what car to buy?

[Stallion Motorsports1647545491]

Need to start car shopping this week. I haven't been in this game for a while, however i always look for deals. here are the details.

 

04-or newer

comfortable kid mover

tow a couple of jet skis to erie and back a couple time a year

decent gas mileage

fun to drive, even for the wife

reliable daily driver

$7500-$12500

 

thanks,

tom

[Bam]

A few years older but still a baby per the mileage and way under budget....and has actually towed jet-ski's as well. Guy was at 5k three weeks ago, I'm sure you could make a good deal on it now. Hell I have no need for a minivan but that seems like a lotta car for the money.

 

http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96059

 

Or I've heard good things from friends with newer Escapes...

[Tripleskate]

As silly as this sounds, GTO.

- 5.7 cars can be had for that money

- They ride well, get decent gas mileage

- Fun to drive

- Plenty of torque for hauling

- Come in auto if need be.

 

Or, a bit less ridiculous, try the Mazda5, it's a minivan with the driving dynamics of a car half it's size.

[oh8sti]

As silly as this sounds, GTO.

- 5.7 cars can be had for that money

- They ride well, get decent gas mileage

- Fun to drive

- Plenty of torque for hauling

- Come in auto if need be.

 

Or, a bit less ridiculous, try the Mazda5, it's a minivan with the driving dynamics of a car half it's size.

 

:dumb:

[John Bruh]

:dumb:

 

 

 

+1

:dumb:

 

What do you consider good fuel mileage?

[stangsn95gt]

MS3

[Benner]

Honestly check out grandprixs. U can pick up a CompG or even a GXP for that price rang. Gas mileage is decent and both have enough power to tow a couple skis

[iwashmycar]

MS3 is a good one. not sure on the towing though...seems odd.

 

You can probably find an Exploder around to get it all done, though they dont seem like a damn bit of fun... Come to think of it an MS3 doesnt really either

 

I suppose there are many levels of fun. Dont necissarily have to be hooning around the parking lots, ect... I have fun driving my FJ every time.

[BDHG940]

Toyota Previa 5 speed (turbo)

[TTQ B4U]

You can probably find an Exploder around to get it all done, though they dont seem like a damn bit of fun... Come to think of it an MS3 doesnt really either.

 

Really? You've never likely owned one to see. I bet it would make you smile.

[Cordell]

Need to start car shopping this week. I haven't been in this game for a while, however i always look for deals. here are the details.

 

04-or newer

comfortable kid mover

tow a couple of jet skis to erie and back a couple time a year

decent gas mileage

fun to drive, even for the wife

reliable daily driver

$7500-$12500

 

thanks,

tom

 

None of these things go together very well, things that tow well, have a big back seat so they are comfortable, don't usually get good gas mileage or are fun to drive. So things that aren't trucks or SUVs, because I don't think trucks are really fun to drive, doesn't leave shit. Maybe you should look into Rav4s and CRVs, or maybe some Subaru. Personally nothing I think would be enjoyable to own fits your requirements.

[SRTurbo04]

what about the mazda/saburu suvs. there sporty some are turbod and are quick for what they are. seat 5-7 and can tow...

 

 

edit: looks like the motor is the motor out of a mazda speed6 as well as a 6 speed auto. comes in fwd and awd. mpg is mid 20s can can tow two jets skis. i belive it meets allof ur criteria

[thorne]

Grand Prix GTP

Impala SS 5.3

Subaru Forrester XT or Outback XT

Mercury Maurader

[Stallion Motorsports1647545491]

thanks for all the suggestions so far. i know my needs dont fit together very well, i guess that is why im going to have to go shop around a bit. i might just buy a car for the wife, and hold out for a decent deal for a truck for me...who knows.

 

thanks,

tom

[V8 Beast]

If you could up that to $15-$17k I would say Ford Edge. 21 mpg, can tow a little, and reliable.

[Got-Boost?]

How many kids and what age?

[Stallion Motorsports1647545491]

2 munchkins ages 4 and 9.

 

Tom

[iwashmycar]

Really? You've never likely owned one to see. I bet it would make you smile.

 

I have not. My best friend has a 04 dark grey 5spd Wagon (not a Speed), and it is nice, but I never really got into it. He is having all sorts of problems with it, including rust... I think he just got a poorly maintained one from who-knows-where. Knows he never should have bought it and kept his F150 lol.

 

The Subaru idea mentioned above might work! If the prices are right..

[zeitgeist57]

I would definitely recommend a Forester or Legacy/Outback Wagon. Tribeca's are also great, but definitely more expensive. If you're flexible on older than an '04 (i.e. you don't need to finance this purchase) I would throw another chip down for Craigs Mazda MPV listed above. If we didn't just purchase our Odyssey, I'd be all over that people-mover.

 

Also, don't ignore an AWD minivan...Caravan, Sienna, Uplander/Montana SV6...

 

F the haters, BTW...minivans still rock for all around utility. While it stinks in the curves, our Odyssey is Caddy-smooth on the highway and does EVERYTHING WELL, include going over 120mph in case of an emergency :gabe:

[Squidward]

Im gonna be another one for the forester/outback. Reliable, confortable, and can tow what you need. They can be fun too

[CRed05]

V8, AWD, plenty of room, height adjustable.

 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=306526941&dealer_id=66625015&car_year=2004&systime=&doors=&filter_change=no_results_inc_srch_area_up&model=ALLRDQUA&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=WAGON&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=500&min_price=7500&rdm=1318262324698&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=8+Cylinder&dma=COLUMBUS_OH_WE&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=128&isFlashPlugin=true&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=43065&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=12500&make=AUDI&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=438&standard=false

 

Matter of fact, I kinda want it myself.

[Linn1647545492]

If you plan to tow, I would get something with AWD/4WD. You don't want to be the guy at the boat ramp that can't pull his trailer up the wet boat ramp. Look at Audis or Subarus if you don't want an SUV.

[Trouble Maker]

As far as I can tell RAV 4's were available in V6 (and 4WD if wanted) from 06. Mom has an 09 (I think) V6 4WD and that little thing scoots.

[BDHG940]

I really liked my tbss, they are just a little over the budget your looking at but would follow a lot of your criteria. I havent checked prices for awhile and you might be able to get them cheaper now, pretty sure I heard of someone local picking one up around $15k loaded