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"New" Vehicle Advice

Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
2,665 views
Okay, so we are giving our daughter a "new" car as a graduation present. Her current Toyota 4Runner has about 75,000 miles on it.

We looked at a BMW X5 priced very nicely that is a year old with very low mileage, previously owned by an M.D. who trades every year. But the maintenaince on BMWs is outrageous. Mine hit 50K miles this year, and the $5000 cost of extended maintenance beyond 50K has already paid for itself. Really. :eek:

Our daughter and my husband both have Toyota SUVs. The maintenance costs have been minimal. All of our American-made SUVs have had low maintenance costs, although they don't feel as "tight" as our non-American SUVs. Sorry, USA, but it's clear who wins when you go to a dealership like Jaymaxx in Columbus, GA, and drive an American SUV immediately after driving a non-American SUV at a comparable price.

So, any suggestions on a gift for our daughter that won't cost her and her husband as of 6/19 a boatload of money for maintenance and fuel? Doesn't have to be brand new, but I do want all airbags possible and low mileage.

Edited

Replies

51
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#2
Has she figured out where she will live? The fact that I might be trying to parallel park in a large city was a big factor in choosing the Scootermobile.

Does she definitely want a SUV or would a car work?
Lynnie avatar
SoWal Insider
#3
What's wrong with 75K miles? Should be able to get another 200K out of that 4runner. Just kidding - go with another import like Lexus. Or, my new favorite American mfg - Ford! Plus, in Atlanta, the taxes on a BMW are over $1,000/year......not to mention the insurance.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hoodAuthor
#4
Has she figured out where she will live? The fact that I might be trying to parallel park in a large city was a big factor in choosing the Scootermobile.

Does she definitely want a SUV or would a car work?
We want her to have a heavy car for her safety and the safety of our future grandchildren. :wub:

She and her fiance turned down grad school acceptances at MIT and Stanford because they want to be near their families in the ATL area. He will start grad school at Georgia Tech in August. She has a freelance business in ATL. They reside near Tech Square, and he can walk to his research lab, while she conducts her business totally online.

We want the uber-safe vehicle for ATL traffic, their trips to visit us and his parents in the ATL area, and to the beach house.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hoodAuthor
#5
What's wrong with 75K miles? Should be able to get another 200K out of that 4runner. Just kidding - go with another import like Lexus. Or, my new favorite American mfg - Ford! Plus, in Atlanta, the taxes on a BMW are over $1,000/year......not to mention the insurance.
It doesn't have side airbags. Big D introduced side airbags to the US market, so we are uncomfortable with her having a vehicle that doesn't have them, regardless of mileage.
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#6
Yep, if I drove in Atlanta I'd want a tank too! :yikes:

I always liked the Audi 6 - it gets high marks from consumer reports and I always think of Volvo for safety.

Hyundai has been gaining popularity.
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#7
I have heard the X5's are in the shop a lot. I've never owned one so I have no personal experience. I really like the looks and the AWD but they are horribly underpowered.

We also have a 4Runner (85,000+) miles. Honestly, I don't like it. Graytonbound loves it though :idontno:. If I'm taking a long trip and am alone I'll drive it because it gets decent, but not great, gas mileage.

As for the American SUV's being poor quality. I'm callin' BS on that. I have an 02 Z71 Suburban with 145,000 miles. It has been one of the most trouble free vehicles (cars included) that I've ever owned. It drives better and feels more stable than the 4Runner. I know it's comparing apples to oranges but you won't hear me slamming Chevy SUV's. :cool:
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#8
As for the American SUV's being poor quality. I'm callin' BS on that. I have an 02 Z71 Suburban with 145,000 miles. It has been one of the most trouble free vehicles (cars included) that I've ever owned. It drives better and feels more stable than the 4Runner. I know it's comparing apples to oranges but you won't hear me slamming Chevy SUV's. :cool:

Papa Scooterbug also is a big fan - and our family has product tested the hell out of them in every possible way.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hoodAuthor
#9
We've had two 'Burbs. The maintenance costs were minimal. But the handling is just awful compared to our Toyotas. Such a "trucky" feel as compared to our Toyota SUVs.
ameliaj avatar
Beach Fanatic
#10
I have a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. I adore this car. It's sturdy, and has air bags in all the right places and it drives great and has lots of really nice extras. Gas mileage is not fabulous, but OK. I'm planning on passing it on to my daughter when she turns 16 in a year or so.
KISH7374 avatar
Beach Fanatic
#11
Since you have been singing the praises of the 4Runner, why not just get another one? I am a Toyota person and if I didn't have the Tundra, I would have the 4Runner. It just seems like a easy decision to me after hearing you.
Lynnie avatar
SoWal Insider
#12
I have heard the X5's are in the shop a lot. I've never owned one so I have no personal experience. I really like the looks and the AWD but they are horribly underpowered.

We also have a 4Runner (85,000+) miles. Honestly, I don't like it. Graytonbound loves it though :idontno:. If I'm taking a long trip and am alone I'll drive it because it gets decent, but not great, gas mileage.

As for the American SUV's being poor quality. I'm callin' BS on that. I have an 02 Z71 Suburban with 145,000 miles. It has been one of the most trouble free vehicles (cars included) that I've ever owned. It drives better and feels more stable than the 4Runner. I know it's comparing apples to oranges but you won't hear me slamming Chevy SUV's. :cool:

Yeah, I agree. Still love my Tahoe at just under 200K miles - my most expensive repair was the transmission, which is expensive in any automobile. I am liking the VW more and more, however.
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#13
Papa Scooterbug also is a big fan - and our family has product tested the hell out of them in every possible way.

Trust me. It's not been an easy 145K :blush:

We've had two 'Burbs. The maintenance costs were minimal. But the handling is just awful compared to our Toyotas. Such a "trucky" feel as compared to our Toyota SUVs.

That's the funny part. My Burb handles far better than the 4Runner. Maybe because I have the Z71 package which is more geared to off road and hauling. Every time I drive the 4Runner on a curry road I feel like it's going to flip :shock:

Yeah, I agree. Still love my Tahoe at just under 200K miles - my most expensive repair was the transmission, which is expensive in any automobile. I am liking the VW more and more, however.

I'm not even going to comment on your post because I don't want any bad Juju :biggrin:
Lynnie avatar
SoWal Insider
#14
Trust me. It's not been an easy 145K :blush:



That's the funny part. My Burb handles far better than the 4Runner. Maybe because I have the Z71 package which is more geared to off road and hauling. Every time I drive the 4Runner on a curry road I feel like it's going to flip :shock:



I'm not even going to comment on your post because I don't want any bad Juju :biggrin:

I hear ya. It was really 'young' then, too at only 80K mil. Freak situation most definitely. Yours is fine! I swear!
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#15
I hear ya. It was really 'young' then, too at only 80K mil. Freak situation most definitely. Yours is fine! I swear!


la la la la la la la ..... can't hear you la la la la la la la ............ :biggrin:
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hoodAuthor
#16
Since you have been singing the praises of the 4Runner, why not just get another one? I am a Toyota person and if I didn't have the Tundra, I would have the 4Runner. It just seems like a easy decision to me after hearing you.
We are thinking about a used Toyota Highlander hybrid.

Yeah, I agree. Still love my Tahoe at just under 200K miles - my most expensive repair was the transmission, which is expensive in any automobile. I am liking the VW more and more, however.
We have looked at the Touareg and and the Jetta SportWagen. Anyone have any experience with the maintenance costs for VWs?

Trust me. It's not been an easy 145K :blush:



That's the funny part. My Burb handles far better than the 4Runner. Maybe because I have the Z71 package which is more geared to off road and hauling. Every time I drive the 4Runner on a curry road I feel like it's going to flip :shock:
Her first 4Runner scared me -- we bought it brand new, but it drove like heck. So we bought her another new 4Runner with the big wheels and more bells and whistles. That made all the difference in handling.

BTW I rode in a Kia Sorrento that my sister rented the last time she was in town. As a passenger, it felt really tight. She said she liked the way it drove. Anyone have any experience with this crossover or with Kia?

Edited

RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#17
I just got back from a bike ride and one of the guys has a Ford Escape V6. Loves it. Said it's the best Ford he's had in years. He's a Pharm Rep and said the last one was a Hybrid Escape. He said the V6 is $8,000 cheaper and only get 2MPG less.
aggieb avatar
Beach Fanatic
#18
i love the audi Q7. until we looked at one and saw the $65,000 price tag. :leaving:

i also like the highlander and the new outback.
Beach Comber
#19
If you buy a VW make sure to get Vag-Com, because within the first years of owning any VW you will get a check engine light. I work on VW on the side and rank them near the bottom as far as quality goes. Saftey wise is second to none.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hoodAuthor
#20
I just got back from a bike ride and one of the guys has a Ford Escape V6. Loves it. Said it's the best Ford he's had in years. He's a Pharm Rep and said the last one was a Hybrid Escape. He said the V6 is $8,000 cheaper and only get 2MPG less.
I've seen online that they are highly ranked. We'll take a look. Thanks.

i love the audi Q7. until we looked at one and saw the $65,000 price tag. :leaving:

i also like the highlander and the new outback.
Really, I wouldn't even by a $65K vehicle for myself anymore. When we were younger and had decades before retirement, yes.

We'll checkout the Outback. Thanks for the suggestion.

If you buy a VW make sure to get Vag-Com, because within the first years of owning any VW you will get a check engine light. I work on VW on the side and rank them near the bottom as far as quality goes. Saftey wise is second to none.
That's not good to hear (re maintainance). As poor grad students, they won't be able to afford a vehicle with high maintenance costs. That's why we turned down the used X5 because even though the price was right, the maintenance on BMWs is outrageous.

Thanks for the info!
Lynnie avatar
SoWal Insider
#21
If you buy a VW make sure to get Vag-Com, because within the first years of owning any VW you will get a check engine light. I work on VW on the side and rank them near the bottom as far as quality goes. Saftey wise is second to none.

Mine hasn't come on, but it does have little things go kapooey that are just a pain in the butt. My mechanic (the best ever) doesn't like VW either....he was rather disappointed when I drove up in the Touareg. He prefers Ford or Toyota. BR, I can put you in touch with them because they get cars all the time 'for sale.' You'll likely get a better deal and it will be thoroughly checked out by someone you can trust.
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#22
Find the brand new car you like then call ask around for a good auto broker. These guys will go to auction for you (for a fee) and find that vehicle with 10,000 to 15,000 miles on it and BAM you ahead of the game.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hoodAuthor
#23
Mine hasn't come on, but it does have little things go kapooey that are just a pain in the butt. My mechanic (the best ever) doesn't like VW either....he was rather disappointed when I drove up in the Touareg. He prefers Ford or Toyota. BR, I can put you in touch with them because they get cars all the time 'for sale.' You'll likely get a better deal and it will be thoroughly checked out by someone you can trust.
Thanks. Will call you after we decide what brand/model to buy.
Find the brand new car you like then call ask around for a good auto broker. These guys will go to auction for you (for a fee) and find that vehicle with 10,000 to 15,000 miles on it and BAM you ahead of the game.
I agree. There's no point in paying a new vehicle price when they lose so much value the moment one drives out of the lot with a brand new one.

We went to Toyota. We really like the Venza. They were pretty slammed today. My cousin is our salesperson, so we didn't want him to lose any Saturday sales because of us. We'll go back on a slow day because I haven't driven a Venza or a Highlander yet.

We also drove a Kia Sorrento. It was really nice and drove really nicely. Hubby had never been in one. He was really impressed. Coincidentally our salesperson was one in one of my classes (he's a junior) and has been in many classes with our daughter.

Then we gave out of steam because it is so steamy outside.:lol:

Now I have to look at safety ratings. Thanks for all y'all's (;-)) advice. Keep 'em coming, please. :wub:

Edited

SGB avatar
Beach Fanatic
#24
We've been test driving crossovers recently and really liked the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The engine and body style changed quite a bit in 2010. The gas mileage rating is 32 hwy and 22 city. I was pretty impressed with the bells and whistles you get on it for the cost. It has a 5 star safety rating for front and side impact.
Minnie avatar
Beach Fanatic
#25
I have a 2003 Highlander, have been pleased with it. At this time though due to the recent problems with Toyota, I would not buy a new one.

Agree about VW too, we have one in our family, maintenance is very high but they are built like tanks.

I like the looks of Kia Sorrento but watch out for those sock monkeys lol.

Edited

ShallowsNole avatar
Beach Fanatic
#26
I have a 2007 Highlander, bought new and approaching 50K miles, and love it. It drives more like a car than a truck, and very little maintenance required. Mine has a little quirk that, after the tires get rotated, I get just this side of the Hathaway Bridge coming home from PC and the tire imbalance light comes on. Other than that, it's perfect. Roughly 24 mpg, too.

Of course, both of the Camrys I had prior to the Highlander got 33 mpg, and I would have been fine with another Camry but Fuzz thought I needed to fit in better with the SoWal mom SUV crowd.

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