NFR Need vehicle opinions.

Non-fishing related
clarkman

clarkman

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This is something I'll be thinking about in the next 5-6 months or so.

I'll be in the market for a new (to me) vehicle.

Here are my criteria:

Needs:
-~$20k range
-~50k miles or under
-dependability = longevity with minimal issues along the way (I love my current Pruis C for this, but that'll be going to the kid ultimately)

Wants:
-AWD (FWD is def not a deal breaker)
-decent clearance (again, I've been dealing with the baby Prius so I'm mostly used to minimal clearance)
-hatchback (would be ok with the right sedan if the price and mileage is right)
-Hybrid (def not a dealbreaker, but I'd like really higher end gas mileage).

Base models are fully in play as I have no use for the higher end tech currently available.

All right, what say the good citizens of this forum!?
 
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Not a hybrid (there is a hybrid but it's a bit more $$) but for a fishing/outdoor-able car meeting the other requirements, Subaru Crosstrek. Super reliable.
www.motortrend.com

Is the Subaru Crosstrek Reliable? Here’s What the Latest Owner Data Shows.

Wondering if the Subaru Crosstrek is reliable? We examine J.D. Power dependability scores, owner feedback, and long-term reliability to see how Subaru’s popular SUV stacks up.
www.motortrend.com www.motortrend.com
 
clarkman said:
This is something I'll be thinking about in the next 5-6 months or so.

I'll be in the market for a new (to me) vehicle.

Here are my criteria:

Needs:
-~$20k range
-~50k miles or under
-dependability = longevity with minimal issues along the way (I love my current Pruis C for this, but that'll be going to the kid ultimately)

Wants:
-AWD (FWD is def not a deal breaker)
-decent clearance (again, I've been dealing with the baby Prius so I'm mostly used to minimal clearance)
-hatchback (would be ok with the right sedan if the price and mileage is right)
-Hybrid (def not a dealbreaker, but I'd like really higher end gas mileage).

Base models are fully in play as I have no use for the higher end tech currently available.

All right, what say the good citizens of this forum!?
Click to expand...
I had a Crosstrek and like my Forester much better. I only get about 23 mpg, though. Either meets the other requirements and can go on any forest road.

I'm on my second Forester. My son is driving my first one, a 2010. I bought the 2010 from this guy and it's been great:
www.awdautosales.net

AWD Auto Sales | Cars For Sale in Monroe, WA

Find the perfect vehicle for your needs and budget at AWD Auto Sales. Shop a wide selection of high-quality vehicles and unbeatable prices.
www.awdautosales.net www.awdautosales.net
 
Whatever you decide on bear in mind that certain model years of the most reliable vehicles can have more issues than other years; typically the first couple years of the generation. Certain manufacturers CVT transmissions are notoriously problematic while others are reliable but require expensive fluid changes at certain intervals. I find this site very informative:

CarComplaints.com | Car Problems, Car Complaints, & Repair/Recall Information

Free help for car problems, repairs and recalls. What's wrong with YOUR car?
www.carcomplaints.com
 
I went through similar, but having always owned pickups. I ended up with a Forester, my first Subaru, after my wife bought the Outback I initially looked at.
The jump in mileage of almost 2 1/2 times the truck, offsets somewhat the cost. Like mentioned, read various reports of all models for the best years.
Zak, I’m surprised at your mileage.
 
Zak said:
I had a Crosstrek and like my Forester much better. I only get about 23 mpg, though. Either meets the other requirements and can go on any forest road.

I'm on my second Forester. My son is driving my first one, a 2010. I bought the 2010 from this guy and it's been great:
www.awdautosales.net

AWD Auto Sales | Cars For Sale in Monroe, WA

Find the perfect vehicle for your needs and budget at AWD Auto Sales. Shop a wide selection of high-quality vehicles and unbeatable prices.
www.awdautosales.net www.awdautosales.net
Click to expand...
x2....we've owned Subaru's going back to the 80's, wife's 2020 Forester fave of the bunch.
Nothing more important for a used car than documented oil changes every 5K miles.
We average around 24 mpg, 28-30 on the highway.
,Rav4 another good choice, it's AWD adequate, just not true AWD like Sube.
 
Snopro said:
Subaru and Rav4 both good choices. Good luck finding one at $20k and 50k miles without a rebuilt title.
Click to expand...
I've been looking at cars (changing up the vehicle mix, don't need two cars with ICEs). I've seen Foresters on Craigslist in Portland that are reasonably close to both criteria with clean titles. Not many and they are older.
 
The only time I see late model, low mileage Subs with sound carfax's, they are all loaners, dealer's vehicles or lease end's and tend to be loaded packages in the high twenties to thirties. But do come with a CPO / extended warranty. Which I strongly recommend with any late model used vehicle, as matter of fact, that CPO warranty carries more weight with me than anybody's (including the auto publications) opinion of how dependable a specific vehicle or make is.

As far as CVT's go, there are a few manufacturers that haven't gotten them figured out yet, but it's hard to find a light ICE vehicle today that gets higher mileage in an affordable price range that doesn't use one. Just as it's getting harder to find a non D/I six banger in a light vehicle, most have gone to shrunken down turbo 4's which offer a whole new list of long term maintenance woes to the motoring public. Then there's the electronics and ESS systems that are the bane of some models.

So why not roll the dice on a CPO Sub?

Both my wife and I drive tall heavy 4WD bricks and do pretty well by comparison in the highway mileage game. It's all in the right foot.


Hers:

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Mine:

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I've had my wife in Subaru wagons since '97. Really pleased at the quality, never had anything big go wrong. Her Outback '20 gets 16 city 27 hwy.
 
Randy, Subaru is probably the answer. The Achilles heel of late model Subarus are the CVTs. The problem stemmed from Subaru initially saying the transmissions had a "lifetime" fluid, which is crazy. As long as you find one with under 60k miles, and you service the CVT fluid as soon as you get it if it hasn't been done yet and then every 30-40k after that, you should be fine. My 2015 Outback's CVT is still going strong at 150k with no signs of slipping (knock on wood). You can also look for base Crosstrek with a manual.
 
Fourbtgait said:
I went through similar, but having always owned pickups. I ended up with a Forester, my first Subaru, after my wife bought the Outback I initially looked at.
The jump in mileage of almost 2 1/2 times the truck, offsets somewhat the cost. Like mentioned, read various reports of all models for the best years.
Zak, I’m surprised at your mileage.
Click to expand...
I get better mileage on the highway, but almost all of my driving is stop and go on local roads.
 
Zak said:
I get better mileage on the highway, but almost all of my driving is stop and go on local roads.
Click to expand...
That's what gets my wife's down, lots of 1-5 mile stuff.
 
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I’d stay away from Subies with CVT tranny….wife’s ‘21 Ascent with 50ish K miles had Torq converter need replaced. Luckily we had extended warranty. It still shifts kinda wonky. It’s a nice vehicle, but I think the cvt tranny is shit
 
ColinShots said:
Randy, Subaru is probably the answer. The Achilles heel of late model Subarus are the CVTs. The problem stemmed from Subaru initially saying the transmissions had a "lifetime" fluid, which is crazy. As long as you find one with under 60k miles, and you service the CVT fluid as soon as you get it if it hasn't been done yet and then every 30-40k after that, you should be fine. My 2015 Outback's CVT is still going strong at 150k with no signs of slipping (knock on wood). You can also look for base Crosstrek with a manual.
Click to expand...
Manual would actually be my preference.

Plus, virtually impossible for someone to steal these days. 😆
 
2018 Honda Pilot. Seats 7 comfortably. and a ton of cargo space when all seats are folded down.
Its a mule. I make that Chopaka run 3-4x a year.
2 people, 2 pontoons, all campsite items...loaded
took off the 18" wheels and went with 17's w/All Terrain tires.
22mpg all loaded for the drive from Everett w 2 people. Plenty of ground clearance.
 

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I should add that I'm not opposed to bumping up to $25k either. I'm also not opposed to another Prius. A little clearance is nice, but I've dealt with low clearance for quite awhile.
 
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