What car brand/model/make am I looking for ...?

[eternalknot]

I'm in the market for two cars.

 

I'm open to buying new or used-but-not-more-than-three-years-old. IRL suggestions have been:

 

 

For sedans - Kia Optima, VW Passat, Toyota Camry

For SUVs - Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, Acura MDX

 

Here are my wants:

 

FIRST is a mid-size to large sedan. It'll be driven mostly as a secondary car, but we'll be transporting tall, leggy teenage boys so there needs to be a fair amount of legroom from the back seat. We also prefer a bench seat because it's not uncommon to have 3 kids in the back (two who are still in carseats, so the hump needs to be ... sittable LOL).

 

SECOND is a mid-size SUV to downsize from our Pilot. We no longer need the third row since the olders are now driving themselves and we have less in carseats. I don't mind a third row, but I don't want to drive something as big as the Pilot. This will be my primary car.

 

The minivans don't do it for me - the backrow is too small for as many carseats as we need, but also too tight to comfortable seat the older kids. ** I'd really like a separate heat/cool system for the back, but I'm not sure if that's offered for the mid-size? **

 

Anyone have/drive/know about any of these? I'm a sucker for a smart-talker, so I need to know before I go to the lots and get suckered into buying something I don't really want :tongue_smilie:.

[katilac]

I love my Honda CRV. If it's big enough for you, I really recommend it (seats 5). There's no separate heat/cool for the back, but it really isn't needed (says the lady who lives in hot, hot Louisiana). It has a lot of cargo space in back, drives very smoothly, and just has an overall good 'feel' to it, typical for a Honda. Super reliable as well.

 

The biggest potential issue would be the leggy teenage boys; if the people in the front seat are tall, I don't know that they would have a ton of room. I don't know how different it would be from one to the next? I would check that out in person on each vehicle you are considering. I can't imagine a car having more legroom, but I could be wrong.

 

I know we looked at Rav4s as well. I didn't like their interior design, and I don't think they rated as reliably. Edited to add that I checked, and the 2009 Rav4 actually got an excellent reliability rating from Consumer Reports. I don't remember looking at the MDX, and we didn't look at cars at all - I'm a total convert to vans and SUVS, can't stand being so close to the ground! I find visibility far better in an SUV.

Edited September 13, 2012 by katilac

[HollyBee]

For sedans, I love the Toyota Avalon. It has a ton of room in the backseat, lots of creature comforts, and the Toyota reliability. The trunk is huge, too.

 

For an SUV, I LOVE the Acura MDX. I bought one new in 2006, and I just bought a new 2012. We still have the 2006, which hasn't given us a lick of trouble. It rides wonderfully, but it's still pretty fun to drive (for an SUV). It can tow 5000 lbs. in case you ever need to pull a U-Haul. Lots of room in the backseat. Third seat is great to have when you need it; I always keep mine folded down with a cargo tray over it (the cargo tray in my new one folds up so that I can pop the third seat up on the spur of the moment). When the third seat is down, there's a ton of cargo space in the back. Lots of technology fun (the tech package is the best buy). The only thing I don't like about the MDX is the lousy gas mileage, but it's par for the course for that size SUV. ETA: The third seat in the MDX is TINY. You won't be able to fit leggy teenage boys back there for anything more than a super short drive. However, it'll do in a pinch, and it's fine for smaller kids.

 

Good luck and have fun! I love cars (embarrassing but true). :blush:

 

Editing again: I reread your post, and you said you're open to buying new. You should be able to find a 2012 MDX Tech sitting on the lot right now, and the deals are really good, since the 2013's just came out. We got a killer deal (added 3500 worth of accessories, out the door with taxes etc. for $200 over invoice).

Edited September 13, 2012 by HollyBee

[Miss Marple]

We are in the same market for a small SUV (downsizing from Honda Odyssey). We've driven most in that class. My favorites in order:

1. Audi Q5 (hands down this is the most fun and best driving out there - pricey)

2. Volvo XC60 t (close to the Audi)

3. Acura MDX (a little boring)

4. Lincoln (can't remember the letters :) but my son loved the backseat best in this. Luxury, but a little big and heavy)

5. VW Tiguan (very close to the Venza, but I'm a sucker for VW. I loved it, my dh didn't. And not much legroom in backseat)

6. Toyota Venza (a little different from the others, but really worth looking at)

 

If I were purchasing without regard to backseat I would get an Infinity EX35 :)

 

Sedans: favorite is the Passat TDI. Great gas mileage. And I love VW.

 

We haven't driven the newer Honda CRV or RAV4, but in the past they were a bit blah.

[QueenCat]

I LOVE my Toyota Camry. Eldest right at 6 ft. tall, and has plenty of room when sitting in the back seat.

[bobbeym]

I love my Honda CRV and it's one of the older models. I would definiately buy another one though. I can fit all 3 teens in the back, and DS18 likes that he has both leg room and doesn't hit his head on the roof.

[BrookValley.]

I'm no good with details, but we're a hardcore VW family. The inanimate love of my life is my rebuilt VW Jetta TDI (it's actually a GLI, which was never made with a diesel engine--the GLI being the "fancier" model--with a full TDI swap underneath). It is a workhorse of a car, gets 40+ mpgs, and looks good, too. :D My husband also drives a VW (a pre-family car, a GTI, which is teensy and irrelevant for the purposes of this discussion). Our next car, which we are in the beginning stages of researching, with likely either be another VW Jetta, a Jetta wagon, or a CC. I love the CC, but I don't think we can get it in diesel, and I think having a diesel is a hill I would die on.

[Element]

I have had 2 Accords and a Camry and I would highly recommend both models. My next purchase will probably be another Camry because the parts seem to be slightly less expensive (at least in my area) but I would be happy with either one!

[kroe1]

I would kill for that Cadillac station wagon that goes 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Whew.....:auto:

 

You would be the coolest soccer mom on the planet.

[TheReader]

LOVE our Honda CR-V. We have an older one (2003, I think) that we left in the US and use when we visit. Our 3 boys still fit comfortably in the back seat --- oldest is 5'8" and all legs, middle is 5'2" and also leggy, and youngest is still in a booster. Ours has held up well, and though it's mostly sat for the last 5 years, we drove the snot out of it the first few years -- it has between 80K and 90K miles on it and is doing just fine. Not all highway miles, either.

 

I'd totally buy another one if given the chance.

[SailorMom]

I adore my VW Golf. It's a TDI - gets about 44 mpg. on average.

My DH is 6'2", and both kids are taking after him, and we all fit fine.

Bench seat in the back :)

[eternalknot]

Thank you SO MUCH for the BTDT and reviews.

 

There are a few cars mentioned that I hadn't heard of so I'll have to do some more homework :)

 

I'm hoping to wrap up the research angle and get to the test-drive angle by next weekend.

 

Thanks for the heads up about the MDX deals. That's the one I best liked the looks of, but I don't know anyone IRL who has or had one.

 

I've never owned a VW, but we've had several BMWs and an Audi -- all of them were fabulous until about 7 years, then they all starting going bad. The Audi actually did okay until the 10 year mark, but I thought maybe it was a German thing so I was hesitant to invest in a VW sedan this time around. I feel better about considering it now that I've read more positive feedback.

 

Thanks again!