"New" Vehicle Advice

[Beach Runner]

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.

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.

 

[scooterbug44]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

Yep, if I drove in Atlanta I'd want a tank too!

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]

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 . 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.

 

[scooterbug44]

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.

Papa Scooterbug also is a big fan - and our family has product tested the hell out of them in every possible way.

 

[Beach Runner]

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]

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.