Open my eyes to a good used(newer) replacement vehicle...

[Scarpozzi]

Current daily driver is a 2003 Buick Regal. I'm tall and require decent legroom up front. I've got 2 tall kids (both in car seats, so the back seat has to be decently large too. My car is pushing 145k miles and has weak window motors, rattles in the sound system, and higher gas mileage than I like...but I only have a 6 mile commute counting daycare dropoff/pickup. That opens opportunities to go with larger engines for the sake of having power. Work has a tight parking lot, so door dings on the new ride are guaranteed. It doesn't have to be a high-end car....but that's why I won't buy new unless I must.

2011 4Runner/2009 F150 reg cab are my other vehicles. The 4Runner has decent back seat space, but I mention it because I don't want a second 4Runner....it's what my wife drives to work.

I'm thinking about either a van or sedan, but would get a second SUV if the price was right.

Must haves....
-Under $20k
-2011 or newer
-30k miles or less
-Bluetooth Audio
-Leather
-Rear and Front Legroom to the max

Optional....
3rd row
Tinted windows (preference for the kids because the sun gets bright when I pick them up in the afternoons in my current vehicle...) It's worse for rear-facing carseat. 🙁

Any recommendations?

I'm kind of looking at Honda Odyssey, Nissan Maxima, BMW 5 series, Ford Explorer... I Know those are hard to find under $20k for the years I'm searching...but I would consider paying more if it's the right vehicle...I just don't like throwing too much away on cars.

 

[evident]

thats a wide range of cars you just named. minivan, sedan, upscale sedan, mid size suv. I think you might want to narrow down your choices for categories.

I saw 3 CPO TSX Wagons for sale for $20K at the acura dealer the other day when i checked out the TLX. lots of cargo room, rear foot space may be something lacking though.

 

[Scarpozzi]

thats a wide range of cars you just named. minivan, sedan, upscale sedan, mid size suv. I think you might want to narrow down your choices for categories.

I saw 3 CPO TSX Wagons for sale for $20K at the acura dealer the other day when i checked out the TLX. lots of cargo room, rear foot space may be something lacking though.

I know I'm all over the place. I'm basing the vehicle type on the price range. I change what I'm looking for every few months, so I'm keeping all options. I don't buy many cars if they continue to run and are easy to fix(obviously). 😛

 

[jlee]

You should be able to get quality aftermarket tint for $150-300, depending on the vehicle, so I wouldn't factor that into your initial purchase.

 

[Scarpozzi]

You should be able to get quality aftermarket tint for $150-300, depending on the vehicle, so I wouldn't factor that into your initial purchase.

Yeah...I was just thinking of what's most important. Most cars these days do have tint from what I've seen.

 

[gregulator]

You won't find a 2011 or newer for that price, but what you want is an Audi A8L! I know people will cry about reliability here, but honestly, for a big engine, tons of interior space (not a ton of storage options since the rear seats don't fold down), built in shades, leather, and bluetooth options, it is worth considering. Maybe a Toyota Avalon is a comparable option? I hear the new Ford Fusion has decent legroom too.

 

[Yuriman]

You won't find a 2011 or newer for that price, but what you want is an Audi A8L! I know people will cry about reliability here, but honestly, for a big engine, tons of interior space (not a ton of storage options since the rear seats don't fold down), built in shades, leather, and bluetooth options, it is worth considering. Maybe a Toyota Avalon is a comparable option? I hear the new Ford Fusion has decent legroom too.

I had the luxury of taking an Avalon on a 2800 mile trip over the summer, and I have never been as comfortable in a car.

 

[MiataNC]

2011+ at the price you are looking to pay with the features you want...

Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Ford Fusion SEL or Sport
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Captiva (rental fleet CUV)
Buick Regal
Ford Escape (previous generation)

 

[vi edit]

New Passats have a ridiculously sized backseat. I think a small child could make a bed in the footwell between the rear bench and the front seat. It's one of the few cars that I can push the seat all the way back and not even be able to touch the pedals. And then *still* be able to fit comfortably in the back seat.

Other option is the Dodge Charger. Big. Beefy. Dodge.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Agreed....the new Passat backseat is crazy. It's on my list, but I feel like the TDI would be the only engine to get....which pushes the price up.

The new Buick Regal back seat is too small. I am going to look at LaCrosse.

The third sedan I'm serious about is Maxima. I found some SVs right around $20k with low miles....any thoughts on Nissan quality these days?

 

[evident]

Agreed....the new Passat backseat is crazy. It's on my list, but I feel like the TDI would be the only engine to get....which pushes the price up.

The new Buick Regal back seat is too small. I am going to look at LaCrosse.

The third sedan I'm serious about is Maxima. I found some SVs right around $20k with low miles....any thoughts on Nissan quality these days?

ive had two altima rentals lately and thought them to be decent vehicles, much nicer than camry, malibu/impala but not as nice as the fusion. only for a one way drive to and from the airport though, so cant really say anything than i thought they were ergonomically thought out, comfortable to sit in, and had good pickup with the cvt on i-95. im sure the maxima will have better grade materials and since it's their top of the line car

i test drove a q50s and thought it was very nice inside. the touch screen stuff was slow as balls though and took literallya minute to load

 

[Scarpozzi]

ive had two altima rentals lately and thought them to be decent vehicles, much nicer than camry, malibu/impala but not as nice as the fusion. only for a one way drive to and from the airport though, so cant really say anything than i thought they were ergonomically thought out, comfortable to sit in, and had good pickup with the cvt on i-95. im sure the maxima will have better grade materials and since it's their top of the line car

i test drove a q50s and thought it was very nice inside. the touch screen stuff was slow as balls though and took literallya minute to load

I enjoyed the altima I rented last week. My only complaints were muffler rattle and the window gaskets had a little gap so rolling them up wet didn't clear the water off them.

 

[NutBucket]

How about an Impala? Tons of space and cheap. Very boring though as I doubt you can get a current gen within budget. The Avalon is another great suggestion. Along those same lines maybe a Hyundai Genesis?

 

[Scarpozzi]

How about an Impala? Tons of space and cheap. Very boring though as I doubt you can get a current gen within budget. The Avalon is another great suggestion. Along those same lines maybe a Hyundai Genesis?

I get hung up on brands. I'm not big on Korean cars or Chevy though I like Buick. I like Avalon, but not the price/resale value of mid-high end Toyotas.

If I could find a decent Avalon, priced right, I'd definitely consider it.

 

[NutBucket]

I'd rather a Hyundai than a Ford 🙂

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'd rather a Hyundai than a Ford 🙂

Tell me when they start making trucks... 😛


I'm not hatin'. I just had a bad experience with a Hyundai Accent that my roommate had in college....exgf transmission issues with her 2002 Sonata.....expensive $130 O2 sensor on a roommate's kia sedan....same for my cousin's Sedona...

Buick parts come cheap. 🙂

 

[NutBucket]

To be fair, you're comparing older examples. I'd have no reservations about buying one made within the last 4-5 years. Heck, even my dad bought a Sonata to replace his Camry. That's really saying something.

 

[Pulsar]

I was able to find a couple newer taurus' in your price range, and the new ones are very nice cars.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I was able to find a couple newer taurus' in your price range, and the new ones are very nice cars.

I like the looks of the new Taurus....I'm just not sure how I feel about the interiors of Ford Cars/SUVs. I went to a Ford dealership and sat in a Focus/Taurus/Edge/Explorer

The amount of legroom was alright, but it's almost like they make the seats/ceilings for shorter people. I need to go review them again, but I wasn't 100% sold, though I really want to like Ford more. I like my F150 plenty...I'm sure it'd grow on me.


@NutBucket... Yeah...I'm probably too hard on KIA/Hyundai. I just know we bought our brand new 4Runner for a mere $2k more than the VeraCruz price....and it came with leather, running boards (both had 3rd row seating). The seats felt cheap (upholstry and padding) and the radio had that nice LED blue going on that would give me a headache. 😛

I liked the styling of my ex's 2002 Sonata. I thought it was a neat car when she had it...I just know the transmission started clunking around and she ended up having to get it serviced a few times by the dealership to get things worked out. I think it had the 10year/100k warranty on it then.

 

[Pulsar]

I always admit up-front that I work for Ford before I get into these discussions.

I was actually shocked when my wife and I compared a Taurus and Fusion. Though the Taurus is physically a very large car, it doesn't seem like you get that much more interior room than in the Fusion. The biggest decider for us was that the Taurus was a touch wider in the back seats, and that made fitting 3 child seats much, much easier than the Fusion.

I love the explorer, but find it hard to justify the price. People love the flex.... but I find it hideous. I can't deny the utility of it, but I'd rather go get a used Magnum with the big engine =).

The Korean cars are strong, strong competitors. I've been looking at their exterior looks and liking them quite a bit.

I was a huge fan of the older Grand-Prix with the hot engine. The new Optima reminds me of that. It has a very similar door line and rear trunk lid angle. I do think the headlights are a little excessive.

I think the current Taurus is on the edge of getting to 'squarish', like the Chrysler 200/300.

 

[NutBucket]

I think a used Genesis is probably the best "deal" on the used market given its depreciation compared to an Avalon. Plus its RWD which is nice. A proper full size car IMHO.

 

[HitAnyKey]

Might be able to get a new or nearly new Chrysler Minivan in your budget. Yeah I know, not very cool. But very practical, great people mover. And Door dings will give it personality.

 

[tfinch2]

You can find a 2011 TSX with less than 30k miles for less than $20k. Maybe even with the technology package (navigation).

For example: http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/615814411/overview/

 

[A5]

I think a used Genesis is probably the best "deal" on the used market given its depreciation compared to an Avalon. Plus its RWD which is nice. A proper full size car IMHO.

Yeah, good call. I was thinking along the lines of the recent Passats, but this would probably be right in there.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I had the luxury of taking an Avalon on a 2800 mile trip over the summer, and I have never been as comfortable in a car.

:thumbsup: The new ones are even better... my wife and I recently bought a new Lexus ES350 which is built on the new Avalon platform. Definitely out of the OP's price range though.