Smaller SUV / crossover / car recommendations for the wife?

NorcalVet
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Nor-cal, CA US
Edited Date/Time 12/10/2018 12:14am
She’s looking to spend 13-18k, looking at gently used. Nothing in stone as a choice. Safety and reliably is a must. Here’s just a few she’s been looking at.

How are the Newer Jeep renegades, compass’s
Nissan rouges
Hyundai Santa Fe / Tucson’s
?

Honda accords/ civics
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Forte/ soul
Ford Focus
Chevy Cruz
? I’m not sure on some of her ideas for car options

Thanks for any comments
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HD1200
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11/29/2018 8:19pm Edited Date/Time 12/1/2018 11:10am
Honda CRV-EX
colintrax
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11/29/2018 9:02pm Edited Date/Time 11/29/2018 9:07pm
Avoid the focus if she wants an auto, no to all jeeps. Particularly those 2.
And a fuck no the Kia soul. Look at the ford escapes with the 3.0 V6 and 2012 back. If looking newer look at the honda cr-v or Toyota rav4.
If brand new is ok, go look at the Volkswagen tiguan. I talked my mom into getting one and she loves it. Can get the base model for right around 20K and they are very nice for the money.


I should add the newer ford escapes are fine, I'm just personally not a fan.
1
rpoint116
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11/29/2018 9:17pm Edited Date/Time 11/29/2018 9:17pm
My wife picked up a new 16 RAV4. Loves it! Unbelievable amount of space inside. Great mpg. Rides good. Toyota’s are great and last forever.

The RAV4 is the best selling Toyota these days.
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Deja New
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11/29/2018 9:21pm
Ive owned both the last two model Nissan Rouge's / Qashqai Dualis here in Australia both were awesome cars great on fuel, quite ride and very comfortable. Not sure if they do the Diesel in the states if they do grab one MPG is amazing on them 1.6TDi motors. the 2.0L pretor is good but the diesel is better.

The Shop

11/29/2018 9:34pm Edited Date/Time 11/29/2018 9:35pm
Subaru Forrestor. 28 mpg. Super roomy inside. Affordable. Awd.

Subaru Impreza gets 38 mpg....can be had brand new for 18k....
NorCal 50+
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11/29/2018 11:17pm
rpoint116 wrote:
My wife picked up a new 16 RAV4. Loves it! Unbelievable amount of space inside. Great mpg. Rides good. Toyota’s are great and last forever. The...
My wife picked up a new 16 RAV4. Loves it! Unbelievable amount of space inside. Great mpg. Rides good. Toyota’s are great and last forever.

The RAV4 is the best selling Toyota these days.
I saw a RAV4 recently that looked pretty cool. They used to be lame, but they look better.
My wife is 5'6" and needs something on the smaller side. The Subaru Crosstrek is one I see a lot lately.


11/29/2018 11:58pm Edited Date/Time 11/29/2018 11:59pm
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so bad by people who bought jeeps that are in the service dept constantly, the quality is terrible.
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imoto34
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11/30/2018 3:30am
lostboy819 wrote:
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so...
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so bad by people who bought jeeps that are in the service dept constantly, the quality is terrible.
So are Chryslers, dodges, fords, chevys, hyundai's, Kias, subaru's and all the other brands.

Buy her a bike, but people will say its junk. A good pair of shoes and people will argue the brand.
1
ns503
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11/30/2018 3:55am Edited Date/Time 11/30/2018 3:56am
You're all over the map kinda between SUV & car.

We have a 2017 Civic. Before that & still a 2006 that has over 500,000kms on it. So yeah, Civics are good.

But you'd need to nail down between a car & SUV. CRVs are also good. As are HRVs. Pretty much any Honda - you just need to decide what form you want.

I will say our new Civic is really low to the ground. Which might make getting in & out not quite so easy say compared to a CRV.

I would not shy away from Toyota or Nissan either. Our rental in TO last month was a Corolla. It was pretty impressive too, for a Corolla. Friends have Rav4s - they are really happy. And the new Nissan place here is selling PILES of almost everything they make - I see Quashquis (or however you spell it) everywhere now.

EDIT: Forgot to add, Honda has a new one coming out - Passport. Not sure when it will be at dealers. It's pretty cool looking.
11/30/2018 5:53am
I'm surprised the Mazda CX-5 isn’t on your list. The reliability is there and it feels like a compact car to drive, even though it falls in the same category as the Escape, CR-V, RAV4 etc.
TXDirt
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11/30/2018 6:04am
Anything Toyota
11/30/2018 6:06am
We own a Nissan Murano, its not a bad rig, it took some time to get used to the transmission since its like a side by side but Its nice around here in the winter with all the hills (holds its speed), I would recommend it before the Rogue.....
NorcalVet
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11/30/2018 6:45am
Thanks for all the comments and recommendations so far.... keep ‘em coming.

She’s had a rav 4 in the past and currently coming off a caliber.
I know I’ve alway heard Honda’s and Toyota’s go forever and her rav was a trooper and a commuter.

Her baseline is sort of optional... there’s so many choices / options.


JPT
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Cedar Falls, IA US
11/30/2018 6:52am
We're on our 4th Hyundai Sante Fe, should be 3rd but I totalled one. Good price and never had an issue. Our currant one is fully loaded and the 60 month 60000 mile warranty is the best. After I wrecked the one we had a Tucson rental for awhile, smaller but liked it too.

For work cars I've had two Elantras, smaller but really like them. Had my currant one for 7 years and it's like new.

By the way, the way I totalled it was getting hit broadside by a pickup going 45 plus. I didnt get a scratch so I can vouch for it's safety.
NorcalVet
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11/30/2018 7:01am
lostboy819 wrote:
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so...
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so bad by people who bought jeeps that are in the service dept constantly, the quality is terrible.
Why such a bad rap on the renegade. I know it’s made in Italy and basically fiat built and designed.
- there’s a great deal one on out of Sac.


My dad swears by his Acura MDX?
Some options like the suburu’s just seem way over priced. But you do get what you pay for more often then not

AJ565
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San Antonio, TX US
11/30/2018 7:11am
Cadillac SRX
GMC Terrain or Arcadia
Chevrolet Equinox
Buick Enclave

All fit into your budget as well.
colintrax
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11/30/2018 8:05am
lostboy819 wrote:
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so...
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so bad by people who bought jeeps that are in the service dept constantly, the quality is terrible.
NorcalVet wrote:
Why such a bad rap on the renegade. I know it’s made in Italy and basically fiat built and designed. - there’s a great deal one...
Why such a bad rap on the renegade. I know it’s made in Italy and basically fiat built and designed.
- there’s a great deal one on out of Sac.


My dad swears by his Acura MDX?
Some options like the suburu’s just seem way over priced. But you do get what you pay for more often then not

They're shit. Seriously stay away.

As far as the honda/Toyota nut hugging going on. I'll just say this.
My team lead has an accord, shes having a new engine put in at 210,xxx miles. I told her to seriously consider other options than dropping the $2k or whatever she paid to fix it. The car looks rough, and who knows how much longer the transmission has, suspension joints, etc etc. Her response was "but it's a honda, itll go forever" the Japanese bias is so strong that needing a replacement engine doesnt count as a dead car.
Toyota and Honda build good stuff, hell I recommended a few. The mindset that they're the only 2 that know how to build a good car both blows my mind and pisses me off.
Keep your options open, just don't buy the jeep.
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NorcalVet
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11/30/2018 8:05am
AJ565 wrote:
Cadillac SRX
GMC Terrain or Arcadia
Chevrolet Equinox
Buick Enclave

All fit into your budget as well.
How’chevy/ gmc’s reliability?

I’ve always been a believer in Chevy items... just not anymore, long story short. My old Colorado sucked and was falling apart from the beginning but made it to 220 K miles before I traded it in. But then again I have 49 year old z28 in the garage, that’s made it this long.
bh84
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11/30/2018 8:17am
My wife loves her RAV4. I've owned Toyotas for 10 years now and I drove like a moron when I was younger, I've never been let down aside from a dead battery after a week sitting at -40.
gt80rider
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11/30/2018 8:20am
Have a Nissan Rouge and have had no issues. 2 yrs old, 35k miles, gets right around 30mpg on long trips. Nice list of standard features at the price point. CVT is about as good as they get, very smooth, but a bit of over-hang when coming down from higher revs.
FLmxer
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Fantasy
11/30/2018 9:01am
Bought a Chevy Equinox for my daughter. Highest safty rating and an excellent vehicle. Lots of room and good quality.
yz133rider
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11/30/2018 11:09am
If you can consider right around 20k check out the Kia niro hrbrid. 23k brand new and 50 friggin mpg.

Im considering getting one as my next daily. Slap a hitch hauler on it and carry the bike around with 40+mpg
1
mxdude105
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11/30/2018 11:59am
So I actually have a lot to say on this topic haha. Just went through about a 2 month process of researching and driving these things before buying one. Here's my $.02

My fiance and I just bought a lightly used '17 Mazda CX-5 Touring. I really, really like this thing. We drove a Rav4, Escape SE Ecoboost and a CR-V. The Mazda felt like one notch above in terms of refinement. It doesn't have a ton of power (184hp non-turbo 4cyl) but it's very smooth and rides/handles well. Compared to my WRX it feels like a Lexus. The 6spd auto in the CX-5 is very quick to shift and in the manual/sport mode will run right up to redline. It's pretty fun to drive.

My mom has a '18 CR-V with the 1.5 turbo and the cvt. It's nice. Roomy, quiet and very good on gas. The CX-5 is just sportier, feels tighter with better fit and finish. The cvt in the Honda is meh. Like all cvt's. The Mazda can be hustled down a back road if you're in the mood. The Honda really can't.

My buddy and his wife just bought a '16 Escape ecoboost and the four of us went on a 800mi round trip in the thing to Asheville. Nice car, very quick (2.0 turbo) but not nearly as refined or comfortable as the CX-5 or even the CR-V. Felt like an econobox with some nice bits thrown in as opposed to a mid-level vehicle like the other two. It was a few grand cheaper than our Mazda, but for a long term (8-10yr) vehicle, I think the extra cost was worth it.

I'm a big fan of Japanese vehicles. IMO they aren't always the fanciest but they are the best engineered and most reliable. I've also had good luck with Ford vehicles; we've had so-so luck with Chrysler and GM products, I generally would not recommend them.
OldPro277
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11/30/2018 1:00pm
As a late-model Pre-Owned Dealer in the biz since 1984-- my recommendation is similar to a lot of the above. Any Toyota or Honda, followed in a distant third place by Nissan,Subie,Mazda,possibly an Escape if its extremely clean and low mile. Unfortunately ,I cant in good conscience, recommend the Terrain, Equinox, or any of the Jeep compacts.
I base this on 35 years of experience with ALL of the above. The Jeep Compass, Patriot, Cherokee and Renegade are several rungs below even the average "domestic" pieces.Definitely stay away if you are looking for a reliable,joyful vehicle experience.
And yes ,I'm most definitely a Toyota/Honda nut hugger and for a very good reason. Out of the approximately 25,000 vehicles I've sold or been a part of ,the Toyota/Honda contingent have caused the least amount of grief,headaches and heartache ---by a LONG shot.
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Falcon
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11/30/2018 1:30pm
My wife has a '15 Nissan Rogue. It's a pretty solid car, nice features. We're at 77K miles on it with just brake pads, air filters and windshield wipers so far. (And tires. My wife drives like she's qualifying for a WRC Rally.)
NorcalVet
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Nor-cal, CA US
11/30/2018 3:00pm
Thanks everyone for your comments. I just showed her all the comments .
—- any Honda/ Toyota/ other car recommendations

11/30/2018 3:07pm
lostboy819 wrote:
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so...
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so bad by people who bought jeeps that are in the service dept constantly, the quality is terrible.
imoto34 wrote:
So are Chryslers, dodges, fords, chevys, hyundai's, Kias, subaru's and all the other brands. Buy her a bike, but people will say its junk. A good...
So are Chryslers, dodges, fords, chevys, hyundai's, Kias, subaru's and all the other brands.

Buy her a bike, but people will say its junk. A good pair of shoes and people will argue the brand.
Not even close, Jeep has almost double the warranty claims of all our other lines and the lowest customer satisfaction. The techs hate it because they are getting flat rate on all the warranty work and in most cases flat rate is not how a good tech makes their money. Service managers quit at a alarming rate from dealing with irate customers who bought a jeep product and I don't blame people for being pissed but if they did their homework before they bought then they more than likely not have bought a jeep to begin with. Every brand has their faithful and detractors but Jeep customer dissatisfaction and warranty claims are in a class of their own.
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Falcon
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Menifee, CA US
11/30/2018 3:44pm
My wife had a Jeep and it locked her inside the car. She once took the key out and the motor kept running. We sold it before it stranded her on the freeway or something.
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imoto34
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TN US
11/30/2018 4:21pm
lostboy819 wrote:
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so...
Do not under any circumstance buy a jeep of any kind. We cant even keep service managers at jeep dealerships because they get beat up so bad by people who bought jeeps that are in the service dept constantly, the quality is terrible.
imoto34 wrote:
So are Chryslers, dodges, fords, chevys, hyundai's, Kias, subaru's and all the other brands. Buy her a bike, but people will say its junk. A good...
So are Chryslers, dodges, fords, chevys, hyundai's, Kias, subaru's and all the other brands.

Buy her a bike, but people will say its junk. A good pair of shoes and people will argue the brand.
lostboy819 wrote:
Not even close, Jeep has almost double the warranty claims of all our other lines and the lowest customer satisfaction. The techs hate it because they...
Not even close, Jeep has almost double the warranty claims of all our other lines and the lowest customer satisfaction. The techs hate it because they are getting flat rate on all the warranty work and in most cases flat rate is not how a good tech makes their money. Service managers quit at a alarming rate from dealing with irate customers who bought a jeep product and I don't blame people for being pissed but if they did their homework before they bought then they more than likely not have bought a jeep to begin with. Every brand has their faithful and detractors but Jeep customer dissatisfaction and warranty claims are in a class of their own.
Yeah, okay. Whistling
2
newmann
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US
11/30/2018 4:28pm
Subaru Forrestor. 28 mpg. Super roomy inside. Affordable. Awd.

Subaru Impreza gets 38 mpg....can be had brand new for 18k....
Came with a nice fruit tray too!Laughing

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