Need help picking out a car for a friend!

[JustinG]

Trying to find a car for my god sons mother as her DD, fun to drive and a 3rd pedal need not apply.

Figured I could get some good ideas from you guys.

Ok so here are some stipulations:

Reliable/easy to maintain/cheap parts
Year: I am gonna say 06 or newer
Price: $18k, lower the better
Mileage: Reasonable for the car/make
Size: Wagon or Small/Medium SUV
MPG: Doesn't need to get 40mpg, but in the 20s would be stellar.
Creature comforts: Leather, heated seats arent must haves but nice. I am assuming if its an SUV AWD/4WD is a plus as well.

Now this car doesn't need to tow, doesn't need to go fast, doesn't need to be fun to drive. Size is not negotiable, so no "She doesn't need an SUV,tell her to buy a miata or a civic coupe".

If it helps, im trying to save her from buying a used Ford Freestyle, which she likes, for some reason????

Thoughts?

[Sully]

Now this car doesn't need to tow, doesn't need to go fast, doesn't need to be fun to drive. Size is not negotiable, so no "She doesn't need an SUV,tell her to buy a miata or a civic coupe".

FTFY GTFO

2002 Jeep Liberty, It's perfect has its not fun to drive, not fast, but just as gay as a Mazda Miata. I know someone who's got one for sale. :wink:

[G.Irish]

Tell her to get a Ford Edge, those are cooler and nicer.

[Kaan]

Toyota Matrix, Honda CRV, Accord, Acura TL, Mazda CX7?... maybe a Liberty or a higher (70-90k) lexus?

[Ken]

09 Lancer Ralliart for 17ish

[JustinG]

09 Lancer Ralliart for 17ish

Is it a Wagon or Small/Medium SUV?

Mazda CX7?...

Good car, but after I had to put 2 engines in one, I think ill pass. Even if it was the dealership/technicians fault.

Keep em coming!

[Steve85]

I was going to say edge also or even the flex...

[JustinG]

I was going to say edge also or even the flex...

She likes the edge, but it seems they have semi held their value, most under $18k are at or above 90k.

[Ken]

09 Lancer Ralliart for 17ish

Is it a Wagon or Small/Medium SUV?

no ...but the seats fold down! lol i tried.

[JustinG]

Are Honda Pilots with 80-90k about to explode???? Or is that an OK mileage?

[Steve85]

Why 18K, has cash or this the loan she can afford? Used car market seems to be overpriced especially when you consider the stupid low rates offered on new cars now. She may be able to get into something new at damn near 0% for a monthly payment equivalent to a used car loan of $18K, plus, under warranty.

[JustinG]

Why 18K, has cash or this the loan she can afford? Used car market seems to be overpriced especially when you consider the stupid low rates offered on new cars now. She may be able to get into something new at damn near 0% for a monthly payment equivalent to a used car loan of $18K, plus, under warranty.

Im looking into new cars as well, so lets assume she can get a new car as long as the payments are close.

[Kaan]

Are Honda Pilots with 80-90k about to explode???? Or is that an OK mileage?

they are J series motors and are due for the typical 80-90k work. The motor will stand up, but the trans i likely to be at close to "half life."

[Jake]

Are Honda Pilots with 80-90k about to explode???? Or is that an OK mileage?

I've always heard questionable things about a Honda V6/Automatic combination. That said, I know a few families with Pilots and they've been okay. The Odysseys (same motor/trans) are known for glass transmissions though.

I really liked my Ford Escape. It was a good size for usable space vs. "over the road" size. The 4-speed autobox is a glass set of gears waiting to explode from the factory. The 2009+ models (not sure on the changeover year, may be 08) got a new 6-speed that is way more reliable. The AWD was great in the snow, it did mid-20s highway, and you can get them loaded up pretty well for a basic Ford. I bet an 09 Limited AWD/V6 would be in her budget. Or an Escape Hybrid, they have a CVT that is reliable and still retain the AWD. The V6 tows better, but that's a non-issue as you said.

The post-redesign Edges are cool. They look like a big Nike high-top.

[Kaan]

i'm assuming a first gen Pilot as well.

[Kaan]

I've always heard questionable things about a Honda V6/Automatic combination. That said, I know a few families with Pilots and they've been okay. The Odysseys (same motor/trans) are known for glass transmissions though.

thats not exactly 100% true. Like the RSX 6 speed and the RSX/EP3 5 speed... they share parts and housings/casings but arent exactly the same.

but Honda is known to have issues with all auto trans around 180k miles.

[ScottyB]

not a fan of automatic hondas, unless there's plenty of warranty intact.

my sister in law has a 02-04 Explorer XLS 2WD V6 that's been flawless. mid 20's highway, IRS, lots of space, you can find them all day for cheap. i think it's got somewhere in the 200k mile range on it now.

[Jake]

Ah, fair enough. You know what "assume" stands for. I guess I thought the Pilot/Oddy used an identical drivetrain. Live and learn.

[JustinG]

anything on the newer Hyundai Sante Fe? Dodge Journey? Mitsubishi Outlander?

[JPolen01]

Edit*

My grandfather loves the Santa Fe. He has had 3, not because they suck, but because he really loves them for some reason. He gave one to my dad and I have driven that one. I believe it was around 05-06 with the smaller v-6 and 4wd. Its peppy but rides like garbage. Loud and rough. He now has 2 of the top of the line loaded (08 and 09?) ones with 4wd and the bigger v-6 which ride decently for a sub 25k loaded car. Now you may be asking why would anyone have this many cars let alone hyundais? My grandparents are snowbirds with a house in florida where they always keep one car. My grandma drives a fully loaded genesis sedan, which I must say is awesome for the price. Looks of a lexus, inside of a bmw. I would definitely tell her to look into those (santa fe), test drive one, and see how she likes it.

Sorry for the rant