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Smart Shopper What's the best vehicle for my needs?
968 messages, Last post on Jul 03, 2009 at 10:55 PM
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Replying to: carstryke (Jul 02, 2009 4:34 pm)
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Replying to: erniesdad (Jul 03, 2009 7:19 am) We come to this one again and again. The best vehicle to do what you want to do is a minivan - with the exception of the manual transmission part which is nearly impossible to find in one. Poor minivans have gotten such a reputation... How about a Mazda 5? Call it a CUV or something. You can get it in a stick. Smaller than what I think of as a minivan but probably OK for 3 kids. I really like the idea of a Flex but they somehow seem overpriced to me.
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Replying to: fezo (Jul 03, 2009 8:14 am) **** loves- Manual transmission, cargo space hates- minivans kids 3- 2 carseats 1 booster seat *** OK - he has two requirements, manual aside. (if he's asking for manual only, trust me - he's a manual purist most likely and will sacrifice almost anything to keep this desire) Obviously he'd not wish to do that... 1 - it needs a wide rear seat or a third row. Compact is out, but *some* midisze and large vehicles can fit 2 car seats and a booster in the middle position. 2 - wants cargo space or at least the ability to put a full trip's worth of luggage and stuff in the back with the 3 kids in it. That means he wants a truck, real SUV, or a large sedan. If he wanted automatic, I'd have recommended something like a large sedan, but that's a very small list with manual. Three cars, actually - the Camry with the 4 cylinder engine, the Volvo S60/(or wagon), and the last generation Altima. That's it for cars. So let's move to smaller SUVs that would work. The Jeep Patriot is technically a minivan/softroader but doesn't look or drive like one. The Wrangler Unlimited, of course, oozes coolness and fits his every button. The RAV4 can be had with manual, though it's a TIGHT fit for 3 kids. My gut still says a small double-cab pickup. A crew cab with V6 and manual can be had from some of the makers. 4WD for bad weather. Almost all of them are reliable as can be, since it's 90% of the time the automatics that fail and cost tons of money.(ie - Jeep with automatic is no good - manual is so simple even Chrysler can't mess it up). The same goes for any of the makers, even Ford and GM. 3/4 of the makers sell a small pickup with a double-cab and manual as an option. So there's tons of choices as well. If you want to, get a shell for the cargo area.(oh - plus you can tow with them better than a SUV) Plus, there's no minivan or yuppie image, either. Yet you are up high above traffic unlike a car. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=264118920 Hard to find, but a few crew cabs with manual were made/special ordered.(though 99% chance it's a V6 and not a 4 as the ad states) http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=262079084 There were a few Tacomas made like this as well, and I think you can STILL special order one/have one built new for you like this. The advantage here is that it doesn't weigh as much as a full size pickup or SUV and is easier to park.(if just barely - mostly due to better visibility of your corners) The Nissan Frontier, the Ford Ranger, and the Dodge all can or could be had in the last few years with manual and a V6 and a double/crew cab. Though, you might have to get a certified one in some cases. GM stopped making trucks with manuals entirely a year or two ago, other than their full-size work chassis, IIRC.
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 03, 2009 9:04 am)
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Replying to: carstryke (Jul 03, 2009 9:23 am) I have a crew-cab Tundra and it's a lousy family vehicle...can't imagine going to a Tacoma or similar small fry. 4Runner might be ok...(wife has GX470) but the back seat with 3 carseats/boosters is a cramped mess. 3rd row is trash on most of these mid-size SUV type things. You might be able to get into a BMW 5-series wagon with a manual transmission, but back seat will still be tight. GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave is about the best crossover type non-minivan that actually has decent space AND easy access to 3rd row AND cargo capacity. Might be able to grab a lower end used model in your price range. Ford Flex is interesting but just as compromied as the others when it comes down to it.
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Replying to: sebring95 (Jul 03, 2009 10:26 am) He'll have to try and test things out though... If he wants a manual, well, he wants a manual. Automatic plus SUV or Minivan... if it was me, and I feel a lot like this guy I bet, I'd rather gnaw off my left leg and wheel myself off to a retirement home than accept such a bland soulless driving experience. Also, the 3rd row is without a doubt a marketing ploy and not intended for real use in almost every SUV and minivan. Why? Because with the exception of a very few vehicles, it's back of the rear axle and therefore part of the crumple zone itself. If you get rear-ended at 35-40mph, any child in the rear will die barring an act of God.(same problem existed in the past for rear seats in station wagons as well, which is why nobody offers them any more) Many like the 3rd row on the RAV-4 are less than a foot from the rear window. BMW - worst reliability possible other than maybe Mercedes SUVs. And also hugely expensive. I suspect that he wants to stay under $25K if possible Call it a hunch, given the three young kids...
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Replying to: exb0 (Jul 01, 2009 11:26 am) Right now I'm weighing: Acura TL 2005 Volvo S60 2006 BMW 3 series 2005 or... as a wildcard.. 2007 Toyota Camry XLE Going to check those out. My next question, do I go with one of the above or bite the bullet and spend whatever it costs (within reason) to get a 2007 model with say 20k miles on it. 2007 base TL with under 40k miles seems to run $24-25k while a 2005 with 40k miles is under $18,000 in some cases. The 2007 got such great reviews from Edmunds. is 6k worth it for a newer model year and fewer miles? Worth it in the sense of future resale value. Decisions decisions... |
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 03, 2009 7:31 pm) Reliability wasn't on his list and BMW is not that bad and regardless has a good warranty. They can be bought in his price range. Great performance, manual tranny, good cargo room, not a minivan.
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Replying to: sebring95 (Jul 03, 2009 9:01 pm) |
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I have the magnaflow too and love it, they are cheaper on ebay but I wanted a warranty(the salt on the roads here in winter kills an exhaust) so I got it here. magnaflow 16901, or you can try one of the vendors here, they are allways runnign sales/specials. either way its a great system and very easy to install. LMAO |
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