Post by SusanBAnthony on Nov 16, 2012 12:31:11 GMT -5
I didn't read everything, but what about the Toyota matrix/Pontiac vibe? They are the same car, both made by Toyota. Wagon built on a corolla so great gas mileage, good storage, etc.
I would get a Honda fit, personally, but I think they are super expensive and in high demand right now.
We might get a Mazda five. That might be too minivan ish for you. It is a mini minivan, with sliding doors, but the size of a wagon.
I am with you on the minivan thing. I am married to a guy who is eyeballs deep in a car obsession for his whole life so we've driven and owned many many cars (well, mainly him, I just bought my third car about 2 months ago). I know you don't want an SUV but I had an ML500 as my last car and it did not feel at all like an SUV. Very sporty, easy to reach kids in the back seat (important for me and my short arms) but I could still fit a ton in that thing. I really really wanted another one when we started car shopping this summer but we test drove the Audi Q7 and I was in love. The Q5 is much is smaller felt so sporty, easy to drive/park and load things in. I definitely would've got that if I didn't regularly tote home furniture. Good luck car shopping!!
Post by SusanBAnthony on Nov 16, 2012 14:23:08 GMT -5
To clarify about the fit, the new price tag is fairly reasonable (under 20k) but they are selling for list or above, and used are a fortune too, bc they are in high demand. Maybe this is a regional thing though, your city may be fine. They would definitely have room for 2 carseats no prob, three would be tight if not impossible.
To clarify about the fit, the new price tag is fairly reasonable (under 20k) but they are selling for list or above, and used are a fortune too, bc they are in high demand. Maybe this is a regional thing though, your city may be fine. They would definitely have room for 2 carseats no prob, three would be tight if not impossible.
A friend of mine has a Fit and she and her husband really enjoy it. She doesn't have children, but her greyhound fits well in the backseat. My Golf has about the same backseat space as well, but I've only ever had one car seat in the back at a time or a car seat and a booster.
We did find that it made absolutely no sense to buy a used Fit. They were asking at (or more than!!! at one dealership) the price of a new one. Negotiable I know, but still. We got our new one in Feb. for $16K with the options we got (trunk cover thingie, side protector things, and plasitc edging on the doors) through our insurer's car buying service.
My last car was a Chevy. NEVER AGAIN. I will take the bus first. I agree with PP. You get 100K, that's it. Then you're spending $1500 a month on repairs. I'm hoping to get at least 200K out of a Honda before the repairs staring eating us alive, but I've never owned one, so maybe I'll be disappointed.
Post by bunnymendelbaum on Nov 16, 2012 15:07:13 GMT -5
Thanks so much! We will probably buy used unless we fall in love with a new car, but so far we haven't. I really like the vibe. The latest years. 2 friends have them and love them. I need to do a carseat test. My DD and I went to look at one at a dealership and it was 1) dirty inside! 2) bare bones. Manual windows, etc. 3) the salesman couldn't get the trunk open!! Ha! I want to find a loaded one to test drive.
I think we looked at the Vibe. That's really similar to the Fit IIRC. The only thing that turned me off about that one was that when everything was folded down, there was a hump, so it wouldn't work for our large dog crate. Well, I guess it would have, it would have just been some see saw action for the dog The Fit was the only one that folded flat. Other than that, I think I really liked the Vibe.
Well, except that DH absolutely forbid any other GM vehicle as well after our Chevy experience.