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Hi, I'm new here Been reading/researching for the past 2 months. My wfie, 2 year old son & me are moving to Philadelphia after 5 weeks for school. We'll need a ride and can't make up my mind on which model to get.
I'm looking for something comfortable to drive, offers a good space for traveling around the Country, reliable! I can spend around $15K on a used vehicle, I can go up to $20K, but I don't feel like that's needed for what I'm looking for.
Cars I drove in the past: 93 Camry, 98 Crown Vic, 09 Yukon Denali, and now drive an 04 Honda Accord.
I love my Accord, never gave me trouble, now @ 180K miles, and still going strong. But I'll be leaving the Country and moving to the States for the next 5 years, so my brother will take it.
Cars I've researched to death, and like (sorry for the long list, but I like to look at everything before I decide):
- Honda Accord 05, or 06-07 for under $10K.
- Toyota Camery.
- Or up the budget and get a Subaru Forester (2010-2012).
- Toyota Highlander.
- Ford Escort (2009-2011).
- Lexus ES350.
- Ford Edge.
- 04-08 Honda Pilot.
- Mazda CX-7
- 06-09 Toyota Avalon.
I was in Philiy last Feb, rented a Dodge Challenger, drove in a snow storm across PA, NY, & RI. We never get snow over here in Saudi Arabia, so it was a first time for me driving in the snow, but it was alright. Now I need to decide if I'll NEED an AWD or not! Cause the Accord is what I'm leaning towards, but I'd like to try the Subaru AWD too!
Would it be wise to look for cars in Southern states instead of NE states because of the Salt effect on used cars? Or would a pre inspection checkup be enough.
How about I just spend the $15K on lease instead? Since I'll be leaving the States after 5 years or so? I'm not sure how the credit check works though, since I don't think I have a credit history. I've lived in Seattle from 02-07, but I think it doesn't show up after all these years!
OK, you said comfortable and good space. Forget the Japanese cars.
Get a Chevy Tahoe. You`ll need the extra space with a growing kid. If you are going to travel you will never regret.
Also, you want safety for your family...you will get that in a Tahoe.
Cheap parts..uses a little more gas, but gas is cheap. And a good resale value. 4X4 is great if you want to add the extra money.
Buy on eBay with the lowest mileage for the money you are willing to spend. Watch out for rust. Southern cars good idea.
That's the first car I checked on craigslist when I first started researching, found a few (08-09 LTZ) selling for good prices. But I'd hate it when the gas prices shoot back up!
Wow, your really all over the map there with what your considering. Big and small cars, SUV's, etc. I think you really need to narrow this down to a preference on a type of vehicle a little more to really get at your preferences and needs.
If you want what is really a good highway cruiser, I would go find a late model full size car. Chevy Impala, Ford Crown Victoria, Dodge Charger, etc. They are big, will ride great on the highway and have generally have very good highway fuel mileage. Also, they tend to have very reasonable pricing on the used market (IMO) compared to some of the midsizers which seem to carry a premium due to higher demand of the midsize segment. Despite those who bash domestics to no end, these cars have all proven to be durable and long lasting for owners, and for fleet buyers as well.
AS for drivetrain and use in Philly, the Impala is FWD and should be no issue in the snow. The Crown Vic is RWD, and you may decide it best to have some snow tires on it for winter months. With them it will go just fine. Chargers can be had RWD or AWD, and again a RWD with snows will be just fine in Philly. (Honestly, in Philly, you probably can get away without any snow tires, but they are nice to have in a bad storm).
As for where to look, going south certainly avoids the salt. It is an option. Modern cars are rust proofed far better than the used to be however, and cars don't really "rust" out anymore before they "wear" out. Still, less salt is always better, as salt affects more than just body/chassis rust.
Really you can often find a decent ride for around $2K more or less. Get something dependable than maybe another one for a backup and payoff the insurance with the leftover $.
I'm looking for something comfortable to drive, offers a good space for traveling around the Country, reliable! I can spend around $15K on a used vehicle, I can go up to $20K, but I don't feel like that's needed for what I'm looking for.
- Honda Accord 05, or 06-07 for under $10K. Overrated and not the best value for your money (contrary to popular belief
- Toyota Camery. Camry not going to be as comfy as you think
- Or up the budget and get a Subaru Forester (2010-2012). Good option but long road trips comfort is a question again
- Toyota Highlander. Good option but pricier to buy and maintain
- Ford Escort (2009-2011). You must be kidding? Based on your criteria, no way
- Lexus ES350. Good but expensive to repair if needed
- Ford Edge. Will hit all your criteria nicely
- 04-08 Honda Pilot. Will hit all your criteria nicely
- Mazda CX-7 Will hit all your criteria nicely but is it affordable?
- 06-09 Toyota Avalon. Not as good as the Toyota name implies
Would it be wise to look for cars in Southern states instead of NE states because of the Salt effect on used cars? Or would a pre inspection checkup be enough. Not a huge issue in the time frame and price rante you are looking at
How about I just spend the $15K on lease instead? Since I'll be leaving the States after 5 years or so? I'm not sure how the credit check works though, since I don't think I have a credit history. I've lived in Seattle from 02-07, but I think it doesn't show up after all these years!
Based on the mileage you have been putting on and your stated desire to travel I don't know if you are the right candidate for leasing (and I am a proponent of it).
Personal suggestions are along the lines of (A) Impala is a very comfortable car to travel in and can be had for very reasonable prices as they are used everywhere for corporate cars. I put 60k on company Impalas in a 18 months and was never disappointed. Not the latest and greatest technology or model but a strong contender for overall value (B) Used Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition for the space, travel comfort, and 4wd capabilities for Philly winters. Expedition can be had a little less expensive but Tahoe is more popular (C) '13-'14 Ford Fusion available all over the place in your price range as a former rental or corporate car. Inexpensive to maintain and comfortable with freshly restyled model
That's the first car I checked on craigslist when I first started researching, found a few (08-09 LTZ) selling for good prices. But I'd hate it when the gas prices shoot back up!
Gas mileage isn`t really that bad, if you drive them carefully. People tend to put too much into gas mileage.
Gas mileage does count, but so does depreciation - and not to mention parts and repair costs.
Also, figure your family is safer in such a car than any of the Japanese.
I bought my crown vic back in 98 new, sold it to my cousin in 2011, it's still going strong. The headlight lamps though are terrible in that thing, especially when driving at night in dark high ways and such, I've tried a different after market kits, but never was satisfied. But other than that, it's comfy, mainly the front seats though. I used to change more parts in the crown vic than I do now in my Accord, but it's much cheaper and easier to maintain, never had issues with gas consumption though, I don't hammer the gas pedal.
Each car in my list in the OP has some advantages, I can go with either size car if I can make up my mind lol.
I'll look into the Impala, as long as I can install an after market stereo + speakers, I'm good to go; it's a transportation vehicle after all.
My brother owns a 2012 Expedition, and I find the seats to be of a bigger size that the Tahoe, and the ride is much more comfy.
You're comfortable keeping cars a while and like Japanese cars, but want to step up in size. I vote for for a pre-2006 Avalon. It looks better than the later ones and it newer than the cars you're used to driving. Roomy, Toyota quality, and who doesn't like riding in an Avalon? I feel pampered just thinking about it.
Avalon is a nice ride, and I can find an older model for a good price too; as long as the maintenance cost is not that much higher though. I've been researching Toyota forums, and it doesn't seem that it's too expensive to maintain, and it's a quality car that can last for a long time if I do basic maintenance on time I think!
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Been reading/researching for the past 2 months. My wfie, 2 year old son & me are moving to Philadelphia after 5 weeks for school. We'll need a ride and can't make up my mind on which model to get.
