What Car..... The US version
Discussion
I may need a car in the near future which will replace the existing car.
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I need to fit my wife and 2 infant children in the car I buy. Here is the challenge though, I hate the current car due to it's appearance. But, It seems any car that I pick would be a compromise on practicality. I have got used to the 3rd row of seats that are easily accessible even with 2 car seats on the second row because I have no middle seat in the second row.
The boot is huge. I can have 2 strollers in the back when the 3rd row is up and a full weeks shopping and the 2 strollers when they are down. I just can't bring myself to spend my own money on a Flex.
The budget is $40k including tax which is going to be 8% on top of the sale price. I have seen this,
2013 Volvo XC90 AWD 3.2 R-Design
I like this but would prefer it to not be in a color my dad refers to as "dog dick red". It would also mean that I have completed the transformation into him as he had many "DDR" Volvos.
Use 07030 as a zip code if you search because it is close enough and I would prefer not to have a US car because I have been driving them for years and want to go European. I had considered Porsche but the mileage is going to be high. If possible I want less than 30K and newer than 2011. I hope this is more entertaining than the usual what cars.
.I need to fit my wife and 2 infant children in the car I buy. Here is the challenge though, I hate the current car due to it's appearance. But, It seems any car that I pick would be a compromise on practicality. I have got used to the 3rd row of seats that are easily accessible even with 2 car seats on the second row because I have no middle seat in the second row.
The boot is huge. I can have 2 strollers in the back when the 3rd row is up and a full weeks shopping and the 2 strollers when they are down. I just can't bring myself to spend my own money on a Flex.
The budget is $40k including tax which is going to be 8% on top of the sale price. I have seen this,
2013 Volvo XC90 AWD 3.2 R-Design
I like this but would prefer it to not be in a color my dad refers to as "dog dick red". It would also mean that I have completed the transformation into him as he had many "DDR" Volvos.
Use 07030 as a zip code if you search because it is close enough and I would prefer not to have a US car because I have been driving them for years and want to go European. I had considered Porsche but the mileage is going to be high. If possible I want less than 30K and newer than 2011. I hope this is more entertaining than the usual what cars.
Hello, US-based PHer here.
How about a people carrier that's not a complete dullard to drive?
You can get a nearly new certified pre-owned Mazda 5 in your area for under $20,000.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledet...
The Volvo is nice but it's and old design and the 3.2 six-pot is a bit thirsty on the go-juice. Why spend a ton of money on a family hack when you can save it for something fun, right?
How about a people carrier that's not a complete dullard to drive?
You can get a nearly new certified pre-owned Mazda 5 in your area for under $20,000.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledet...
The Volvo is nice but it's and old design and the 3.2 six-pot is a bit thirsty on the go-juice. Why spend a ton of money on a family hack when you can save it for something fun, right?
MadmanO/T People said:
Hello, US-based PHer here.
How about a people carrier that's not a complete dullard to drive?
You can get a nearly new certified pre-owned Mazda 5 in your area for under $20,000.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledet...
The Volvo is nice but it's and old design and the 3.2 six-pot is a bit thirsty on the go-juice. Why spend a ton of money on a family hack when you can save it for something fun, right?
This is such a tough position for me because I want a nice car to drive but with practicality. I don't have the space for a 3rd car so I need a one size fits all solution. I was considering increasing the budget to $70K but I came to the conclusion that having $70k tied up in a depreciating asset that will do less than 10K miles a year is crazy.How about a people carrier that's not a complete dullard to drive?
You can get a nearly new certified pre-owned Mazda 5 in your area for under $20,000.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledet...
The Volvo is nice but it's and old design and the 3.2 six-pot is a bit thirsty on the go-juice. Why spend a ton of money on a family hack when you can save it for something fun, right?
h0b0 said:
The Suburban is the size of a suburb and wouldn't fit in my garage. My limit is a Range Rover. I would buy a FFRR but the new one is just out and has aged the previous generation
why does it matter the age of the car? or are you one of these people that cannot buy a car thats more than 3 years old 
if you like the RRFF then get it! does not matter one bit that there is a new model out, that just means you will get one of the last gen ones for cheaper doesn't it.
I'm in a similar position to you actually and am Canada based.
I looked at a Ford Flex and actually like the styling but too expensive in my opinion! Ford Explorer? Or not enough space? Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon/Cadillac Escalade would probably fit the bill but certainly out of my budget!
I have been looking at:
Mazda CX-9
Toyota Highlander
Nissan Pathfinder
Buick Enclave
Dodge Durango
Hyundai Santa Fe XL
Kia Sorento
If it was money no object, I would go with the Buick Enclave, Dodge Durango or 2014 Toyota Highlander. The Enclave and Durango are available in a similar layout to yours and the Highlander is now an 8-seater but not much luggage space behind the 3rd row if in use. The Enclave and Durango are too expensive for me and there is currently a 6 month wait on the new Highlander here.
Of the others, the Mazda is probably the most spacious as it's the longest, then the Pathfinder, then the Santa Fe and the Sorento the smallest. The Santa Fe and Sorento have more comprehensive warranties (here at any rate) and I'm seriously considering a Santa Fe XL, as it's very well equipped and has good power and fuel economy for the class, as well as being a bit bigger than the Kia.
Alternatively, if space is really important to you, the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey have tons of space even with the 3rd row up but are hardly that cheap. A Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town and Country would be a lot cheaper but not quite as roomy and not sure if that's the type of vehicle that you are after.
I considered an older XC90 or Discovery 3 but very expensive compared to the others if you're looking at newer/lower kms IMHO and I'm not sure how spacious the Volvo is (it's quite small by North American standards)! Why not a Discovery 3/4? The design is current and more space than a Range Rover.
HTH.
I looked at a Ford Flex and actually like the styling but too expensive in my opinion! Ford Explorer? Or not enough space? Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon/Cadillac Escalade would probably fit the bill but certainly out of my budget!
I have been looking at:
Mazda CX-9
Toyota Highlander
Nissan Pathfinder
Buick Enclave
Dodge Durango
Hyundai Santa Fe XL
Kia Sorento
If it was money no object, I would go with the Buick Enclave, Dodge Durango or 2014 Toyota Highlander. The Enclave and Durango are available in a similar layout to yours and the Highlander is now an 8-seater but not much luggage space behind the 3rd row if in use. The Enclave and Durango are too expensive for me and there is currently a 6 month wait on the new Highlander here.
Of the others, the Mazda is probably the most spacious as it's the longest, then the Pathfinder, then the Santa Fe and the Sorento the smallest. The Santa Fe and Sorento have more comprehensive warranties (here at any rate) and I'm seriously considering a Santa Fe XL, as it's very well equipped and has good power and fuel economy for the class, as well as being a bit bigger than the Kia.
Alternatively, if space is really important to you, the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey have tons of space even with the 3rd row up but are hardly that cheap. A Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town and Country would be a lot cheaper but not quite as roomy and not sure if that's the type of vehicle that you are after.
I considered an older XC90 or Discovery 3 but very expensive compared to the others if you're looking at newer/lower kms IMHO and I'm not sure how spacious the Volvo is (it's quite small by North American standards)! Why not a Discovery 3/4? The design is current and more space than a Range Rover.
HTH.
4G63T said:
why does it matter the age of the car? or are you one of these people that cannot buy a car thats more than 3 years old
if you like the RRFF then get it! does not matter one bit that there is a new model out, that just means you will get one of the last gen ones for cheaper doesn't it.
Depreciation is a strange beast in the US. The difference in cost between a 2009 and a 20013 isn't always that much. Might as well go for the newer one. if you like the RRFF then get it! does not matter one bit that there is a new model out, that just means you will get one of the last gen ones for cheaper doesn't it.
The Old RR hasn't taken that much of a hit so I could buy a new one. But, that means my budget creeping up again.
Another car I had considered is the VW Toureg. My wife has the Tiguan and it's a good car. How does that compare to the XC90?
h0b0 said:
Depreciation is a strange beast in the US. The difference in cost between a 2009 and a 20013 isn't always that much. Might as well go for the newer one.
The Old RR hasn't taken that much of a hit so I could buy a new one. But, that means my budget creeping up again.
Another car I had considered is the VW Toureg. My wife has the Tiguan and it's a good car. How does that compare to the XC90?
Same story in Canada wrt depreciation. My monthly payments on an older vehicle (2008/2009) are the same as on something new/nearly new thanks in part to higher interest rates and shorter available terms. Of course, the vehicle I want to trade is still worth FA though!The Old RR hasn't taken that much of a hit so I could buy a new one. But, that means my budget creeping up again.
Another car I had considered is the VW Toureg. My wife has the Tiguan and it's a good car. How does that compare to the XC90?
Regarding Fords, I've been told to avoid the Ecoboost engines due to poor reliability but the normal V6(3.5?) in the Explorer should be fine.
Alternatively, if more than 5 seats is not essential, how about a Jeep Grand Cherokee? I believe it shares some DNA with the Mercedes ML but obviously a lot cheaper! My BIL has a 2011 Grand Cherokee and has been very pleased with it (cheaper parts and servicing than European vehicles too, although I think GM parts are even cheaper and they have a better reliability rating)?
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