Help My Dad Get a New Car

[Eye of the Tiger]

Right now he drives a '05 Sienna AWD with all the bells and whistles, and he's ready to downsize around this summer or fall. I was trying to squeeze more requirements out of him this morning, but this is all I could get:

1. Must be smaller, but not too small (he said a Forester is a bit too small, and so is a RAV-4)
2. Must be cheaper than the Sienna (let's say under $30k for now)
3. Likes "crossovers", and doesn't necessarily want an SUV, but will consider one
4. Must have AWD of some kind (and believe me, he needs it)
5. Probably an automatic trans, even though he likes driving stick

Right now he is a bit biased towards Toyota, just because he likes his van so much. He also likes Suzuki, since the Esteem has been so good to him. I'm trying to get him around the brand biases and just consider each vehicle on it's own merit. He said he likes the Nissan Murano too... I don't know much about it though.


My first thought was CX-7... I remember reading about it in a comparison test, but I can't find it now.
Suggestions?

[ifcar]

I wouldn't go for the CX-7 for anyone who isn't just looking for driving enjoyment. It's rather expensive, not very roomy, and not very comfortable or refined, and if the driver doesn't truly appreciate what it does do, it isn't worth it.

I'd look at the Hyundai Santa Fe, which drives very much like a smaller Sienna: very comfortable and quiet, high-quality, and safe but not fun. The Ford Escape is a very good value if he thinks that's big enough (it's neither refined nor has a high-quality interior though), and the Freestyle is a good value of it's small enough. And I'd have him look at the RAV4 to make sure he isn't thinking of the old ones, as the new one is nearly the size of the current Highlander.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I wouldn't go for the CX-7 for anyone who isn't just looking for driving enjoyment. It's rather expensive, not very roomy, and not very comfortable or refined, and if the driver doesn't truly appreciate what it does do, it isn't worth it.

I'd look at the Hyundai Santa Fe, which drives very much like a smaller Sienna: very comfortable and quiet, high-quality, and safe but not fun. The Ford Escape is a very good value if he thinks that's big enough (it's neither refined nor has a high-quality interior though), and the Freestyle is a good value of it's small enough. And I'd have him look at the RAV4 to make sure he isn't thinking of the old ones, as the new one is nearly the size of the current Highlander.

I wasn't too sure about the CX-7, I was just the first thing I thought of.
I was thinking the same thing about the RAV-4, because I wasn't sure which generation he was thinking of. If the new one is big enough, that's probably the first thing he would go for. I want to get him out for a few test drives though, so he doesn't just buy the first one he drives. Here's the thing about him, he likes driving a good handling vehicle, he just doesn't know it. He's so used to minivans, the Suzuki Esteem feels like a sports car to him. He likes driving the Esteem more than the Sienna.
I want to convince him that the new Forester is in fact, big enough, and that he "needs" the turbo engine.

[CMan]

Take a look at the Equinox; I rode in one of those the other day, and it was quite nice.

Also, the driver took it out on a country road, floored it from a start, and spun all four tires, which is always a plus for me. It seemed to handle really well, and it rode about like a car.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Take a look at the Equinox; I rode in one of those the other day, and it was quite nice.

Also, the driver took it out on a country road, floored it from a start, and spun all four tires, which is always a plus for me. It seemed to handle really well, and it rode about like a car.

Spun all four tires in an Equinox? DID THEY HAVE NAWWWZZZZ ON IT OR SOMETHING?
Seriously though, ,my grandfather has an Equinox, and it's nice enough. I could see my dad following suit, since he's done it before. They both bought Plymouth Voyagers back in '94, my dad's was short and blue, while my grandfather's was extended and red.

[SJ_GTI]

I'd say not to get the Equinox, The XL7 is the same basic chassis but with a better drivetrain.

Under 30k my first thought was also the CX-7. Maybe Ford Edge? Nissan Murano? Not sure if they are below 30k.

[SVT666]

I highly recommend the Ford Freestyle.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I highly recommend the Ford Freestyle.

You would.
I'll look at it for him, since he probably won't.

[SVT666]

You would.
I'll look at it for him, since he probably won't.

Of course I would.? I like it enough that I bought one.

[CMan]

If you really liked it, you'd have it in your sig.

[93JC]

Suzuki Grand Vitara?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Suzuki Grand Vitara?

I think that's too SUV-ish... maybe an XL-7, which is an Equinox anyway

[Raghavan]

Patriot? Your favorite?

[The Pirate]

Is he buying new or used?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Patriot? Your favorite?

Yeah, the Patriot is my SUV of the year. I'll introduce it to my dad, but I don't know if he'll go for it.

Is he buying new or used?

New of course. He's never bought a used car for himself for as long as I've know him.

[The Pirate]

Hehehe, my dad is the opposite.  He could easily afford most new cars, but he buys used for himself.  He buys new for my mom though.



This is a little different, but have driven/ridden in a few, I really like 'em.


Honda Element?  It will probably get fuel economy comparable to the Sienna, and they are actually kinda fun to drive.

[Raza]

What about the Legacy Outback?  Or is that also too small?

Subaru might be the way to go here. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Hehehe, my dad is the opposite.? He could easily afford most new cars, but he buys used for himself.? He buys new for my mom though.



This is a little different, but have driven/ridden in a few, I really like 'em.


Honda Element?? It will probably get fuel economy comparable to the Sienna, and they are actually kinda fun to drive.

I don't think my dad would go for the Element, mostly because it looks ridiculous. Aside from the styling, I think it would be perfect for him. If it come in that copper-orange color he really likes, he might be convinced.

[omicron]

What about the Legacy Outback? Or is that also too small?

Subaru might be the way to go here.

I second that.

[Eye of the Tiger]

What about the Legacy Outback?? Or is that also too small?

Subaru might be the way to go here.?

I think that might be too small... I dont' know, I bet it has nearly the same room inside as a Forester, but the Forester is taller.

It seems like the best choices so far are Forester, Element, RAV4, or Freestyle. If I could just narrow it down to three...

[Eye of the Tiger]

I can knock one possibility off the list right now, you see, I already suggested a new Z06 to him, and he said he's not ready for that yet... (which I can only assume means that it is possible in the future! )

[The Pirate]

I don't think my dad would go for the Element, mostly because it looks ridiculous. Aside from the styling, I think it would be perfect for him. If it come in that copper-orange color he really likes, he might be convinced.

They don't look bad at all with the body colored cladding.  Can't argue with a hose out interior either.

[The Pirate]

Get him to test drive a Freestyle.  I showed the pics of Hemi666's Freestyle to my dad the other night, and he is all for buying one for my mom now.

[Eye of the Tiger]

They don't look bad at all with the body colored cladding.? Can't argue with a hose out interior either.

Yeah, that's the color he likes. I'll show him this picture when he comes home for lunch today.

[Eye of the Tiger]

You know what, since I'm unemployed and everything, I might just have to go do some testdriving myself. I've never really done it without actually intending to buy one, it will be interesting.

[SVT666]

Get him to test drive a Freestyle.? I showed the pics of Hemi666's Freestyle to my dad the other night, and he is all for buying one for my mom now.

Cool.

[omicron]

I think that might be too small... I dont' know, I bet it has nearly the same room inside as a Forester, but the Forester is taller.

It seems like the best choices so far are Forester, Element, RAV4, or Freestyle. If I could just narrow it down to three...

Element EX 4WD ($23,110) / Forester Sports 2.5XT ($26,795) / RAV4 Sport V6 4x4 ($25,840) / Freestyle SEL AWD ($27,770)

Length: 170.3 / 176.6 / 181.1 / 199.8
Width: 71.5 / 68.3 / 73 / 74.4
Wheelbase: 101.4 / 99.4 / 104.7 / 112.9
Ground clearance: 6.9 / 7.9 / 7.5 / 5.1

Front legroom: 41 / 43.6 / 41.8 / 41.2
Rear legroom: 39.1 / 33.7 / 38.3 / 40.2
Front shoulder: 57.1 / 53.5 / 57.1 / 58.5
Rear shoulder: 52.2 / 53.6 / 55.3 / 57.9
Front headroom: 43.3 / 39.1 / 40.8 / 39.4
Rear headroom: 39.4 / 37 / 39.7 / 39.4

[SVT666]

Element EX 4WD ($23,110) / Forester Sports 2.5XT ($26,795) / RAV4 Sport V6 4x4 ($25,840) / Freestyle SEL AWD ($27,770)

Length: 170.3 / 176.6 / 181.1 / 199.8
Width: 71.5 / 68.3 / 73 / 74.4
Wheelbase: 101.4 / 99.4 / 104.7 / 112.9
Ground clearance: 6.9 / 7.9 / 7.5 / 5.1

Front legroom: 41 / 43.6 / 41.8 / 41.2
Rear legroom: 39.1 / 33.7 / 38.3 / 40.2
Front shoulder: 57.1 / 53.5 / 57.1 / 58.5
Rear shoulder: 52.2 / 53.6 / 55.3 / 57.9
Front headroom: 43.3 / 39.1 / 40.8 / 39.4
Rear headroom: 39.4 / 37 / 39.7 / 39.4

The Freestyle excels in comfort as far as I'm concerned.  You missed the third row which is where the Freestyle really puts the boots the rest.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Element EX 4WD ($23,110) / Forester Sports 2.5XT ($26,795) / RAV4 Sport V6 4x4 ($25,840) / Freestyle SEL AWD ($27,770)

Length: 170.3 / 176.6 / 181.1 / 199.8
Width: 71.5 / 68.3 / 73 / 74.4
Wheelbase: 101.4 / 99.4 / 104.7 / 112.9
Ground clearance: 6.9 / 7.9 / 7.5 / 5.1

Front legroom: 41 / 43.6 / 41.8 / 41.2
Rear legroom: 39.1 / 33.7 / 38.3 / 40.2
Front shoulder: 57.1 / 53.5 / 57.1 / 58.5
Rear shoulder: 52.2 / 53.6 / 55.3 / 57.9
Front headroom: 43.3 / 39.1 / 40.8 / 39.4
Rear headroom: 39.4 / 37 / 39.7 / 39.4

Muchas gracias, donde esta la biblioteca?

[omicron]

The Freestyle excels in comfort as far as I'm concerned. You missed the third row which is where the Freestyle really puts the boots the rest.

Well, my hand was tired