What car/truck would YOU buy next? (sales, buying)

[seamusnh]

For us, it will be the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Highlander. We need the third row of seats. AWD or 4WD is a must. If you go smaller, as in the RAV4, check the Honda CRV and the Subaru Forrester... We have a Forester and it is great...

[maestramommy]

It would depend on when we were getting this next car, but at the moment, the only thing I can think of is a Sienna or Ody. Mainly because our family is getting bigger, and more space would be welcome.

[notdancingqueen]

As always, you guys are great. :-)

I tossed in the RAV4 because one of the construction workers at my house says his wife loves hers and that he said it's a great snow car. I would look at the CRV too - I am pretty familiar with those already.

My "NH Lifestyle" -- nothing wacky -- just different needs than driving around Annapolis and DC!

-- We do a lot of outdoor activities - skiing, hiking, etc. so something that doesn't trip on snow-covered mountain roads and steep inclines would be good. In bad weather we can't get up the last 1/2 mile of relatively steep, packed/plowed snow-covered road to one of my DD's friend's houses.

-- Good in snow, obviously. Our current cars (w/ decent snow tires) are fine on snowy roads but DH got stuck in a small snow bank the other day and I had to rock back and forth to get through a bit of unplowed area...I'd rather not have to do that.

-- Cargo space in at least one of our cars. We travel distances to see family so we need some room.

-- DH would find it hard not to have a convertible or open top of some kind (we all have a vice...this is his.)

-- Decent mileage for its class. No Jeep will get the mileage of a Prius but I don't want H2 craptastic mileage, either.

-- we are debating the "need" for a third seat. There are times when it would be very handy and nice to have (hence, Pilot or Ford Flex) but it's not a "must-have" for us. I don't know anything about the Ford Fle but DH seems to like it. I'm not a fan of Ford in general.

-- towing capacity... again, I'm not sold on this but if we keep our boat (not likely) this becomes critical. At a minimum we'd tow a small trailer for trips to the transfer station and other misc. needs unless we get a Ridgeline or other vehicle with a truck bed.

Also, I've driven a stick since '93 and would prefer to keep it that way - I don't like automatics.

Interesting stuff about the FJ...apparently it got good marks in a motor trend article not too long ago. It's not my favorite contendor -- it's something DH said I should look at for comparison purposes.

Was that helpful info? Anything I left out?

~NDQ

[seamusnh]

With kids, the third seat is essential. Even if you only have two, you may wind up driving a bunch of them around (soccer practice carpools, movies, etc), and you cannot put a kid in the front seat due to the airbag.

There is a Sienna AWD minivan. If not the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot would be a good fit. Get a Thule type rack for the bikes, skis, etc....

[notdancingqueen]

I agree it would be nice at times to have a third row of seats but my personal definition of "essential" is pretty narrow. For me, it's a "nice to have", not a "must have." Not sure that's how I want to spend the extra $7-10k. Maybe, but maybe not... decisions, decisions!

[maestramommy]

Originally Posted by seamusnh

With kids, the third seat is essential. Even if you only have two, you may wind up driving a bunch of them around (soccer practice carpools, movies, etc), and you cannot put a kid in the front seat due to the airbag.

There is a Sienna AWD minivan. If not the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot would be a good fit. Get a Thule type rack for the bikes, skis, etc....

I've heard about the Sienna AWD. Although it's not H2 craptastic mileage, it's pretty darned close. 14 mpg.

[yinduffy]

Do you mean what vehicle would I buy or what vehicle would I buy if I had unlimited funds?
We have two Toyota Corollas (2007 and 2009) and expect to keep them for next next ten years.
I had an '85 Corolla 9 years (sold it to my sister) then a '94 Corolla (12 years) and last summer traded in our 98 Pathfinder for a '09 Corolla.
Ideally I would like to have a vehicle for each function - driving to work, going camping,going to the dumps, etc. but this is the real world.

[seamusnh]

Gas mileage site; http://www.fueleconomy.gov/***/findacar.htm

Sienna AWD: 16 city, 21 hwy, 18 combined
Seinna 2WD: 17 city, 23 hwy, 19 combined

We have a 00 Sienna (2WD) with 217k on it. It has been very reliable. Very versatile.

The Subie Forester may be a good choice:
20 city, 27 hwy and 22 combined.

We have an '01 Subaru Forester and it does well in the snow...

[GraniteStater]

The Subaru Forester is always a good choice. It is very safe with five star crash test rating, side airbags, and good highway MPG. The newer versions are Partial Zero Emission Rated in some nearby markets. I think ME and VT?

[GregW]

When my '92 Buick dies in the next few years, as it has had the last major repair I want to pay for, I'll look for a AWD Subie with about 10 years and 100 k miles. Or some other UJC (Universal Japanese Car) from a salt free area of the country.