rleete

iTrader: (21)

Wife currently drives a 2004 Chevy Tracker. ZR2 model, 4WD. Small V6. It's been fairly reliable, but it's getting on in years, and the miles are piling up. I'm getting sick of working on cars, so I want to get something newer.

Ideally, it would be a 2010 or newer with 80+k on the clock to bring down the price. She doesn't put that many miles on per year, but I'd like something newer so as to avoid the rust issues. Size wise, the Tracker is ideal. It's the car we take for most family outings, so I has to be something I will drive. That means avoiding FWD at almost any price.

Options I'm looking at are Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav-4. Possibly the Mazda CX5, although I am not familiar with them at all. Haven't even looked at domestics, although I have nothing against any of them.


Opinions on any of these models, or suggestions for something else?

Saml01

iTrader: (9)

I don't know how or where you will find a 2010 anything with that many miles unless its a fleet vehicle. Are you exploring that as an option?

Out of the bunch you mentioned CRV seems to get the most praise for ergonomics and efficiency.

CX5 is sportier than both but not as large inside.

If you have not considered it, I would recommend a Ford Escape. The newer ones are really nice and being american the price will be lower than the ones you mentioned.

thirdgen

iTrader: (26)

My family hauler is a cx7...these are very responsibly priced right now. Ours is a 2007 intercooled turbo AWD. Gets like 21 mpg's.
Cx5 is a great selection due to skyactive fuel mileage, and they're actually supposed to be a little roomier than the cx7 they replaced.

RedCarmel

iTrader: (7)

We chose a RAV4 over the CRV because of the way the seats folded down and the shape of the rear cargo area - it was still the most boxy of all the crossovers in the class and provided the most usable cargo space. It's been very good to us, averages 27mpg mixed city and highway, drives very smooth and the base model has all the standard options like cruise, power everything, a/c etc. The standard 4cyl has more than enough power, but while the V6 will cost you 1-2 MPG it's got a real nice punch to it. The only thing we don't like about it is the rear sideways swinging door, but the rest of the attributes make up for it.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

I bought my 2010 truck about a year ago with nearly 56k on it. I'm hoping for something similar, possibly a year newer. But more miles means lower price. I'd like to keep it under $15k, but it looks like 18-19 is more realistic.

Have considered the Escape since my original post. Prices don't appear much better than other models.

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

I'd recommend the CR-V, big drawback is they hold their value so well there a bit more expensive to get into than a comparable Rav4/CX5.

I think Hustler just got one, so that may affect your decision...

curly

iTrader: (25)

My wife and I drove a **** ton of smaller SUVs and hatchbacks when were were shopping for her car. We went with the 3 at the sacrifice of some space in the back for our dog, but she likes it now. Really wishes she had gotten a CX-5, but they weren't out yet. It isn't my favorite car between the two we own, but it's fun. My Lancer has comfier seats, a better center console design, and a few other little touches that just seem more intelligently designed.

Their commercials are fairly accurate, all their cars felt much sportier than any toyota/honda equivalent. In the end the CX-7 was just too expensive and too poor of gas mileage.

We felt toyotas were incredibly boring, inside and driving experience.

Hondas had a better drivetrain, but still a little boring inside and sluggish suspension.

Never tried Mitsubishi because we didn't want two identical cars sitting in the driveway.

The two Mazdas we drove really felt aggressive. Hard to describe, more aggressive torque converters? Thicker sways? Stiffer springs? No idea, but they were fun.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Oldest CX-5 is a 2013, so that's going to cost you. They also had a really quite anemic engine.

CX-7 is a nice car, very affordable these days, but poor MPG.

In that class I'd go Rav4 V6. Good fuel economy, lots of power, practical.

No Scoobaru?

rleete

iTrader: (21)

My wife is not a lesbian.


CX-7 is too big, mileage sucks. Leaning right now towards the Rav-4. Going out to look at one tonight; I may push it off until the weekend because of the weather.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Here I'm trying to decide between a c230, g37, and is250...

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Pff. Between those three? G37 no question...

IcantDo55

iTrader: (11)

Bought the wife a 4Runner last year, after driving all the offerings I could not get away from the sexy v8 power in a truck. I really wanted to like the Cx-7 but the little turbo engine working its *** off was a downer. The 4.7 in the 4Runner is unbelievably smooth and torkey. Pulls from any speed with out downshifting and I bet is is a 14 second truck at the strip. I know thats not why I bough it but it also pulls a boat with out issue.

thirdgen

iTrader: (26)

I like our cx-7 as far as size/ AWD. I wish it was a 3.5liter v6. The 2.3 4 cylinder turbo is only disliked by me due to the poor factory turbo selection. The turbo spools sooo stupidly fast and AFR's are mega rich. I'm talking 10's AFR and peak torque happens under 3,000 rpm. If the cx-7 had a larger, slower spooling turbo on it that moved a lot more CFM's, it would get high teens mpg like it should get (IMO) and it would be much more fun to drive.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

I already have a Tacoma. That's for trailer pulling, hauling the 4-wheeler, etc. Mileage isn't great, but tops the 16-17 of the Jeep.

She needs something smaller. Right now, I'm trying to talk he into going back to a car. I can get a loaded Camry/Buick/GMC* for $2-5k less than a small SUV. She really doesn't need 4WD, but I absolutely hate FWD, hence the mini SUV/crossover types.


*GMC is Generic Mom Car, not a truck.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Remember, car for wifey.

Also I meant c250 (i-4 turbo) and possibly the G35xS if we can find one.

Would prefer the AWD models, so mercedes loses out here. But it get much better gas mileage over the Infinity. Wifey really doesn't need a 330hp motor...

She drives a 190hp, 5wtq honda prelude currently.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

The way I see it: roughly the same cost, but much more power = no er.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

It'll probably be the one we go with.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

After taking the Tracker in for some service, I asked the tech to evaluate the condition of the underside, as I haven't had the thing up on the ramps in a while.

He told me it was one huge mess of rust. Brake likes, emissions lines/hoses, gas tank all on the way out. It also needs new tires. Screw that. 12 years is old enough.

Bought this a few hours ago. Got a great deal on it. 2014 with about 32k on it. Cost me less than $15k out the door.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Previous gen RAV4 V6. Interior doesn't have the current-gen faux luxury but is otherwise well laid out and functional. Great packaging for the size. Even the ones with the fold out 3rd row seats are really smartly done.

DBW throttle is a bit touchy but I find the same in nearly every modern car I drive. Automatic transmission shifts smoothly and smartly. Only major mechanical issues for the V6 model are a transmission whine between 30-50 mph that may be annoying but has no effect on function, a clunk/slop in the steering mechanism that also has no effect on function (and is easily repairable), and a rear suspension joint adjustment that is prone to corrosion in northern climes (and is covered under a recall).

Oh, and 269 HP.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Looked at them. Wife and I didn't want to go older than 2012 or more than $20k max. All the decent ones were over 20k.

This car will suit her well for many years.