gaaaaaah -which Car
 

ack - am soo confused . . .time for a new car - needs to fit 4 adults plus ski stuff or large dog box - I am talking Giant size dog box

So far we have looked at . . . Oh I forget - but this is the possible list:
Honda CRv - may be too small for box - need to take tape measure next time

Toyota Rav 4 - prob the best fit wise

I would like the Toyota 4runner or FJ Cruiser = but hubby says gas consumption is pants! (but the fj was preeeety :))

Subaru Forester

Suzuki Grand Vitara - need to measure the back

Hyundai - not too keen on Santa fe or Tuscion

Hubby not that keen on a us brand car ..


ok - over to you lot . . . .

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Good vehicle. The back is ideal for a lab. Need to put the back seats down for a lab sized crate.

Surely less room in the back than a CRV?

Santa Fe excellent value for money IMO.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

How about a Ford Escape?

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Suburu Forester or an Austin Alegro

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Out of your list I would have, and did, go for the Santa Fe Limited. Good value on price and matching features and the 09 onwards are well made.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

I've got a 2000 forester...it's got nearly 300K, it's been though a garage DOOR and out the other side WALL and into a HOUSE, and it's still super tight and going strong :-)

...if I wasn't commuting I'd get another Subaru for sure

but if I had a choice next time I'd got for a VW TDi (mainly because I just run up highway kms)

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

I have a 2007 VW with 225,000kms on it. It's not long for this world despite costing an average of $500/month in servicing and mechanical repairs since new. I wouldn't suggest VW if you intend to use the car for driving.

If you must have a 4WD station wagon I second the Ford Escape suggestion above, cheap to buy and run, fits kids and dogs, can go across snowy fields. A van makes more sense but then you know that already.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

I have a Hyundai Tucson which I secretly want to hate, but I can't. It is actually a decent car for round here.

It's too small for your needs (similar size to CR-V), but if I were looking to scale up, it would be very hard to justify not looking at the Santa Fe.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

WOW! that doesn't sound good. Having owned many VW's in the UK, I presume they don't take to the climate here then ?

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Toyota 4runner!! that's what I would like to get. We have two dogs, snowboard gear, camping gear etc etc. and Mr Fluff willl ahve a smaller, economical car for everyday driving

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

I don't think it's climate related (except for not being able to open the windows or doors when it's icy out, they plainly didn't test this car in Canada before deciding to sell it) though this is the only VW I've had so I can't compare directly.

I think it's a combination of ill thought design and sloppy construction. For example, the wire that provides power to the headlamps falls off when you drive over a bump, the dealer can fix that with duct tape and glue but it's difficult to do because of the way the lamp is mounted. One would think that VW would have worked out better access to apply the glue and tape by now but they haven't; half the VWs on the road have one or less headlights working. Note that VW don`t have much in the way of dealer support in Canada, everything requires multiple trips to the dealer, one for diagnosis and part ordering, one for the repair, one to fix the repair. This applies even for an oil change or a broken light bulb; no parts or supplies are kept at the garage.

Quite a lot of small parts have fallen off, the straps that should hold the doors open, the bezel that surrounded the instrument cluster, one rear light. The electrical bits have never worked well but now most of the dashboard lights are on all the time and there`s a cacophony of buzzers while one drives. The boot lid works when it feels like it and there`s no handle, when the electrics are having one of their Lucas days you have to take the back seat out to get at the spare wheel or lunch or whatever; whoever decided to economize on the handle and trust to VW electrics wants those electrics applied to his nuts (several times, until they work).

The car is rather fun, no denying that, but it offers the combination of fun and build quality one expects from a older Fiat. It doesn't feel solid in the way the Fords I usually have do at the same age. That said, the few times it`s come to a halt at the roadside have been due to collision or tyre failure, the engine is, touch wood, still going, though the transmission, one of those stupid semi-automatic thingies, has developed clonking and whimsical disengagement at speed.

Again, $500/month in maintenance and lots of bits fall off, you have to want to be seen in a VW.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

We have a Tuscon. The missus loves it. You can just about fit skis in, with the back seat down. The wheelbase is no bigger than a Shitfire.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

My OH (Ford mechanic) Hates them, does not understand why anyone would want one, says as soon as they have a few miles on them they get harsh to drive - there must be more to it than that but he really hates them.

I like the look of the Ford Edge but I think (don't know) they may be expensive. I would have another Explorer or Expedition as I liked those. We also have Jeeps - Cherokees' and Liberty's' every now and then, as long as you get a V6 the gas mileage isn't too bad. As we always have older cars I don't know what is available to a new car buyer as we never go round the dealerships. Have fun trying out different stuff!

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

I love my 4Runner. Very useful vehicle. Mileage isn't great, but you can't have everything.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Seconded - we love our Escape. Had planned to buy RAV4 or CRV but the Escape was far more comfortable to drive and better priced.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Why is it my OH hates them? I've never even looked in them. Are they really plasticky inside? Are they always at the garage being expensively fixed? Or are they a nightmare from a mechanics point of view? Who knows:rofl:

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Are you only considering new vehicles?

Whats your budget?

4x4 / AWD seems a requirement, but is it really?

Does fuel economy matter to you?

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

My ex boss had the mazda version. The head liner fell down on him while driving along the 401. Ive been to the plant in Kansas city that makes them. It didnt suprise me. It would of course be petty and vindictive of me to diss them purely because they have parts from my previous employer in them wouldnt it:D

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Climate has nothing to do with it, North American Golf and Jettas are now made in Mexico. Before buying one, read the Lemon Aid guide!

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

If you don't do high mileage does fuel consumption matter that much? If it costs a couple of hundred bucks a year extra and the vehicle works for your needs, is that not better than saving the money and having the dog on your lap!

Right now we're running a Toyota, 22 to 25 to the gallon, local driving for the most part and don't really notice the fuel burn as an issue.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

We have the Forrester which has been a great car so far (3 years) but I suspect the back will not be big enough for your crate.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

The cumulative effect of all those low mileage drivers has a serious environmental effect though doesnt it? Regardless of overall mileage covered, in an ideal world everyone would place some emphasis on driving the most efficient vehicle that meets their needs.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Unless its a very large crate a Legacy/ Outback would probably be big enough. I guess if you want to buy new you now have to get an overblown Outback if you want the practicality of a wagon. The used Sube we got in the spring would appear to have been good value for money, and the 2.5 is not that thirsty.

In general for ski stuff its best to get a top box or rack and get it out of the vehicle anyway I think, even if you drive a suburban.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

We bought the CRV in Feb, young family of 4 and it's easily taken the 4 of us with 2 car seats and occasional extra adult plus strollers and all the gear that come from 2 wee ones. You'd be able to flatten the middle seat for skis and still fit 4 adults, I went with 3 and snowboards no problem.

Comfortable drive both around town and on trips to the mountains. Despite buying it in Feb didn't get much chance to try it on icy roads after a fairly mild winter in Calgary last year.

My choices at the time were between it, the Rav4 and the Chevy Equinox all 2010s. All 3 get pretty good reviews, including the new Equinox which you say your hubby isn't keen on. From what i remember the Rav4 had the most cargo space, with the CRV close behind and then the Equinox a bit further back. In the end it came down to financing deals for us, Honda gave us 0.9%, the others were closer to 4% so it was a no brainer.

I used the US News site for reading reviews, they create their reviews from aggregating multiple other sites and rank the cars. I also signed up for Carcostcanada to get the wholesale price on the new cars, something you can do for free in the US but not here. I have 10 reports I never used if you PM me I can send some to you if you want to use them, saved me some cash and made the negotiations pretty painless.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

It all about personal like/dislikes I guess. We bought a new Rav4, 4 Cyl base 4WD model this year to replace our aged 12 year old Corolla....Against the Escape we found the opposite from you. We found the Rav better priced, a nicer drive and quieter running. I remember saying to the wife after we test drove an 'Escape'....'well, that wasn't exactly orgasmic'.

Their is no such thing as a 'one size fits all' vehicle.

As I said, it's all about personal opinions...that's why there are so many cars out there to choose from.

Do your own research, lots of test drives...and buy what is 'orgasmic' for you ...figuratively speaking...:wub:

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Hmm better look at the hyundais again - Ford Escape - thought was prob too expensive and big - plus Hubby not keen on US - domestic cars cars!

So want to spend around 20K - newish - up to maybe 2007
Big boot but economicalish - yes an oxymoron -so prob rule out 4runner.
4 wheel drive option is good for the skiing etc . ..

keep em coming . . .

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

One hopes that none of the above count as mildly titillating, nevermind orgasmic.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Subaru Legacy Wagon with a roofrack and top box. If the dog will fit in the back.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2...SNV32494-2.jpg
Bit like mine in fact. Taxes and everything it was about $17k for a 2007. Averaging about 8.5l/100km in mixed driving.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Thanks Ianik - well we are off to the Scoobydoo shop, tape measure in hand . . .

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Just to say thanks to everyone on this thread. Been weighing up all these cars, and being a bit of a numpty when it comes to vehicles, have found this all terrifically useful. Thanks!

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

I think the new ones are much better than a few years ago. Better engines and gearboxes (transmissions) these days. Might be worth giving it a test drive.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Hmmm - can I throw Mitsubishi into the mix - any one tried one??

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

OH typically dictates what I drive (except my Spitfire) and as he hates Escapes, New Old and in betweens, I will never be given the keys to one. We'll never buy new either (well we might when we're really old).

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

My dad had a Colt back in the 80's if that helps. It was red.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Word on the street is that Mitsubishi will abandon the Canada market very soon.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Nice cortina estate ticks most of your boxes.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

I think you need one of these:

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Oh no. We have an outlander. Love it. Great ski car as it has a rear fold down flap at back which means you can sit on the back and not get all your kit filthy.

Still if they are abandoning canada...............

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

That'll be the Yokohama tyres. :)

I'm only reporting what Phil Edmonston writes in the 2010 Lemon-Aid. He claims they're losing money hand over fist in the NA market and will pull out soon. He also says servicing/repairs are highly dealer dependent so if they do pull out, you're screwed.

Re: gaaaaaah -which Car
 

Hm doesn't sound good. I thought the lancer did so well it made up for all the others.

They are still made in Japen , so it would be easy to pull out