My casual family hauler car buying thoughts on the current vehicles:

[Zeze]

I don't like spending $ on cars. They're expensive. My 10 yo Hyundai Tucson's engine is cutting out (wtf?). Wife's 13 yo Accord is acting funky. I test drove a bunch of SUVs and here's my rambling:

'24 Honda Pilot: Just got redesigned. Interior still feels like 90s/00s. Embarrassing 6" screen. It's supposed to have Honda reliability, but ridiculously priced. Their mid-trim is mid-$50Ks out the door. Then $60K for Elite, LOL. Wife's current Honda Accord is having issues at 90K miles and I'm just not sold on 'rock solid Honda reliability and the others suck' reputation in today's age. (Touring trim @ $55K)

'24 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy (top trim): Amazing interior that even beats lux segment and tons of tech. GDi V6 engine has trillions of miles maturity. But I gotta say not a fan of badge and really turned off by recent Hyundai car thefts by cost cutting immobilizer in recent models. But then it actually has top tier 100K warranty vs all, especially honda's 36K. It has tons of useful tech too. I was pleased by its adequate torque (there's a good jerk when you floor it) and drives like a butter. (Top trim with a suite of features @ $54K)

'24 Acura RDX: It looks sharp, also bulky. It's turbo charged and it's bit loud. I'm actually looking for a nice quiet ride with kids. The center console is a disaster - bulky, ugly, and plasticky in a typical Honda fashion. Super-Handling AWD is not just a gimmick, makes a diff in cornering. But who cares as a family car? (Advance trim @ $55K) How is Acura the same price as their budget segment Honda Pilot?

'24 Lexus NX: Go ahead sit inside one. Then sit in Hyundai Palisade. Tell me if I'm biased how gorgeous Hyundai is with an entire suede lining/roof/pillars + nappa leather + amazing stitching + 69-way adjustable seat. In today's age, what's the point for luxury car interior when regular brands not only match it but exceed it including the actual smooth driving? Wife wants this because of the badge and Toyota reliability. It's a nice car. ($55K-60K)

'24 Tesla Y & X: It's good, but not in market for an EV. My coworker's X's handle got frozen shut after company lunch in winter. I can't have that risk with kids. When another friend visited me, he had to drive his X to the super charging station next town just to charge. LOL, so stupid. It stopped the schedule with a good hour spent on this. Y is actually most affordable thanks to $7500 federal tax credit at $43K

'24 BMW X3 & X5: They look boring to me. And their interior is boring. I'll never buy an European luxury car due to reliability.

Meh.

 

[SKORPI0]

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/most-reliable-midsize-suvs

 

[woodman1999]

How is Acura the same price as their budget segment Honda Pilot?

Because you're not comparing apples to apples. It should be the MDX vs. Pilot and CRV vs RDX.

We love our '22 MDX. I know you're looking at the RDX, but we have been really happy with Acura. Only thing I don't love is the MPG, but they're introducing an EV next year.

 

[dullard]

Complain about prices, then looks at Acura, Lexus, Telsa, and BMW (and ignoring the sedans which can haul families just fine). That is the problem with America all summed up.

At least you had one of the more budget brands in the list. But then you used the top trim of one of their more expensive models.

 

[Greenman]

I don't like spending $ on cars. They're expensive. My 10 yo Hyundai Tucson's engine is cutting out (wtf?). Wife's 13 yo Accord is acting funky. I test drove a bunch of SUVs and here's my rambling:

'24 Honda Pilot: Just got redesigned. Interior still feels like 90s/00s. Embarrassing 6" screen. It's supposed to have Honda reliability, but ridiculously priced. Their mid-trim is mid-$50Ks out the door. Then $60K for Elite, LOL. Wife's current Honda Accord is having issues at 90K miles and I'm just not sold on 'rock solid Honda reliability and the others suck' reputation in today's age. (Touring trim @ $55K)

'24 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy (top trim): Amazing interior that even beats lux segment and tons of tech. GDi V6 engine has trillions of miles maturity. But I gotta say not a fan of badge and really turned off by recent Hyundai car thefts by cost cutting immobilizer in recent models. But then it actually has top tier 100K warranty vs all, especially honda's 36K. It has tons of useful tech too. I was pleased by its adequate torque (there's a good jerk when you floor it) and drives like a butter. (Top trim with a suite of features @ $54K)

'24 Acura RDX: It looks sharp, also bulky. It's turbo charged and it's bit loud. I'm actually looking for a nice quiet ride with kids. The center console is a disaster - bulky, ugly, and plasticky in a typical Honda fashion. Super-Handling AWD is not just a gimmick, makes a diff in cornering. But who cares as a family car? (Advance trim @ $55K) How is Acura the same price as their budget segment Honda Pilot?

'24 Lexus NX: Go ahead sit inside one. Then sit in Hyundai Palisade. Tell me if I'm biased how gorgeous Hyundai is with an entire suede lining/roof/pillars + nappa leather + amazing stitching + 69-way adjustable seat. In today's age, what's the point for luxury car interior when regular brands not only match it but exceed it including the actual smooth driving? Wife wants this because of the badge and Toyota reliability. It's a nice car. ($55K-60K)

'24 Tesla Y & X: It's good, but not in market for an EV. My coworker's X's handle got frozen shut after company lunch in winter. I can't have that risk with kids. When another friend visited me, he had to drive his X to the super charging station next town just to charge. LOL, so stupid. It stopped the schedule with a good hour spent on this. Y is actually most affordable thanks to $7500 federal tax credit at $43K

'24 BMW X3 & X5: They look boring to me. And their interior is boring. I'll never buy an European luxury car due to reliability.

Meh.

It's odd how different people view what's necessary in a car. All the things you mentioned don't matter at all to me. I drive a 9 year old pickup with vinyl seats and hand crank windows, no power anything. I love that truck. I'd much rather drive it than my wife's loaded suv.

Good luck on your search!

 

[darkswordsman17]

I'm not surprised at what you're seeing. For any of that. 13 year old Accord was 2 gens ago (and if I remember Honda had reliability issues at that time). And while Hyundai/KIA have come a long way, that would've been growing pains era for them too. The NX is the budget compact that was made purely to appease dealers. Its honestly basically the modern day equivalent of...whatever Lexus version of the Prius was called, where dealers had customers asking for such a vehicle, but it really was not up to the Lexus badge. But as long as consumers keep wanting badges they can't afford but putting so much value in the badge that they're willing to accept a subpar product to get it, we'll keep seeing that.

Try a RAV4 Prime (won't be lux but should be fun to drive), or one of the newer Toyota SUVs?

One of the next KIA SUVs (I forget which one, but one of them is getting a brauny overhaul soon, Sorento maybe?) might be more up your alley. Well as long as you don't mind them explicitly saying they'll be snooping on your sex life (but then they all probably are, just KIA's at least being open about it).

Was gonna say maybe Volvo but then realized it'd be European. Um, not sure if any of Subaru's would be lux enough (and seems like their engines have gotten a rep for not being super reliable). I think there's a GM (new Traverse) might be interesting to you. Oh, maybe Mazda has something on offer? Nissan/Infiniti was also notably absent. Maybe Lincoln?

If family trip comfort is the priority, I'd look at minivans, personally.

Complain about prices, then looks at Acura, Lexus, Telsa, and BMW (and ignoring the sedans which can haul families just fine). That is the problem with America all summed up.

At least you had one of the more budget brands in the list. But then you used the top trim of one of their more expensive models.

I think his issues are valid. He seems to have a budget ($50-60k) in mind and is looking at the vehicles in that segment and finding them lacking. I think that's pretty true across the board. What other opt

Its weird, I think cars are better now across the board than they've probably ever been, but they also all feel lackluster. A lot of it I think is there's an inkling that things should be better and cheaper. Like all the infotainment tech shouldn't be built into the car. At this point, it should be modular add-ons that can be upgraded (or ditched entirely if you don't care or already have your own iPad/etc). Frankly, we could have better performing and efficient cars as well. Toyota has shown you can absolutely do hybrid powertrain well. They (carmakers) should put all their resources into making the most efficient steady state generator ICE and then segment based on NVH quieting of the ICE (i.e. luxury versions should barely hear or feel the ICE) and then electric motor and battery tech that complements it. Its a shame Mazda is slow-rolling (or probably struggling) to figure out how to make rotary that nice compact ICE.

 

[nakedfrog]

If you don't like spending money on cars, why not get your Tucson fixed?

 

[nOOky]

That's quite a mix, and not all comparable classes of vehicles. The Lexus NX is a compact SUV, the RX is better for a family. If you want Toyota reliability just buy a nicely speced Toyota and avoid the luxury tax. I am also jaded regarding Hondas. I had an CR-V that had the oil consumption issue, and I was told adding 1 quart every 1,000 miles or so was within the realm of normal. I traded that for a Ford Edge, which was a huge improvement.

I wouldn't buy a Kia or any Jeep, that's just me. I'm fine with Hyundais they have made some great vehicles lately. Did you get to check out the Genesis GV-70 or 80 also?

 

[Zeze]

If you don't like spending money on cars, why not get your Tucson fixed?

I'll prob drive it for few more years. It feels cramped during family trip.

 

[Zeze]

It's odd how different people view what's necessary in a car. All the things you mentioned don't matter at all to me. I drive a 9 year old pickup with vinyl seats and hand crank windows, no power anything. I love that truck. I'd much rather drive it than my wife's loaded suv.

Good luck on your search!

Thanks.

Yes budget creep is real. At least I'm not leasing BMWs every 3 yrs. We have the cash to buy both cars so it won't impact our cash flow. And we'll be driving it for another 10-13 yrs.

 

[nakedfrog]

I'll prob drive it for few more years. It feels cramped during family trip.

That's a reasonable complaint.
What's so embarrassing about a 6" screen though? Feels like more of a benefit to me, but I think the huge tablets on the dashboard look shit.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I lost the battle of trying to get a mini-van last year when we were looking for a new family vehicle. Settled for an Explorer ST trim. It has the captain chairs in the middle row which makes it easier to get to the 3rd row. The wife loves it, coming from an older explorer, but parts of the interior feel cheap. The ST trim was supposed to come with massaging chairs, but they discontinued it mid year and we missed out on it since ours was built a bit later. It's a nice car and has some zip, but I would have preferred the mini-van since we go on trips pretty regularly.

 

[Zeze]

That's a reasonable complaint.
What's so embarrassing about a 6" screen though? Feels like more of a benefit to me, but I think the huge tablets on the dashboard look shit.

I like a good interior. The newly designed Honda already looks dated inside.

Also the clear coat is peeling off everywhere, wtf.

Actually I'm rethinking Hyundai...

 

[dank69]

That's quite a mix, and not all comparable classes of vehicles. The Lexus NX is a compact SUV, the RX is better for a family. If you want Toyota reliability just buy a nicely speced Toyota and avoid the luxury tax. I am also jaded regarding Hondas. I had an CR-V that had the oil consumption issue, and I was told adding 1 quart every 1,000 miles or so was within the realm of normal. I traded that for a Ford Edge, which was a huge improvement.

I wouldn't buy a Kia or any Jeep, that's just me. I'm fine with Hyundais they have made some great vehicles lately. Did you get to check out the Genesis GV-70 or 80 also?

I've got a 2014 CRV with the oil issue. Same 1qt/1000 consumption. I have hated this fucking thing. Too many issues to list. I'm done with Honda. Their electronics are 3-4 years behind everyone else. Looking at the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson.

I want the SX Prestige but Kia can't keep them in stock. People are snapping them up as fast as they come in at $5000 over MSRP. Absolute insanity. You can't even get a 2024 SX Prestige Hybrid, they're still playing catch-up on the 2023s.

I can get a Hybrid Tucson Limited with all the same bells and whistles for like 10 grand less and 0% APR this month. As much as I love the Sportage dash redesign and the larger cupholders and the Syntex seats, none of that is worth $10K and likely ~7% APR.

 

[Torn Mind]

Hyundai and Kias are cars that last 8 years and then it's time to dispose of it. (Blown up engines is the most recent crisis)

 

[dank69]

Hyundai and Kias are cars that last 8 years and then it's time to dispose of it. (Blown up engines is the most recent crisis)

My 2014 CRV isn't any better, and the consensus seems to be that Kia and Hyundai have turned the corner now.

 

[dullard]

I think his issues are valid. He seems to have a budget ($50-60k) in mind and is looking at the vehicles in that segment and finding them lacking. I think that's pretty true across the board. What other opt

If you have a $50k-$60k budget in mind, then don't complain that vehicles cost $50k-$60k. Look at vehicles in other segments. Look at vehicles that have been excluded. Yes, I would find vehicles in that segment lacking too. It just isn't a very good segment of vehicles in my opinion. A lot of the problem is that Americans want one vehicle to do it all: vacation capacity, luxury, thrilling drive, etc. but then complain about the cost of it. I could expand upon my summation of American's problems with no American vehicles on the list, no base models, no vans which would really be better for his cramped feel, no used options, no repairs considered in the OP (although, yes mentioned later), etc.

A nice new ~$30k Hyundai Tucson would do all he needs, saves well over $1k/year in gas/tax/insurance, and then that saved $1k can be used rent the large vehicle for the vacations that feel cramped. We really don't need one vehicle to do it all. Thinking outside that box would save him $20k. Could save even more if he broadened the search outside of SUVs.

 

[brianmanahan]

might i recommend this luxury vehicle?

the aerostar felt so ridiculously posh to me back in the day.

lumbar adjustments, fuel economy display... it was like riding the future. even the name was futuristic.

 

[Zeze]

I currently drive the Hyundai Tucson 2013. I got it at one year old with 500 miles. It was basically pristine new with the new car smell.

I paid $16,500 cash for it.

I don't think you can do that today (adjusting for inflation) on a similarly trim Tucson that's a year old. Overall more expensive and Hyundai is more comfortable today in the industry than trying to 'break into the market' = thus more expensive now.

 

[brianmanahan]

I paid $16,500 cash for it.

I don't think you can do that today (adjusting for inflation) on a similarly trim Tucson that's a year old. Overall more expensive and Hyundai is more comfortable today in the industry than trying to 'break into the market' = thus more expensive now.

yeah prices are nuts now

i have a buddy who went with the new honda pilot and has had no problems so far, but it's only been a couple years.

it was quite expensive though. after his old van broke down though, it was matter of what inventory was available.

 

[dullard]

I currently drive the Hyundai Tucson 2013. I got it at one year old with 500 miles. It was basically pristine new with the new car smell.

I paid $16,500 cash for it.

I don't think you can do that today (adjusting for inflation) on a similarly trim Tucson that's a year old. Overall more expensive and Hyundai is more comfortable today in the industry than trying to 'break into the market' = thus more expensive now.

Like I said in your last thread on this topic, you aren't going to find a 1 year old car with 500 miles on it at ~20% (maybe more depending on the model you bought) under the MSRP right now. You got an absolute steal then. Great job! But, that should not be your baseline today. There just aren't vehicles like that to be had. Not especially after the vehicle shortage caused by the pandemic.

For discussion: $16,500 inflation adjusted by 10 years is $21,700.

 

[nOOky]

I'd probably look at the Lincoln Nautilus also. It's basically a glorified Ford Edge ST but it has a bullet-proof motor. I have an Edge ST, I might consider a Lincoln if I was looking again.
My wife has a 2023 Lexus RX350 Luxury. It's nice and everything, but to get what I'd consider standard items are high level options on a Lexus. I should have steered her towards a well optioned Toyota Highlander, but she wanted the Lexus name.

 

[purbeast0]

I'm going to be in the market for a mid-sized SUV next year or so. I've rented a variety of them when we travel and that size is perfect for a family of four. Right now I have a 2008 G37S coup and yeah, it's just not going to work much longer as my kids get older lol. It's got it's fair share of issues but it has 170k miles on it and I'm driving it into the ground. I also am sick of putting premium gas into my cars. My wifes car is at least a sedan so we can fit in there nicer, but the size of a mid-sized SUV is just perfect for us. I am not really looking forward to it

 

[Torn Mind]

My 2014 CRV isn't any better, and the consensus seems to be that Kia and Hyundai have turned the corner now.

Hyundai and Kia's Decade of Very Troublesome Engines Continues

In what’s only the latest in a long history of engine-related legal battles in the form of recalls, individual owner lawsuits, and class action suits, Hyundai and Kia find themselves entangled in the latter once more. This time, the list of the affected vehicles is much larger than in previous...

www.thetruthaboutcars.com

Honda is the worse of the two "reliable" Japanese manufacturers, being the more fragile of the two even though Denso makes sure the electrical is on point. s.

 

[nakedfrog]

I'm going to be in the market for a mid-sized SUV next year or so. I've rented a variety of them when we travel and that size is perfect for a family of four. Right now I have a 2008 G37S coup and yeah, it's just not going to work much longer as my kids get older lol. It's got it's fair share of issues but it has 170k miles on it and I'm driving it into the ground. I also am sick of putting premium gas into my cars. My wifes car is at least a sedan so we can fit in there nicer, but the size of a mid-sized SUV is just perfect for us. I am not really looking forward to it

Yeah, hard to see how that can be anything but a serious downgrade from the actual driving pleasure perspective.