Can you post actual vehicles you are considering so we can talk all factors into account? Like craigslist or autotrader listings?

2/9/2010 8:34:52 PM

Look, the girl wants a stupid crossover SUV; logic, economics, and practicality be damned.

No point trying to talk sense into them.

2/9/2010 10:22:56 PM

Quote :

"Your rambling isnt helping answer the original question or give any feedback regarding either model. What exactly are you trying to accomplish? They have clearly said >5 times they dont want a car."

What the fuck do you think I am trying to accomplish?

Quote :

"At least go and give some bigger sedans a try."

The whole post was a series of rational justifications for considering changing their mind without resorting to the "LOL YER STUPID YOU SHUD DO WUT I SAY" argument. SUVs are not appealing vehicles if you don't have any real use for the utility they offer. If she doesn't like having to climb up out of a car, doesn't like being pushed around in traffic, and wants a better view of the road she should buy a medium to large sedan which solves all three of these problems. The mileage will likely still be better than the CRV or RAV4 and it won't be a complete change of driving dynamics relative to what she drove before.

Nobody ever posts something in the goddamn garage without having already made up their mind 100% with what they're going to buy anyway, but it doesn't mean that the people here won't still try to convince them that they should put more serious thought towards their purchase before putting themselves in debt for a vehicle which doesn't fully serve their needs and was bought on a whim (more or less).

[Edited on February 9, 2010 at 11:11 PM. Reason : ^ Absolutely, but it's always worth a shot to try to change the mind.]

2/9/2010 11:10:07 PM

I will help you because you obviously can not read :

Question 1 :

Quote :

" Is it worth the cost to spend $2-3k more to shave off ~20k miles?"

Question 2 :

Quote :

"Additionally, anyone have any opinions regarding 4/6cyl and 2/4WD? Weight vs power vs extra $$ spent. We don't need to tow anything."

PS

Quote :

"Limiting snarky comments about better vehicles would be nice, she's pretty set on a RAV4 or CRV."

2/9/2010 11:45:52 PM

1. No
2. V6, better gas mileage with 2wd and most of the weather in NC is just fine with this.

2/9/2010 11:55:29 PM

Quote :

"I'm 6'2" and both of my cars are quite low to the ground. I've got a reconstructed ACL and getting out of these cars is not a problem. "

You're full of shit and everyone who has ever sat in an S2000 knows it.

God forbid someone actually buy a car they like in The Garage rather than buying a vehicle for the sole purpose of trading it for something else in two months.

2/10/2010 12:00:24 AM

thx for the feedback everyone!

Mindstorm, what would you consider a japanese luxury car in our price range?

In the end, she's got to like the look of whatever vehicle she gets. None of you would buy something that you thought looked stupid. She doesn't like the look of most sedans.

and Quinn & Maxima

[Edited on February 10, 2010 at 7:23 AM. Reason : .]

2/10/2010 7:22:57 AM

Quote :

"None of you would buy something that you thought looked stupid."

i'd buy a sedan i thought looked stupid before i bought a rav4 or crv

2/10/2010 8:32:00 AM

^^^No, I don't have a problem getting out of the car. Even after my leg days at the gym.

However I can't address leverage issues when wearing heels

2/10/2010 8:38:00 AM

What about a Honda Element? It's tall. Tons of cargo capacity. It's a Honda so it won't fall apart. Not uselessly high off the ground. I don't know about crash test ratings and all, but seems to fit most of the other criteria.

The styling is kind of polarizing, granted. Even though I still think that it looks like it's made out of lego, though, it's grown on me. And the Element SC (the one that gives up any pretensions of ride height/SUV-ness, plus loses the contrasting-color panels) is actually pretty damn cool looking.

2/10/2010 12:30:02 PM

Quote :

"Mindstorm, what would you consider a japanese luxury car in our price range? "

Look at mid sized to full sized sedans. I honestly thing the new Honda Accord is almost a luxury car, and it's downright enormous compared to previous models. I'm 5'11" and found it to be easier to get into and out of than older Honda accord sedans.

I was pricing some cars like this on auctiondirect.com last night and found a decent Acura TSX on there with all the bells and whistles for $16k with something like 60k miles on it. If you are willing to buy directly from somebody selling their car, you may be able to get something like an acura RL or maybe even some of the lexus sedans. I'd advise she at least give some of them a shot. Of course the non-luxury japanese sedans should be looked at as well. The new camry is very nice inside and not too bad to get into and out of. Most people here will suggest you go snag a higher performance car (which may be good for the money), but a boring old accord or camry will probably work great and be safer and easier to drive than an SUV. Also, if she drives on the highway a lot, you'll end up having to make a decision between road noise and road performance when you're buying tires for the truck. I've found that cars can be a lot more pleasant if you have a commute that lasts for more than 15 minutes each way.

Here's an example of the accord I'm talking about in your price range:
http://www.auctiondirectusa.com/preowned/dsp_viewcarframe.cfm/vin/1HGCP26379A002729/raleigh_nc_2009_honda_accord_lx_sedan_4d.html

A nice hybrid camry in your price range:
http://www.auctiondirectusa.com/preowned/dsp_viewcarframe.cfm?vin=4T1BB46K57U015546

An acura TSX in your price range:
http://www.auctiondirectusa.com/preowned/dsp_viewcarframe.cfm?vin=JH4CL96865C030162

A subaru legacy in your price range:
http://www.auctiondirectusa.com/preowned/dsp_viewcarframe.cfm/vin/4S3BL616087200966/raleigh_nc_2008_subaru_legacy_25i_sedan_4d.html

A mazda 6 in your price range:
http://www.auctiondirectusa.com/preowned/dsp_viewcarframe.cfm?vin=1YVFP80C965M44076

That's all I was able to find on auctiondirect for now (I like the selection of photos they have for each car). Just consider trying other stuff out so you don't get buyer's remorse on a purchase this large. SUVs are neat and modern ones are fun to drive, but modern cars can be even more fun to drive and are pretty damn classy. I'm debating between buying a pickup truck or a sedan right now myself (I actually want either that acura I linked you to or the subaru I linked you to), and find that it's something I need to think about for several months before finally pulling the trigger on something.

Also, as far as your concerns about long life of the car (as justification for very low miles), as long as you're buying a car made by a good car company (i.e. hondas, toyotas, fords and not kias, hyundais, or chevy aveos) you should be able to get most any new car to last for at least ten to twenty years with proper maintenance, regardless of miles.

[Edited on February 10, 2010 at 6:35 PM. Reason : ^ As long as it has painted body panels, that's also worth looking at.]

2/10/2010 6:33:02 PM

TSX would be a wonderful choice imo. we test drove one and it's only a little smaller than the TL with all the luxury. it also has a timing chain instead of a belt, so that's one major service item you won't have to worry about.

[Edited on February 10, 2010 at 7:18 PM. Reason : i'm not sure how anyone who had been in an Echo wouldn't be happy with a TSX]

2/10/2010 7:17:42 PM

Quote :

"it also has a timing chain instead of a belt, so that's one major service item you won't have to worry about."

This.

do not listen to it.


timing gear is a maintenance item, chain or not.

2/11/2010 1:22:43 AM

[Edited on February 11, 2010 at 10:09 AM. Reason : ]

2/11/2010 10:09:15 AM

2/11/2010 10:35:29 AM

ok, that's true, but i'd prefer a chain over a belt

2/11/2010 10:59:14 AM

Why the belt hate? Works great!

2/11/2010 11:37:18 AM

Metal > Rubber/Silicon


I imagine there's some teflon in there too? Anywhooooo

[Edited on February 11, 2010 at 12:08 PM. Reason : .]

2/11/2010 12:08:40 PM

$$$$ > $$

2/11/2010 12:18:21 PM