In the market for a new vehicle for my mom. I’m looking at new compact and sub compact AWD SUVs. My ideal price range would be as close to $20k as possible, less is better but tops would be $24k.
Since this is for my mom it has to be on the smaller end and doesn’t need to have all the new tech features. Preferably the less the better.
Due to the price range I’m leaning heavily towards Subaru. Specifically their Impreza 5 @ $21,365 and Crosstrek @ $24,255. These are the basic 2.0 4cyl automatic models. Anyone have any experience with these models or models with these engines?
Also, open to other ideas however, everything I’ve looked at from Toyota, Honda, Nissan has been over $24k with AWD. Nissan being the closest (at $23,690) to the Crosstrek ($24,255) in price.
I love the crosstrek. It’s a great vehicle that can do everything. Gas mileage is fantastic, and the only complain I have is the engine feels gutless when trying to accelerate up hills.
At 20k a used shAWD RDX with warranty is a good bet.
Old enough the base model does not have all the crazy tech, about 50k in it, with warranty to 100k plus is super Honda Land with a longer warranty than many new.
Cheaper to insure, etc.
Our insurance isn’t a big deal. I have full coverage and pay $87/month. I think hers is a little less considering age and driving record.
I’m not a big fan of Acuras or 6cyl Hondas but that’s besides the point. I’d rather her have a new car from the get go. I buy used for myself and don’t care but for her I don’t want to be dealing with possibly having issues 2 or 3 years down the road because the previous owner didn’t care to do maintenance on a lease. Even with warranty I’d have to be the one looking for a shop, having it towed…etc…
We only have a sample of 1, but when when it was time for my wife to find a care for her 100-mile daily commute, I researched my ass off and the Subaru (Legacy was what she ended up with). Mind you this is Central IL so the vehicle has seen 5+ years of 100+ temps in the summer all the way down to our recent Polar Vortex (she actually had to work that day too). In addition to the high-milage, she’s just plain hard on vehicles (aggressive driver with little regard for maintenance schedule). Her Subaru has kept pace and I’m anxious to see if the supposed re-sale is what they say. I’m impressed and don’t mind driving it when I have to. It’s not flashy, but it works…like the Glock 19 of cars. I see why the hippies like them. She had a Honda before. I’ve had good luck with Honda engines but the rest of the vehicle left a lot to be desired.
We’ve had some rental Subaru’s on mountain and Hawaii trips and they seem to meet the same standard.
I have a 2015 Forester and I love it. My mom has a Crosstrek and she loves hers as well. They both drive about the same. The Crosstrek feels like it’s got a little better handling, but there’s only micrometers of difference. Have her try both I’d say. Can’t go wrong with either one.
You can probably get a new 2018 Toyota Rav 4 LE AWD for that price or less. That’s what I did. Super reliable and decent gas mileage. A ton of room and comfy. Lots of safety features come standard.
You can’t go wrong. Always amazes me how many people have no clue about them. They last forever, get great gas mileage, super safe, and have great pickup for the engine size.
They are absolutely amazing cars with the best all wheel drive systems in the industry. Yep, I said it. Unless you are putting the vehicle in 4h or 4l - if its a computer controlled all wheel drive system there is no competition. I have seen outbacks roll up hills with ease in a blizzard that both a MDX and X5 got stuck halfway up the hill.
The impreza is an awesome little car with great pickup. My only advice would be go with the 2.5l engine vs the 2.0. I think the 2.0 is a dog in comparison.
How old is mom? Mine is 80 this year, and a few months ago I put her in a new Subaru Forester, one trim level below touring for 30-32k. Things like the backup camera, blind spot monitoring, automated rear hatch, braking assist, etc. are great features. It is easy for her to maneuver and rides very well. Personally, I like the Outback better, but she was more comfortable with this. It has been great so far
But shes not into those features, never was. Back up cameras are now standard but if it had an off button she’d keep it off. We’re not doing phone connect or any of that. No sun roofs. In fact she’d opt for manual windows if she could. Partially not interested in tech and partially price.
FWIW, I picked up a Honda CRV last fall as a 36 month lease. They were evidently having issues moving the lowest trim models, which are cloth, power windows and four wheels. It is a thoroughly boring ride, but handled the rougher than normal winter just fine with All Weather tires and the Honda AWD. Not too much ground clearance, but almost impossible to slide on slick conditions and solid on snow up to three inches.
I drive lots of vehicles as rentals, usually at least two dozen different rides a year. I like the Subaru’s. Hondas are even more boring and seem to be even sparser on the interior. I love simple vehicles found in the rental fleets. Honda’s have cornered the market on simplicity but not cheap and cheesy like the base GM models.
A few months ago, I pulled into a home improvement store lot and parked next to another CRV. 20 minutes later, I walked out of the store and was having a friendly chat with a lady in her 70’s. We ended up walking out to our side by side CRVs. She complimented me on my CRV. Extremely low profile and generally driven by the Social Security set.
I said I would never do a lease until I ran the numbers. The timing and the very low total cost of ownership made sense for me. One of the reasons I bit was the end of lease buy-out cost seemed reasonable versus my six months of looking at used cars.
Based on actually read the O.P.'s post on the price bracket he’s focusing on, vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner is way out of his budget. I myself love to have a 4Runner or even a Highlander as I read that Toyota products are durable and low maintenance, but my budget puts them out of reach.
My only complaint about our 2012 Subaru outback is that the symitrical AWD is finicky. If you get a flat tire that has half of it’s tread life left and is not repairable (ie: side wall or edge of tread puncture) you are buying 4 new tires. The AWD mandates that all tires have similar diameters within a very narrow range. I have never bought so many tires before for a car. The AWD on Subarus are also notorious for eating rear brakes. The AWD slows wheel spin by applying the brakes rather than cutting power through the drive train. So yes, I have bought lots of brake pads too.
I would still buy a Subaru. We get lots of lake effect snow and the car is impressive. You can watch the wheels grab and pull it’s way through deep snow. Because Mayor Pete hates plowing streets and hates repairing pot holes.
Right! Although the 4Runner was a comparison of the 4wd/AWD system the fact remains… my parents are trying to stick to a price point. Ideally $20k +/- but with a $4k buffer, which puts many vehicles out of reach, including the CR-V. From what I’ve seen locally the AWD start around $26. I know it’s only a $2k difference but it can quickly go up to $30k like that.
They’ve thought about lease and have done so before but their last cars were leases that turned into buy-outs and they kinda liked not have never ending payments.
Go drive with her
a VW alltrack base model fits budget
Nicer interior then the Subaru better interior room then the crosstreks and nicer build and handling and no CVT
Super good warranty 6 year 72k
Drive em for sure and see what she likes both are great and the new Hyundai are really nice to these days ya can’t go wrong so many great choices comes down to what you like the looks of and how does it drive and does it do what ya need
I do not recommend anything with the CVT.
I’m an auto tech and have had lots of them come into my bay failed or failing. Many under 90k miles. That’s too early for a tranny failure. All makes and models. I don’t care what the marketing says about fuel economy, you don’t want one.
