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What kind of used car should I buy? (needs to work for transporting kids and camping)

I have deer in headlights syndrome. I've looked at Consumer Reports but that has not resolved matters. We want to spend under $10,000. Besides working well and never breaking, it needs to fit two car seats, have good gas mileage, and be good for camping trips...

I was originally going to get a Honda Civic hatchback but we realized that a 4-door would help tremendously for car seats. So then I started looking into 4-door hatchbacks. Honda Fit would work but they are too expensive. Then there a range of other 4 door hatchbacks but which one? They all tend to get worse gas mileage than the Hondas, and used Hondas seem to me more expensive.

Then, to confuse matters, someone suggested getting an old Subaru Forester, which I alway refused to consider because it is an SUV. However, my friend pointed out that Foresters are a lot smaller than your standard SUV, and this is true. My snobby, anti-SUV ethics are being questioned and I don't know what to do...

Does anyone have some thoughts or suggestions?

Bion Satir asked in Cars & Motorcycles 12 months ago | Report

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  • Cateyes_small
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    MyrnaMinkoff

    One point about the Hondas being expensive -- they are expensive because they are well-made cars that will run FOREVER and continue to get great gas mileage well beyond 200k. It depends on what you want to pay for.

    I drive a 2003 Subaru Forester, and while yes, it does make me feel like a soccer mom, it is comfortable and a great "adventuring" car. I'm the only person in my group of friends who has a reliable car, so when I got it, I wanted something that would carry four people plus gear into the mountains for several days (or several bicycles, or whatever). I love the hatchback-style trunk door, as it is great for standing under and gearing up/changing in the rain. It has higher clearance than most other cars in its class (which is why I didn't go for the sexier and sportier Impreza), and is AWESOME on dirt roads and snow (it has AWD). Mine is a manual, and we sometimes end up in some pretty remote places with terrrrrrrible roads. It hasn't let me down yet.

    The gas mileage is ok, not brilliant -- I get between 23-28 miles to the gallon, depending on driving (city vs freeway).

    On the money side, older subarus can be very reasonable in terms of price, and maintain their value for a long, long time. A well-cared for subaru will go to 250-300k miles. I bought my car when it was six years old and 75k miles for $11,500. This was the oldest used car that my bank would let me buy with a pre-approved loan, and they insisted that they would only issue the loan if the car was priced at or below Blue Book value. The car was originally listed at $14,500. The dealer, after some thought, was happy to sell me the car for Blue Book value and trade in on my old car, since I had the loan in hand.

    This is the second subaru I've owned, and I'm very happy with it. That said, we had subarus when I was growing up (learned to drive in one!), and I've now thoroughly drunk the seattle/subaru/snow/outdoor craziness kool-aid.

    So, your own mileage may vary (ha!), but it's definitely worth looking at the older subarus. If you go this route, feel free to ask further questions -- I can give you a sense of what to look for in an older car.

    MyrnaMinkoff answered in Cars & Motorcycles 12 months ago | Report
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  • Photo_small
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    I'm a huge fan of Volvo wagons, especially the pre-2000 models before they were sold to Ford. They are incredibly dependable, safe, and go forever (+200k miles). Yes, they can be a little more expensive to maintain but if you live in Seattle then you have the incredibly good fortune of Daisywagon in the U-District. Daisywagon is, hands down, the best auto service I've ever experienced. Now I buy Volvo's just so I can keep taking my car to Daisywagon.

    Marty Unger answered in Cars & Motorcycles 12 months ago | Report
    3 comments by Bion Satir, Marty Unger, and CrazyCatLady…
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  • Wa_usa_small
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    soundslikepuget

    I am a firm believer in Subarus. They run forever, they go through any weather, and you can pack 'em up full of kids, dogs, fishing gear, camping equipment or anything else you need for an outdoor adventure. They get about 25 MPG, city or highway it doesn't seem to vary much. My last one ran to 245,000 miles before I gave up on it.

    You shouldn't let your anti-SUV ethics preclude you from owning a Forester. Your anti-SUV ethics are borne out of the (reasonable) stance that it's unnecessary for urban dwellers to drive a 6,000 pound smog-belching steel behemoths. The Subaru Forester is light weight (but safe) and sips fuel at a very reasonable rate.

    The Forester is a good one, the Legacy Outback is also a great vehicle. It does all of the above, but it's just a good 'ol Station Wagon, so you don't even need to encounter your SUV trepidations.

    I highly HIGHLY recommend Chaplin's Subaru in Bellevue. Yes, you have to leave the city to get there, but it's worth it. My family has purchased SIX cars there. They're straight shooters, and won't bullshit you. (I don't work there, I'm just a HIGHLY satisfied customer)

    soundslikepuget answered in Cars & Motorcycles 12 months ago | Report
    2 comments by MyrnaMinkoff and Bion Satir…
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  • Tomato_small
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    The Scion XB gets good ratings from CR, are small for commuting but have great interior space. Also check the Hobda Element. A friend has a 2006 and only recently had to pay for service. Added bonus: the interior can be hosed out. Both are SUVish, but not overly long so good for city parking.

    Luckier answered in Cars & Motorcycles 12 months ago | Report
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  • Cappa_small
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    If it helps you overcome your SUV cognitive dissonance, you can think of the Forester less as an SUV and more as a sedan/station wagon/hatchback hybrid--which is what it really is. That is, depending on the generation, every Forester is more or less based on an Impreza, sharing its chassis platform and (consequently) its un-SUV-like low center of gravity. You'll find it will ride more like a car than a truck.

    And there's a bazillion around here which means you'll have plenty to choose from if buying used, and probably won't lack for parts, good mechanics, etc. afterward.

    Go for it.

    capicola answered in Cars & Motorcycles 12 months ago | Report
    2 comments by Bion Satir and Livi…
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  • Livi_small
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    I'd get a used Honday CRV. It'll fit the carseats, has all wheel drive, and you can cram all your camping gear in the back.

    Livi answered in Cars & Motorcycles 12 months ago | Report
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  • Kevinland_small
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    I have a friend who was a Vanagon believer until the lemony taste of all his repair bills soured him and sent him elsewhere. He ended up buying a Toyota Previa. It's competitive to track one down - they are no longer in production. The engines are reputed to never die and they are spacious and reliable.

    Kevin Shurtluff answered in Cars & Motorcycles 10 months ago | Report
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