Sienna.

Don't like minivan? Then Lexus GX470/460 or LX470/570 depending on your budget. LX470/570 are super comfortable and ride really nice but are terrible on gas.

edit: Oops, forgot about the $20k budget. Then it's Sienna, GX470, or LX470. Used GX460 and LX570 will be way outside your budget.

 

[msi1337]

I was looking at a 2014 IS 350 (non f sport)..thoughts? kids are 2, 9, and one on the way

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I was looking at a 2014 IS 350 (non f sport)..thoughts? kids are 2, 9, and one on the way

Do you have a second vehicle that will seat five humans, or is this the designated family-hauler? If this is your commuter and you'll be rarely carrying 1-2 passengers, then by all means get a sport sedan like the IS. If your wife drives a Civic, then sucks to be you because you're buying a Toyota Sienna.

 

[EXCellR8]

IS 350 is a great car, just not so great mileage; I don't totally hate the looks, actually pretty sporty.

Does Mazda make any AWD sedans? I thought even the turbocharged 6 was only offered in FWD.

 

[eng2d2]

That is a lot of money for used car. Can even get new one for it..

 

[BurnItDwn]

i find the subies underpowered, at least at elevation and do not like the CVT much at all. they drive much like i expect a large, loaded pickup to drive. in fact, i find

i think i would check out the mazda also.

The best subaru was of course the Legacy GT wagon, which they discontinued in the US like ... a long time ago

 

[jlee]

3 kids? Toyota Sienna.

Don't like minivan? Then Lexus GX470/460 or LX470/570 depending on your budget. LX470/570 are super comfortable and ride really nice but are terrible on gas.

edit: Oops, forgot about the $20k budget. Then it's Sienna, GX470, or LX470. Used GX460 and LX570 will be way outside your budget.

You can get 460's in that range but it's close. I just found one for a friend, 2010 or 2011 with ~120k for $19k.

 

[Hans Gruber]

Since your 1st marriage failed and you now have a fiance. I would lease either a Toyota Highlander Hybrid or a Toyota RAV4 hybrid. I say lease because you do not want to co-mingle assets with the fiance. Besides I think fiance is a french word similar to finance. The outcome is always, it will cost you.

 

[pauldun170]

20K buys you all sorts of stuff.
3 kids and a Fiance? What does the Fiance drive?

If the fiance does not drive a family car already -

Get something with 3 Rows.
Sienna all the way. If we were talking brand new, Honda might be the way to go but for 20K Sienna's rule the roost.
20K also gets you a 2nd generation Highlander in awesome condition or a 3rd gen with more miles. 3 rows are really handy. they have that little seat you can remove from the middle row. Hybrid is the way to go because standard ones do have mediocre fuel economy. Warning, base model Toyota Entune really does suck.
Kida edona

You can find all sorts of luxury SUVs from Lexus to Acura and even Lincoln but you will be looking at higher mileage vehicles with a higher chance of maintenance costs. I would expect older vehicles with twice the mileage.

If the fiance already has a family sized car or is in a position to buy the next family car. Just grab another sporty sedan.

I was looking at a 2014 IS 350 (non f sport)..thoughts? kids are 2, 9, and one on the way

IS350 as a family car? Maybe if every one is a midget with tiny feet.

 

[snoopy7548]

IS 350 is a great car, just not so great mileage; I don't totally hate the looks, actually pretty sporty.

Does Mazda make any AWD sedans? I thought even the turbocharged 6 was only offered in FWD.

I think the new 2019 Mazda3 will come with an AWD option (and manual transmission!), but it's probably too small.

 

[EXCellR8]

Oh my coworker is going to be upset about that--she just got a new 3 since her lease was up. Def too small for a full size family though, agreed.

 

[PowerEngineer]

So I'm thinking the right answer depends on whether or not any of your kids will soon be old enough to drive. If so, then this might not be the right time for a sporty sedan. I hate to buy into the SUV/crossover market right now as their high popularity means that real deals are few and far between. In your shoes I might look to see if there happens to be an older Mercedes 4MATIC wagon nearby.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm coming from a slightly different direction -- mid-size SUV -- but investigating cars like your CR-V.

To that end, I've looked at the Suburu Forester, the mini-Cooper Countryman S, CR-V and RAV4.

For my own purposes, I'm leaning toward the Suburu. I just saw a 2017 model "pre-owned" on CarMax.com with 36K miles for about $23,000.

Everyone I know who has had Suburu going back to the late '70s seems satisfied with the brand, and recent stories from Forester or Outback owners were happy. One of them cited an odometer at 165,000 miles and still going strong.

Then, there's the arguments for "new versus used." Nervous Nellies talk of prior owners who may have abused the engine or damaged gears, but service histories and accident reports are available by VIN. If you find a used car with less than 50K miles with the right history, it's not such a great risk, and you can save a lot of bucks.

I bought my '95 Trooper LS in 2002 when it had 95,000 on the odometer. It was still a winner, and it's still my main ride.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I'm coming from a slightly different direction -- mid-size SUV -- but investigating cars like your CR-V.

To that end, I've looked at the Suburu Forester, the mini-Cooper Countryman S, CR-V and RAV4.

For my own purposes, I'm leaning toward the Suburu. I just saw a 2017 model "pre-owned" on CarMax.com with 36K miles for about $23,000.

Everyone I know who has had Suburu going back to the late '70s seems satisfied with the brand, and recent stories from Forester or Outback owners were happy. One of them cited an odometer at 165,000 miles and still going strong.

Then, there's the arguments for "new versus used." Nervous Nellies talk of prior owners who may have abused the engine or damaged gears, but service histories and accident reports are available by VIN. If you find a used car with less than 50K miles with the right history, it's not such a great risk, and you can save a lot of bucks.

I bought my '95 Trooper LS in 2002 when it had 95,000 on the odometer. It was still a winner, and it's still my main ride.

This is all anecdotal of course, but, I am happy with my 08 Subaru in general.
Some Caveots: The head gasket work at 125K was expensive.
Around 135k, the AC compressor failed so I had it replaced.
Heat shields started rattling something awful around 110K miles (replaced rusted bits and bolts and reenforced with coat hangers)
One of the wheel bearings failed around like 60K or 70k and was replaced under warranty.

Subarus are not as cheap to own as Toyotas, but I'm happy with mine though I always crave a bit more power/something faster. (Back when I bought this, the XT wasn't in the budget. Whenever I decide to replace this, I will probably get something a little quicker.)

 

[Kaido]

The Hyundai Kona starts at $20k new, not sure if it's what you're looking for or not:

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/kona/index.aspx

 

[msi1337]

thank you for all the replies! I ended up test driving a bunch of different cars and ended up buying a 2017 Mazda 6 Touring with manual transmission for 15k. It had about 40k miles on it and was in immaculate condition. It's a nice compromise between family car and something fun to drive and so far I am loving it.

 

[BurnItDwn]

thank you for all the replies! I ended up test driving a bunch of different cars and ended up buying a 2017 Mazda 6 Touring with manual transmission for 15k. It had about 40k miles on it and was in immaculate condition. It's a nice compromise between family car and something fun to drive and so far I am loving it.

Nice,
One of my cousins has a few years older mazda 6 with a manual and they LOVE it.

 

[Kaido]

thank you for all the replies! I ended up test driving a bunch of different cars and ended up buying a 2017 Mazda 6 Touring with manual transmission for 15k. It had about 40k miles on it and was in immaculate condition. It's a nice compromise between family car and something fun to drive and so far I am loving it.

Great car! I have been really impressed with Mazda lately. What color did you go with?