Another good example, I was desperate for a car one time because mine got destroyed and I looked at a few on the dealer's lot and I took a VW Tiguan out and...I just loved it!
I couldnt afford it.
I was prepared to do whatever it took to buy that car, but I just couldn't swing it. I didnt have enough money.
As soon as I did? Guess what I drive now. And I love it.
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When Car2Go started using Mercedes CLAs, I was shocked at how awful they were for this.
I'm on the taller end of things, and from my vantage point, there was barely any distance from the top of the dash to the bottom of the rearview mirror. I had to drive around leaning down and forwards to have any remote confidence I wasn't about to mow down a child.
Lets be honest. You're a giant.
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Honest question, how many 4 door vehicles came in a proper early 2000s mid size/current subcompact size that had AWD? The only one that came to mind is the top model Golf? I think Subaru, Audi, BMW and Mercedes options were all closer to full size sedan. I could be wrong, but I think there were options in Europe and Asia for this (albeit I was always enamored by those smaller AWD rally cars of the 80s-90s when I first started driving).
There was actually a very solid midsize AWD sedan that almost no one knows about and no one bought: the Suzuki Kazashi.
It was actually pretty attractive, very inoffensive, decently packaged, inexpensive and it could be ordered with a manual transmission.
I remember one time, I really, really wanted a Volvo SUV, my business had been finally making enough money that I could buy one. I'd been wanting one for years.
Took one for a test drive and...just...nope. Too much money for just the most 'blah' car I'd ever driven.
It just cant be over-stated how important the test drive is.
I was sold on it, I didn't even care, but as soon as I drove it? I just didn't love it. And its a lot of money to spend on something you just dont like.
And I agree and disagree with you to a point. If the sales guy is good and comes along on the test drive, sometimes thats good. He can show you things and features you might not have been aware of or know how to use, but if they spend the whole time doing a full-court hard-press? No bueno.
There are places that'll give you 24 hours with it and I think thats good. It gives you time to decide on whether you love it or not.
Cars are a lot of money. IMO...you have to love it.
We have a Volvo SUV and it's awesome! Your car tastes are weird though....we have a Tiguan which is almost gone, and it's miles below the Volvo in every aspect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wormius
I have test driven a Volvo S60 AWD, I liked it, but not for that price and what I have heard about the reliability and maintenance costs.
The S60 is a great car. I had one and I had no issues with maintenance or reliability. I'm a flat-tire magnet, but other than that, it was just regular maintenance.
We have a Volvo SUV and it's awesome! Your car tastes are weird though....we have a Tiguan which is almost gone, and it's miles below the Volvo in every aspect.
The S60 is a great car. I had one and I had no issues with maintenance or reliability. I'm a flat-tire magnet, but other than that, it was just regular maintenance.
It was in my list, but heard some complaints from co-workers who had them. Maybe they had some dud cars. The interiors were really nice. Yeah, the low profile tires looked vulnerable.
Thanks for the comments and advice on buying the 2025 RAV4. I haven’t abandoned the idea but it’s caused me to reconsider some things. I’ll add a separate post later about the RAV add-ons.
If we want an SUV similar to the RAV, what makes and models should we consider? I’m not mechanical (can do very minor things) and we can afford quality which explains our preference for Toyotas. I own a Honda Civic so I’d consider a Honda. Mazda’s been mentioned; I’ve never owned one so what is its quality?
I’ll check consumer mags for reliability ratings on Toyota RAV4 and similar Honda, Mazda, etc. products. What do people suggest I consider? I’ll also look at Acura but prefer a more loaded Toyota or Honda car to the upscale versions.
I don't like the CRV with the 1.5 Turbo due to the history of fuel dilution and lack of heat issues in cold climates. Maybe they've resolved them, but it's definately been an issue in the past. Something to look into.
What about a Forester? Subaru is 20% owned by Toyota and it has an AWD system that's light years more capable than a RAV4. Newly re-freshened for 2025 too. Fuel economy won't be as good as a RAV4 though. Reliability should be right up there with a RAV.
That said - I had a rental gas LE RAV4 for 2 weeks a couple years ago. The cheaper variants of the RAV are quite different from the inside, and the hybrids have a stronger and quieter powertrain along with better seating. You've said you value reliability and resale - I'll take the opposing view here and say the RAV sounds perfect for you.
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I don't like the CRV with the 1.5 Turbo due to the history of fuel dilution and lack of heat issues in cold climates. Maybe they've resolved them, but it's definately been an issue in the past. Something to look into.
What about a Forester? Subaru is 20% owned by Toyota and it has an AWD system that's light years more capable than a RAV4. Newly re-freshened for 2025 too. Fuel economy won't be as good as a RAV4 though. Reliability should be right up there with a RAV.
That said - I had a rental gas LE RAV4 for 2 weeks a couple years ago. The cheaper variants of the RAV are quite different from the inside, and the hybrids have a stronger and quieter powertrain along with better seating. You've said you value reliability and resale - I'll take the opposing view here and say the RAV sounds perfect for you.
Thanks for the comments. I don’t care about resale value because I keep them forever. Our cars are 2009 RAV and 2001 (Honda Civic), plus my 1984 Gold Wing bike. I keep good stuff for a long time. I’m always reminding my wife of that.
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We just got a KIA Telluride. I never thought I’d be in a Kia but it smashed the VW Atlas and other competition. Wife wanted captains seats. So far I’m impressed with the first 100 Km’s we have driven.
There was actually a very solid midsize AWD sedan that almost no one knows about and no one bought: the Suzuki Kazashi.
It was actually pretty attractive, very inoffensive, decently packaged, inexpensive and it could be ordered with a manual transmission.
That rings a bell. My buddy had an Aerio, so I considered the Kazashi once upon a time. But when Suzuki was done with passenger vehicles in North America, I decided against it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leondros
We just got a KIA Telluride. I never thought I’d be in a Kia but it smashed the VW Atlas and other competition. Wife wanted captains seats. So far I’m impressed with the first 100 Km’s we have driven.
I've been hearing this a bit lately. Is the reputation for KIA that they're pretty solid vehicles for the first 6-8 years and then there's a high chance they just randomly go kaput around 8-10 ish years?
I have a friend who is also wondering why she's buying a KIA... and a minivan at the same time. Anti-van, but circumstances changed her stance. She said she loved the creature comforts of the KIA more than most of the other options and doesn't care about resale because she's going to drive it into the ground.
We just got a KIA Telluride. I never thought I’d be in a Kia but it smashed the VW Atlas and other competition. Wife wanted captains seats. So far I’m impressed with the first 100 Km’s we have driven.
My wife has a 2022 Telluride and we've put 65,000 kms on it. It impresses me everytime we drive it. No issues, no trouble, no squeaks or rattles. It has been perfection...you're going to love owning it.
When Car2Go started using Mercedes CLAs, I was shocked at how awful they were for this.
I'm on the taller end of things, and from my vantage point, there was barely any distance from the top of the dash to the bottom of the rearview mirror. I had to drive around leaning down and forwards to have any remote confidence I wasn't about to mow down a child.
On this note too, I was a big Jeep guy for a while, I've owned 3 of them and I loved them.
We were in Hawaii and rented a Wrangler...I wouldnt pay money for that.
You gotta drive them before you buy them.
My sister bought a Wrangler and we had to switch cars for a weekend and she didn't want to give mine back and I couldn't wait to get mine back.
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This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
On this note too, I was a big Jeep guy for a while, I've owned 3 of them and I loved them.
We were in Hawaii and rented a Wrangler...I wouldnt pay money for that.
You gotta drive them before you buy them.
My sister bought a Wrangler and we had to switch cars for a weekend and she didn't want to give mine back and I couldn't wait to get mine back.
I rented a Wrangler once because I thought it would be awesome weekend to drive around with the top off. The open air was definitely nice but driving that thing sucked.
