YACT: Time to replace my minivan. We have two, only need one now

[Chunkee]

After reading the reviews of the new Camry on Edmunds and the poor quality control, I am leaning toward an Altima, Accord or Avalon... anything else out there around 20 gs that is just all around a good car? I do like amenities, comfort being one of top priorities.

Any you guys drive decent sedans or mid, small SUV that is RELIABLE and gets good gas mileage? Nothing worse than having a car that needs friggin service all the time, even though it is covered by a warranty...i would prefer the car just run well without problems.

What happened to the Datsuns and Toyotas that were built like tanks and only need oil changes? I had a Datsun 310gx that could never die, everything always worked, including AC, windows, locks...what a great transportation. Just changes oil and go.

jC

Parking this thread in the garage.. DrPizza

 

[FoBoT]

if you want an SUV check the Saturn Vue Hybrid or Ford Escape Hybrid

 

[Chunkee]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if you want an SUV check the Saturn Vue Hybrid or Ford Escape Hybrid

Are they high dollar? I always have the question, of what happens when the batteries wear out? Where do they go and how much do they cost to replace?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Someone will likely mention that you posted this thread in the wrong forum...

Anyway, check out the Hyundai Sonata for a decent and loaded $20K car.

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if you want an SUV check the Saturn Vue Hybrid or Ford Escape Hybrid

Still don't like the Escape, but must admit the Saturn Vue is better than ever (I still wouldn't buy one) now that it's being built in Mexico and not the US...

 

[vi edit]

Given the requirements, I'd look at a CPO Lexus ES300/330. Lexus still ranks at the top of the reliability chart. Great comfort, plenty of toys, and good economy.

Edit: Probably won't be able to get a 2006 though.

 

[thedarkwolf]

mazda 6/ford fusion/mercury milan

 

[Chunkee]

i never thought about a used Lexus...sounds like a good idea.

jC

 

[996GT2]

I would recommend looking at a used Lexus/Acura as well. My parents recently got a new ES350 and the fit and finish is quite remarkable. The silence inside the cabin, even at 70mph+, is also eerie...at 70mph this car is about as loud as other cars are when cruising along at 30mph. Gas mileage is also very good, with 25mpg average in 90% city driving (so if you drive on the highway more, it should be able to do 30mpg without much problem). One of my friends has a 2006 TL and seems to like it a lot, so you may want to give that a look as well.

 

[zig3695]

both toyota and honda make good cars. their primo lines, lexus/acura are even better....

 

[sniperruff]

bought a used 05' altima SE for under $15k. it's much more spacious than my friend's 04' TL. very composed on the highway and quiet. went on a ski trip and 3 full-sized adults fit comfortably in the backseat with plenty of leg room left.

although real-life MPG would be closer to 17/23 and drinks premium.

 

[desy]

Buick
Big, good on gas, quiet, reliable 'tied Lexus this yr' big NA depreciation hit on a used purchase, you wouldn't get with a Lexus used purchase

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Well I would have to say anyting but a toyota. We just got a toyota this last week and it's been in the shop once, and is about to go back in.

 

[dwcal]

Escape hybrid is way over your 20K budget. When you say 30 mpg, I assume you mean highway because Accord and Altima get mid-20's combined. If you want the cargo room of a hatchback, there's the Mazda3 and Matrix. Mazda5 is like a minivan with sliding doors and 3 row seating. Not sure if that's the size/style you're looking for, and it doesn't quite get 30 mpg hwy.

I heard about Toyota's quality going downhill, but I thought it was only certain models like the Tundra. Are the problem Camrys coming from a certain plant?

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
Well I would have to say anyting but a toyota. We just got a toyota this last week and it's been in the shop once, and is about to go back in.

Is your sienna new or used?

Originally posted by: dwcal
I heard about Toyota's quality going downhill, but I thought it was only certain models like the Tundra. Are the problem Camrys coming from a certain plant?

It's been blown out of proportion IMHO, something like 20 Tundras were affected (0.01%)

In early 2006, 0.5% of the first batch of Camry's (something like 200 of the first 40+k cars) were affected with transmission issues.

Both issues have since been resolved.

I really hate how if Toyota fvcks up and has 240 defective products a year, it's the end of the world, while if Honda, which had dead automatic transmissions left and right over multiple years over multiple product lines doesn't make even a whisper in the news.

I can honestly tell you as a former employee of FoMoCo, 220 defective a year would be just another year (actually, probably quite a good one at that) and we build something like only 2/3 as many cars as Toyota a year.

You don't hear ever guy on these forums disparage the timing belt and coil packs on the AJ V8s of 2000-2002 or the window regulators of the same era on everything from Mustangs to Focuses or , or seats that would collapse in a collision in a variety of trucks/suvs from the mid 1990s to 2000-something or god knows how many other issues, but a comparatively small number of defects on Toyota's part is suddenly the end all.

 

[jagec]

Is the new Chevy Impala a worthy successor to the Caprice? If so, you could probably get a screaming deal on a comfortable, large, powerful, reliable car with decent mileage for a large car.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: jagec
Is the new Chevy Impala a worthy successor to the Caprice? If so, you could probably get a screaming deal on a comfortable, large, powerful, reliable car with decent mileage for a large car.

NYPD says yes. its 3.8L is solid but its suspension is said to be too spongy. well, for the last generation, at least.

it looks quite good too, but it's not that cheap even in the used car market.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The Corvette is often considered large and gets 28MPG freeway...