Tap Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 UPDATE ON POST 33 I need a new car. I have a 2003 Accord and it is having issues. I have driven one Accord or the other for 18 years, so I am seriously considering something different. What I need/want: at least 25mpg minimum in the city. I drive in the city, with a lot of starts/stops, about 500 miles a week so mpg is important. Full size Sedan or larger (tall kids with long legs) Must handle snow well (we go the mountains often) and be heavy enough to not get blown around on windy bridges. Decent trunk space for vacations Safety ratings must be high. Doesn't have to be brand new, but no more than 3-5 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 We have a four wheel drive Toyota rav4. It seats 5. The mileage is great. It isn't a full size sedan but it is roomy enough that our 6'1" son and 5'11" daughter can ride in the back comfortably while still allowing comfortable seating in the front. The hatchback area isn't huge but it can hold several suitcases and the area under the floor is a nice size for additional luggage. We live in Alaska and I've never had a bit of trouble in the snow. Our previous rav4 was a front wheel drive and this is far superior in terms of handling. Overall, I love it. It might not be your dream car, but it's worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 subaru. i rolled over in a subaru wagon and practically walked away aside from being in shock. i used to get them used, with 100,000 miles, and a stick shift. awesome cars. all wheel drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Check out the fuel economy of different classes of vehicles here: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.shtml I think the only Large Sedan that has a City fuel economy over 20 is the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. But IME, AWD is best in the snow. I don't think the car you are seeking is in existence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Subaru. I don't know the details of the various models, but this is a standard choice of the outdoor sports crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Another vote for subaru. I drove it everywhere in nasty winter weather and always felt safe. The mpg is pretty good- I think it is right around 25mpg. If you get an outback you can pack a ton in the hatchback. You'll have much more space than with the accord. It was my favorite car ever. I sold it almost 9yrs ago because we needed more seats and I still miss it and sigh when I see others driving similar cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgeTea Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Subaru gets my vote, also. We have two of them, and had both out in the heavy, wet snow on unplowed back roads today. (The local schools were closed because of the snow, which means we pack up the sleds and head out in the country to our friends' houses!) I don't hesitate to go where I need to in these cars. Last I checked, ours were getting 23mpg city/25mpg highway. They hold their value well, also. I just kelly blue booked the '99, and it's supposed to be worth nearly $4000 if I wanted to sell it in my front yard. Not bad for a car I bought used for $3000, and which now has 250k miles on it. It's running like a champ. Note: I shopped a long time before I could locate our Subarus. Used ones are hard to find in snow country: people don't get rid of them! Also, I notice you were mentioning long-legged people in your family...I'm short-legged, but long-waisted, so I SIT tall...and there's lots of head room. The seats are fully adjustable height-wise; perhaps one of their models would work for you? Happy car shopping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I was also going to say Subaru. I don't have heavy snow here, or hardly any but we do get ice and water covered roads. The all wheel drive has been great. I have had no problems at all with sliding or hydroplaning. Oh, and like Bridget above, I love that it has so adjustable. Both dh, who has long legs, myself who sits tall but with short legs, and my youngest, who sits medium, but with even shorter legs than mine can all fit fine with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Our next new car will be a Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I would agree with the suggestions for a Subaru. We just bought a Mazda CX-5 (small crossover SUV) that I really like. My hill to die on was gas mileage, and this thing has the best we could find for the size. I consistently get 30+ MPGs, more on the highway. It does come in an AWD version, tho we just got front wheel drive (not a lot of snow here). It is not a huge vehicle, but I feel we have plenty of space. I also like that it does not feel like an SUV when you drive it--any SUV I have ever driven feels like driving a squirlly go-cart. I hate it. But not this. It handles a lot more like a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Subaru vote here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Regardless of the car you get, plan to put good money into tires and tire care! I've had a bunch of cars over the years. All old with high miles and not too many safety features. The ONLY time i had a snow problem was several weeks ago with my near bald tires. I have some problems that caused the tire tread to wear down very quickly and very uneven which is why they got as bad as they are. I can't replace the tires until i get the underlying problems fixed. Well, i could, but I'd be destroying brand new tires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 AWD is best but we do fine with our ancient accord and a bit newer camry. We use snow tires and only drive in the mountains about once a month. Otherwise it's fairly flat where we live. The only time we've been stuck is in a very steep driveway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Subaru!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoObvious Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Without reservation, SUBARU! We love our Legacy (sedan) and our Tribeca (mid size SUV). I dream about the new Outback.... And we are usually not car people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoObvious Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Oh, and our Legacy is only a year old and it gets amazing gas mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I love my Subaru Outback. It manages to be small on the outside and roomy on the inside. It is a bit raised, so you can drive on rough roads, but not as high as an SUV -- the Subaru allows you to see what is around you and park easily in crowded city spaces. BTW, the newer Outbacks are higher; I wish they had kept the old size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I have a Toyota highlander hybrid. I get about 25 mpg. It is a smaller SUV, so there is some space. I *THINK* you can get them with 3 rows of seats, but we only have 2 girls so we didn't worry about it. There are only 3 brands that DH will even look at in cars: Toyota, Honda, & Subaru. I had an outback, the older model that wasn't built up to look like a mini SUV, and I *LOVED* it. If they ever come out with a hybrid or HIGH mileage one, I'm all over it! DH drives a prius, and it gets 40-50 mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny_Weatherwax Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I vote for Subaru. When I was in Minn after Christmas I noticed the abundance of Subarus. I think every other car was either an Outback or a Forester. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Yes, I specifically went with an older Outback because it wasn't high. I have arthritis and getting into my husband's Toyota tundra is not pleasant for me. I did want to say something about tires. FIrst of all, if anyone wants them, I have a four set of wonderful Michelin ICE tires for free for the taking. They don't fit any of our cars now and we don't even live where there is appreciable snow. But those ICE tires came in super handy living in Northern VA. We had a few very miserable winters there and we lived in a neighborhood of steep hills, including one to get out of my small area. I was driving a Hyundai Sonata and couldn't get out with regular tires. I had to special order those Ice tires but they did the job better than my dh's Toyota Tundra with all wheel drive but no snow tires did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny_Weatherwax Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I went back and read the replies just to see if my suggestion was unique. :001_cool: Wow, lots of votes for Subaru. Here's my dream car - http://www.subaru.com/build-your-own/tribeca.html?s_kpi=hero_image Now, if only someone would toss an extra 40k my way, it would be parked in the driveway. :auto: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I don't know about make and model but my Dad always put snow chains on when it was bad. On all our cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I agree with having good tires. I have a Ford Taurus (2002) and I do pretty good here in Michigan with it. Right now I have Goodyear viva 2s on it that we got in March. Oh and make sure your vehicle is all aligned :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 We have a newer Camry that I drive most days, but I take the CRV when the roads are yucky. Our next purchase will be another CRV or a Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoObvious Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I went back and read the replies just to see if my suggestion was unique. :001_cool: Wow, lots of votes for Subaru. Here's my dream car - http://www.subaru.com/build-your-own/tribeca.html?s_kpi=hero_image Now, if only someone would toss an extra 40k my way, it would be parked in the driveway. :auto: Just to throw it out there, we got our 2006 Tribeca in 2008 and paid about $20,000. We bought it at Carmax, of all places. I'm in love with this car. Sun roof, leather heated seats, the whole nine yards. You might want to look for a used one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Yes, I specifically went with an older Outback because it wasn't high. I have arthritis and getting into my husband's Toyota tundra is not pleasant for me. I did want to say something about tires. FIrst of all, if anyone wants them, I have a four set of wonderful Michelin ICE tires for free for the taking. They don't fit any of our cars now and we don't even live where there is appreciable snow. But those ICE tires came in super handy living in Northern VA. We had a few very miserable winters there and we lived in a neighborhood of steep hills, including one to get out of my small area. I was driving a Hyundai Sonata and couldn't get out with regular tires. I had to special order those Ice tires but they did the job better than my dh's Toyota Tundra with all wheel drive but no snow tires did. I was going to mention winter tyres. I have a standard front-wheel drive Ford Focus hatchback. So far, my winter tyres have made all the difference - no snow problems at all. It's an investment up front, but then you they just wear down at the same speed as the summer ones would, so it's barely an extra cost. I do pay to have them swapped over in the autumn and spring, but if you were more mechanical than I am you could do that yourself. We do have space to store them in the garage, which makes a difference. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimomma Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Another vote for snow tires. I live on a very steep hill in a place that gets serious snow and ice for 6 months of the year. We have owned all types of cars. As long as the car is FWD and we have snow tires, we have zero problems, ever. So, I would look for what you can afford, is comfortable for your family, and gets good gas mileage before worrying about winter worthiness. AWD is a nice concept but most people who think they "need" it really do not. And AWD really takes a hit on the mileage. That said, Subarus are great. As are the smaller crossovers like Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV-4s. Most places do not allow chains anymore as they rip up the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Yet another vote for snow tires. Specifically Nokia Hakepelitta snow tires. The guys at the garage talked me into a different brand last year and the difference was noticeable. Chains (and studs) are only legal in some states at some times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share Posted January 29, 2013 I agree with everyone about snow tires too. LOL We kept studless snow tires/ice tires on our two main cars from November till spring. They are a necessity to me and make a huge difference in traction in our cold, wet/icy climate. We have them on the VW Golf and my Accord and these two cars go everywhere in the snow with them. If there are situations where snow tires aren't enough.....I don't go there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I wish that subaru would make an 8-seater vehicle. This thread makes me miss my old outback even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 yeah, i kinda miss my subaru wagons. i used to drive on dirt roads a lot. here in VA we dont get much snow, and i switched to a 5-speed mazda5 last car. its more flexible and was a better fit for 3 kids. but once in a while when it snows or I go down a dirt road, i miss my subarus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 We are Toyota fans - RAV 4's are excellent in the snow and very safe. We've used them in VT and Northern ME -- lots of snow, ice and can you say MUD SEASON (In VT)! We tried Subaru's but the seats were killers; so uncomfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLL...... I bought a 2013 Subaru Outback last night....Twilight blue/Black leather. :0) I am really surprised that I bought a brand new car but I couldn't get what I wanted in used. By the time I upgraded a used one to what I wanted, it was cheaper to buy it new LOL It is the blue one on the cover and on the page with the car going through the woods. The ironic thing is that this summer it will look just like the picture on the cover, yellow kayak and all. LOL http://dbrochure.sub...utback.2013.pdf Thanks for everyones advice! After I looked at the Outback, nothing else compared. LOL You all rock for great advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 :party: :party: :party: Congratulations!!! I hope you LOVE your new car!!! The color is gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebeccaS Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 My parents have that same car. They love it! Great in the snow (they live on top of a big hill-never have trouble getting up it). I hope you enjoy it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 I love my Outback. Hope you enjoy yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny_Weatherwax Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Looks good! Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundAbout Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Congrats. We have a 2011 Subaru Outback and LOVE it and we are not car people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runbikeswim Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 So late but congrats. I love my outback! Happy Driving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLL...... I bought a 2013 Subaru Outback last night....Twilight blue/Black leather. :0) I am really surprised that I bought a brand new car but I couldn't get what I wanted in used. By the time I upgraded a used one to what I wanted, it was cheaper to buy it new LOL It is the blue one on the cover and on the page with the car going through the woods. The ironic thing is that this summer it will look just like the picture on the cover, yellow kayak and all. LOL http://dbrochure.sub...utback.2013.pdf Thanks for everyones advice! After I looked at the Outback, nothing else compared. LOL You all rock for great advice! Congratulations!!! I have an Outback with black leather interior too -- it's a package with the sunroof and climate control. Love it -- and, although it's 5 years old, it still looks new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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