Need opinions on new vehicle

[skeezer]

Vehicle is not for me. Friend here at work is looking for something new that's $26,000 or less.

Needs to get good gas mileage and have room to carry stuff around. So some kind of small SUV or cross over? I don't know anything about what's out there these days. I don't think it matter what brand it is. Something reliable at least.

Gas mileage and space are the main factors in this purchase from the sounds of it.

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[Mook]

ctsv wagon

but i'm sure bru can actually help you out.

 

[Dasfinc]

Mazda 5/7/CX9?

Escape/Explorer

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

New or used? How small?

Bru will say Subaru outback.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Mazda 5/7/CX9?

The 7 and 9 get shit mileage.

 

[Dasfinc]

The 7 and 9 get shit mileage.

I forgot they have the turbo engine don't they?

the 5 always gets good reviews, but is a bit on the smaller/cheaper side than what his friend may be looking at?

 

[Bru]

Does he want to carry passengers or just cargo? All of these have average or above reliability and good gas mileage for the class.

Outback is always a good choice but only seats five. Standard AWD and it's big on the inside. 22/29 mpg.

Kia Sorento has the big warranty and 21/29 mpg with FWD. Also good sized on the inside with room for seven with optional third row.

Chevrolet Equinox is on the smaller side as far as cargo but is really solid, quiet on the highway and has gas mileage of 22/32. Seats five.

They're classified as Cars.com Best Bets because of their gas mileage, safety and reliability ratings. My choice would be the Outback because it's lower to the ground and has an easy cargo load-in height. Would be better if he is always lugging stuff in and out of the cargo area.

 

[Bru]

Compare pricing and specs of those three here:

http://www.cars.com/go/compare/modelCompare.jsp?myids=11701,11974,12095

 

[skeezer]

Excellent.

 

[daturbosix]

 

[ktraver97ss]

A buddy of mine just picked up a GMC Terrain. I was pretty impressed with it in general. Nice fit and finish on the interior, avg of about 24mpg i think, ext looks decent for a vehicle like that. I wouldnt buy one, but it was pretty nice.

 

[THEHKP7M13]

Equinox FTW. 5/100 powertrain to boot.

 

[GLIKENNY]

new or used VW Tiguan, Jetta Sportwagen, 4dr GTI. all can be had new for under 26K. Roomy, with plenty of storage and optional roof rack for the Jetta and GTI.

 

[GTwolf]

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0t (turbo). The best car you will find in that price range. PLENTY of space, loaded with options, 274hp, 35mpg, damn good looking car, right around 26k. For what he's looking for it's perfect imo.

 

[jason05gt]

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0t (turbo). The best car you will find in that price range. PLENTY of space, loaded with options, 274hp, 35mpg, damn good looking car, right around 26k. For what he's looking for it's perfect imo.

I did research into the 2.0T and there is some sort of engineering flaw present in the 2011's that makes the car pull to the left. I went on a forum and there was a 45+ pg thread of owners discussing it.

 

[GTwolf]

I did research into the 2.0T and there is some sort of engineering flaw present in the 2011's that makes the car pull to the left. I went on a forum and there was a 45+ pg thread of owners discussing it.

Really? That's unfortunate, such an awesome car. Is it something a recall could fix or is it a serious flaw in the design of the frame or something?

 

[GTwolf]

Well to the op, if the turbo models have an issue, check out the regular sonata limited. Same car, just minus the engineering flaw and change the 276hp to I think 220hp. You also take the car down to 24k I think. I test drove one and loved it. I would owned one right now if I didn't decide I have no need for a brand new car right now.

 

[jvert]

new or used VW Tiguan, Jetta Sportwagen, 4dr GTI. all can be had new for under 26K. Roomy, with plenty of storage and optional roof rack for the Jetta and GTI.

I agree...I was going to say VW TDI Golf

 

[Yaj Yak]

i ddig the flex and the kia borrego...

 

[Fish]

I dig the Flex and the Terrain.

 

[willizm]

Got my girlfriend used 2008 rdx for $24k. The Crossover is great, rather economical, good room, and peppy with a turbo 4 banger. Seriously check one out, they surprised me and my gf was originally leaning toward a tbss

 

[Primalzer]

+586456151685468168168464165416346

Or a Turbo Forester

 

[THEHKP7M13]

new or used VW Tiguan, Jetta Sportwagen, 4dr GTI. all can be had new for under 26K. Roomy, with plenty of storage and optional roof rack for the Jetta and GTI.

I did research into the 2.0T and there is some sort of engineering flaw present in the 2011's that makes the car pull to the left. I went on a forum and there was a 45+ pg thread of owners discussing it.

VW is hella expensive to fix out of warraanty. You might as well own a Merecedes at that point. And WW has quality issues, big time! I don't follow VW that close, but did they ever sort out engine oiling issues on a lot of their 4 bangers?