can you help me find the right car?
December 26, 2015 6:35 PM Subscribe
I really need some help picking out a new car, that I would like to buy pretty soon. Details within.
I’ve test-driven a few cars recently, but would feel better making a more educated decision with people here that know more about what I can get for my needs.
About my driving habits: right now, mostly city driving - under 10,000 miles a year. I don’t venture out a lot mostly because I don’t trust my 14 year old car inherited from my dad (and with that, various issues with the car). So with a new car I would probably want to drive it a lot more and explore trips, hikes, etc. I’d like to have this car for a while, and pay cash for it. So things that are very reliable for the long term (and very low maintenance in the long term) are ideal, especially for someone like me who knows little about cars. I don’t have kids or pets, and most of the time it’s just me. I’m thinking a hatchback-sized car is probably best - maybe a small SUV?
I absolutely do not want to spend more than 20k, all taxes, fees and things included, minus what I expect to be about a 5k trade-in (so 25k pre trade-in, roughly). Obviously I'd like to get the best bang for my buck for my needs. But I'm really bad at figuring out what I need (or want), with different vehicles, and various models & specifications, packages, etc.
My non-negotiable musts:
- all wheel drive
- bluetooth with my iPhone
- navigation. I know I can use this easily with my phone, but my gut tells me this is something I should have, and would use more out of if I had it built in
- rear backup camera
- auto headlights, and features that let me know when I’ve left something stupid on, like a reading light, so that my battery doesn’t die
- long term low maintenance, excellent warranty
Preferable:
- heated seats
- moonroof
- leather interior, mostly because it’s easy to clean (I’m outdoors a lot, may go somewhere for a run in the rain, don’t want to sit my wetness on cloth seats). Also possibly mud.
Can you help me figure out what options I should consider?
I’ve test-driven a few cars recently, but would feel better making a more educated decision with people here that know more about what I can get for my needs.
About my driving habits: right now, mostly city driving - under 10,000 miles a year. I don’t venture out a lot mostly because I don’t trust my 14 year old car inherited from my dad (and with that, various issues with the car). So with a new car I would probably want to drive it a lot more and explore trips, hikes, etc. I’d like to have this car for a while, and pay cash for it. So things that are very reliable for the long term (and very low maintenance in the long term) are ideal, especially for someone like me who knows little about cars. I don’t have kids or pets, and most of the time it’s just me. I’m thinking a hatchback-sized car is probably best - maybe a small SUV?
I absolutely do not want to spend more than 20k, all taxes, fees and things included, minus what I expect to be about a 5k trade-in (so 25k pre trade-in, roughly). Obviously I'd like to get the best bang for my buck for my needs. But I'm really bad at figuring out what I need (or want), with different vehicles, and various models & specifications, packages, etc.
My non-negotiable musts:
- all wheel drive
- bluetooth with my iPhone
- navigation. I know I can use this easily with my phone, but my gut tells me this is something I should have, and would use more out of if I had it built in
- rear backup camera
- auto headlights, and features that let me know when I’ve left something stupid on, like a reading light, so that my battery doesn’t die
- long term low maintenance, excellent warranty
Preferable:
- heated seats
- moonroof
- leather interior, mostly because it’s easy to clean (I’m outdoors a lot, may go somewhere for a run in the rain, don’t want to sit my wetness on cloth seats). Also possibly mud.
Can you help me figure out what options I should consider?
Your non-negotiables seem quite high end/expensive, especially when you add in all-wheel drive, which really limits your options.
When you described your driving habits and wants, I was also going to recommend a HondaFit. But I think it doesn't have any of those features except for the warning noise.
You can easily drive in the city and go on lots of hikes without all wheel drive.
It sounds like you want a Subaru, though. I had one and didn't love it, but they're fine cars and probably closer to the luxury options you want. So, get a Subaru.
posted by bluedaisy at 7:15 PM on December 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
When you described your driving habits and wants, I was also going to recommend a HondaFit. But I think it doesn't have any of those features except for the warning noise.
You can easily drive in the city and go on lots of hikes without all wheel drive.
It sounds like you want a Subaru, though. I had one and didn't love it, but they're fine cars and probably closer to the luxury options you want. So, get a Subaru.
posted by bluedaisy at 7:15 PM on December 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
Definitely a Subaru. Specifically either a Crosstrek or an Impreza 5 door. I've had three subarus and, despite some bland styling, they were all great cars.
posted by Jacob G at 7:24 PM on December 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Jacob G at 7:24 PM on December 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
You're also probably overestimating the trade-in value of your current car. I think you'd have a hard time selling most 14 year old cars for that much to a private seller and trade in values are usually much lower.
posted by MsMolly at 7:39 PM on December 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by MsMolly at 7:39 PM on December 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'd also rethink navigation as a must-have. I had a Honda with built in navigation and literally never used it because it was hard to use and completely out of date compared to the map app on my iPhone.
posted by MsMolly at 7:42 PM on December 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by MsMolly at 7:42 PM on December 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
I have a 2015 Subaru Impreza hatchback. I think it’s a great car, especially if you want all-wheel drive in an affordable compact car. Bluetooth and back-up camera are standard, and so are battery-saving features like auto-off headlights and dome lights. For under $25K you can also get a moon roof, heated leather seats, and GPS navigation. (Personally I prefer having a good dashboard mount so I can use my phone for navigation.)
Other things I like about the Impreza:
posted by mbrubeck at 7:58 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Other things I like about the Impreza:
- Excellent safety and reliability ratings
- Good visibility and well-designed controls
- Good seats, including nicer rear seats than many small cars
- Very smooth and quiet ride, for a compact car
- The standard headlights aren’t super bright
- The speaker system is not great
- The automatic transmission takes a weirdly long time (like, a couple of seconds) to shift from neutral or reverse into drive
- Fuel economy is good for an AWD car, but not as good as other small cars
posted by mbrubeck at 7:58 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best time of the year to buy is THIS WEEK. Lucky you. Figure out what you want and then let the dealers fight over you. You need to give them a list of:
- make and model you want
- options you do and don't want (or don't care about)
- exterior colors you want or find acceptable
- interior features you want or find acceptable
... and then let them hunt through inventory and find you what you want. Don't be surprised if two dealers seem to have the exact same car -- they may very well be looking at the same inventory that they plan to transfer to them for your deal.
I envy you. Again, it's the best time of the year. At the very end of the year (and indeed every month) dealers may be willing to LOSE a little money on your transaction in order to acheive some internal goal (e.g. you're the last sale they need to make 100 sales for the month and some big bonus).
But you do need to figure out which car you want first. I would not go into a dealer with a list of features you want. Just saying, do the thing I say above but only after you know what you want.
Now, if you are really serious about getting a good deal, then you need to take the time to study Fighting Chance and the advice of James Bragg. but get it done in the next couple days ...
posted by intermod at 7:58 PM on December 26, 2015
- make and model you want
- options you do and don't want (or don't care about)
- exterior colors you want or find acceptable
- interior features you want or find acceptable
... and then let them hunt through inventory and find you what you want. Don't be surprised if two dealers seem to have the exact same car -- they may very well be looking at the same inventory that they plan to transfer to them for your deal.
I envy you. Again, it's the best time of the year. At the very end of the year (and indeed every month) dealers may be willing to LOSE a little money on your transaction in order to acheive some internal goal (e.g. you're the last sale they need to make 100 sales for the month and some big bonus).
But you do need to figure out which car you want first. I would not go into a dealer with a list of features you want. Just saying, do the thing I say above but only after you know what you want.
Now, if you are really serious about getting a good deal, then you need to take the time to study Fighting Chance and the advice of James Bragg. but get it done in the next couple days ...
posted by intermod at 7:58 PM on December 26, 2015
Subaru! I fucking love my Subaru! Driving in the snow is my favorite thing ever! You can drive as fast as you want anytime ever always! Snow and ice, who gives a shit! It's awesome! But you forget you have to have like 300ft to stop. Man the first few weeks of winter are a chore.
posted by sanka at 7:59 PM on December 26, 2015
posted by sanka at 7:59 PM on December 26, 2015
Consider a Nissan Juke. My husband and I recently got one and it's been great. Other than navigation (and sort of the auto lights feature... I think technically it has them but I don't know how that setting works) it hits your must-haves. Of the cheaper/smaller AWD vehicles it seems to get some of the best reviews and is fun to drive. Plus, it looks like a frog.
posted by Meg_Murry at 8:05 PM on December 26, 2015
posted by Meg_Murry at 8:05 PM on December 26, 2015
I recently got a Mazda CX-5 and I'm loving it so far. It has good pickup and handling and the cargo space is great, while the car itself is not all massive. It might miss your price point for the features you want, but I would recommend taking one on a test drive, at least. Agreed that you probably won't get as much as you think for your trade, I barely got what I owed on my trade, which was only two years old.
posted by jet_pack_in_a_can at 1:59 AM on December 27, 2015
posted by jet_pack_in_a_can at 1:59 AM on December 27, 2015
I have navigation in my vehicle (it was included with the package, it wasn't something I was shopping for) and I find it considerably less useful than the navigation on my phone, especially in the hassle of inputting a destination. Two years later it is getting outdated and they want a couple of hundred dollars to upgrade the information. YMMV but it is not something that I would prioritize in shopping if you have a smart phone already. Bluetooth, on the other hand, is incredibly handy and way better than having to connect with a cord.
You do sound like a candidate for a Subaru Crosstrek or a Honda HRV.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:56 AM on December 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
You do sound like a candidate for a Subaru Crosstrek or a Honda HRV.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:56 AM on December 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
You'll get next to nothing trading in your car. Sell it yourself (craigslist) and you'll have a bit more cash in your car budget.
I'm in favor of a Crosstrek or CX5.
posted by artdrectr at 8:21 AM on December 27, 2015
I'm in favor of a Crosstrek or CX5.
posted by artdrectr at 8:21 AM on December 27, 2015
You don't need nav, the nav on your phone is probably MUCH better. I specifically like the app "Here". It's good enough that BMW, Audi, and Mercedes got together to buy it so they could use the software as the basis for the nav systems in their cars at some point in the future.
Buy a one or two year old lease return or trade-in. Just about anything from Subaru will work for you, I'd also check out the Mazda CX-5. A Mazda 3 would do everything except AWD. I own a 2007 and I love it. Our other car has AWD and it IS nice to have but I've been driving through Minnesota winters without it for over 20 years and never gotten stuck. Winter tires will make more of a difference than AWD will, especially when stopping which is where it really counts.
posted by VTX at 8:31 AM on December 27, 2015
Buy a one or two year old lease return or trade-in. Just about anything from Subaru will work for you, I'd also check out the Mazda CX-5. A Mazda 3 would do everything except AWD. I own a 2007 and I love it. Our other car has AWD and it IS nice to have but I've been driving through Minnesota winters without it for over 20 years and never gotten stuck. Winter tires will make more of a difference than AWD will, especially when stopping which is where it really counts.
posted by VTX at 8:31 AM on December 27, 2015
Infiniti G sedan (model with the x as the end denotes AWD) if you don't care about fuel economy. I've had mine for about 6 months now and love it. I didn't get the navigation because the G sedans have lousy navigation and Waze, on my phone, is much more accurate than any GPS I have ever used.
I also think you might want to make sure your old car is really worth $5,000. My previous car, also an Infiniti was 14 years old. If it had been in perfect condition, the value would have been about $3,000 in a private party transaction.
posted by parakeetdog at 9:41 AM on December 27, 2015
I also think you might want to make sure your old car is really worth $5,000. My previous car, also an Infiniti was 14 years old. If it had been in perfect condition, the value would have been about $3,000 in a private party transaction.
posted by parakeetdog at 9:41 AM on December 27, 2015
I just bought a 2013 VW Beetle, and I love it! No navigation in mine, but Bluetooth, heated seats, moonroof, yes.
I adore driving it.
posted by feste at 3:17 PM on December 27, 2015
I adore driving it.
posted by feste at 3:17 PM on December 27, 2015
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posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:00 PM on December 26, 2015