TTMA about cars

[icedtea]

All the car buying chat has reminded me we're a couple months away from needing to do all that too. I currently have a Corolla and want more space. Not minivan-level space, though (nothing against them, I just prefer driving smaller cars and we're one and done). I just want to fit two ~35 lb dogs, a carseat, and some groceries. Ideally with not-terrible mpg.

So I'm thinking bigger hatchbacks, crossovers, SUVs...? But have no experience with them. Any recommendations?

Ones I'm considering so far:
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Crosstrek
Mazda CX-5
Toyota Prius V

[easilyunamused]

I love my Subaru Forrester. It has a good amount of space, but it's not a huge SUV. I have a 2007, and would suggest getting a newer model that doesn't have frameless Windows.

[thelittleredm]

Most crossovers and SUVs are comparable to minivans as far as size goes, in my experience. We purchased a Chevy Traverse earlier this year and love it! We have two dogs (one is ~65lbs, one is ~20lbs) and a cat that frequently have to be in our car because they like going to my parents' house from time to time. Plus, we foster pups so it has plenty of space for a crate, too. But it's definitely not wasted space when we don't have all the animals along. It's great for grocery runs and other shopping adventures, too, and adults can fit in the back comfortably if need be.

The Nissan Altima is a great use of space without getting too much car. The backseats are really spacious and fit bucket and rear-facing seats really well without making the driver or front seat passenger move their seat up to the dash. It also has great trunk space!

If you have the funds to do it, a Lexus RX is a great crossover size as well. It'd have plenty of space for a car seat and dogs plus room for groceries. Even older models are worth looking at. Plus, they stand up to wear and tear really well and have a great trade-in value if you ever decide to replace it.

[akraus2015]

My car is huge but I absolutely love my 4Runner. I will keep it until the wheels fall off.

[icedtea]

thelittleredm, I've been coveting the Lexus, but I'm not sure we can afford it. I should look at older styles.

[mustloveerica]

Before we got the minivan I drove a Kia Sportage. Now DH drives that. It's a smaller SUV and gets pretty good gas mileage as far as SUVs go. And it doesn't feel huge while you're driving it, which I liked. My 80lb dog was very comfortable in the trunk. Our larger dog couldn't stand up in it tho even with the seats down. It's not super tall. We also could do the two rear facing car seats without moving either driver or passenger seats forward. I love that Kia hardcore. We've never had a single problem with it except for a door getting stuck problem years ago. Kia has an awesome warranty tho so they fix things no questions asked most of the time.

[icedtea]

mustloveerica, that's good to know. I've been avoiding Kia because of their rep years ago. But, like Hyundai, I'm guessing they've come a long way when I wasn't looking.

[mustloveerica]

Dec 30, 2016 12:54:27 GMT -5 icedtea said:

mustloveerica, that's good to know. I've been avoiding Kia because of their rep years ago. But, like Hyundai, I'm guessing they've come a long way when I wasn't looking.

Maybe it depends on the dealer too? Ours is 4 years old and still covered under warranty so we take it to the dealer for everything just in case. The warranty even covered them balancing the tires when they got out of whack last winter. I really have zero complaints about that car. I'm jealous DH gets to drive it now.

Also for the record Kia gave us the best trade in offer on our Honda Civic than any of the other places we went to while minivan shopping. So definitely make sure you get trade in appraisals from every place you go to just in case (if you're trading in).

[hpnegirl]

I will say one thing about nissans as I know many people who have had the same thing happen- they're good cars until something goes wrong and then it becomes a recurring problem.. (like the exhaust system falling off 3 times in as many years)

That said, my grandmother loves her rogue

[icedtea]

Dec 30, 2016 12:57:37 GMT -5 mustloveerica said:

Dec 30, 2016 12:54:27 GMT -5 icedtea said:

mustloveerica , that's good to know. I've been avoiding Kia because of their rep years ago. But, like Hyundai, I'm guessing they've come a long way when I wasn't looking.

Maybe it depends on the dealer too? Ours is 4 years old and still covered under warranty so we take it to the dealer for everything just in case. The warranty even covered them balancing the tires when they got out of whack last winter. I really have zero complaints about that car. I'm jealous DH gets to drive it now.

Also for the record Kia gave us the best trade in offer on our Honda Civic than any of the other places we went to while minivan shopping. So definitely make sure you get trade in appraisals from every place you go to just in case (if you're trading in).

We won't be trading in, but this is all good to know. We're going to keep the Corolla as a backup car for now, or potentially for a future au pair to use if I don't end up staying home. 

[PirateCat]

Subaru Crosstrek looks nice but it is essentially the same size as the Impreza hatchback, just taller, and gets less than impressive mileage. The backseat of our Impreza feels pretty roomy to me and cargo space is plenty big for groceries, but the car is certainly not as big as the other cars on your list. We are getting close to the advertised 38mpg on the highway though for an AWD so the smaller size is a decent compromise for us. I think we'd probably look at something like Prius V for non-winter driving for our next car.

What kind of a car does your H drive?

[marshian]

We love our 2007 Subaru Forester, too! The newer Outbacks are the same size as our Forester. Everyone I know with a Subaru had had it forever with little to no issues.

[mustloveerica]

Oh Honda has a new car called an HRV. It's like a super tiny SUV/crossover. It was really cute and AWD. That might be one to add to your list if an SUV is too big for you. I don't know anything about it but there was one in the showroom and it's cool looking.

[icedtea]

Dec 30, 2016 13:08:13 GMT -5 PirateCat said:

Subaru Crosstrek looks nice but it is essentially the same size as the Impreza hatchback, just taller, and gets less than impressive mileage. The backseat of our Impreza feels pretty roomy to me and cargo space is plenty big for groceries, but the car is certainly not as big as the other cars on your list. We are getting close to the advertised 38mpg on the highway though for an AWD so the smaller size is a decent compromise for us. I think we'd probably look at something like Prius V for non-winter driving for our next car.

What kind of a car does your H drive?

Ah, I didn't realize that about the Crosstrek. 

He has a Mazda hatchback right now, but also wants to get something bigger/better for the snow. Mine is just the priority

[thelittleredm]

I must have very different Nissan experience than everyone else lol Granted, I've only dealt with their Altimas. We currently have an 06 and have had no major services, just tune-ups.

[icedtea]

Dec 30, 2016 13:17:48 GMT -5 W said:

Obviously thats just an anecdote, but hopefully it helps

It does, thanks!

And mustloveerica, I haven't heard of the HRV. I shall look it up. 

[hpnegirl]

Dec 30, 2016 13:35:09 GMT -5 thelittleredm said:

I must have very different Nissan experience than everyone else lol Granted, I've only dealt with their Altimas. We currently have an 06 and have had no major services, just tune-ups.

I think Altimas are the one Nissan that I don't ever hear complaints about. I had a Sentra and all it did was give me problems. When the exhaust fell off the third time this fall, I said F-it and we traded it in (we planned on waiting until this weekend to get what I had been eying but ended up getting a certified pre-owned in an earlier year model)

[icedtea]

@wineandcupcakes, also on the list now! How's the MPG?

[hpnegirl]

Dec 30, 2016 18:31:45 GMT -5 @wineandcupcakes said:

Dec 30, 2016 18:25:28 GMT -5 icedtea said:

@wineandcupcakes, also on the list now! How's the MPG?

Pretty good. I would say like 26-33 depending on highway or city driving. Filling the tank costs about maybe high 20s? Our new Pilot is a much larger SUV and I just got about 370 miles on a tank and filled it for $33 so the CRV is much better than that.

We really like it.

I'm glad you brought this up! I'm trying to convince DH to consider a CRV when we go to trade in his pilot next year

[flyinghorses6]

+1 on the Subaru.

I drive a forester and it's an awesome car! Not sure where you're living, but for a reliable car in the snow, a safe car, and a car that will last you forever--the Subaru is awesome!

I got mine used and have about 100,000 miles on it. It runs great and I love it. I will definitely be getting another one down the road. I love how safe I feel driving it.

[icedtea]

A forester wasn't even on my radar, but it's on my list to try out now. We live in the south now, but will be returning to the Land of Snow.

H also has this thing about wanting a bigger car because he feels it's safer for the kid. This is his first neurose about the baby, maybe it's starting to feel real lol. Or he's using it as an excuse to get a new car (more likely).

[marshian]

The Forester is really great with snow and ice. If you're going back to winter, I highly recommend all-wheel drive, no matter which car you get.

[onesweetworld]

I have a GMC Terrain and I love it! (Same as the Chevy Traverse just looks more badass)

[BabyStandish]

I would SO go for the Subaru. I love the forrester the best out of their current SUV's. We had a WRX for about 2 years and loved that car, but decided to go the EV route about a year ago for H's commuter car and to save money since the WRX car payment really sucked. I'm really interested in this though. A supposed comfy 3rd row seater for Subaru to be released in 2018:

blog.caranddriver.com/on-a-subaru-with-no-name-new-three-row-suv-confirmed-for-2018/

[teachermomtobe]

Jumping in to say I bought a Mazda CX-9 in July and am completely in love with my car! It's definitely bigger than the CX-5 so it may be more than you want. But when researching cars I found we could get a lot more options included in the Mazda than with other comparable cars. Basically I thought we got a lot more bang for our buck. DH is on his 2nd Mazda 6 and loves Mazda which is why I switched when I bought a car this summer.

[teachermomtobe]

Jumping in to say I bought a Mazda CX-9 in July and am completely in love with my car! It's definitely bigger than the CX-5 so it may be more than you want. But when researching cars I found we could get a lot more options included in the Mazda than with other comparable cars. Basically I thought we got a lot more bang for our buck. DH is on his 2nd Mazda 6 and loves Mazda which is why I switched when I bought a car this summer.

[agm04]

i have a chevy equinox and i like it. no idea how they hold up long term (i have a lease that only goes through next april), but they're relatively inexpensive and i think it's great space for one kid.

icedtea i was going to ask how you like the corolla...we're going to need to get a third car in the next 6ish months for our au pair. i'm not sure if we'll get something for her, or have her drive my car and get something new for me. we don't like hondas (UO i know), but i'm curious about other small cars in case we get something just for her. would 2 car seats fit in your back seat?

[sleepymonkey]

I will say that I had a Ford Escape when DD was born and I loved that car but the only issue with it (and I assume other small SUVs/crossovers) is that with a rear-facing childseat, the front seat became cramped. MH is 6ft and he did not have much leg room in the front when he sat in front of the seat. I had no problem but I'm only 5'4". I know a few people with the Mazda CX-5 and they absolutely love it. I know several people have said that Nissans don't hold up but MH's stepfather is a mechanic and he really likes the quality of Nissan. MH has an Altima and it is very comfortable and has given no problems so far. I have an Acura MDX and if it weren't for the fact that the dealer is an hour away, I would get another one or an RDX (smaller SUV) when my lease is up.

[icedtea]

Jan 4, 2017 16:47:30 GMT -5 agm04 said:

i have a chevy equinox and i like it. no idea how they hold up long term (i have a lease that only goes through next april), but they're relatively inexpensive and i think it's great space for one kid.

icedtea i was going to ask how you like the corolla...we're going to need to get a third car in the next 6ish months for our au pair. i'm not sure if we'll get something for her, or have her drive my car and get something new for me. we don't like hondas (UO i know), but i'm curious about other small cars in case we get something just for her. would 2 car seats fit in your back seat?

I love my Corolla. I was able to fit two seats when I was babysitting, thigh the kids were 4 so they weren't infant seats. I think she'd be able to.

[icedtea]

Jan 4, 2017 17:07:53 GMT -5 sleepymonkey said:

I will say that I had a Ford Escape when DD was born and I loved that car but the only issue with it (and I assume other small SUVs/crossovers) is that with a rear-facing childseat, the front seat became cramped. MH is 6ft and he did not have much leg room in the front when he sat in front of the seat. I had no problem but I'm only 5'4". I know a few people with the Mazda CX-5 and they absolutely love it. I know several people have said that Nissans don't hold up but MH's stepfather is a mechanic and he really likes the quality of Nissan. MH has an Altima and it is very comfortable and has given no problems so far. I have an Acura MDX and if it weren't for the fact that the dealer is an hour away, I would get another one or an RDX (smaller SUV) when my lease is up.

This is good to know, the CarMax near me had a lot of Ford escapes and I was intrigued. I need to find some Mazdas to drive.