Help me pick a new car

[MrsAxilla]

My Subaru was totaled in a hail storm ($12K in damage!  It was the 8th most expensive storm in COs history.). I'm having a tough time deciding what to get.  I barely drive and my car was six months from being paid off.  We projected our budget based on no car payments, and it seems so stupid to take on a car payment (even if it is less) when I drive maybe ten miles a week.  But we don't live in a walkable area, so going down to one car isn't an option.  The salvage value on my car is too high to just keep it.

We're looking at a new Subaru.  The Impreza is the cheapest, but since they redesigned both it and the legacy, it's essentially the same as my car.  My car is a tad small, but it would be fine for another few years until the kids are bigger.  We would have to keep it past that point, though, so it will be too small.

The Forester is only $2K more and is much bigger.  It would be more than adequate, but it's the most expensive option, and it seems stupid to go with the most expensive car just to lug groceries and run Ben to sports.  Plus it's goofy looking, although it does have an amazing sunroof.  

The Crosstrek is in between.  It looks cooler, but it's basically an Impreza with a bigger body.  pixy0stix - how do you like yours?  

[pixy0stix]

I LOVE mine. Love. It's shorter than my older car, but still has plenty of room inside. I've got all the goodies in mine, too, but that's because the hybrid version is tricked out.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 10:56:53 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

I love my Outback. We looked at the Crosstrek and love the look, but it didn't have enough leg room for my H and a car seat. The leg room in the Outback put it above everything else.

I always really wanted an Outback and planned to get it when we traded in the Legacy.  But they don't make it in a manual transmission anymore and I'm pretty set on a manual.  Plus it's more expensive than the forester.  

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 10:54:15 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I LOVE mine. Love. It's shorter than my older car, but still has plenty of room inside. I've got all the goodies in mine, too, but that's because the hybrid version is tricked out.

Have you taken it up into the mountains?  Does it have enough power?

[pixy0stix]

Oct 21, 2014 10:56:53 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

I love my Outback. We looked at the Crosstrek and love the look, but it didn't have enough leg room for my H and a car seat. The leg room in the Outback put it above everything else.

Really? We tested it with my H (who is 6'3" and big), and had plenty of room.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 11:04:51 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

good god! why in the world do you want manual?

I like handling the rod.  I love to rub the knob and work the stick.  Lol.  I've always driven a manual and I love them. 

[tacosforlife]

Oct 21, 2014 11:04:51 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

good god! why in the world do you want manual?

Manuals are so fun to drive!

The only reason we didn't buy a manual for this car is because we knew we'd be driving it in DC. And on the list of things that are enjoyable to do, driving a manual in DC ranks below hot pokers in the eyes, trying to give medicine to a cat, and surgery without anesthetic.

[pixy0stix]

Oct 21, 2014 11:03:04 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Oct 21, 2014 10:54:15 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I LOVE mine. Love. It's shorter than my older car, but still has plenty of room inside. I've got all the goodies in mine, too, but that's because the hybrid version is tricked out.

Have you taken it up into the mountains?  Does it have enough power?

Not yet, but we rarely go up there so it wasn't really a consideration. The specs say that it has plenty of power for climbs. Again, having the hybrid version is a bit different since the powertrain and horsepower is different than the gas version (more power in the hybrid).

[AJL]

Oct 21, 2014 11:08:38 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Oct 21, 2014 11:04:51 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

good god! why in the world do you want manual?

I like handling the rod.  I love to rub the knob and work the stick.  Lol.  I've always driven a manual and I love them. 

[ijack]

How high is the salvage value? How long were you planning on keeping the car?
My prius was damaged and I just took the money and didn't fix it. It was paid off and it's 8 years old and I didn't want another car payment. Can you buy exactly what you had?

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 11:10:59 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Oct 21, 2014 11:04:51 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

good god! why in the world do you want manual?

Manuals are so fun to drive!

The only reason we didn't buy a manual for this car is because we knew we'd be driving it in DC. And on the list of things that are enjoyable to do, driving a manual in DC ranks below hot pokers in the eyes, trying to give medicine to a cat, and surgery without anesthetic.

The only time manuals suck is when you're in heavy stop and go traffic.  When I go back to work, I may want an auto.  So maybe I just get one now?  

IDK.  I love my car and I don't want to get rid of it.  The closest thing to replacing my car is a loaded Impreza.  But if I'm going to take on payments, why for the exact same thing?  Why not a little more for something that will be more adequate in the long run?  But I don't drive right now, so it doesn't make sense!

arg!  You see the circular reasoning that's going on over here.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 11:14:05 GMT -5 ijack said:

How high is the salvage value? How long were you planning on keeping the car?
My prius was damaged and I just took the money and didn't fix it. It was paid off and it's 8 years old and I didn't want another car payment. Can you buy exactly what you had?

The salvage value is $4.7K and we still owe $3K.  Plus it needs four new tires and it looks like shit.  It would also not be insurable (comp or collision) so if it's ever wrecked, I'm screwed.

We were going to just keep it if the salvage value was closer to $1K.  But it doesn't make sense to keep it for $8K.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 11:14:03 GMT -5 @soudesafinado said:

I have only driven manuals. I hate automatic cars. Why would I want the car to drive itself?

OK, get this car!

That's beautiful!  What is it?

Ben was like, "just get the Mustang you always wanted!"  I wish, kiddo.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 11:12:58 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Oct 21, 2014 11:03:04 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Have you taken it up into the mountains?  Does it have enough power?

Not yet, but we rarely go up there so it wasn't really a consideration. The specs say that it has plenty of power for climbs. Again, having the hybrid version is a bit different since the powertrain and horsepower is different than the gas version (more power in the hybrid).

Yeah, the hybrid is so different.  But it's not manual.    and it's too expensive.

[Scout'sHonor]

I liked the amount of room the outback had, but it just didn't have enough power for H or I (guess we're spoiled with the mini cooper). So we abandoned Subaru for the RAV4.

[StrawberryBlondie]

We almost went with a Forrester when we got a new car a couple of years ago. I loved it so much, but the cost is what swayed us against it.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 12:00:13 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

I liked the amount of room the outback had, but it just didn't have enough power for H or I (guess we're spoiled with the mini cooper). So we abandoned Subaru for the RAV4.

DH suggested that and the CRV.  Maybe I should drive them.

[Scout'sHonor]

Oct 21, 2014 12:04:40 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Oct 21, 2014 12:00:13 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

I liked the amount of room the outback had, but it just didn't have enough power for H or I (guess we're spoiled with the mini cooper). So we abandoned Subaru for the RAV4.

DH suggested that and the CRV.  Maybe I should drive them.

Definitely do, we traded in a CRV and the only issue I had with it was seat comfort, otherwise the vehicle was great.  The RAV4 is awesome too, I got the Limited, so all the fancy stuff with it.  Not as good gas mileage as the subarus, but still plenty of room. 

[lahoagie]

Oct 21, 2014 12:00:13 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

I liked the amount of room the outback had, but it just didn't have enough power for H or I (guess we're spoiled with the mini cooper). So we abandoned Subaru for the RAV4.

My parents were in a car accident last week where they totaled their car. My dad passed out while driving and my mother grabbed the wheel and drove them into a ditch to avoid hitting on coming traffic. The car flipped a couple times. They both walked away without a scratch. They were driving a RAV4. I am the biggest fan of RAV4s right now.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 12:08:21 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Oct 21, 2014 12:04:40 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

DH suggested that and the CRV.  Maybe I should drive them.

Definitely do, we traded in a CRV and the only issue I had with it was seat comfort, otherwise the vehicle was great.  The RAV4 is awesome too, I got the Limited, so all the fancy stuff with it.  Not as good gas mileage as the subarus, but still plenty of room. 

I just looked and they are both more expensive than the subarus.  I just can't justify that with the amount of driving I do.

[Scout'sHonor]

Oct 21, 2014 12:17:04 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Oct 21, 2014 12:08:21 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Definitely do, we traded in a CRV and the only issue I had with it was seat comfort, otherwise the vehicle was great.  The RAV4 is awesome too, I got the Limited, so all the fancy stuff with it.  Not as good gas mileage as the subarus, but still plenty of room. 

I just looked and they are both more expensive than the subarus.  I just can't justify that with the amount of driving I do.

Makes total sense.  I do 25 min across town each day and we go down to Denver just about every two weeks, so we add on miles pretty easily.

[Scout'sHonor]

Oct 21, 2014 12:09:43 GMT -5 lahoagie said:

Oct 21, 2014 12:00:13 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

I liked the amount of room the outback had, but it just didn't have enough power for H or I (guess we're spoiled with the mini cooper). So we abandoned Subaru for the RAV4.

My parents were in a car accident last week where they totaled their car. My dad passed out while driving and my mother grabbed the wheel and drove them into a ditch to avoid hitting on coming traffic. The car flipped a couple times. They both walked away without a scratch. They were driving a RAV4. I am the biggest fan of RAV4s right now.

Yikes! I'm glad they're ok. 

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 12:21:29 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Oct 21, 2014 12:17:04 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I just looked and they are both more expensive than the subarus.  I just can't justify that with the amount of driving I do.

Makes total sense.  I do 25 min across town each day and we go down to Denver just about every two weeks, so we add on miles pretty easily.

That's why this is so tough! My car is perfect in every way. But I can't keep it.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 21, 2014 12:09:43 GMT -5 lahoagie said:

Oct 21, 2014 12:00:13 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

I liked the amount of room the outback had, but it just didn't have enough power for H or I (guess we're spoiled with the mini cooper). So we abandoned Subaru for the RAV4.

My parents were in a car accident last week where they totaled their car. My dad passed out while driving and my mother grabbed the wheel and drove them into a ditch to avoid hitting on coming traffic. The car flipped a couple times. They both walked away without a scratch. They were driving a RAV4. I am the biggest fan of RAV4s right now.

Wow! Is your dad ok?

[lahoagie]

Oct 21, 2014 12:30:09 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Oct 21, 2014 12:09:43 GMT -5 lahoagie said:

My parents were in a car accident last week where they totaled their car. My dad passed out while driving and my mother grabbed the wheel and drove them into a ditch to avoid hitting on coming traffic. The car flipped a couple times. They both walked away without a scratch. They were driving a RAV4. I am the biggest fan of RAV4s right now.

Wow! Is your dad ok?

My dad is fine. They aren't sure what happened. They have ruled out stroke and seizure and he is on a heart monitor and is going to see a cardiologist. He hadn't eaten yet and had gone for a 2-3 mile walk so he might have just passed out from hunger and dehydration. I am just so happy that they are okay. And they were really lucky. They missed hitting two boulders by a couple feet.

This is actually the second RAV4 they have totaled. The last one was a couple years ago when they hit an elk on the freeway going 60+ MPH. They walked away from that unhurt also. I feel like they cats and are starting to get down to their last couple lifes.

[sushi]

I've had an impreza,outback, and forester. By far my favorite was the forester,but that may be because it was the only one that was turbo. It definitely had enough power for the mountains. The outback struggled getting up to the tunnels. It also didn't like to get above 50 coming back from Vail to Frisco.

Plus the diamond shoes were kind of rough on the all weather mats.

[secretlyevil]

You need the crosstrek! I don't have the hybrid. I drove it in VA literally off roading up a mountain worked fabulously. You need a crosstrek!

[secretlyevil]

The new Rav4 is interesting. Mini's Countryman is uber fun to drive but small and I'm thinking not as practical for CO as some of the others. I was not a fan of the CRV when I test drove it. Nissan's is expensive when you add all the features to make it comparable to the crosstrek.

[Pibs]

We just bought a 2015 Forester XT Touring, which has pretty much everything. Including paddle shifters and the ability to use a manual mode if you want. You have to shift with the paddle shifters, though, not the stick. Which I think sucks because that's how I do it in my Smart and it's just habit now.

We were considering the CrossTrek hybrid, but I really wanted the EyeSight shit because anything I drive other than a Smart is going to feel like a tank after these past 6 years and it doesn't have it as an option.

[Pibs]

Oh, and now that I've read everything, we live on a really big hill/small mountain with lots of curves and a really steep driveway and Subie Sue has no issues going up them.