Looking at a new car - doing the responsible thing and getting a 'family car'

[TerryMathews]

My criteria are:
Most Reliable (Needs to last more than 6 years, prefer 10)
~$30k with options
Seats 4-6 passengers
4x4 (I live in Ohio)

All the cars I've configured have third row seating if available.

So far I've looked at:

Toyota RAV4
Toyota Highlander
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Sienna

Honda CR-V

Subaru Forrester

And I've eliminated:

Toyota 4Runner (Too expensive with options)
Toyota FJ Cruiser (Back seat is supposedly not workable for teenage children and up)
Honda CR-V (Mom had one and I just didn't like it)

Trying to keep the options as close as possible, these are the MSRP prices I've come up with on each truck:

Toyota RAV4 Limited ($29,605)
Toyota Highlander Limited ($34,415)
Toyota Sienna LE 7 Passenger ($34,219)
Subaru Forrester ($29,320)

I'm actually looking pretty strongly at the RAV4 - it has bluetooth, comes in a shade of blue that I really like, and is priced better than the other Toyotas and competitively to the Forrester.

If anyone has any insights on any of these models, please chime in. Thanks!

 

[DougK62]

Check out the new crossover dudes from GM. I played around with an Acadia (but didn't get to drive it) and I loved it. They're getting great reviews, too.

 

[FoBoT]

you can get a Saturn Vue AWD V6 at 0% APR for 60 months if you take retail delivery by Feb. 20

 

[zoiks]

If you're looking for a 4x4, you shouldn't be looking for any one of those above.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You could probably get a 2006 Toyota Tundra Double Cab model for around $30k w/4x4. I have a friend who bought one recently and he only paid $24k for it (it's not 4x4 though).

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: zoiks
If you're looking for a 4x4, you shouldn't be looking for any one of those above.

I assume he just wants the extra traction for driving on snowy roads and not for actual off-roading.

 

[radioouman]

I wouldn't buy a car based on color.

By needing 4x4, I assume you just need to get through the snow.

Does a Rav-4 actually have third row seating?

 

[RedArmy]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
you can get a Saturn Vue AWD V6 at 0% APR for 60 months if you take retail delivery by Feb. 20

The AWD Vues suck when it comes to actually needing the AWD. My friend has one and he's part of a Saturn group where the general consensus is that the AWD basically kicks in when the tires start slipping instead of having true AWD so there's a short delay before all 4 wheels are actually turning on their own. But they have VTEC, so it doesn't matter. Fast SUV, that's for sure.

Edit: Get the Subaru, you can't go wrong.

/family has owned a million (more like 5) Subarus, nothing ever went wrong with any of them. Ever.

 

[d3n]

I say go with a minivan. I own a Seinna LXE and I would hate to see it go. I hear the Huandai minivans are pretty sharp now. With kids the power sliders are a great thing. No throwing doors open into the side panels of cars belonging to you or a family member. The hight of the van makes it easier for the kids to mount up or be mounted into car seats. It rides nicely.


If I had to go bigger I would skip the SUVs all together and look at the Dodge Sprinter. Its a re badged Mercedes diesel van. 27-29MPG and plenty of towing and space. The conversions make these things nice.

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: radioouman
I wouldn't buy a car based on color.

By needing 4x4, I assume you just need to get through the snow.

Does a Rav-4 actually have third row seating?

I'm not buying based on color - that said, the fact it comes in a shade of blue I find attractive is a plus, on the same level as heated seats or Bluetooth.

Yes, I need the 4x4 or AWD for the snow - I live in Ohio.

The RAV4 does have third-row seating as an option.

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: zoiks
If you're looking for a 4x4, you shouldn't be looking for any one of those above.

I'm looking for extra traction in the snow, not for actual off-roading.

 

[vi edit]

The Forester has a horribly small backseat. It would be okay for a 5 year old, but anyone over 5' would not be really comfortable for an extended amount of time.

Depending on timelines, I'd hold off till later this summer and see how the new Highlanders look.

My wife has an '05 and it is a nice car. Comfortable, roomy, and very easy to drive. The best crash ratings on the road too. The new ones address most of my issues with the current gen - more power and a spruced up interior.

If you don't like the new ones, the current gens should be given away by dealers.

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
The Forester has a horribly small backseat. It would be okay for a 5 year old, but anyone over 5' would not be really comfortable for an extended amount of time.

Depending on timelines, I'd hold off till later this summer and see how the new Highlanders look.

My wife has an '05 and it is a nice car. Comfortable, roomy, and very easy to drive. The best crash ratings on the road too. The new ones address most of my issues with the current gen - more power and a spruced up interior.

If you don't like the new ones, the current gens should be given away by dealers.

So I can mark the Forrester off my list then - that's the same reason the FJ Cruiser came off.

 

[Kelvrick]

My test drive with hte rav4 went very well when I was shopping cars.

I don't have a kid yet though and went with a legacy wagon. Have you looked at those? I don't know how the back seat compares to the forester though, but when coworkers climb back there for lunch runs, no complaints yet.

 

[desy]

Get an AWD Fusion
But really if you get studded winter tires you don't need AWD
I live in Canada and have yet to need AWD if you put great winter tires on in fact your stopping distances are less cause its a lighter vehicle without AWD and b etter gas mileage as well.

 

[isekii]

Get the Sienna.
It cries soccer mom, but it's a really nice vehicle.
On board Navi is sweet too.

One of em actually did a fly by on me last night on the highway. ( I was in the CR-V )

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: isekii
Get the Sienna.
It cries soccer mom, but it's a really nice vehicle.
On board Navi is sweet too.

One of em actually did a fly by on me last night on the highway. ( I was in the CR-V )

I don't care about the soccer mom aspect. If it's nice, it's nice. I've got a Vette to assuage my ego.

So pretty much everyone here is saying RAV4, Sienna, or maybe Highlander.

 

[freebee]

edited

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: TerryMathews
4x4 (I live in Ohio)

I lived in Ohio for 22 years. You don't need a 4x4. Hell, I got through the winters for a couple years in a RWD Porsche 924S with summer-only tires. A standard FWD car will be more than enough to get you through an Ohio winter.

If you're set on that vehicle type though, take a look at the Ford Explorer. My father has had 3 of them and with the exception of the one that was rear-ended by a motorhome (Explorer was stopped behind a semi, motor home hit it at 45 mph and sandwiched it into the semi, dad and all passengers walked away without injury) they have all lasted well over 200,000 miles with zero issues. The true 4x4 system in the XLT Explorers is better than the AWD in the Eddie Bauer models, but even the AWD in the Eddie Bauer is much better than the AWD in dad's new Honda Pilot (dad just wanted to try something "new" when he gave his last Explorer to my little sister).

ZV

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You could probably get a 2006 Toyota Tundra Double Cab model for around $30k w/4x4. I have a friend who bought one recently and he only paid $24k for it (it's not 4x4 though).

Wait a minute, aren't you always talking sh!t to people who buy trucks as personal family vehicles?

 

[secretanchitman]

rav4 limited (260+HP V6) is the way to go. i think i know what blue you are talking about since my friend has one as well.

definitely a good car.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Dodge Magnum 3.5L V6 AWD

Ford Five Hundred AWD

Ford Freestyle AWD

Fully loaded the RAV4 will consitently be the cheapest vehicle, but also the smallest.

 

[SZLiao214]

The 2 cars i have been in have been the honda crv and the rav4. I own the previous generation crv and its a good car. The redesign really brought some finesse to the car.

 

[MasonLuke]

Honda Pilot. AWD and third row seating. Do it now!

Rav4=biatch car
highlander=biatch car
Sienna=great family car
subaru=just ok

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You could probably get a 2006 Toyota Tundra Double Cab model for around $30k w/4x4. I have a friend who bought one recently and he only paid $24k for it (it's not 4x4 though).

Wait a minute, aren't you always talking sh!t to people who buy trucks as personal family vehicles?

Well, he said he wanted 4x4 and in that price range it's a good solid vehicle. Gas mileage isn't much worse than most SUVs anyway. If he needs a large vehicle capable of hauling a family of 4 or 5 it's not a bad solution.

I only ask that people consider their choices instead of buying something just because everyone else has one. It's the people I see driving 70+ miles a day in an Expedition when they only have a family of 2 or the single guy with the fullsize truck who bought it because he might need it to haul a new couch home once every few years that I have a problem with.