Shelly in IL Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 This seems to be a common situation right now for many of us! Here are our needs: needs to hold 2 kids and 2 good sized dogs, get decent gas mileage, great in the snow, be able to purchase used for approx $15k. Can be a few years old but with lower miles. Thanks! Ps, no vans allowed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I have a Ford Focus hatchback. With winter tyres, it does well in the snow. I can fit Hobbes' harp in the back, and Calvin (5'10") fits well. Husband just bought a second-hand Focus too. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Check out the Subaru Forester or Outback/Legacy Wagon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Honda CRV might work but I always vote for Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Check out the Subaru Forester or Outback/Legacy Wagon With our two kids & two dogs we find the Outback cramped. If everyone is in the car we have almost no room for packing anything, besides ourselves and the dogs. We prefer my Dh's Nissan Pathfinder. Unless it has been redesigned, our Subaru dealer told us the Forester has less interior room than the Outback. It is higher off the ground, which fools people--that's according to the dealer we bought from a few years ago. ETA: I think I messed that up and there is more headroom, not higher off the ground, still less actual interior space. My memory isn't so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 The Jeep Patriot meets all of those requirements. I've been very happy with mine. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeline05 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 GMC Acadia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 With our two kids & two dogs we find the Outback cramped. If everyone is in the car we have almost no room for packing anything, besides ourselves and the dogs. We prefer my Dh's Nissan Pathfinder. Unless it has been redesigned, our Subaru dealer told us the Forester has less interior room than the Outback. It is higher off the ground, which fools people--that's according to the dealer we bought from a few years ago. ETA: I think I messed that up and there is more headroom, not higher off the ground, still less actual interior space. My memory isn't so good. You are right. The Forester has more headroom, is a bit narrower (good for narrow parking lots) and gets better gas mileage. I would guess the interior is more like a small/midsize sedan but for 2 adults/2 average size kids, it would seat 4 comfortably. Assuming the dogs are in the back with a gate or crate to secure them they would travel fine. A box added for storage up top keeps it out of the way and free from doggie damage. The Outback is wider and more of a mid/large sedan size inside. It is still like an average car for parking but doesn't manuver in and out of tiny spots as easy as the Forester (I live in a city and am on school campuses A LOT so this was a factor for me when I was ruling out other SUV style cars). I went from an Accord to the Outback and find it similar to park. Since is it wider, the doggies will have more room. If they are small crated dogs, you could most likely still put a suit case or two in with the crates. The back area is pretty big ;0) The fuel milage difference is about what you would expect going between a small/midsize to a mid/large size sedan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I love my Subaru Outback -- roomy, easy to drive & park, good in snow. The Outback was redesigned a few years ago to make it more SUV-like. My dealer says that is what people wanted. Ugh! The older ones are more like big station wagons -- a little off the ground, but not so high or big in front that you can't park easily. Have you thought of getting one of those roof clamshells, I think they are called, for extra gear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 we love our mazda 5.... a lot! ours seats six. the back two setas fold down in a second to make a great place for dogs and/or luggage. the middle two seats also fold down, but its a bit more time consuming, and i almost always have kids with me anyway. mileage is good, handling is good.... hth, ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 We have a Forester and an Outback. Love them both. Great in snow and if you put the dogs in the back, you'd have plenty of room. My Forester gets great gas mileage too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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