New car purchase

[caidan]

I am unexpectedly in market fora new car. my car was totaled a week ago. so I am looking for something bigger. Recommend your compact SUV. Or any car that seats 2 car seats, one being an infant seat comfortably.

Looking to spend as possible. Most things I have looked at seem to be about 30,000. Hoping for less then that. 

also is it better to pay cash or fiance?

Thanks

[Deleted]

I loved my Santa Fe.

[caidan]

May 3, 2015 23:07:34 GMT -5 @spenjamins said:

I loved my Santa Fe.

What did you love about it? I haven't looked at that yet, but is on the list for this week. any feature you really like or option that it needs to have?

[krystee]

I love my Ford Edge. I got the fully loaded version one year used with 10,000 miles for $26K.

[Deleted]

I liked that it never broke down, the interior was nicer than the Rav, CRV and other smaller SUVs. Safe, smooth ride and rated highly. At the time, it was also cheaper. I think you would be looking at the Santa Fe sport without the third row. That is basically the one I had except it is more curvy. I would have bought it again but went with the Highlander (2013 used) because I wanted something bigger.

One thing: the driver seat went back far enough for me (5''7) but if you are super tall or your DH is, check if it is roomy enough. I had it back all the way.

I know the CRV has upped its interior. I have two friends who love them. My sister has the GMC Terrain and has had problems with it. Would not recommend it.

[Deleted]

May 3, 2015 23:50:54 GMT -5 krystee said:

I love my Ford Edge. I got the fully loaded version one year used with 10,000 miles for $26K.

Love the Edge.

[blueshirt2003]

Ford Escape

[emisi]

Mazda6. YOu can get a really nice 2014 model for like $20k, really loaded. It seats M's gigantic carseat just fine, I have no doubt that it will also fit an infant seat. It's also fun to drive and gets way better gas mileage than an SUV. But if not, the Mazda CX-5 is also amazing.

[alleinesein]

May 3, 2015 23:57:41 GMT -5 @spenjamins said:

I liked that it never broke down, the interior was nicer than the Rav, CRV and other smaller SUVs. Safe, smooth ride and rated highly. At the time, it was also cheaper. I think you would be looking at the Santa Fe sport without the third row. That is basically the one I had except it is more curvy. I would have bought it again but went with the Highlander (2013 used) because I wanted something bigger.

One thing: the driver seat went back far enough for me (5''7) but if you are super tall or your DH is, check if it is roomy enough. I had it back all the way.

I know the CRV has upped its interior. I have two friends who love them. My sister has the GMC Terrain and has had problems with it. Would not recommend it.

Ditto!  I hate hate hate driving our Santa Fe.  There is no leg room at all.  My mom is 5'6 and she smacks her knees into the steering wheel when she drives.  I'm 5'10 and it is even worse for me.  Even getting in and out of the Santa Fe is a PITA because the steering wheel is in the way.  Ours is an older model (2003) with less than 50K miles on it so I can't really comment on how well they hold up with heavy driving.  We inherited it from Grandpa and it very rarely gets driven.

[gt7301b]

We love out Subaru Forrester, we've only had it to be a year but it has been a great car so far.

[oswin]

No SUV recs, but if price is a concern I would definitely keep an eye out for something used, like 1-3 years old with less than 10k miles per year of use. As for cash vs finance, it depends on what you'd do with the cash if you did finance. We financed our Mazda5 at 0% with a fair chunk down, and threw the rest of the money we had into our investment account. I would at least put enough money down that you'll have equity and not be upside down on the car. We put down 10k and 2 years later we only have around 3-4k equity due to depreciation.

[tripleshot]

I have a 2015 Toyota RAV4 Limited and I love it. I previously had a 2013 Mazda CX-5 and it was a POS. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I also really like the Highlander but that may be bigger than what you want.

[mich1]

I have a Subaru Forester and love it. Next car will likely be another in a different color!

It is a 2007, and other than a leak in the A/C (easily fixed) has only needed to have maintenance done on it in those 8 years.

[illgetthere]

I got a nissan sentra new with lots of extras for less than 20k. It fits a front facing seat and a 10 year old just fine; I'm sure it would fit an infant seat for the short period of time you would need to. It is as big as my fusion was and we had an infant seat and rear facing convertible in it. It also gets over 30 mpg average.

[asoctoberfalls]

I just bought a brand new 2015 Subaru Forester for less than 25k. It is the middle version. Base model would have been 1500 less

[curbsideprophet]

Very happy with our Prius v.

[shaynaatl]

May 3, 2015 23:17:12 GMT -5 caidan said:

May 3, 2015 23:07:34 GMT -5 @spenjamins said:

I loved my Santa Fe.

What did you love about it? I haven't looked at that yet, but is on the list for this week. any feature you really like or option that it needs to have?

We have a '14 Santa Fe Sport (the 2 row version) and absolutely love it, especially for the price. We bought it fully loaded for $33k so you could definitely find it under $30k if you don't get every option. We love the tech it has- blind spot warning, heated & ventilated front seats, heated back seat, heated steering wheel, sliding rear seat, xenon headlamps, etc.  It also has a huge dashboard screen and the buttons are laid out perfectly.

There is also a 3 row version of this car if you want something bigger.

If you pay $89 a year, you also get remote start via a phone app. You can start your car from wherever you want.  We love this in very hot or cold weather.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I loved my Honda CR-V. I had the first year of the new body style (2007), and it was a great car.

[justemily]

I love my Kia Sportage crossover/small SUV. It's a 2012 and is a little tank! I've been in 2 accidents (both not my fault) and it's taken a licking and kept on going, whereas the other cars in both incidents were not driveable. It's an LX and isn't tricked out, but has plenty of options (bluetooth, SiriusXM, power windows/doors, etc.) and we paid $22k new. It gets great mpg and has a ton of pep for a 4 cylinder. Plus 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty included.

[justemily]

May 4, 2015 12:23:10 GMT -5 shaynaatl said:

May 3, 2015 23:17:12 GMT -5 caidan said:

What did you love about it? I haven't looked at that yet, but is on the list for this week. any feature you really like or option that it needs to have?

We have a '14 Santa Fe Sport (the 2 row version) and absolutely love it, especially for the price. We bought it fully loaded for $33k so you could definitely find it under $30k if you don't get every option. We love the tech it has- blind spot warning, heated & ventilated front seats, heated back seat, heated steering wheel, sliding rear seat, xenon headlamps, etc.  It also has a huge dashboard screen and the buttons are laid out perfectly.

There is also a 3 row version of this car if you want something bigger.

If you pay $89 a year, you also get remote start via a phone app. You can start your car from wherever you want.  We love this in very hot or cold weather.

This will be my next car - LOVE them!

[msmerymac]

May 4, 2015 0:31:57 GMT -5 blueshirt2003 said:

Ford Escape

My mom has this and she loves it. 

[holly22]

I love my Ford Explorer, it's a 2014 and has 3rd rown

[krisim]

Love my Nissan Murano, we have 2 car seats in the back and can also squeeze another adult in the back seat as well.  I have the mid-level with heated seats, back up camera, push-button start, trunk gate lift, etc... It's very comfortable (and car-like) to drive.  I test drove pretty much all mid/small SUVs out there before we bought (from cheap to expensive) and this one was the most comfortable for me and had a lot of options available.