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Smart Shopper What's the best vehicle for my needs?
1145 messages, Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jul 02, 2009 8:19 am) I would have loved to drive a more performance-oriented Volvo, but rental companies usually stick with the base units, for understandable reasons. So finding any turbo rentals is going to be a tall order. There aren't all that many V6s, for that matter. I was able to get my hands on an '08 Altima V6 a few weeks ago, but that's the most powerful car I've ever seen available at my local rental places (airport locations have the good stuff, but usually have rules preventing them from renting to locals - and they charge 3x the price). It accelerated beautifully, but I'm not sure if the engine had a problem because it was LOUD and never seemed to coast - it was like as soon as I released the gas, the car would start to brake itself. It limited my enjoyment of the car, I'm not sure if that's just the way the Altima is, or if there was a problem with the car, or if maybe there was a configuration on there that I didn't know about that made it that way.
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Replying to: demigawd (Jul 02, 2009 9:20 am) |
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loves- Manual transmission, cargo space hates- minivans kids 3- 2 carseats 1 booster seat Budget - $32,000 cdn i think thats around $27,000-$28,000 for you americans Can go higher than $32,000 but i would really love not to. Any non Minivan suggestions? |
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Replying to: carstryke (Jul 02, 2009 3:34 pm) Volvo, Subaru, and a few others make mini wagons/wagons with manuals. And of course, there's always things like a 4Runner or similar that aren't yuppie soft-roaders or minivans with AWD crammed on them and lifted. |
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Replying to: carstryke (Jul 02, 2009 3:34 pm) |
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Replying to: carstryke (Jul 02, 2009 3:34 pm)
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Replying to: erniesdad (Jul 03, 2009 6:19 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 7:14 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 8:04 am)
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Replying to: carstryke (Jul 03, 2009 8:23 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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