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Proposed Budget: under 30k New or Used: Used but open to new Body Style: SUV, wagon, hatchback How will you be using the car?: Back and forth from work (about 40 miles each way). Needs to also accommodate 5 people comfortably when bringing kids to school. What aspects are most important to you? Reliability, I'm an ER MD at a place without reliable backup. If I don't get to work chances are people going to the ER won't have a doctor available until whenever my relief can show up. Safety is up next, I'll have 3 kids in the car at times and will be driving on lots of rural, poorly lit roads at all hours regardless of road conditions. I'm also on call for hurricane activations so I need a car that can get me to the hospital in tropical storm force winds and get me home when the worst has passed.
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Mar 31, 2014 15:06
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| # ¿ May 22, 2024 02:32 |
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Thanks to this thread I bought a '14 Subaru outback with 0% financing. Not a bad deal and the car is super fun to drive! Only problem is we got too good a deal and now my wife wants to trade in her paid off minivan for a newer one. Oh well back to saving and searching for the right deal. Man do I hate car dealerships.
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Sep 11, 2014 21:38
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How long do you generally want to wait after a redesign to go in on a car? I really like the look of the new Lexus GX 550 but I don’t want to be an early adopter, nor am I willing to pay over sticker for it. I’m thinking 2-3 years they should have everything sorted? Maybe grab a used after they figure things out? I know sone car manufacturers have no trouble introducing redesigned vehicles but lately they all seem to have some problems.
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Apr 13, 2024 17:43
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So, I need some thoughts from people. I’m in the market for a “fun” family car. My wife really wants to be driven around in something luxurious and I want something that’s comfortable and has the option to maybe do some mild off-roading, mostly to get to trailheads and such. I was, unfortunately, diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s, I have full mobility now but likely that’s going away in 15-20 years so I’m inclined to ignore my instinct to just get a base model honda and get something more fun for what is realistically my last or second to last vehicle. I’m currently looking at the lexus GX 550, I drove it and I really like it, the drawback being the really poor gas mileage but it does have the off-road chops and I plan to go see as many national parks and hike as much as I can manage. My wife is in love with a Mercedes GLE 450 we test drove. While it is a smooth, comfortable ride, I worry that I wouldn’t feel comfortable throwing mulch in the back and taking it out to some of the trailheads that require some dicey roads. I also worry about reliability, especially with newer Mercedes. These vehicles cost in the high 70’s and that’s ok for what I’m willing to spend but I certainly am up for paying less. I would want a vehicle I can rely on for at least 8 years or so, preferably new. If/when my condition progresses, I figure I’ll have to change my vehicle to fit those needs but for now I have no restrictions. I do have three kids with two in college that still come home and want to go on family trips in the summer so I’d like something capable of accommodating 5 but the car will most frequently host 1-3 passengers. I know it’s cliche to be looking at the chunky SUV’s but I was in a horrible 4 car pileup a few years ago where I was buried under an F-350 and being in something low to the ground gives me PTSD. I’m open to other car suggestions as well, other vehicles I’ve test driven include: Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander/grand Highlander, BMW X5, Nissan Armada, Kia Telluride, Subaru Odessey and Ascent.
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May 12, 2024 17:07
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priznat posted:The design is getting a little long in the tooth but have you checked out the Volvo XC90? No, Volvo wasn’t even on my radar, I’ll check it out. Thanks!
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May 12, 2024 17:33
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euphronius posted:I bought a car and did the thing where you make like you are going to walk out and get some other car and it worked. Thanks goons Ugh, I had the thing happen where they take your key to appraise your trade and then don’t want to give it back while they pressure you to make an on the spot decision. I really hate car dealerships. I’ll go test drive a Volvo and Mazda tomorrow, thanks for the suggestions!
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May 12, 2024 18:27
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I guess it must work often enough to try it. My wife was over the moon about the Mercedes but when they pulled that it just made me want to walk out.
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May 12, 2024 18:44
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Nitrox posted:It's helpful to know what is your definition of offroad. For some people it's climbing on a rocky incline, for others it's when asphalt becomes gravel. One of those requires specialty systems, the other is traversable by base model Honda civic Good question, I may take it to Arches but don’t plan to go far off trail or over rocks. I’m more interested in something that can handle gravel and mud with mild inclines. A good example would be Howland Hill road, which I’ve even done in a minivan but it wasn’t fun, especially pulling off to the side in places. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upPkI7JrJjE
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May 12, 2024 23:16
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Motronic posted:Any car with appropriate tires can do that. Not even requiring AWD unless it's muddy. Oh I agree, I have encountered portions of similar roads that are partially washed out or very muddy so I think AWD should be a reasonable ask but I don’t need a crazy rock-hopper. If I end up in a worse case than that situation, it’s purely accidental. But being able to get out of it without too much hassle is a plus. 
Nodelphi fucked around with this message at 23:56 on May 12, 2024 |
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May 12, 2024 23:53
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E:double post
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May 12, 2024 23:54
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Motronic posted:Agreed, that if this is a thing you regularly do, especially alone (one car) you should have AWD if not actual 4 wheel drive. I agree, I’ve been doing that in a Honda Odessey so it’s definitely possible but when my family’s the only minivan in the bunch and everyone else has giant tires you start to think maybe you should turn around.
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May 13, 2024 00:00
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Yeah, that particular road is recorded at pretty much ideal conditions for that video, it can be much rougher with ruts and debris. I do tend to exercise caution and not push the issue if things are too bad though.
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May 13, 2024 00:36
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Motronic posted:Right.....but #1 it's a road that is #2 maintained is my point. You just don't need that much. Oh I totally agree. Fun, can seat 5 and mildly capable, that’s all I’m looking for.
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May 13, 2024 00:57
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