Help me pick a new car!

[aphex]

Baby should be here in the next few weeks and my 2005 mazda3 (different thread) is on the way out the door. Decided I wanted something more comfortable for a daily driver, quiet, good fuel economy, but with enough space to fit my 40lb dog, newborn, wife and all the accoutrements that come with on any trip (bob stroller, luggage, baby gear, etc.). Planned to put the dog in the boot and the baby in the backseat, though depending on the car keeping him the seat may be the only viable option. Under $30k would be preferable.

Been eyeing some of the new small SUV's, as well as crossovers, wagons and even some mid-size SUV's.

My incomplete current list i want to test drive so far;

• Ford Escape
• Ford Explorer
• 2013 Ford Fusion (doesn't exactly fit my criteria, but i'm curious)
• Mazda CX-5
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Subaru Forester
• Subaru Outback
• VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI
• VW Tourag (out of price range)

Given what i need to carry - what do you rec?

 

[power_hour]

Mazda5 should be on that list. Baby seats and strollers are a pain in the ass. Sliding doors and hatches are awesome for babies and dogs and shopping. Mazda CX-5 with the SkyActv is quite nice but the history is not there.

You should be able to find a used one for $15K or less. I really don't see the need for a brand new one when the used ones are very reliable.

 

[pandemonium]

The Forester I think is your best bet on that list.

I just love me some hatchback action and if I were to go out and get another vehicle today, Honda's Crosstour is very appealing to me:

 

[videogames101]

<3 Outbacks

 

[phucheneh]

I second the Mazda5 recommendation. It's a hideous leper with a heart of gold.

On your list...

I wouldn't touch the Fords. Escape is cramped and (imo) not worth the money. Might as well buy a hatchback Focus. Ditto the Explorer, which is more or less a tall Fusion or Taurus, now that it's FWD-based. Again, it doesn't feel terribly big inside. If anything, I think the Flex is Ford's best option (do they even still make it? I think it was too 'wagony' to be successful).

Wouldn't touch the Jeep with a 40ft pole.

The Subarus seem a bit quirky to most...and they are, as they're one of the 'other' Japanese makes, with relatively unusual drivetrains. But they're good cars.

 

[ponyo]

Just buy a minivan, Sienna or Odyssey and get it over with. Soon baby #2 and or #3 will arrive and you'll be faced with the same dilemma. I recommend Sienna but I'm partial to Toyota.

 

[phucheneh]

It's almost as if some people have never heard of this thing with six seats and most of the usability of a minivan while getting decent mileage and cutting corners as well as any compact car out there. I mean, I know I called it ugly and all, but this Keira Knightley compared to a Sienna or Odyssey's...uh...random butt-faced bar chick. And FUCK they're clever with all their little folding and stowage capabilities...it's not just a Japanese copy of the Caravan.

/fanboy

 

[xaeniac]

Mazda5 is a great choice. Unfortunately the new body style is ugly compared to the older models. This goes for the new 3, and 6 as well.

 

[Ferzerp]

Grand Cherokee SRT... (Hey, I picked from the list)

 

[Firetower]

Subaru VX Crosstrek

 

[LTC8K6]

Around Feb or Mar the 2014 Grand Cherokees should come out. They will have the ZF 8 speed autos in them among other new stuff.

 

[CraigRT]

Out of all of those, I would say Fusion....
I do not like the look of any of the fugly newer Subarus, and I would not personally buy an SUV, a wagon is a great option, too bad there aren't many around anymore, for some stupid reason.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Have a look at the Prius V and Ford-C Max -

The C-Max is slightly smaller than the Prius V but larger than a standard Prius. 47mpg, outhandles and out-accelerates the Prius by a full second for 0-60 and 1/4 mile.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-first-drive-review

I'd also throw in the Nissan Rogue - all new for 2013 I think and the 2012's are on huge discount. Much roomier than an Escape and good mpg.

Dodge Journey should also be on your list - only issue is you have to go with the 3.6L 285HP engine as the base 4cyl is pretty horrendous. Great interior, very flexible space.

 

[bigi]

...

• Ford Escape
• Ford Explorer
• 2013 Ford Fusion (doesn't exactly fit my criteria, but i'm curious)
• Mazda CX-5
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Subaru Forester
• Subaru Outback
• VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI
• VW Tourag (out of price range)

Given what i need to carry - what do you rec?

Been there, done that and more...

Kid, dog, wife and other stuff such as shopping bags, baby bag, dog stuff, stroller, etc...

Only a minivan will do, and will do it nicely.

All of the SUVs, even the larger ones are not match give your expected use.

 

[aphex]

As much as I agree the Minivan would be functional, just can't get myself to get one just yet. Maybe once we have the second kid a few years down the road 🙂

Going to check out the updated 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe today, starts at 24k and seems to have much more room than the CX5 with a similar look - https://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicles/2013/santa-fe/?

 

[vi edit]

Give the Mazda5 a look. I don't care about the "ooh but it's a minivan and I can't possibly own one of those" stigmas. It drives like a slightly bigger Mazda3 (which is a good thing!) can be bought with a manual transmission if you want (although limited to lower trims) and has incredible seating and storage flexibility for the footprint.

If a baby is on the way you simply can not beat sliding doors for getting bulky infant carriers in and out in tight parking spots.

It has the turning radius of a golf cart and the milage is much better than advertised. It's a gem of a car.

 

[phucheneh]

Give the Mazda5 a look. I don't care about the "ooh but it's a minivan and I can't possibly own one of those" stigmas. It drives like a slightly bigger Mazda3 (which is a good thing!) can be bought with a manual transmission if you want (although limited to lower trims) and has incredible seating and storage flexibility for the footprint.

If a baby is on the way you simply can not beat sliding doors for getting bulky infant carriers in and out in tight parking spots.

It has the turning radius of a golf cart and the milage is much better than advertised. It's a gem of a car.

Once again I echo this. Never hurts to look and maybe take a test drive. The drive would be the convincing part.

But that Hyundai does look nice, if you must go 'small SUV' rather than 'small sort-of minivan.'

Is that a third row seat or just storage?

 

[zoiks]

I'd go with the CX-5. Good economy. Good space and well made.

 

[MovingTarget]

Get a minivan or wagon. You don't seem to need any of the utility that a real body-on-frame SUV offers or the faux "utility" of a crossover. You shouldn't compromise on one of those just because vans are "uncool". What is really cool is being able to haul your entire family and all of their sh*t with comfort and room to spare.

 

[Jumpem]

Wait a few months for the 2014 Forester.

 

[Jumpem]

Get a minivan or wagon. You don't seem to need any of the utility that a real body-on-frame SUV offers or the faux "utility" of a crossover. You shouldn't compromise on one of those just because vans are "uncool". What is really cool is being able to haul your entire family and all of their sh*t with comfort and room to spare.

Their is no "faux utility" in a good crossover. My Forester and Outback have both gotten me through 150-200" season snowfalls year after year. 12"+ unplowed roads are no problem. I was also getting 30mpg in my Outback when I lived in a rural area. About 5mpg less now that I live in the suburbs.

If you want AWD, ground clearance, cargo space, and reasonable fuel economy a crossover is hard to beat.

 

[Jumpem]

Mazda5 should be on that list. Baby seats and strollers are a pain in the ass. Sliding doors and hatches are awesome for babies and dogs and shopping. Mazda CX-5 with the SkyActv is quite nice but the history is not there.

You should be able to find a used one for $15K or less. I really don't see the need for a brand new one when the used ones are very reliable.

The CX-5 is optioned terribly. The trim with 17" wheels does nto come with ehated seats. The trim with 19" wheels does come with heated seats, but no snow tires are made for theat unique tire size. Really!? An AWD crossover with snow tires unavailable. A huge oversight by Mazda.

 

[Jumpem]

Have a look at the Prius V and Ford-C Max -

The C-Max is slightly smaller than the Prius V but larger than a standard Prius. 47mpg, outhandles and out-accelerates the Prius by a full second for 0-60 and 1/4 mile.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-first-drive-review

I'd also throw in the Nissan Rogue - all new for 2013 I think and the 2012's are on huge discount. Much roomier than an Escape and good mpg.

Dodge Journey should also be on your list - only issue is you have to go with the 3.6L 285HP engine as the base 4cyl is pretty horrendous. Great interior, very flexible space.

I'll second the C-MAX if AWD and ground clearance aren't a necessity.

As for the Rogue, it is still the same old thing for 2013. I think 2014 will be the redesign.

 

[MovingTarget]

Their is no "faux utility" in a good crossover. My Forester and Outback have both gotten me through 150-200" season snowfalls year after year. 12"+ unplowed roads are no problem. I was also getting 30mpg in my Outback when I lived in a rural area. About 5mpg less now that I live in the suburbs.

If you want AWD, ground clearance, cargo space, and reasonable fuel economy a crossover is hard to beat.

I thought those were more wagons than crossovers. I wouldn't compare most crossovers to the Outback and/or Forrester. 😕

 

[bigi]

I'd go with the CX-5. Good economy. Good space and well made.

I have CX5. It would be just right for 1 kid, dog, and wife but one might find it too small in this scenario.

I am interested in finding out where would the dog sit? The trunk, next to the kid? In any case, it would count as one passenger.