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Post by kenziekeeper on Jun 19, 2022 14:19:08 GMT
Spending some time looking at used cars here this weekend. I know, it’s a terrible time to buy a car. We can wait a little while, but would like to have a general plan.
We’d be replacing a no-frills Chevy Trax. It has lived a good life, but has had a few recent issues. My fiancé would be the primary driver. I have a Ford Escape that I LOVE and will drive for a little while yet, but will probably swap for something bigger in the next few years.
Any experience with either of these BMW models? Also considering: - RAV4 (more expensive than all others to have leather seats - h this surprised me) - Subaru Outback - Another escape (he isn’t wild about this idea) - Mazda CX-5 - it has great reviews, we haven’t seen one in person yet.
If if helps for context… We take trips fairly often, both families are a day’s drive away. Would like for this car to last through car seat years, but it doesn’t need to be the primary family car as whatever we swap the Escape for will fill those shoes.
Edited to add: I had a CR-V a few years ago and didn’t love it - so while that seems like an obvious option, it’s out.
Thanks for any help you can give me!
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Post by Skellinton on Jun 19, 2022 14:46:57 GMT
I LOVE my Subaru Outback and it is a great car with seriously great reliability and resale value. The RAV4 was going to be my first choice but it was much more expensive then the Subaru, so I went Subaru when I bought in 2020. My mom has the Mazda and she loves it. It is smaller than the Subaru obviously, but it is actually quite comfortable. My nephew is very tall (6 feet) and he can sit in the backseat just fine. It probably doesn't matter at your age but my family likes my Subaru best for getting in and out of. My aunt has severe mobility issues and has to use a stool to get into my mom's car and my cousins SUV. My car is the only one she can get into without any aid and my mom constantly comments on how comfortable my car is and how easy it is for her to get in and out as well. The only complaint my mom has about my car is at the doors are" heavy. I imagine it is because they are sturdy and well made and will keep her safe in the event of an accident.
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Post by Skellinton on Jun 19, 2022 14:48:07 GMT
I will also add that I use my car with car seats for children and it is great and easy to get the car seats in and out of. The cargo area is great as well, lots of room.
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Post by gorgeouskid on Jun 19, 2022 15:01:42 GMT
I love my Volvo XC40. It's just lovely. If I still had a kid (DS is 21), I probably would have gone for the XC60.
I drove the X1, Audi Q3/Q5, as well as the Forrester, but the Volvo was hands-down the best for me.
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Post by malibou on Jun 19, 2022 15:25:04 GMT
I love love love my Acura RDX. It has been on many adventures, it's comfortable to drive and ride in, and is easy to pack. I'd buy another.
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hannahruth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,618
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Aug 29, 2014 18:57:20 GMT
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Post by hannahruth on Jun 19, 2022 16:02:01 GMT
I drive a BMW X3, it is the fourth BMW that we have bought and certainly in my mind the best.
I like that it has a little more height than a sedan so getting in and out is not a problem, the car seats are easy to install and remove (grandkids so not a permanent fixture) and the rear has plenty of room for ‘stuff’.
it has great economy and is comfortable for road trips. If I was in the market for another car I would probably replace with another of the same.
I found the X1 a little small for the same comfort factor.
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Post by playingcinderella on Jun 19, 2022 16:26:46 GMT
I love my Subaru Forester. Bought it a year ago next month and even my diehard Toyota truck driving DH is considering a Subaru for his next vehicle. Handles well, good gas mileage and comfortable for everyone in the front and back.
We haven't taken a big road trip in it yet just an hour or two, but it's headed to DC with us next month.
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Post by pepperwood on Jun 19, 2022 17:33:44 GMT
I also love my X3. I have had it since 2015 and (knock on wood) I have not had any major problems. I didn't think the X1 had enough room in the back for me. One of the things I liked about the car is that it is lower to the ground than the other SUV's I looked at. I'm barely 5 feet tall and it is easy for me to get in an out of. The only thing that I am not crazy about is the navigation/connectivity, but that has probably improved in later models.
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ModChick
Drama Llama
True North Strong and Free
Posts: 5,062
Jun 26, 2014 23:57:06 GMT
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Post by ModChick on Jun 19, 2022 17:38:23 GMT
I have a BMW X1. I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. It’s just meh for me. I had a Mini before this suv and I loved my Mini. Probably why I’m indifferent to this vehicle. One thing I don’t like about the X1 is it is very floaty. In snow and rain you feel like you are hydroplaning all the time and you don’t feel like you have traction. I have good tires so I know it isn’t that. I’ve driven a few other suvs and never had that loss of traction feel so consistently.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,731
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jun 19, 2022 18:28:31 GMT
I really like my Audi Q5. I think they have a smaller crossover now also. Mine is 2013 and drives exactly like it came off the lot.
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Post by alsomsknit on Jun 19, 2022 18:33:02 GMT
We have a Subaru Outback which is comfortable. Has held its value well. It never felt like mine, though.
When I had to replace my beloved 2003 Escape, I opted for a CRV. Worst ever time to buy a car. Ford Corp screwed us over when our Focus was having known issues. Otherwise, I would have likely ordered a Bronco. But it is why this Ford owning family is replacing them with not-Fords as they are needed.
Anyway, a friend has a Volvo SUV. No idea what model. It was awfully nice and he loves to travel in it. It was a little larger than the CRV.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,620
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Jun 19, 2022 18:50:50 GMT
Drove a Suburban for years; then drove an Audi Q9; then an Acura MDX and now a Subaru Outback and the Outback is my favorite car of them all. I don’t think I’ll ever own another brand - it’s been so reliable and easy to drive. I absolutely love it.
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 19, 2022 19:00:23 GMT
My husband and I both drive X3s and we love them. I had an X1 and as others have said, I thought it was a little small.
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Post by compeateropeator on Jun 19, 2022 19:29:54 GMT
I can comment on Subaru and Mazda and I would recommend either. I am on my second Forester and I do like it. They are not as zoom zoom zoom as my Mazda was, but more like the work horse. Which as I grow older is not terrible.
My first SUV was after having a sporty little Mazda3 that I love love loved. But after years of having to drive home from work at midnight on often unploweded roads and some pretty good hills I needed something with higher clearance. I was undecided between the Mazda CX-5 and the Forester.
I truthfully thought that I would end up with the Mazda. Both had good snow ratings and like I said I loved my Mazda3. I thought the Subaru had a better turning radius and I got a better deal, I think I would have been happy with either.
I think that the Mazda rides better, but an outback is a step up from the Forester so that may not be a factor. I do love my Subaru though, and if you drive in any winter weather I would highly recommend the Subaru.
ETA- Another big plus (to me) is that the Forester has a huge windshield and I feel like I can really see well in it. I have had people comment on how big it is. And as an added bonus with a large moonroof/sunroof (?) it feels so open and airy. Especially in the winter when I am craving sun. 😄
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,363
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jun 19, 2022 19:44:49 GMT
I currently drive a 2018 Outback and I love this car. It drives well and is sturdy and comfortable. This is my second Subaru. My previous car was a 2009 Forester that my dd currently drives. I’m a Subaru fan, for sure. The safety features, reliability, and AWD were what sold me.
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Post by Tamhugh on Jun 19, 2022 22:30:33 GMT
I have the Mazda CX-5 and love it. It is the perfect size for my needs and it drives beautifully.
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,275
Jun 29, 2014 3:29:30 GMT
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Jun 20, 2022 12:19:41 GMT
Please research long term maintenance and repair costs as you consider each model. BMW has one of the highest. Something to be prepared for if you intend to keep it past the warranty period.
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nursema
Full Member
Posts: 352
Mar 1, 2022 10:14:32 GMT
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Post by nursema on Jun 20, 2022 12:43:23 GMT
I love my Volvo XC40. It's just lovely. If I still had a kid (DS is 21), I probably would have gone for the XC60. I drove the X1, Audi Q3/Q5, as well as the Forrester, but the Volvo was hands-down the best for me. I’m glad gorgeouskid posted this - I was going to suggest adding Volvo to the list of possibilities if you haven’t looked into them before. I had to (sadly) let go of an 11 year old Mercedes which I loved after an accident, and ended up in a Volvo, which had never been on my radar. I’d always loved heavy German cars, mostly for their safety ratings, but the Volvo’s are even better and this is by far my favorite car I’ve ever owned - it checks every single box in addition to being safer than the ones I swore by for years. Even though it’s a big, heavy car, it’s great on gas, has plenty of pep, is roomy and comfortable and both drives and rides like a dream. My own experience with BMW (my parents have had at least 8 of them, my daughter has one now) is that they are great cars, but the cost of maintenance is higher than any other I’ve seen and their service departments don’t often have the best reputation. My daughter’s is years old, out of warranty and we have a private mechanic (who we’ve trusted for many years) do all of the necessary work because I would not pay what the dealership charges if my life depended on it.
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Post by MZF on Jun 20, 2022 16:15:52 GMT
We have a Toyota Rav4 Hybrid Ltd and LOVE it! Great gas mileage and a comfy ride, good reliability ratings for Toyotas. My sister bought a Cadillac XT5 last year and loves it.
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Post by littlemama on Jun 20, 2022 16:40:23 GMT
I have a Subaru Forester that I love. The Outback is classified as a Station Wagon, while the Forester is an SUV.
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Post by lily on Jun 20, 2022 18:07:20 GMT
I did a test drive in the X1 and every time I got in or out I whacked my head on the top. I felt like it was too low.
Check out the Cadillac XT4. Its a great car!
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Post by papersilly on Jun 20, 2022 18:09:11 GMT
we have owned two Lexus SUVs and have loved them. smooth and comfortable ride. drives like a car but is an SUV.
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Post by Patter on Jun 20, 2022 22:03:25 GMT
We had four BMWs. One of which was my X5. I loved it but traded it after 5 years. All four were great. I also had a Volvo XC90 prior to that. It was amazing too. The Volvo has to be 15 years old now or so. My sister has it. She bought it from us. She drove it for a while, and then her kids got it. They still drive it. I also would suggest looking at a Porsche Macan. I have the Cayenne S but when I get rid of it I will probably look at Macans. My Cayenne is 7 years old now, and I have never, ever had a problem with it. This week it will turn to 70,000 miles. I will not get rid of it anytime soon.
Oh and edited to say my mom and my bestie both have Cadillac XT5s. My aunt has the Cadillac XT4.They are great. I drive Mom's a lot when I am at her house. It's also a great car but they all have had problems with their Cadillacs.
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